sparks2012
Well-known member
True that brother...you're looking bada$$ yourself man! Looking mean with that post workout pump.
Sparks Getting Pumped To The Max w/ iFN's MAX-OUT and Hemavo2 MAX!
- Thread starter sparks2012
- Start date
True that brother...you're looking bada$$ yourself man! Looking mean with that post workout pump.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Was supposed to have s Hypertrophy focused sesh the 13th, was going to be a later gym session to avoid the crowd and be in there by myself. Got a call that night, needed to be back in to work early the next morning. Gym was out of the question at that point, now I'm waiting to get out here so I can go to the gym. Lol who knows when that'll be. The Strength focused session on the 11th was good too, not much to note. Stack is still performing well, flavors are still great and easy to get down quickly before the gym.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Well, ended up working 15 hours last night, so absolutely no gym after that. What's even worse is that I didn't prepare to be there for 15 hours so my intake yesterday was garbage. I couldn't leave to get food either because I was the only one in. Definitely sucked. Looking forward to getting in there today though.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Guys I feel like a big POS for not training for three days in a row! Work has just worn me out, my body felt I needed a break, but my mind was furious. Today seems more promising, although I already had to go back in, I should be done for the day with work. Stay tuned...
FireTitan
Legend
But in my experience bro, a few days off seems to do wonders. Ive taken a few days off before due to work or whatever, go back in thinking this is gonna suck and realize I feel better and can lift a little more than I could before. Sometimes the rest is needed more than you know or want to realize
Studhorse
Legend
I 2nd this one! also noticed the older I get the more off days I need. this is why I try to workout Mon,Tue, Thur, Fri. if not doing HST.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Had a effin' great sesh tonight fellas...my squat is up even more, to my surprise. Only complaint is that my glycogen must've been pretty low because I was noticeably more fatigued as the workout went on. But that's on me, no the stack. They're doing exactly what they need to be.
For reference as to how bad the lighting in my house is...here's this after tonight's Hypertrophy session with the seemingly-perfect gym lighting Invalid Link Removed
Edit - I swear my legs are bigger than my arms.
For reference as to how bad the lighting in my house is...here's this after tonight's Hypertrophy session with the seemingly-perfect gym lighting Invalid Link Removed
Edit - I swear my legs are bigger than my arms.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Funny you guys mention this. I've found out that resting every other day has produced more results short term than blitzing every day. We'll how it is for the long haul, but so far it's been promising. Even with more rest now than I've had in a long time, I guess I still get some decent fatigue lagging behind me.
sparks2012
Well-known member
So, interesting thing today. Well, a couple actually. Finally got our new we've been waiting for due to a "stop sale" recall, so that's s win. On the other hand, my left shoulder (front delt specifically) has a slight pain. Likely culprit is not stretching or using any SMR lately. I torqued on it with one of Kabuki Strength's "Pain Pills" for about 20 mins today trying to release whatever it was. We'll see in the morning. This feels more muscle related than joint related. Didn't even go heavy at all for OHP's or chest this last session. Will update after session tomorrow, hopefully getting moving will loosen it up.
Studhorse
Legend
Sure hope its muscle! I can tell the difference. Did it hurt when you tried to rub it out. That didn't sound right! Lol
HIT4ME
Well-known member
I am telling you man...Have been telling you...When volume goes up, frequency and/or intensity has to drop.
It is about balancing those 3 things. It is hard to find a good balance though ...
sparks2012
Well-known member
Lol! Yeah, dunno if you're familiar with any of Donnie Thompson's work but it's basically a 45-ish lb steel bar with gnurling used to roll out tissue and diffuse "gunked up" areas. I had it on its end long-ways right where my pec meets the shoulder...it hurt and still did this morning but no issues with presses or anything today. In fact, once I got the blood flowing it cleared up pretty quick.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Had a balance...lost it. Changed diet, lost it again. Changed diet AND training, gonna be a while. Lol yeah man, it is rough to find that "homeostasis", if you will. Getting there though.
Studhorse
Legend
Dam that sounds painful! steel bar roller! no thanks!!!!!
I have my wife give me deep tissue message in that area and it hurts like a mofo! I'm always knotted up in the shoulder pec connection and well as the rear delt / Lat area.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Good stuff man, this is kinda the DIY version of deep tissue, but to do the back and hams/calves you need another person. Well sorta. It's just awkward and extremely time consuming to do by yourself. I feel I could benefit from deep tissue work greatly, and since I've never had it done it'd probably cripple me for a couple days.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Jan 18:
Strength focused. Weight is moving easier, so maybe I didn't push as hard as I could've tonight. Kinda testing the waters for everything again. Due to time constraints and bad luck with exercise timing, no back squats or pulls were done today. I was sorta ok with that because my quads were still pretty smoked from a couple days ago. I really did want to squat, but hey, there's always next time. Taking a break from those for one session will probably help anyway. No direct shoulder work today either to try and mitigate any further issues, but pressing didn't really irritate it at all. Pretty sure I PR'd with incline DB Press too, hit the 115's for a good 3 reps, 110's for 5-6, 100's for 8 so progress there as well. I will definitely be a tad upset when this stuff runs out, but fortunately it'll last a while since I'm in there every other day
Strength focused. Weight is moving easier, so maybe I didn't push as hard as I could've tonight. Kinda testing the waters for everything again. Due to time constraints and bad luck with exercise timing, no back squats or pulls were done today. I was sorta ok with that because my quads were still pretty smoked from a couple days ago. I really did want to squat, but hey, there's always next time. Taking a break from those for one session will probably help anyway. No direct shoulder work today either to try and mitigate any further issues, but pressing didn't really irritate it at all. Pretty sure I PR'd with incline DB Press too, hit the 115's for a good 3 reps, 110's for 5-6, 100's for 8 so progress there as well. I will definitely be a tad upset when this stuff runs out, but fortunately it'll last a while since I'm in there every other day
sparks2012
Well-known member
Short update - it's late and I need to sleep. Saturday was Hypertrophy focused, shorter session again, only hit about 2 exercises per group (on average, weak points had the normal 3 sets with extra intensity techniques or sets) and everything was superset. Short but efficient. Today was Strength focused, and I finally had a chance to get some good pulls in. Tried out using a tempo with TnG's and guess what...it felt great. Rep PR (I think) with 415 x 2. Couldn't exactly TnG with 400+ due to grip issues, but a slow negative and explosive positive was awesome to see and feel. Still haven't messed with straps for a bit, due to grip being a limiting factor in the chain. So far, holding on to the weight has been getting easier. We'll see how long that lasts. Overall great sessions, I wouldn't mind having a never-ending supply of this combo.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Thanks brother! Haven't been over to your log recently, been pretty busy. How's everything going?
sparks2012
Well-known member
25 Jan - Hypertrophy focused sesh. Didn't eat enough today, kept things lighter than usual and focused on trying to keep all sets at 15+ reps. Pumps were crazy today, but I'm glad it wasn't Strength-focused because I would've been gassed after the first couple exercises. Sled Press SS w/ DB lunges holding an 80lb'er goblet squat style had my quads messed up. They were cramping in between sets of hammie curls. Still feeling motivated as all get-out with Max-Out.
Sparkss
Well-known member
All good considering I survived all of the family drama this past holiday season. How goes it with you? I know I am a knucklehead for asking (again), but when are you moving?
sparks2012
Well-known member
Dudes...my bad on not being active for..well sh1t, like 2 weeks.
I have been training still, but a lot of my time has been taken up by work and trying to get the hell off this base!
Some capstones from the past few weeks in regards to this stack:
- PR city! I'm still hitting great numbers on my main lifts (I'm not a power lifter by any means, but I'm somehow obsessed with my numbers). Hitting 275 on decline for sets of 7-9. That is after I've already done arguably the most taxing part of my sessions - legs. Pulls are getting stronger, and my squat is finally breaking past the dreaded 3 plate plateau. Hit 325 for 6 as my top set last squat sesh. I think it went warmup, then 245 x 12, 295 x 9, then 325 x 6. This is pretty monumental for me, as many of you know my squat has been stuck at garbage for what seems like forever. The first 2 sets were done without locking out, like a piston, top set was like that for about 3-4 reps, then it became an internal battle to get that weight back up each time
- Pumps are crazy. Still, to this day, I can train back at the beginning of 2 hour session and my lats are still pumped by the end. Forearms have been getting crazy pumped too.
- Energy/endurance is awesome. There's been a few times where I know for a fact I didn't eat enough before hand and I still managed to move good weight. This was proven even more so by holding up to my "high volume" days, especially with legs.
- Taste is still great, just like the first time trying the two. Still mixing them to get that skittles taste. Haven't gotten tired of it yet.
I'm back on track with the log as of tonight. Looking forward to getting in the gym and crushing it!
I have been training still, but a lot of my time has been taken up by work and trying to get the hell off this base!
Some capstones from the past few weeks in regards to this stack:
- PR city! I'm still hitting great numbers on my main lifts (I'm not a power lifter by any means, but I'm somehow obsessed with my numbers). Hitting 275 on decline for sets of 7-9. That is after I've already done arguably the most taxing part of my sessions - legs. Pulls are getting stronger, and my squat is finally breaking past the dreaded 3 plate plateau. Hit 325 for 6 as my top set last squat sesh. I think it went warmup, then 245 x 12, 295 x 9, then 325 x 6. This is pretty monumental for me, as many of you know my squat has been stuck at garbage for what seems like forever. The first 2 sets were done without locking out, like a piston, top set was like that for about 3-4 reps, then it became an internal battle to get that weight back up each time
- Pumps are crazy. Still, to this day, I can train back at the beginning of 2 hour session and my lats are still pumped by the end. Forearms have been getting crazy pumped too.
- Energy/endurance is awesome. There's been a few times where I know for a fact I didn't eat enough before hand and I still managed to move good weight. This was proven even more so by holding up to my "high volume" days, especially with legs.
- Taste is still great, just like the first time trying the two. Still mixing them to get that skittles taste. Haven't gotten tired of it yet.
I'm back on track with the log as of tonight. Looking forward to getting in the gym and crushing it!
Studhorse
Legend
Way to kill it bro! about time for more noodz! lol
FireTitan
Legend
Sweetness!! Glad to see you back in here bro
sparks2012
Well-known member
Thanks fellas. Feels good to be back lol.
As far as noodz, I think tomorrow would be a good time to post after my next high-volume session
I'll look and see if I have any recent photos I haven't posted though!
FireTitan
Legend
Thanks fellas. Feels good to be back lol.
As far as noodz, I think tomorrow would be a good time to post after my next high-volume session
I'll look and see if I have any recent photos I haven't posted though!
Bring it!!
sparks2012
Well-known member
Yep, no recent pics, surprisingly. I'm usually pretty vain and always checking myself out and snapping progress pics, haven't really taken any since mid Jan..well this stack is coming to an end so that's gotta change!
Last night's session was really good - up until my partner got his finger/knuckle smashed between a 100lb plate that fell over and the trap bar. So, backstory on that one, I wasn't feeling sumo pulls yesterday but it was my heavy day and I knew I needed to do at the very least one deadlift variation. Bright idea, trap bar deads. Haven't done them in while and I like how the overload the quads too. So, seeing as how I am with trying to get stronger we throw 100's on for the first set to save space since those things only hold 4 x 45's plus a 10 if you're lucky. So, cool, we knock our sets out and I work up to a single at 475 (PR), tried more but my grip was done. Still rolling without straps. We're unloading the bar and the plate falls and crashes down on his hand. F#%*er starts gushing blood like right now, so I'm grabbing paper towels and trying to help him stop the bleeding, doesn't stop for like 25 minutes. At that point, we kinda lost the "flow" and it was already pushing 10 p.m. and we had work this morning, so we finished with a quick back/bi/tri circuit to failure and left. Didn't go how I'd planned, but hey, another PR and we got about half our stuff done before that incident. Better than not going at all.
Last night's session was really good - up until my partner got his finger/knuckle smashed between a 100lb plate that fell over and the trap bar. So, backstory on that one, I wasn't feeling sumo pulls yesterday but it was my heavy day and I knew I needed to do at the very least one deadlift variation. Bright idea, trap bar deads. Haven't done them in while and I like how the overload the quads too. So, seeing as how I am with trying to get stronger we throw 100's on for the first set to save space since those things only hold 4 x 45's plus a 10 if you're lucky. So, cool, we knock our sets out and I work up to a single at 475 (PR), tried more but my grip was done. Still rolling without straps. We're unloading the bar and the plate falls and crashes down on his hand. F#%*er starts gushing blood like right now, so I'm grabbing paper towels and trying to help him stop the bleeding, doesn't stop for like 25 minutes. At that point, we kinda lost the "flow" and it was already pushing 10 p.m. and we had work this morning, so we finished with a quick back/bi/tri circuit to failure and left. Didn't go how I'd planned, but hey, another PR and we got about half our stuff done before that incident. Better than not going at all.
sparks2012
Well-known member
ManimalPatB first off, I want to apologize for having this damn thing go so long without any updates at all. I completely understand if this would DQ from any future promos with any company you're a rep for.
In the past few weeks I've been caught up in everything but getting to do what I wanted to do (that's being an adult, right? Lol), therefore my training and write ups on the site took a big hit. From getting all our stuff packed up and shipped out, scrubbing our house from top to bottom to pass the inspection, being in and out of hotels across Europe just to get to my next duty station, and finally getting to Italy and starting the process all over again except in reverse this time. I've got most of my arrival stuff taken care of and the dust has settled...for now...so, I figured I'd take this time to finally get a good review up, however late that may be.
MAX OUT - Rainbow Sherbert Flavor:
Taste - 9/10, iFN really knows how to nail their flavor profiles. Only reason I'm not giving a 10/10 is because I personally got slightly tired of the flavor by itself. That being said, if you're mixing it like I did most of the time (Lemon Drop Hemo) then the taste is great and I didn't get tired of that. When mixed it tastes like Skittles as I've said before in the log
Effectiveness - 10/10, this was the first stim'd PWO I used after coming off a stim break. It certainly helped kick my @$$ in gear whenever I wasn't feeling like getting to the gym. The endurance factor this product holds on its own is amazing, combine it w/ Hemo and you've got a great powerhouse of a formula. I also started (and finished) a full body program which would have me in the gym for 2+ hours each session. No negative issues at all, fatigue did not set in during training at all.
Misc - Very little grit when mixed with lowest recommended amount of water, virtually none when mixed with more. Easy to down quickly and doesn't have too sweet of a flavor so if your stomach is sensitive then this would be for you. As far as GI issues with this, as I am susceptible to those depending on the product and stim concentration, I didn't have any issues unless I'd had a lot of coffee throughout the beginning of the day. Other than that, not so much. Tingles were not extremely prevalent, but I'd have a touch of them on my face/ears every now and then. Nice little reminder that it's kicking in.
Hemo - Lemon Drop Flavor:
Taste - 10/10, probably a little biased because this is by far my favorite flavor that iFN has for these types of products, I've used it whenever I bought the original formula of this stuff too. Still the top flavor IMHO. Like I said above, mixing it with MAX OUT had an even better taste.
Effectiveness - 10/10, probably also biased as well because I've been a long time fan of Hemo, but if a product works then it works. Pumps were always great, and when I say this don't take it lightly. The workouts targeted every major muscle group and all of them would remain pumped well after the session, even the ones I would hit first. I can only imagine how they would be if I focused on one or two body parts. Focus was also good on this one, usually I rely on the stim products to help with that, which MAX OUT did do that as well, but this compounded that effect. Very high up there in my book when it comes to the focus. Really helped me get that mind - muscle connection even on the heavier days.
Misc - Also very easy to down quickly, no GI issues with this product at all, never had them with Hemo standalone. SLIGHTLY more grit than MAX OUT, but tolerable by all means. Doesn't leave the shaker filled with little granules or anything. I would also use this a standalone PWO if I were to take another stim break.
Overall, this stack was one of my favorites to run. MAX OUT is now on the "ol' faithful" list right next to Hemo. Again, I want to apologize for the extremely long delay in getting the review up. And I also accept any adverse actions that this may have. Nonetheless, the run was great and I look forward to seeing what else iFN has in store for us in the future. To all who followed along, thank you for the words of encouragement and for getting me in gear when I wasn't feeling it! I will also be repopulating my personal training log from here on out, so if you're so inclined to follow along, please do, I'd love to have you!
In the past few weeks I've been caught up in everything but getting to do what I wanted to do (that's being an adult, right? Lol), therefore my training and write ups on the site took a big hit. From getting all our stuff packed up and shipped out, scrubbing our house from top to bottom to pass the inspection, being in and out of hotels across Europe just to get to my next duty station, and finally getting to Italy and starting the process all over again except in reverse this time. I've got most of my arrival stuff taken care of and the dust has settled...for now...so, I figured I'd take this time to finally get a good review up, however late that may be.
MAX OUT - Rainbow Sherbert Flavor:
Taste - 9/10, iFN really knows how to nail their flavor profiles. Only reason I'm not giving a 10/10 is because I personally got slightly tired of the flavor by itself. That being said, if you're mixing it like I did most of the time (Lemon Drop Hemo) then the taste is great and I didn't get tired of that. When mixed it tastes like Skittles as I've said before in the log
Effectiveness - 10/10, this was the first stim'd PWO I used after coming off a stim break. It certainly helped kick my @$$ in gear whenever I wasn't feeling like getting to the gym. The endurance factor this product holds on its own is amazing, combine it w/ Hemo and you've got a great powerhouse of a formula. I also started (and finished) a full body program which would have me in the gym for 2+ hours each session. No negative issues at all, fatigue did not set in during training at all.
Misc - Very little grit when mixed with lowest recommended amount of water, virtually none when mixed with more. Easy to down quickly and doesn't have too sweet of a flavor so if your stomach is sensitive then this would be for you. As far as GI issues with this, as I am susceptible to those depending on the product and stim concentration, I didn't have any issues unless I'd had a lot of coffee throughout the beginning of the day. Other than that, not so much. Tingles were not extremely prevalent, but I'd have a touch of them on my face/ears every now and then. Nice little reminder that it's kicking in.
Hemo - Lemon Drop Flavor:
Taste - 10/10, probably a little biased because this is by far my favorite flavor that iFN has for these types of products, I've used it whenever I bought the original formula of this stuff too. Still the top flavor IMHO. Like I said above, mixing it with MAX OUT had an even better taste.
Effectiveness - 10/10, probably also biased as well because I've been a long time fan of Hemo, but if a product works then it works. Pumps were always great, and when I say this don't take it lightly. The workouts targeted every major muscle group and all of them would remain pumped well after the session, even the ones I would hit first. I can only imagine how they would be if I focused on one or two body parts. Focus was also good on this one, usually I rely on the stim products to help with that, which MAX OUT did do that as well, but this compounded that effect. Very high up there in my book when it comes to the focus. Really helped me get that mind - muscle connection even on the heavier days.
Misc - Also very easy to down quickly, no GI issues with this product at all, never had them with Hemo standalone. SLIGHTLY more grit than MAX OUT, but tolerable by all means. Doesn't leave the shaker filled with little granules or anything. I would also use this a standalone PWO if I were to take another stim break.
Overall, this stack was one of my favorites to run. MAX OUT is now on the "ol' faithful" list right next to Hemo. Again, I want to apologize for the extremely long delay in getting the review up. And I also accept any adverse actions that this may have. Nonetheless, the run was great and I look forward to seeing what else iFN has in store for us in the future. To all who followed along, thank you for the words of encouragement and for getting me in gear when I wasn't feeling it! I will also be repopulating my personal training log from here on out, so if you're so inclined to follow along, please do, I'd love to have you!
FireTitan
Legend
You know my fat ass will be following!!
