Ivan Putski’s Anthems, Anecdotes, and Undeniable Truths of Garage Gym Lifting

To keep the triceps from being the limiting factor simply drop the lockout portion of the movement, it isn't doing a whole lot for you hypertrophy-wise and is likely limiting the amount of effective reps you can get in the long range partial area.
I did this for the flat db presses and having hit tri’s the day b4, they were much less of a limiting factor. I did the incline flyes in a similar manner. Keep tension on the pec, didn’t touch db’s at top of arc. Full Active Range of Tension… or F.A.R.T. If you will🤣🤣🤣. Pecs r feeling it this a.m.
Splenda ain't doing anything to you. NOTHING to worry about there
I wanted to blame it on being bald. Get a class action going 🤣🤣🫠🫠🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
 
I did this for the flat db presses and having hit tri’s the day b4, they were much less of a limiting factor. I did the incline flyes in a similar manner. Keep tension on the pec, didn’t touch db’s at top of arc. Full Active Range of Tension… or F.A.R.T. If you will🤣🤣🤣. Pecs r feeling it this a.m.

I wanted to blame it on being bald. Get a class action going 🤣🤣🫠🫠🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
I am far too sexy bald to be upset about it! ;)
 
11.23.24

0 RIR


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Damn it, 0RIR, I could have sworn last week was the start of a new meso, man time is flying...
 
Damn it, 0RIR, I could have sworn last week was the start of a new meso, man time is flying...
It sure is flying by. Tweaked the elbow a bit in last workout. Didn’t feel anything during workout but it was sore once I cooled down. Right elbow. To be expected. Same side as torn tricep. Dr saw a lot of arthritis in elbow. We’ll see what p!sses it off today.
 
It sure is flying by. Tweaked the elbow a bit in last workout. Didn’t feel anything during workout but it was sore once I cooled down. Right elbow. To be expected. Same side as torn tricep. Dr saw a lot of arthritis in elbow. We’ll see what p!sses it off today.

Don’t piss it off too much
 
11.25.24

0 RIR

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Pull-downs were taxing. Amazing pump. Had to myorep-match second set

Added a 4th set on seated lateral raises.

Added a few reps above estimated on rear lateral raises? Is that even a thing? I’m lying face down on an incline. You get the idea.

Shrugs w a hold/pause at contraction.

Fasted cardio on treadmill, 35 min at 5.4-5.6 mph roughly 3.2 miles.
The Apple Watch doesn’t log treadmill cardio well. It showed .75 miles less than the treadmill calculated. Also, I hit “start” on watch and treadmill at same time and watched showed 36 min and 45 sec when the treadmill showed 35min. Watch logged less milage and showed workout over greater timespan. One of two pieces of technology is lying to me.

Elbow felt fine once I got warmed up. Pain was nonexistent. Then I cooled down and it hurt again.
 
35 min at 5.4-5.6 mph roughly 3.2 miles.
that's an awkward speed for me, it's like a fast jog but not enough to open up the gait, but a little too fast to just speed walk it lol. I always land on either 5, or 6-7+ lol

Elbow felt fine once I got warmed up. Pain was nonexistent. Then I cooled down and it hurt again.

that's how mine is right now. bench under 135lbs, squatting under 135lbs, the elbow is super stiff. But once I have more weight than that on it, there is basically zero pain under load. so weird.
 
that's an awkward speed for me, it's like a fast jog but not enough to open up the gait, but a little too fast to just speed walk it lol. I always land on either 5, or 6-7+ lol



that's how mine is right now. bench under 135lbs, squatting under 135lbs, the elbow is super stiff. But once I have more weight than that on it, there is basically zero pain under load. so weird.
It’s def a brisk, brisk walk. I’m sure I look like a speed walk douche🤷‍♂️

The pull-downs at working weight was when it lessened. Almost like the stretch at the top of the motion was like a dead hang?
 
11.26.24

0 RIR

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Cable curls felt nice, edged out more reps. Right elbow felt punky until I warmed up.

Incline db curls were a challenge. 20 ct was def to failure on 1st set. 2nd set was taxing had a good 10 sec rest after rep 14 to squeeze out myorep-match. These didn’t bother the elbow.

Tricep push downs I added weight and reps

DB Skull rushers went 30’s for 30
Elbow didn’t like these at the bottom of the movement. Not notching like in the past just discomfort.
 
DB Skull rushers went 30’s for 30
Elbow didn’t like these at the bottom of the movement. Not notching like in the past just discomfort.

I've had more luck lying on my back on a bench running the skull crusher movement. usually with a bb or ez bar. Then same thing doing overhead extensions with the rope accessory on cable machines. both are helping me get that extra stretch at the bottom of ROM like a skull crusher does. I truly think that adding these in has added the most mass to my triceps I've ever had. my whole life I've dodged skull crushers cause they normally irritate my elbow like crazy.
 
I’ll just be passive aggressive w it

No, that will really piss it off!!!

It’s def a brisk, brisk walk. I’m sure I look like a speed walk douche

The pull-downs at working weight was when it lessened. Almost like the stretch at the top of the motion was like a dead hang?

That is how I do my pulldowns too. Maximum stretch for "MAXIMUM EFFORT!!!!"

11.26.24

0 RIR

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Cable curls felt nice, edged out more reps. Right elbow felt punky until I warmed up.

Incline db curls were a challenge. 20 ct was def to failure on 1st set. 2nd set was taxing had a good 10 sec rest after rep 14 to squeeze out myorep-match. These didn’t bother the elbow.

Tricep push downs I added weight and reps

DB Skull rushers went 30’s for 30
Elbow didn’t like these at the bottom of the movement. Not notching like in the past just discomfort.



I've had more luck lying on my back on a bench running the skull crusher movement. usually with a bb or ez bar. Then same thing doing overhead extensions with the rope accessory on cable machines. both are helping me get that extra stretch at the bottom of ROM like a skull crusher does. I truly think that adding these in has added the most mass to my triceps I've ever had. my whole life I've dodged skull crushers cause they normally irritate my elbow like crazy.

I really like overhead cable triceps extension the most for the tension in the stretched position.
 
Looking forward to new construction! 💪🏻

Did you get that new position at work?
I got hit w something nasty the weeknd after thanksgiving. Head cold, body ache, no fever, but then it parked in my lungs. This is the first week I’ve been able to not cough between sets. Doing a slow but steady fat loss phase from 12-1-24 until the end of January. Doing it all diet related, no supps or magic potions. Even stopped the berberine as I want to see how I handle carbs w/out it in rotation. Daily cals are at 2250. Started this at an avg of 218lbs(I’d float from 217-220). I was sitting at 212.6 at yest weigh-in. Some SLOW progress is better than no progress!!! Should have taken a “Day 1” photo but I didn’t.

In regards to work, over 100 people applied for 2 positions. They said it was based on performance metrics but one of the guys who got the job had lousy numbers but is in a “men’s over 40” hockey league w his new boss. Such is life!!!…

Still gainfully employed. Just wasn’t my time. There is a lot of tenure in that department so should be some more churn within the next couple years.
 
I got hit w something nasty the weeknd after thanksgiving. Head cold, body ache, no fever, but then it parked in my lungs. This is the first week I’ve been able to not cough between sets. Doing a slow but steady fat loss phase from 12-1-24 until the end of January. Doing it all diet related, no supps or magic potions. Even stopped the berberine as I want to see how I handle carbs w/out it in rotation. Daily cals are at 2250. Started this at an avg of 218lbs(I’d float from 217-220). I was sitting at 212.6 at yest weigh-in. Some SLOW progress is better than no progress!!! Should have taken a “Day 1” photo but I didn’t.

In regards to work, over 100 people applied for 2 positions. They said it was based on performance metrics but one of the guys who got the job had lousy numbers but is in a “men’s over 40” hockey league w his new boss. Such is life!!!…

Still gainfully employed. Just wasn’t my time. There is a lot of tenure in that department so should be some more churn within the next couple years.
Ah yeah something else will come along!

That doesn’t sound like a good time with the lung crap! Sounds like on the mend and making progress though, glad to hear it.

How many grams of carbs you doing?
 
Glad to see you man!
Good to be back. Been lurking and lifting…if that doesn’t make me sound CREEPY. Lmaooo
6lbs in 4 weeks ain’t nothing to be ashamed of either
Thanks man! 1.5lb a week is slightly below my 2% of BW/week target, but I’ll take it. I’m surely not losing any muscle at this pace
Glad you’re feeling better….good job on the weight loss.👍
Thank you! I hadn’t been sick since thanksgiving 2021. Odd I got the same thing/felt the same way both times and I was on-call for work both times. Cue the Alanis Morissette…🤣
 
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@PolishHamm3r77 - Hey Bud, we have the accountability thread we just put up to help with achieving your goals. You should join in and kick some ass with us!

 
Wrapped up 8 wk “Fat Loss Phase”. Started at 218-220lb on Dec 1. Weighed in this A.M. at 208lb. Ten pounds over 8 wks is a little less than I wanted. Goal weight was 205. Missed the mark by 3lbs. Still made some positive ground. Working weights stayed the same or went up in some instances. This was done w zero cardio and and avg of 6k steps a day. I am going into a “Maintenance Phase” for a few wks.

I would like to mention I took SNS Recomp20 for the entire 8wks as my only “assist”. Only other supps were whey, creatine mono, CEL M-Test, CEL Anabolic Effect, and SNS Prime XT. These supps were taken since my PCT started in the end of August
 
Wrapped up 8 wk “Fat Loss Phase”. Started at 218-220lb on Dec 1. Weighed in this A.M. at 208lb. Ten pounds over 8 wks is a little less than I wanted. Goal weight was 205. Missed the mark by 3lbs. Still made some positive ground. Working weights stayed the same or went up in some instances. This was done w zero cardio and and avg of 6k steps a day. I am going into a “Maintenance Phase” for a few wks.

I would like to mention I took SNS Recomp20 for the entire 8wks as my only “assist”. Only other supps were whey, creatine mono, CEL M-Test, CEL Anabolic Effect, and SNS Prime XT. These supps were taken since my PCT started in the end of August
As long as you’re progressing in the right direction is a win…..good job.💪
I actually like the looks of that Recomp 20, may have to add that to the stash.😎
 
As long as you’re progressing in the right direction is a win…..good job.💪
I actually like the looks of that Recomp 20, may have to add that to the stash.😎
Thanks GP!!! I know nothing works unless you do! I did notice as I cut cals I wanted to move less. Just little things like “on your way back to the living room, could you grab me a bottle of water” instead of me getting off my ass and getting it myself. Or stopping at the top of the driveway to grab the mail instead of pulling in and walking back up.
 
Wrapped up 8 wk “Fat Loss Phase”. Started at 218-220lb on Dec 1. Weighed in this A.M. at 208lb. Ten pounds over 8 wks is a little less than I wanted. Goal weight was 205. Missed the mark by 3lbs. Still made some positive ground. Working weights stayed the same or went up in some instances. This was done w zero cardio and and avg of 6k steps a day. I am going into a “Maintenance Phase” for a few wks.

I would like to mention I took SNS Recomp20 for the entire 8wks as my only “assist”. Only other supps were whey, creatine mono, CEL M-Test, CEL Anabolic Effect, and SNS Prime XT. These supps were taken since my PCT started in the end of August
Nice work! Sounds like kept strength and improvement on some lifts, solid work!
 
Thanks Bro!!! I went w Prime Butcher 1 meal a day. Not super cost effective but amazing taste!!!👍
You gotta do what it takes to set yourself up for success, so this was probably a good move despite the cost this time. Now you really understand the importance of simplifying your food prep for your compliance. You have to have a plan, even if it’s just resorting to X premade things. You can always use a cheaper service or food product next time.

Good work leaning up!
 
You gotta do what it takes to set yourself up for success, so this was probably a good move despite the cost this time. Now you really understand the importance of simplifying your food prep for your compliance. You have to have a plan, even if it’s just resorting to X premade things. You can always use a cheaper service or food product next time.

Good work leaning up!
Thank you Sir!!!

Prime Butcher is AMAZING. It’s a higher end butcher shop. I grab 6lb of marinated chicken, 6lb of marinated sirloin tips, and 10lb of ground beef. I break the chicken and steak into 1lb pkgs that the Misses and I can split for a dinner each night. I break the beef into 5lb bags and we do meatballs or meatloaf, patties, or I’ll just do ground beef in the skillet. Also got a rice cooker and have been enjoying a lot of Jasmine Rice. Call me a heathen but I put the chix breast in the air fryer at 375 for 25 min and you could cut it w a fork!!!

My better half felt that rice made one fat. So, we had rice and a protein and a veg every night for dinner. I’d have a half cup and she’d have maybe a 3rd cup of rice. This has been going on since Dec 1st. She was getting dressed the other day and was getting into her “favorite” jeans. I hear “I’m going to have to throw these in the dryer and shrink them up, I need a belt to keep them from falling down”. To which I reply, “must be all that rice making you fat”. 🤣🤣🤣

I found that her being unaware of my attempt at weight loss and just “phasing it in” at dinner drastically put me in a position to succeed. She has lost more weight than I have. Win, win as far as I am concerned.
 
Thank you Sir!!!

Prime Butcher is AMAZING. It’s a higher end butcher shop. I grab 6lb of marinated chicken, 6lb of marinated sirloin tips, and 10lb of ground beef. I break the chicken and steak into 1lb pkgs that the Misses and I can split for a dinner each night. I break the beef into 5lb bags and we do meatballs or meatloaf, patties, or I’ll just do ground beef in the skillet. Also got a rice cooker and have been enjoying a lot of Jasmine Rice. Call me a heathen but I put the chix breast in the air fryer at 375 for 25 min and you could cut it w a fork!!!

My better half felt that rice made one fat. So, we had rice and a protein and a veg every night for dinner. I’d have a half cup and she’d have maybe a 3rd cup of rice. This has been going on since Dec 1st. She was getting dressed the other day and was getting into her “favorite” jeans. I hear “I’m going to have to throw these in the dryer and shrink them up, I need a belt to keep them from falling down”. To which I reply, “must be all that rice making you fat”. 🤣🤣🤣

I found that her being unaware of my attempt at weight loss and just “phasing it in” at dinner drastically put me in a position to succeed. She has lost more weight than I have. Win, win as far as I am concerned.
Yep, the waist never lies…..pants getting loose and having to tighten your belt is the true barometer of fat loss. My wife gets extremely happy when her pants get loose. Funny thing is it makes her feel sexier so she’s more frisky.😎👍
 
That's awesome, I think you should just extend your cut a week or two and hit that 205 you were focusing on. Just a few more lbs and the wife is already cutting your food back.
 
So I’ve been doing a maintenance phase since 1.28.25 roughly 2300-2500 cals/day. Hovering at 208-211lbs. Did go all out last Sunday and almost hit my macros at 1st meal of the day. Went out to eat at a place featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” called Tuckaway Tavern. Place is AMAZING!!! They have a butcher shop attached to the restaurant. Looked like decent prices on meats!!!
Apps were Cheddar chive corn biscuits w house pepper jelly and honey butter. Each “biscuit” was 4”x6” and heavy AF, Entree was a 24oz Porterhouse w smashed potatoes and maple roasted butternut squash for sides. We don’t dine out often but I will def go here again. I had wolfed 2 of the biscuits and neglected to take a pic but got one of the steak. I devoured that thing like a complete savage in 7 mins!!!
 

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Also, been using Species Fiberlyze supplement. Any thoughts on not taking any supps or vitamins at the same time? I have heard nothing 2hrs b4 or after a psyllium husk type product.
Example: adding creatine to the mixture and drinking in one shot? Or mixing it w 2 scoops of iso whey. Mango and vanilla pair nicely!!!
 
Also, been using Species Fiberlyze supplement. Any thoughts on not taking any supps or vitamins at the same time? I have heard nothing 2hrs b4 or after a psyllium husk type product.
Example: adding creatine to the mixture and drinking in one shot? Or mixing it w 2 scoops of iso whey. Mango and vanilla pair nicely!!!
I don't think it's a big deal unless you were on a very low fat diet. Fiber can mess with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins, the more fat you have consumed the less likely it's a issue. At least to the best of my knowledge. In a situation where you are on a low fat diet you could take your fish oils or whatever you're using for omega's and take that with your fat soluble vitamins.
 
I have never really looked into it. As someone on a mixed macro diet I just don't see the reason to get into that kind of minutia. As @Smont mentions fiber tends to carry some of the fat and cholesterol away. I doubt you really need to worry too much about this other than the perhaps when taking the fat soluble stuff make sure fats are there. I can assure you that fiber is not that efficient at getting rid of fat or high fiber diets would be the rage. So I doubt even on a reasonably low fat diet that there would be any issue...
 
I don't think it's a big deal unless you were on a very low fat diet. Fiber can mess with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins, the more fat you have consumed the less likely it's an issue. At least to the best of my knowledge. In a situation where you are on a low fat diet you could take your fish oils or whatever you're using for omega's and take that with your fat soluble vitamins.
I had the same thoughts. Don’t take my omegas etc w it. It’s really hard to find a time where I haven’t eaten within the last 3 hrs or am not going to eat in the next 3 hrs to consume a fiber product. But we have all done a protein w oatmeal and I’m sure that didn’t negate the body’s ability to absorb the protein.
 
I have never really looked into it. As someone on a mixed macro diet I just don't see the reason to get into that kind of minutia. As @Smont mentions fiber tends to carry some of the fat and cholesterol away. I doubt you really need to worry too much about this other than the perhaps when taking the fat soluble stuff make sure fats are there. I can assure you that fiber is not that efficient at getting rid of fat or high fiber diets would be the rage. So I doubt even on a reasonably low fat diet that there would be any issue...
40-60 g of fat a day so prob not an issue. I don’t like veggies, have never eaten broccoli, not a big salad guy. So w out a fiber sup, eating 175-200 g of protein can become a problem. lol
 
So I’ve been doing a maintenance phase since 1.28.25 roughly 2300-2500 cals/day. Hovering at 208-211lbs. Did go all out last Sunday and almost hit my macros at 1st meal of the day. Went out to eat at a place featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” called Tuckaway Tavern. Place is AMAZING!!! They have a butcher shop attached to the restaurant. Looked like decent prices on meats!!!
Apps were Cheddar chive corn biscuits w house pepper jelly and honey butter. Each “biscuit” was 4”x6” and heavy AF, Entree was a 24oz Porterhouse w smashed potatoes and maple roasted butternut squash for sides. We don’t dine out often but I will def go here again. I had wolfed 2 of the biscuits and neglected to take a pic but got one of the steak. I devoured that thing like a complete savage in 7 mins!!!

We go to Tuckaway as well, really good place... Other restaurants around (Granfinallys, etc) use their (Tuckaways) butcher shop meat for their own burgers. We try to get there 5 mins or so before they open (on a SAT) otherwise the wait is forever, and I wont wait... Ive been on a burger-kick for the last year, trying every place I think of (that is how I spend my Saturdays :) I got to tell ya, so far T-Bones (a chain) is still the best around for a burger (for me).
 
50gm of fat per day is pretty low if not on anabolics. I'd imagine if you were eating to lose weight and only taking in 50 g of fat per day and natural that it's going to hinder your hormone production. Am I saying this is an absolute, no I'm not I have no clue lol. But going by things I've kind of always been told and taking his factual over the years is that most natural lifters need about 80 g of protein per day. When you're enhanced and you don't need excess fat to produce your own hormones than 40 to 60 is fine.

I want to say this was some Broderick Chavez stuff from back in the day. @Hyde used to follow Broderick he would probably know better than me
 
50gm of fat per day is pretty low if not on anabolics. I'd imagine if you were eating to lose weight and only taking in 50 g of fat per day and natural that it's going to hinder your hormone production. Am I saying this is an absolute, no I'm not I have no clue lol. But going by things I've kind of always been told and taking his factual over the years is that most natural lifters need about 80 g of protein per day. When you're enhanced and you don't need excess fat to produce your own hormones than 40 to 60 is fine.

I want to say this was some Broderick Chavez stuff from back in the day. @Hyde used to follow Broderick he would probably know better than me
Can’t speak for Broderick, because he gears literally none of his rhetoric for naturals.

But 50g is definitely enough for proper hormone production for a natural. It’s surprisingly low. That being said, you will definitely have better test levels with more cholesterol intake, and generally higher fats. Probably feel better. But you don’t need nearly as much as people think.
 
We go to Tuckaway as well, really good place... Other restaurants around (Granfinallys, etc) use their (Tuckaways) butcher shop meat for their own burgers. We try to get there 5 mins or so before they open (on a SAT) otherwise the wait is forever, and I wont wait... Ive been on a burger-kick for the last year, trying every place I think of (that is how I spend my Saturdays :) I got to tell ya, so far T-Bones (a chain) is still the best around for a burger (for me).
We got there 2 min before they open at 11 and we still waited 20 min. The entire time spent there was roughly 2 hrs. WELL WORTH IT
 
Fouad had Chavez on maybe 3 or so yrs ago. Fouad was still massive so I know it wasn’t recent. I saw the clip maybe a month ago… anyway… Fouad asked if adding MCT oil, peanut butter, or olive oil was necessary to fill in missed cals. Chavez response was (paraphrasing here) “no, you can eat more food to get your cals in”. Fouad asked why and got a “cause they are idiots”. Again, paraphrasing and not as clever as the Evil Genius. The caveat being that his “post it note” diet book is probably geared to people w hormone replacement at a minimum. I think the 10 or so lb I dropped was mostly visceral fat as I have little difference in appearance. My thighs look more defined. Basically, areas where I don’t want the weight, asymmetrical pec fat and spare tire, haven’t really changed. I was 209.6 this a.m. so whatever is going on I’m hovering at the 208lb from end of cut.
My plan is to keep on keeping on with what I’m doing until the 18th of march and then cut until end of May. If I can keep dropping 10 or 12lbs, then tread water for 8wks, gain a pound or 2, lather, rinse, repeat. Net loss of 8lbs isn’t great but I don’t want to get overzealous. I historically go all in on things and then get distracted and aim my focus elsewhere. Not trying to do this as a “diet” more like a “new lifestyle”. Get to 10ish% bf and maybe run some test. I’m around 30% I’m sure so that’s is WAYYYYYYYYYY down the road.
 
Updating past weeks sessions

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Incline db are catching up to my flat db. I have shifted some emphasis to front and rear delts in this Meso and finished it off w a teaser on lats

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Woke up w right trap in spasm so I skipped shrugs as 135 didn’t feel good on warm up

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Nice arm session. Bi’s and tri’s making the hoodie feel tight.
 

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Wouldn’t let me fit wed in same post

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And that was all for this week…
 

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