Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

[SkRaw85]

Happy anniversary big dawg!

 

[sammpedd88]

Happy Anniversary to you guys!

 

[Hyde]

Thanks everyone!

Just left the dr (VA clinic) and the dr is referring me to PT. If they can’t get me in, in a week, they’re referring me to a civilian PT office close by. With that and my peptide stash coming that you recommended, I should be good as new in no time.

Start doing bloodflow/movement work now though, don’t wait for them to start brief walking and doing some TKEs frequently if you haven’t.

 

[Hyde]

5/20/25
BW 240.8 yesterday

2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Side Plank Activations
Empty Hacksquats

Squat, Texas squatbar
55,165,231x5
275x3
+belt
341x3
385 4x3, 1x7

16” Boxsquat, SSB
155,245x3
275 3x12

Felt pretty good this morning, so I was able to get through warmups a bit faster and take much bigger jumps working up (red/yellow/red/yellow/red). I also went up 15lbs on work sets of squat from last week instead of 5. Which was tough, but I was good for it - although I was absolutely dragging through the boxsquat volume.

400 carnitine and 80 choline added in preWO today finally thanks to MA, so I think that probably helped the aforementioned preparedness.

 

[sammpedd88]

Thanks everyone!


Start doing bloodflow/movement work now though, don’t wait for them to start brief walking and doing some TKEs frequently if you haven’t.

I have been already. Going to start the TKE’s tonight. I was on my leg a lot yesterday working on the sand filter on our pool. Got it fixed but damn did it wear my leg out. The heaviest band I have is the wide orange EliteFTS band. I figured I would use it.

 

[Hyde]

I have been already. Going to start the TKE’s tonight. I was on my leg a lot yesterday working on the sand filter on our pool. Got it fixed but damn did it wear my leg out. The heaviest band I have is the wide orange EliteFTS band. I figured I would use it.

Start with your lightest band! It’s about volume, shoot for sets of 50

 

[sammpedd88]

Start with your lightest band! It’s about volume, shoot for sets of 50

Gotcha. Will do! 3 - 4 sets optimal?

 

[Hyde]

Gotcha. Will do! 3 - 4 sets optimal?

Listen to your body and ramp up volume as you see fit. Discomfort is fine, but pain should be low on the number scale. This isn’t about working hard, it’s about LOTS of very frequent low intensity work to keep it active, preserve or improve ROM, and especially feed blood.

I’d start with a couple sets and see how you respond/how you feel next day. Consistency is more important than lots of work at once.

 

[Segansational]

Happy anniversary @Hyde! Sounds like you also had an awesome day with your son, and there's not much better than that in my book! With two I don’t get as much solo time with either kid, but it's a good reminder for me to build that in every once in a while.

 

[Hyde]

5/21/25
BW 240.8

Reverse Hypers
90x20
180,230x15
270 2x12

Bench, powerbar
45x15
95,125x10
155,185,195,205,215,225x5

WG Barbell Rows
45,95x10
135x6
170,190x12

Incline DB Rows
50x8
70 2x15

BB Shrugs
135,225,315x5
+belt & straps
370x3
420 2x7
370x15

Back work tonight but I threw in a little 5x5 on bench from 185-225, which was a good mental milestone as things continue to heal. If you can’t train something intensely, you better train it frequently. Happy to hold 2 plates again.

Also progressing fine on reverse hypers and free weight rowing, but shrugs have regressed somehow - barely made sets of 7 at 420, after it felt nearly as heavy last week, so I just waved it back to 370 (which moved alright). Not too concerned; it is only shrugs after all.

 

[Hyde]

Also wanted to mention I went on a quick 10-15 minute walk with my son when I got home from training tonight.

My stepdaughter wants the family to go hiking for her birthday this Monday if the rain isn’t too bad, and my son has close to 0 cardio, so I figured I better get him training if I don’t want to get stuck carrying him for hours!

 

[gphagan1]

Also wanted to mention I went on a quick 10-15 minute walk with my son when I got home from training tonight.

My stepdaughter wants the family to go hiking for her birthday this Monday if the rain isn’t too bad, and my son has close to 0 cardio, so I figured I better get him training if I don’t want to get stuck carrying him for hours!

The first time we took our youngest Grandson to Six Flags last summer, that’s what I was worried about was he wouldn’t be able to keep up with all the walking, because my son hasn’t really taken him for long walks, and I thought I would probably have to carry him at some point or have to rent one of the little car strollers for toddlers. But surprisingly he kept up and had a blast. Ha, as soon as we drove out of the parking lot though, he was out and didn’t wake up until we stopped to eat, and then out again until we pulled in their driveway. My son said he slept 12 hours that night. I guess the little guy was running on adrenaline at the park, and was wore out at the end of the day.
Hopefully you guys will have a great time, when you go on the hike, and the excitement of it will keep your little man going.

 

[Smont]

Also wanted to mention I went on a quick 10-15 minute walk with my son when I got home from training tonight.

My stepdaughter wants the family to go hiking for her birthday this Monday if the rain isn’t too bad, and my son has close to 0 cardio, so I figured I better get him training if I don’t want to get stuck carrying him for hours!

Dude, I feel like you had your son last year. How old now?

 

[Dustin07]

and my son has close to 0 cardio

this is funny on so many levels considering his age

but my son and I joke about this one since he's full power lifter now and I'm on a cut:

 

[Hyde]

Dude, I feel like you had your son last year. How old now?

4 years old!

this is funny on so many levels considering his age

but my son and I joke about this one since he's full power lifter now and I'm on a cut:

View attachment 252253

Lol most of what he does is in anaerobic busts - all his gymnastics sessions, running at the playground, swim classes. He will get on his bike for maybe 2 minutes before he gets tired! Whenever the wife and I took walks in the past, he always wanted to ride in the stroller & just cruise in the shade. But now it’s time to get the boy some legs of his own under him.

 

[Smont]

4 years old!


Lol most of what he does is in anaerobic busts - all his gymnastics sessions, running at the playground, swim classes. He will get on his bike for maybe 2 minutes before he gets tired! Whenever the wife and I took walks in the past, he always wanted to ride in the stroller & just cruise in the shade. But now it’s time to get the boy some legs of his own under him.

Omg that's wild, I can't believe it's been 4 years! My kids are Turning 17 and 19 this year. For the longest time I always said that I had kids early so I could get it out the way and I could be still young while my kids are adults but now that my kids are almost adults I kind of want a little kid again

 

[Hyde]

Omg that's wild, I can't believe it's been 4 years! My kids are Turning 17 and 19 this year. For the longest time I always said that I had kids early so I could get it out the way and I could be still young while my kids are adults but now that my kids are almost adults I kind of want a little kid again

Hey you still got time for more Remember the challenges are commensurate with the rewards! For every new first, there’s also all the stinky diapers, crying, ruined sleep, etc.

 

[Dustin07]

swim classes

dude I totally forgot about this, so important and kudos to you and your wife for getting it done!!
I remember doing this at the very very young stages and wondering if the kid was even learning anything as young as we started, but as the years turned, being able to take him into hotel pools or the beach without fear was a godsend. plenty of people never learn this valuable skill. I don't even enjoy swimming at all but I'm grateful to have learned young now that as an adult, I know so many people who can't.

I found out when we were in that yacht club that a ton of the older folks with these 1/2 million dollar boats couldn't swim!! but they were cruising 10-20 hour trips up into the islands on the floating death trap money pits!

Whenever the wife and I took walks in the past, he always wanted to ride in the stroller & just cruise in the shade

ahahahaha power lifter in the making!!!

 

[Hyde]

Took my son for a half-hour walk around the neighborhood tonight, which was a big step up for him. He was already asking for a popsicle for some reason after school, so I let him have it immediately prior so he’d be gassed up & burn it off. Win/win!

 

[sammpedd88]

Took my son for a half-hour walk around the neighborhood tonight, which was a big step up for him. He was already asking for a popsicle for some reason after school, so I let him have it immediately prior so he’d be gassed up & burn it off. Win/win!

Dip that popsicle in some salt and EAA’s for a hydration-scicle!

 

[MrKleen73]

That hike sounds awesome, I love walking and hiking. Honestly I could hike all day in a good pair of shoes / boots. i hope you all enjoy it and you don't have to do too much GPP carrying him about during the hike. However if you have to, you will just get stronger.

 

[Dustin07]

Dip that popsicle in some salt and EAA’s for a hydration-scicle!

blend up some chicken and get one of these molds, then you got yourself a solid protein-scicle

 

[AnfoAjax]

blend up some chicken and get one of these molds, then you got yourself a solid protein-scicle

View attachment 252286

If anyone pulls up to the party with this alchemy-level concoction, we are throwing hands

 

[MrKleen73]

blend up some chicken and get one of these molds, then you got yourself a solid protein-scicle

View attachment 252286

Now, I get a chicken shake, but this??? EWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Well maybe if you throw some teriyaki sauce and pineapples into it. Then you can suck on that meatcicle until your heart is content.

 

[gphagan1]

Funny thing is Hyde was talking about his little boy eating a popsicle before their walk, and we now have moved into all out chicken popsicles.
We can’t help it, it’s how our Gym Rat minds think…..poor little guy will never want a popsicle again if he tried to eat a blended chicken popsicle.

 

[Dustin07]

Now, I get a chicken shake, but this??? EWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Well maybe if you throw some teriyaki sauce and pineapples into it. Then you can suck on that meatcicle until your heart is content.

Funny thing is Hyde was talking about his little boy eating a popsicle before their walk, and we now have moved into all out chicken popsicles.
We can’t help it, it’s how our Gym Rat minds think…..poor little guy will never want a popsicle again if he tried to eat a blended chicken popsicle.


View attachment 252288

I mean as long as we are blending up things, no harm in tossing in 5mg of creatine per chickencicle

 

[MrKleen73]

Funny thing is Hyde was talking about his little boy eating a popsicle before their walk, and we now have moved into all out chicken popsicles.
We can’t help it, it’s how our Gym Rat minds think…..poor little guy will never want a popsicle again if he tried to eat a blended chicken popsicle.


View attachment 252288

I am jealous of this baby's delts!!!

 

[sammpedd88]

Now, I get a chicken shake, but this??? EWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Well maybe if you throw some teriyaki sauce and pineapples into it. Then you can suck on that meatcicle until your heart is content.

That’s what I always tell my wife to do

 

[Hyde]

5/23/25
BW 240.6 yesterday

5 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Band Shoulder Int/Ext Rotation
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs

45* Incline NG DB Press
20,35,50x15
70 2x30

Rolling EZBar Skullcrushers
107.5 2x12

V-bar Cable Tri Pressdown
70 2x25

Band Pullaparts
Monstermini 3x35 w/ minute rests

Standing Calves
55 3x20
1 min stretch at bottom

Pec stretch

ART yesterday. Last dose of GH last night, along with the BPC it was reconstituted with & a couple mg of TB500. Will continue with straight BPC daily and probably go thru another vial of TB. Pec improving overall and getting stronger in general on basically everything.

Weight hasn’t dropped lately, but I think with the GH ending might see the scale dip soon - I put on a very tight old XL shirt I found & actually looked awesome in it, so aesthetically things are in the right direction. Legs and glutes showing more detail as well, low back fat has decreased some, more shoulder vein visibility, etc.

Bumping Mast E by 100mg this week, as I intend to drop the 75mg Var/wk (6x12.5) soon as pec is recovering. This week will be 300 test, 400 mast, 75 var total.

More walking tonight with my son!

 

[SkRaw85]

blend up some chicken and get one of these molds, then you got yourself a solid protein-scicle

View attachment 252286

If anyone pulls up to the party with this alchemy-level concoction, we are throwing hands

Now, I get a chicken shake, but this??? EWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Well maybe if you throw some teriyaki sauce and pineapples into it. Then you can suck on that meatcicle until your heart is content.

Funny thing is Hyde was talking about his little boy eating a popsicle before their walk, and we now have moved into all out chicken popsicles.
We can’t help it, it’s how our Gym Rat minds think…..poor little guy will never want a popsicle again if he tried to eat a blended chicken popsicle.


View attachment 252288

Soooooo, you guys don’t eat cocksicles???

 

[Hyde]

No dedicated walking tonight, but I took my son to the park after school because the splash pad had opened up. I was on my feet and he was running around wild the whole time, so we got some extended activity at least. He had a blast!

 

[gphagan1]

No dedicated walking tonight, but I took my son to the park after school because the splash pad had opened up. I was on my feet and he was running around wild the whole time, so we got some extended activity at least. He had a blast!

It’s great when parks have splash pads for the kids. They have a blast, and it’s a fun way to cool down. He’s been getting a lot of good quality time with Dad, and he’ll always remember those moments.

 

[GreenMachineX]

blend up some chicken and get one of these molds, then you got yourself a solid protein-scicle

View attachment 252286

Tuna shakes ftw ser

 

[Smont]

Tuna shakes ftw ser

 

[Smont]

Question for ya, @Hyde I know you do bird dogs a lot. I started doing them before deadlifts as part of my warm ups. What's a appropriate amount of sets and reps. And how do you approach progression? I was wondering if some 3lb ankle weights and 3lb DB would be a good place to start.

I've just been doing 2 sets of 10 each side so far. Not something I've ever really done

 

[Hyde]

Question for ya, @Hyde I know you do bird dogs a lot. I started doing them before deadlifts as part of my warm ups. What's a appropriate amount of sets and reps. And how do you approach progression? I was wondering if some 3lb ankle weights and 3lb DB would be a good place to start.

I've just been doing 2 sets of 10 each side so far. Not something I've ever really done

Because I use them for warmup/activation, there’s not a lot of reason for me to load them beyond 1-2 sets of 10 reps/side. I just do 1x10/side, with a 10-second hold on the final rep.

That being said, the Single-leg Deadlift is the progression when more load is desired. If balance is an issue, do them as Kickstand Deadlifts where the extended foot puts the toes on the ground while the heel is still pressed into the air (the way a bird dog drives through that glute to full leg extension). Or the free hand can hold onto a rack to remove balance as a limiter.

But this can then be loaded with a kb/db or even a barbell to infinity if necessary (and balance is there).

It’s very important to keep the hip internally rotated when you extend that back leg, so the pelvis stays squared up properly. It can be easy to let the hip open up externally to get the extension if you aren’t mindful, which undermines the whole brace.

 

[Hyde]

It’s great when parks have splash pads for the kids. They have a blast, and it’s a fun way to cool down. He’s been getting a lot of good quality time with Dad, and he’ll always remember those moments.

As we were leaving he started begging me to take him to this place for hotdogs because he remembered the last time we went there last year I had taken him!

So we did go, but I told him no cake this time - kid ate TWO full hotdogs last night I had homemade popcorn and a bowl of Greek yogurt w collagen & protein powder later at home. I don’t want to deny him for my goals, but I did not need a 1,000+ calorie meal either!

 

[SkRaw85]

As we were leaving he started begging me to take him to this place for hotdogs because he remembered the last time we went there last year I had taken him!

So we did go, but I told him no cake this time - kid ate TWO full hotdogs last night I had homemade popcorn and a bowl of Greek yogurt w collagen & protein powder later at home. I don’t want to deny him for my goals, but I did not need a 1,000+ calorie meal either!

Kid is gonna out-beast his dad in a few years! Good. That means you did it right

 

[MrKleen73]

Soooooo, you guys don’t eat cocksicles???

We all have our meat preferences, now we know yours!

 

[Hyde]

5/25/25

5 min walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Side Plank Activations
Glute Bridges
One-Leg RDLs

Deadlift, powerbar
45x10
135x8
225 2x3
275x3
+belt
325,365,385x3
405 3x3

Below-the Knee Rackpulls
315 2x12

Sumo 3” Blockpulls
315 2x10

6 min walk

Family went to the drive-in last night with the in-laws; first time there for me & my son and it was a pretty cool experience. The new Lilo & Stitch was great if you liked the OG. But this did make for a very late night. Packed a couple meals to keep nutrition on point.

Also coming down with a sinus goo the last few days, so even with half a tab of Bronkaid added today it took all my will to get through all the pulling. 385 felt pretty good, but the work at 405 was heavy! Between being spent plus our hiking trip tomorrow, no Legpress today.

 

[Hyde]

Took the boy for a walk last night; I definitely needed the bloodflow because deadlifts wiped me out yesterday.

Today we drove a couple hours to Turkey Run State Park for my stepdaughter’s birthday - she brought a couple friends and we all went for a great long hike through their trails. Some really gorgeous scenery, and thankfully my son had all the endurance he needed to power through all the climbing.

Although the last 15 minutes on the trail he was getting so hungry he said, “Come on, SANDWICHES!!!”

 

[gphagan1]

Took the boy for a walk last night; I definitely needed the bloodflow because deadlifts wiped me out yesterday.

Today we drove a couple hours to Turkey Run State Park for my stepdaughter’s birthday - she brought a couple friends and we all went for a great long hike through their trails. Some really gorgeous scenery, and thankfully my son had all the endurance he needed to power through all the climbing.

Although the last 15 minutes on the trail he was getting so hungry he said, “Come on, SANDWICHES!!!”

That’s awesome….glad you guys had a great time, and little man was able push through. And I love it that he was calling for sandwiches at the end. He knew he needed fuel, and that was his carrot on a stick.

 

[MrKleen73]

Sounds like an awesome day, and the "Come on SANDWICHES!!!" is priceless!!!

 

[Hyde]

Sounds like an awesome day, and the "Come on SANDWICHES!!!" is priceless!!!

He is a hoot, some of the stuff he says! The other night in our neighborhood he was getting tired on the walk home - he says to me, “Dad, I’ve just gotta give it up.” I said, “Give what up?” “THIS!” he replies, exasperated. I said, “Son, you can’t just give up walking; you’re going to need to be able to do this for another 8 decades hopefully!”

 

[gphagan1]

He is a hoot, some of the stuff he says! The other night in our neighborhood he was getting tired on the walk home - he says to me, “Dad, I’ve just gotta give it up.” I said, “Give what up?” “THIS!” he replies, exasperated. I said, “Son, you can’t just give up walking; you’re going to need to be able to do this for another 8 decades hopefully!”

I love it….that is an instant classic statement that you will never forget.

 

[Hyde]

5/27/25

5 min Assault Bike

Bench, powerbar
45x15
45,95,135x5 Larsen
165,185,205,225,235,245,255,265x5

2-Boardpress
205 2x15

Lying DB Extensions
30,35,40x20

Standing DB Rear Flyes
20,30x5
35 2x15

Hit the bike hard and got my shoulders/elbows loosened up that way. Ascending 5x5 from 225-265 today, and nothing hurt, so big progress for the pec. I expect to be able to get back to some real training weights for bench next week; even 275 should be getting into a transferable zone.

Still not sure if I’m doing lats and quads tonight or tomorrow, but I squat Friday so leaning on a second session later.

 

[Hyde]

5/27/25 - Session 2

Lat Pulldown
66,99,145,187x12

V-Grip Chin-ups
3,12,12,12

Hoist Roc-it Horizontal Row
305,345x12

Legpress
+90,180x10
360,540x3
700 3x10 w/ 3-sec eccentrics

Leg Extensions
65,105,145,185x15

Standing Calves
100 3x12
1 min stretch

Alt DB Hammercurls
20,30,37.5x8
50 2x10

Kneeling Pulldown Abs
66,88x15

Deadlift accessories in the book this evening; felt much better than usual for an evening session and it makes me wonder if moving my normal Tuesday morning & Wednesday night sessions to the same day routinely is a better move. Felt a lot easier to be properly fueled having started my day & food earlier than a normal day where I train at night. And now I’ll have an extra rest day too.

Kept Legpress weight the same as last week because I struggled with the 20lb jump up last time, but I dominated it this week.

 

[gphagan1]

Nice full workout, especially considering it was your second session of the day.

 

[Hyde]

BW 240.4

Ordered some bloodwork this morning and have scheduled it for tomorrow. It will only be 38 hours post-training, but I am confident in my liver & kidney health currently so I don’t particularly care if those end up showing a bit elevated. Mainly want to check CBC, ferritin, lipids, PSA (try to do that annually), and some hormones this go around. I have been on 300 test/wk for quite some time, March I think, so I want to know what blood thickness & estrogen are doing - and where my T3 is with current diet.

Yesterday morning was final dose of 12.5mg Var, since my pec seems ready to start getting back to it. Will be raising Mast another 100mg/wk tomorrow, going to 300/500 test c/ mast e for now. May swap that additional 100 with test or EQ later, depending on where estrogen & blood viscosity are.

 

[MrKleen73]

Hell of a couple of sessions. Awesome on the pec not hurting, and owning the weight on the leg press!