Cutting Log

[rascal14]

Out of curiosity, is this guy an online coach? Or in person? I might be in the market if he also takes on more lifestyle approach.

He is online, younger but I’ve followed him since the early BB.com days. It’s John Effer, he does do lifestyle coaching I believe.

he worked with Dave Palumbo on his own shows, he had an incredible natty physique at 17 before he hopped on gear and blew up. Not sure how old he is, but I think younger than me and I’m 27. He just raised his rates which sucks because I’m starting to get priced out of the affordability of a coach (justifying it for my lifestyle atleast) but I figured a first good real cut and bulk with a coach will teach me a lot.

 

[rascal14]

Drugs go up on a bulk when weight gain becomes worse in composition. Weight stalls, add food. Getting softer as you grow, then add more drugs.

On a cut, drugs titrate up to help retain muscle as food goes down.

Right on, I lowered TRT to 160/week to try and help bacne and got nothing so I’m back up to 200/week. Not a major change but 200 puts me at 1100-1300 levels.

 

[rascal14]

Sorry lack of updates. We just closed on our first house today so we’ve been busy with that, had a Labor Day lake/river Float trip that we tried to slim down for and I looked good the first day until all the beer and food bloated me. So I’m now fighting the 4 days of over eating and drinking. Weights up a few lbs from the day before the trip, hoping it’s just water I need to take a few more days to drop.

No change in diet, cardio dropped to 40 minutes 7x a week.
Also had Covid last week, gym was absolutely brutal and cardio was near impossible.

 

[Segansational]

Lake life is always good! But yeah, lends itself to over indulging. Congrats on the house closing.

 

[Smont]

Power Clean, suitcase carries, all kinds of shrugs. Those work pretty well for me.

I also attribute my big traps also to cleans, deadlifts snd basically anything that involves carrying something heavy. The stretch overload seems to work especially well for traps, and calves for that matter

 

[Smont]

Sorry lack of updates. We just closed on our first house today so we’ve been busy with that, had a Labor Day lake/river Float trip that we tried to slim down for and I looked good the first day until all the beer and food bloated me. So I’m now fighting the 4 days of over eating and drinking. Weights up a few lbs from the day before the trip, hoping it’s just water I need to take a few more days to drop.

No change in diet, cardio dropped to 40 minutes 7x a week.
Also had Covid last week, gym was absolutely brutal and cardio was near impossible.

I'm trying to play catchup and I don't remember where I left off lol. Overall how has the cut gone so far

 

[rascal14]

I'm trying to play catchup and I don't remember where I left off lol. Overall how has the cut gone so far

Good! Hiring a coach was key for me to stay accountable.
I knew I was never close to lean, but it’s crazy how far I actually was. Going from 230lbs to now 190lbs with fat to lose still, really puts into perspective how much extra weight I was carrying. The goal is to never get above 15% again, but we will see lol.

I’ve been working with the coach for 15 weeks now, he hasn’t dropped my calories once increased cardio. He’s thinking 8 more weeks of cutting which kind of makes me want to die, but I’ve got my once a week cheat meal to look forward to at least lol

strength has stayed about the same, no major losses overall. Some days are worse than others, but overall some of the main lifts I’ve actually gotten stronger as compared to where I was at a year ago.

 

[rascal14]

Honestly just getting bored on this cut, coach wants to wait until we bulk to up test dose which I agree with, but then I run into the problem of having scheduled blood work for 1/25/24. Would land right in the middle of a blast. I’m straying far from 19nors so that doesn’t leave much for a bulk other than test.

debating if I’m lean enough now to add in primo/masteron to the cut to see how I react to those now that I’ve been steady TRT dose for a while. Would it even be worth it? I struggle with the idea of a “blast” while cutting, I’m not going on stage or getting to 5% body fat so muscle loss should be minimal. Correct me if I’m wrong, but no steroid will help burn fat either? Maybe I am just looking for an easy way to make this cut shorter so I can start putting on some size again, but keep it lean and good size this time. I definitely wouldn’t mind filling out a little more though from

other than orals, which I actually like aside from back pumps, I’m limited on compounds due to my diasterous tren experience and current anxiety. Really need to stick to stuff that is mental neutral or “feel good” compounds.

Side note, right side gyno flared up yesterday and got incredibly sensitive. Threw in .25mg adex and will see how that feels. Probably a combo of **** foods, drinking, missing a test dose and throwing 2 back to back. (EOD instead of E3.5D)

 

[Hyde]

Honestly just getting bored on this cut, coach wants to wait until we bulk to up test dose which I agree with, but then I run into the problem of having scheduled blood work for 1/25/24. Would land right in the middle of a blast. I’m straying far from 19nors so that doesn’t leave much for a bulk other than test.

debating if I’m lean enough now to add in primo/masteron to the cut to see how I react to those now that I’ve been steady TRT dose for a while. Would it even be worth it? I struggle with the idea of a “blast” while cutting, I’m not going on stage or getting to 5% body fat so muscle loss should be minimal. Correct me if I’m wrong, but no steroid will help burn fat either? Maybe I am just looking for an easy way to make this cut shorter so I can start putting on some size again, but keep it lean and good size this time. I definitely wouldn’t mind filling out a little more though from

other than orals, which I actually like aside from back pumps, I’m limited on compounds due to my diasterous tren experience and current anxiety. Really need to stick to stuff that is mental neutral or “feel good” compounds.

Side note, right side gyno flared up yesterday and got incredibly sensitive. Threw in .25mg adex and will see how that feels. Probably a combo of **** foods, drinking, missing a test dose and throwing 2 back to back. (EOD instead of E3.5D)

The gear can raise metabolism some, especially when you add muscle tissue, but it won’t directly burn any fat. DHT compounds especially tend to improve insulin sensitivity and therefore nutrient partitioning. So if you take it, get hungrier, and suffer more you would lose more weight at your fixed calorie intake/diet possibly. Not exactly the cheat code most people are looking for.

If you want the best bulk possible, you would want to be as shredded as possible (for improved response to the surplus, and to leave run way for the inevitable fat accumulation as soon as you return to a surplus). Where you draw the line is up to you, but understand if you bulk right now you are probably going to look like “bloated you” from the lake 24/7, or much closer to that than your current tighter self.

 

[rascal14]

The gear can raise metabolism some, especially when you add muscle tissue, but it won’t directly burn any fat. DHT compounds especially tend to improve insulin sensitivity and therefore nutrient partitioning. So if you take it, get hungrier, and suffer more you would lose more weight at your fixed calorie intake/diet possibly. Not exactly the cheat code most people are looking for.

If you want the best bulk possible, you would want to be as shredded as possible (for improved response to the surplus, and to leave run way for the inevitable fat accumulation as soon as you return to a surplus). Where you draw the line is up to you, but understand if you bulk right now you are probably going to look like “bloated you” from the lake 24/7, or much closer to that than your current tighter self.

I appreciate it, I’m so wishy washy on using something for a cut it probably makes the most sense just to hold off and take advantage of the caloric surplus.

but I do agree, I want to hold off on bulking for a while. It’s not ideal but especially since holidays are coming up here in a few months, my diets going to have more cheats than it needs so I want to get as lean as I can handle it before stopping. It is just crazy to think I’m going to end up at my high school weight by the end of this lol

 

[rascal14]

Not sure what it is, cheat meal last night with the Adex (like I needed a cheat after Labor Day weekend)

but I’ve seen some pretty big changes in vascularity this evening, some pec veins and a new delt vein popped up. May just be coincidence, I don’t think .25mg Arimidex would make me shed that much water in 24 hours lol

 

[rascal14]

My labor day seemed to have really thrown me off course worse than I expected, but it was 4 days of eating whatever I want vs the one cheat MEAL a week I've been doing.

Weighed in right at 190lbs after the gym last night, this scale here tends to run a little higher than the one back home so maybe about 189lbs. I don't necessarily have an end goal in mind anymore. The only thing I'd like to do is stay around 15% bf at the end of the next bulk, but also keep that bulk going through the first of the year so I am not ruining a cut throughout the holidays because I know I would.

Strength is surprisingly still not declining majorly. Interested to see how things go when I get some food in me again, I've never cared much for strength but seeing some lifts go up as weight goes down is pretty cool and makes me more interested in the numbers as a whole. I am still weak as hell, but it'd be cool to see if I could get a halfway decent squat number here in the next 6 months or so. Bench has always been my strong suit, but last time I tried that I think I only hit 275lbs as my max, that was back in October when I was very fluffed up. Squat may as well just be non-existent because I am only hitting 200x8 as my max lift.

 

[rascal14]

Current word on the street is lean bulk starts 11/1!!

glad to have an end date on sight, and goes along with what everyone’s says. I am happy with how I look now, but we’re going to keep going like everyone said so the bulk doesn’t have me getting too fluffy.

 

[rascal14]

What’s some reasonable strength goals for the bulk when I start November 1?
Body composition is my #1 goal, but I’d like to get stronger too.

A year ago on my last bulk (500mg test) my max bench was 265lbs. My lifetime max is 315, 6 years ago on Tbol and Test.

Never maxed out squat, but right now while cutting with squat my max working set of 8 reps is about 200lbs (I know my legs suck ass)

 

[Hyde]

Kind of depends on where you are at now. But ultimately if you intend to have more muscle than ever, you should probably be stronger than ever. I mean, sans the orals. Those are more of a temporary boost.

 

[rascal14]

Kind of depends on where you are at now. But ultimately if you intend to have more muscle than ever, you should probably be stronger than ever. I mean, sans the orals. Those are more of a temporary boost.

That’s fair.
Right now at 190lbs in a deficit, both lifts done after several warm up sets (8-10 reps)

Squat 250lbsx2
Bench 205x2

 

[Hyde]

Performance increases doesn’t always mean increased muscle of course (many things can improve a lift without getting bigger), BUT if all of the technique & execution remains the same, you can assume that if multiple similar lifts are seeing increased performance metrics then those muscles are growing.

Like, if I adjust my arch and grip on benchpress, that may increase specifically. But if all of your pressing movements are seeing an added rep here, 5lbs more used there, you know some combo of delts/pecs/tris is gaining size.

 

[rascal14]

Performance increases doesn’t always mean increased muscle of course (many things can improve a lift without getting bigger), BUT if all of the technique & execution remains the same, you can assume that if multiple similar lifts are seeing increased performance metrics then those muscles are growing.

Like, if I adjust my arch and grip on benchpress, that may increase specifically. But if all of your pressing movements are seeing an added rep here, 5lbs more used there, you know some combo of delts/pecs/tris is gaining size.

Would you think a 315+ squat is within the realm of possibility of a 12-16 week bulk if I’m only hitting 250 for 2 reps at this point? That’d only be a 5lb increase each week, which seems somewhat reasonable for something like squat.

id like to set some strength goals but don’t want to set myself up for failure lol. The goal is size, but I have always felt inadequate with my size to strength ratio to the outside world of lifters.

 

[Hyde]

Would you think a 315+ squat is within the realm of possibility of a 12-16 week bulk if I’m only hitting 250 for 2 reps at this point? That’d only be a 5lb increase each week, which seems somewhat reasonable for something like squat.

id like to set some strength goals but don’t want to set myself up for failure lol. The goal is size, but I have always felt inadequate with my size to strength ratio to the outside world of lifters.

A 315 squat is a very realistic goal for most natural male lifters under 200lbs, so on steroids this seems very doable.

The biggest thing will be getting enough squat frequency, and to fix whatever you are undoubtedly doing suboptimally with your squat pattern now. You can send me links to squat videos privately if you need to keep it anonymous, or post them here if you don’t care. There’s usually a handful of little things that can be cleaned up fast, but that low-hanging fruit adds up.

Squat every week and have a squat pattern variation on another lower day each week. I would tell you to squat twice a week if specifically powerlifting, but something like a Frontsquat, Hatfield squat, high effort split squats, even a hacksquat machine on the second day will provide much better hypertrophy variation and still contribute to the end squat goal.

Your actual squatting should have some kind of logical progression generally, not just squatting on instinct. That’s how I see a lot of gym rats keep their squat the same for years. It’s going to take some concerted consistent effort.

 

[rascal14]

A 315 squat is a very realistic goal for most natural male lifters under 200lbs, so on steroids this seems very doable.

The biggest thing will be getting enough squat frequency, and to fix whatever you are undoubtedly doing suboptimally with your squat pattern now. You can send me links to squat videos privately if you need to keep it anonymous, or post them here if you don’t care. There’s usually a handful of little things that can be cleaned up fast, but that low-hanging fruit adds up.

Squat every week and have a squat pattern variation on another lower day each week. I would tell you to squat twice a week if specifically powerlifting, but something like a Frontsquat, Hatfield squat, high effort split squats, even a hacksquat machine on the second day will provide much better hypertrophy variation and still contribute to the end squat goal.

Your actual squatting should have some kind of logical progression generally, not just squatting on instinct. That’s how I see a lot of gym rats keep their squat the same for years. It’s going to take some concerted consistent effort.

Okay cool! I’m stuck on smith squats for now but I can send a video if I remember here on Wednesday.

I will get a second leg movement in also, really wish I had access to a hack squat. My coach is pretty old school body builder style so he still is heavy on compound lifts so he should be good with it.

I appreciate your help! Definitely don’t want to look big (I don’t now) but not be able to squat more than my body weight, that’s what’s wrong with half the new generation gym goers (aside from broccoli hair and posing in the mirrors when they way 150lbs soaking wet) lol

 

[Hyde]

Okay cool! I’m stuck on smith squats for now but I can send a video if I remember here on Wednesday.

I will get a second leg movement in also, really wish I had access to a hack squat. My coach is pretty old school body builder style so he still is heavy on compound lifts so he should be good with it.

I appreciate your help! Definitely don’t want to look big (I don’t now) but not be able to squat more than my body weight, that’s what’s wrong with half the new generation gym goers (aside from broccoli hair and posing in the mirrors when they way 150lbs soaking wet) lol

Yeah definitely make sure you get a broccoli haircut and a gold chain!

 

[rascal14]

On another note -

EC stack will end this week, don’t think I’m going to continue it, partially because Arkansas is fucked and won’t let you buy Bronkaid with an out of state driver license. Also see if it helps my anxiety.

I’ve got AOD (peptide, very similar to frag 176-191) coming to start taking as well. Still figuring out dosing protocol, if I want to change my cardio to be fasted in the morning or what exactly, but I’ve been fasting from 10:00pm-11:00am anyways.

I also have some other goodies coming to give a trial run, my buddy started his own RC company so he’s sending me stuff to get some outsider input because I’ll be the first to say if something doesn’t work lol not sure exactly what he’s sending but ill log what I take and what I experience with it. The AOD I plan to run until the end of the cut at the least, though.

 

[rascal14]

Yeah definitely make sure you get a broccoli haircut and a gold chain!

I am the first to welcome anyone and everyone to join a gym, but these kids (I’m only 27 lol) are the first time I’ve ever thought “you know, maybe not everyone belongs in the gym after all”

 

[Hyde]

I am the first to welcome anyone and everyone to join a gym, but these kids (I’m only 27 lol) are the first time I’ve ever thought “you know, maybe not everyone belongs in the gym after all”

 

[rascal14]

weight was finally under 190lbs after the gym tonight, just barely though.

I know I should definitely be eating more before the gym, I’ve been dragging very badly lately but I just hate more than anything being hungry at bed time lol

I wake up around 5:00am and I eat once around 10:00-11:00am then again around 2:00pm, lift at 5:30 then cardio, then have dinner around 8:30pm and night time protein mix around 10:00pm and bed (by) midnight. So overall very little sleep during the week and only about 2300 calories, 45 minutes daily cardio. 1300 of those calories are post gym at night right now, I am thinking about eating a smaller meal right before the gym to possibly help energy levels but other than that nothing interesting to report, I ordered some SNS KannaEase caps to try but other than that lifts have sucked and work sucks. Every day I contemplate ending the cut lol

 

[akboom87]

weight was finally under 190lbs after the gym tonight, just barely though.

I know I should definitely be eating more before the gym, I’ve been dragging very badly lately but I just hate more than anything being hungry at bed time lol

I wake up around 5:00am and I eat once around 10:00-11:00am then again around 2:00pm, lift at 5:30 then cardio, then have dinner around 8:30pm and night time protein mix around 10:00pm and bed (by) midnight. So overall very little sleep during the week and only about 2300 calories, 45 minutes daily cardio. 1300 of those calories are post gym at night right now, I am thinking about eating a smaller meal right before the gym to possibly help energy levels but other than that nothing interesting to report, I ordered some SNS KannaEase caps to try but other than that lifts have sucked and work sucks. Every day I contemplate ending the cut lol

That is definitely not much sleep! I get up at 4:30am and gym at 5am but in bed at 8:30 and sleep by nine lol.

Funny I just ordered KannaEase and Saborxy XT !

 

[sns8778]

weight was finally under 190lbs after the gym tonight, just barely though.

I know I should definitely be eating more before the gym, I’ve been dragging very badly lately but I just hate more than anything being hungry at bed time lol

I wake up around 5:00am and I eat once around 10:00-11:00am then again around 2:00pm, lift at 5:30 then cardio, then have dinner around 8:30pm and night time protein mix around 10:00pm and bed (by) midnight. So overall very little sleep during the week and only about 2300 calories, 45 minutes daily cardio. 1300 of those calories are post gym at night right now, I am thinking about eating a smaller meal right before the gym to possibly help energy levels but other than that nothing interesting to report, I ordered some SNS KannaEase caps to try but other than that lifts have sucked and work sucks. Every day I contemplate ending the cut lol

I hate cutting myself. It drains the life out of me.

I hope you'll like KannaEase. I use it a lot and it really helps with my mood and motivation, and helps me powder thru days where I feel just mentally beat.

 

[sns8778]

That is definitely not much sleep! I get up at 4:30am and gym at 5am but in bed at 8:30 and sleep by nine lol.

Funny I just ordered KannaEase and Saborxy XT !

I usually don't even to to start working out until around 10pm, but I'm more likely to be going to bed when you're waking up. I'm so not a morning person at all. I average going to bed around 3 and getting up between 8 and 9, or at least trying to.

I hope you'll like that stack - KannaEase and Sabroxy XT go great together.

 

[akboom87]

I usually don't even to to start working out until around 10pm, but I'm more likely to be going to bed when you're waking up. I'm so not a morning person at all. I average going to bed around 3 and getting up between 8 and 9, or at least trying to.

I hope you'll like that stack - KannaEase and Sabroxy XT go great together.

One of the Sr engineers I work with he helps with family and kids during the day and then he works all night stops into the office a couple times a week after dropping kids off at school. I don’t know when he ever finds time to sleep. I will have emails and teams messages from him all hours of the night/morning.

I actually got the sabroxy XT for my wife to stack with her stress and anxiety support (she loves this by the way!) + gluco vantage XT. Then I grabbed the KannaEase and another tub of the creatine this time the grapefruit I’m really looking forward to this flavor.

 

[sns8778]

One of the Sr engineers I work with he helps with family and kids during the day and then he works all night stops into the office a couple times a week after dropping kids off at school. I don’t know when he ever finds time to sleep. I will have emails and teams messages from him all hours of the night/morning.

I actually got the sabroxy XT for my wife to stack with her stress and anxiety support (she loves this by the way!) + gluco vantage XT. Then I grabbed the KannaEase and another tub of the creatine this time the grapefruit I’m really looking forward to this flavor.

Great. I think that she'll really like that stack. I take Stress & Anxiety Support daily myself. I think that is a super overlooked and underrated product on here.

I hope you'll like KannaEase and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the Pink Grapefruit flavor. I love it.

 

[rascal14]

That is definitely not much sleep! I get up at 4:30am and gym at 5am but in bed at 8:30 and sleep by nine lol.

Funny I just ordered KannaEase and Saborxy XT !

Kinda crazy, I had the Sabroxy in my cart - talked myself out of it since the reviews seem to be 50/50 - it works great or they get nothing from it. I usually am in the camp of not noticing anything from supps so I figured I'd hold off for now. I went ahead and got some stim free preworkout instead (DPS Nutrition) forget the name, something crazy but the formula looked good.

 

[rascal14]

I hate cutting myself. It drains the life out of me.

I hope you'll like KannaEase. I use it a lot and it really helps with my mood and motivation, and helps me powder thru days where I feel just mentally beat.

I am curious to give it a try. I've said it before but my anxiety has been through the roof and I need to get it under control and stray way from my prescriptions to handle it. I am hoping it provides enough relief so that I can manage the rest of the panic with regular breathing and cognitive techniques.

Is it better to take throughout the day, or say take one larger dose at night when my anxiety is the worst?

 

[rascal14]

One of the Sr engineers I work with he helps with family and kids during the day and then he works all night stops into the office a couple times a week after dropping kids off at school. I don’t know when he ever finds time to sleep. I will have emails and teams messages from him all hours of the night/morning.

I actually got the sabroxy XT for my wife to stack with her stress and anxiety support (she loves this by the way!) + gluco vantage XT. Then I grabbed the KannaEase and another tub of the creatine this time the grapefruit I’m really looking forward to this flavor.

I've got a Project Manager that exact way. Emails and teams messages from 6am-11pm. He's all over the place, but he loves what he does. Of course I'm the same, at work by 6:00am and to the gym by 6:00pm, then I am up all night laying in bed sending teams messages about the 30 things that pop into my mind as I'm trying to fall asleep.

I'm used to the long days now, but combining it with little sleep and being 16 weeks into a cut, its starting to get to me.

 

[rascal14]

@Hyde @MrKleen73 @Smont @sns8778

Any of you guys have much home gym equipment, if any at all? Now that we own a place and it has room in the basement or garage, I am wanting to get some stuff to make a functional mini home gym for the days I don't want to drive across town.

Right now a treadmill would be ideal because I'm cutting, but I also want dumbbells probably 10-75lbs? a bench and squat rack, enough weight for 315 on the barbell, etc. Then maybe look into getting a cable machine of some kind.

I have been looking at facebook marketplace for used stuff, but the thought of moving some of those things out of someone elses basement sounds miserable lol

 

[Smont]

@Hyde @MrKleen73 @Smont @sns8778

Any of you guys have much home gym equipment, if any at all? Now that we own a place and it has room in the basement or garage, I am wanting to get some stuff to make a functional mini home gym for the days I don't want to drive across town.

Right now a treadmill would be ideal because I'm cutting, but I also want dumbbells probably 10-75lbs? a bench and squat rack, enough weight for 315 on the barbell, etc. Then maybe look into getting a cable machine of some kind.

I have been looking at facebook marketplace for used stuff, but the thought of moving some of those things out of someone elses basement sounds miserable lol

All my stuff I bought second hand or built.

Power rack with safty bars of some sort, adjustable bench and a barbell with plates would be my priority because it let's you bench, shoulder press, squat, deadlifts, chins, rows ect. You can build a monster with those. Dumbells I'd shoot for next and then I would worry about whatever else I could afford.

Many power racks you can put a pully system on too and plate load a cable

 

[rascal14]

Not tagged but I’ve gotten my DBs second hand (5-100lbs). It is a pain but can be so much cheaper and moving brand new purchased DBs in boxes and stuff might be worse..

If you go for a rack I’m not saying break the bank, but it’s one of those things buy once and feel the pain, but never have to buy again. My rogue rack in the garage has to be nearly 15 years old now and gone through 3-4 moves?

Definitely be patient and keep an eye on the used stuff around you and you’ll save a ton.

Okay good to know on the rack! I was looking at some new equipment and not only the price but the quality just looks very poor for consumer grade stuff.

 

[Smont]

All my stuff I bought second hand or built.

Power rack with safty bars of some sort, adjustable bench and a barbell with plates would be my priority because it let's you bench, shoulder press, squat, deadlifts, chins, rows ect. You can build a monster with those. Dumbells I'd shoot for next and then I would worry about whatever else I could afford.

Many power racks you can put a pully system on too and plate load a cable

I'm not vouching for this specific brand, just givinga visual, but you can find stuff like this in a decent quality around $600-$1000
Invalid Link Removed

 

[MrKleen73]

Coop from Garagegymreviews on youtube has some full reviews on budget racks if you want new, He does some on the the best budget racks on amazon if you want to check that out.

Otherwise, you lift heavy weights for fun, don't let a little manual labor getting stuff out off someone else's house keep you from a good deal. Their are tons of good deals to be had on marketplace and don't sleep on Craigs list, the type of people on craigs list aren't normally comparing to see what others are getting for stuff. They are just trying to get it out of their garage or basement. On FB is is so easy to get an idea what people are asking so the prices go up.

 

[rascal14]

Coop from Garagegymreviews on youtube has some full reviews on budget racks if you want new, He does some on the the best budget racks on amazon if you want to check that out.

Otherwise, you lift heavy weights for fun, don't let a little manual labor getting stuff out off someone else's house keep you from a good deal. Their are tons of good deals to be had on marketplace and don't sleep on Craigs list, the type of people on craigs list aren't normally comparing to see what others are getting for stuff. They are just trying to get it out of their garage or basement. On FB is is so easy to get an idea what people are asking so the prices go up.

lol true on the moving stuff! Something about moving furniture type stuff is dreadful compared to lifting, mainly because I’ve moved probably 7 times in the last 5 years.

 

[MrKleen73]

Oh yeah, that being said, I completely stand by the Iron Master Adjustable DBs. They are made so well and you can upgrade them all the way up to 175 I think. I have the ones up to 125 for like 500 or something 6 years ago. You can drop these and they will be okay. It is one of the reasons I got them. Not that I want to drop but sometimes that is inevitable.

 

[Hyde]

Dbs are extremely expensive. You need to really consider what you actually need and make some jumps if you don’t get awesome deals on used pairs/sets from marketplace, Craigslist, auction etc. Above 40lb pairs, it might be more practical to get loadable Olympic handles or the adjustable all in one types that Kleen mentioned. A big rack also can eat a lot of space compared to an adjustable set.

You want a solid rack, barbell, adjustable bench, 2-3 pairs of 45s, and a pair of 25s, 10s, 5s, chips. Then you will want horsestall mat for floor covering, and possibly plywood to bolt together a platform and bolt your rack to (this is probably ideal if deadlifting).

You will also want some bands likely to simulate some isolation cable type movements.

Longterm you could look at a cable tower is space & money allow, or a Spud pulley setup if not.

Don’t buy new plates.

 

[rascal14]

Appreciate all the help guys! Definitely will be going Facebook route for weights - even on there they’re going for $1-$2 a pound

I’m definitely going to keep an eye on it and check out the dumbbells Kleen mentioned before!

 

[Hyde]

Appreciate all the help guys! Definitely will be going Facebook route for weights - even on there they’re going for $1-$2 a pound

I’m definitely going to keep an eye on it and check out the dumbbells Kleen mentioned before!

It may help to put out the word for weights, ask if anyone who you know is looking to get rid of some.

We had a guy we knew just give us a pair of hundos collecting rust in his garage! 200lbs for free. And I’ve got 4 pairs of York 45s for under $1/lb, because the individuals were more interested in cleaning house than making profit.

 

[MrKleen73]

Appreciate all the help guys! Definitely will be going Facebook route for weights - even on there they’re going for $1-$2 a pound

I’m definitely going to keep an eye on it and check out the dumbbells Kleen mentioned before!

Yeah, I really like them, and they go up from 5lbs to 125 in 5lb increments, and even higher if you want. I am not huge so 125 does the trick for me.

 

[MrKleen73]

It may help to put out the word for weights, ask if anyone who you know is looking to get rid of some.

We had a guy we knew just give us a pair of hundos collecting rust in his garage! 200lbs for free. And I’ve got 4 pairs of York 45s for under $1/lb, because the individuals were more interested in cleaning house than making profit.

Man having hundos is so nice, I love that we have some at the new gym. They never get moved away from the leg equipment either so it makes it easier for loading weights. I would love to have a pair at the house.

 

[sns8778]

I am curious to give it a try. I've said it before but my anxiety has been through the roof and I need to get it under control and stray way from my prescriptions to handle it. I am hoping it provides enough relief so that I can manage the rest of the panic with regular breathing and cognitive techniques.

Is it better to take throughout the day, or say take one larger dose at night when my anxiety is the worst?

I take KannaEase and Stress & Anxiety Support.

I take 1 Stress & Anxiety Support and 1 KannaEase in the morning and then another Stress & Anxiety Support in the evening. I use an additional KannaEase in the evening a lot of days if I feel like I need one.

They say the best way to combat anxiety is to not let it really get revved up to start with - so you I would try taking 1 capsule in the morning and then another capsule in the evening to begin with; but then you could also try taking the larger dose in the evening to see which way helps you more.

I hope that it helps. I've always had bad anxiety, but it got a lot worse after my accident last year. The KannaEase and Stress & Anxiety Support protocol helps me a lot. It's still there, but a lot more manageable.

 

[sns8778]

@Hyde @MrKleen73 @Smont @sns8778

Any of you guys have much home gym equipment, if any at all? Now that we own a place and it has room in the basement or garage, I am wanting to get some stuff to make a functional mini home gym for the days I don't want to drive across town.

Right now a treadmill would be ideal because I'm cutting, but I also want dumbbells probably 10-75lbs? a bench and squat rack, enough weight for 315 on the barbell, etc. Then maybe look into getting a cable machine of some kind.

I have been looking at facebook marketplace for used stuff, but the thought of moving some of those things out of someone elses basement sounds miserable lol

I do have a good setup and I've been looking to add some pieces myself.

Marketplace is a good place to look and some people in some areas find great deals on it. In my area, unfortunately people are out of their minds at what they seem to want for workout equipment on there.

A good option may be to see if you have any equipment resellers in your area or close - like places that buy out gyms when they close and then resell the equipment.

I've got some Body Solid pieces that I love; have a Fitnessgear Smith that I hate the angle of and never use it because of it.

One thing I've been really considering is the Syedee leverage piece. The reviews I've seen look great on it, especially for the money. I just haven't managed to find anyone in real life that's used it that can give me real world feedback. Considering going ahead and getting it when I have the extra money.

 

[sns8778]

This is the piece I was thinking about adding because it seems like it can do a lot of different things in a small space. It's not one I would probably start with, but I already have a lot of stuff and it encompasses a couple different things I liked into one piece.

If anyone has used it or knows anyone with real feedback on it, it would be appreciated.

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[MrKleen73]

I do have a good setup and I've been looking to add some pieces myself.

Marketplace is a good place to look and some people in some areas find great deals on it. In my area, unfortunately people are out of their minds at what they seem to want for workout equipment on there.

A good option may be to see if you have any equipment resellers in your area or close - like places that buy out gyms when they close and then resell the equipment.

I've got some Body Solid pieces that I love; have a Fitnessgear Smith that I hate the angle of and never use it because of it.

One thing I've been really considering is the Syedee leverage piece. The reviews I've seen look great on it, especially for the money. I just haven't managed to find anyone in real life that's used it that can give me real world feedback. Considering going ahead and getting it when I have the extra money.

That Sydee set you linked in here before is very similar, basically a copy of the IronTec WorkBench Lever system. or whatever it is called. I have their Workbench Multisystem, and it is a very solid and well built machine. I also have all of the attachments, my son bought me the set up for Christmas last year. They are good, so if that company used the same specs it should be a pretty reliable and enjoyable set up.

In all honestly if I could I would swap my multisystem for the workbench I would, just to save a lot of space, and have the option for cable pulldown and rows.

 

[sns8778]

That Sydee set you linked in here before is very similar, basically a copy of the IronTec WorkBench Lever system. or whatever it is called. I have their Workbench Multisystem, and it is a very solid and well built machine. I also have all of the attachments, my son bought me the set up for Christmas last year. They are good, so if that company used the same specs it should be a pretty reliable and enjoyable set up.

In all honestly if I could I would swap my multisystem for the workbench I would, just to save a lot of space, and have the option for cable pulldown and rows.

Thanks. That was another thread that I had put that link in; I only mentioned it here because he asked me about my setup and that's the next piece I was thinking of adding. I'd just been hesitant because hadn't known anyone that actually had it or had used it. Plus hadn't had the money I wanted to spend right now on it.

I had looked at the Powertech systems. I think it was actually while looking those up that I saw the Syedee ones and they seemed to take up less space and be a lot less expensive. I've still been going back and forth on which one I was going to get. I have so much stuff now that it takes up so much space, that's why I was leaning towards a more space saving one.

That was awesome of your son, really cool of him to do that.