Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

[Rad83]

Got a knee sleeve question and thought this’d be a good place to ask and help others as well…

Open patella vs. closed? What are some of the differences pros/cons?

I’m just getting over some knee bursitis that was quite annoying and kept me from squats etc for a month. Thinkin it might be time to try some sleeves

Thanx!

 

[Rocket3015]

I Like the closed for weighted leg movements, it keeps the knee joint warm, I use a open for cardio.

 

[Jeremyk1]

Got a knee sleeve question and thought this’d be a good place to ask and help others as well…

Open patella vs. closed? What are some of the differences pros/cons?

I’m just getting over some knee bursitis that was quite annoying and kept me from squats etc for a month. Thinkin it might be time to try some sleeves

Thanx!

Depends on how ugly your knees are.

 

[SkRaw85]

Depends on how ugly your knees are.

Best answer

 

[Rad83]

Depends on how ugly your knees are.

Lmfao

 

[Dustin07]

Haven’t been able to do this in about 2 years - tonight, I got my flexion back.

Invalid Link Removed

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!

I never took you as the self asphyxiation type, but hey no judging.

On Feb 9th & 10th this past year I benched 375, squat 555 & pulled 570 in my garage at ~253-255 normal morning weight, so I’m essentially same total strength an entire weightclass lighter (and my elbow is cleaned out).

Dude! 2023 is going to be insane!! Congrats on all your progress the past 12 months!

Got a knee sleeve question and thought this’d be a good place to ask and help others as well…

Open patella vs. closed? What are some of the differences pros/cons?

I’m just getting over some knee bursitis that was quite annoying and kept me from squats etc for a month. Thinkin it might be time to try some sleeves

Thanx!

Maybe I'm naïve (probably) but I have no idea what the benefit to open patella would be. more than anything I love my 7mm rehbands for the warmth they create, and they're usually under pants of some sorts so I'd never do open personally. Plus I've had my rehbands for like 7+ years so they hold up forever (especially when you never wash them lol)

 

[Rocket3015]

Maybe I'm naïve (probably) but I have no idea what the benefit to open patella would be. more than anything I love my 7mm rehbands for the warmth they create, and they're usually under pants of some sorts so I'd never do open personally. Plus I've had my rehbands for like 7+ years so they hold up forever (especially when you never wash them lol)

Stinky For The Win !!

 

[MrKleen73]

Stinky For The Win !!

Oh Man! I can't even imagine. Of course i work out in the garage in the summer. I leave them inside out to dry but even then I have to wash them pretty regularly to keep them from souring.

 

[Dustin07]

Oh Man! I can't even imagine. Of course i work out in the garage in the summer. I leave them inside out to dry but even then I have to wash them pretty regularly to keep them from souring.

LOL I think immediately flipping mine inside out and drying them upright in the truck or my bathroom has helped a bit. I have washed them more in the last year than the first 5 combined probably though

gym shirts... now that's a frustrating different story. I've probably thrown away 5 in the last 2 months.

 

[Hyde]

Would think HGH should help you heal up faster.

Last 2 nights I’ve had some trouble falling asleep, but woke up feeling like I had great sleep for the time I did get.

Hoping for another great dream tonight, because I normally don’t remember them!

It will be interesting to see how this helps you? Leaner and Stronger ?

Stronger, not directly. But if it pads my joints some then it will indirectly help me train harder more often - better recovery is always better results longterm.

It was this or adding in 125mg Deca, but this keeps my androgens down while hopefully still giving me some water cushion. If it doesn’t work out, I can always add the nandrolone later.

Got a knee sleeve question and thought this’d be a good place to ask and help others as well…

Open patella vs. closed? What are some of the differences pros/cons?

I’m just getting over some knee bursitis that was quite annoying and kept me from squats etc for a month. Thinkin it might be time to try some sleeves

Thanx!

I’d assume open patella is for many hours of wear; closed neoprene sleeves should be limited to 4 hours straight maximum.

Get closed sleeves like Rehbands for general training. They go on easy and give the warmth and support you’re after. Many other brands are more trying to get max poundage, which is trivial but makes them much harder to pull on/off. More for competitive efforts.

Oh Man! I can't even imagine. Of course i work out in the garage in the summer. I leave them inside out to dry but even then I have to wash them pretty regularly to keep them from souring.

@Dustin07 I wash my old blue Rehbands every few month just like Kleen says here, and they have no issues coming apart. All the newer performance-oriented ones I’ve ever gotten or seen do indeed start coming apart at the stitching, but the Estonians make stuff quality like old-school America used to.

Rehbands going on something like 8 years now? And they’re my daily drivers, probably twice a week. I very rarely wear the comp style ones or my cheater multiply ones.

 

[Hyde]

1/3/23
BW 233.2

5 min walk

One-leg Deadlift
Side Plank

Frontsquat, beltless
45 2x5
95,145,195,245x3
275x1,3,3,3

Trapbar Deadlift, low handles
225,245,265x15

Leg Extensions
50,120,130,140x20

Lying Leg Curl
118,138x15
158x12

KB Suitcase Carries
53x1 trip/side

Had a couple 10 min walks today and took my son to the park (60* & sunny randomly before freezing again tomorrow), so I was feeling loose going into this makeup work tonight. Kept it light as I am deadlifting in 48 hours but broke a massive sweat!

Pinned some Stampede & took some Daft Pump preWO after a cup of coffee

 

[Rocket3015]

I found that 50mg of Deca will really help my joints.

 

[MrKleen73]

Nice make up session!

 

[Hyde]

I found that 50mg of Deca will really help my joints.

Good to know! I’ve felt a benefit at just 125mg/wk, and I definitely felt NPP at 100mg right after surgery help, but I wasn’t sure how low I could go on Deca and still notice a therapeutic effect. I ran the NPP for 2 weeks for faster wound healing, and then when I stopped it and also still had test too low now for the Masteron I was using, I felt it!

So far, the 1iu nightly has absolutely helped. My knees popped every rep of leg extensions last night, but they still felt great under the load, no discomfort! Leg extensions are brutal for me normally.

The truth is, by your 30s your GH levels fall off a lot, and mine have been lower than average at least a few years now, so HGH is probably something I need to be supplementing some if I want to stay in the game.

 

[Dustin07]

@Dustin07 I wash my old blue Rehbands every few month just like Kleen says here, and they have no issues coming apart. All the newer performance-oriented ones I’ve ever gotten or seen do indeed start coming apart at the stitching, but the Estonians make stuff quality like old-school America used to.

Rehbands going on something like 8 years now? And they’re my daily drivers, probably twice a week. I very rarely wear the comp style ones or my cheater multiply ones.

yeah they're definitely high quality. my old alternate brand 5mms lasted maybe a few months. My Rehbands are somewhere in the neighborhood of the same age as yours. I always wear them for squat and deadlift days (2x / week) but back in my xfit days I probably wore them 5x a week since... you did squatty stuff nearly daily.

 

[Hyde]

1/4/23

Band Facepulls, Tri Ext, Flies, Dislocations

Rhinoflex Bar Closegrip Bench
9,59,99,149,189x5
219,249,279,299x3
314x2 PR
239 2x6

Underhand Lat Pulldown warmup
100x12
130,170x6
200x3

Chin-ups
3,8,8,8

BB Lying Tri Ext
45 3x15

CG Mag Grip Pulldown
100x25
110x16+9

Band Pressdown
Monster+Micro x20,15,15 hold contractions

ss w/ Band Overhead Ext - left only
micro 2x15

Plate Rear Delt Flyes
10 2x20

Still got it baby! ~300 for a triple and 315 for a double very close grip on the fiberglass Rhino bar, which is apparently actually 9lbs. No wrist wraps yet.

Everything feeling good, & improving: first time doing fully supinated chin-ups with my thumbs wrapped around the bar in a long time!

 

[SkRaw85]

Good to know! I’ve felt a benefit at just 125mg/wk, and I definitely felt NPP at 100mg right after surgery help, but I wasn’t sure how low I could go on Deca and still notice a therapeutic effect. I ran the NPP for 2 weeks for faster wound healing, and then when I stopped it and also still had test too low now for the Masteron I was using, I felt it!

So far, the 1iu nightly has absolutely helped. My knees popped every rep of leg extensions last night, but they still felt great under the load, no discomfort! Leg extensions are brutal for me normally.

The truth is, by your 30s your GH levels fall off a lot, and mine have been lower than average at least a few years now, so HGH is probably something I need to be supplementing some if I want to stay in the game.

Curious to see your thoughts/bloods on MK vs GH

 

[Dustin07]

what type of wrist wraps do you prefer?

 

[Hyde]

Curious to see your thoughts/bloods on MK vs GH

Well, they’re pretty different use cases. I mean Mk677 is never for cutting, except maybe on keto really. It can also serve to bolster appetite some.

GH can be just for recovery & joints, or growth, or fat loss, depending on the environment it’s deployed in and dosage.

what type of wrist wraps do you prefer?

Something strong enough wrapped tightly enough you need to take them off every set. When people wear wrist wraps through their entire exercise (or worse, their workout) they aren’t tight enough to be getting carryover out of them, and they are being used as a bandaid. You want to do most work without so the wrists get strong, then add the wraps just for maximal work/AMRAPs. Or returning from an injury.

EliteFTS Constrictors and Kraits are very solid choices. Iron Rebel and Cerberus have some decent wraps too. If you learn how to wrap tightly, you can get a surprising amount out of even ‘crappier’ wraps these days.

 

[Dustin07]

That's generally been my perspective, I prefer not to put my wraps on until the weight starts to get heavy similar to adding my belt for squats/deads. But I've used the same ones for so long I've been wondering if it's worth an upgrade.

 

[RegisterJr]

I went with eliteFTS wraps based in your recommendation. They are only used in certain work sets, and cannot stay on between sets. Way too tight.

 

[gphagan1]

Well, they’re pretty different use cases. I mean Mk677 is never for cutting, except maybe on keto really. It can also serve to bolster appetite some.

GH can be just for recovery & joints, or growth, or fat loss, depending on the environment it’s deployed in and dosage.



Something strong enough wrapped tightly enough you need to take them off every set. When people wear wrist wraps through their entire exercise (or worse, their workout) they aren’t tight enough to be getting carryover out of them, and they are being used as a bandaid. You want to do most work without so the wrists get strong, then add the wraps just for maximal work/AMRAPs. Or returning from an injury.

EliteFTS Constrictors and Kraits are very solid choices. Iron Rebel and Cerberus have some decent wraps too. If you learn how to wrap tightly, you can get a surprising amount out of even ‘crappier’ wraps these days.

I’ve never really used wrist wraps, but I’m probably going to try a bench competition at the end of the year and any edge this old man can get I probably should try out. The extra support can only help, so I’ll have to get some of the EliteFTS wraps and give them a shot.

 

[RegisterJr]

I’ve never really used wrist wraps, but I’m probably going to try a bench competition at the end of the year and any edge this old man can get I probably should try out. The extra support can only help, so I’ll have to get some of the EliteFTS wraps and give them a shot.

Invalid Link Removed

5 stars from me

 

[MrKleen73]

Good to know! I’ve felt a benefit at just 125mg/wk, and I definitely felt NPP at 100mg right after surgery help, but I wasn’t sure how low I could go on Deca and still notice a therapeutic effect. I ran the NPP for 2 weeks for faster wound healing, and then when I stopped it and also still had test too low now for the Masteron I was using, I felt it!

So far, the 1iu nightly has absolutely helped. My knees popped every rep of leg extensions last night, but they still felt great under the load, no discomfort! Leg extensions are brutal for me normally.

The truth is, by your 30s your GH levels fall off a lot, and mine have been lower than average at least a few years now, so HGH is probably something I need to be supplementing some if I want to stay in the game.

Yeah, I have actually been contemplating HGH as a preventative / therapeutic measure myself.

 

[Rocket3015]

Yeah, I have actually been contemplating HGH as a preventative / therapeutic measure myself.

If you keep the dose low, it should be very good a burning fat with little to no sides !

 

[Hyde]

I’ve never really used wrist wraps, but I’m probably going to try a bench competition at the end of the year and any edge this old man can get I probably should try out. The extra support can only help, so I’ll have to get some of the EliteFTS wraps and give them a shot.

They absolutely make a difference. Watch this and you’ll know everything you need to wrap optimally, and how to make your wraps compression cuffs as well:

Invalid Link Removed

^I have a pair of those red soft wraps from EliteFTS from over 10 years ago and they are still great for overhead work or very heavy low bar squats. Best $15 I ever spent on gear.

Yeah, I have actually been contemplating HGH as a preventative / therapeutic measure myself.

I’ll keep you updated. The big thing with HGH is that growth hormone is actually a separate pathway that can stimulate gynecomastia. So in addition to estrogen & prolactin, elevated GH can be a separate issue. Mk677 is actually as bad or worse than 19-Nors in this regard for me, and how I got some new gyno from Mk677 daily while otherwise Natty for a very long streak after my gyno reduction in 2015. Estrogen naturally was high enough due to bodyfat that coupled with many months of Mk it caused some additional new gyno on one side.

If you keep the dose low, it should be very good a burning fat with little to no sides !

Most important thing is just that you take it of course, but the common saying is if fat loss is the priority, take it in the morning fasted. If maximal recovery is desired, use it before sleep (and not right after a meal).

 

[MrKleen73]

Good looking out @Hyde, you know I don't want to exacerbate gyno. Still in saving mode for removing it.

 

[Dustin07]

Good looking out @Hyde, you know I don't want to exacerbate gyno. Still in saving mode for removing it.

Pretty expensive? I remember back in high school when we'd all get it from time to time and we'd focus on various bench reps trying to fix it. Of course it starts to go away naturally at that age and for years I assumed declines we're the solution until I realized what it actually was.

The surgery sounds rough. Reminds me of when Runkle got his nipple torn off on Californication.

 

[Hyde]

Pretty expensive? I remember back in high school when we'd all get it from time to time and we'd focus on various bench reps trying to fix it. Of course it starts to go away naturally at that age and for years I assumed declines we're the solution until I realized what it actually was.

The surgery sounds rough. Reminds me of when Runkle got his nipple torn off on Californication.

$6-12 grand usually these days I believe. Mine was 6 in 2015 for just a local plastic surgery guy, not like a top specialist.

 

[Hyde]

1/5/23
BW 234.6

Reverse Hyper
180 2x20

Single Leg Deadlift
Side Plank

Conventional, powerbar
135x5,2
225,275,315x3
365 6x2, 4x3 short rests

Snatchgrip 4” Blockpulls w/ straps
275x8
315 2x8

BB Rows
225x12 from floor
245 2x8

One-Arm DB Row
55,80,105x5
105x16

GHR
2x12, 1x16

Reverse Hyper
270 3x12

Great session; finally was able to deadlift underhand again without pain after doing some one-handed hangs this week and basically pulling my arm into extension by force. Deadlifts moved very fast and felt natural.

Last day of Indomethacin NSAID therapy, so the plan is a 2-day fast starting tomorrow to drop a little fat!

 

[gphagan1]

1/5/23
BW 234.6

Reverse Hyper
180 2x20

Single Leg Deadlift
Side Plank

Conventional, powerbar
135x5,2
225,275,315x3
365 6x2, 4x3 short rests

Snatchgrip 4” Blockpulls w/ straps
275x8
315 2x8

BB Rows
225x12 from floor
245 2x8

One-Arm DB Row
55,80,105x5
105x16

GHR
2x12, 1x16

Reverse Hyper
270 3x12

Great session; finally was able to deadlift underhand again without pain after doing some one-handed hangs this week and basically pulling my arm into extension by force. Deadlifts moved very fast and felt natural.

Last day of Indomethacin NSAID therapy, so the plan is a 2-day fast starting tomorrow to drop a little fat!

Looks like a very productive workout……
245 for sets of 8 on barbell rows is some good weight. That arm seems to be coming back really fast.

 

[Hyde]

Looks like a very productive workout……
245 for sets of 8 on barbell rows is some good weight. That arm seems to be coming back really fast.

It’s definitely down in strength from pre-surgery, but I’ve lost weight too. Overall it’s a good start - if I can just find the energy to keep training them on heavier weeks!

 

[gphagan1]

It’s definitely down in strength from pre-surgery, but I’ve lost weight too. Overall it’s a good start - if I can just find the energy to keep training them on heavier weeks!

Might have to break out some Ephedrine.

 

[Rocket3015]

The amount of weight (Total) that you move in a workout blows my mind !!

 

[Hyde]

The amount of weight (Total) that you move in a workout blows my mind !!

Honestly often I am probably not accomplishing enough, but it is what it is!

 

[Dustin07]

Last day of Indomethacin NSAID therapy, so the plan is a 2-day fast starting tomorrow to drop a little fat!

so what do you do for calories on day 3? normal daily caloric intake, or daily x's 3?

 

[Hyde]

so what do you do for calories on day 3? normal daily caloric intake, or daily x's 3?

Because the goal is overall fat & weight loss, I’ll resume normal calories (3200ish?), possibly a high day (definitely under 4k still).

These 2 days the goal is just to try to burn off a true pound or two of actual bodyfat, and improve insulin sensitivity. No GH these days; I’ll let my body make it’s own since it will tend to escalate over the duration of the fast.

 

[Dustin07]

it's mind blowing to me that you could legit burn off a full lb or two of actual fat in a day or two of fasting without an incredibly high risk of strength/muscle loss.

I've enjoyed the 16/8 IF most of the time, although I did find by Thursday the brain fog was a bit intense so I switched to 14/10 thurs/fri. Sat/ Sun I have no need for brain capacity so I'll switch back. But in the office I need some early morning brain power.

 

[tyga tyga]

Dude your physique has changed so much through the years! It’s incredible to see it unfold.

I truly want to try a seven day fast, just need to get the balls to do it lol

 

[Rocket3015]

Dude your physique has changed so much through the years! It’s incredible to see it unfold.

I truly want to try a seven day fast, just need to get the balls to do it lol

7 days ??? You are braver than me !!

 

[Hyde]

it's mind blowing to me that you could legit burn off a full lb or two of actual fat in a day or two of fasting without an incredibly high risk of strength/muscle loss.

I've enjoyed the 16/8 IF most of the time, although I did find by Thursday the brain fog was a bit intense so I switched to 14/10 thurs/fri. Sat/ Sun I have no need for brain capacity so I'll switch back. But in the office I need some early morning brain power.

My BMR is calculated at 2,080, with Sedentary (lowest) activity at about 2,500. Light activity ~2,860. So 2x sedentary is a good 1.5lbs easy.

GH levels elevate slowly over the fast and I believe autophagy starts to kick in after about 2 days, so all of the second night until you break the fast the third day your body is starting to clean up some old crud, while endogenous GH is extra high (which favors lipolysis and is anti-catabolic).

Dude your physique has changed so much through the years! It’s incredible to see it unfold.

I truly want to try a seven day fast, just need to get the balls to do it lol

I would never tell someone it was easy, but I will always say it was worth it. Regarding both my lifting and a long fast - you will learn a lot about your own strength doing both

 

[Hyde]

Invalid Link Removed

-1.4lbs from previous low on New Year’s Eve Fast will break in a few hours at the 60 hour mark.

 

[Jeremyk1]

Invalid Link Removed

-1.4lbs from previous low on New Year’s Eve Fast will break in a few hours at the 60 hour mark.

Holy crap! You’re almost lighter than me now! I was 228 a couple weeks ago, but I don’t have a scale.

 

[Hyde]

Holy crap! You’re almost lighter than me now! I was 228 a couple weeks ago, but I don’t have a scale.

Life is so much easier at this bodyweight!

 

[SkRaw85]

Send it to 220!

 

[Hyde]

Send it to 220!

I’m really thinking of doing a meet at 220 on March 19th and go for a Masters total at 220 Raw (1,510lbs). If I total even 1,400, it will also qualify me for Nationals in July at 242. I can already go as a 275.

 

[SkRaw85]

I’m really thinking of doing a meet at 220 on March 19th and go for a Masters total at 220 Raw (1,510lbs). If I total even 1,400, it will also qualify me for Nationals in July at 242. I can already go as a 275.

That would be badass! 220 is a pretty damn competitive class as well.

 

[Hyde]

Invalid Link Removed

1,400 cals, 80g protein, 14g fiber, 2,800mg potassium, iodine, collagen, vitamin c, zinc, b vitamins, choline, biotin, selenium, salt.

But most importantly, it was awesome

 

[Rocket3015]

Good looking meal !

 

[Hyde]

1/8/23
BW 229.8

30 min getting elbow scraped, then rehab

Band Warmup

Dynamic Bench, powerbar
45 3x5
+doubled micro minibands
45,95x3
135 3x3 close
155 2x3, 3x3 close, comp
205x3 comp

CGBP
+doubled micro minibands
111 2x15

Deep Flexion Stretching

Standing Strictpress
45 2x10, 1x5

Trained with a guy I met Wednesday at the barbell club; turns out he worked in strength & conditioning for U of I years back and did a bunch of work on my elbow totally free. Could not believe the amount of scar tissue he found and broke up in my forearm, bicep, and tricep - he undid adhesions from my surgery 4 years ago I didn’t realize I even had.

Definitely improved range of motion, but also just crazy how smoothly my arm bends now & much better my tricep fires. After some flexion work after Bench, I was able to actually truly rack the barbell for overhead press AND extend without pain.

Years of trouble fixed unexpectedly in minutes by someone I barely know, for free. Mind blown.