Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

Hyde said:
It feels like the most productive cutting I’ve ever done, in terms of muscle retention while losing fat. I can now wear my XL shirts handsomely while also filling out the yoke of my 2XL sufficiently - I wear both daily now. And the legs of my swim trunks are just as snug as before, and my ass is big & firm. The last time I was 220s, my legs and glutes were definitely not this big - I have built & kept them as well with my training.
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I bet the little lady likes that firm ass.😜
 
Jimbabwe said:
**** it, take it down to 198 for the meet after this next one.
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I honestly never even remotely considered this, but it’s not the craziest idea.

I’ve only ever competed at 198 a single time, my second meet where I was taking no gear and got foodborn colitis from undercooked chicken 2 weeks before comp. I lost 11lbs after shitting blood for multiple days and barely totaled 1,207 after weighing in at 193lbs soaking wet. If I could just get to weight, any attempts would be a PR. I would need to lose another 15lbs, realistically.

We’ll see; one thing at a time!
 
Hyde said:
I honestly never even remotely considered this, but it’s not the craziest idea.

I’ve only ever competed at 198 a single time, my second meet where I was taking no gear and got foodborn colitis from undercooked chicken 2 weeks before comp. I lost 11lbs after shitting blood for multiple days and barely totaled 1,207 after weighing in at 193lbs soaking wet. If I could just get to weight, any attempts would be a PR. I would need to lose another 15lbs, realistically.

We’ll see; one thing at a time!
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If you do it right, you shouldn't lose much strength, so could put up a gnarly total and look like Dan Green.

Which feels like it'd be sick.
 
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Jimbabwe said:
If you do it right, you shouldn't lose much strength, so could be up a gnarly total and look like Dan Green.

Which feels like it'd be sick.
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I definitely have the fat to give up without getting too lean, and it may even help set me up even better to gain later - main thing is not giving up a bunch of strength like you said.

I have to do 1,642 to total Elite at 220, but only 1,560 at 198. Which seems even more accessible. It’s 1,703 at 242 and 1,753 at 275. The goal has always been to perform an Elite total.
 
man you'd be on the brink of shredded at 198 I bet. wasn't Kleen on stage around 190-192? I know you are an inch or two taller but I'm guessing you'd be pretty lean sub 198
 
Dustin07 said:
man you'd be on the brink of shredded at 198 I bet. wasn't Kleen on stage around 190-192? I know you are an inch or two taller but I'm guessing you'd be pretty lean sub 198
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Well, the consideration here is that I wouldn’t actually be 198, probably still 210 actual before a watercut. But any way you slice it, coming down yet another 16lbs would have me leaner than I’ve been in forever.
 
7/21/26
BW 230.0

2 min Assault Bike
Band Warmup
TKEs
BW Squats
Scap Pushups

Bench, Texas Powerbar
45,155x5
221,276x3
309 3x2
331x1 w/ commands
309x6

1-Board Press
287,292x6

V-Bar Cable Tri Pressdown
100 3x15

DB Lateral Raises
30x5
40 2x12

DB Rear Delt Flyes
45 2x10

Felt pretty strong today, but boy I was dead by the time I was getting through 1-board work. Probably time to add the preWO sardines or eggs back in for this session instead of fasting. 331 is probably an opener right now, so I’m happy it felt like one.
 
Great workout…331 as an opener should put you in good shape especially as strong as your deadlift and squats will probably be. I forgot, what’s your PR at 220 body weight on bench?
 
Looking like a beast, as I knew you were. Man you at 210 walking around weight would be something to see. If you choose to do that you should get some pics done just in case you never decide to cut down that low again. I do think you could more than likely crack Elite at 198 if you made the cut. Plus it would leave a lot of room for growth on the way back up. This would definitely be something cool to watch but of course, do what you feel is best for your situation.
 
MrKleen73 said:
Looking like a beast, as I knew you were. Man you at 210 walking around weight would be something to see. If you choose to do that you should get some pics done just in case you never decide to cut down that low again. I do think you could more than likely crack Elite at 198 if you made the cut. Plus it would leave a lot of room for growth on the way back up. This would definitely be something cool to watch but of course, do what you feel is best for your situation.
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Me and Hyde both gonna meet in the middle and walk around at 210, lean. Him from a cut, me from copious steroids now that I'm on TRT anyway.
 
Jimbabwe said:
Me and Hyde both gonna meet in the middle and walk around at 210, lean. Him from a cut, me from copious steroids now that I'm on TRT anyway.
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When are you getting back down this way again? Also, any more word on that new job, it sounded pretty promising.
 
gphagan1 said:
Great workout…331 as an opener should put you in good shape especially as strong as your deadlift and squats will probably be. I forgot, what’s your PR at 220 body weight on bench?
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It’s 341 or 347 in comp.

MrKleen73 said:
Looking like a beast, as I knew you were. Man you at 210 walking around weight would be something to see. If you choose to do that you should get some pics done just in case you never decide to cut down that low again. I do think you could more than likely crack Elite at 198 if you made the cut. Plus it would leave a lot of room for growth on the way back up. This would definitely be something cool to watch but of course, do what you feel is best for your situation.
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I would need to do around 600 each squat/pull and bench 350+. So maybe something like 584/358/617 would do it. Ideally, my deadlift will improve and I could get away with a lower squat, because that is what you really see fall off in the lightweight classes due to lack of passive stability and leverage from fat. Even going 573/628 would be more probable.

Jimbabwe said:
Me and Hyde both gonna meet in the middle and walk around at 210, lean. Him from a cut, me from copious steroids now that I'm on TRT anyway.
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That’s the other issue…what do I do with steroids after this meet? Keep taking them as I continue to diet? Take a break and just try to hold for 8 weeks or so to clean up some? I don’t really think cutting without extra gear makes sense in this scenario, as I’ll need to keep all of the muscle I can.
 
MrKleen73 said:
When are you getting back down this way again? Also, any more word on that new job, it sounded pretty promising.
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I accepted the formal offer and they are doing background check stuff now. Imagine that is more a formality than anything since there's no way I'd fail one given my history.

We were hoping for an Aug. 3 start date, but the HR person that does onboarding was OOO last week, so they are just getting started with that and the background check ****, so I think realistically looking at the 17th at this point.

Not sure when I'll be back around, but should be able to swing it a bit more regularly once I'm in the new role. More vacation time and no requirement that I take a full week off to get covered on deals, so the occasional long weekend trip to TX back in the mix.
 
Hyde said:
It’s 341 or 347 in comp.



I would need to do around 600 each squat/pull and bench 350+. So maybe something like 584/358/617 would do it. Ideally, my deadlift will improve and I could get away with a lower squat, because that is what you really see fall off in the lightweight classes due to lack of passive stability and leverage from fat. Even going 573/628 would be more probable.



That’s the other issue…what do I do with steroids after this meet? Keep taking them as I continue to diet? Take a break and just try to hold for 8 weeks or so to clean up some? I don’t really think cutting without extra gear makes sense in this scenario, as I’ll need to keep all of the muscle I can.
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I've really only ever used gear to maintain muscle when cutting. Would not want to seriously diet down without at least something anabolic in the mix.

But as long as you avoid the real wet stuff, you should be able to run your regular-way blasts while still chopping down body fat and weight.

I mean, hell, pro BBers find a way to lose 30 pounds of fat in contest prep while running actual grams each week, so it shouldn't be a huge deal at the dosages and substances that you'd typically want to roll with.
 
Jimbabwe said:
I've really only ever used gear to maintain muscle when cutting. Would not want to seriously diet down without at least something anabolic in the mix.

But as long as you avoid the real wet stuff, you should be able to run your regular-way blasts while still chopping down body fat and weight.

I mean, hell, pro BBers find a way to lose 30 pounds of fat in contest prep while running actual grams each week, so it shouldn't be a huge deal at the dosages and substances that you'd typically want to roll with.
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No I gave the wrong impression; I am definitely confident I can continue to lose fat & weight on gear as I have been.

The theoretical question I meant to pose was, should I continue my blast to keep the cut moving, or move into a maintenance phase for a couple months on cruise test (for health purposes)?

I know being patient would be better for my health, but on the other hand I feel like I may well be within striking range if I just pushed things onward another couple months directly. And maybe the answer is something inbetween, even a 4-6 week cleanup hold phase.
 
Wife has America’s Strongest Master in 3.5 weeks: she’s ~148lbs & the back is looking DENSE!

IMG_8399.webp
 
Thanks all! We’re looking forward to the trip to Oklahoma; some good people are promoting this show.

Dustin07 said:
JFC I'm sending this to my wife. She is tiny in comparison but I was always impressed by how athletic women take their backs seriously. She has really built a weaponized machine here!!
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Her biceps are entirely genetic; her mother has them too totally sedentary. But everything else, especially the back, is a product of the training. Every event in strongman uses the upper back, essentially.

Segansational said:
That's an impressive physique!
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Thank you; what really made me want to share was the density of the muscle she’s displaying right now. This is just on 12.5mg Anavar, certainly not a lot for a serious competitor that’s been using anabolics for over a decade, but the granularity and density is very striking - this is what lots of heavy work over many years looks like!
 
Hyde said:
Thanks all! We’re looking forward to the trip to Oklahoma; some good people are promoting this show.



Her biceps are entirely genetic; her mother has them too totally sedentary. But everything else, especially the back, is a product of the training. Every event in strongman uses the upper back, essentially.


Thank you; what really made me want to share was the density of the muscle she’s displaying right now. This is just on 12.5mg Anavar, certainly not a lot for a serious competitor that’s been using anabolics for over a decade, but the granularity and density is very striking - this is what lots of heavy work over many years looks like!
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How long does she run var at that dose?
 
sammpedd88 said:
How long does she run var at that dose?
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It just entirely depends on what the year looks like, but as she’s competing year round we spend more time on than off for sure. The main consideration for a woman is virilization, not health, at their doses.

She competes several times per year, usually 2-3 big shows. She did the Arnold ProAm, USS Nationals, and getting ready for Strongman Corp America’s Strongest Master this year - then will be making an ATWR attempt end of September. She decided against OSG World’s this year, so once the run for the circus db is over there will be some off time, as there was after the Arnold.

What we’ve found with bloodwork as that lipids and such are always healthy levels - liver longevity is basically the lone consideration for breaks. We have spent over an entire year on 10mg Var once years back, and there was no issue. We don’t do that out of an abundance of caution, but from a health perspective it can go a long time. We also don’t take a lot on the top end, either. If you can’t make it peaking on 20-25mg Var or 10mg Sdrol or Anadrol at the very end, you just don’t have the genetics to be at the top. Nobody likes to see a bearded lady who is basically just deadlifting what a trained man would.
 
7/22/26
BW 228.8

7 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Tspine Mobility
Bird Dogs
Walking Lunges
KB Suitcase Carries
KB One-leg DL

Frontsquat w/ lifters
45,95,145,195,235x3

Paused Hi Bar
+deadlift belt
275,295x5

BB RDL
135x6
225x3
+straps
315,365x3
+deadlift belt
405x3,1 nope

V-grip Chin-ups
BWx18,12,12,8

CS T-bar Row
140 2x8
115 2x10

RFE Split Squat
BWx15
+30x12

Had to bail on RDLs after my last warmups hurt where my back popped on my 8th rep of 496 Sunday, but I suppose it’s a good sign that I got to 365 beltless without issue. It’s just not ready yet for the flexion 445+ would inevitably have exerted. So I’ll probably have to stick to speed pulls this weekend as well.

But I got some good work in overall, and was very happy that even wearing lifters, soft sleeves, paused hi bar pushing my knees intentionally hard, I had no knee pain with 295. So I expect comp-style this weekend to go even better.

I don’t think I’ll be able to peak in my traditional tapering fashion for this meet; going to have to really play it by ear & autoregulate a ramp into contest.
 
I bet you could get to 198 from 220. The question is really how much could you get back in the tank after weigh in for performance and safety. Doesn’t do any good if you are so drained you can’t hit your goals or if you get hurt. If you get to 220 for this comp, you would have some time to experiment before the next one. If you can keep all the lifts the same and drop another class that would be a big achievement

How long do you have after weigh in to carb and hydrate back up?
 
Hyde said:
It just entirely depends on what the year looks like, but as she’s competing year round we spend more time on than off for sure. The main consideration for a woman is virilization, not health, at their doses.

She competes several times per year, usually 2-3 big shows. She did the Arnold ProAm, USS Nationals, and getting ready for Strongman Corp America’s Strongest Master this year - then will be making an ATWR attempt end of September. She decided against OSG World’s this year, so once the run for the circus db is over there will be some off time, as there was after the Arnold.

What we’ve found with bloodwork as that lipids and such are always healthy levels - liver longevity is basically the lone consideration for breaks. We have spent over an entire year on 10mg Var once years back, and there was no issue. We don’t do that out of an abundance of caution, but from a health perspective it can go a long time. We also don’t take a lot on the top end, either. If you can’t make it peaking on 20-25mg Var or 10mg Sdrol or Anadrol at the very end, you just don’t have the genetics to be at the top. Nobody likes to see a bearded lady who is basically just deadlifting what a trained man would.
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Good info! Being an anabolic on the mild side I figured it could be ran longer for a woman but everything I’ve found pointed at 4-6 weeks. I’m glad to know it can be ran longer depending on health markers. My wife’s new hormone dr has her on 20mgs of test cyp per week. First set of labs looked really good with no virtualization signs as of yet. She’s wanting to use var as well and her dr is all for it, will prescribe it and monitor her bloods.

Yeah I’m not into bearded women lol!!
 
Rockslide said:
I bet you could get to 198 from 220. The question is really how much could you get back in the tank after weigh in for performance and safety. Doesn’t do any good if you are so drained you can’t hit your goals or if you get hurt. If you get to 220 for this comp, you would have some time to experiment before the next one. If you can keep all the lifts the same and drop another class that would be a big achievement

How long do you have after weigh in to carb and hydrate back up?
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I’ve only ever cut about 16lbs. Doing more is absolutely possible; I know all the tricks. But you can’t get it back on proper without an IV, and then you get hurt.
sammpedd88 said:
Good info! Being an anabolic on the mild side I figured it could be ran longer for a woman but everything I’ve found pointed at 4-6 weeks. I’m glad to know it can be ran longer depending on health markers. My wife’s new hormone dr has her on 20mgs of test cyp per week. First set of labs looked really good with no virtualization signs as of yet. She’s wanting to use var as well and her dr is all for it, will prescribe it and monitor her bloods.

Yeah I’m not into bearded women lol!!
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20mg will transition her! Abort that now. It WILL cause hair growth and voice deepening, very soon.

3-4mg test is TRT and 6-7mg is sports TRT for a muscular woman. 6mg always did well when we’ve used it between Var runs for my wife.
 
Hyde said:
I’ve only ever cut about 16lbs. Doing more is absolutely possible; I know all the tricks. But you can’t get it back on proper without an IV, and then you get hurt.


20mg will transition her! Abort that now. It WILL cause hair growth and voice deepening, very soon.

3-4mg test is TRT and 6-7mg is sports TRT for a muscular woman. 6mg always did well when we’ve used it between Var runs for my wife.
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I should have added it’s only 100 mgs per ml and not 200 mgs per ml. Her total T and free T are currently in a normal range. Before starting her total T was 16 and her free T was 1 lol.
 
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