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Strength or Aesthetics

Strength or Aestetics

  • Total voters
    228
jas123 said:
For me, big heavy, compound lifts are the only way to go while bulking. I could never get over 210 without gaining mostly BF on a BBer workout, but I've gotten up to 225 doing heavy strongman type lifts.

I think a good physique should be a reflection of the ability to do something extraordinary. Like Ronnie C can dL and squat 800 for 2 and probably put up some impressive numbers in many other lifts. Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbo both did fairly well in the early WSM. And then there's this dude, Invalid Link Removed

who's a 77kg class 2007 Oly lifting world champion. It also doesn't necessarily have to be solely about strength, it could be a reflection of overall health or endurance.
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jas, can you give an example of a week-long training regimen for yourself when you're bulking?

As we know in the world of bodybuilding, lots of people have great physiques, but that's it. So many of them can't do **** a normal person can do, such as run a mile without being dead tired. Many of them aren't athletic at all. Not saying it's a bad thing, but I would much rather have the physique of that Olympic weight lifter and be athletic and agile, then just be huge.
 
Lately I've been doing the following:

Sunday:
1. log clean and press - usually 2 heavy sets (sometimes I clean each rep, sometimes I clean it once then do press reps).
2. atlas stone loads - 1 working set of as many loads with a 235# stone in 60 seconds.
3. 540# tire flips - 1 set of 8-18 reps done as quickly as possible.
4. farmer's walk or farmer's hold or yoke carry
5. other odds and ends that vary from WO to WO.

Tuesday
squats - 1 or 2 heavy working sets
light front squats - 3 working sets - done for speed and explosiveness.
rack squats - 3-5 heavy singles to get ready for heavier weight on squats and build power off the floor for DL
BO rows - 2-3 working sets
core work

Wednesday
standing military (sometimes with barbell, sometimes with DBs) - 1-3 working sets
incline - 1 heavy triple or set of pause-at-the-bottom reps
dips - 2 or 3 working sets - ideally with weight attached for 5-10 reps
shoulder assistance work

Thursday
Deadlift - 1 heavy working set or maybe 2 near max singles
snatch - many sets just working up in weight and building explosiveness
pullups - 2 sets of BW reps
core work

The Sunday workout is hard to do if you don't have access to equipment and some of the "strangeness" in this arrangement has to do with the events that I have in an upcoming strongman contest. The Sunday WO takes a lot out of me and I try to be fairly well recovered for it so I really separate it from my other training days.

I think that one could do something similar to this, but maybe replace the Sunday WO with a clean n jerk and snatch workout and maybe throw in some sprints or something too. Then the days could distributed more throughout the week. Anyway, it seems to work for me. It has thickened me to some extent through the core which may not be ideal for everyone, but hey I'm still a lot smaller than Ronnie through the midsection. :hammer:
 
jas, That is an awsome routine...:clap2: i love the use of all compound lifts... your alternative sunday workout is almost exactly what i do with my on-the-field training day: clean and jerk, keg throws, plymetrics, sprints, and various agility work..i like your style :thumbsup:
 
smokey the bear said:
jas, That is an awsome routine...:clap2: i love the use of all compound lifts... your alternative sunday workout is almost exactly what i do with my on-the-field training day: clean and jerk, keg throws, plymetrics, sprints, and various agility work..i like your style :thumbsup:
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:cheers: That's sounds like some fun too. I really look forward to every Sunday.
 
good points jas.

what good is your physique, if you look good, right on but if you cant do anything impressive with it except for flex and pose, thats a step down from someone who looks just as good but can do some amazing athletic things. So i train for function while keeping it visually pleasing.
 
i'm into aesthetics however i still enjoy pushing hard and heavy for greater density and full muscle bellies but i'm not a bodybuilder, just a guy who likes hitting weights and the benefits that come from that, period

i still however hit every set like my life or someones elses depends on it, it's good to know that the strenght is there if i really do need it for whatever reason that life can throw at me.

cheers
 
I wonder what his training regimen is like. That is the clean and press, right? Seems like such a tough lift, like a deadlift, shoulder press, and other **** all combined in one.
 
It's technically clean and jerk. Press implies that you do a standing military press to lift the weight over your head (ie, no leg drive).

Don't know too much about their training routines but they include a lot of ATG front squats and core strengthening exercises. I doubt any of the best ones are natural despite the testing.
 
jas123 said:
Ivan Stoitsov.



I'm really loving Oly lifting these days. Too bad my form is horrendous.
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dam thats impressive.......i'd hate to see how his joints treat him in later years though.....
 
If by aesthetics you mean bodybuilding and if by strength you mean powerlifting then I tend to lean more towards aesthetics rather than strength. I really have noticed that when I do try to train for strength my body rebels and I end up with super achy joints (knees especially). I honestly do think that some people are built for powerlifting and I'm not one of them.
 
I go for aesthetics because the strength will come with it (at least enough for me)...it doesn't neccessarily work that way vice versa...I've seen plenty of guys who are as strong as pack mules but look like crap with their shirt off...JMHO
 
I used to train for strength and would love to lift heavier each time, now I concentrate more on technique, and I get better results with lifting a lower weight, so aesthetics domineers, however the exhilerating/beat up feeling after a workout - be it cardio or lifting is enough to make me return.
 
As a swimmer I get the best of both worlds. I train with weights for extra strength (and size to an extent) and then get in the water and put that strength to use and get a cardio workout and strength endurance.

Swimmers have some of the most aesthetically pleasing bodies and are highly functional.
 
Soopaman said:
As a swimmer I get the best of both worlds. I train with weights for extra strength (and size to an extent) and then get in the water and put that strength to use and get a cardio workout and strength endurance.

Swimmers have some of the most aesthetically pleasing bodies and are highly functional.
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i have been thinking the same thing lately and plan on adding swimming into my training late winter/early spring when i start my cut. obviously nothing competitive. what do you think would be a good start? it seems like swimmers are cut year round!
 
sfearl1 said:
i have been thinking the same thing lately and plan on adding swimming into my training late winter/early spring when i start my cut. obviously nothing competitive. what do you think would be a good start? it seems like swimmers are cut year round!
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Uhhhh... if that's your picture in the avi, don't shoot for a swimmer's physique bro.
 
VolcomX311 said:
Uhhhh... if that's your picture in the avi, don't shoot for a swimmer's physique bro.
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LOL i get a lot of that but unfortunately, no, thats not my back. its dexter jackson's. if i could get 1/8th of how shredded he is i would be happy haha
 
sfearl1 said:
i have been thinking the same thing lately and plan on adding swimming into my training late winter/early spring when i start my cut. obviously nothing competitive. what do you think would be a good start? it seems like swimmers are cut year round!
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Well, real swimmers swim between 7,000 and 13,000 yards a day, thats why they're so cut all the time, calories become meaningless.

I'm technically a retired swimmer but I still swim for the workout and because its fun. If you want to add swimming to your workout regimine, I'd try to find a local swim club that has a masters group. These are older swimmers that for the most part aren't competitive that do a workout 3-5 days a week. I actually coach a group here in North Houston that works out in the mornings from 5:15-6:30 and we typically swim around 3500 yards a workout. And because its masters, everyone kind of modifies the workout to suit their needs, its a really relaxed environment and we've got swimmers of all skill levels. Some are triatheletes, some compete in masters swimming, and some just wanna get a workout in the morning. I imagine whatever masters group you sign up with you'd have some people to fit in with and help challenge you.

Swimming is a great workout but its tough. If you plan to take supplements before a swim workout I'd stay away from creatine and nitric oxide pre-workout supplements. Stick with a BCAA supplement like Xtend or Purple Wraath or just bulk BCAAs, get some citrulline malate and beta alanine (and maybe even ALCAR) and you'll be good to go for a quite a long time.
 
Soopaman said:
Well, real swimmers swim between 7,000 and 13,000 yards a day, thats why they're so cut all the time, calories become meaningless.

I'm technically a retired swimmer but I still swim for the workout and because its fun. If you want to add swimming to your workout regimine, I'd try to find a local swim club that has a masters group. These are older swimmers that for the most part aren't competitive that do a workout 3-5 days a week. I actually coach a group here in North Houston that works out in the mornings from 5:15-6:30 and we typically swim around 3500 yards a workout. And because its masters, everyone kind of modifies the workout to suit their needs, its a really relaxed environment and we've got swimmers of all skill levels. Some are triatheletes, some compete in masters swimming, and some just wanna get a workout in the morning. I imagine whatever masters group you sign up with you'd have some people to fit in with and help challenge you.

Swimming is a great workout but its tough. If you plan to take supplements before a swim workout I'd stay away from creatine and nitric oxide pre-workout supplements. Stick with a BCAA supplement like Xtend or Purple Wraath or just bulk BCAAs, get some citrulline malate and beta alanine (and maybe even ALCAR) and you'll be good to go for a quite a long time.
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my gym has a lap pool with lanes but i'm not too sure if they have any classes. i'll definitely check into it. i imagine they do though, its a brand new gym, and everytime i turn around it seems like they have a new class starting up.
 
sfearl1 said:
my gym has a lap pool with lanes but i'm not too sure if they have any classes. i'll definitely check into it. i imagine they do though, its a brand new gym, and everytime i turn around it seems like they have a new class starting up.
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If your gym doesnt have a class you can locate a US master's swim club with this: Invalid Link Removed
 
sfearl1 said:
LOL i get a lot of that but unfortunately, no, thats not my back. its dexter jackson's. if i could get 1/8th of how shredded he is i would be happy haha
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Thats DEXTER!!! I've never seen Dexter look that yacked before. Must be the lighting or something
 
I'm of the mind that if you are strong for your bodyweight, and have low bodyfat, you automatically have an aesthetically pleasing physique. Doesn't matter if you're 5'9, 150lbs, or 5'9" 200lbs, if you've got low bodyfat, you've got aestethics. Unless you've got no wheels.:p
 
thesinner said:
Strength is great, and so is sculpting your appearance. But mobility and functionality are also important to me (hence some of the weird exercises I choose).

Aside from bodybuilding, I also enjoy a few other sports.

I used to skate (fruitboot), but don't tell Trip. Woodpushers hate fruitbooters.
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I do both too. It just seems there are hardly any aggressive rollerbladers out there. I was just watching some of my old videos again, man i love 11-31. But yea i just think rollerblading is more get the balls to do something big whereas skateboarding is a lot more tech.
 
Pistol Pete said:
ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha *breaths* ah ha ha ha ha ha


Nice mate! I'm in the same position

Rep'd!
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Chicks go nuts for a 6 pack!!!!! End of story!
 
TripDog said:
Chicks go nuts for a 6 pack!!!!! End of story!
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Yeah. I know. That's why I"m workin' so hard to maintain my size & bodyfat composition! Girls don't like HUGE guys, but they do like ripped & muscular.

So i've decided to keep the 'brad pitt' from 'Fight Club' look for as long as I can maintain it, at 8% BF!

Chicks don't like fat guys! Do they?
 
Pistol Pete said:
Yeah. I know. That's why I"m workin' so hard to maintain my size & bodyfat composition! Girls don't like HUGE guys, but they do like ripped & muscular.

So i've decided to keep the 'brad pitt' from 'Fight Club' look for as long as I can maintain it, at 8% BF!

Chicks don't like fat guys! Do they?
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I'm all about the athletic look,best of both worlds. Lets be real power lifters look like ****. You got it man, muscular and cut. It's a win win situation. If I get over 195 I start to loose the quality look. It's a lot harder to rock a lean muscular frame, than just eat everything and call yourself an athlete because you lift heavy weights?!? Who the fukc cares unless your getting paid or some sh*t....if not then whatever, I'm not impressed.
 
I like the way you think!

I'll be an underwear model before I have the physique of an 'offseason bodybuilder'.

But then again, I know some powerlifting women that can't understand why women find me attractive! Which is fine by me...because I don't see her 'look' all that attractive either lol

This maintenance thing is harder than I originally thought!
 
tripdog, I agree with you, but just because someone has a good physique doesn't make them an athletic person at all, not even close. There are many people across the Internet fitness forums who have great physiques, but in terms of athleticism, they can't really do much.

And trip, from your avy, I would have thought you're like 210 or something! How tall are you?
 
AM07 said:
tripdog, I agree with you, but just because someone has a good physique doesn't make them an athletic person at all, not even close. There are many people across the Internet fitness forums who have great physiques, but in terms of athleticism, they can't really do much.

And trip, from your avy, I would have thought you're like 210 or something! How tall are you?
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I train as hard with cardio as I do with weights...Sprints are my love really. I skateboard all the time, and that is a very athletic, and technical hobby trust. I'm 5' 10 1/2 average height. I train for endurance, and Vo2 max, as much as I do with bodybuilding. Split 50/50 really
 
TripDog said:
I train as hard with cardio as I do with weights...Sprints are my love really. I skateboard all the time, and that is a very athletic, and technical hobby trust. I'm 5' 10 1/2 average height. I train for endurance, and Vo2 max, as much as I do with bodybuilding. Split 50/50 really
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Nice, now that's awesome, but you have to realize, you're in the minority.

Could you give me some advice on what your workouts are like? I'm looking to train for endurance and functional strength, since when I trained for size I was always hurting myself.

I really want to start doing sprints, but just need to wait it out a little longer until my ankle heals. Do you do sprints outside on the grass, or on a track, or inside? What kind of shoes do you wear?
 
AM07 said:
Nice, now that's awesome, but you have to realize, you're in the minority.

Could you give me some advice on what your workouts are like? I'm looking to train for endurance and functional strength, since when I trained for size I was always hurting myself.

I really want to start doing sprints, but just need to wait it out a little longer until my ankle heals. Do you do sprints outside on the grass, or on a track, or inside? What kind of shoes do you wear?
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I'm all about high reps moderate weight. I went to NPTI (personal traning academy) and learned how not to do things lets just say..... Unless you totally fatigue a muscle, like keep going till you cannot move anymore, you are wasting your time. This is my advice and I don't care to hear about how people differ, End of the day, unless you "totally fatigue a muscle on every set" you are wasting your time.

Tripdog out......
 
So completely fatigue the muscle? I know from an endurance standpoint, that sounds right, but from a strength standpoint as well? Can you give an example of a workout of yours, including everything you do, from stretching to running, etc.? Thanks.
 
AM07 said:
So completely fatigue the muscle? I know from an endurance standpoint, that sounds right, but from a strength standpoint as well? Can you give an example of a workout of yours, including everything you do, from stretching to running, etc.? Thanks.
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I will tomar, Too tired to get into it.
 
How about looking awesome by being healthy, getting laid by exagerating your lift numbers, getting it done in bed so she wont care or ask again. No man is really judged by his weightlifting soley; and if you are then lie and dont call her back bc shes a groupie looking for the BBD. Bigger better dyck, bigger better dollar or the bigger better deal.
 
somewhatgifted said:
How about looking awesome by being healthy, getting laid by exagerating your lift numbers, getting it done in bed so she wont care or ask again. No man is really judged by his weightlifting soley; and if you are then lie and dont call her back bc shes a groupie looking for the BBD. Bigger better dyck, bigger better dollar or the bigger better deal.
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:clap2: Ahahahahahaha reps to you! Finally someone see's the light!
 
AM07 said:
trip, how about that workout? Post it up son!
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Oh snap my bad.

Here's a sample from what I did yesterday

-warm up 5 mins on elip
-incline chest press(machine) 5 sets
-cable crossovers(on knees)
-sprint on eliptical till heart rate is steady 170 (like 2 mins)
-incline DB fly's(slow reps/tight squeeze at top)
-Bentover rows(in smith, high reps 25+ to jack heart rate up)
-DB shrugs (high reps 20+)
-Elip 2 min sprint
-DB seated bent over side lateral raises(high reps)
-side bends (high reps)
-finish 20mins on elip Steady heartrate 160
 
If you could actually improve your Aesthetics (and btw if you look Aesthetics up you'll find out it means something completely different than you'd think) by engaging in some course of exercise, then that would be worthwhile. But what if you're so ugly that no increase in Aesthetics will be achieved by any amount of exercise? (i.e.: Chiseled, Toned, Tanned Body with ugly face.) So now that could be a new Poll; if you have an ugly face, then how much value is there in making your body look good? A Lot/Some/None. I mean at least then you'd be ****able with the lights off. Not to say that I'm not aesthetically pleasing. This is all hypothetical. I'm drop dead gorgeous regardless of what I do in the gym.

Btw; how does Jas123 at 6'0, 220 do 405x12 Squat? Are those full parallel squats? Damn. I can't do that. I might get 5-6.
 
Congealed said:
If you could actually improve your Aesthetics (and btw if you look Aesthetics up you'll find out it means something completely different than you'd think) by engaging in some course of exercise, then that would be worthwhile. But what if you're so ugly that no increase in Aesthetics will be achieved by any amount of exercise? (i.e.: Chiseled, Toned, Tanned Body with ugly face.) So now that could be a new Poll; if you have an ugly face, then how much value is there in making your body look good? A Lot/Some/None. I mean at least then you'd be ****able with the lights off. Not to say that I'm not aesthetically pleasing. This is all hypothetical. I'm drop dead gorgeous regardless of what I do in the gym.

Btw; how does Jas123 at 6'0, 220 do 405x12 Squat? Are those full parallel squats? Damn. I can't do that. I might get 5-6.
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Ask the king:

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