The Maximus Pact
- Thread starter Shadowblaze
- Start date
Shadowblaze
Active member
Definitely bro, I think it has to do with the fact the impact into the ground vibrates the lungs and at the same time deep breathing / panting really helps loosen the mucus in the lungs.
It really makes every day type physical activities easier
Dustin07
Legend
Its a totally different kind of cardio, too. Really they all are. I've been hitting cardio mostly at low intensity consistently for months, I will go with a steep incline, or a high level on the bike to protect joints while I'm healing, get super sweaty, but today for instance I threw in sprints which weren't BAD, but I could tell how my conditionining right now is totally for a different modality. I need to do a better job of mixing in various forms of cardio like sled pushes, jump rope, wods, and if I can, wall-balls etc to keep mixing it up I think.
Shadowblaze
Active member
I’ve seen this exactly, you’d think that all cardio improves your cardiovascular system similarly but if you move from one cardio exercise to the next you will see they don’t transfer perfectly. It’s definitely good to mix it up, I’m gonna do biking, sprinting and jogging since those are my favourites.
Dustin07
Legend
The old CrossFit definition of fitness was "increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains". I think I got my first L1 around 2013, eventually ended up with like 20 other certs, L2, and owned a gym. but here I am 13 years later still contemplating the profound meaning of that simple statement. The old motto was "stronger than a runner, faster than a lifter". jack of all trades type stuff. we trained so many different modalities, and specifially trained those various metaqbolic pathways spending time on short sprints, 2-4 minute efforts, and those longer 15+ minute high output efforts. it really does create a well rounded athlete when you are serious.
But back then my training sessions were 2hrs. Todays xFit is like 45 minutes. hard to accomplish the same thing by todays standards but still better than nothing for normies.
But back then my training sessions were 2hrs. Todays xFit is like 45 minutes. hard to accomplish the same thing by todays standards but still better than nothing for normies.
Shadowblaze
Active member
Day 113:
Work has been pretty stressful recently.
I had a decent lift, didn’t sleep great and didn’t have good energy. I was so fatigued during my lift lmao. I didn’t do my cardio finished or shoulder press because I didn’t believe I could push myself hard.
It felt like so much went wrong today, the drive to the gym also took me like 45 mins with traffic and it’s just been overwhelming on this new work site.
But I didn’t use it as an excuse, I hammered bench and most movements hard. These are the days you need to push yourself.
Work has been pretty stressful recently.
I had a decent lift, didn’t sleep great and didn’t have good energy. I was so fatigued during my lift lmao. I didn’t do my cardio finished or shoulder press because I didn’t believe I could push myself hard.
It felt like so much went wrong today, the drive to the gym also took me like 45 mins with traffic and it’s just been overwhelming on this new work site.
But I didn’t use it as an excuse, I hammered bench and most movements hard. These are the days you need to push yourself.
Attachments
Shadowblaze
Active member
Need to take care of a lot of stuff today so I’m not gonna lift. Work has been really stressful recently also and I haven’t been doing the best mentally. So I’d rather take an extra day or two to rest on tough days and then go ham the rest of the week.
Lots has been going on in my life the past 2 weeks, I had a falling out with my best friend but we just started fixing that, and there has been a lot of conflict with my family. Not doing the best rn but it will get better soon hopefully.
Lots has been going on in my life the past 2 weeks, I had a falling out with my best friend but we just started fixing that, and there has been a lot of conflict with my family. Not doing the best rn but it will get better soon hopefully.
Hyde
Legend
One day at a time. You can only train well as much as you can recover, and training doesn’t exist in a vacuum from the stresses of the real world, so it’s good to listen to your body like you are.
When in doubt, take a rest and pray about things. Give it to God, then just do the best you can with the hand you’ve been dealt.
Dustin07
Legend
I'd love to say that interpersonal drama ends as we age but generally speaking humans are humans and tend to poke each others bees nests in perpetuity. I still see my wife (right leaning) and her aunt (left leaning) for absolutely no reason whatsoever poke each other with political jabs here and there and I'm like wtf, why do you even do that 
The guys are right, there is always a lesson in it and I think as men what does change is our patience and capacity for enduring such things without the mental taxation it gives us while still younger. and by younger I mean honestly sub 40 at this point. I'm only 43 and I feel 20 years wiser than I was at 39.
The guys are right, there is always a lesson in it and I think as men what does change is our patience and capacity for enduring such things without the mental taxation it gives us while still younger. and by younger I mean honestly sub 40 at this point. I'm only 43 and I feel 20 years wiser than I was at 39.
Shadowblaze
Active member
Hyde
Legend
This is so Canadian to me lol
Shadowblaze
Active member
Day 114:
I had a pretty good lift today. Definitely slightly weaker on some lifts still. I’m trying to gain all the weight back rn.
I’m being set back slightly because of issues with my digestion and spine pain so I realized I can slow down and still move forward. There are small setbacks along the way but that’s part of it. Since where I will be in 2 years is 12x as important as where I will be in 2 months.
So I realized I shouldn’t be putting myself at risk of injury in the long term for better results in the short term. I may slow down some weeks when I need to but 2 steps forward and 1 step back is still 1 step forward.
I had a pretty good lift today. Definitely slightly weaker on some lifts still. I’m trying to gain all the weight back rn.
I’m being set back slightly because of issues with my digestion and spine pain so I realized I can slow down and still move forward. There are small setbacks along the way but that’s part of it. Since where I will be in 2 years is 12x as important as where I will be in 2 months.
So I realized I shouldn’t be putting myself at risk of injury in the long term for better results in the short term. I may slow down some weeks when I need to but 2 steps forward and 1 step back is still 1 step forward.
Attachments
Dustin07
Legend
lol no, but I've seen them in the bathrooms in Starbucks in Seattle and Everett. Not sure who's injecting their muscle candy in starbucks though
Shadowblaze
Active member
Shadowblaze
Active member
Shadowblaze
Active member
Day 117:
I’m really happy, 4 days in a row with great lifts. I’m going to a ACDC fan band concert thing tmrw. I earned my rest day after 4 hard days in a row. Even with not the best mental health I still showed up this week.
I matched my last squat sets, but this time I hit them to parallel. I progressed on almost everything too.
Feeling good and sweaty.
I’m really happy, 4 days in a row with great lifts. I’m going to a ACDC fan band concert thing tmrw. I earned my rest day after 4 hard days in a row. Even with not the best mental health I still showed up this week.
I matched my last squat sets, but this time I hit them to parallel. I progressed on almost everything too.
Feeling good and sweaty.
Attachments
Dustin07
Legend
thats awesome, I was still baking in the womb while you were rocking lol.I saw AC/DC in 1982, my senior year in high school….For Those About to Rock tour.
my wife saw the Motley Crue girls girls girls tour, I'm so grateful that I got me an 80s Motley Crue kinda girl lol
gphagan1
Legend
That’s awesome, yeah I saw the Girls, Girls, Girls, tour too. My first concert was KISS at 12 years old, my second was Aerosmith at 14 years old. I had already went to 7 rock concerts by the time I was 18…..actually it would take me a while to list the concerts I’ve been too in my life, and man I have some pretty wild stories from the 80s and 90s, but it was a blast.
Dustin07
Legend
My first concert was Carman, a Christian artist (and I think pastor) who had a hit song called "Satan, Bite the Dust". I had a big collection of DC Talk, Jars of Clay, Newsboys, and other Christian bands from that era. mixed in with my Brooks and Dunn, and Pearl Jam/Seattle culture LOLOLOL
I'm not at all disappointed by the lasting effect 80s and 90s rock left on my wife though haha. She's still a hot little rocker girl to me at the age of 53!!
gphagan1
Legend
Oh yeah I saw Carman in the 90s at the Georgia Dome and I thought he was amazing. I saw Newsboys and Audio Adrenaline together, a fantastic concert. And I loved DC Talk and Jars of Clay. I have a wide taste in music from Rock to Christian music and even a little Country.
Shadowblaze
Active member
Day 118:
Had another great lift, I’m officially my strongest ever. I can tell the SNS super stack has kicked in. Endurance, vascularity, strength, and drive is all up significantly and I’m staying leaner while bulking.
I’m taking this new bulk after I got sick much slower, because the rate I was going before was about 3 pounds a week gaining, now it’s like 0.5-1lb a weak. This will not only be healthier but help me cut down easier for the summer.
Most of my lifts are going up significantly every lift, sometimes even 10lbs per workout.
Had another great lift, I’m officially my strongest ever. I can tell the SNS super stack has kicked in. Endurance, vascularity, strength, and drive is all up significantly and I’m staying leaner while bulking.
I’m taking this new bulk after I got sick much slower, because the rate I was going before was about 3 pounds a week gaining, now it’s like 0.5-1lb a weak. This will not only be healthier but help me cut down easier for the summer.
Most of my lifts are going up significantly every lift, sometimes even 10lbs per workout.
Attachments
3ChainedAminos
Active member
Been trying to keep up with peoples logs but have been slippin. That’s freaking awesome, nothing like being the strongest you’ve ever been. What’s your SNS super stack? Scrolled back some but couldn’t find it.
Shadowblaze
Active member
Currently I’m on anabolic xt, anabolic effect, cloma plex, mtest, growth factor xt and phosphatidic acid xt.
Aside from that I take my usual focus xt, mood support, protein powder and creatine.
Thanks for keeping up!
Shadowblaze
Active member
Some more physique photos from today, arms and shoulders are looking big. I’m still working on improving my back, it’s always just been a bit weaker than the rest of my physique.
Attachments
3ChainedAminos
Active member
That stack sounds freaking hellacious. I’ve really been wanting to stack anabolic xt and clomaplex!
Shadowblaze
Active member
MrKleen73
Legend
It is all good as long as you are putting in the effort, but a 10lb jump is substantial if already pushing hard, and near peak strength for the rep range. I can see it being enough to rob 1-2 reps from you. That being said if you wanted more reps then repeat the weight next time and get those reps in. Progress is progress, and extra reps count.
Shadowblaze
Active member
3ChainedAminos
Active member
Hard to tell naturally, but I’d say yes. Dude is definitely yoked. But so are you.
Shadowblaze
Active member
Thanks bro!
Yep, he has my favorite physique in the world. If you has Ig or TikTok look him up. His name is Christian archer. I’ve never seen a more aesthetic physique before.
Obviously not natural though
Shadowblaze
Active member
Day 120:
I had a decent lift again today. Idk what’s up lol, last week was amazing in the gym. Work was pretty stressful and I’m tired. I’m withdrawing from my sleep meds after 5 years of dependence so I’ve been pretty restless at night.
I had a decent lift again today. Idk what’s up lol, last week was amazing in the gym. Work was pretty stressful and I’m tired. I’m withdrawing from my sleep meds after 5 years of dependence so I’ve been pretty restless at night.
Attachments
3ChainedAminos
Active member
You’re welcome, I’ll check him out, I’ve always liked the more aesthetic builds too, especially the super small waist with wide back. Sucks for me because even when lean my waist isn’t narrow, but I’ve accepted it lol.Thanks bro!
Yep, he has my favorite physique in the world. If you has Ig or TikTok look him up. His name is Christian archer. I’ve never seen a more aesthetic physique before.
Obviously not natural though
Shadowblaze
Active member
Day 121:
I haven’t been sleeping well this week lol. So my workouts have been super flat. But still making decent progress. Been sleeping like 6.5h a night but I’m trying to bump it up to 7-7.25h, even that small bump makes a significant performance and recovery benefit.
I also realized how hard work has been on my body and on top of that I’m smashing the gym hard almost every day. And since I’m not making the progress I used to I’m thinking it could be a recovery and stess / high cortisol issue. I’m gonna cut my lower body volume by ~15% to compensate since it’s been taking a toll on my body. So that’s going from 3 sets of squats to 2 (which is also usually the sweet spot for me when it comes to compound lifts) and going from 20 mins of intense cardio per lower body lift to 5 mins.
When work eases up I’ll re assess but for now I can’t afford taxing my body and immune system so hard considering I also have an autoimmune condition.
I haven’t been sleeping well this week lol. So my workouts have been super flat. But still making decent progress. Been sleeping like 6.5h a night but I’m trying to bump it up to 7-7.25h, even that small bump makes a significant performance and recovery benefit.
I also realized how hard work has been on my body and on top of that I’m smashing the gym hard almost every day. And since I’m not making the progress I used to I’m thinking it could be a recovery and stess / high cortisol issue. I’m gonna cut my lower body volume by ~15% to compensate since it’s been taking a toll on my body. So that’s going from 3 sets of squats to 2 (which is also usually the sweet spot for me when it comes to compound lifts) and going from 20 mins of intense cardio per lower body lift to 5 mins.
When work eases up I’ll re assess but for now I can’t afford taxing my body and immune system so hard considering I also have an autoimmune condition.
Attachments
gphagan1
Legend
Yeah it’s good to listen to your body and not push it if you’re feeling a little too drained, especially with an autoimmune disorder. But you’ve been getting some good productive work in, so your body deserves a little break.
Shadowblaze
Active member
I’m gonna rest today, my joints have been feeling it and I’m getting rib and lower back inflammation from my autoimmune condition. That’s still 4 days a week on average in the gym, which for me is where I have noticed the best progress.
Rn I’m only doing 8 sets of chest a week, is that good enough? 4 sets of incline bench / week and 4 sets of seated dips.
Rn I’m only doing 8 sets of chest a week, is that good enough? 4 sets of incline bench / week and 4 sets of seated dips.
Hyde
Legend
If they are truly hard sets, usually yes. 2 hard-ass sets on 2 exercises each per day, with 2 days per week about equally spaced apart.
Shadowblaze
Active member
wtf, I decided to do flat bench again for fun and hit 225x10 my first time in 2 months again. I didn’t even use leg drive. I’m switching back from incline to flat for a bit.
Shadowblaze
Active member
Shadowblaze
Active member
Day 123:
I had another pretty good lift today. I was pretty fatigued though for some reason. Gonna try to lock in with the sleep quality maximizing. I got an air purifier and nasal strips just to maximize breathing. I’m also gonna keep my room at 18C
I had another pretty good lift today. I was pretty fatigued though for some reason. Gonna try to lock in with the sleep quality maximizing. I got an air purifier and nasal strips just to maximize breathing. I’m also gonna keep my room at 18C
Attachments
Shadowblaze
Active member
Thanks brother, my friends used to always joke that I have a tennis ball stuck inside of there
or that they could pop my bicep with a pin. LOLI have very short biceps
Shadowblaze
Active member
@Hyde im gonna cut the ROM back on my squats again. My spine right now just isn’t built for deep squats. I know we had a lot of discussion on squat ROM and decided that more is usually better. But I don’t want to keep flaring up my spine and risking injury, no matter how much I try going deep and heavy on squats is not the best decision.
I’m still gonna do deep split squats though.
I’m still gonna do deep split squats though.
Shadowblaze
Active member
This is the max depth I can squat to without a risk of a flare up. It’s not ideal but it’s the best I can do.
