To Infinity.... and Beyond!
- Thread starter Dustin07
- Start date
Dustin07
Legend
BB rows
20 x bar
10 x 95, 115, 135, 155, 175
20 x 95
Seated incline db curls
10 x 27.5s, 30s, 35s, 35s
Standing hammer curls
10 x 40s, 45s, 50s, 40s
H/S shrugs
3 x 15 x 225lbs
SS w/ barbell curls
15 x 60, 80, 60
Rear delt swings
3 x 15 x 22.5s
SS w/ preacher curls w/ barbell
3 x 15 x 50lb
Lat pull downs
3 x 15
Notes
Massive vascularity for weighing in at 193 today. Lat pull downs after rear delt swings was miserable. Applied XPG Pump gel in the locker room preWO. Solid pumps. Big muscles. Huge muscles, the best muscles.
20 x bar
10 x 95, 115, 135, 155, 175
20 x 95
Seated incline db curls
10 x 27.5s, 30s, 35s, 35s
Standing hammer curls
10 x 40s, 45s, 50s, 40s
H/S shrugs
3 x 15 x 225lbs
SS w/ barbell curls
15 x 60, 80, 60
Rear delt swings
3 x 15 x 22.5s
SS w/ preacher curls w/ barbell
3 x 15 x 50lb
Lat pull downs
3 x 15
Notes
Massive vascularity for weighing in at 193 today. Lat pull downs after rear delt swings was miserable. Applied XPG Pump gel in the locker room preWO. Solid pumps. Big muscles. Huge muscles, the best muscles.
kjscatch
Well-known member
Which slingshot? You shared it with me before but I can’t remember where that was at again. I see some on Amazon but not all things are created equal.
I turn 40 in a month and I feel so much better after I squat than during. I did 275 for 3 a week ago and that was mentally taxing. Easy but every rep I was like “Don’t be a F’in Pu**y about it and just do it.”
Dustin07
Legend
I have the Mark Bell which has served me well. My buddy and I use it from weights of 275 - 330 (my current SS max/PR) and I've had my son use it as low as 135 when he was 13/14yrs old to develop form and now uses it at 225. I thought it would way overpower him but I think it served him pretty well too. it's almost 2 years old with 3 guys sharing it and has held up well.
@Hyde and @SkRaw85 might be able to give you advice on a different model. I just noticed that elitefts carries the Mark Bell one too.
I find this relatable, lol. The past few months have been very grindy, then all the sudden I have days where I'm moving more weight with less effort.... love it when that happens
SkRaw85
Legend
40 is the new 20
I have a few different slingshots I’ve accrued over the years and as bench max progresses. I would recommend buying from the mark bell site, not amazon, you may end up with women’s pantyhose sewn together if you do that route.
On his site he has the weight listed for each model and also a sizing chart once you figure out which model to go with. Hope this helps!
Dustin07
Legend
Bench
15 x 95
5 x 135
8 x 150
6 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
3 x 1 x 270
AMRAP x 2
240 x 7, 7 (PR x 2)
DB palms facing
10 x 65
8 x 75
6 x 85
5 x 95 (PR?)
Cable OH ext
4 x 10-15
Killer pump. New 50% off sauconys came in and feel amazing. Last year's model, black Friday combo.
Added a pump of dermacrine Tuesday and Wednesday and have a tiny nipple itch today off only one pump lol. So maybe just sticking with XPG DHEA is the way to go for me.
Don't think I've ever hit 7 reps at 240+ so I'm pretty sure that's a PR. My triceps are smoked.
15 x 95
5 x 135
8 x 150
6 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
3 x 1 x 270
AMRAP x 2
240 x 7, 7 (PR x 2)
DB palms facing
10 x 65
8 x 75
6 x 85
5 x 95 (PR?)
Cable OH ext
4 x 10-15
Killer pump. New 50% off sauconys came in and feel amazing. Last year's model, black Friday combo.
Added a pump of dermacrine Tuesday and Wednesday and have a tiny nipple itch today off only one pump lol. So maybe just sticking with XPG DHEA is the way to go for me.
Don't think I've ever hit 7 reps at 240+ so I'm pretty sure that's a PR. My triceps are smoked.
Dustin07
Legend
I felt very comfortable with that comp style / paused 270 rep. I really thought about reaching a little and attempting 285 but figured I needed to trust the program... PRs are PRs though it's always great to do something today I couldn't yesterday!
Hyde
Legend
Stick to the plan! The AMRAPs are your outlet to go a little apeshit, and they are the biggest drivers of your gains. The heavy work is technical training/practice, while the volume is building up your base.
Dustin07
Legend
Congrats on the PR….. I haven’t tried the Cube Predator program, but after seeing Hyde’s success with it, and now you’re consistently hitting PRs, I may have to give it a shot for Bench.
thank you, Sir! Yes as I get towards the end of the cycle its funny that what Hyde said above there is exactly what I've been thinking, really enjoy and smash those AMRAPS. I'm liking 3 things about the program right now:
a. getting very very comfortable with a better bench/pause. I think intentionally working on comp style is giving me more explosiveness out of the bottom position as my brain really develops the pattern and timing better.
b. the amraps have been a great outlet as Hyde said. I do the work, do the RX'd stuff, then I can just smash away at the AMRAPS and really have fun.
c. someone else is doing the programming. it's nice to have that part on cruise control right now. I know I can't put all the responsibility for my PR seeking on someone elses programming so I'm going as hard as I can on the accessories still but it's nice to just walk in and have it already written out.
Dustin07
Legend
Pullups
12, 12, 15
Seated cable rows
4 x 12
Barbell shrugs
12 x 135, 225, 275
25 x 135
Ez bar curls
3 x 12 x 70lb.
SS with face pulls
3 x 12
Standing cable curls
3 x 10
Seated incline DB curls
3 x 10 x 30s
+ 1 x 10 x 25lbs dropset
Lat pull downs
4 x 12
Barbell curls
15 x 60lb, 50lb, 40lb
*All drop sets no rest
Notes
I keep thinking I'll warm up with a bb then do pullups and keep forgetting them, so started with them today.
Utilized some movements I don't use on the regular for a fun vanity/back and arms pump day.
Approaching my last week on my var supply and trying to get the volume and intensity in to justify it's use. So far I truly think I'm seeing positive growth across the board.
Probably should have deadlifted today but the past week or two have been filled with squat and bench PRs and I'm haggard.
12, 12, 15
Seated cable rows
4 x 12
Barbell shrugs
12 x 135, 225, 275
25 x 135
Ez bar curls
3 x 12 x 70lb.
SS with face pulls
3 x 12
Standing cable curls
3 x 10
Seated incline DB curls
3 x 10 x 30s
+ 1 x 10 x 25lbs dropset
Lat pull downs
4 x 12
Barbell curls
15 x 60lb, 50lb, 40lb
*All drop sets no rest
Notes
I keep thinking I'll warm up with a bb then do pullups and keep forgetting them, so started with them today.
Utilized some movements I don't use on the regular for a fun vanity/back and arms pump day.
Approaching my last week on my var supply and trying to get the volume and intensity in to justify it's use. So far I truly think I'm seeing positive growth across the board.
Probably should have deadlifted today but the past week or two have been filled with squat and bench PRs and I'm haggard.
SkRaw85
Legend
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I felt very comfortable with that comp style / paused 
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][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] rep. I really thought about reaching a little and attempting [emoji[emoji6]][emoji6
] but figured I needed to trust the program... PRs are PRs though it's always great to do something today I couldn't yesterday!
[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] rep. I really thought about reaching a little and attempting [emoji[emoji6]][emoji6] but figured I needed to trust the program... PRs are PRs though it's always great to do something today I couldn't yesterday!
Don’t cheat yourself for a dime today when I could have been a dollar next week. All about that base!
Dustin07
Legend
I wish I knew how to photograph myself or was willing to do so in public because fuckin' A I felt so swole today after that session. I was blown away looking in the mirror after the workout just wondering how much of this I might lose after the var run.
anyone else seeing this ? LOL
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anyone else seeing this ? LOL
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Hyde
Legend
Yeah it looks all weird for me too lol
SkRaw85
Legend
Place phone on video record, set phone down on something to film you, after recording screenshot your fave.
akboom87
Well-known member
I was feeling the same today was kinda wishing I threw in some deadlifts. Might just go in the morning and treadmill and pull a few sets!
Segansational
Well-known member
Gotta know when to call it. Probably the right move here. I feel like so much these days we all know how our bodies respond and when to push or not.
Dustin07
Legend
I don't "think" I'm pussing out, I think you're right and I'm finally learning better how to mitigate fatigue so I can hit important sessions with more vigor. I think.... Lol
Anyone who watches this log knows I hit arms a lot and they've been a slow grower for me. Typically I'm the backwards kinda guy who's calves are bigger than his biceps that's great, I don't look like I skip leg day, but makes monster arms hard to build.
I've noticed over the past year I really feel like I'm getting solid growth finally. Even when I cut down to 183 (195 today) my arms were filling out my sleeves well.
Last night my wife made another comment "your arms look huge". She was looking at her own reflection in the mirror late last night, finally happy with her own journey and she said it's crazy cause I feel like that mirror makes me look smaller finally (her goal) but look how huge your arms are"
Lol it was a nice moment and a wonderful compliment to come from the woman you work hardest to impress.
I have no doubt this Mexican Var, whatever it is, is contributing but this bulk/cut cycling I've been doing + a shitload of bicep and tricep volume really seems to be paying off.
I just went to throw on my favorite zip up hoodie and noticed the arms were tight, that's what made me think of all that.
I have had zero side effects other than adding the Epiandro in and getting a little hair shedding and aggression but generally I just feel incredibly "normal" lately.
I am really curious to try some anavar in 2025 from another trusted source and see if it's any different. I'm also a little curious about either a longer cycle or a bigger hit from the 20-30mg I'm doing now.
Dustin07
Legend
It also really makes me wonder if I can get the right mindset to hit squats / legs in a similar fashion. I feel like I'm sleeping well. I feel leaner despite being up 10lbs. I think the XPG Napalm adds about a 1% additional push on that. Some people might not think a TD fat burner is worth it or that 1% is a big deal but I think if it's the difference between 10lbs of fat gain and 9lbs of fat gain on a strength cycle it's noticeable, good for the brain, and worth it personally. I feel like I've noticed more from napalm than absolved and lipoderm was also good. I think all three have merit, but right now napalm is the one I come back to.
gphagan1
Legend
Yeah Anavar helps shuttle glycogen into the muscles and gives great pumps, great for recovery and repair, and most of the muscle gains on Anavar are usually keepable gains, as long as you stick to the same type of training and diet. You guys got the best of both worlds…..she sees herself getting smaller in the mirror and your arms getting bigger.
Dustin07
Legend
Week 5 day 1 / light day
Bench
10 x 95, 135
8 x 150
8 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
2 x 255
1 x 270
CGBP - AMRAP x 2
190 x 15, 10
Incline db
12 x 65s
10 x 70s
8 x 75s
6 x 80s
5 x 85s
OH cable ext
4 x 15
SS with DB flies
4 x 10+
Seated Military
4 sets
One heavy day left and a very light day before new 1RM attempts next week. In some ways this felt like the beginning of moderating / shedding fatigue since there's no major AMRAP in the comp style bench, reps and sets stayed pretty low. But honestly by the time I got through accessories it still felt like quite a pounding.
Weight is 196 this morning which seems a little low. I fed very well this weekend, ended yesterday at 198.
270 with a legit pause felt very very stable and comfortable. I'm not sure my brain felt like it was 35lbs below my 1RM, but it was a very clean 270. The reps at 240 were the same. I felt like I could do that all day. Fingers crossed...
Bench
10 x 95, 135
8 x 150
8 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
2 x 255
1 x 270
CGBP - AMRAP x 2
190 x 15, 10
Incline db
12 x 65s
10 x 70s
8 x 75s
6 x 80s
5 x 85s
OH cable ext
4 x 15
SS with DB flies
4 x 10+
Seated Military
4 sets
One heavy day left and a very light day before new 1RM attempts next week. In some ways this felt like the beginning of moderating / shedding fatigue since there's no major AMRAP in the comp style bench, reps and sets stayed pretty low. But honestly by the time I got through accessories it still felt like quite a pounding.
Weight is 196 this morning which seems a little low. I fed very well this weekend, ended yesterday at 198.
270 with a legit pause felt very very stable and comfortable. I'm not sure my brain felt like it was 35lbs below my 1RM, but it was a very clean 270. The reps at 240 were the same. I felt like I could do that all day. Fingers crossed...
akboom87
Well-known member
Still a pretty full session for a light day!
I’m excited for the 1rm test be fun to see what happens!
How you liking the new shoes?
gphagan1
Legend
Yeah definitely interested in how your 1RM goes. Those pause reps always seem to sharpen up and improve technique. Sometimes you don’t always see the immediate impact of improving technique, but it always helps speed up the process in the long run.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
What have I missed??? You’ve officially went to the dark side?!
Dustin07
Legend
omg so comfortable. I waited too long to replace the old ones...
thank you!
I told my buddy even if I don't break a new PR I'm confident that whatever I'm able to hit, will be 10x better form than in the past, and that is a PR in a way. He laughed and sait it's our normal operationg procedure to run some program for a while, not hit new PRs, then F around for a couple weeks and hit a PRYeah definitely interested in how your 1RM goes. Those pause reps always seem to sharpen up and improve technique. Sometimes you don’t always see the immediate impact of improving technique, but it always helps speed up the process in the long run.
grabbed some var at the farmacia in mexico but only enough for a single short cycle. didn't really think that through...
Hyde
Legend
305 doesn’t need to have been there today - today was TRAINING for 305. It only needs to be there when it’s time to actually do it.
That is how programming works - we follow a path to get from A to B. If we could do B already whenever, we wouldn’t go through the trouble of following the program.
Also, EAT. If you lose weight, don’t expect to lift as much as if you didn’t. This isn’t a dieting program; this is a PR bench program. Control your controllables to set yourself up for success.
That is how programming works - we follow a path to get from A to B. If we could do B already whenever, we wouldn’t go through the trouble of following the program.
Also, EAT. If you lose weight, don’t expect to lift as much as if you didn’t. This isn’t a dieting program; this is a PR bench program. Control your controllables to set yourself up for success.
Dustin07
Legend
SkRaw85
Legend
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simple yet profound! up about [emoji[emoji6
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Yes, feeeeeeeeeeeeeeed! Losing weight is easy and we have the rest of our lives to do it lol
Dustin07
Legend
SkRaw85
Legend
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still you 
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Aight I’m out
MrKleen73
Legend
You can do both, get him some lifters, and work with him on his mobility. Check out the Knees over toes guy, and incorporate some of his stuff into warm ups and cool downs for the flexibility then he can work on doing them flat later if he chooses to do so.
Looks like I came back just in time for the 1RM attempt next week! WooHoo!!!!
Dustin07
Legend
I'm like 2 weeks into a daily very small dose of dermacrine now added to my stack. I wanted to try it (for the 3rd or 4th time) because historically I get itchy nips on it. the first 3-4 days I did start to itch again but it was super mild so I kept it going to see if it would get worse or not since in the past a couple days off with some alpha gel always fixed it. as of now I have zero itch and libido is a little insane. woke up a sweaty mess in the middle of the night and the wife just about got it. I let her sleep.
so basically current stack, as I get close to winding down the var, is:
var 20mg
stanoplex - 600mg
xpg epiandro - 2 pumps
1 pump dermacrine in the morning
Plus just cardiovascular support, liver support, tudca, etc. when the var runs out, I'll keep running the epiandro and dermacrine to make it a full 2 month cycle.
On top of normal eating, I've been adding protein shakes postWO, full protein servings to my coffee in the morning, and like 6 more eggs as a snack. (been boiling up like 12-18 at a time). Usually I have 2 dinners... pre-dinner before my wife, then dinner with her. sometimes a third dinner of left overs. My pre-dinners are usually some form of cottage cheese, eggs, etc but again like another 25-40g of protein.
all that said and done even after throwing in a full beef combo pho with all the noodles and fixings yesterday, woke up at only 194lbs today which is mind blowing to me.
so basically current stack, as I get close to winding down the var, is:
var 20mg
stanoplex - 600mg
xpg epiandro - 2 pumps
1 pump dermacrine in the morning
Plus just cardiovascular support, liver support, tudca, etc. when the var runs out, I'll keep running the epiandro and dermacrine to make it a full 2 month cycle.
On top of normal eating, I've been adding protein shakes postWO, full protein servings to my coffee in the morning, and like 6 more eggs as a snack. (been boiling up like 12-18 at a time). Usually I have 2 dinners... pre-dinner before my wife, then dinner with her. sometimes a third dinner of left overs. My pre-dinners are usually some form of cottage cheese, eggs, etc but again like another 25-40g of protein.
all that said and done even after throwing in a full beef combo pho with all the noodles and fixings yesterday, woke up at only 194lbs today which is mind blowing to me.
Dustin07
Legend
yeah I kept going back and forth and looking at everyones comments here, including discussion for me on the Ursus etc and I finally landed on lifters for the boy. I agree now that I'm back to flats, I'd rather have him in flats, but at the moment he's only 15yrs old with a 275lb+ squat already and his heels do lift so I thought why not go ahead and just create stability and protect his feet and ankles for now. Give him the best "footing" I can to get him up to 3 wheels, then we can further develop his mobility and move to flats over time if he continues to love the sport....
MrKleen73
Legend
Solid plan!
Dustin07
Legend
Front squats
10 x bar, 95, 135
3 x 175
Back squats
5 x 225
1 x 275, 315
Leg extensions
4 x 10
Leg curls
3 x 10
Life fitness glute extensions
2 x 12 per leg
Matrix calf extensions
2 x 25
Notes
Weight 194
Going a bit easy today. Hands and elbows were super tight on front squats, didn't expect that, but in the mix of it all I realized if my bench cycle is preparing to shed some fatigue then I shouldnt be counterproductive by destroying CNS on lower work.
10 x bar, 95, 135
3 x 175
Back squats
5 x 225
1 x 275, 315
Leg extensions
4 x 10
Leg curls
3 x 10
Life fitness glute extensions
2 x 12 per leg
Matrix calf extensions
2 x 25
Notes
Weight 194
Going a bit easy today. Hands and elbows were super tight on front squats, didn't expect that, but in the mix of it all I realized if my bench cycle is preparing to shed some fatigue then I shouldnt be counterproductive by destroying CNS on lower work.
SkRaw85
Legend
Smart play
Dustin07
Legend
I really am surprised by how tight my hands and elbows were though. I'm not usually the guy who has issues getting into a good front rack position.... so I may need to take some time to work on flexibility. but man, even the hands were tight! maybe residual puffiness from all the sodium yesterday idk
MrKleen73
Legend
My hands and forearms will tighten up like that on occasion too. How was your hydration, and electrolytes? Sometimes my forearms and wrists get so tight I can feel the tendons stretching al the way up into my forearm at my elbows. Just stretching the hand backwards a bit. Normally my hydration is off a bit. Either a little dehydrated, or the opposite and so much water everything feels stiff and tight. I have never truly figured it out but I could feel it in my forearms as you described it and BLECH!!!!! THAT SUCKS!
sammpedd88
Well-known member
I get like that in heavy bench day. Now my tendinitis is flaring up. I’ve been stretching and heating my elbow. The new thing is no ice.
Dustin07
Legend
Mine was a little different than the normal lifters tendonitis in the elbow, this was tightness in the hands I haven't experienced before. Normally I front squat in the clean position and I haven't really understood why people could not get into that position. But today on multiple sets my hands were so tight they couldn't hold that position and I'd start on the clean position, then move my hands to the crossed arm front squat position mid set.
I'm not worried since on time isn't a pattern but it was weird and made me think I'll spend more time stretching next session....
I'm not worried since on time isn't a pattern but it was weird and made me think I'll spend more time stretching next session....
Segansational
Well-known member
Dang, 3 dinners?! Looks like someone's definitely taking this bulk seriously! Should be thinking bodybuilding soon?I'm like 2 weeks into a daily very small dose of dermacrine now added to my stack. I wanted to try it (for the 3rd or 4th time) because historically I get itchy nips on it. the first 3-4 days I did start to itch again but it was super mild so I kept it going to see if it would get worse or not since in the past a couple days off with some alpha gel always fixed it. as of now I have zero itch and libido is a little insane. woke up a sweaty mess in the middle of the night and the wife just about got it. I let her sleep.
so basically current stack, as I get close to winding down the var, is:
var 20mg
stanoplex - 600mg
xpg epiandro - 2 pumps
1 pump dermacrine in the morning
Plus just cardiovascular support, liver support, tudca, etc. when the var runs out, I'll keep running the epiandro and dermacrine to make it a full 2 month cycle.
On top of normal eating, I've been adding protein shakes postWO, full protein servings to my coffee in the morning, and like 6 more eggs as a snack. (been boiling up like 12-18 at a time). Usually I have 2 dinners... pre-dinner before my wife, then dinner with her. sometimes a third dinner of left overs. My pre-dinners are usually some form of cottage cheese, eggs, etc but again like another 25-40g of protein.
all that said and done even after throwing in a full beef combo pho with all the noodles and fixings yesterday, woke up at only 194lbs today which is mind blowing to me.
akboom87
Well-known member
You hit pull-ups pretty hard not to long ago wonder if just used some muscles in the arms in a different way and just feeling the tightness from it still?
Dustin07
Legend
oh man I don't need that in my headUsually when I feel tightness in the hands it’s arthritis, but I’m old and paying a price for the years of arm wrestling. Not saying you’re dealing with arthritis, but if you were, Apex Alchemy’s Helios is great to rub on the knuckles and any aching joints.
I don't know what arthritis feels like, but this was just a general tightness that felt like it could be stretched out if I had the time to really get into it. now that I think about it thought, I have actually had my wife give me hand massages before when they were quite painful. I think it's just muscular though... ahaha it's funny cause my wife knows me so well when we finish dinner she often leaves out the leftovers rather than putting them straight into the fridge. She says "I'll wait until you've had second dinner before I put these away"
what she doesn't know, because I don't tell her, is I usually have basically a meal sized snack before she even starts cooking.I didn't even think about that. a few weeks back when I pulled 485lbs from the rack it left my hands sore for a few days and I attributed that to just muscle soreness due to lack of practice/training since I've chilled out on deads this year quite a bit.