Form, Form, and Form

Well, I hurt my back again. This time it was with deadlifts. I had previously hurt it doing power cleans about two and half months ago and had been doing deadlifts since. Fortunately the back gave out during a warm up set and not during a heavy set or it could have been worse. The only thing that it could have been was improper form. Typically I really try and concentrate on form with everything I do and ESPECIALLY with deadlifts but apparently I didn't this time. My guess is since it was a lighter set I mentally relaxed on my concentration. I will probably cease to do deadlifts for quite a while if not for good since I have an injury that will need a lot of time to heal or it may never heal to the point of 100% recovery. Oh well, that is why we have choices.

Have a great weekend!

Winter Diet by Bodybuilding.com

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/winter-muscle-building-diet-tips.htm

Mixing It Up

I change my routine every 2 weeks. Most trainers will say to at least change every 6 weeks or so but I find that my body really gains with a much quicker rotation. That is why I like to go from the Tabata method to a heavy routine which I started today. The heavy routine consists of 4 sets of 3-3-3-6. This allows my body just enough break from the wear and tear of Tabata and allows me to move some serious weight. The workouts are also shorter because of the decrease in the reps and it shortens the time in the gym which is another break you need often. Tonight I did 3 sets @ 600 lbs. on the leg press which is a new personal record for me. Yeah! Now, sometimes I will throw a 3rd circuit with different exercises in the mix depending on the motivation to also change it up even further. All in all, you need to keep the body guessing so that you will not become stagnant in your gains and also keep your mental edge.

Body Types from Bodybuilding.com

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker3.htm

Chest Day - Great Day - No More Tabata

Finished the Tabata cycle today with a chest workout and will be returning to a heavy cycle for 2 weeks starting tomorrow. Looking forward to it because the Tabata method is very tasking on the body. I am going to up the calorie intake before the end of the month as I had planned. I need to move the scale sooner than later and get the weight increasing. I will also be doing rope jumping regularly this week as well to keep the cardio going. Overall I am pleased with the results that I am getting moving into the winter I just get a little impatient as most of us do. I will keep you posted on the results and update you on the weight gain as it happens.

Have a great night!

Again I Speak of Rest

I know, shut up about it right? Well, yet again, rest has proven my mind wrong. I just went through a bout with the flu and had to take a extra couple of days off and guess what? I came back stronger than the last workout of the same exercises. Actually, a lot more. Now, putting rest into practice on a regular basis is still a struggle for me and for most but taking the time off is huge for the muscles and for us ECTOMORPHS. We need it to grow more than the other body types. Especially as your weight and intensity get to levels where you are truly tasking the body and I mean 'tasking the body'! Not some pansy approach to your workouts. The problem I have with a few days of rest in between is the feeling of your muscles being 'flat' because they are not staying stimulated as often but what do you want? Big growth or sub-par growth when it comes right down to it? We should all answer that question the same. When it's spring or summer you want the pump all the time so you can show off your accomplishments often but when it's winter we want growth!

Good luck to all and have a great night.

Exercise of the Week: Barbell Squats

Exercise of the Week: Barbell Squats