That will be interesting and i'm sure yield some nice results!planning a full Pepti-Plex year for 2024.
That will be interesting and i'm sure yield some nice results!planning a full Pepti-Plex year for 2024.
Sounds pretty awesome, that’s a big front squat! Out of curiosity what kind of deadlift or will you be looking for?Ok been a bit.
I am still deciding what to combine with Pepti-plex next, keeping Growth Factor XT, but I need to make a decision before all these sales stop haha
I finally hit a "deload" this week. I literally just finished finalizing my game plan going forward. I won't be updating a ton in here, but just for sake of some transparency.
I'll retest a few of my metabolic tests I did to start the log and finally be able to see how far that has come in the last 10-12 weeks. One test next week then the following the week after (with a cyclical test probably next week too).
I decided to keep kind of the upper emphasis so I'll be sticking with most of the movements I have been doing with some minor tweaks, including some rep range changes. Throwing in dips for a second chest movement later in the week, etc.
I'll be keeping weightlifting the same and simple.
Add one new metabolic test to test then retest after about 8 weeks.
I'll be prepping the Front Squat for a cycle after this, but I may take a PR attempt during this cycle if it shows itself. I'd like 400lbs this year.
I'll keep pushing the bodyweight slowly up then try to get absolutely shredded in the spring with a deadlift focused block looking for a PR around then too.
Ok enough rambling now I just need to decide what to add next, but planning a full Pepti-Plex year for 2024.
Ya I loved Alpha-Gel, I definitely plan to run that again sometime next year. Right now next bit will be Pepti-Plex + Growth Factor + Not sure hahaSounds pretty awesome, that’s a big front squat! Out of curiosity what kind of deadlift or will you be looking for?
On a side not have you tried the XPG alpha gel? After more info and research on growth factor I feel like the alpha gel/growth factor would be a pretty awesome stack. So stacking those with Pepti Plex might be an even better.
I picked up the muscle addiction Epi lean 3 pack and planning a run later on next year at some point.Ya I loved Alpha-Gel, I definitely plan to run that again sometime next year. Right now next bit will be Pepti-Plex + Growth Factor + Not sure haha
I think next step 550lbs would be a good goal, but I haven't been pushing it as hard right now so I plan to re-assess after some time in 2024 to see how far off that is and if it would make sense in the spring/summer. I'll probably try to drop a few pounds around then though too so it just kind of depends. It is on my long term radar I guess. 2-3 training "blocks" before I go back to something deadlift centric (I pretty much always deadlift though, it is just kind of hanging out and maintaining right now).
Definitely tempted by some of the sns/cel/ma/XPG epi offerings.I picked up the muscle addiction Epi lean 3 pack and planning a run later on next year at some point.
Hell yeah that’s an awesome step 550! Out of curiosity how long are your training blocks?
Well I like hearing all the different types of training everyone does. I’m so new into my journey that I don’t have any tried and true methods or much experience, but I like to learn.Definitely tempted by some of the sns/cel/ma/XPG epi offerings.
My training can be a little weird, as is my possibly atypical response. I can go more in depth if needed, but basically if I don’t have a timeline I’ll run certain progression in loop until I hit my goal (if it’s strength oriented) or progress stalls and I need a deload. I’ll still have general periods of time in mind though.
Current are a bit shorter, with this next one being the first week testing a new metcon, then 8 weeks just rolling through progressions unless something happens, then 1 week deload and probable retest after that.
Ok I don’t want to overwhelm, but this video is kind of where my current concepts started:Well I like hearing all the different types of training everyone does. I’m so new into my journey that I don’t have any tried and true methods or much experience, but I like to learn.
Awesome, I will have to check these out, thanks for sharing!Ok I don’t want to overwhelm, but this video is kind of where my current concepts started:
More here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpUp9eeOLyRefDpiZDWtv8YVIaWDGGvxH&si=4Ew-fAfC3G3vhPR6
Second bit is a ton of videos, but I’ve worked directly with Mike T and others who he has worked with/coaches. My plans aren’t really powerlifting only focused so it’s more like the overarching concepts in those videos guide my training.
Hope that makes sense!
Looking forward to your thoughts on pump gel!Pump gel is pretty sweet. It is more liquidy than any of the other gels I've used (from memory I think).
Been doing 1 pump inner arm or inner thigh, then second pump on area being worked that day.
I do think I get a little "warming" action. I also think it is potentiating my stim intake. I'll make a longer review eventually.
New metabolic test tomorrow with the planned re-test February 5. I think I might just start AXT tomorrow since that would be perfectly 8 weeks with it, but we'll see.
Met test plus some Front Squat doubles, lets see how heavy I get.
It is definitely increasing pumps right away. Had zero issue noticing that.Looking forward to your thoughts on pump gel!
You seeing any endurance or additional energy?It is definitely increasing pumps right away. Had zero issue noticing that.
Energy during the day, no major endurance bumps yet though.You seeing any endurance or additional energy?
Dang anywhere near these numbers on front squat is impressive in my books!I was super tempted to take a single at 375 and see how close I felt to 400 already,
Dang anywhere near these numbers on front squat is impressive in my books!
Thanks guys.Damn, the heaviest ive ever front squatted was 125kg for 6 reps and at that time I was close to that weight myself haha.
Dang that's pretty impressive. Most struggle with no added weight on pull ups.bodyweight + 65lbs x 4
I don't like power cleans. Had to do them a long time ago in high school and never did them again after high schoolDidn’t do my usual Christmas WOD for the first year in awhile, but todays workout was definitely worse so kind of missed it.
Hit 305x7 on front squats. Small tweak to form seemed what I needed and I’m still not 100% dialed in on form but I’m feeling strong. That’s +10lbs and 1 rep from the start several weeks ago.
Todays circuit left me dying. Going to be fun/horrible progressing this over the next few weeks.
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Holiday week is always chaos so hoping training stays solid, I’ll have to move stuff a bit tho as I travel Thursday-Sunday.
Sounds like it was a good year! Awesome accomplishment on going to surpass 2k workouts in an app that a lot of work man!Super busy still. Had a not too long trip the past weekend and will have a super long trip next week (not this week).
The driving gave me a chance to think about some things though.
2023 was a very good year for me in terms of getting back into the swing of things. Looking forward to 2024. I don't have a ton of goals that are outcome oriented at the moment, but I do like to reflect on what I may be looking at during the start of each year.
All kind of depend on how I feel at the time or how things progress, as I leave stuff pretty open ended:
-4-8 more weeks of "building" with the current plan.
-Hope to hit a Front Squat max PR during this time or will tack on a specific training block after if it feels in reach and the extra time is needed.
-Then I really want to just get peeled this spring, just dial it down and see where I can get.
-Maybe shoot for deadlift PR in the beginning of that phase or revisit it later in the year.
After that some more tangential and less certain goals that will depend on how I feel when they get close:
-If running feels good maybe shoot for something like a 5 minute mile or a sub 20 minute 5k.
-Maybe take another crack at 30 unbroken MU.
-If I get the WL itch maybe push above a 2x bodyweight clean.
Outside of that I've enjoyed the more "slowed down" bodybuilding tempo emphasis lately and might just put other stuff on the back burner to just keep grinding away on that.
Things are still tough as it seems progress always feels "slower" than I'd like, but while I may not have all the right variables lined up for me genetically, I did at least line up being good at doing stuff forever without complaining and just getting things done.
Whenever anyone asks how I've reached most of my goals it usually just ends up being me saying because I've worked on them longer than most people are willing to. I'll surpass 2k workouts in my current training app this year as long as nothing crazy happens.
Nice! Anytime I travel I always feel off in the gym. I usually try to workout before a long drive or plane ride so I don't have to worry about it once I get to my destination.Driving 7 hours and then going straight to the gym and still working up to 330x5 front squat
Heck that is your workout right there! Or at least your cardioA foot of snow to shovel yesterday
congrats on hitting your goal bro .. take care of your mental health outside of gym man, ive been there as well and sometimes flashbacks takes me still there and have to deal with itDealing with some issues outside of work/gym last couple weeks and mentally pretty beat up. I really wanted to get a good write up since I am closing in on the end of my "bulk". I hit my weight goal, but going to push another 4-6 weeks again and try to get the "average" weight and not just hitting one time on the scale at the goal weight.
Retesting next week and the week after and honestly things are going good (inside the gym) so I'll probably just keep running my progressions into March and may push cutting start to April. Things are a little up in the air, but again I'd like a good write up of AXT + Pepti-Plex + PA-XT soon (GFXT last half as well) since I will probably switch some things around in the spring when I cut.
Front squatted 325 x 6-6-5 on Monday and similar good progress everywhere else as well. Seeing some solid upper body gains in the mirror as well.
Just rambling and probably won't drop back in here until I have any milestones or am ready to post a major update (unless my motivation increases to log again).
Thanks. Part of the reason I'm pushing the cutting off a bit. I am on no real time table and while I'd like the change of pace I also don't think I am ready for some of it yet.congrats on hitting your goal bro .. take care of your mental health outside of gym man, ive been there as well and sometimes flashbacks takes me still there and have to deal with it
Ya they have been feeling pretty good for the most part lately. Really pushing for 400+ this year then maybe get back on the back squat grind for a PR there if things line up.A lot of great info and progress in here! 325 front squats for reps is no joke.
Also, what app are you using to track workouts? I like that it tells you how many total you've logged.
That's what I'm saying. I'm just trying to get 325 back squat for reps325 front squats for reps is no joke.
This.I think its always important for people to distinguish things like that.
I think some people get so caught up in hearing big number gains that they don't realize that many people that have been training for many years consistently are so close to their genetic potential, that a couple lb. gain for someone like you or @TheMrMuscle is more significant than a 10 lb. gain for someone that is a beginner or inconsistent.
Hate to say it but I was one of themAnd people gained "10 lbs" left and right years ago on the old school phs. And lost most of it.
Easter sale now we're talking!Yeah, I'm on bottle #3 (of 4) and will likely be picking up the 3 pack on @sns8778 Easter sale. I do think this has really helped my training recovery, so this may become a full time staple.