Last night I trained on my own for the first time in a while, but was determined not to let this demotivate me, especially considering I will be leaving my current gym and gang of spotters shortly.
My back and tricep workout was as follows:
Narrow grip bar row
85kg 10 reps
95kg 8 reps
85kg 10 reps
85 kg 8 reps
Pull Ups
4 sets of 10 unweighted.
Close grip bench press
70kg 4 sets of 6 reps
Deadlifts
100kg 4 sets 8 reps
Weighted dips
25kg plate 4 sets of 8 reps
Bent over row (palms up)
70kg 10 reps
85kg 8 reps
80kg 8 reps
80kg 8 reps
Overhead standing tricep cable extensions
Ranging from 20-30kg to failure
My next entry will be on the use of supplements to support muscle growth and recovery. I will be discussing what has and hasn't worked for me.
I went home and swiftly devoured the following!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Bench Mark 90
During my 2nd year of training I decided to really up my game in terms of gaining both weight and strength.
I wanted to gain an extra 10kg of muscle and reach the 90kg mark, I chose 90 as my goal because with my height being 6ft 2in this would give me a BMI of just over 25 (overweight).
In order to pack on the pounds one must get bigger and to do this, stronger. I combined a low rep range, heavy compound approach to my training with a high intake of calories per day (3000+ as a minimum), I changed my usual protein shakes for weight gaining supplements and got down to it.
I kept things in the 6 rep range and focused on the following exercises:
Deadlifts
All bench press variations
All dumbbell chest press variations
Bent over rows
Narrow grip bar rows
Weighted pullups
Weighted chin ups
Weighted dips
Close grip bench
Squats
Clean and press
Military press
Power shrugs
I removed all isolation moves from my workout (something I would recommend to anybody!!) no raises, curls, extensions etc. The man who pointed me in this direction is Jason Ferrugia, his website is exceptional!
I gained 8-9kg between Jan 2012 & Jun 2012, strength rapidly increased during this time and continues to do so.
I hit 90kg around a week ago, but will continue to train in this way, just adding a few specific bicep and tricep exercises.
Feel free to email me with any questions at hugh_bennett@hotmail.com
I wanted to gain an extra 10kg of muscle and reach the 90kg mark, I chose 90 as my goal because with my height being 6ft 2in this would give me a BMI of just over 25 (overweight).
In order to pack on the pounds one must get bigger and to do this, stronger. I combined a low rep range, heavy compound approach to my training with a high intake of calories per day (3000+ as a minimum), I changed my usual protein shakes for weight gaining supplements and got down to it.
I kept things in the 6 rep range and focused on the following exercises:
Deadlifts
All bench press variations
All dumbbell chest press variations
Bent over rows
Narrow grip bar rows
Weighted pullups
Weighted chin ups
Weighted dips
Close grip bench
Squats
Clean and press
Military press
Power shrugs
I removed all isolation moves from my workout (something I would recommend to anybody!!) no raises, curls, extensions etc. The man who pointed me in this direction is Jason Ferrugia, his website is exceptional!
I gained 8-9kg between Jan 2012 & Jun 2012, strength rapidly increased during this time and continues to do so.
I hit 90kg around a week ago, but will continue to train in this way, just adding a few specific bicep and tricep exercises.
Feel free to email me with any questions at hugh_bennett@hotmail.com
Monday, June 25, 2012
Tonight's Chest and Biceps
Monday is chest night, my upcoming entry on reaching the 90kg weight mark will discuss my love for big compound lifts, but for now a quick entry detailing my chest and bolt on bicep workout.
Incline Dumbell Press:
35kg 6 reps
40kg 6 reps
40kg 6 reps
42.5kg 6 reps
Standing EZ Bar Curls:
48kg 8 reps
43kg 8 reps
43kg 8 reps
48kg 8 reps
Decline Bench Press
95kg 6 reps
100kg 6 reps
110kg 6 reaps (1 assisted spot)
90kg 8 reps
Chin Ups:
30kg weighted 3 reps straight into 8 unweighted reps.
25kg weighted 3 reps to 8 unweighted
25kg weighted 3 reps to 8 unweighted
25kg weighted 3 reps to 8 unweighted
Flat Bench Dumbell Press:
40kg 6 reps
45kg 6 reps
40kg 6 reps
40kg 6 reps
Incline Bench Finisher:
55kg 10 reps
55kg 10 reps
55kg 10 reps
55kg 10 reps
Standing Hammer Bar Curls (superseded with incline bench)
28kg 8 reps
28kg 8 reps
28kg 8 reps
28kg 8 reps
110kg decline bench was a personal best, as was 42.5kg incline dumbell.
Look our or further chest size an strength updates.
Photo taken straight after tonight's workout:
Incline Dumbell Press:
35kg 6 reps
40kg 6 reps
40kg 6 reps
42.5kg 6 reps
Standing EZ Bar Curls:
48kg 8 reps
43kg 8 reps
43kg 8 reps
48kg 8 reps
Decline Bench Press
95kg 6 reps
100kg 6 reps
110kg 6 reaps (1 assisted spot)
90kg 8 reps
Chin Ups:
30kg weighted 3 reps straight into 8 unweighted reps.
25kg weighted 3 reps to 8 unweighted
25kg weighted 3 reps to 8 unweighted
25kg weighted 3 reps to 8 unweighted
Flat Bench Dumbell Press:
40kg 6 reps
45kg 6 reps
40kg 6 reps
40kg 6 reps
Incline Bench Finisher:
55kg 10 reps
55kg 10 reps
55kg 10 reps
55kg 10 reps
Standing Hammer Bar Curls (superseded with incline bench)
28kg 8 reps
28kg 8 reps
28kg 8 reps
28kg 8 reps
110kg decline bench was a personal best, as was 42.5kg incline dumbell.
Look our or further chest size an strength updates.
Photo taken straight after tonight's workout:
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Year One
I began my training as a complete novice, with very little knowledge or understanding of what I needed to do in order to gain size and strength. I joined my local gym and was given the standard resistance machine programme that I soon realised was NOT what I needed.
First thing was to establish the what i needed to be feeding my muscles, or lack there of, I sort the advice of a close friend who runs his own fitness company, (link below) he himself had gone from scrawn to brawn and was looking to help others achieve their goals. He kindly wrote me the nutrition plan i needed to pack on muscle and stay lean, high protein intake, eating frequently etc.
I was still a little unsure on what I wanted to achieve? So for the first year I just kept it simple, the kind of workouts you see in the magazines, Squats, bench press, chin ups, press ups, seated curls, flys, shoulder press etc. I wanted a lean muscle look, Brad Pitt in Fight Club sort of thing, not too focused on size, just happy to see some gains and have a beach body. Now I am rather lucky in that being naturally tall thin and fit, acquiring a lean muscle look isn't too difficult, I didn't really work too hard for the photo you see below.
Fellow Gym enthusiasts will know, we are always wanting more! My next entry will discuss the last 10 months and how I reached my target of weighing 90kg, vast increase in strength and more all rounded gains. This is where the real hard work has been put in as I struggled to add bulk to a naturally slender frame.
If you are seeking advice and guidance in order to achieve your fitness goals then check out my good friends website.
http://www.jcfitnessexperience.com/
Want to have your say? Feel free to leave comments or E-mail me at hugh_bennett@hotmail.com and, as always, feel free to post my link to your Facebook.
The below picture was taken around 1 year after my training began.
First thing was to establish the what i needed to be feeding my muscles, or lack there of, I sort the advice of a close friend who runs his own fitness company, (link below) he himself had gone from scrawn to brawn and was looking to help others achieve their goals. He kindly wrote me the nutrition plan i needed to pack on muscle and stay lean, high protein intake, eating frequently etc.
I was still a little unsure on what I wanted to achieve? So for the first year I just kept it simple, the kind of workouts you see in the magazines, Squats, bench press, chin ups, press ups, seated curls, flys, shoulder press etc. I wanted a lean muscle look, Brad Pitt in Fight Club sort of thing, not too focused on size, just happy to see some gains and have a beach body. Now I am rather lucky in that being naturally tall thin and fit, acquiring a lean muscle look isn't too difficult, I didn't really work too hard for the photo you see below.
Fellow Gym enthusiasts will know, we are always wanting more! My next entry will discuss the last 10 months and how I reached my target of weighing 90kg, vast increase in strength and more all rounded gains. This is where the real hard work has been put in as I struggled to add bulk to a naturally slender frame.
If you are seeking advice and guidance in order to achieve your fitness goals then check out my good friends website.
http://www.jcfitnessexperience.com/
Want to have your say? Feel free to leave comments or E-mail me at hugh_bennett@hotmail.com and, as always, feel free to post my link to your Facebook.
The below picture was taken around 1 year after my training began.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Then and Now
MY ‘transformation’, which started out in August 2010 and is still going today, is by no means complete, but I have come a long way from the skinny runt you see in my picture.
Despite a keen interest in sport, I was never interested in lifting weights prior to the summer of 2010 and, to be honest, to this day I’m not entirely sure why I suddenly decided to pick up the dumbells? Now, I officially have the bug. Some choose golf, some gambling, some football and some darker things, me; I pump iron. Magazines, blogs, articles, supplements, gym sessions, apps, it’s everywhere for me. This is more than just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle; something that has grabbed hold of me and changed my life in so many positive ways.
So, how did I get here and where am I planning on going now? I recently weighed in at 90kg, an 18kg increase between the below pictures, (an article on achieving this personal goal will follow) I am going to share my strategies, techniques, routines, diet, mental attitude and supplements that have helped me get to this point. I will be completely honest in what has and hasn't worked for me. This blog will also follow my search to increase gains in both strength and size and document multiple aspects of the sport that I have come across on my journey.
Want to have your say? Feel free to leave comments or E-mail me at hugh_bennett@hotmail.com and, as always, feel free to post my link to your Facebook.
Pictures:
1: July 2010
2: 22nd June 2012
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