What you have learned over the years !!!

[Chris250]

I thought this would be a good thread to start on here...I want all the vets to contribute to this thread so the newbie's can learn from our mistakes...

So what I have I learned over 20 years of training and bodybuilding ???

1. When I was younger (teen's and early 20) I thought gear (drugs) were the answer to getting big and being big...I thought I needed this or that to grow on...And that I need cutting drugs (there is no cutting drugs) to do a show (Im talking about AAS, not clen/T3) Today, I know that I can grow on moderate amounts (with good diet) and that it doesnt honestly make a whole lot of differnce what you diet down on...Palumbo is right that if you just diet down on test and use some anti-E's you could get into contest shape and look just as good as anyone else (im talking about local or even national level NPC shows, not IFBB pro shows)...

2. I learned that bulking up over 30lbs of your contest weight isnt the way to go..You will only have to diet harder and kill yourself when its time to compete...You dont want to be the one who has to do 2 hrs a day of cardio to just get into decent contest shape (yes there is times when you do need to do that much, but not just to get into good shape)...Stay within 20lbs of contest shape and I will promise you that you will come in bigger and harder/dryer than if you got over 30-40lbs of your contest shape...

3. Training is important but the way you train really isnt as important as you think it is...What I mean by that is if you train 4 times a week or 6 times a week...As long as your getting stronger and bigger than this or that program isnt that big of a deal, and it isnt going to make you a pro..Just because your doing HIT or MAX OT or DC or anything...Focus on the big movements, and progressive strengh gains are the key to adding more muscle, no matter what the program is...Also, if you can train a muscle more than once a week (2 times or even 3 times) you have a better chance of making that muscle grow than if you just hitting it once during a week...Just focus on being able to recover from your program with less volume and maybe even less intensity...

I will add more things as I think about them...

Genk

 

[Presser]

Lets see....I will try to start with the thing that i was probably most mis-informed about until I found out for myself.

For me I would like to make a shout out to the guys in the gym who juice just to be the biggest guy in the gym (me at one time many moons ago) Until you have competed and properly dieted down for a show you have no idea what its realy all about and just how hard it realy is atleast the first couple times.

I will agree with the above in staying close to contest weight, you will thank yourself later, UNless however you know ur taking a couple years off then I would personaly have to say that I have gone prolly 40+ lbs over contest shape knowing i would have to work extra hard to diet down but i think i have added a little more muscle then i would have playing it safe within 20lbs.

and I have learned its all about the diet not the weights!

Less is more sometimes not just with gear but for me with training as well ..meaning for the younger guys that the longer you put into urself in the gym diet etc... the less I have to do many many years later to make the sae gains as i did when i was younger, and REST = growth.

Great thread I have to say . at 35 yrs old i am sure theirs alot more I can add i just cant think right now of all of the. But you get out what you put in and i could honestly take a year off from the gym and probably look to most people like i still worked out every day of the week, Muscle maturity is a beautiful thing if you put your time in!

 

[Chris250]

Presser,

Yeah I agree with the muscle maturity thing..I can go without training for a month straight and just eat right and I wont lose a ounce of muscle or conditioning...I mean it just sticks to you after you have put in your time...Anymore now, with my age and years in the gym I do take some time off from the gym (normally the month of dec. I like to spend time with my family/holidays) It really helps with my joints and any nagging injurys I have...I recover from them and then at the first of the year im ready to grow again and get back into shape..You would be amazed at the rate your body will grow after time out of the gym...

 

[jtunderdog]

I would say without question nutrition is the most important thing to me. On that note whole foods are more important than shakes too. I notice I grow eating red meat more consistently than drinking more shakes a day. You see what I mean. I use to drink four or five shakes some days to hit say 400 grams of protein, but to me, if I get 300 with whole foods I seem to grow more. I only take 3 shakes these days and still try to get at least 350 grams. One other thing is strict form beats heavier weight on most occasions. I say that because sometimes cheat reps can help break a plateau, but they can also hurt you and not stimulate growth like you really want to. I would add water intake is very important as well.

 

[TrenboloneFreak]

diet and genetics are far greater than steroids alone.

also, for all the bros that are huge and swole, and say to themselves , "i could win that show.".....then diet down, and do it loud mouth.

 

[dreww]

Lets see what Ive learned:

1. Genetics are the #1 thing to success at bodybuilding. That being said, don't use your "bad genetics" as an excuse for you lack of results. If you dont have the physical genetics, you better start using your mental genetics (brainpower). Thats means LOTS of reading and research - not just on gear, but training, legal supplements, and most importantly diet and nutrition

2. I learned not to believe at least half the shit you read in bodybuilding magazine and 90% of the shit your read from supplement companies

3. I learned there are no quick gains in bodybuilding. Every impressive build you've ever seen has probably taken at least a decade to achieve. Probably closer to 2 decades.

 

[jtunderdog]

I personally was 160 when I started working out at 21. I am 228ish right now and can say without question I have at least 50 pounds of muscle added to my frame. This was accomplished in only 13 years. I had arms less than 10 inches when I started too. Consistency is pretty important.

 

[Chris250]

Also, if you can afford it when your ready to compete hire a trainer to do your diet...I mean it could make a world of difference and make life that much easlier for you to compete in great shape...I know when I was a kid I hired someone to do my diet at 19 years old...I got into great, great shape with him and I learned sooooo much about true contest dieting...

 

[dreww]

I personally was 160 when I started working out at 21. I am 228ish right now and can say without question I have at least 50 pounds of muscle added to my frame. This was accomplished in only 13 years. I had arms less than 10 inches when I started too. Consistency is pretty important.

lol, I can remember when I started working out I couldnt put up 135lbs once. I could probably bench 100lbs.

 

[Presser]

Also, if you can afford it when your ready to compete hire a trainer to do your diet...I mean it could make a world of difference and make life that much easlier for you to compete in great shape...I know when I was a kid I hired someone to do my diet at 19 years old...I got into great, great shape with him and I learned sooooo much about true contest dieting...

I agree with this and then you will that much more knowledge

 

[nuknuk]

This is what I have learned:

1. I have never gained a single pound without the use of drugs, All the special diets, supplements, and different workouts never worked without drugs involved.

2. 60% or more people that compete at the NPC shows have no business up there.

3. Its harder to find clothes that look good, the bigger you get.

4. Dont take advice from someone smaller than you. (you know, that random guy in the gym who always gives somebody advice just after they finish a set)

5. HGH and roids do not cause "roid gut"

6. Fat people that say they are power lifters, use that as an excuse for being fat.

7. 90% of people in my gym use bad form when they bench press.

well i got to go eat, will think of some more :wave:

 

[Presser]

If number one is true bro thats pretty sad,lmao

 

[mcgaret]

It takes time. Everyone wants results 'Today'!
If you get a injury - LISTEN TO YOUR BODY and let it heal. (learned that one the hard way)
Consistancy - If you miss a workout dont beat yourself up just make sure you make the
next one. When you look at your progress it is not from what you have done in the
past week but what you have done in the past year. (or longer)
Keep your mind open so your understanding of YOUR body is always growing.

 

[h8tr3d]

This is what I have learned:

1. I have never gained a single pound without the use of drugs, All the special diets, supplements, and different workouts never worked without drugs involved.

2. 60% or more people that compete at the NPC shows have no business up there.

3. Its harder to find clothes that look good, the bigger you get.

4. Dont take advice from someone smaller than you. (you know, that random guy in the gym who always gives somebody advice just after they finish a set)

5. HGH and roids do not cause "roid gut"

6. Fat people that say they are power lifters, use that as an excuse for being fat.

7. 90% of people in my gym use bad form when they bench press.

well i got to go eat, will think of some more :wave:

i agree with number 1 as well....

 

[mcgaret]

 

[Chris250]

bump - lets hear more

 

[clae1]

i have learned there is no one way. each person is diffrent and should experiment with diet and training frequently some supplements work well with one person and not at all with another. i find consistancey the most important part of training both diet and in the gym. without it no gains.

 

[h8tr3d]

ive learned that bobybuilding is just what it says... and its not gonna happen in one year, not even for the pros. Rome wasnt built in a day.

Also, everyones body is different in terms of doses. For some reason, ug, homebrew, or top pharmacy barnd, i react to higher doses. everyone says, less is more, well not for me

Proper food intake is crucial for that extra strength or rep the next day in the gym. 3 years earlier i wouldnt have agreede with this as much, but definately more profound the older you get

lastly, its hard as hell to eat all day!!

 

[Spiderman]

I have learned that this is a lifestyle. It's not about working out to get in shape for summer, to impress people, or to fit into clothes better...it's about doing something for yourself. About pushing your limits and doing things that you never thought you'd be able to do. It's about building confidence and becoming a better person.

I've learned that building quality muscle and making large body changes is a hell of a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. And it also a lot more rewarding that I ever thought it could be.

I've also learned that excuses are just that, excuses. You have nothing and no one to blame for your physical fitness other than yourself. It's not about your injuries, not about your personal shit...we all have that stuff. It's about getting in the gym when you don't want to and kicking your ass every chance you get. It's also about adapting to the curve balls life throws at you, and not letting them pull you away from your goals.

 

[ops]

1. The first thing I learned is-Muscletech products will put 30lbs of muscle on you in 30 days for only the price of a mortgage payment....then I found the boards and some good bros in the gym...and then cometh the dark side..

2. All the Test and Dbol in China won't make you a mesomorph.

3. As long as you keep coming back to the gym, your physique will ultimately be far, far ahead of the rest of bloated America. You don't have to look like Cena..

4. Hitting a nerve with a 23g 1.5 " deep in your quad has got to be the shittiest feeling on the planet.

5. Being on 750mg of Test a week and feeling like you could fuck a cinder block into dust is one of the greatest feeling on the planet..