When Was The Last Time You Worked Out At The Gym

[pump905]

Originally Posted by MY1STCAMAR0

Have you ever used chains on the end of each bar when you bench? I've seen a few guys do it, I'd assume its for resistance but what benefits does that give you? I was tempted to try it but just haven't.

I do not, but It helps with Strength at different points of the movement. If you are not going to Compete in a power lifting or bodybuilding comp, there is really no need just keep good form during your routine you will get strong without it. Master the basics first, then if you feel the need to be strong at a Certain point in the lift go for it!

[Dznts]

lower body workout tonight

[rhunley14]

Insanity p 90 x is all I do. But I will say fitness and in shape is all relevant to the diet you do. If your not keeping your blood sugar levels normal and your body goes into starvation mode it doesn't matter how much you work out. To me the diet is 85% of the battle. I'm working out now more than I did two years ago and I'm 30 lbs heavier. My diet sux lol.

[WheelmanSS]

Originally Posted by MY1STCAMAR0

Have you ever used chains on the end of each bar when you bench? I've seen a few guys do it, I'd assume its for resistance but what benefits does that give you? I was tempted to try it but just haven't.

My lifting gym has some really high end power racks. You can see them in my pics. They have attachment spots on the bottom and top of the rack, so you can use resistance bands similar to the chains. Helps add that extra degree of difficulty at the top of the lift to work on powering through to lockout. Quite helpful for overall technique.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by WheelmanSS

My lifting gym has some really high end power racks. You can see them in my pics. They have attachment spots on the bottom and top of the rack, so you can use resistance bands similar to the chains. Helps add that extra degree of difficulty at the top of the lift to work on powering through to lockout. Quite helpful for overall technique.

You've also got some seriously strong grip. Deadlifting that much without inverting your opposite hands is not easy.

Also, those 95 pound dumbell presses look a lot easier than they are.

First time I did them I was pretty shocked. I was benching 255 lbs 10 times at the time and when I grabbed 85 pound dumpbells to bench press I figured it would be super easy. After all, it only equaled 170 pounds. OMFG........... THAT was freaking hard. I wasn't expecting that. haha

[WheelmanSS]

Originally Posted by PQ

You've also got some seriously strong grip. Deadlifting that much without inverting your opposite hands is not easy.

Also, those 95 pound dumbell presses look a lot easier than they are.

First time I did them I was pretty shocked. I was benching 255 lbs 10 times at the time and when I grabbed 85 pound dumpbells to bench press I figured it would be super easy. After all, it only equaled 170 pounds. OMFG........... THAT was freaking hard. I wasn't expecting that. haha

Haha you noticed that huh? For some reason it works for me. The guys that lift with me give me the "wtf" look lol.

I totally hear ya actually on the differences between dumbbell and bench press! I actually stopped bench for awhile to focus on dumbbell. Got my numbers up pretty high. Then I went back to bench, and I struggled to get even 225 lbs goin! It's crazy how the same type of movement in a different configuration can make such a difference!

255 lbs is pretty impressive at 10 reps. You ever go to a full max or 3 rep? I bet you could get near 300!

[PQ]

Originally Posted by WheelmanSS

Haha you noticed that huh? For some reason it works for me. The guys that lift with me give me the "wtf" look lol.

I totally hear ya actually on the differences between dumbbell and bench press! I actually stopped bench for awhile to focus on dumbbell. Got my numbers up pretty high. Then I went back to bench, and I struggled to get even 225 lbs goin! It's crazy how the same type of movement in a different configuration can make such a difference!

255 lbs is pretty impressive at 10 reps. You ever go to a full max or 3 rep? I bet you could get near 300!

I got 295 up 3 times once. I never went to single max. I know I could have got it. Wish I'd have tried.

[MYDLIFECRISIS]

I worked out religiously for years until I blew my shoulder out in '07 military pressing. (Yup, went too heavy on a day I was feeling strong!) Right before that I was benching 315 for reps of 4-6 on my 5th set in a pyramid routine. I had put up 365 twice on a couple of occasions. (I weighed 190!) Finally had to succumb to torn rotator cuff and detatched labrum surgery in Dec. '11. The injury never let me get back in the gym, and everyday life was very painful on the shoulder for the last year before surgery. (I know, should've done it A LOT sooner!)

So, this past August, 7 months after surgery and all the PT, I was finally cleared to go back in the gym. It's been almost 3 months, and my shoulder feels great. My bench is only at 275 once, but considering I struggled with 135 the first day back, I think that's ok. I've been working with a personal trainer for a bit just to keep the shoulder safe. He's shown me new techniques for old exercises, and my strength is coming back.

Will I ever bench 365 twice again, I don't know. My goal is 315, because we all know that looks good on the bar!! lol

I also do circuit training and cardio to drop the excess weight I put on over 4 years time without working out. I weighed 190 just before blowing out the shoulder. I was up to 225 before I started working out again. I'm at 205 now, so I'm getting there. The hardest part for me is the diet. I was eating a lot of crap. It's tough to change that, but I'm doing it slowly.

I give props to anyone who spends the time in the gym to keep themselves fit. It ain't easy!

[PQ]

Originally Posted by MYDLIFECRISIS

My goal is 315, because we all know that looks good on the bar!! lol

Yup. But I never got there. hahaha

I tried a few years ago to get back at it but only lasted 3 weeks til I couldn't use my arm.

Was really depressing to barely get 135 up 10 times. And drop to 115 at the end of my sets.

[MYDLIFECRISIS]

Originally Posted by PQ

Yup. But I never got there. hahaha

I tried a few years ago to get back at it but only lasted 3 weeks til I couldn't use my arm.

Was really depressing to barely get 135 up 10 times. And drop to 115 at the end of my sets.

I see your #'s were pretty impressive before. Did you injure your arm at some point?

[PQ]

Originally Posted by MYDLIFECRISIS

I see your #'s were pretty impressive before. Did you injure your arm at some point?

Seperated my shoulder doing incline bench presses.

[BullF-16]

My routine for the last couple years is twice a day for an hour each time. First workout is 15 min cardio followed my 45 min moderate lifting, 2nd workout or the day is 45 min heavy cardio and finish up the liflting. I do this 5 days a week. Not as stout as i used to be but at 50 i can still throw up 275 lbs on the bench 12 times, shoulder press 225 x 7 reps on the smith machine, max out the pull down stack at 300# x 10 reps. dumbell curls with up to 70# dumbells x 8 reps. and all the various supporting lifts.

I was at my strongest about 8 years ago but found out that the supporting tissues are not as pliable as they used to be. Really had to modify my routines for higher reps and lighter weights.. Nowadays keep my reps to the 6-10 range with an appropriate weight that I am almost to failure at teh end of the set.

Thank God for vitamin M! Motrin

[Renegade]

Originally Posted by PQ

Seperated my shoulder doing incline bench presses.

Ouch..that's got to hurt. Sounds like you haven't been the same ever since. Atleast you it didn't fell on your neck thankfully.

[MYDLIFECRISIS]

Originally Posted by PQ

Seperated my shoulder doing incline bench presses.

I feel for ya man. I know how debilitating an injury cam be to someone like us that likes to workout. I lucked out, and so far my shoulder has taken everything I throw at it. I hope someday your shoulder lets you get back at it!