Are my weight lifts good or bad?

[CarlitosWay]

Sorry guys, I've been busy.

I don't want to be a body builder with huge muscles everywhere. I just want to get rid of my "skinny look" (I consider myself now slim and toned).

Hmm you make it sound so easy to just get "huge muscles" Well buddy it's not, not at all.

I'm sorry this is so naive I have to stop you right here....Wtf does this really mean? It's like saying I'm fat but I don't really want to lose weight. You either want to put on a noticeable amount of muscle or you don't. IF you actually want to put on muscle you're going to have to train like a bodybuilder and a powerlifter regardless... I don't give a **** what anyone says. There's a few ways to put on muscle but why are you going to ignore the fact that BODYBUILDERS know how to do it BEST? Want to get size on your back, tris and hamstrings? Talk to a powerlifter. Want to get a balanced physique and learn a variety of exercises to add mass to your chest, arms, quads, back and hamstrings? Talk to a bodybuilder. You can learn from both but, saying oh I'll only take advice from this group or that group is just plain ****in' stupid if you ask me.

Back in the day bodybuilders and powerlifters trained in the same gyms utilizing all the same **** and there wasn't much discrepancies in how they trained, except that the powerlifters trained the squat, deadlift and bench press more and getting big numbers in those was their long term goal.

Bodybuilders main goals were size and symmetry/aestheticism, but threw in those exercises also here or there. Yet it's nothing new to see say Matt Kroc or another powerlifter throwing in some dedicated arm days, curls, machine work, or Dave Tate for instance who had many years full of injuries from powerlifting, switching to some machine work and just blowing up in more size (read their logs at elitefts.com ).

Yet people in here act as if this isn't true and you're not "Hardcore" if you utilize machines also, I got a 600 lb bench presser in my gym and I'll see him use the power rack, smith machine and leg press machine on any given day...... He's a powerlifter but at times he trains like guess what? a bodybuilder. So don't be naive, get in a gym and train around real powerlifters/bodybuilders.

The reason why I'm working out is to get stronger. I don't want to eat, eat, eat and not work out.

I'm having problems with my diet though. I work 40 hours a week and I'm often on the road going to different locations. I can't bring my lunch in because it's too incovenient to eat, so I eat out for lunch everyday.

Are there any meals I can make in bulk at the beginning of the week, that's rather simple to prepare and will pack on the pounds? I'm thinking something along the lines of "meat and potatoes". Is brown rice \and meat good?

I'm a complete amateur when it comes to diet and working out.

So my goal is gain 15lbs, increase strength with having a solid toned body.

Ok you have a goal good stuff, yes meat and potatoes will be suffice...IF you can afford some protein shakes, they sound like they would help you a lot. Quick trick throw 2-3 scoops of whey protein and some quick rolled/cooking oats (cup to cup and 1/2) and 2 tablespoons of olive oil or macadamia nut oil. or shovel two tablespoons of natural peanutbutter in your mouth. It's a quick mass shake I make daily, easy quick and gives you quality calories.

Your best bet is buying bulk amounts of ground round/sirloin and cooking it say on sundays. With rice and beans it's a great combo. Maybe cook some up enough for 6-7 days on sunday. Freeze some of it and have some for the next 3-4 days to eat.

When out and I don't have my food available or a shake and I need something quick I won't hesitate to walk into burger king and order 4-5 whopper jrs. (always say no mayo/ketchup on my burgers, mustard is k though) , 5 guys (kid give me the biggest burger on the menu) taco bell and get a chicken burrito/steak chalupa or two..Yeah some guys are gonna cry "like omg so not healthy for you" I live by the 80-90% rule I eat whatever the **** I want in those 10-20% ..AS long as there's a good amount of protein/dead animals it's game in my book.

eggs are damn cheap to...I make 6-8 egg omelets all the time.. Sweet potatoes are also good, oatmeal....main goal for the day should be a nice amount of protein spread out across the day... All I can say is just read read read...and ask questions. You have some good stickies at the top on foods/supplements.
Since you sound like a beginner...I imagine you can put those 15 lbs on in at the most 6-7 months....If you get your **** together training wise and hammer food like you should probably even do it less. Yet this greatly depends on your work ethics and genetics. Who knows you could do it in 3 months for all we know....

 

[CarlitosWay]

meh double post...

 

[Jitterbug]

Train & eat like a weightlifter. They are stronger (pound for pound) than powerlifters and look better (more natural) than bodybuilders.

Google for some pics of Olympic weightlifters (ignore the super heavyweight 105kg+ as they aim to be heavy as possible).

e.g Ivan Stoitsov: http://stronglifts.com/how-to-get-a-body-like-ivan-stoitsov/

Or the Chinese Olympic weightlifters:

http://www.ptcfrankston.com/doc/newsletter/86/11.jpg

I'm pretty sure nobody here looks as good as these guys. Absolutely certain that none lifts as much as they do.

Those guys train heavy & low reps on compound lifts (with focus on fast, Olympic-style lifts), btw. And I'm positive they don't waste their time with bicep curls or tricep kickbacks.

If you aspiring bodybuilders train differently, I hope you look as good as they do.

 

[CarlitosWay]

Train & eat like a weightlifter. They are stronger (pound for pound) than powerlifters and look better (more natural) than bodybuilders.

LOLOLOL....just don't know what to say...[/B]

Google for some pics of Olympic weightlifters (ignore the super heavyweight 105kg+ as they aim to be heavy as possible). At the end of the day MUSCLE IS MUSCLE...Doesn't matter if you get it training solely like a bodybuilder or powerlifter/bodybuilder.

e.g Ivan Stoitsov: http://stronglifts.com/how-to-get-a-body-like-ivan-stoitsov/

Or the Chinese Olympic weightlifters:

http://www.ptcfrankston.com/doc/newsletter/86/11.jpg

I'm pretty sure nobody here looks as good as these guys. Absolutely certain that none lifts as much as they do.

Those guys train heavy & low reps on compound lifts (with focus on fast, Olympic-style lifts), btw. And I'm positive they don't waste their time with bicep curls or tricep kickbacks.

If you aspiring bodybuilders train differently, I hope you look as good as they do.

lolool this is tooooo funny..Yeah what does Elite level Olympic lifting/lifters have to do with a kid wanting to put on 15 lbs of muscle?

these guys are part of the worlds most genetic elite. Neither you nor I could handle how these guys train. A)We lack the coaches/training B) most prob don't have time to train 12-16 times a week

And I have yet to see pictures from ANYONE on here showing at least SOMETHING of a well built physique. Colossus is the only guy I've seen and have been impressed...with. Yet hmmm I see a lack of pictures from many. Seems to suggest something and I'll throw up pics any time ..as I have one in my profile (bit old will update)..

 

[Jitterbug]

If we're going with genetics, then competing bodybuilders and powerlifters all have genetic advantages (plus having coaches & all that jazz) over the rest of us.

Or maybe not. Maybe they just work damn hard and train well.

As for your need to see us shirtless, well it's a classic logical fallacy. But alright, if you want to see mine, wait a couple of months as I'm still going through fat loss. I promise you'll be the first to see my six-packs.

Have a feeling you'll still attribute that to my genetics though.

 

[CarlitosWay]

If we're going with genetics, then competing bodybuilders and powerlifters all have genetic advantages (plus having coaches & all that jazz) over the rest of us.

Or maybe not. Maybe they just work damn hard and train well.

As for your need to see us shirtless, well it's a classic logical fallacy. But alright, if you want to see mine, wait a couple of months as I'm still going through fat loss. I promise you'll be the first to see my six-packs.

Have a feeling you'll still attribute that to my genetics though.

"classical logical fallacy"? haaaa... Why wait a couple months? only takes 5 mins to take and throw up a back or front pic. Me hate on some else's genetics or attribute all their work to it? Why would I do that? I admire some of the greatest bodybuilders to have walked this earth, Sergio O, Phil Heath, Dorian Yates. I enjoy talking to the many regulars at my gym who compete and have won their share of shows.

I give credit where it's due, I have no reason to hate on anyone. I only despise the many dogmas, the naive thought and plain ignorance I witness many times..

 

[Kerpal]

Bodybuilding is men putting on thongs, slathering themselves with oil, and posing on a stage for other men.

No matter what other arguments we have about powerlifting/weightlifting vs bodybuilding, strength vs size, machines vs free weights, etc., this can not be disputed.

Just thought I'd point that out :crackup:

 

[CarlitosWay]

Bodybuilding is men putting on thongs, slathering themselves with oil, and posing on a stage for other men.

No matter what other arguments we have about powerlifting/weightlifting vs bodybuilding, strength vs size, machines vs free weights, etc., this can not be disputed.

Just thought I'd point that out :crackup:

What's the point in bringing that up? Nothing new, the Greeks admired a beautiful aesthetic physique in a civilized way as most of us do today in modern bodybuilding. Yet I could see where one would get all homophobic about it with the speedos and all that. Nope they just don't pose for men, they actually have both female and male fans..

Hey if I had the genetics to do real good in BB, I wouldn't mind posing in front of people in a speedo and getting to hang out back stage with girls of this caliber

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmNE_uNBxSw&feature=fvw
Mindi Smith 1st place winner Phoenix Pro in Figure =)

Branch Warren has a pretty hot wife. Trish Warren http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Actv2-8fBL4. You have no idea how easy it is for these guys to get some ass it's not even funny, especially with them being around all those fitness/figure models/competitors.

This is what I call art, Phil Heath at his best...
back
http://pics.musculardevelopment.com/photos/transferred/_O5C0161.jpg

prob one of the best most muscular I've seen
http://pics.musculardevelopment.com/photos/transferred/_O5C0240.jpg

End of hijack though lol.....

 

[CaptainJ]

The thing I don't like about pro level bodybuilding is that these guys are supposed to be the epitome of an aesthetically pleasing physique, but just look at the pictures, it's quite sickly to see all that steroid pumped muscle with veins bulging out about to explode. I enjoy looking at physique, but I prefer the natural look, not the "showy" "I'm the biggest" look. Someone like Ivan Stoitsov has what I would call the ideal physique, my idea of a true bodybuilder.

It just seems quite wasteful to put so much time and energy into building up a physique that physically disgusts me. But whatever floats your boat I guess.

 

[CarlitosWay]

The thing I don't like about pro level bodybuilding is that these guys are supposed to be the epitome of an aesthetically pleasing physique, but just look at the pictures, it's quite sickly to see all that steroid pumped muscle with veins bulging out about to explode. I enjoy looking at physique, but I prefer the natural look, not the "showy" "I'm the biggest" look. Someone like Ivan Stoitsov has what I would call the ideal physique, my idea of a true bodybuilder.

It just seems quite wasteful to put so much time and energy into building up a physique that physically disgusts me. But whatever floats your boat I guess.

What do you mean? Aesthetic Physiques are making a huge come back guys like Phil Heath, Dexter Jackson etc etc... and the mass monsters aren't really that popular anymore. I'm not a big fan of "mass monsters" either Yet I can't see how Phil Heath isn't the epitome of aestheticism... Yet I won't lie, guys like Markus Ruhl are pretty impressive lol and are fun as hell to watch train.

People also seem to think these guys walk around all year with "veins bulging out about to explode" leanness. Most look way different offseason and I honestly like the off season look better. for one they're pushing more weights off season and I they just look a lot more filled out.

 

[Kerpal]

Yet I can't see how Phil Heath isn't the epitome of aestheticism...

This guy? http://www.videosdeculturismo.com/images/philheath-ironman2008.jpg

I think he just looks bizarre.

 

[CaptainJ]

What do you mean? Aesthetic Physiques are making a huge come back guys like Phil Heath, Dexter Jackson etc etc... and the mass monsters aren't really that popular anymore. I'm not a big fan of "mass monsters" either Yet I can't see how Phil Heath isn't the epitome of aestheticism... Yet I won't lie, guys like Markus Ruhl are pretty impressive lol and are fun as hell to watch train.

People also seem to think these guys walk around all year with "veins bulging out about to explode" leanness. Most look way different offseason and I honestly like the off season look better. for one they're pushing more weights off season and I they just look a lot more filled out.

It's just the way they are presented: fake tan, tiny thong, greased up, pumped up, some crazy sh1t to make veins pop out and the tacky poses "Check out mah Traps" "check out mah bicepts". I would also prefer it if they moved to the off season season look, with not so much emphasis on mass and definition, but a presentation of a man who's muscles look strong and functional, not just pumped.

Less drugged up looks and a focus on the natural athlete physique would not go amiss. I admire the physiques of people like Ivan Stoitsov and Mariusz Pudzianowski, as there's no pretensions or vanity, just raw power and strength.

 

[CarlitosWay]

It's just the way they are presented: fake tan, tiny thong, greased up, pumped up, some crazy sh1t to make veins pop out and the tacky poses "Check out mah Traps" "check out mah bicepts". I would also prefer it if they moved to the off season season look, with not so much emphasis on mass and definition, but a presentation of a man who's muscles look strong and functional, not just pumped.

Less drugged up looks and a focus on the natural athlete physique would not go amiss. I admire the physiques of people like Ivan Stoitsov and Mariusz Pudzianowski, as there's no pretensions or vanity, just raw power and strength.

lol what would the point be in that ? they would than just look "average" ha

lol love how people throw the word "functional" around...so wha's functional to you? Balancing on a bosu ball doing one legged curls? Mariusz Pudzianowski has a whole **** load of mass and definition. He could literally diet down within weeks and step into a bodybuilding show. OH btw he does train like a bodybuilder alongside all his strongman training http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-1Z1mmJ1io

damn look at all this unfunctional muscle, lack of raw power and strength just heaving slags of iron ....HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE IF THEY'RE BODYBUILDERS?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7LztLUNTW8

Kevin Levrone uncrowned Mr. Olympia
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9wo1q_kevin-levrone-bfto-1998-part-1-ches_sport

Damn those "pumped muscles" sure are having a hard time lifting 4+ plates on the flat and incline bench.

Before you throw the steroids this or that comments out, get one thing straight with or without drugs these guys would still stand out amongst crowds in terms of strength/size cause of sheer hard work/intensity and sensible eating (which means eating enough to support the training they're doing).

Ohh...here's another bodybuilder...a Fireman also, doing some weak ass deadlifts...cause yea he's focusing so much on mass and definition he has to use a pansy ass weight for reps. but but but yeah yeah he's using straps and bouncing it I already know I'll hear this. *yawn*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBpDJpv-wRI

 

[CaptainJ]

lol what would the point be in that ? they would than just look "average" ha

lol love how people throw the word "functional" around...so wha's functional to you? Balancing on a bosu ball doing one legged curls? Mariusz Pudzianowski has a whole **** load of mass and definition. He could literally diet down within weeks and step into a bodybuilding show. OH btw he does train like a bodybuilder alongside all his strongman training http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-1Z1mmJ1io

damn look at all this unfunctional muscle, lack of raw power and strength just heaving slags of iron ....HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE IF THEY'RE BODYBUILDERS?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7LztLUNTW8

Kevin Levrone uncrowned Mr. Olympia
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9wo1q_kevin-levrone-bfto-1998-part-1-ches_sport

Damn those "pumped muscles" sure are having a hard time lifting 4+ plates on the flat and incline bench.

Before you throw the steroids this or that comments out, get one thing straight with or without drugs these guys would still stand out amongst crowds in terms of strength/size cause of sheer hard work/intensity and sensible eating (which means eating enough to support the training they're doing).

Ohh...here's another bodybuilder...a Fireman also, doing some weak ass deadlifts...cause yea he's focusing so much on mass and definition he has to use a pansy ass weight for reps. but but but yeah yeah he's using straps and bouncing it I already know I'll hear this. *yawn*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBpDJpv-wRI

Wow... calm it mate. Touchy subject?

Calling someone who isn't covered in a sh1tload of mass, or doesn't have "Perfectly" defined pecs and bicep peaks, the average Joe is a hugely narrow minded viewpoint. There are other aspects too, and all to often people trying to get the "Perfect" mass, or the "perfect" definition just look inhuman. I would rather have someone with a natural strong body type, but never did I say bodybuilders didn't have functional strength, i said that they focus too much on getting that right bicep peak when it's so immaterial to the whole physique. I know Mariusz Pudzianowski is not a good example of drugfree training, but he exhibits the ideals of the strong physique without all the pretensions of the Pro-Bodybuilder photoshoot

You've totally misunderstood what I'm saying and you're getting all defensive about Bodybuilding, when I'm even saying I admire the ideals of bodybuilding and creating a aesthetic physique. Hell, I know half of the reason why i do strength training is to create that ideal physique. What i don't like is the greased up, tacky, fakeness of professional Bodybuilding. That scale of vanity is for chicks not men. We don't need fake tan or tight thongs to look manly. So please think harder before you fly into a defensive tirade and twist my words.

 

[ATX1001]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4GzrW2-ovM

Is there anyone who doesn't get motivated to train their arms when you see someone curling 140 kg for four reps? :rockon: And closing CoC 4 two times... and benching 270 kg.

Well, not that I could curl anywhere near that weight.... but it does look (from the first rep) like he cheats a bit and throws it up there.

But even if he could "only" curl 100kg properly... well, it's more than I'll ever be able to.

 

[CarlitosWay]

Well, not that I could curl anywhere near that weight.... but it does look (from the first rep) like he cheats a bit and throws it up there.

But even if he could "only" curl 100kg properly... well, it's more than I'll ever be able to.

I don't use cheating on every rep but will use a bit a body english towards the end of my top sets and grind out some more...especially if it's a rest pause set or something. Trick is to make sure you do it after being properly warmed up or the risk of tearing so goes up a lot.

 

[CarlitosWay]

Wow... calm it mate. Touchy subject?

Calling someone who isn't covered in a sh1tload of mass, or doesn't have "Perfectly" defined pecs and bicep peaks, the average Joe is a hugely narrow minded viewpoint.

There are other aspects too, and all to often people trying to get the "Perfect" mass, or the "perfect" definition just look inhuman. I would rather have someone with a natural strong body type, but never did I say bodybuilders didn't have functional strength, i said that they focus too much on getting that right bicep peak when it's so immaterial to the whole physique. I know Mariusz Pudzianowski is not a good example of drugfree training, but he exhibits the ideals of the strong physique without all the pretensions of the Pro-Bodybuilder photoshoot

You've totally misunderstood what I'm saying and you're getting all defensive about Bodybuilding, when I'm even saying I admire the ideals of bodybuilding and creating a aesthetic physique. Hell, I know half of the reason why i do strength training is to create that ideal physique. What i don't like is the greased up, tacky, fakeness of professional Bodybuilding. That scale of vanity is for chicks not men. We don't need fake tan or tight thongs to look manly. So please think harder before you fly into a defensive tirade and twist my words.

We just have two different perspectives of things and so this is life, you have your own opinion and I have mine.

Yet when I hear some one subtly bash body building saying **** about using fake tans and tight thongs (actually speedos FTR)trying to look manly. Well is plain disrespectful to some of the people I know and all the others who have bodybuilding as their raw passion and hobby . I know a few of these guys and they're the most down to earth, coolest most intelligent MEN you'll ever meet, With respectful careers and families. Who says they do it to look manly ? I don't get this. They freakin' do it to show all their hard earned work done day in day out training and in the kitchen for the judges to see and evaluate against the other competitors. These guys love the training and results (doing it for themselves) part better than competing. Winning/competing in a show is just icing on the cake and is mostly for the fans.

The only people trying to look manly are the guys who think they know about training, but look the exact same after 10 years of "hardcore" training.

 

[CaptainJ]

We just have two different perspectives of things and so this is life, you have your own opinion and I have mine.

Yet when I hear some one subtly bash body building saying **** about using fake tans and tight thongs (actually speedos FTR)trying to look manly. Well is plain disrespectful to some of the people I know and all the others who have bodybuilding as their raw passion and hobby . I know a few of these guys and they're the most down to earth, coolest most intelligent MEN you'll ever meet, With respectful careers and families. Who says they do it to look manly ? I don't get this. They freakin' do it to show all their hard earned work done day in day out training and in the kitchen for the judges to see and evaluate against the other competitors. These guys love the training and results (doing it for themselves) part better than competing. Winning/competing in a show is just icing on the cake and is mostly for the fans.

The only people trying to look manly are the guys who think they know about training, but look the exact same after 10 years of "hardcore" training.

Again, I didn't bash Bodybuilding, but an aspect of it. i agree with you, those men work bloody hard for what they do and I respect that. It's the shows that I don't like.

but anyway we have different opinions, and nothing can alter that.

 

[Jitterbug]

Professional bodybuilders look nothing like the human ideal aesthetics. Sorry, it's the truth. Look at arts: paintings & statues of ideal human male physiques, from ancient Greco-Roman time. Does any of them look like a typical pro bodybuilder? Nope. They look more like an Olympic weightlifter, sprinter or MMA pro, or elite CrossFit fellas.

I have high respect for bodybuilders' hard work and knowledge of nutritions & training. I don't admire their physique, nor the show they do.

 

[MikeBrown30]

I'm 5'9'' 155lbs...goal is 170-175lbs.

Basically, I watch youtube videos of proper lifting techniques and go to the gym and lift. I'm not an expert nor do I have a personal trainer.

The exercises I do are...

Dumbbell Curls - 40lbs
Bench Press - 145lbs
Squats - 185lbs
Dead Lift - 185lbs
Shoulder Shrugs - 70lbs

Reps 5x5

Is this good for someone my body weight? I'm also doing the GOMAD diet. Any tips to put on more weight? How often should I increase the weight?

No, you are skinny and weak. Eat more, train harder.