The E’s BodyBlog

So I started the new workout, which increases my sets by 1 and reps from 5 max to 12 max. Each set is to be done to failure. OMG… did it kick my butt, but I did complete it. I have a lot of work to do with this program. Course the goal of it is to increase my muscle size and then it will be back to the strength program with 5 - 8 reps per set.

Day 1, Hypertrophy workout:

(set x Reps x Weight)

Bench Press = 1×6x125, 1×6x105, 1×7x85, 1×6x65 (Need to start lower as first set should be 12 reps)

Military Press = 1×10x90, 1×8x90, 1×10x70, 1×9x70

Cable Crossover = 1×12x40, 1×10x40, 1×9x70, 1×8x70 (This is the way all exercises should go)

Side Lat Rasies = 1×12x15, 1×10x15, 1×8x15, 1×8x12.5 (Again perfect for the method)

Reverse Preacher Curls = 1×6x55, 1×4x55, 1×6x45, 1×5x45 (UGH… need lower weight, need the 8-12 reps)

Tricep Pushdown = 1×12x80, 1×10x80, 1×9x70, 1×8x60

I’ve done some reading (I know… OMG) at http://www.edbyrd.com, the guy that "found" Creatine. I like his theory of mass building with the 3 phase approach. Good thing for me is I’ve been basically doing his Strength phase for 4 weeks. If I’m understanding the cycle, I should backup to the Hypertrophy phase for building size. In essence I’ll stick to my routine I have and just increase the reps from 5 to "failure", which I believe will be around the 8-10 reps he suggests.

The interesting part of this, is I can see my strength going up with the weights, but my measurements are not moving quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking for a 4 inch bicep gain in 4 weeks, just was looking for better than I got.

So, starting at week five, I’m going to use the same weight and increase my reps to failure like his theory suggests.

Well, it’s almost been 1 month since I started serious weight training, and I feel like my progress is great. I have gained 8 lbs of muscle, 3 inches in my chest, 1.5 inches in my arms, .5 inches in my legs, and 3.5 inches in my shoulders. I have done all this while losing .5 inches in my waist, hence the confidence in the muscle gain.

During that time I have switch my exercises around and my supplements. I believe now, as I reach my first full month, I have my routine down and my supplements down pat. I have been taking the MRI NO2 product and it seems to working fine. During the first 2 weeks I found that I didn’t gain any weight, but I didn’t lose any weight like the product suggested. Again, I believe that I have lost some fat and replaced it with muscle.
The other positive to my routine is it seems to allow me to add at least 5 lbs of weight to the bar each time I go, so now that my creatine cycling is done, I hoping the large gains will come back and I can hit my first goal of 200 lbs within 2 more months.

So, today is my measurement and progress picture day, and hopefully I’ll see more gains in size.