monk01’s BodyBlog

I just posted some new photos, and again, I am disapointed. It has been the first photo that I have taken in nearly two months, and I don’t see any progress. Oh well, I guess I will keep trying.

Today was my leg day, and I am very pleased with the workout. I had some problems last week with my squats. It actually felt like something tore in my lower abdomen. This week, I used a belt, and all went well. I was able to rack on ten more pounds to my squats and had no ab problems. I guess I should have been using a belt before, but I didn’t want to look like a weanie. I would rather look like a weanie, than get a hernia.

I have noticed a few things since joining the gym and leaving my home gym behind. First, I noticed that I seem to work harder and actually build up a good sweat, which wasn’t all that common at home. For example, I can actually run on the treadmill as opposed to walking. Second, my muscles seem a lot more fatigued when I am through. I worked chest and tri’s on Monday, and they are still sore.

I still can’t get over the fact of feeling out of place though. I always feel like someone is looking at me. I know that they aren’t, but my complex leads me to believe its true. I am probably one of the smallest guys in the gym, which is probably one of the reasons why I feel this way.

Leg day was pretty good again today. I did feel a little something weird in my lower abdomen when doing squats, but it went right away. I think that maybe I should start wearing a belt when doing them. I have had the same feeling before, but that was quite a while ago.

 My 14 day trial ran out at the gym, so I had to make a decision on whether to join or not. Even though I still feel a bit out of place, I decided to go for it. I paid for a year membership.

 I am also thinking that it might be time for a trainer.

I think I am starting to get used to the gym. I still feel a little weird, mostly because my lack of knowledge around the place, but it gets better every time I go. I am surprised at how helpful people are.

I feel like I got a pretty good workout today. I did back, rear delts, and bi’s. My workout consisted of the following:

 Barbell row: 115 x 10, 165 x 8, 185 x 6, 185 x 6

Pulldowns: 120 x 10, 140 x 8, 160 x 6

Upright rows: 75 x 10, 85 x 8, 95 x 6

 dumbell bent over laterals: 25 x 10, 30 x 10

Curls: 75 x 8, 85 x 5

Hammer Curls: 25 x 10, 30 x 10

Crunches, leg raises

I did my first leg workout in a real gym today. My lifts are all down as compared to my home gym lifts. I figured they would be, because of newbie gym fever, and my week off. I noticed some interesting things today. My squat form needs more work. I have never lifted in front of a mirror, so seeing what I was actually doing was useful. I must have never been getting deep enough at my home gym, because I was going a lot lower than normal today. What a difference. My weight went down a lot. The last time I did squats, my final set was 260 for 4, and I could barely get 245 for 4 today. Anyway here is my results today: Squats - 185 x 10, 225 x 8, 245 x 4, and 245 x 4; Stiff Leg Deads - 115 x 10, 135 x 8, 155 x 8. Seated Leg Press - (does anyone know the weight of the machine without plates?) 190 plates x 8 for three sets; seated calf raises 190 of plates - 10 and 15 reps. My thighs are killing me already. I have not done leg presses since my football days in high school, which was 15 years ago.

 Now that I am going to the gym instead of using my home equipment, I am tempted to see about a trainer.

Well, I just completed my first real gym workout. I have been a basement gym workout person for the last few years. Anyway, I felt a little out of place, but I am sure that will go away with time. I also felt a bit rushed, because of time issues, but did okay. All of my lifts went down, which was probably a combination of coming off of a week off and the first time being at the gym. Till next time…