Im only doing one set...

[Red Squirrel]

I always told myself doing something small is better than not doing it at all. So if you only do one set it's better than none.

When I had a gym membership I found the hardest part for me was the act of actually going. I'd get off work, need to take snow off the car, defrost the windchield etc... It's dark, it's cold, I just want to go home, I don't feel like going to the gym only to have to repeat that process after. But once I got my ass there the actual working out part was fine since I was there already. Though if I felt lazy that day maybe I only did 2-3 sets instead of 5 but I figure it's better than if I didn't come at all.

Though eventually I gravitated towards only going like once a week. I figured it's better than nothing... but then I'm paying all that money, just for basically 4 sessions. So I canceled and told myself I'll just work out at home. I got a weight set ad some olympic style weights - figured if I get something expensive/overkill I'm more likely to want to use it. While I don't have a set routine and tend to gravitate on and off, the nice part is that if I'm sitting at home doing nothing, I can just say, "know what, time to work out" and go in the basement and do it. No need to drive anywhere or warm up the car etc, it's right there in my basement ready to go.

So while for lot of people getting a gym membership actually pushes them to go, I found for me getting my own equipment did that. Though I do admit I get periods of laziness where I don't workout. Like about a year ago I had to move all my stuff off the walls in the basement as I insulated it. But first had to do electrical/data jacks and other stuff. That project took longer than I wanted (partially due to laziness and not working on it every day) but it got done. During that time I could not work out as all the stuff was in the middle including weights. When I finished the project and put all the stuff back, it took me a bit to get back in the groove. Just did my first workout today. Now that I did it I feel great. I perhaps won't feel so great tomorrow, but no pain no gain.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Looks good. One day Ill think about slimming down and showing some definition. Right now I'm happy with the strength gains. I would hate to get to the 265 class and loose strength.

It's all in what your goals are really. Mine fall in the "look good and feel good" realm. I don't really "enjoy" working out, so the best I can do is make my workouts as easy as possible while still giving myself a path for advancement. Compared to you, I work out a tiny amount. Less than 2 hours per week spent actively lifting with the rest being taken up by cardio. It works though. In terms of sheer muscle development I'm probably better now than I have been at any previous point in my life. I could certainly be stronger if I pushed myself, but I don't want to burn out and quit like I've done so many times in the past. It's a balancing act between what I want and what I'm willing to do in perpetuity to get it. The good thing is that what I lose in the optimization of each individual workout I think I make up in consistency. I can't even remember the last time I missed a workout, but then it's easy to make all your workouts when you make your workouts fast and easy. Of course even that wouldn't hold up if I weren't seeing results, which thankfully I am.

 

[SNC]

It's all in what your goals are really. Mine fall in the "look good and feel good" realm. I don't really "enjoy" working out, so the best I can do is make my workouts as easy as possible while still giving myself a path for advancement. Compared to you, I work out a tiny amount. Less than 2 hours per week spent actively lifting with the rest being taken up by cardio. It works though. In terms of sheer muscle development I'm probably better now than I have been at any previous point in my life. I could certainly be stronger if I pushed myself, but I don't want to burn out and quit like I've done so many times in the past. It's a balancing act between what I want and what I'm willing to do in perpetuity to get it. The good thing is that what I lose in the optimization of each individual workout I think I make up in consistency. I can't even remember the last time I missed a workout, but then it's easy to make all your workouts when you make your workouts fast and easy. Of course even that wouldn't hold up if I weren't seeing results, which thankfully I am.

I have a friend whose only motivation is to look better naked. I'm looking toward a goal, a few extra pounds (OK a ton of extra) is not on my list of things to worry about.
IF what you are doing works for you then keep on keeping on! The pic you posted is proof enough what you do is working. There are days I think it would be nice to slim down a bit, maybe after I hit my 425 bench.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret this. I was pissed about a crappy lift when I took this, not even sure why I kept it.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I have a friend whose only motivation is to look better naked. I'm looking toward a goal, a few extra pounds (OK a ton of extra) is not on my list of things to worry about.
IF what you are doing works for you then keep on keeping on! The pic you posted is proof enough what you do is working. There are days I think it would be nice to slim down a bit, maybe after I hit my 425 bench.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret this. I was pissed about a crappy lift when I took this, not even sure why I kept it.

You're huge dude! Looking very strong in that pic. I don't subscribe to the idea that my approach is the only one everyone should take. For me, strength just isn't the main attraction of lifting weights. For you it clearly is. Any plan that fulfilled all my goals would just limit yours.

 

[SNC]

You're huge dude! Looking very strong in that pic. I don't subscribe to the idea that my approach is the only one everyone should take. For me, strength just isn't the main attraction of lifting weights. For you it clearly is. Any plan that fulfilled all my goals would just limit yours.

Thanks. Like I tell the youngs at the gym, listen to your body it will tell you worlds about how you're doing and that you need to decide what you want out of the gym.

 

[AlC0802]

Once I realized I was lifting wrong (which included over training and not eating enough) after 3-4 years, I put on 20lbs over one winter. I was always skinny/athletic build growing up but never lifted weights and I was about 160lbs when I graduated college. I remember the first time I ever did flat bench when I was like 150lbs I couldn't even do 95lbs more than 3-4 times.

I went from 160lbs to 180lbs. It wasn't all muscle but a lot of it was, at least half I'd guess. One of the guys at my gym thought I was on steroids as he told me that once I got to know him afterwards. I am now lingering around 200lbs but have been as big as 218lbs at my strongest. I plan to stay around 200lbs though at this point in my life and have changed up my routine to do more reps at lower weights, and it's putting noticeably less stress on my body. I'm a lot less achy ever since I've changed it up a bit.

I'm glad I know how to learn from my mistakes!

I am new to this site, so I do not really know who to ask this question, but I thought someone might know in this section. Does creatine swell you up the first day you take it? And if it does, how long does it last?

 

[HutchinsonJC]

Hi, ALC0802

Welcome to the forums.

Short and sweet education for you: When you have a question that's really off topic to an existing thread, you should make a new thread. Folks really appreciate when you stay on topic within a thread. On topic would be, by and large, following in line with what the original poster of a thread names the thread and the contents of the first post of the thread.

Answering your question:
Once the creatine is processed by the body, those effects *start* to come into play.

Easily within a day or two extra water retention is happening. Doubtful that it will be particularly noticeable after only one serving, though.

Once you're off the creatine, it can take some 3 to 4 weeks, I think, before you'd basically be back to your same ol' self.

So in effect, there's a wind up and a wind down with regard to the water retention.

 

[SNC]

I am new to this site, so I do not really know who to ask this question, but I thought someone might know in this section. Does creatine swell you up the first day you take it? And if it does, how long does it last?

No.

 

[Mai72]

I tell people who are just starting out with an exercise plan to just get started, and to just make it a habit. It takes 66 days to cement that habit. I like to go 90 days. For me, that means 90 days of not missing a day in the gym. Even if that means going on a Sunday for 2 minutes. It's a small thing and might seem insignificant, but it's a win. In Scott Adam's book (How to Fail at Almost Anything) he talks about building systems, and that means building good habits. You can have this elobarate plan to hit the gym for 1.5 hrs a day but if you haven't gone ton the gym in years you'll probably get lazy and stop going. That's what I've experienced.

Just go
Get used to the weights/working out
Build in the habit
Don't miss a day in the first 90 days
Get experience and gain confidence
Research online
Build in good eating habits
Keep a journal
Increase the time at gym/start adding more weights
After 90 days, implement a schedule that benefits you.

 

[killster1]

This thread is funny, .. first is.. slithery Dee.. you did a work out then flex for photo? how about when you just wake up in morning and are not flexing i know after a work out i look like hulk then next morning im not puffed up..

SNC is either crazy or on performance enhancing drugs. why would you do 165 reps? why not up the weight ? ive never seen such a stupid pyramid.. ya sure maybe you are so strong and look great *didnt see the photo* but some people can get strong just walking past the weights. others have to eat so much they throw up every night (me i gain muscle at like 6000 calories and throw up often after eating that much..

Im going to try this 8 6 3 routine. sure the numbers are silly but the routine i am doing now is 3 sets also. just 6-8 reps sometimes throw in triple drop sets for some exercises like curl. Id love to be able to more exercises but my joints seem to ache Incredibly after a few months of work out i get bigger then must take time off to heal.. rinse repeat.

8 6 3.. and what does it mean if can do more than 3 decrease wait time. When do you decrease the time? next week when do same exercise again? the set after the one you did more than 3 on? so you go to 4th rep and then stop when can do more and decrease time till next exercise? need little clarification.

80% is diet 10% supplement 10% technique but it really just depends on the person.

most stupid thing id say is going to the Gym everyday. how does that helP? if im tired i skip the day completely. if im not going to put 100% i will just skip it and put 110% the next day. i usually work out 5 days week and busy day at work will be a rest day.

id say mai72 is a troll and continues to post silly stuff just for reactions. ya building habits are good. but you just built a habit of doing nothing at the gym how long will it take you to form a habbit of actually doing work out? why not start with 50 pushups in morning. then next week 75 every morning then 100 week after that..

No matter what work out i do for the day i usually do 4 sets of 50 pushups (decline with feet on chair) when i wake in morning.

/ end of boring rant

 

[SNC]

This thread is funny, .. first is.. slithery Dee.. you did a work out then flex for photo? how about when you just wake up in morning and are not flexing i know after a work out i look like hulk then next morning im not puffed up..

SNC is either crazy or on performance enhancing drugs. why would you do 165 reps? why not up the weight ? ive never seen such a stupid pyramid.. ya sure maybe you are so strong and look great *didnt see the photo* but some people can get strong just walking past the weights. others have to eat so much they throw up every night (me i gain muscle at like 6000 calories and throw up often after eating that much..

Im going to try this 8 6 3 routine. sure the numbers are silly but the routine i am doing now is 3 sets also. just 6-8 reps sometimes throw in triple drop sets for some exercises like curl. Id love to be able to more exercises but my joints seem to ache Incredibly after a few months of work out i get bigger then must take time off to heal.. rinse repeat.

8 6 3.. and what does it mean if can do more than 3 decrease wait time. When do you decrease the time? next week when do same exercise again? the set after the one you did more than 3 on? so you go to 4th rep and then stop when can do more and decrease time till next exercise? need little clarification.

80% is diet 10% supplement 10% technique but it really just depends on the person.

most stupid thing id say is going to the Gym everyday. how does that helP? if im tired i skip the day completely. if im not going to put 100% i will just skip it and put 110% the next day. i usually work out 5 days week and busy day at work will be a rest day.

id say mai72 is a troll and continues to post silly stuff just for reactions. ya building habits are good. but you just built a habit of doing nothing at the gym how long will it take you to form a habbit of actually doing work out? why not start with 50 pushups in morning. then next week 75 every morning then 100 week after that..

No matter what work out i do for the day i usually do 4 sets of 50 pushups (decline with feet on chair) when i wake in morning.

/ end of boring rant

If you look that dramatically different the morning after a workout there is something wrong. A little pump is expected after a workout but it should not be that drastic. As for my reps that 165 is just one exercise to warm up the triceps. There is also 3 sets of 8 @135 straight bar skull crushers, 3 sets of 12 overhead cable pulls a @ 75lb. That is a good day of pushing with the arms, pulling consists of zotman curls 3x8 @ 40, standing alternating curls 3x8 @ 55, preacher curl bent bar 3x6 @135, and finishing with cross body hammer curls starting at 55 lb and going up 5 pounds to 80 lb 6 - 8 reps each. If im feeling like I have a little left I'll do cable curls with the rope attachment. And no I dont juice. You should see chest and back day. The 4x50 pushups is a great way to start the day. This was pre workout, incase you needed to know.

 

[highland145]

4 sets of 50

That's 200 reps...

and Mai is a troll? ...gtfo

 

[killster1]

Funny how u compare 4 sets of 50 push ups to 165 reps (how many sets 15?) I tried the 8 6 3 reps yesterday was very hard to find a weight and rest time that I can only do 3 reps with I even cut the rest time to 30 seconds and could do more reps than 3

 

[SNC]

Funny how u compare 4 sets of 50 push ups to 165 reps (how many sets 15?) I tried the 8 6 3 reps yesterday was very hard to find a weight and rest time that I can only do 3 reps with I even cut the rest time to 30 seconds and could do more reps than 3

Just 7 sets, reps of 30, 25, 20, 15, 20, 25, 30. If you think that's a lot you should try the iron marathon. Bench Press and low cable rows. 20 sets ranging from 1 to 20 that's 210reps of each with 225 pounds, THAT is a workout. I'm not sure where you are getting the 863 from or why you're doing it, but it sounds like you could use some help.

 

[killster1]

wow the guy you been arguing in the thread who says 8 reps then 6 reps then 3.. and you going to say "you dont know where im getting this 863 from?" hahahahahha TROLL!!!! you look like third rock from the sun ate 100 pounds of marshmallows ok you maybe strong but you dont look healthy. what is the purpose of your strength?

And this new work out is great! my whole routine was 16 minutes, only 6 of them was actually lifting. few mins was warm up then 45 to 60 seconds between each set.

Weighted chinups 8 then 6 then 3 (only took 30 seconds break on last set since he says suppose to cut down rest if can do more than 3.

Deadlifts 8 reps then 6 reps 60 seconds later then 3 reps 30 seconds later!@ last 3 seemed to be a good finger workout heh

bent over row.. messed up on the weight again didnt start heavy enough and did 10 then 8 then 8 after 45 second rest for each.

Unwarranted and over the top personal attack.

Perknose
Forum Director

 

[SNC]

wow the guy you been arguing in the thread who says 8 reps then 6 reps then 3.. and you going to say "you dont know where im getting this 863 from?" hahahahahha TROLL!!!! you look like third rock from the sun ate 100 pounds of marshmallows ok you maybe strong but you dont look healthy. what is the purpose of your strength?

And this new work out is great! my whole routine was 16 minutes, only 6 of them was actually lifting. few mins was warm up then 45 to 60 seconds between each set.

Weighted chinups 8 then 6 then 3 (only took 30 seconds break on last set since he says suppose to cut down rest if can do more than 3.

Deadlifts 8 reps then 6 reps 60 seconds later then 3 reps 30 seconds later!@ last 3 seemed to be a good finger workout heh

bent over row.. messed up on the weight again didnt start heavy enough and did 10 then 8 then 8 after 45 second rest for each.

You do realize that he posted that about a year ago, right? He no longer visits here because behaved as an ass, kind of like you are. His 863 was stupid then and still is. There is no weight, NONE, that you can do for 8 reps for the first set and no more then 3 on the 3rd. If you are willing to follow that routine than it's pretty clear you have zero understanding of how a body works and what is required for growth, and yet you call others troll.

Name calling and insults are perfectly fine in P&N but this place is not P&N so take your shit elsewhere. You have no idea how healthy I am or not, my Dr says I'm healthy as a fucking mule and my blood work is proof of that. As for the purpose of my strength, its purley that, strength. It's not pretty, the girls dont flock to me at the beach, but I'm married so I dont really care. When I'm cross body hammer curling 80 pound DB or bench pressing 135 pound DBs for sets of 10 or benching 365 pounds like you do the empty bar at 48 fucking years old, it's like the heavens have opened and smiled down on me! To look at weight that most people will never be able to touch and be able to throw it around is my heaven.

The kids I work with look up to me because of the weight I use, and not how pretty I am. I would trade a few decades of life to have the ability to change just a few of thiers. I have had more than a handful of patients come up to me and thank me for changing their kid around from the disrespectful brat they were into a respectful young man. They are surprised when they hear that we do nothing to directly address that except that we demand respect for other lifters no matter there size, strength or abilities. The last group of kid I had were some of the best kids in the world. One just tied a national record for his age and weight. And they join the group because of the strength of the coaches. I could easily drop 50 - 60 pounds over the next 6 months and look "healthy" to people like you. With an attitude like yours I can bet that in that same 6 months you would gain little to no strength. I dont know how old you are, or what you lift and I really dont care, but dont come in here spouting shit and insulting others without an ounce of knowledge to back it up. Fucking marshmallow, I'll give you a fucking marshmallow.

Please be more careful and more civil to how you respond to another poster in H&F.

Perknose
Forum Director

 

[PeterScott]

*munches popcorn*



This is not OT


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[highland145]

*munches popcorn*

lol





This is not OT


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director