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Low weight high rep is a killer?
Replies
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dave_in_ni wrote: »Someone will probably ask what program I was on the wasn't working so here it is. Bigger Leaner Stronger. All in the 4-6 rep range.
DAY 1
PULL & ABS
Barbell Deadlift – Warm–up sets and then 3 working sets
Barbell Row – 3 working sets
Wide-Grip Pull-up or Chin-up – 3 working sets (weighted if possible)
Barbell Curl – 3 working sets
3 ab circuits
DAY 2
PUSH & CALVES
Incline Barbell Bench Press – Warm–up sets and then 3 working sets
Seated or Standing Barbell Military Press – Warm–up sets and then 3
working sets
Flat Barbell Bench Press – 3 working sets
Side Lateral Raise – 3 working sets
Optional: Close-Grip Bench Press – 3 working sets
Standing Calf Raise – 3 sets of 4 to 6 reps
Seated Calf Raise – 3 sets of 4 to 6 reps
DAY 3
LEGS & ABS
Barbell Squat – Warm–up sets and then 3 working sets
Leg Press – 3 working sets
Romanian Deadlift – 3 working sets
3 ab circuits
This is the 3 day version. I used to also do Strong Lifts 5X5 on the other days.
What program are you doing now? I know you've had a lot of threads and just a few days ago were asking about building muscle. Did you pick a program or are you winging it? How much are you eating? Are you considering that changing programs will take some getting used to?
To be honest I don't know what I'm doing now, I am winging it. I only have a small home gym with a squat rack and few benches, most programs require some machines, Its hard to find a decent free weights program. At the moment I am still maintenance, I took summer off. The plan was to cut again from September through to November and take December off.0 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »dave_in_ni wrote: »This is the 3 day version. I used to also do Strong Lifts 5X5 on the other days.
I think we found (one of) the problem(s). You weren't doing a program. You combined two programs that probably competed with each other.
In addition, I just checked your food diary. It's no surprise at all that you didn't build muscle eating well below 2000 Calories per day.
Follow ONE program.
Lift.
Eat.
Repeat two previous steps.
I can't eat anymore as I have a high body fat percentage, if anything I need to cut again. I gave up Strong Lifts in June as it was to much. OK I have only been doing this 8 months and I have been in a deficit, but I should have had some results. I may as well not have bothered lifting a single dumbbell.
Ok bud cut to skeleton mode and then eat at a surplus with a real routine. You're trying to fit too many goals in at once and it doesn't work like that.
I guess its desperation at this stage, or feeling like I have wasted my time.0 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »dave_in_ni wrote: »dave_in_ni wrote: »This is the 3 day version. I used to also do Strong Lifts 5X5 on the other days.
I think we found (one of) the problem(s). You weren't doing a program. You combined two programs that probably competed with each other.
In addition, I just checked your food diary. It's no surprise at all that you didn't build muscle eating well below 2000 Calories per day.
Follow ONE program.
Lift.
Eat.
Repeat two previous steps.
I can't eat anymore as I have a high body fat percentage, if anything I need to cut again. I gave up Strong Lifts in June as it was to much. OK I have only been doing this 8 months and I have been in a deficit, but I should have had some results. I may as well not have bothered lifting a single dumbbell.
Ok bud cut to skeleton mode and then eat at a surplus with a real routine. You're trying to fit too many goals in at once and it doesn't work like that.
I guess its desperation at this stage, or feeling like I have wasted my time.
You are if you don't focus. You either have to be okay with having a little extra fat to build some muscle or commit to being a skeleton that you then can use as a blank slate.
What you are doing is fine (except for your programming and jumping around) but you are desperate for immediate results. You want muscles and you don't want to be fat. Pick one and go for it, then worry about the other.1 -
You don't build muscle in defecit, generally
You preserve muscle in defecit ...so did you lose much muscle
Also you're doing too much
Stick to the compound programme, build up your protein and eat at maintenance or a small surplus ...or if you want to cut make that your goal
My build looks exactly the same now as it did 60 lbs heavier, everything is just in a smaller proportion.0 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »dave_in_ni wrote: »Someone will probably ask what program I was on the wasn't working so here it is. Bigger Leaner Stronger. All in the 4-6 rep range.
DAY 1
PULL & ABS
Barbell Deadlift – Warm–up sets and then 3 working sets
Barbell Row – 3 working sets
Wide-Grip Pull-up or Chin-up – 3 working sets (weighted if possible)
Barbell Curl – 3 working sets
3 ab circuits
DAY 2
PUSH & CALVES
Incline Barbell Bench Press – Warm–up sets and then 3 working sets
Seated or Standing Barbell Military Press – Warm–up sets and then 3
working sets
Flat Barbell Bench Press – 3 working sets
Side Lateral Raise – 3 working sets
Optional: Close-Grip Bench Press – 3 working sets
Standing Calf Raise – 3 sets of 4 to 6 reps
Seated Calf Raise – 3 sets of 4 to 6 reps
DAY 3
LEGS & ABS
Barbell Squat – Warm–up sets and then 3 working sets
Leg Press – 3 working sets
Romanian Deadlift – 3 working sets
3 ab circuits
This is the 3 day version. I used to also do Strong Lifts 5X5 on the other days.
What program are you doing now? I know you've had a lot of threads and just a few days ago were asking about building muscle. Did you pick a program or are you winging it? How much are you eating? Are you considering that changing programs will take some getting used to?
To be honest I don't know what I'm doing now, I am winging it. I only have a small home gym with a squat rack and few benches, most programs require some machines, Its hard to find a decent free weights program. At the moment I am still maintenance, I took summer off. The plan was to cut again from September through to November and take December off.
I will be blunt. You are screwing yourself.
Stop winging it. Stop flip-flopping when it comes to cutting calories or maintaining. I know it sucks to be where you are. You cut with too steep a deficit and don't like the results. But you *have to* start making good choices and follow through if you want to get anywhere. Pick a solid program, like Fierce 5, eat at maintenance for 2-3 months to give your body a break from cutting, and then reevaluateand maybe cut again. But truly follow the program. Don't add days or change reps/sets.1 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »You don't build muscle in defecit, generally
You preserve muscle in defecit ...so did you lose much muscle
Also you're doing too much
Stick to the compound programme, build up your protein and eat at maintenance or a small surplus ...or if you want to cut make that your goal
My build looks exactly the same now as it did 60 lbs heavier, everything is just in a smaller proportion.
Yup
That's weight loss
So what do you want to hear?1 -
Were you eating in a surplus? Because even power lifters who stay in the 1-5 rep range built a fair amount of muscle.0
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dave_in_ni wrote: »
To be honest I don't know what I'm doing now, I am winging it. I only have a small home gym with a squat rack and few benches, most programs require some machines, Its hard to find a decent free weights program. At the moment I am still maintenance, I took summer off. The plan was to cut again from September through to November and take December off.
I'm not an expert by any means...but I do know (like everyone else has been saying) that you won't build muscle eating at a deficit. You can't build something out of nothing. Choose which is more important...building muscle, or losing fat? Then stick with it.
I like the Stronglifts 5x5 program because I work out at home as well, and it doesn't require any machines. (So no excuses!) Matter of fact...you've got it better than me, as I don't even have a squat rack (which I want to save up for so I can start lifting more). You just need your barbell, plates, bench and squat rack. Boom.0 -
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Things that come to my mind when reading your posts--> What are you focusing on while training? Are you doing it just to get it done? Or are you focusing on each lift? How is your form? (Maybe post a video?)
Keep it simple. I would definitely eat at maintenance if you want to keep or perhaps build any muscle. Fill up on protein. And continue a strength program (SL5x5) to create a solid base.
Once you achieve a good strength base and are holding steady in a place you feel confident that may be the time to switch programs. You may be able to retain strength with heavy ascending sets while giving more time in other areas you may prefer like hypertrophy or endurance training programs.
Form follows function. Focus on the basics like strength and movement first. Don't rush it.0 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »So, you changed your routine? Get on a program. Stick with the program. See results.
I did for 8 months and go no results, in fact I posted my results in a previous thread, Zero muscle built.
But if I remember from your last thread, you weren't eating in a surplus then?0 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »You don't build muscle in defecit, generally
You preserve muscle in defecit ...so did you lose much muscle
Also you're doing too much
Stick to the compound programme, build up your protein and eat at maintenance or a small surplus ...or if you want to cut make that your goal
My build looks exactly the same now as it did 60 lbs heavier, everything is just in a smaller proportion.
Now imagine what your build would look like if you had not lifted and instead lost the muscle that the lifting preserved. If you didn't lift and lost weight your muscle base would be worse and you would have to work up to the current base and then beyond.
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dave_in_ni wrote: »
Then that's why you didn't build any muscle plain and simple and exactly why you'll continue to not build any muscle except maybe an insignificant amount
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I do higher volume, 15 reps but only 3 sets. That way I can still keep the weight relatively heavy.0
This discussion has been closed.
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