Weight Gainers

Hey guys,
Hopefully you can be patient with me as I'm just starting out with this stuff. I really don't know what realistic goals are, aside from my main goal of wanting to gain about 20 lbs (as much of that as muscle as possible). I think my body fat is at around 11%.

But as far as weight lifting goals, what's realistic for 6 weeks - to increase by a certain amount of pounds, or a percentage?

Also, for the logging of the exercises, are those all the 1 RM you were talking about? So I need to go to the gym and put on enough weight that I can only lift it one time, right? (Think I'm gonna need a spotter!) I'm going to the gym on Monday so I'll record everything then.

Until then, I can give you my basics:
username: jdubs1201
age: 27
height: 6'0" (72")
weight: 152lbs
color: really don't care - give me a blue of some sort

I'll look up how to properly take measurements too... never done that, could be fun!
-Justin

frogmanjared: What is an iron gym and a slant board?

Re legs: it is going to be hard to build muscle without big weights but you need to find ways to add resistance to make exercises harder. Pistol squats are hard, can try them. When you can do 8, start holding some weights, when you can do 8 with those weights add some more etc. etc.

Jdubs1201: being new to resistance training, your increases will be massive. I wouldn't put a number on things, just keep adding weight each and every workout. The 3 mores come into play, more weight, more reps or more sets. e.g. if you make all reps for a workout then you add weight. If you don't make all reps, then you strive to achieve more reps. If you don't make more reps then you do an extra set until you have. (and eat more and sleep more :P)

Also, you can use online calcs to determine 1rm from your 5rm

I will wait until next week until I give you my stats btw. They'll be in on time though. Made 330lb deadlift yesterday. Was very happy

If you can do pullups then you'll be set. Same sort of thing with progressive resistance. Once you can do 8-10, add some weight. You can do this with a dip belt (ebay is good source) or just hold a db in between your feet. (this is what I used to do)

Unsure of current fitness level so it's hard to say where to start but I would be doing say 3-4 sets or pullups, 3-4 sets of pushups (can also add weight via backback with stuff in it), db's for standing overhead press.

Slant board for abs sounds good.

Then you can use db's for bulgarian split squats also as well as the previous mentioned lower body exercises.

That should hit the whole body. It is far from ideal for maximum muscle growth but just remember progressive resistance and the 3 mores and keep a workout log to make sure you are progressing.

When's the best time to take protein? I'm currently using body fortress whey protein, and have been taking it after my workouts. Last night I worked out right before bed and feel that it worked really well. Is it better to take it in the morning, afternoon, before workout, after... what do you guys do?