A while back I got royally reamed on here because I said anybody who could bench press more than they could squat wasn't doing enough leg work. Glad to see at least somebody agrees with my opinion.
Really? Who gave you shit for that? No way it was a regular member. Pushing for more lower body work is probably this board's reputation.
I agree with you completely.
In the days I mentioned of my higher bench to squat I was deadlifting with EZ Bars, haha. Oh man I can't believe some of the shit I did in my beginner period. I remember being so mesmorized with the broskies at my gym who were doing preacher curls and all that shit. I copied everything they did. So much upper body work.
It's funny to look at my original posts when I joined here. I was asking all the same questions our newbs ask, lol. I got flamed many times. I was all about the inner bicep, upper pec, build muscle and lose fat nonsense. Over time I did more research and one by one I had to come to terms with my gym dogma. When broskies throw shit in the wind it very easily hits others' faces, and I was smothered and stinky. I rememember all the major milestones from going from a bro to an actual lifter:
(1.) Splitting legs into twice a week for pushing and pulling.
(2.) Ridding myself of muscle group training for upper body, and switching to push/pull training.
(3.) ELIMINATING ISOLATION (except for calf work, of course
)
(4.) Accepting that my squat ROM was pussy. Adopted box squats to learn to squat to and/or below parallel. Took months to relearn the lift at that depth.
(5.) Accepting that deadlifts ARE NOT BACK TRAINING. Learning the proper mechanics and applying the knowledge to my lift immediately added about 30 lbs to my deadlift in one session. Yes, this is actually true. Last November.
(6.) Writing my first planned program, and not just what exercises I do. Using proper periodization for the first time, and setting actual goals.
(7.) Used my first program to assess specific weakpoints (Built wrote it for me, was a block training program...worked awesome!)
(8.) Realized diet cycling was part of this. Did my first cut.
(9.) Biggest milestone of all: TRACKED MY DIET FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND USE IT TO THIS DAY. Ever since doing this my progress has skyrocketed beyond belief. I truly now understand that diet is more than training. I'll argue that to the death. I never realized my potential until I started to really appreciate and utilize the diet formulae to fuel my body to maximum efficiency. I'm a fucking machine now.
(10.) Incorporated weekly grip/GPP sessions (you know this is Gaz's doing..)
(11.) And my most recent milestone is that I've been thoroughly researching powerlifting and applying those principles to my powerlifting, which starts each session in my hybrid bodybuilding/powerlifting volume program. I'm making PRs literally every session.
I guess since I'm reflecting here it puts it all in perspective...briefly, at least. So far it's been a very brutal, expensive, intensive, time-consuming two years of training where I went from a unhealthy, unhappy, skinny, destroyed distance runner into a strong, healthy, happy, dedicated bodybuilder and now turning powerlifter. Hell, I'm even better at running for distances up to about 10km than I was at my running peak, yet I have a shit ton of muscle mass now. I love this sport, I love this healthy lifestyle, I love improving myself physically, emotionally, etc. It's a hell of a lot of work, but I wouldn't have it any other way. There's nothing more rewarding than dedicating everything in you for a cause and seeing nothing but positive results form that hard work. This is more than just a passtime, hobby, sport, whatever. It's my way of life, and I'll do anything to encourage others to reach their potential. Anyone can accomplish anything if they just give an honest effort.
So, thank you ironmagazine forums and all its amazing members who have helped me over the last near-two years now in working towards my life-long dreams. You all have changed my life so profoundly, and you all do it out of the goodness of your hearts. This board kicks ass!
Okay, enough of this sappy shit, I'm leaving work an hour early. I'm gonna go down some fucking potatoes, and go make a 5 rep PR on deadlifts!