Thread: What would you do differently?

I would have done as many reps squating as i have done bicep curls

probably would have not done a lot of the things I did that have fucked up my back and knees since I was in HS. Then I could actually do a lot of the these I wish I could do today

I wouldn't have done the stupid high volume(no my volume now isn't stupid now!) and frequency I did for the first year with shit form and too many machines and i would have squatted instead of leg pressed. and eaten right!!

I would have incorporated compound lifts at expense of countless sets of isolation. Also, I would have paid more attention to proper diet.

Originally Posted by CaptainNapalm

I would have incorporated compound lifts at expense of countless sets of isolation. Also, I would have paid more attention to proper diet.

+1 I would have eaten much better and based my training around deadlift, back squat, military press and bench press. Hindsight is always 20/20.

I would have rested more and eaten better. I made minimal gains the first 3-4 years because I thought I should train 6 days a week and since I was that I could eat whatever I wanted. Then I met an actual bodybuilder and he set me straight, lined me out on a diet and a proper training and rest schedule and the gains the first year were incredible. Natural, gained about 30 pounds, some was fat but most was muscle. Then I found supplements, and putting it all together really was the key to getting where I am now.

I joined this site like 6 years ago when I started lifting and I quit for 5 years but I knew exactly where to come back to when I wanted to lift again so I got pretty lucky and wouldn't need to change anything.

I would have built a stronger base with compound lifts instead of all those stupid isolation exercises I did.

A more balanced routine (i.e. not just chest and arms), then I wouldn't of had to spend so much time correctly weaknesses.

Originally Posted by ihateschoolmt

I joined this site like 6 years ago when I started lifting and I quit for 5 years but I knew exactly where to come back to when I wanted to lift again so I got pretty lucky and wouldn't need to change anything.

That's awesome!
I'd have to say that I've made mistakes but don't have regrets... I've learned from those mistakes and am who I am today because of them.

Originally Posted by scout200

If you could go back to day one of bodybuilding/training and start over with the knowledge/experience you have today, what would you do differently and why?

Nothing, my program has been solid since the beginning.

Well that was 20yrs back so use PCT. Didn't know about that back then.

I wish I started in my teen years... also, didn't stop weight training because I got busy with the house and work. I could've made time if I wanted to.

I wish that I would have started lifting earlier, stayed with it solid in my early 20's (not slack for a week or two at random), focused more on compound lifts rather than so much isolation work and worked out a better warm-up routine. BUT, I am glad I did go to the gym humble, and accept the fact not to work out of my means and do my best to maintain good, slow form.

Originally Posted by usafchris

BUT, I am glad I did go to the gym humble, and accept the fact not to work out of my means and do my best to maintain good, slow form.

That's great, man! It's unfortunate that some haven't discovered this...

1) tell anyone who told me that "Women should do Jane Fonda" and "Wouldn't you rather train in the "women's area" to go fuck themselves.

2) find a real powerlifting gym and learn how to PL. (i.e. get my basic squat/ push /pull established & perfected)

3) Get into competition bodybuilding 10 yrs earlier.

4) Come to terms w/ "eating" much earlier in life.

5) Get in on the online BB forum / website / training thing a lot earlier. (Not being a forum junkie but rather be a ground breaker in the web-based fitness industry given I was already working in website hosting before the internet boom.)

id of started gears @ 20 and not 27.

Originally Posted by SFW

id of started gears @ 20 and not 27.

Bwahaha!!

If I could go back in time I'd have ditched the fat ass wife that constantly bitched because I wanted to go to the gym and hated the lousy food she cooked sooner, then I would have went to the gym more, ate better sooner and would have been even more jacked and desirable than I am now.

Originally Posted by sassy69

1) tell anyone who told me that "Women should do Jane Fonda" and "Wouldn't you rather train in the "women's area" to go fuck themselves.

2) find a real powerlifting gym and learn how to PL. (i.e. get my basic squat/ push /pull established & perfected)

3) Get into competition bodybuilding 10 yrs earlier.

4) Come to terms w/ "eating" much earlier in life.

5) Get in on the online BB forum / website / training thing a lot earlier. (Not being a forum junkie but rather be a ground breaker in the web-based fitness industry given I was already working in website hosting before the internet boom.)

Originally Posted by sassy69

1) tell anyone who told me that "Women should do Jane Fonda" and "Wouldn't you rather train in the "women's area" to go fuck themselves.

2) find a real powerlifting gym and learn how to PL. (i.e. get my basic squat/ push /pull established & perfected)

3) Get into competition bodybuilding 10 yrs earlier.

4) Come to terms w/ "eating" much earlier in life.

5) Get in on the online BB forum / website / training thing a lot earlier. (Not being a forum junkie but rather be a ground breaker in the web-based fitness industry given I was already working in website hosting before the internet boom.)

Nicely Said!

Eat

For years my diet sucked. So i'd eat like a bitch if i was starting all over again.

nothing. i was blessed with great coaches from a very early age on. one a former ncaa gymnastic champ, the other a formr ncaa decathlon champ, and the other one, one of the most respected weightlifting/bodybuilding coaches in america.
learned a ton from them.. they knew my goals and help me reach them with proper training.
having great coaches, espically at a young age is so very important.

Well stepaukus you've been blessed. Good to see you don't have your head up your ass and you realize it. So many young people take for granted the people and knowledge they really have at their finger tips. Congrats Bro!

I don't think I would have done anything differently. Sure we can all look back and pick ourselves apart. But in reality, what we did then and the mistakes we made shape how we do things today. Sure I've made a TON of mistakes. But I wouldn't know half of the shit I do or how my body responds to that if I didn't.