ALBOB's Andro Adventure

[FMJ]

With Robert announcing this on sale, I'm really looking forward to hearing your results Albob!

 

[ALBOB]

Chest Day:

Incline DB

50 X 10 Press
50 X 10 Flye
60 X 10 Flye
100 X 10 Press
90 X 10 Press
55 X 10 Flye

Flat Bench Press

135 X 12
225 X 5
185 X 14
185 X 10

Close Grip Flat Bench Press

185 X 10
185 X 6
135 X 10

Overhead Cable Triceps Extension

77.5 X 10
77.5 X 6 (After 6th rep did partials to failure)

Alright, let's talk. Yeah, some of the numbers went up but, I had absolutely NO energy today. Felt relatively strong but drained of all fire. Does that even make sense? It wasn't a lack of motivation, I was psyched for this workout. I just couldn't muster the drive to get moving. I felt like I was walking in wet cement. And to DaMayor no, absolutely NO agressiveness, either physical or mental. I sure would have liked to have had some this morning. Since it's only one workout I'm not gonna stress over it. It sure would be nice to know why though.

 

[DaMayor]

I've been having quite a few of those days lately. Go into the gym focused, start off okay, then run out of gas earlier than I had planned. It's a pisser. However, since I'm not twentyesque anymore, I've tried to be more patient...especially if I have a specific goal in mind, and am not just working out just for the sake of working out. Your (new, unintentional)subconscious expectations are probably just interfering with your normal performance. Plus you're old.

 

[ALBOB]

Plus you're old.

 

[ALBOB]

Bentover Barbell Rows

135 X 20
135 X 20
225 X 20
315 X 12
315 X 12
315 X 12 (Cheated just a little on the last two)
275 X 18
275 X 14

Low Cable Rows

200 X 20
260 X 12
220 X 14

Preacher Curls (Straight Bar)

70 X 10
70 X 8
60 X 8

Holy CRAP! My good God did I feel strong today!!! I never expected to do that much BB rowing but I just couldn't/didn't want to stop. I felt like I could have lifted a house. I had absolutely no indication that I was gonna feel that strong. Everything leading up to the first set was completely normal; no agression, no fired up feeling, no anything. I just started lifting and didn't want to stop. I'm hoping this it just the beginning and not a one time deal. Will be able to draw more conclusions on Sunday, LEG DAY. Until then I'm gonna enjoy the buzz.

 

[FMJ]

Seriously? Your Bent rows went up significantly. I'm sure you're looking at at least a 10lb increase on your next back day. Thats great man!
Your last back workout, you did some rows and preachers on machines.
This time was freeweights. It looks like improved on the rows, but hard to tell on the curls. How do you think you did on them? Better or too exhausted by the back work to push more weight? Not that that's a bad weight, I'm just trying to get an idea.
Looks good though Albob. Big strength on the back.
I can't wait for leg day either now. That'll be telling for sure.

 

[ALBOB]

Yeah, the difference in machines may have had something to do with those weights and reps changing but, the BB rowing was fantastic.

As for the preacher curls; my biceps were just so damn fried from all the rowing, I couldn't do another rep or set. It's now six hours later and my bis are still pumped up like baloons. Even my lats are swollen. I hardly ever feel this much pump in my lats. Feels great.

 

[DaMayor]

Cool. Glad to hear you had a good day.

We'll be tracking your transformation into a werewolf, er, I mean progress...Leg Day should definately give some sort of indication of how you're improving. Of course, I'm interested to see how you feel doing the same workout in days to come.....curious about consistency.


You can deflate now, Captain Pump.

 

[ALBOB]

Leg Press

180 X 10
270 X 10
360 X 10
450 X 10
540 X 10
630 X 10
720 X 10
810 X 4
720 X 6

Squats

135 X 10
135 X 10
225 X 10
315 X 4

Okay, not really sure how to describe this one. The numbers definitely went up so I sure can't say I didn't get any stronger. The odd part was the mental aspect, I didn't feel like the same kind of monster I did on back day. This was just sort of a smooth "confidence". I put the weight in front of myself and I knew I was gonna lift it. I also didn't have the uncanny mental focus from back day but, it still felt good. Again, no unusual agressiveness, just strength.

 

[FMJ]

Maybe it's just because leg day is grueling!
Personally, I always have more motivation on push and pull days. On leg day.. it's less of motivation and more of.. I dunno... slight dread? lol
Don't get me wrong, I do like doing legs.. but nothing else hurts quite like squats. You're definitly getting strenght gains which is very promising since RX isn't really known for mass as much as it is for strength.
Looks real good so far.

 

[DaMayor]

Leg Press

Okay, not really sure how to describe this one. The numbers definitely went up so I sure can't say I didn't get any stronger. The odd part was the mental aspect, I didn't feel like the same kind of monster I did on back day. This was just sort of a smooth "confidence". I put the weight in front of myself and I knew I was gonna lift it. I also didn't have the uncanny mental focus from back day but, it still felt good. Again, no unusual agressiveness, just strength.

Sounds to me like this might be proving to be a well balanced suppliment.
Sure, everybody wants to feel like a monster when they work out, but in reality...especially for those of us who are older than twenty....I'd settle for consistency in strength gains while maintaining by ability to reason logically. Seems like every stack-type suppliment I've ever tried (even though I know this isn't a stack) jacked me up alright, but with this fired-up state comes the risk of lifting stupid and injury. I'm thinking you might never experience any aggression....just enjoy the pace, R!

 

[DaMayor]

UPDATE!

Otherwise, we will assume that you, given to a fit of rage, have been incarcerated or are in bi-lateral traction in the local hospital.

 

[ALBOB]

UPDATE!

Otherwise, we will assume that you, given to a fit of rage, have been incarcerated or are in bi-lateral traction in the local hospital.

You're not far off. Chest day was canceled this morning. Had a very slightly tight back over the weekend, nothing major. Got to the gym this morning feeling fine both mentally and physically. Did a warmup set of incline dumbell bench presses then another warmup set of incline dumbell flyes. Went and grabbed the #100s to start my working sets and my back seized up like a freakin' vice. Right side, middle. Any hunters in the audience? What's the backstrap on a human called, Spinal Erector? That's what feels like it's got a knife going through it.

Went to the company doc and got some Aleeve and over the counter muscle relaxers. Don't want to get anything prescription strength because of my security clearance and all the paperwork I'd have to go through while on it. Am at home now glued to a heating pad. At this rate my working out may not begin again until next week. I want to make sure this is completely healed up and not take a chance on making it worse.

In the meantime................

 

[FMJ]

You're not far off. Chest day was canceled this morning. Had a very slightly tight back over the weekend, nothing major. Got to the gym this morning feeling fine both mentally and physically. Did a warmup set of incline dumbell bench presses then another warmup set of incline dumbell flyes. Went and grabbed the #100s to start my working sets and my back seized up like a freakin' vice. Right side, middle. Any hunters in the audience? What's the backstrap on a human called, Spinal Erector? That's what feels like it's got a knife going through it.

Went to the company doc and got some Aleeve and over the counter muscle relaxers. Don't want to get anything prescription strength because of my security clearance and all the paperwork I'd have to go through while on it. Am at home now glued to a heating pad. At this rate my working out may not begin again until next week. I want to make sure this is completely healed up and not take a chance on making it worse.

In the meantime................

Well, that sucks man. But I wouldn't worry too much. Last week I had that same thing on the same side. Maybe not as painful as you but it was just the way I slept the night before. That was Sunday. By Tuesday I was able to work out. I did a few light bent db rows to help losen it up.
Hopefully, you'll be back as quickly.
Take it easy for now.

 

[DaMayor]

Pick a muscle, any muscle.

Sorry to hear about this temporary condition. While I'm sure the cause is/was different, when I returned to the gym this go-round, when I first started D.B. work on the bench, my lower back cramped up terribly. Of course, as usual, I tried to pick up where I left off....eight months ago.

Just rest, we'll wait for reports......and lighten up on the weight, old man.

 

[Perdido]

Sub'd. yea those aches and pains sure do suck. I'm in mid cycle of an evo stack and had to take a few days off from acting like an animal in the gym.

 

[DaMayor]

Sub'd. yea those aches and pains sure do suck. I'm in mid cycle of an evo stack and had to take a few days off from acting like an animal in the gym.

.....what kind of animal?

 

[DaMayor]

So, at this moment in time, I am assuming that our esteemed Albob is either in bi-lateral traction somewhere with a Geritol I.V. enjoying back-rubs from scantily clad nurses in six inch stilettos..... or is in a remote forest with animal-man rahaas waiting for the next full moon, during which he and his newly found werewolf friend will feast on the locals after hitting their collective one-time max on bench.

 

[ALBOB]

I'm laying on an ice cold slab of marble getting abused by a scantily clad, hairy backed Viking in six inch lineman's boots while receiving a Geritol enema.














And my back still hurts.

 

[DaMayor]

I'm laying on an ice cold slab of marble getting abused by a scantily clad, hairy backed Viking in six inch lineman's boots while receiving a Geritol enema.


And my back still hurts.

So, basically you're floating in a river of warm, salty tears...which I suppose could have some thereputic benefits.

That's alright....old age is kicking my ass this week too.

 

[Perdido]

.....what kind of animal?

One that forgets that I'm not 21 or even 41 anymore...

On a more serious note. I found that trying to go too heavy with PH's on a calorie deficit can be a killer as far as aches and pains go.

 

[ALBOB]

Back feels 1,000 times better but, still didn't want to put too much pressure on it and risk a setback. With that in mind I did super sets for volume instead of using higher weights. Owwwwie!!!!! My quads are on FIRE!

Leg Press - Squats

270 X 10 - 135 X 10
360 X 10 - 135 X 10
450 X 10 - 225 X 10
540 X 10 - 225 X 10
630 X 10 - 135 X 10
720 X 6 - 135 X 10
720 X 4 - 135 X 10

 

[DaMayor]

Back feels 1,000 times better but, still didn't want to put too much pressure on it and risk a setback. With that in mind I did super sets for volume instead of using higher weights. Owwwwie!!!!! My quads are on FIRE!

Leg Press - Squats

270 X 10 - 135 X 10
360 X 10 - 135 X 10
450 X 10 - 225 X 10
540 X 10 - 225 X 10
630 X 10 - 135 X 10
720 X 6 - 135 X 10
720 X 4 - 135 X 10

What kind of leg press are we talking about? i.e., are you doing squats and a machine-type press? The reason I ask is because the new Nautilus leg press (piece of crap compared to the Cybex-type) that they put in at the gym kills my back if my butt isn't wedged into the bend of the seat...mainly because it doesn't use a direct push, it is moreso like a pendulaum movement....awkward.

 

[DaMayor]

pendulum.

 

[ALBOB]

Nah, good old fassioned linear press.

 

[DaMayor]

My favorite. Nice "direct" push. The Nautilus does this odd movement...I can't get used to it. I've almost injured my elbows and shoulders from holding my ass down in the thing, lol. I know most suggest squats, but I always go to this machine to pre-condition a little bit before I go to squats.

So how's the dope working?

 

[ALBOB]

Considering the size of your ass I find it very hard to belive you had a hard time keeping it in anything.

Yep, that's exactly why I do the leg press first. As is plainly evident, the old back and knees just won't allow me to squat the way I used to.

I don't know, how ARE you working???

 

[ALBOB]

Back feels great, no problems BUT, I'm a coward. Decided not to try and go with any heavy dumbell work.

Chest Day

Incline DB

(Press) 50 X 10
(Flyes) 50 X 10
60 X 10
65 X 8
60 X 8

Bench Press

135 X 10
225 X 10
275 X 2
225 X 10 (Rest/Pause 2, Rest/Pause 2 more)
225 X 10
185 X 10 (Rest/Pause 2, Rest/Pause 2 more)
185 X 8 (Slightly narrowed grip)
135 X 12 (Narrow grip, inside shoulder width)
135 X 8 (Narrow grip, inside shoulder width)

Overhead cable triceps extensions

77.5 X 14
77.5 X 8 (Partials for 6 more)

Overall a pretty strong session for me. I've always been a terrible bench presser and 275 after doing the dumbell work is better than I expected.

 

[ALBOB]

BACK DAY Felt nervous. The back felt fine but was still worried that it might give out at any time. Decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and go for it.

Barbell Rows

135 X 20
135 X 20
225 X 20
315 X 12
335 X 8
315 X 12
315 X 14
315 X 12 (Cheated just a bit on the last two.)
275 X 18
275 X 18 (Cheated just a bit on the last two.)

Low Cable Rows

200 X 20
200 X 18
200 X 18 (Cheated just a bit on the last two.)

Preacher Curls

70 X 8
60 X 10
60 X 8

Wow, felt great. Had a really good mind/muscle connection, even with the heavy weights. That's why I do such high reps on back movements, if I go too heavy I lose the connection and don't really work the lats.

 

[FMJ]

BACK DAY Felt nervous. The back felt fine but was still worried that it might give out at any time. Decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and go for it.

Barbell Rows

135 X 20
135 X 20
225 X 20
315 X 12
335 X 8
315 X 12
315 X 14
315 X 12 (Cheated just a bit on the last two.)
275 X 18
275 X 18 (Cheated just a bit on the last two.)

Low Cable Rows

200 X 20
200 X 18
200 X 18 (Cheated just a bit on the last two.)

Preacher Curls

70 X 8
60 X 10
60 X 8

Wow, felt great. Had a really good mind/muscle connection, even with the heavy weights. That's why I do such high reps on back movements, if I go too heavy I lose the connection and don't really work the lats.

Looks like a solid day ALBOB. Those are Bent rows? Thats a huge Back day. 335 for 8? Geez!