MonStar's Journal: Stopping the Madness!

[Saturday Fever]

Who cares about the ROM? You're bringing the bar low, to a position that puts your body in its functionally strongest position. And you scored a hell of a double.

I only asked because the video looked like you came down higher on the pecs, I was going to suggest going lower to the sternum, but you already are. Nice lifting.

 

[Mudge]

Wow I dont even hit sternum, I hit my lower ribs/gut area on declines I quit doing them because of wrist/arm pains but I may be in shape to do them again, maybe try today.

As for blurry vids its kind of a given, I'd be curious what your cam is though? Basically though your file size is impressive, I got my 5 megs down to about 3 using the Media 7 for video compression, I need to play a bit more to get quality up and size down... I may just split videos from now on.

 

[M.J.H.]

SF: Thanks for the kind words about my videos, bud, I really appreciate it. I am really enjoying training the way that I have been. I know maybe it's not Westside, and maybe its not like an organized way to train, but I feel better than ever training this way. And I think that at this point that is what matters.

I am probably going to have a few more videos for you tomorrow, lol. Either some arm movements or overhead DB presses.

Mudge: Yeah for declines I take the bar down to my sternum area. Nothing too crazy. My digital camera can take 5-6 minute movies depending on my memory card. And it's a Sony 3.2 Megapixel camera. Nothing fancy, I think I payed around $200 for it about a year ago. It gets the job done, for the most part. The videos are much much better quality before I downsize them, but they're far too large.

 

[Saturday Fever]

Good deal. Send them whenever and I'll get them posted. I'm also going to change the MonStar space to allow file listing so you can link to the videos or whatever.

 

[PreMier]

Ok, explain your position. In addition, please post a video.

Sorry, I don't have access to video. Also my gym does not allow it. But I always keep my head back, and my back is always straight.
IMO your form isn't good. But I'm not going to argue about something so trivial. I was merely disagreeing with your statement.

 

[M.J.H.]

SF: Okay man, sounds great. Looking forward to getting up a few more workout videos. Just basically like I said to give you guys an idea of what kind of form I am using. By the way, did you ever get that 8 or 9 picture sequence from the decline presses or whatever it was you said you camera took?

Jake: I am honestly not sure if my gym allows it either. What I do is grab a free bench, put my gym back on the bench and set my camera in between my gym bag and a towel or something, so no one really even notices that it's there. Anyway, did you see my t-bar row video on the page before this? What did you think of my form, it's very similar to Chris's, actually.

 

[PreMier]

Hey Mike. All forms are similar.. but you notice Chris never looks away from the floor. You keep your head back, and up. That I'm sure, helps keep your back straighter(I think, cant really see.) I dont really care to get into a form debate, because I dont care lol

Your really fuckin strong bro, good work.

 

[Mudge]

And it's a Sony 3.2 Megapixel camera. Nothing fancy, I think I payed around $200 for it about a year ago. It gets the job done, for the most part. The videos are much much better quality before I downsize them, but they're far too large.

Pretty nice that it does sound too, I considered getting a cam type digicam but went with the digicorder. My vid was 150 megs before compressing it and such, quality mostly in the color area was what got lost...

A lot of gyms have a no camera phone rule now, not sure about mine but I go late enough, and I'm low key as far as I'm not doing video all the time (obviously) that I think I'd be ok.

 

[JerseyDevil]

Nice Mike... very nice. Your form looks good to me too.

 

[M.J.H.]

Jake: Agreed man, t-bar rows are t-bar rows no matter how you put it. I can see what you're saying though about different variations, for example I usually take somewhat of a wider stance with my feet, and arch my back a lot, sticking my chest out. Use some momentum too as you can see in the video clip. Thanks for the support by the way, bud.

Mudge: My camera gets the job done nicely. It takes extremely clear pictures for the post part, which is good. And has a great feature for focusing which I like. I am surprised about the no camera rule in gyms, by the way. I have never even heard of that. I mean to me thats ridiculous, I don't see enough of a reason to not be able to use a camera, personally.

JerseyDevil: Thanks a lot bro, appreciate the kind words. Sorry if the videos were a little blurry.

 

[Mudge]

The Camera phone rule in gyms came about because of abuse in the showers if you know what I mean.

 

[chris mason]

Nice vids Mike! You look very strong in all of them.

 

[M.J.H.]

Mudge: Jeez, people are just out of control anymore.

Chris: Thanks man! Appreciate the kind words and support, means a lot. Especially coming from you. I am going to try and get up a few videos tomorrow of my arm movements like you said so definitely stay tuned, bud.

 

[Cold Iron]

Links for vids arent working for me. Anyone else having this problem?

 

[Saturday Fever]

They're not working now because the Webb Train is under construction. Don't sweat it.

 

[Duncans Donuts]

Really impressive stuff Henley. Nice squats.

 

[Mudge]

Mudge: Jeez, people are just out of control anymore.

Agreed! oh well.

 

[M.J.H.]

Arnie's left nu: Like SF said, I was thinking the same thing. Should be working again shortly, though, bud.

SF: Thanks for stopping by, and thanks again for uploading the videos for me.

Duncans Donuts: Hey man, thanks for the support. My squats were pretty decent I guess. I basically just go down until I can't comfortably squat any lower without severe joint pain, etc. I think that I probably could have gone heavier on the squats, but oh well. They beat my legs up pretty good and by the time I got to the hyperextensions I was exhausted. Anyway man I started up M1T again today, 5mg 3x per day. I am going to run this for 2-3 weeks so hopefully I'll put on some decent size this time around. Keep my diet clean, etc. Maybe get to a solid 235 or so, we'll see.

Mudge: Yeah, what can you do? Oh well.

 

[M.J.H.]

Okay, sorry about that guys SF and I were having some trouble getting the links to work. Not a big deal really, but I am going to repost the links here.

ATF Squats 375x2
http://www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/ATF_Squats_375x2.WMV

Bentover Rows 385x3
http://www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/Bentover_Rows_385x3.WMV

Decline BB Presses 365x2
http://www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/Decline_Bench_365x2.WMV

Hyperextensions 185x4
http://www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/Hypers_185x4.WMV

Incline DB Presses 120x5
http://www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/Incline_DB_120x5.WMV

T-Bar Rows 405x3
http://www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/T-Bar_Rows_405x3.WMV

If there is any problem with these please let me know.

Also added some old videos I am not sure if all of you guys have seen:

Sumo Deadlifts 605x1
www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/Monstar605x1DL.WMV

Dips +160x2
www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/Monstar160x2Dips.WMV

Flat DB Flyes 90x6
www.webbtrain.us/videos/MonStar/Monstar90x6Flyes.WMV

The DB flyes and dips video clips are very dark, sorry.

 

[M.J.H.]

Tuesday; 10-5-2004

Arms

Great arm workout today in the gym! Really hit my biceps and triceps extremely hard. I wanted to take some videos of my workout today but unfortunately the gym was crowded when I went. Oh well, I'll try and get some up in the next week or so.

Alternating DB Curls
3 sets of 3 with the 80's
2 sets of 6 with the 65's

Seated French Presses
3 sets of 3 with 170
2 sets of 8 with 135

Reverse Curls
3 sets of 8 with 105

Decline Skullcrushers
3 sets of 8 with 115

Incline DB Curls
3 sets of 10 with the 40's

Cable Pressdowns
3 sets of 10 with 200

Hit a nice PR on alternating DB curls today. Hit 3 sets of 3 with the 80's, definitely some intense sets. My last arm session I hit 2 sets of 3, so this is a nice progression. Anyway, my French presses range of motion was a little shabby, nothing too bad. Took the bar to about ear level and came back up. Hit up some reverse curls with the cambered-bar, and then some decline skulls. Like both of those exercises a lot. Then some incline curls and pressdowns and I was all set, not a bad workout overall.

BTW, I have been giving some thought to dropping my arm training, and seeing how my arms respond. Not that I don't enjoy training arms, but with all the heavy back and chest/shoulder work I have been doing---I question how much I really need direct arm work. Just a thought, anyone have any ideas on this?

Diet:
- MRP + 2% milk
- tuna salad wrap
- V-12 preworkout
- whey protein postworkout
- cottage cheese + peaches
- MRP bar
- grilled chicken quesadilla salad
- grilled chicken & cheese soft taco

Sleep: 8 hours.

Weight: 226 lbs. I weighed myself only to get a before weight for my M1T cycle. I am going to weigh myself again in a few weeks after I have almost completed the cycle. Doing 5mg, 3x per day, by the way. Then some Nolva.

I invited a guy today at my gym to check out IM, he actually just got Amateur Teen of the Week over at BB.com. So hopefully he'll check it out. Nice guy, he's 17, and he was trying to convince me I have 18-19" arms, lol. I wish!

 

[M.J.H.]

Took some random pics tonight, no reason, really.

 

[BigDC]

Mike's a beast

Any man who's curling 80's should be put into a cage and locked up cuz that's just wrong. Anybody else agree with that?

-Dc

 

[Jenny]

5 pages good job mike! And pics look good

 

[M.J.H.]

Dave: What's going on man? Great to see that you signed up here, bro. Great group of people you'll definitely really like it. Like I said man I think you should start a journal here, just post your workouts at least. Get some great feedback and support from other members here at IM.

BTW, to anyone who doesn't know---Dave (BigDC) works out at the YMCA with me. He also just won Amateur Teen of the Week over on BB.com.

Jenny: Thanks for the support! Yeah I am going to stick it out with this journal, stop changing things all the time. The pics were bad lighting, but oh well, thanks anyway.

 

[dianas05]

Looking smokin', Mike! Keep up the fabulous job!

 

[Saturday Fever]

Greetings DC, glad to see you made it!

Are you guys training together or just friends? You guys could probably both benefit a lot from training together, even if the splits aren't the same.

 

[BigDC]

Hey Saturday Fever

Hey,

Actually training with Mike would be awesome. Right now we just offer each other spots here and there and talk between sets. But hopefully we'll be able to spur each other on in the future.

 

[Jill]

Nice pics. Black and white pics of you look hot

 

[Cold Iron]

hey man, I still cant see the vids j/p

MonSter - You move a helluvalotta weight. Especially liking the sumo
Going deep on the squats, love it

lol...i thought your dip machine was gonna break

 

[Saturday Fever]

DC, just my two cents on this...

As a bodybuilder, you can only benefit from working some powerlifting into your routine. And as a general lifter with strength in mind, Mike can only benefit from having you around.

So my advice or idea is simple, give it a shot. Agree on a 6 week routine, and bust ass. And if you don't both end up happy, I'll eat a sock on live TV.