Extreme Tolerance

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Archive for the ‘Gym’ category

Breaking Mental Barriers

June 10th, 2011

Last night, inspired to see where my limit was, I attempted to max out my dead lift. By the time I was finished I had successfully lifted 315lbs four times.

The reason I write this because it is not so much a personal physical breakthrough as a personal mental breakthrough.

It took me four failed attempts at lifting the weight before I was successfully able to get it up. All four failures I suffered mental breaks, that translated into dropping the weight.

To anyone looking to get stronger, visualize the goal being accomplished because if you have been diligently making progress, busting your record is all mental.

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Posted in Gym

Jack3d: Maybe Not

January 5th, 2011

So I was in my favorite supplement shop chatting with the guys who run it. When I brought up Jack3d they mentioned a lawsuit involving the makers of Jack3d and failed drug tests.

From my various googlings it seems that Jack3d has been reformulated in response. Still enough to keep me from buying it again.

This Bodybuilding.com thread is an interesting read.

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Posted in Gym, Supplements

Occasionally I post about some of the bodybuilding suppliments that I use. I figured that I might as well post a complete list. This is as of today. I keep it in rotation, so as I run out of things I switch brands or evaluate performance to see if I want to continue. I have two categories here, Daily and Pre/Post-workout. The daily stuff is every day regardless or workout. The pre/post is before during and after the gym.

One quick tangent, in the past I have hesitated to call it bodybuilding. Mostly because I really have no desire to look like a muscled out freak. On the other hand, I put a considerable amount of effort into forcing my body to gain muscle, which I believe put this activity in the bodybuilding category. That and my dad now ask me how my “bodybuilding” is going. After being called skinny and scrawny all though highschool there is something deeply satisfying about piling 800 + lbs on the angled leg press and blasting out 4 sets of 12. That is after squatting 315lbs. Usually that scares the fatties (overweight peeps who never break a sweat… come on, why are you here?).

When I started lifting, I would bench 145lbs (the bar plus a 25 on each side) now I rep 225+lbs (Bar, 2 45s on each side). I left college weighing around 130 lbs and now weigh 174. You can change your body, it just takes time a determination. /tangent

Daily:

Twinlab Daily Two Caps,: Daily Two Caps? Ya… I only take one a day. Its a multi-vitamin, nothing special to see here. I actually think the GNC Men Sport are better.

All American EFX Liquid Kre-Alkalyn EFX, 16 Fl. Oz., Lemon Drop

EFX Liquid Kre-Alkalyn, Lemon Drop: I have had a lot of success with Kre-Alkalyn, but this is the first time I have used it in liquid form. The general idea is this product is PH corrected so your body does not try and kill it the second it goes down the hatch, as it does with standard Creatine. Well… like most supplement products that is a pretty tall claim but all I can say is Krealkalyn has worked for me.

Dymatize Liquid L-Carnitine 1100, 16 Fl. Oz., Orange

Dymatize Liquid L-Carnitine 1100, Orange: The picture shown above is not accurate. I have hotlinked it hoping that it will change. It should be a rather nice looking black bottle. Anyway, this amino is meant to so speed up the metabolism of fat. As well as boost energy levels, and improve energy levels. I am not sure if it works but you can never have to much amino (that is until your doctor says you are getting to much amino). This is prescribed a lot for people on medication that caused weight gain.

Dymatize ISO-100, Chocolate: To be honest the Vanilla is my favorite. Its a protein supplement with no fat and no carbs. And it tastes good. Use in conjunction with lots of lean meat eating.

Pre/Post-Workout:

Dymatize Xpand Xtreme Pump, 800 Grams + Free Shaker!, Orange

Dymatize Xpand Xtreme Pump, Orange: Basically this gets you fired up in the gym. I have discussed Xpand before. I have also professed my love of NO-Xplode. Both are good. Right now I am liking the Xpand, I would not fault you for using NO-Xplode. I would caution you that this class of product is not for the faint of heart. Use only if you are serious about smashing weights and make the Arnold in Total Recall face at the end of each set.

SciVation Xtend, 90 Servings, Refreshing Lemonade (1170g)

SciVation Xtend, Refreshing Lemonade: This is a new one on me. Basically you drink it as you work out and as you finish working out. It is basically crap loads of aminos. Like many of these products, at first I thought it tasted weird, now that its part of my routine, I like it. It is meant to aid in recovery. While I am still on the fence about this one, I can say that my workouts have been increasing in duration. That is to say that I feel like still going after I have completed my pre-panned exercises.

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Posted in Gym, Quick Update, Supplements

Xpand: Better Than NO-Xplode

April 29th, 2010

I am a long time NO-Xplode user. After taking a bit of crap from the guys at the local muscle shop for my love of NO-Xplode I decided to branch out. The guys at Rock Bottom Supplements hooked me up with a bunch of samples, which I tried before deciding to try a jug of Dymatize’s Xpand.

The outer packaging and advertising for Xpand, unlike the packaging for the rest of the Dymatize line has limitless vulgarity. It approaches what I would expect from MuscleTech. The Xpand box has some MMA fighter with a sward tattooed on his chest and makes all kinds of claims about THE MOST EXTREME PUMP EEEVVVEEERRR. Luckily the container itself has a nicely textured carbon-fibery look to it, thus reducing the duchebagery on top of my fridge.

Side tangent: The shaker that Xpand comes with is crap.

NO-Xplode mixes pretty easily, although they say you should not shake it… because it might explode (mmmm…. yeah…). At first I was frustrated with Xpand because no matter how well I mixed or shook it was gritty at the bottom. Then I made a breakthrough. If you mix it and then let it sit for a min or two the grittiness has a chance to dissolve, once that has happened it tastes great.

NO-Xplode hits you fast but Xpand hits you faster. If you drink it on an empty stomach you will be looking for something to lift within a min. What is weirder though is as I start to warm up parts of my arms and legs start to tingle. At first I was unsettled but after a few times though, I think it makes the pump that much better.

While Xpand does not have the caffeine content of NO-Xplode, it seems to keep me awake longer. That may just be a case of my body adapting to a new formula, but none the less I tend to go under one serving if I am working out later than usual.

Circling back, what is the purpose for a pre-workout? To get you mental and physically prepared to hit the weights. Xpand accomplishes this goal, better than NO-Xplode.

I should note that Xpand comes in pre-workout powdered as well as “energized” and non-”energized” pill forms. Pills and pre-workout does not seem to work out in my calculus, but your mileage may vary.

If you don’t live in Vancouver WA where you can get good advice from a great shop like Rock Bottom Supplements, you can buy online from a reputable place like Bodybuilding.com.

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Posted in Gym, Supplements

Are School Lunches A National Security Threat? -Yes

April 20th, 2010

They are a combination of biological and chemical weapons begin used against school kids… But in all seriousness, NPR is reporting that some retired military types they kids are to fat and lunches are to blame.

Seems to me that food is just one part of the problem. You also have to address physical fitness. Thus I think the solution is 2 parts: 1) Personal responsibility in eating. 2) Enforce fitness by requiring either a sport of a fitness test. Give kids a choice join the swim team or be able to run 1.5 miles in 15 min.

Of course you have to be careful with your definitions of “sport” and “fittness”. Putting pads over your 300+lbs of blubber and running into other fatties for 30 seconds a week, is not what I would call “fit”. And yes that is a stab at football.

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Posted in Gym

(Health) Club Culture: Dress For Success

January 5th, 2010

I was not very nice in my first (Health) Club Culture post. I railed about how the people who flake out in the first month just take up space and generally annoy me. If you are new to the club I hope you took that in the spirit in which it was intended, its a Glen Gary moment. Pick it up, do the work, earn respect and (most importaintly) accomplish your goals.

For this post I thought I would address something that my wife and I have talked about a lot. What do you wear to the club? Let me illistrate things you might see:

High schoolers with sleeves and sides removed from their baggy t-shirts.
Dude with way to much spandex.
Overweight person in dripping sweat soaked t-shirt.
Chick in sports bra.
Chick with way to much makeup on for the gym (or life).
Person with matching outfit.

So what should you wear? Here is a really short answer: whatever you want. All of the above people have it right. You need to pick something that you are going to feel good wearing. Keep in mind you go to the gym to work-out. So there is really no point in trying to look good. Sure I can understand not looking homeless but you don’t need to match, wear make-up, ect… If you look in the mirror and you are wearing short/sweat pants and a t-shirt, you are ready to rock.

OK, now I love the Under Armor compression gear. I am in shape and not self conscious. I could care less if people think I am showing off or nasty because I my gear is form fitting. You should be picking up on a theme by now, work out for you, not anyone else.

In summary: Wear what you want. Screw what other people think. Bring your war face.

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Posted in Club Culture, Gym

Tags: Club Culture compression gear Gym health club culture what to wear to the gym

New Years Resolutions

January 5th, 2010

So after trashing people who utterly fail at their new years resolutions, I figure that its only fair that people know what I am working toward. So here goes:

Gain 10 more pounds of muscle, bringing my weight to 180lbs.
After attaining weight goal, drop my body fat by 3% from 9% to 6%.
Take at least one and preferably two firearm training courses.
Complete the flooring in our house.
Get ready to replace my much loved and much used (2001/170k miles) Suby Outback.
Buy some real furniture (anything from Ikea does not count)
Take my wife on vacation to some place neither of us have ever been.

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Posted in Gym, Off Topic, Shooting/Hunting

(Health) Club Culture

January 3rd, 2010

As a hardcore gym rat, this is the season I hate most. This is the time of year will all the weak-will, chubby, fitness failures come is and get in the way of my workout. Thats right, if you are the type of person that just signed up for a gym membership, I hate you.

I know that sounds like the kind of thing that you would expect to hear from a meat-head gym rat. And it probably does not encourage you to keep going. But it doesn’t have to be like that.

While I hate all the first of the year people who will be quitting in a month, I have a lot of respect for the people who stick to their new years resolutions. So I have decided to do a series of posts on the things gym n00bs have done to annoy the regulars.

Tip #1:

Don’t Steal My Weights

If you approach a workout station and there is a towel and a notebook that has seen better days, or any sign that someone might be using it. DO NOT just barge in. Chances are I have walked away to get some water or more weights.

I know the gym is really busy so here is what you do:
- Start looking at your next station in advance, that way you can see if anyone is using it and you will have a good idea if you are going to be getting all up in someone’s grill.
- Ask if you can work in. Ya its really simple, ask nicely and you will get what you want. Here is a few pointers to keep in mind. If I am benching 225 and you want to jump in at 45, its not going to work out. Try to “work-in” with people who are lifting similar amounts or where the weights are easily reconfigured (such as machines). Second, if the I say, “I only have two more”. Just chill, I will do my two sets and the station will be all yours. I will probably even rest less just to get you in faster.

Moral of the story, be nice and be aware. The outcomes here are extreme. On one had you are dealing with over-testosteroned, jacked-up on stimulants, muscle freaks who are not thinking right (when I am lifting it feels like I am working with about 1/4 the mental processing power). But on the other if you earn a little respect you can ask any question you want and most just will be willing to BS, spot, handout advice, whatever you need.

Final note: Some women are really put off by the muscle freaks and it keeps them from the free weights. Don’t worry about it. We like to see women lifting and generally the reactions range from complete ignore to interest and willingness to help-out. It sounds like a bad cave man drama, but its mostly guys who have to worry about pissing off other guys.

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Posted in Club Culture, Gym

Tags: Club Culture fittness New Year Resolution

Simple Secret to Doubling Your Bench

December 15th, 2009

Ya it sounds like a headline for a questionable supplement but its way better. I have taken my bench from 135 to 225 with the addition of one thing. A spotter. With a spotter I can push until my muscles truly give out, without worrying about getting halved by the bar. Furthermore, I am not talking about one rep maxes (how is that useful anyway). I am talking about full sets of 8 to 12 reps.

To make it even better my spotter is my wife. I get to pump some iron and get some quality wife time. Its a win-win.

Oh and her bench has gone from just the bar (45) to 90.

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Posted in Gym

Tags: bench Gym spotter wife

BSN Dessert Protein: The Holy Grail of Protein

December 9th, 2009

A long time ago I stopped expecting my protein to taste like what the package said. Doing so was always a setup for disappointment. Instead of asking for the flavor to be like what the package says, I just ask that is not taste bad.

BSN Lean Dessert Protein Shake, 1.39 Lbs., Chocolate Fudge Pudding

Well I can finally say that I have found a protein that tastes exactly as described. BSN Dessert Chocolate Pudding is like eating one of those pudding cups you find in the grocery store next to the yogurt. It actually thickens as you stir it resulting in a viscosity that is thick but drinkable.

It comes in smaller sizes and its clearly not designed to replace your standard protein supplements. I have been using it when I a) need a break from my standard protein or b) need something to help me resist cookies. I am going to order a jug of the cinnamon roll and keep it at work for those afternoon bouts of hunger and cravings for sugar.