- Joined
- Nov 19, 2016
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- 1,072
I found a great vid today that really hit home for me. I am a former competitive powerlifter (moderate local success at best). My primary goal in life was to move the weight from point A to point B as fast as possible. And even more so, to make that happen in the SQ/BP/DL. I used to think that bodybuilders were mirror athletes. Like a Hollywood facade. Sure they looked strong but could not back it up in the gym. I was surprised to see how many of them used decent, but generally unimpressive poundages when training. I used to walk around all proud that I was using more weight on the squat than the biggest dudes in the gym despite having thin legs.
About 6 years ago I had a paradigm shift. I had just set PR's in all my lifts as a 43 year old "natty" but at the same time was dealing with a near crippling spinal injury. I walked into the gym to a few handshakes and congrats on my most recent meet. The young girl working the front desk told me she could not believe how strong I was considering my size. That was when the switch flipped in my brain. Why was I risking my long term health and ability to WALK as an advanced adult just to add a few more pounds to my deadlift or squat? Why was I risking not being able to one day hold my grandkids in order to put another 25lbs on my max BP. I think some people didn't even know I lifted seriously UNTIL they saw me in the gym. All that work, risk, dedication for a few minutes on a platform as a recreational powerlifter??? Sure I loved that it was a largely objective competition whereas bodybuilding was subjective, but I had not plans to compete as a bodybuilder. I simply wanted to look better and FEEL GOOD.
It was at that point I really focused on training the MUSCLE and not the movement. I increased my rep range 3-4 fold. I used to to sets of 3-4-5 ....I turned that into 15-20-30. I focused on squeezing, stretching and pumping my muscles. I used a fraction of the weight I previously used. Result? I gained 18 lbs. of pure muscle in a couple years as a "natty." That is a LOT considering I had been lifting steadily for the 25 years prior to that. Between the ages 44-47 I gained a lot of pure muscle, looked much better, got way more compliments than ever....no change to diet or supplements etc. Only thing I changed was the WAY I trained. I wish I saw this video 25 years ago during my peak years because I am sure I would have another 10lbs of muscle on me and a healthy spine. (Note: I do not necessarily regret my powerlifting days, but I have to tell you my spine certainly does.)
I am not a fan of any particular bodybuilder one way or another but I really love the message sent here as I feel he is SPOT ON:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkQXIN8u8d4"]Kai Greene's Advice To The Ego Lifters In The Gym - YouTube[/ame]
About 6 years ago I had a paradigm shift. I had just set PR's in all my lifts as a 43 year old "natty" but at the same time was dealing with a near crippling spinal injury. I walked into the gym to a few handshakes and congrats on my most recent meet. The young girl working the front desk told me she could not believe how strong I was considering my size. That was when the switch flipped in my brain. Why was I risking my long term health and ability to WALK as an advanced adult just to add a few more pounds to my deadlift or squat? Why was I risking not being able to one day hold my grandkids in order to put another 25lbs on my max BP. I think some people didn't even know I lifted seriously UNTIL they saw me in the gym. All that work, risk, dedication for a few minutes on a platform as a recreational powerlifter??? Sure I loved that it was a largely objective competition whereas bodybuilding was subjective, but I had not plans to compete as a bodybuilder. I simply wanted to look better and FEEL GOOD.
It was at that point I really focused on training the MUSCLE and not the movement. I increased my rep range 3-4 fold. I used to to sets of 3-4-5 ....I turned that into 15-20-30. I focused on squeezing, stretching and pumping my muscles. I used a fraction of the weight I previously used. Result? I gained 18 lbs. of pure muscle in a couple years as a "natty." That is a LOT considering I had been lifting steadily for the 25 years prior to that. Between the ages 44-47 I gained a lot of pure muscle, looked much better, got way more compliments than ever....no change to diet or supplements etc. Only thing I changed was the WAY I trained. I wish I saw this video 25 years ago during my peak years because I am sure I would have another 10lbs of muscle on me and a healthy spine. (Note: I do not necessarily regret my powerlifting days, but I have to tell you my spine certainly does.)
I am not a fan of any particular bodybuilder one way or another but I really love the message sent here as I feel he is SPOT ON:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkQXIN8u8d4"]Kai Greene's Advice To The Ego Lifters In The Gym - YouTube[/ame]
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