[Oldgixxer]

Excellent numbers!!!!! Congrats

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Excellent numbers!!!!! Congrats

Thanks! Onward and upward I guess. Next meet prep will go a little better and hopefully be healthier to break some TN sub-masters records.

The USPA squat record for my class is fairly light and should have had it this meet considering i've smoked 500's in the gym many times.

[JP10]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

well everyone truly is different my dude — creatine turns me into some kind of manimal… jokes aside - my lifts are heavier and endurance higher and unfortunately i get more temper and short on patience - i know it's joked about on bodybuilding forums - but that stuff is no joke when i take it. I retain and consume a TON of water even off 5 mg's of creatine. No longer serves me to be a gym bro though - which is sad cuz i make a great gym bro :

Oh for sure, I would hold a ton of water on creatine - too much in my opinion hence why i don't take it hahaha. I used it in the past a ton, to the point where I think my body got use to it. Then I got off for about 2 years. I wanted to try using it again maybe a few months ago and I went up 10lbs in a week then kicked it because I was a balloon lmao. I'm just at the point where I'd rather be lean then huge. Unfortunately this is work driven to an extent - work attire and suites.

[JP10]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

TRT is a helluva thing!

That it is, especially if you have the right doc lol!

I've done a ton of research, once I am through having kids I plan to run it if my lifting passion still persists - were talking like 10-15yrs in the future. Testosterone panels should be required for males once you get into your 40s, having low T is not a good thing and getting those numbers back into proper range (or well above for us deviants) should be talked about more - just my opinion. Why be tired and start to development moobs when there is a relatively low risk (at low doses) fix to the issue.

[SpartanGA]

Originally Posted by JP10

That it is, especially if you have the right doc lol!

I've done a ton of research, once I am through having kids I plan to run it if my lifting passion still persists - were talking like 10-15yrs in the future. Testosterone panels should be required for males once you get into your 40s, having low T is not a good thing and getting those numbers back into proper range (or well above for us deviants) should be talked about more - just my opinion. Why be tired and start to develop moobs when there is a relatively low risk (at low doses) fix to the issue.

Lifting or not, TRT is an excellent idea. I was close to the minimum of 300 and now hover in the 800-900 range. I don't get the anger issues (I think this is more indicative of your personality with or without the T) Hormone balance is crucial as you age. You will continue to look younger and keep a higher metabolism plus gym is easier.

Maybe a DECA prescription could help too.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by heitzke

Well, meet didn't go as expected but finished 5/9 lifts and totaled a 1325.1 at 194lbs. Not my best performance but so it goes.

They REALLY messed us up on squats and used a 55lb bar and went back and adjusted weights up AFTER. That made my opener a 467, and then my second a 495. I had a 485 in my, which was the attempt I selected, but failed a 495 twice, sticking about midway through the lift.

Deadlift was fuckin moving, ripped a 530 open, then 551 moved like nothing so I jumped to 572 and got stuck at lockout. Need to work on some hip drive movements and i'll definitely pull a 600 this year.

Finished with:
467 squat
308 bench
551 deadlift

I DID win the 90kg open class though, so there's that. Not bad for being 35 and should be competing in sub-masters.

Originally Posted by heitzke

Well, meet didn't go as expected but finished 5/9 lifts and totaled a 1325.1 at 194lbs. Not my best performance but so it goes.

They REALLY messed us up on squats and used a 55lb bar and went back and adjusted weights up AFTER. That made my opener a 467, and then my second a 495. I had a 485 in my, which was the attempt I selected, but failed a 495 twice, sticking about midway through the lift.

Deadlift was fuckin moving, ripped a 530 open, then 551 moved like nothing so I jumped to 572 and got stuck at lockout. Need to work on some hip drive movements and i'll definitely pull a 600 this year.

Finished with:
467 squat
308 bench
551 deadlift

I DID win the 90kg open class though, so there's that. Not bad for being 35 and should be competing in sub-masters.

May I ask your height? Nice work - very solid!

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

May I ask your height? Nice work - very solid!

Yeah totally, i'm 5'8". Long arms are a huge hindrance on bench but work well for a deadlift

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by SpartanGA

Lifting or not, TRT is an excellent idea. I was close to the minimum of 300 and now hover in the 800-900 range. I don't get the anger issues (I think this is more indicative of your personality with or without the T) Hormone balance is crucial as you age. You will continue to look younger and keep a higher metabolism plus gym is easier.

Maybe a DECA prescription could help too.

Also hard agree here. I've been on TRT for ~7yrs now and it really changed things for me. When I went to get my levels checked mine was like... 90 (seriously) and I was 28. I was tired all the time, gym was a grind for a inch of progress.

I split a test e dose 2x a week and it's been much better since. Giving myself shots forever isn't my favorite activity, but it's better than the alternative for me.

[UncleWede]

I went on a 7-day cruise to Alaska, and they had a gym on board. I haven't been inside one since last November?

Anyways, I started doing 2-a-days, actually pulled it off 3 of 7. Now I'm back home and gots da itch BAD. I gotta put aside my hatred of DRIVING to a gym, and get back into one, somewhere.

[floridaorange]

Been adding more cardio and feeling overall stronger as a result - had been neglecting my runner self for too long. Now the goal is to not overdo it.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Been adding more cardio and feeling overall stronger as a result - had been neglecting my runner self for too long. Now the goal is to not overdo it.

Good for you! What type of cardio and frequency? I've been lazy lately and have been neglecting the cardio

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Good for you! What type of cardio and frequency? I've been lazy lately and have been neglecting the cardio

For the past couple yrs most my cardio has been HIIT and running in place between different exercises at home ... like high knees running in place.

I thought running was going to make me lose too much weight, and it might eventually if I overdo it. Since then I've added more calories to my diet and now I think I'm at a good balancing point for being able to run without loosing the hard earned muscle.

Anyway, lately I have been running to the park, about a mile then at the park doing some pullups, dips, and body weight rows using the parallel bars. Then running home. So 2 miles, 3 days a week. Nothing crazy or exhausting. I feel overall healthier, more energy, more alert, less drowsy during day, etc. I bought a good running shoe and that has helped motivate me as well.

I should also mention I use an airdyne stationary bike when I want to switch it up. Alternating cycling & running is more fun than I anticipated.

[AustinZ4]

Over 40 here. Have been on TRT for over a year now. Woah, what a difference. Been in the gym pretty regularly for 5 years before that. My T panels put me at low 3's. Doc got me to high 9's. Even outside of the gym, life is better.

[JP10]

I had a rough 3 weeks with being extremely busy at work, and nothing has changed in that regard, but finally got back in the gym this morning. 40mins lifting shoulders and biceps following by a 4+ mile jog. Felt good getting back in there. I wasn't gaining weight or anything being out of the gym, actually the contrary because I was drinking more than I should have been. Trying to get my health back to the priority it has been over the last 7+ years - as some on here are aware, I use to be a 6-7 days a week in the gym.

I also have a good friends wedding to go to next weekend, so that gives me a little goal to work towards as well. Hopefully I can keep things on track the remainder of the week!

[ramman434]

I've gotten tired of irregular gym routines that have been going on since the summer. I usually go after work, but have had dinners/events getting in the way in the evenings and my avg gym time has been 1-3 days week, and usually on the lower end.

Decided to get up at 5:30 today to get an early workout. Was in at 5 til 6am and man was it packed! It was as bad as when I get there in the afternoon, but by the time I left a little after 7, it was almost dead.

It was international chest day, so got about 5 exercises in, but kept it a bit lighter as my body isn't used to working this early on no fuel. Then did 10 min of interval speed sprints on the treadmill & another 12 min of elliptical.
I've got a personal goal to get below 200lb. so I can have a beer. Usually I fluctuate 10lb. throughout a week, but haven't been in the gym regularly for that to happen. Therefore, haven't had that delicious calorie intake in 3 weeks...so aiming to get it done this week, since I'm gonna be on a boat Sat.

[floridaorange]

Every 5-10 posts I'll see someone praise TRT. Surely there must be a downside or no?

[JP10]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Every 5-10 posts I'll see someone praise TRT. Surely there must be a downside or no?

As long as it's controlled properly then there isn't many besides you naturally will stop producing testosterone. Hence if you want to have more kids naturally it isn't the best decision. You can properly get off, and restart your production, but there is always risk that the affects could be long lasting. With everything in life, moderation is key. I've done way too much research on this shit in my younger days, finally concluded that it wasn't a good decision as I want kids.

Once I get through that phase I plan to at least understand where my T levels are. If they're low and my goals are met then I would definitely pursue it. I think more middle aged men should get panels done to understand what could be wrong for sure.

[F32Fleet]

Claim: You should be able to lift your body weight when performing a squat, deadlift, and power clean before you think about using a lifting belt.


Thoughts?

[JP10]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Claim: You should be able to lift your body weight when performing a squat, deadlift, and power clean before you think about using a lifting belt.


Thoughts?

Squat and deadlift yes. Power clean, not necessarily - this is a much more explosive movement and you want to be careful. The point is that you do not want to become belt dependent. Increase your core strength so you are not relying on something to keep your core tight.

[SpartanGA]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Every 5-10 posts, I'll see someone praise TRT. Surely there must be a downside or no?

I feel it should be used only if, when tested, your levels are low. If your body produces an appropriate amount, don't supplement. Once you supplement, as mentioned previously on this thread, it is difficult to restart your production. Therefore it's possible you need to continue to supplement forever. Also, if you care, it can shrink your balls. You must see the prescribing doctor to manage your hormone levels and evaluate your liver function. An ultrasound of your balls once a year is the highlight.
You have to be comfortable drawing the T and injecting it into your hip/ass. It is a reasonably sizeable long needle.

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Claim: You should be able to lift your body weight when performing a squat, deadlift, and power clean before you think about using a lifting belt.


Thoughts?

Can't really speak to cleans as I don't regularly do them, but generally i'd loosely agree with this. I think belts are standard weightlifting equipment and it's worth buying a good one like an Inzer, Pioneer, SBD, etc. If you're going to belt-up, get one that'll keep you taut.

Also really depends on the individual, current strength, prior injuries, weaknesses, etc. I don't belt-up until i'm squatting > 365 or pulling > 405. I obviously didn't start at these weights and my core wasn't strong enough to handle it until after a few years of training.

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Every 5-10 posts I'll see someone praise TRT. Surely there must be a downside or no?

Like was mentioned, it's awful for sperm count and greatly lowers your chance of being able to have kids (if that's something you want in the future).

Otherwise, downsides are really just pinning yourself 1-2x a week for basically... forever. I don't love the process but deal with it because of how much better I feel on it.

Other downside for some is just the upkeep of blood panels, doc visits, etc. It's stuff you really NEED to do to stay healthy but it's just one more thing to keep up with.