So I started training back in 2002, my main motivation was because some good mates started to hit the gym quite hard and were really getting into the whole gym thing i.e whey protein, meal replacement shakes, creatine etc. This got me curious and I thought I'd give it go. Like most people I remember my first session was chest and I remember I got a good buzz from training and felt great afterwards. Not so good the next day though when DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) would kick in but at least I hadn't started on a legs day otherwise I may have jacked it in after the first session.
One thing I was adament on was that I would train clean i.e. no roids, GH, Ephedrine etc. The most elaborate thing I have ever taken was Creatine for a month which resulted in headaches and nose bleeds. These are a list of products I have used and the approximate time scales - creatine monohydrate (1 month - not used for 6.5 years), glutamine (18 months, not used for at least 5 years, unless you count the gluatamine in protein powder), whey protein (still using), ZMA (1 month, not used for 6 years) and Tribulus Terrestris (1 month, not used for 6 years).
During the first 3.5 years I would try all sorts of crazy workouts - 20 reps squats, mad drop sets, partial range training, resting 30 seconds between sets, giant sets, supersets, training a EVERY body part twice a week, 1 set per exercise workout, training with bands, training with chains etc, etc. I still wasn't making the gains I wanted, damn I couldn't even bench 140kg (308lbs)!!! Saying that I had great fun doing the 20 rep squat workouts they were HARDCORE.
Anyways this brings me to the point of the website, which is to share with you what I learnt along the way, so you don't have to waste 3.5 years messing around. It assumes you have average genetic potential and are not a Mesomorph. You read of genetic freaks that can bench 315lbs or deadlift 500llbs the first time they pick up a weight - that is DEFINATELY not me. My first bench press was probably about 65kg for 6 reps, my first deadlift was probably about 50kg, so as you can see my genetic potential is not great.
One thing I realised when reading training articles about 300lb genetic drug enhanced freaks is that what works for them ain't necessarily going to work for me. In fact I would go as far as saying, in all likelihood the 300lb freak could probably progress to a greater degree than I could ever do on just doing a routine of push ups, pull ups and bodyweight squats, such is their bodies ability to pack on mass and power. Us normal folks have to be a bit more careful about selecting our routines.
I just want to say here, that I have nothing against people that take illegal performance enhancers, good luck to them - my balls are small enough and can't handle anymore shrinkage.
Also I have two conditions - Asthma and Gout and will share with you how I work round these and how they effect my training/nutrition.
It may or may not work for you, as everyone is different but at least it is another repository of information. It maybe that some parts of it such as the nutrition work but other parts such as training doesn't.
I am 35 years old now and feel my prime has maybe gone i.e. longer to recover, weights aren't going up as easily. I have another kid due in December 2009 and know that training usually goes to pot for about a year after that. I want a video / web log to motivate me into peak condition so I can keep it when I become a really old man and show the younger generation how we used to do it back in da day.
One last thing, people complain about is not having enough time. If you want to hit the gym, most people can find the time. I work 5 days a week and weekends are mostly spent as family time. So I try to do all my training during the work week. Below is a typical day:
06:00 - wake up (down a protein shake if I've trained day before, play with son, shower etc)
07:15 - commute to work
08:30 - arrive at work (eat breakfast - typically shredded wheat with skimmed milk)
11:30 - eat i.e. chicken, rice and vegetables
15:30 - eat again i.e. chicken, rice and vegetables
17:00 - finish work, start commute to gym
18:30 - start training
19:45 - arrive home, down a protein and carb drink (If my boy is still up, will bath him)
20:30 - eat, wash up dishes, shower
22:30 - bed
* I started working closer to home recently but even when I was working further afield (commuting 2-2.5 hours ONE way), I would still hit the gym 3-4 times a week, even though I wouldn't be able to get to the gym till 8pm and having to get up at 5:45am to get to work.
Good Luck, Stay Strong and Train Hard!
Peace
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