I wanna be strong!

[strkout35]

Okay so my pledging things should be ending in the next few weeks so i'm starting to think about lifting again. My goal when i get back is basically to get strong as ****. Putting on muscle is nice too, but i'm really just trying to throw around some heavy ass weights.

So I need opinions, should I start up again with the Reeves routine or use a slightly different full-body scheme with lower reps and heavy ass weight? I have the urge to start using low reps and really push for weight but if you guys think the Reeves routine is still better for me then I'll do that. I know for sure i'm sticking with full-body, but i'd like to brainstorm a few ideas.

Thanks for the help as always

[ForwardMotionStruggle]

I have the same goal sir.
Personally, I like lower reps and push heavy (to me) weights.

[BendtheBar]

I would probably consider a more streamlined 5x5, and a consistent progression scheme. Possibly something similar to Starr.

[ricka182]

Lots of reps, heavy ass weight.

[Chillen]

What has the passed personal training and diet history taught you? Always give yourself time to: Educate yourself in what you are attempting to do or want to do.

Other than you Journal Log (which I skimmed through), have you kept weight training logs (while training to record reps, increases in weight on the bar, plateaus, etc, etc) and/or dietary logs?

I ask this because this information can assist in making future personal decisions: When things are going right and when things (such as weight gain/loss, strength gain/loss, muscle gain/loss) are not going to what you personally want/desire. One can simplly base decisions from this, rather than thin f'n air.

Have you approximated your personal calorie needs? Do you understand the basic mechanics of calorie and macro needs? Do you take the time to study (things associated with what you want to do) from reputatable web sites or books?

For example, you calculated your personal calorie needs, and determined your maintenance line, and decided (with your "personal" activity and training in mind) that you want to be +500c over maintenance to gain some weight.

You write the numerical calorie figures every day. After a time (say two to three weeks approximately), you see that weight isnt coming around as you desire, and decide to bump it another +250c/+300c from the previous base (also I am assuming macros are calculated along the way, where these can be adjusted as well).

In numerical theory, this works in reverse when trying to lose good fat tissue. Remember, we only train a small fraction in a normal week as compared to the time we are off. So diet and rest are key elements here. You take any routine and work it, but if you are eating (for example) 1,000c under maintence (and don't know it, because you are incorrectly guessing), you are not going to gain any weight no matter what you do in the gym (with the exception of miraculous newcomers to weight training who are prone to extreme adaptions from the body normally--speaking).

Memory fails, but you can utilize written numerical data (assuming its written in honesty) to make stategic personal changes in diet and training routine.

Have you set up any parimeters of your personal diet? If so, what have you "personally" configured?

[strkout35]

I eat in a college dining hall so it's very hard to track calories, but I stuff my face every time i'm in there. I'm thinking more about programs right now than tracking my calories since that'd be pretty hard. I do have a general idea of how much i should be eating and i weigh myself once a week and eat more if i'm not gaining.

i'll look into 5x5 routines and see what i like

[BendtheBar]

PM me SO. Let's talk about your goals. I will get you on track.

[Abaddon]

I am a shameless self-promoter, so unless you would rather keep established, classic workout designs as a base, why not give my 4 day shoulder focus a try?

As far as your desire to move heavy fkn weight, and not concentrate on muscle mass; the two are not mutually exclusive, most of the time at least.

I have done nothing but build great strength and muscle mass over the last year following variations of a basic 3 or 4 day body part regimen. In some cases, I was increasing the weight used on a given exercise by 2.5 kilos every 1-2 weeks!

With strength comes mass, which is required to move more weight, making you stronger. There are variations on the theme, but really it's pretty straight forward, at this point in your training.

If you were a world class athlete, say a triathlete or Aussie Iron Man or UFC fighter even, looking to reduce muscle mass / drop a weight class while maintaining strength; that's a different situation entirely. For now, if you want to lift heavy, eat LOTS. Then eat some more, and lift heavy ass weight! Simple, really.

But Vitality hits the most important issue on the head; diet, diet diet! It can sometimes need more regulation and scrutiny to get you through perceived plateaus or if you're feeling weak; diet is always key.