Bill's conquest for strength & size.

[ravimolasaria]

good going WB ... keep lifting ...

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by WilldBill'88

@BendTheBar and IronWill, I agree I dont think I really need one. Though, I've seen alot of youtube videos of powerlifters and olympic weight lifters wear 'em, which makes me curious. But, those guys are lifting some serious weight, which may be good to keep some pressure off their back?

Another thing I been wondering about is stretching.. It seems like I've always been told you should stretch before you workout to prevent injuries, give you more muscle contraction, flexibility and full range of motion and ect.
Now, I been reading some claims that you should not stretch before lifting weights. Whats the deal here? I guess this can also go in hand whether I should wear a belt or not...

There is a point where it can help to wear a belt, but there is nothing wrong with building some strength without one. I feel good squatting 550+ without belt, but deadlifts I am starting to feel I need one on work over 600.

I would get a good one when you have the money and test it out.

Stretching...hot topic, and a confused one. Some of the heat is against the longer-ish, static stretching. Like holding a stretch for 30 seconds, etc.

I stretched for 10-15 years. Never did me any hard. Just like anything else, a little but in moderation isn't going to do you harm.

[IronWill]

I do some stretching before lifting, but primarily just to loosen up. I don't do anything hardcore, just stretch the hams and quads a little and some ROM movements to get the kinks out.

[WilldBill88]

Before I workout I like to do jumping jacks or jump rope to get the blood pumping, then I'll do some light stretching. I only stretch about 5 minutes or less. Though the last week I haven't been stretching to see if I notice a difference. Which, I dont believe I have..

I been going over my journal here at home and been in the gym for a month now. I've increased my Deadlift by 85 pounds, Back Squat by 45 pounds and Front Squat by 40 pounds. My Bench and Shoulder Press have stayed about the same. I'll have to search for some articles around here on increasing my bench - may be a weak area for me.

[IronWill]

Do you have a progression plan?

[BendtheBar]

I been going over my journal here at home and been in the gym for a month now. I've increased my Deadlift by 85 pounds, Back Squat by 45 pounds and Front Squat by 40 pounds. My Bench and Shoulder Press have stayed about the same. I'll have to search for some articles around here on increasing my bench - may be a weak area for me.

Good progress.

Quite a few good articles on benching:

Articles

Let us know if we can help at all.

[WilldBill88]

Originally Posted by IronWill

Do you have a progression plan?

I dont necessarily have a goal of how much I want to Bench, Squat or Deadlift at the time. I do however, want to keep increasing my numbers. Cause I know I wont get bigger or stronger unless I keep adding weight.

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Good progress.

Quite a few good articles on benching:


Let us know if we can help at all.

Thanks BendtheBar, I started out Benching with a Wide Grip. I felt if I go with a wide grip I'll work my outter pectorals more to give me a more wide chest and possibly expand my rib cage so my chest is huge! One of my goals is to have a big chest. While I see some bodybuilders with shoulders and arms that over power their chest. Mark Ripptoe says guys who use a wide grip can bench a little more weight and its not an "honest" bench... Last friday I decided to go with a standard, slightly wider than shoulder width grip and could feel more of it in my triceps. Maybe, as a beginner I should go with a standard grip? I'll check out those articles tomorrow...

[BendtheBar]

Just make sure your arms aren't flared and it's all good

[IronWill]

Originally Posted by WilldBill'88

I dont necessarily have a goal of how much I want to Bench, Squat or Deadlift at the time. I do however, want to keep increasing my numbers. Cause I know I wont get bigger or stronger unless I keep adding weight.

Goals are good to have. Yes, you have to keep adding weight (or possibly reps) to get stronger. So how do you decide when to add weight? That would be your progression plan. For instance, on my routine I am adding 5# a week. At some point I won't be able to do that anymore and I will have to revise my plan.

[WilldBill88]

Originally Posted by IronWill

Goals are good to have. Yes, you have to keep adding weight (or possibly reps) to get stronger. So how do you decide when to add weight? That would be your progression plan. For instance, on my routine I am adding 5# a week. At some point I won't be able to do that anymore and I will have to revise my plan.

Well, I actually been trying to add 5 pounds each time or each week; depending on if I'm able to add more. So, yes I guess I do have a progression plan.