[Emevas]

Originally Posted by esskay

I ordered Infinite Intensity, and am reading over Stronglifts again. It still sounds to be more bodybuilding oriented than I would like, but I think I might try it and see what happens.

Once qualm I have about Stronglifts is adding 5lbs. every workout. The professor of my course is pretty adamant about increasing resistance based on the percent of the total when you can exceed your set number of reps. If I am going to do Stronglifts, then I will follow it like it says, but what about % based increases? Or have I not read the program thoroughly enough?

It's based off the principle of microloading and linear progression. 5lbs tends to be the lightest you can possibly increase a movement unless you're using microplates.

[selfcritical]

Do you have lifting experience?

[esskay]

Originally Posted by selfcritical

Do you have lifting experience?

Yeah, I have a fair bit of experience. I have been spending 3-4 hours in the gym every Tues/Thurs for the past couple months. My past routine was based on 3 sets at 60%, 80%, and 100%, at 8-12 reps and moving up in weight by 10% when I could lift 100% for 14 reps on two consecutive workouts.

I feel like the starting weights in Stronglifts are way too low, but I have never done a 5x5 before so I am not sure what I would move them to. I am also not sure if I can, or should, do it three days a week. The idea was that lifting would supplement my MMA classes, not the other way around. I also have very limited gym-availability on Fridays, and none at all on the weekends. Benching is also an issue because the college gym is often completely empty, thus no one to spot me. Basically, Mon-Thurs. are the only days I can do anything, and I already have MMA on Mon. & Wed. Dammit, I was dead set on doing Stronglifts, but now it looks like I can't. Would it really be that bad to modify the program? I need a routine soon; I cant stand not working out, and the Prof. is gonna start getting pissed that I am not doing anything.

[MMAMickey]

Originally Posted by esskay

Yeah, I have a fair bit of experience. I have been spending 3-4 hours in the gym every Tues/Thurs for the past couple months.

so.. not really then

Originally Posted by esskay

I feel like the starting weights in Stronglifts are way too low, but I have never done a 5x5 before so I am not sure what I would move them to.

To get things moving when I started a 5x5 routine I did the maximum weight i could perform 5 controlled repetitions with on good form. obviously i couldn't complete every subsequent set but you improve until you can

Originally Posted by esskay

I am also not sure if I can, or should, do it three days a week. The idea was that lifting would supplement my MMA classes, not the other way around.

I do weights in the morning, Boxing/BJJ/Judo/MMA in the evenings, effectively I have double the time

Originally Posted by esskay

Benching is also an issue because the college gym is often completely empty, thus no one to spot me.

Dumbell bench press.. works teh anterior deltoids more, and the pectorals less than a barbell but requires more control, and is what some MMA fighters use (GSP, BJ Penn) instead of a barbell anyway.

Originally Posted by esskay

Dammit, I was dead set on doing Stronglifts, but now it looks like I can't.

now you can.. please proceed to create other excuses

Originally Posted by esskay

the Prof. is gonna start getting pissed that I am not doing anything.

Is your sugar daddy complaining that your ass is not tight enough?

[esskay]

Originally Posted by MMAMickey

so.. not really then


Dumbell bench press.. works teh anterior deltoids more, and the pectorals less than a barbell but requires more control, and is what some MMA fighters use (GSP, BJ Penn) instead of a barbell anyway.


now you can.. please proceed to create other excuses


Is your sugar daddy complaining that your ass is not tight enough?

Lifting and taking a Weight Training class =/= experience? Do you want me to take an exam for you or videotape myself or some ridiculous shit? I am not saying I am an expert.

Maybe I am wrong, but every time I have heard anyone talk about doing Stronglifts, people get bitched at for wanting to change anything about the program. The eBook itself even says to do things exactly as listed. Yet you are saying to do dumbell presses instead of bench press, something that the book specifically says NOT to do (pg.35,38). I am willing to change the program if I have to, as I stated in my last post. I just want to make sure that if I do, i am not messing anything up. You dont need to be an ass.

Also, I thought weight training and skill training (MMA) in the same day was not a good thing to do. I dont want to be burnt out for class. Your experience contradicts this? Doing it a.m./p.m. gives you enough time to recharge for class?

[selfcritical]

I would advise that starting with SS and moving toward II is probably a good move. Get good at maximal strength for a bit, and look for places to sub in dumbells, since you'll be using them with Ross's stuff.

[MMAMickey]

Originally Posted by esskay

Maybe I am wrong, but every time I have heard anyone talk about doing Stronglifts, people get bitched at for wanting to change anything about the program. The eBook itself even says to do things exactly as listed. Yet you are saying to do dumbell presses instead of bench press, something that the book specifically says NOT to do (pg.35,38). I am willing to change the program if I have to, as I stated in my last post. I just want to make sure that if I do, i am not messing anything up. You dont need to be an ass.

I don't do stronglifts, but i follow the same training blueprint of 5x5 and the same principles of using muscles how they work and not isolating them. Dumbell bench press is fine for me and since i've been doing it (only about 5 weeks or so) I have increased my training weight and reps considerably in relation to my rate of imrpovement on a previous format.

Originally Posted by esskay

Also, I thought weight training and skill training (MMA) in the same day was not a good thing to do. I dont want to be burnt out for class. Your experience contradicts this? Doing it a.m./p.m. gives you enough time to recharge for class?

Well the point of 5x5 strength training is that you don't exhaust yourself, you mostly improve your neuro-muscular pathways. Personally, I do weights and grappling on the same day and find no particular detrimental side effects. I probably wouldn't work shoulders before boxing or intense striking workouts because if you have any fatigue it will come out. but if you're doing striking and grappling together you should be ok, and if not then just dont combine weights with a striking day.

try it for yourself.. but personally weights am --> fighting pm is fine

[Lights Out]

Originally Posted by esskay

I am also not sure if I can, or should, do it three days a week.

Stronglifts works better if you do it three times per week. But you can cut it down to two times for week. They say the results would be slower, but still be there.

I've been doing stronglifts for about four weeks or so, and I've gotta say that it's the best workout result-wise I've ever tried. Never had anything show results so soon, and I've tried many things regarding lifting.

And that considering I'm facing some trouble when adding weight. Due to lack of proper equipment, I can only increase weight by 10 kg (22 lbs.) that is one hell of a pace.

What I´ve been doing is, first, I get to pull off the full sets with the lift, then I give myself another round or two, until I can pull them off in a controled fashion, and then I up the weights.

I managed to add 20 kg (44 lbs) on my squats, 10 kg (22 lbs) on my deadlift and 10 kg on my bench. I'm stalling a bit on my overhead press, but i'm expecting to up nthe weight next week.

Also, I beleive I could deadlift more if I hadn't weak forearms and twelve year old girl wrists.

My muscles are growing and I'm noticeabily losing weight and bodyfat. Even my coworkers are commenting on it... this sounds like one of those fake testimonials in fitness ads, right?

Anyway, stronglifts works, if it works for me, works for anybody.

I strongly(fts) recommend you to give it a try.

[lefi]

Originally Posted by esskay

Yeah, I have a fair bit of experience. I have been spending 3-4 hours in the gym every Tues/Thurs for the past couple months.

3-4 hours? really? in all seriousness, no weights workout should take more than an hour, if you're training with intensity. moving lightass weights around all day isn't going to achieve anything. (exception to the 1 hr rule is of course pro bbers, but unless you've been training for as long as they have, and are taking all the steroids they are, you shouldn't train like them).

this site has a good selection of no-nonsense programs for beginners:

Beginner Routines, - Iron Addicts Forums

Beginner Routines, - Iron Addicts Forums

[esskay]

Yeah, the immense length of time it was taking me to finish my routine was part of the reason I knew I needed a better one.

I looked at local gyms a bit more and found one I like, thinking I would be able to do Stronglifts at it. But then I took a kick to the 'patellar-ligament' in practice and now I cannot do squats, or MMA.

Thanks for all the help. As soon as I can, I will start Stronglifts, and maybe move onto something of Ross's down the road.