+ 17 Are you REALLY pushing hard enough?
Every day I read on here stats of guys and girls that have made poor progress considering their use of AAS. For example, I'm 6ft, 180lbs, run 5 cycles, you've all read it. I have to admit, I immediately stereotype and assume they are part of the "want it now brigade" and other than pointing out the obvious I feel I can't really help them. What I believe they need to do they don't want to hear. You either don't train hard enough, your diet isn't right or both. Most of the time it's the latter.
This morning I realised how few people really push it in the gym, and I mean really push it. When I was in my early twenties I was lucky enough to train around Dorian Yates 2 or 3 times per week, and the intensity I saw was nothing short of inspiring. He asked me to spot for him, incline benching about 180Kg's, I was flattered but secretly thinking to myself "if he drops this I won't be able to get it off him and he's a legend". I got chatting to him over the time I spent in the gym, and I realised I didn't push myself anything like what this guy did. I was a big lad already at that age, around 225lbs. strong, good shape, but nothing like what I wanted to be, nothing like "Mr Olympia". So I changed the way I trained. It changed my physique dramatically.
Last week a guy I regularly see in the gym asked me if he could train with me one day next week. I don't normally do it to be honest, but we've had a death of one of our friends at the gym and it seemed appropriate to help him out. He joined me this morning for a back workout. He's not the biggest guy, but he certainly isn't lacking in strength. About 5'9", 190lbs ish, ex military so very aerobically fit. We talked about my approach and he said "I've seen you training, you're an animal". I explained I like hitting it hard, heavy and lots of reps. We started. 15minutes in this lad is sweating like a pig. 20 minutes in he's working hard, but losing his grip. 25 minutes in he starts to lose all the colour out of his face and runs off to the toilets to throw up. I left him to it, I've got a workout to do and I'm not even half way through.
I don't often think about how other people train, I do my shit and leave. This made me realise where it goes wrong for so many. This guy is in good shape, but doesn't train with the intensity his goals demand. He wants to step on stage, he won't unless he trains like this regularly. I'm nowhere near the top of the ladder in this game, but I know what it has taken to build what I have. If you truly want to achieve competitive BB'ing status, ask yourself the following:
ARE YOU REALLY HITTING IT HARD?
HONESTLY?
Now get back in there and hit another big drop set.
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Yes bro. Hard. I call my pro trainer Dr. Doom. People in the gym just stop and watch the guy torture me every stinking workout. It's agonizing all the time and my whole body just hurts all the time and I've just gotten used to it. People are used to me yelling from the pain of it all. If it got any more intense I would croak from a heart attack or a stroke.
I like this post, and it brings to my mind why I personally have a hard time busting through the 225-230 mark. I do a hard working physical job, which is fast paced and about 50-60 hours every week. No excuses, BUT in reality as I have gotten older, the recovery is harder and quite frankly some nights in the gym I get there with very little in the tank. I like to think I train as hard as my body will allow, but after reading this, I honestly feel like I can push it harder. I will favorite this post and use it as a motivator.
Also, my wife is a trainer, and to be totally honest, she makes 99% of the MEN in our gym look like women, no lie. I would be lying if I said I put that work in, but now it's game time. Time for some good old fashioned ass busting in the gym, thanks for the motivation. +1 bro
All the time don't have a chance to get a partner to train with or push me besides you guys on here lol. On serious note there are so many things napping in my life its not hard to keep motiveted and kill it every time I go in to train other day was doing deads 365lbs I almost broke my back just to make that lift not saying that was smartest thing in the world but I gave my all. I guess long story short when I go to train I make it seem like I'm doing battle if that makes sense.
Do I train hard enough? Most of the time, ABSOLUTELY NOT. How do I know this? Because when I train with any of the other serious lifters at my gym, which is rarely, I train harder. I feed off of their energy. I feed off of people watching me. Most of the time, I train alone. And I know I don't go as hard. I still see gains in strength and appearance, but you're right on the money; most of the time I could be going harder.
^^^---Agreed. When I train alone, the next day I'm slightly sore. When I train with a trainer or serious Bb'er friend, the next day I can't scratch my face. Imdef dont go as hard as I think I'm going.
Damn I wanna train with you. I probably have no idea what pushing myself is.
I'm sure you do.
Just been to train quads. "Jelly legs" in a major way, largely caused by an evil drop set on the leg press. 20 plates to fail, then 16, then 12, 10, 8, 6, then 40 reps of 4 plates. That hurts.
The dog isn't getting a walk for a couple of hours......
I am overdo for a drop set on the leg press. Our leg press sucks tho, it only holds 14 plates. I had a great shoulder/traps workout this morning. I really did not feel that drive when I first grabbed the bar but isn't crazy how some days something inside just breaks loose and you hit beast mode. Them days aren't hard for me to find on cycle but to have one two weeks into PCT I am thrilled.
If it only takes 14 plates, you can always get someone to sit on it.
honestly, i think we all can, be it in or outside the gym. however, while I certainly agree with your sentiment and overall message, which I can tell you're very passionate about, I think there is something to say about training smarter vs harder (as cliche as that sounds). for me, I want to progress of my big lifts every time i train them, i don't care if its another rep with last workouts weight, an added 5lbs, just SOMETHING tangible and concrete that I can use to see that I am making consistent progress. Also (and i train for PL so maybe I'm in the lions den with this comment here) I firmly believe that if you are progressing on a lift, do NOT stop doing it, get used to doing certain bread and butter movements, some accessories, and when you find that one lift, say shoulder press, that you're just progressing on really quickly, absolutely do NOT stop doing it, you're reinforcing and optimizing neural motor patterns that could potentially lead to a big CNS mediated jump in strength and in most instances, size. and i don't give a fuck what anyone says, you put a legit 50lbs on a properly executed military press, your bench is going up, your CGBP is going up, your gonna get bigger. muscle confusion simply will not allow this.
however, for a lot of people I think catalyst's message hits home 100%. training smart will get you results no doubt but what good is it to the motherfuckers spending 15 mins screwing around with their iPhones on machines, hogging the bench or squat rack for an hour doing their half-quarter repping shit; these are the motherfuckers that need a fire lit under their ass to push for that last rep even though your know your nose is gonna bleed, push for that last set even though you can feel the puke coming on, hit a set so hard you're disoriented for 30seconds after you rack the bar and need to lean on something to stand up. problem is doing that everyday gets REAL old REAL fast and probably isn't particularly healthy for you lol but if I'm feeling good, even if my progress is acceptable to me, ill bust out everything I've got, just to see what the fuck it is I've got
good stuff catalyst.
I train with extreme intensity. I try to push harder everyday than day before. I am never satisfied. I refuse to be satisfied. If I get 275 for ten on incline bench today then next chest day I want 285 for 12. No reason to allow yourself to get settled in to a routine or used to it. Pushing limits is the goal. Drop sets, up sets, rest pause, forced reps, negatives, high reps, heavy sets.
Catalyst you are an inspiration to many of the warriors here on E-Roids.
+1, good post. A couple months ago I was hitting the gym with intensity and ferocity, throwing heavy weights around 5 days a week and leaving the gym exhausted and drenched.
The last few weeks I've been a complete pussy... weak, tired and burned out. Can't keep my diet in check and actually don't want to go to the gym (this never happens)
My intention is to take 2 full weeks off, rest. .. drink some beers, maybe even allow some junk food, let the body and mind recover.
Than BOOM! Back at it with all the intensity that you ate posting about . Thanks for the motivation brother.
Well written.
I am pushing hard, harder then ever this past week. I thought I was going to puke yesterday, and I have been amazed at the changes.
the only time in my life I trained hard enough to know I was training hard enough I was young. fresh out of high school, me and the only workout partner ive ever had worth a shit, would do 3 negative failure drop sets to end each exercise. Insane pain, want to make you cry, quit, and never come back. but it also gave me the best desire to do it again the following day.
Ive asked everybody at my gym and no one wants to get into any heavy training, its always ill think about it, im looking for the beach body look, the calisthenic look, cant commit with my schedule. what ever!
I need to step up my routine, I go hard now but its nothing compared to drop set negatives.
Sometimes the super big guys will shock you and say yes because they love what they do and want to help anybody out that is "serious." Some of them train alone cause they can't find someone to train with either. So, don't just assume that the couple of mass monsters at your gym would say no. But, I'm getting the impression that your gym doesn't really have guys like that . . .
While I was sitting on the shitter, I passed this thread and had to laugh out loud at the irony thay my brother SDM asks me if I'm pushing hard enough.
Lmao! Is that what they call "toilet humour"?????
Lol.. Hell yeah. And to answer your question, yes I was pushing hard enough... Maybe a little too hard.
PaaaaaarrrRP.....Oooooh! thats betta :/
Lol, SD's trying to give me hemorrhoids.
All part of the service, no extra charge ;)
Great post brother! A significant and pertinent reminder that perhaps we aren't training with the elevated intensity we think we are! What a great and memorable experience to have trained around Dorian Yates! I'm certain the intensity in which he trained is forever etched in your mind! I will definitely be incorporating drop sets into my next training session! Thanks again SDM! +1
BigBmajHitting it too hard. I'm overtrained as hell right now. I have to be really careful to balance recovery with break down. I was just pushing it so hard that my nervous system started screaming at me. It's classic I get to a point where I can't eat or sleep and my pulse is really fast in the morning. Could I train harder? Yes I could, but I'd only be able to lift 3 or so days a week. Everyone is different but I've noticed that dialing it back improves my gains.
So am I not eating enough to support the work? Perhaps.
Another possibility is that I have too much other stress going on in life. So the added stress of smashing my body for 2 hours a day is just too much for me at this point.
Most times I think I do push hard enough but in reality I don't think I do. I don't have a partner so no matter what I can never get that true failure only a spotter can help you out of.
I do push hard enough where I know not to attempt another. Cables are great for this though because I can squeeze out a couple partial reps. I definitely don't push my lower back and legs as hard because I live in constant fear of messing up my back worse. I have to find the balance and for me, that is a personal choice I am ok with. My long term health is more important. Than puking on leg day lol. I still push very hard, I tend to do supersets a lot for extra intensity but I just don't move the weight that I could for lower reps.
SDM, Not, I'm envious of you two, I don't really gravitate to specific pros, however I do follow and keep up with the ifbb, Yates on the other hand does inspire me, I like his personality, his work ethic, and admire his physique. any good memories or antidotes stand out? do tell!
I've had the pleasure of training in the same gym with Yates in his prime on more than one occasion and let me tell you there are very few people out there that train with his intensity if any. His volume wasnt that high but his intensity was off the charts. But in my opinion despite having probably the most amazing physique it ultimately cost him his longevity in the sport.
In contrast Dexter Jackson (I've seen him work out on numerous occasions as well) doesn't train all that hard relative to Yates but yet has unbelievable longevity in the sport.
if you aint throwing up, you aint pushing it to the max! good topic +!
Honestly, no. And it is showing in my mediocre gains. I don't know what it is but I just don't have the intensity that I usually have.
We all have spells like that, that's reality. You know what you gotta do though.
Inspiring mate. It's 22:30 and I want to go to the gym NOW! Keep us posted on the comp buddy
Get in there tomorrow and tear it up mate. When you think you're done, blast out a big drop set / superset etc. INTENSITY!
Mate I'm no where near the level your working at but something snapped in me on NYE and made me realise I had lost my way a bit last year. Didn't really get anywhere. I went back to basics. Compound movements and a closer look at my diet. THIS is the year I'm going to get it right. Feel very motivated for the first time in too long.
I've been talkin to you for a long time on here and you've always put me right. Cheers bud
Sounds like a plan. If there's anything I can do to help you just ask.
My wife gets embarrassed when I gag and dry heave after sets!! She's says no one else here is doing that.. I say cause they ain't tryin hard enough!! Great post!
Im always growling n yelling when im hitting the weights, yet hardly see anybody at my gym w that type of intensity. That shit pays off though, my body is constantly evolving while others are stagnate. Hard work pays off
Ain't that the truth!
I'm a Marine in my late 30's and the guy known to leave it all on the gym floor, 5 days a week no exceptions, by my second exercise I'm pouring with sweat and don't stop till the end. when I started this thing we love I was lean and skinny. over the past 4yrs I've gained between 40 to 50lbs of muscle mass. unfortunately I live in a college town and most the members are students every day I look around and I see these young men just half ass their way thru their workouts, like lifting weight they have no business lifting for bodybuilding purposes, or using the gym as a social club. funny thing they look the same year after year and ask my advise as to why. yes this guy is hitting it hard lol.
That's what I'm talking about bro! Pouring yourself into it, that's what sorts the men out from the boys. Everyone I know at the top level is the same "type", a machine in the gym that always pushes further.
We all need a reminder here and there. I know I do.
I was feeling less than "on" the first couple weeks of PCT, even now in my fourth week I definitely feel I have lost some strength but in spite of that I show up every day and push. But truth be told I have never puked so obviously I am not giving it every last ounce of my being. I will work on it. Great post bro.
Bro, Lack of intensity in the gym is the no. 1 reason for failure. Today is leg day and I am heading to the gym now. I have Sushi Ginger cold packed in a little Tupperware cup in my gym bag - keeps the nausea under control for me. Great post bro.
damb brother gear, ginger in itself would make me earl. you do have a bag full of tips,tricks, and tonics lol.
Ginger for nausea on leg day... You never cease to amaze me with things like this. I'll have to give it a shot. +1
That's very cool that you were able to learn from Dorian. Thanks for sharing that. I think motivation is something we all struggle with (except V!) at times. It's very easy to get in a rut or a comfortable routine and not push yourself. I've just recently realized that I was plateaued in my workout. It took some self examination and planning to make some changes. I have been attacking things with much greater intensity and I have seen immediate improvement. I am going to make it a habit to evaluate my effort and whether or not I'm pushing my self hard enough. Thanks again for the post. +1
RustyhookerGreat indpiration and very true. Thank you!
I loved this, thanks bro..
i want to do this workout. im never around anyone inspiring in the gym. it sucks
Great post brother. Very very good.
I believe this ties into the topic.. what are the max amount of sets you guys do per body part.. off and then on gear
GearofWarThanks for this post. I have a big problem with motivation lately and I'm trying to gather all motivation and positivity towards me. I've checked out a few books from my library and one in particular has been good. It's called "Mind Gym" by Gary Mack. I've also been watching YouTube vids of Kai Greene and Jay Cutler working out for inspiration. I just haven't been "feeling it" lately though. It's been ever since I've switched gyms I think. I had to switch gyms because I couldn't afford my regular gym anymore. That was my sanctuary and it was mostly empty so it was like my personal gym. I felt comfortable, I could grunt and yell to push out those last reps without worrying about people staring at me and being reprimanded by gym employees. Also, at my new gym there are cliques of high schoolers that clog the machines and free weight areas just bullshitting. And then there're the 17 year olds that are almost twice my size, using gear. For some reason that knocks the wind out of my sails. It bothers me to watch these young kids and I lose focus because of it for some reason. Maybe I'm disappointed in myself that a 17 year old is bigger and stronger than me..Either way I've been bummed out.
I am guilty of this at times myself. But I totally agree with Vik. "dance like nobody is wwatching" fuck what others think or do. You are there for you.
I'm sure people look at me weird, I've never been a grunted but I make faces and my face gets redder than a rose. I almost pass out on occassion if I forgot to breathe on the decline.. Two reps one long inhale with holding back the exhaled pressure lol.
Remember there will always be someone bigger and stronger than you. But you can be the only you, that is bigger and stronger than the previous you. (Umm did that make sense). Point being, do what you need to do not what others think you should do