Freak_Accident's picture
Freak_Accident
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I want to do one final max on my bench Sunday and a vial of TNE should arrive this week. My question is what should I aim for? My 1 rep now is an easy 275lbs very clean. How much should I use, how long before my workout and what do you guys think I should aim for? PCT starts 1 day following since my last injection of prop will be Friday. Also, is this a bad idea to hit the TNE 1 day before PCT? Will it cause any problems with too much extra shut down? or should I be ok... Thank you all for any input.

klon's picture

Kyle: have you been training your external rotators? Specifically I am referring to the teres minor and infraspinatus.

Failure to train the external rotators will limit your bench press. To be structurally balanced your external rotators should be capable of lifting 9.8% of your bench press. Less than this will shut down the pecs and limit your bench 1RM.

An added benefit of training the external rotators is that it will correct rounded shoulders and poor posture. You will look and feel better in your clothes. An easy way to determine if you have rounded shoulders is to wear a t-shirt that has a seam on the shoulder. Have someone look at the seam when you are standing with your arms relaxed at your sides. If the seam deviates, even slightly, toward the front of your body, then your shoulders are rounded and its time for external rotation work.

Reply if you are interested in specific exercises/protocols for the external rotators.

Freak_Accident's picture

I did some research. Would love your input. Shoulders seem to die out first for some reason. A good burn though. I keep elbows in tight and I hit at my nipples and that seems to activate my delts a lot. Am I possibly doing something wrong?

klon's picture

Kyle: some of the following may seem counterintuitive, however they are based on empirical evidence. To keep this short I'm not to elaborate on the basis unless you specifically ask.

Here is a quick test to determine your level of understanding in training principles. I'm not being condescending here. I wasted 20 years following bad advice and would have been grateful if someone pointed this out to me long ago.

Do you know that:
1. Training Intensity (weight) and Volume are inversely related? You can't simultaneously train both.
2. Smaller muscle groups recover move quickly and can handle a greater number of sets with shorter rest periods that larger muscle groups.
3. The eccentric phase of a lift is at least as important as the concentric phase.
4. You will adapt to a routine in 6 sessions. So if training a muscle group 2 times per week, then you should change routines at the end of each 3 week period. Any longer and you are training sub-optimal.

My view is that the best approach is to alternate between strength and size every 3 weeks following a periodized program. If you are still interested I can send you a specific routine.

To answer your question directly, I need to know your entire routine including:
Exercise, weight, sets, reps, tempo (time lifting the weight and lowering the weight for each rep) and rest period. Training days per week. Most people overtrain. Are you adding one rep or 2% in weight each training session? If not something is wrong.

This may not apply to you but I haven't trained shoulders directly in a while and they are growing.

Check out Charles Poliquin's "Poliquin Principles".

Freak_Accident's picture

PM sent. I'll write you.

klon's picture

Dossier: If you have been doing bench presses at every pec training session for years, then it's possible you have a structural imbalance between the internal and external rotators of the humerus. It will be exacerbated if you work at a desk or computer all day. Unfortunately this will also lead to shoulder injury (a very complaint among those that have been training for years).

There are several exercises that will work the external rotators. When your arm is abducted and high with respect to your waist the infraspinatus is more active. Arm in front and low with respect to waist, then the teres minor is more active. There are a bunch of exercises that work these muscles directly. I need to run out to an appt. If you want specific descriptions I am happy to provide them, let me know.

Freak_Accident's picture

I actually have been splitting my delts up. Front on chest, rear on back and outer on arms. Its like this Sunday:Chest/Front-delt Monday:Back/Rear-delt Tuesday:off Wednesday:Legs Thursday:Tri/Bi/Outer-delt. Tell me what you think. My split changes often also so this might go on for anywhere from 1 more month to 3 more months then I'll probably switch it us again.

hypnoso's picture

If im going for a max I never go in with a # in mind. Shit warm up hit 225 for a few hit 315 for a few then make my judgement based on how that feels. So for you just hit 245 for a few after a warmup then judge by the way that feels. Having a guesstimate in your head may hold you back from your full potential. So just go with it. Your maxing out obviously you are planning on having a spot correct.

Freak_Accident's picture

Lol yes. I usually never workout alone. That sounds like a good plan to me. Thank you.

Freak_Accident's picture

That is what I said. It needs work I know. Next cycle is based on strength. It will be my 3rd cycle. 1st was years ago. Ending 2nd now (test e, prop taper) 3rd is test prop/enan & eq

Freak_Accident's picture

Other 2 goals were hit which was 185lbs body weight, now 189 (probably some water and what not). Drop BF which was achieved within 5 weeks to where I was satisfied. Now my goal is to not drop below 180lbs and stay low on BF during and after PCT (hGH is being ran at 4iu 5/on 2/off through PCT up to and maybe through next cycle + GHRP-6/CJC 2x/day at wake up and before bed.) Does that look reasonable to you? I'm hoping for the best. So far so good with the hGH and G6/CJC, the hunger is amazing!

Freak_Accident's picture

Your good. Kind of. I was off 1 1/2 years then back 6 months then off 3 months then back on for 4 off 2 now on my 10th month steady (1st cycle on this stretch ending very soon). Its been a hectic 3 years very unstable for some health issues/injuries (not lifting related). Going strong now and 275lbs the most I've ever hit (3 weeks ago) I'm hoping for 300 Sunday but like bro said I shouldn't put a number on it and just go hard. That will fulfill one of my goals this cycle which is to hit 300lbs.

Freak_Accident's picture

My cycle ends Sunday lol but I would love some tips forsure! FR sent