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Approved Log My First Log - Cleaning Up and Locking In Before Blast Off

My gym has it's app sorted so I'll be back on track tomorrow. Still going to change gyms though because I'm pretty impressed with the machines in the other place. My current one is just a generic chain gym that's half treadmills and a few cable and plate loaded machines with nothing fancy
The new gym throw up some bodybuilding gym pics please. :D
 
New week, new training time. Moving from late evening to early mornings to go along with this week's shifts.

10/2/25
My weight came in a hair under 84kg this morning but of course that's largely hydration and glycogen related. What really matters is the gradual drop over the course of the week(s).

Chest - Not overly happy with the performance of some of these lifts as I know I was lifting more just a couple of months ago before I moved away from barbell lifts and towards machines and dumbbells. Something I'll just need to get over as stimulus is what matters, not writing down big numbers. I know it was a decent session because I've still got DOMS in my pecs almost three days later, where previously I've struggled to really work my chest hard enough for that.

Started off with my 2km run and a few sets of incline crunches in the 10-20 rep range to warm up and get myself moving

Flat BB bench

15x60kg
15z80kg
10x100kg
5x120kg
7x100kg

Cable crossovers - moved the pulley heights around a lot to find the best position for working the pecs while avoiding uncomfortable (not painful) clicking in my shoulders

10x12.5kg
10x15kg
10x12.5kg
10x12.5kg - this is where I decided to move to the pec dec. I just couldn't get a burn going on the cables today

Pecdec

10x54kg
10x68kg
10x82kg
7x103kg
10x89kg - I'm used to being able to max out the machine for reps so this is where I knew my pecs were cooked. Moved to triceps to give my chest a few minutes to recover before I finished off with dips

Tricep push down - the small ez bar handle thing

20x43kg
15x50kg
15x57kg
10x50kg

Incline crunches - again, to give upper body muscles a short rest

10 +10kg
10 +10kg
10 bodyweight only

Dips - chest focus, bodyweight only

15
10
10

End of session

11/2/25

Back

Started my run but it felt like my shins were going to explode so I went straight into stretching and getting ready to lift. I was about to spend 8 hours lifting and moving heavy stuff at work anyway.

Lat pulldown

10x47kg
10x67kg
10x77kg
10x57kg
10x57kg

Bent barbell rows

15x45kg
10x65kg
10x45kg
10x45kg - wasn't feeling the most locked in for free weight movements so I moved to a machine

Single arm plate loaded row

10x20kg
10x40kg
10x60kg
10x60kg
10x60kg
15x40kg

Lat prayers - to stretch out more than anything before leaving the gym

15x21kg
15x28kg
15x28kg
15x24.5kg

End of session

Today was a rest day as my chest is still good and tender from Monday morning and I wanted to be more recovered before shoulder day so I could make it a big one. Food hasn't been super tight. A few hard to measure meals with an early valentines day outing but overall but I should have been below maintenance calories almost every day apart from Tuesday with a big late night bowl of cereal.

Time to cook up some veggies and have some protein before bed.


Great update. Very detailed
 
New week, new training time. Moving from late evening to early mornings to go along with this week's shifts.

10/2/25
My weight came in a hair under 84kg this morning but of course that's largely hydration and glycogen related. What really matters is the gradual drop over the course of the week(s).

Chest - Not overly happy with the performance of some of these lifts as I know I was lifting more just a couple of months ago before I moved away from barbell lifts and towards machines and dumbbells. Something I'll just need to get over as stimulus is what matters, not writing down big numbers. I know it was a decent session because I've still got DOMS in my pecs almost three days later, where previously I've struggled to really work my chest hard enough for that.

Started off with my 2km run and a few sets of incline crunches in the 10-20 rep range to warm up and get myself moving

Flat BB bench

15x60kg
15z80kg
10x100kg
5x120kg
7x100kg

Cable crossovers - moved the pulley heights around a lot to find the best position for working the pecs while avoiding uncomfortable (not painful) clicking in my shoulders

10x12.5kg
10x15kg
10x12.5kg
10x12.5kg - this is where I decided to move to the pec dec. I just couldn't get a burn going on the cables today

Pecdec

10x54kg
10x68kg
10x82kg
7x103kg
10x89kg - I'm used to being able to max out the machine for reps so this is where I knew my pecs were cooked. Moved to triceps to give my chest a few minutes to recover before I finished off with dips

Tricep push down - the small ez bar handle thing

20x43kg
15x50kg
15x57kg
10x50kg

Incline crunches - again, to give upper body muscles a short rest

10 +10kg
10 +10kg
10 bodyweight only

Dips - chest focus, bodyweight only

15
10
10

End of session

11/2/25

Back

Started my run but it felt like my shins were going to explode so I went straight into stretching and getting ready to lift. I was about to spend 8 hours lifting and moving heavy stuff at work anyway.

Lat pulldown

10x47kg
10x67kg
10x77kg
10x57kg
10x57kg

Bent barbell rows

15x45kg
10x65kg
10x45kg
10x45kg - wasn't feeling the most locked in for free weight movements so I moved to a machine

Single arm plate loaded row

10x20kg
10x40kg
10x60kg
10x60kg
10x60kg
15x40kg

Lat prayers - to stretch out more than anything before leaving the gym

15x21kg
15x28kg
15x28kg
15x24.5kg

End of session

Today was a rest day as my chest is still good and tender from Monday morning and I wanted to be more recovered before shoulder day so I could make it a big one. Food hasn't been super tight. A few hard to measure meals with an early valentines day outing but overall but I should have been below maintenance calories almost every day apart from Tuesday with a big late night bowl of cereal.

Time to cook up some veggies and have some protein before bed.
@Frogger Numbers looks amazing........
 
@Frogger Numbers looks amazing........
Back in the gym this morning after taking the weekend off because of other time commitments. Cardio went well and now I'm doing legs. Today should be my last session in my current gym before I pick up my key tag for the new one.

Hoping today will be a decent session but I've just come off night shift so I'm just going to hammer a couple of isolations and then head home to bed.
 
I hadn't realised it'd been a week since I last put up some sessions. Things haven't been super consistent, shift rotations have been doing me in and all weekend I had to be up past 11pm and then awake again by 5am so I was lazy and didn't make it into the gym.
Yesterday was my first session in the new gym and the range of equipment is much larger, including a lot of machines I've never used. The plan was to get in a good back session today but I'm not sleeping well between night shifts and I'm sore all over so I'm giving myself some extra time for recovery. I'll get a picture of the place when I'm on a shift rotation that gets me in there when it's relatively empty. It's probably nothing impressive to most, but for a smallish town it's a pretty decent gym.


14/2/25

Shoulders

I started my cardio but my legs really weren't feeling it so I stopped a couple of minutes in. This session was before work anyway so I had 8 hours of light-medium intensity cardio work ahead of me anyway.

Dumbbell shoulder press to warm up

15x15kg
15x20kg
15x20kg

Plate loaded shoulder press

10x40kg
10x80kg
10x120kg
10x100kg
10x100kg
10x80kg
10x80kg
10x60kg
10x60kg This feels like way too much volume looking back but I can't see myself pushing much more than 120kg even for fewer reps at the moment. My shoulders just eat up volume.

Pec deck rear delt fly

10x40kg
10x47kg
10x54kg
10x47kg

Dumbbell lateral raise

10x7kg
10x10kg
10x8kg
8x7kg

Dumbbell front raise

10x10kg
10x10kg
10x10kg

End

17/2/25 Just a small session. I was very tired going into this already

Cardio - Just my normal 10 minute/2km run but I added in a slight incline because felt like I hadn't been pushing my cardio at all lately. I think I'll be slowly increasing this incline over time.

Seated hamstring curls

10x61kg
10x75kg
10x89kg
7x103kg - failed after 7, dropped weight and continued without rest - 5x89kg
10x75kg

Quad extension

10x47kg
10x61kg
10x75kg
7x96kg - failed, 25 second pause and continued - 5x96kg
7x82kg

End

18/2/25 First session at the new gym

Skipped the run because my legs were sore from the previous day

Machine chest press

10x47kg
10x75kg
10x103kg
7x117kg
5x103kg

Pec deck - this machine at the new gym has pretty poor ergonomics compared to the last one. Seat wobbles, range of motion is limited to 90 degrees, handles pivot in an uncomfortable way

7x60kg
7x60kg
4x72kg I decided here that I'd try it first on my next chest day to get used to it while I wasn't fatigued

Dumbbell slight incline bench

10x20kg
10x25kg
10x30kg
10x35kg
10x35kg form started to falter here
10x25kg

Cable crossover

10x10kg
10x15kg my chest was pretty tired at this point so my shoulders were taking over and throwing everything off
10x12.5kg

Machine tricep extensions - I've never used one of these machines before so getting the positioning right will take some time

15x30kg
10x45kg
10x45kg
10x40kg

Dips (bodyweight) to close the session out
3 sets of 10

End

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be in for a massive back session. I'm very keen to try the plate loaded low row and some of the less common pulldown attachments they have.

Bodyweight has been fluctuating a bit as I've been working to get my hydration levels way up. I've just ordered some casein protein along with my stock up of regular WPC so hopefully I can better utilise that to beat cravings at night.
 
I hadn't realised it'd been a week since I last put up some sessions. Things haven't been super consistent, shift rotations have been doing me in and all weekend I had to be up past 11pm and then awake again by 5am so I was lazy and didn't make it into the gym.
Yesterday was my first session in the new gym and the range of equipment is much larger, including a lot of machines I've never used. The plan was to get in a good back session today but I'm not sleeping well between night shifts and I'm sore all over so I'm giving myself some extra time for recovery. I'll get a picture of the place when I'm on a shift rotation that gets me in there when it's relatively empty. It's probably nothing impressive to most, but for a smallish town it's a pretty decent gym.


14/2/25

Shoulders

I started my cardio but my legs really weren't feeling it so I stopped a couple of minutes in. This session was before work anyway so I had 8 hours of light-medium intensity cardio work ahead of me anyway.

Dumbbell shoulder press to warm up

15x15kg
15x20kg
15x20kg

Plate loaded shoulder press

10x40kg
10x80kg
10x120kg
10x100kg
10x100kg
10x80kg
10x80kg
10x60kg
10x60kg This feels like way too much volume looking back but I can't see myself pushing much more than 120kg even for fewer reps at the moment. My shoulders just eat up volume.

Pec deck rear delt fly

10x40kg
10x47kg
10x54kg
10x47kg

Dumbbell lateral raise

10x7kg
10x10kg
10x8kg
8x7kg

Dumbbell front raise

10x10kg
10x10kg
10x10kg

End

17/2/25 Just a small session. I was very tired going into this already

Cardio - Just my normal 10 minute/2km run but I added in a slight incline because felt like I hadn't been pushing my cardio at all lately. I think I'll be slowly increasing this incline over time.

Seated hamstring curls

10x61kg
10x75kg
10x89kg
7x103kg - failed after 7, dropped weight and continued without rest - 5x89kg
10x75kg

Quad extension

10x47kg
10x61kg
10x75kg
7x96kg - failed, 25 second pause and continued - 5x96kg
7x82kg

End

18/2/25 First session at the new gym

Skipped the run because my legs were sore from the previous day

Machine chest press

10x47kg
10x75kg
10x103kg
7x117kg
5x103kg

Pec deck - this machine at the new gym has pretty poor ergonomics compared to the last one. Seat wobbles, range of motion is limited to 90 degrees, handles pivot in an uncomfortable way

7x60kg
7x60kg
4x72kg I decided here that I'd try it first on my next chest day to get used to it while I wasn't fatigued

Dumbbell slight incline bench

10x20kg
10x25kg
10x30kg
10x35kg
10x35kg form started to falter here
10x25kg

Cable crossover

10x10kg
10x15kg my chest was pretty tired at this point so my shoulders were taking over and throwing everything off
10x12.5kg

Machine tricep extensions - I've never used one of these machines before so getting the positioning right will take some time

15x30kg
10x45kg
10x45kg
10x40kg

Dips (bodyweight) to close the session out
3 sets of 10

End

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be in for a massive back session. I'm very keen to try the plate loaded low row and some of the less common pulldown attachments they have.

Bodyweight has been fluctuating a bit as I've been working to get my hydration levels way up. I've just ordered some casein protein along with my stock up of regular WPC so hopefully I can better utilise that to beat cravings at night.
@Frogger yea havent seen you update bro
you have bad cravings? you think about using semaglutide?
 
@Frogger yea havent seen you update bro
you have bad cravings? you think about using semaglutide?
It's more a lack of impulse control and I just need to knuckle down and try harder. I won't be going for any glp1 drugs because I'll just end up using it as a crutch and I'll never learn to work hard at a cut that way.
If I was say 10% bf and looking to dip down into the single digits I would consider it, but at my level my calories aren't low enough to need anything but better self control.
There's also the fact that I'm not competing, so it really doesn't matter too much if I'm not crazy lean by the date I've set myself. I'll just either go into the blast slightly less cut or I'll give myself another few weeks to drop some more fat.


On the topic of the blast, I'm considering sticking to the tried and true test + mast and simply raising the mgs rather than switching to EQ. I'm coming to realise that my nutrition and training are what has been lacking in the past, not my compound choice.
 
It's more a lack of impulse control and I just need to knuckle down and try harder. I won't be going for any glp1 drugs because I'll just end up using it as a crutch and I'll never learn to work hard at a cut that way.
If I was say 10% bf and looking to dip down into the single digits I would consider it, but at my level my calories aren't low enough to need anything but better self control.
There's also the fact that I'm not competing, so it really doesn't matter too much if I'm not crazy lean by the date I've set myself. I'll just either go into the blast slightly less cut or I'll give myself another few weeks to drop some more fat.


On the topic of the blast, I'm considering sticking to the tried and true test + mast and simply raising the mgs rather than switching to EQ. I'm coming to realise that my nutrition and training are what has been lacking in the past, not my compound choice.
you know with glp-1 peptides yes its a crutch bro but once you get used to not eating or craving it goes away @Frogger

test with some winstrol would be a better blast imo
 
you know with glp-1 peptides yes its a crutch bro but once you get used to not eating or craving it goes away @Frogger

test with some winstrol would be a better blast imo
Peptides may be a consideration next time once I'm going into a full length cut but right now the plan is to gradually move back into a surplus in April and start growing again
 
Peptides may be a consideration next time once I'm going into a full length cut but right now the plan is to gradually move back into a surplus in April and start growing again
you can use peptides irrespective of the diet bro but you do make a good point lets wait for a cut move @Frogger
 
Couple of sessions from the past two days to put up. Keep in mind that basically all the machines here are different to what I'm used to and I'm trying to get a feel for most of them. In general the ergonomics of these machines don't feel as good, but the wide range of equipment should make up for that in time.

20/2/25

Back

Started with my normal 2km run at 12kph. The treadmills here are pretty low quality and the whole thing was bouncing with every step.

Cable pull overs to warm up the lats

3 sets of 10x10kg

Plate loaded low row single arm

10x20kg
10x60kg - it was here that I decided the machine wasn't working for me. The grips were at an odd angle and I couldn't get comfortable

Flat plate loaded row single arm - This is a strange machine, lots of levers and cables instead of a single pivot

10x40kg
10x70kg
10x90kg
10x70kg

DB curls - I tried the machine preacher curls first and didn't love the machine. Pretty poor effort honestly but my wrists weren't feeling great after lifting heavy things all night at work

10x12.5kg
10x15kg
10x17.5kg

End

21/2/25

Shoulders with some core work

Cardio - I got a few minutes into my run but my guts were feeling pretty unsettled so I moved onto lifting rather than risking making myself feel unwell

Plate loaded shoulder press - ergonomics on this machine are alright, it's just hard to get into. I'm about 133cm/52 inches around at the delts and I could barely fit into the machine. I'm sure there are plenty of lads bigger than that here who simply wouldn't get in unless they put the seat on the floor.

10x40kg
10x80kg
9x100kg - definitely different to the machine at the other gym. I could push a lot more there
10x80kg
8x80kg
10x40kg

DB rear delt fly - Tried some rear delt work with the cables and wasn't really feeling it. I'll keep trying different things though because cables are king for constant tension

10x8kg
10x8kg
10x8kg
10x9kg
10x10kg
10x10kg
11x9kg

DB lateral raise

10x9kg - Side delts were feeling pretty weak here already from the shoulder press before
10x8kg
10x7kg

DB front raise

5 sets of 10x10kg

Steep incline sit ups were inserted into rest periods during the front raises for four sets in the 15-20 rep range.

I'll attach a picture below of my progress. I'm not nearly as lean as I could be as I'm still working through some compulsive eating issues. Most days are between 2-2.5k kcals but about once a week I'll come up to my old maintenance and cause a mini stall on the weight loss. I regret not getting a chest or arm pump before taking the picture. Still waiting on that fridge that ended up on back order to kick off my meal prepping again.
 

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Couple of sessions from the past two days to put up. Keep in mind that basically all the machines here are different to what I'm used to and I'm trying to get a feel for most of them. In general the ergonomics of these machines don't feel as good, but the wide range of equipment should make up for that in time.

20/2/25

Back

Started with my normal 2km run at 12kph. The treadmills here are pretty low quality and the whole thing was bouncing with every step.

Cable pull overs to warm up the lats

3 sets of 10x10kg

Plate loaded low row single arm

10x20kg
10x60kg - it was here that I decided the machine wasn't working for me. The grips were at an odd angle and I couldn't get comfortable

Flat plate loaded row single arm - This is a strange machine, lots of levers and cables instead of a single pivot

10x40kg
10x70kg
10x90kg
10x70kg

DB curls - I tried the machine preacher curls first and didn't love the machine. Pretty poor effort honestly but my wrists weren't feeling great after lifting heavy things all night at work

10x12.5kg
10x15kg
10x17.5kg

End

21/2/25

Shoulders with some core work

Cardio - I got a few minutes into my run but my guts were feeling pretty unsettled so I moved onto lifting rather than risking making myself feel unwell

Plate loaded shoulder press - ergonomics on this machine are alright, it's just hard to get into. I'm about 133cm/52 inches around at the delts and I could barely fit into the machine. I'm sure there are plenty of lads bigger than that here who simply wouldn't get in unless they put the seat on the floor.

10x40kg
10x80kg
9x100kg - definitely different to the machine at the other gym. I could push a lot more there
10x80kg
8x80kg
10x40kg

DB rear delt fly - Tried some rear delt work with the cables and wasn't really feeling it. I'll keep trying different things though because cables are king for constant tension

10x8kg
10x8kg
10x8kg
10x9kg
10x10kg
10x10kg
11x9kg

DB lateral raise

10x9kg - Side delts were feeling pretty weak here already from the shoulder press before
10x8kg
10x7kg

DB front raise

5 sets of 10x10kg

Steep incline sit ups were inserted into rest periods during the front raises for four sets in the 15-20 rep range.

I'll attach a picture below of my progress. I'm not nearly as lean as I could be as I'm still working through some compulsive eating issues. Most days are between 2-2.5k kcals but about once a week I'll come up to my old maintenance and cause a mini stall on the weight loss. I regret not getting a chest or arm pump before taking the picture. Still waiting on that fridge that ended up on back order to kick off my meal prepping again.
@Frogger you're actually MUCH leaner, wow leaner for sure :D but we should start meal prepping again soon.
Big shoulder day lots of close volume, you're intense.
 
If your wrists, aren't feeling that good, then it's smart to not push things.

I've seen so many guys over the years with chronic risk problems.
 
Proud of you, man. Keep up the good work. I like that, you're training. The core.
 
The way you structure the log and the workouts is very cool.

It shows that you have dedication and are taking time to post up.
 
Physique is really coming into its own. I'm very impressed.
Give it another couple weeks and you'll start seeing the changes really take off.
 
That's good. That's, you're able to be humble and admit that you have work to do.

That's okay man, we're gonna get you where you need to go. Don't worry.
 
I would add in some fast that training sessions in the morning,
That will really help lean you out quick.
 
Proud of you, man, if you keep this going,

there's no telling where you'll end up
 
bros Can't you get one of those mini fridges?
A lot of places that let you even rent them out.
I've got one on the way but it's been put on back order so there's no telling how long it'll be before it gets to me. Fortunately running a deficit without prepping is much easier than running a large surplus without it
 
Quick update before bed. I didn't make time to get into the gym over the weekend. I spent the days reverting to a diurnal sleeping pattern and spending time with my girl on the rare weekend that neither of us are stuck at work.

24/2/25

Legs

Started off with my cardio but cut it a bit short to save my legs for the workout (That and running was giving me lower back pumps. Need to bring a shaker with taurine and electrolytes to work to drink before the gym)

Hack squat - Didn't do much on this, one of my knees wasn't loving it. I've never actually spent any real time with a hack squat because my previous gym didn't have one. The new gym has four or so slightly different ones plus a couple of similar machines that are supposed to hit the glutes so I'll be learning to love the hack squat hopefully

10x40kg
5x80kg - this is where I decided to move to isolations. I'll do a better job warming up next time and get some real work in next time.

Standing calf raise - One of the machines with the pads over the shoulders so it's the logged weights plus my weight

10x20kg
10x30kg
10x30kg
10x40kg
10x50kg

Seated hamstring curl - No manufacturer logos on this machine but the ergonomics are quite good.

10x40kg
10x60kg
10x75kg
11x85kg
10x100kg - Maxed out the machine unfortunately.
10x100kg

Quad extensions

10x40kg
10x54kg
10x75kg
10x89kg
10x89kg
10x75kg

There was also some bicep, tricep, and chest work between the ham curl and quad extension sets just to get a pump on and see how things looking in the gym's lighting. I should have taken a picture because even though I thought I'd be a bit sloppy from the lazy weekend I was looking tight and big. I'll see if I can get a good one tomorrow when I have a real chest pump going.
On the hernia topic from a little while ago, I should be seeing a specialist soon to work out what exactly is going on and what needs to be done. I haven't touched squats or deadlifts in a few weeks now to avoid aggravating the issue but I would like to get back into my compound lifts soon if he gives me the go ahead.
 
Quick update before bed. I didn't make time to get into the gym over the weekend. I spent the days reverting to a diurnal sleeping pattern and spending time with my girl on the rare weekend that neither of us are stuck at work.

24/2/25

Legs

Started off with my cardio but cut it a bit short to save my legs for the workout (That and running was giving me lower back pumps. Need to bring a shaker with taurine and electrolytes to work to drink before the gym)

Hack squat - Didn't do much on this, one of my knees wasn't loving it. I've never actually spent any real time with a hack squat because my previous gym didn't have one. The new gym has four or so slightly different ones plus a couple of similar machines that are supposed to hit the glutes so I'll be learning to love the hack squat hopefully

10x40kg
5x80kg - this is where I decided to move to isolations. I'll do a better job warming up next time and get some real work in next time.

Standing calf raise - One of the machines with the pads over the shoulders so it's the logged weights plus my weight

10x20kg
10x30kg
10x30kg
10x40kg
10x50kg

Seated hamstring curl - No manufacturer logos on this machine but the ergonomics are quite good.

10x40kg
10x60kg
10x75kg
11x85kg
10x100kg - Maxed out the machine unfortunately.
10x100kg

Quad extensions

10x40kg
10x54kg
10x75kg
10x89kg
10x89kg
10x75kg

There was also some bicep, tricep, and chest work between the ham curl and quad extension sets just to get a pump on and see how things looking in the gym's lighting. I should have taken a picture because even though I thought I'd be a bit sloppy from the lazy weekend I was looking tight and big. I'll see if I can get a good one tomorrow when I have a real chest pump going.
On the hernia topic from a little while ago, I should be seeing a specialist soon to work out what exactly is going on and what needs to be done. I haven't touched squats or deadlifts in a few weeks now to avoid aggravating the issue but I would like to get back into my compound lifts soon if he gives me the go ahead.
@Frogger leg day is the big day real pump bro
 
Quick update for the past two days before bed

Calories are sitting between 2200-2500 with macros being roughly P250|C100|F90. Closer to 3000 on the weekend factoring in some snack food while watching movies with my partner. Weight is slowly coming down but more than anything I think I'm recomping faster than the scale is moving down. I'm attributing this to increasing my training intensity and focusing on getting 200g+ of protein every day where before I've settled for 150-200. I am becoming significantly more vascular, my skin is tightening, and I'm adding more stretch marks to my collection around my delts/pecs/armpits. I'll post a couple of pictures below but you'll have to take my word for it that the pumps looked infinitely better in person than what the camera captured. Maybe I just suck at taking photos, and I've certainly never given any thought to learning to pose. Another thing to work on.

25/2/25

Chest

I've worked out that many of the machines at this gym are made locally and in the name of anonymity (I live in a very small place) I won't be posting pictures of most of them. Some of the machines are very unique

Laying plate loaded chest press - This is one of the unique machines. Kicked my ass at a weight I thought I'd rep easily and the range of motion and stretch is incredible. I'll probably be using this as a closer on my chest days to really cook the pecs before I leave the gym.

10x40kg - Like I said, felt heavy and a great stretch
10x80kg - This is where I made a fool of myself. This is my normal progression on bench and other chest presses. 80kg of plates on this felt like 140kg on a regular bench press
10x60kg
10x40kg - I decided to move to other equipment rather than burn out my chest on my first exercise.

Tricep pushdown

15x25kg
10x35kg
10x35kg
10x35kg
15x30kg
15x30kg

EZ bar preacher curls - these were superset between the push downs because I felt like getting a bicep pump

10x35kg
10x35kg
10x40kg
10x40kg

Pec deck - I've worked out the ergonomics on this machine now. The seat has to be fully extended outwards to make up for the limited range of motion on the arms.

10x50kg
10x67kg
10x50kg - This machine is definitely more difficult for a stated weight than my previous one

Dips - Love these as a closer for a chest session
3 sets of 10 wide grip leaning forwards

26/2/25

Back


Cable single arm pullovers - just to warm things up

10x10kg
10x12.5kg
10x15kg

Pull ups - I've always sucked at these. First set was much easier than expected so my back must be getting stronger
10
10
5

Lat pulldowns - First time using that anchor shaped handle
10x43kg
10x60kg
10x70kg - my grip was starting to fatigue here from the rest of the workout and also from work before I came to the gym so I moved to rows so I could strap up

Single arm plate loaded row

10x20kg
10x40kg
10x60kg
10x60kg

That's where tonight's session wrapped up. I probably could have gone longer but it was almost midnight and I had to come home and eat.

Again, the pictures below don't hold a candle to how pumped I was and how much my veins were showing in the mirror in person.
 

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Quick update for the past two days before bed

Calories are sitting between 2200-2500 with macros being roughly P250|C100|F90. Closer to 3000 on the weekend factoring in some snack food while watching movies with my partner. Weight is slowly coming down but more than anything I think I'm recomping faster than the scale is moving down. I'm attributing this to increasing my training intensity and focusing on getting 200g+ of protein every day where before I've settled for 150-200. I am becoming significantly more vascular, my skin is tightening, and I'm adding more stretch marks to my collection around my delts/pecs/armpits. I'll post a couple of pictures below but you'll have to take my word for it that the pumps looked infinitely better in person than what the camera captured. Maybe I just suck at taking photos, and I've certainly never given any thought to learning to pose. Another thing to work on.

25/2/25

Chest

I've worked out that many of the machines at this gym are made locally and in the name of anonymity (I live in a very small place) I won't be posting pictures of most of them. Some of the machines are very unique

Laying plate loaded chest press - This is one of the unique machines. Kicked my ass at a weight I thought I'd rep easily and the range of motion and stretch is incredible. I'll probably be using this as a closer on my chest days to really cook the pecs before I leave the gym.

10x40kg - Like I said, felt heavy and a great stretch
10x80kg - This is where I made a fool of myself. This is my normal progression on bench and other chest presses. 80kg of plates on this felt like 140kg on a regular bench press
10x60kg
10x40kg - I decided to move to other equipment rather than burn out my chest on my first exercise.

Tricep pushdown

15x25kg
10x35kg
10x35kg
10x35kg
15x30kg
15x30kg

EZ bar preacher curls - these were superset between the push downs because I felt like getting a bicep pump

10x35kg
10x35kg
10x40kg
10x40kg

Pec deck - I've worked out the ergonomics on this machine now. The seat has to be fully extended outwards to make up for the limited range of motion on the arms.

10x50kg
10x67kg
10x50kg - This machine is definitely more difficult for a stated weight than my previous one

Dips - Love these as a closer for a chest session
3 sets of 10 wide grip leaning forwards

26/2/25

Back


Cable single arm pullovers - just to warm things up

10x10kg
10x12.5kg
10x15kg

Pull ups - I've always sucked at these. First set was much easier than expected so my back must be getting stronger
10
10
5

Lat pulldowns - First time using that anchor shaped handle
10x43kg
10x60kg
10x70kg - my grip was starting to fatigue here from the rest of the workout and also from work before I came to the gym so I moved to rows so I could strap up

Single arm plate loaded row

10x20kg
10x40kg
10x60kg
10x60kg

That's where tonight's session wrapped up. I probably could have gone longer but it was almost midnight and I had to come home and eat.

Again, the pictures below don't hold a candle to how pumped I was and how much my veins were showing in the mirror in person.
You have a very impressive pump in the picture, on the right, HUGE chest and HUGE arms and HUGE shoulders, very thick growth @Frogger
 
Proud of you man you did a good workout and the standing calf raises and hamstring. Curls are fantastic back to back.
 
Nice upper body training.

I like the EZ bar preacher curls. Those are always fun.
 
Nice back workout. It's okay that you suck at pull-ups. That's why you keep working at it.
 
You should try some monkey bars.

Those will help you improve your pull-ups very quickly.
 
Man, you look good in your pictures, for sure. Make sure you work on some stomach vacuuming. You gotta suck in that waist better.
 
Looking good for sure in your physique.

Can tell by the pictures you got a nice ripped upper body.
 
You are looking powerful in your pictures. Chest is looking thick, and the arms are looking thicker.
 
Man, you look good in your pictures, for sure. Make sure you work on some stomach vacuuming. You gotta suck in that waist better.
Absolutely have to work on vacuums and learn some posing in general. I don't think I'll ever try competing but it'd be a waste not to learn some poses.

I've got a few weeks off work soon so I'll be able to really hammer in some sessions without being tired from work or having to consider time constraints.
 
Update on the hernia situation:
Confirmed to be a small hernia on the left, small enough that it can be treated endoscopically and while they're at it they're going to reinforce the right side as well as a preventative measure. I'm told you really only get one shot at an endoscopic hernia repair as the procedure causes some fusion of the layers of muscle and smooth tissue.
Surgery could be arranged any time in the next few months and when I've got a date I might start moving some blast plans around to facilitate recovery and avoid being mid-blast and suddenly unable to train for up to six weeks or so.

On a positive note, I was supposed to come into work on a short turn around tomorrow and I've managed to get that off, so I can get into the gym tonight and smash out some shoulder work.
 
Update on the hernia situation:
Confirmed to be a small hernia on the left, small enough that it can be treated endoscopically and while they're at it they're going to reinforce the right side as well as a preventative measure. I'm told you really only get one shot at an endoscopic hernia repair as the procedure causes some fusion of the layers of muscle and smooth tissue.
Surgery could be arranged any time in the next few months and when I've got a date I might start moving some blast plans around to facilitate recovery and avoid being mid-blast and suddenly unable to train for up to six weeks or so.

On a positive note, I was supposed to come into work on a short turn around tomorrow and I've managed to get that off, so I can get into the gym tonight and smash out some shoulder work.
@Frogger you will do the surgery after the blast bro? i think you should prep bpc157 for it as well
 
@Frogger you will do the surgery after the blast bro? i think you should prep bpc157 for it as well
Waiting to be put through the system and get an expected date and then I'll work out what the plan is. All I've got right now is "it'll be a few months".

Healing peptides are definitely something I'll look in to now that I'll have a reason for them
 
Quick update for the past two days before bed

Calories are sitting between 2200-2500 with macros being roughly P250|C100|F90. Closer to 3000 on the weekend factoring in some snack food while watching movies with my partner. Weight is slowly coming down but more than anything I think I'm recomping faster than the scale is moving down. I'm attributing this to increasing my training intensity and focusing on getting 200g+ of protein every day where before I've settled for 150-200. I am becoming significantly more vascular, my skin is tightening, and I'm adding more stretch marks to my collection around my delts/pecs/armpits. I'll post a couple of pictures below but you'll have to take my word for it that the pumps looked infinitely better in person than what the camera captured. Maybe I just suck at taking photos, and I've certainly never given any thought to learning to pose. Another thing to work on.

25/2/25

Chest

I've worked out that many of the machines at this gym are made locally and in the name of anonymity (I live in a very small place) I won't be posting pictures of most of them. Some of the machines are very unique

Laying plate loaded chest press - This is one of the unique machines. Kicked my ass at a weight I thought I'd rep easily and the range of motion and stretch is incredible. I'll probably be using this as a closer on my chest days to really cook the pecs before I leave the gym.

10x40kg - Like I said, felt heavy and a great stretch
10x80kg - This is where I made a fool of myself. This is my normal progression on bench and other chest presses. 80kg of plates on this felt like 140kg on a regular bench press
10x60kg
10x40kg - I decided to move to other equipment rather than burn out my chest on my first exercise.

Tricep pushdown

15x25kg
10x35kg
10x35kg
10x35kg
15x30kg
15x30kg

EZ bar preacher curls - these were superset between the push downs because I felt like getting a bicep pump

10x35kg
10x35kg
10x40kg
10x40kg

Pec deck - I've worked out the ergonomics on this machine now. The seat has to be fully extended outwards to make up for the limited range of motion on the arms.

10x50kg
10x67kg
10x50kg - This machine is definitely more difficult for a stated weight than my previous one

Dips - Love these as a closer for a chest session
3 sets of 10 wide grip leaning forwards

26/2/25

Back


Cable single arm pullovers - just to warm things up

10x10kg
10x12.5kg
10x15kg

Pull ups - I've always sucked at these. First set was much easier than expected so my back must be getting stronger
10
10
5

Lat pulldowns - First time using that anchor shaped handle
10x43kg
10x60kg
10x70kg - my grip was starting to fatigue here from the rest of the workout and also from work before I came to the gym so I moved to rows so I could strap up

Single arm plate loaded row

10x20kg
10x40kg
10x60kg
10x60kg

That's where tonight's session wrapped up. I probably could have gone longer but it was almost midnight and I had to come home and eat.

Again, the pictures below don't hold a candle to how pumped I was and how much my veins were showing in the mirror in person.
@Frogger awesome log bro! Looking jacked!!
 
Nice work
 
Waiting to be put through the system and get an expected date and then I'll work out what the plan is. All I've got right now is "it'll be a few months".

Healing peptides are definitely something I'll look in to now that I'll have a reason for them
Dont do surgery unless you have to imo.
 
Dont do surgery unless you have to imo.
The tear is there and chances are it'll just get larger over time. As it is I'm not squatting or deadlifting because there's the potential for bowel entrapment. Once this is sorted and the area is reinforced and healed I shouldn't have to worry about it ever again.

Aside from that, log has been a little bare over the weekend as usual because I have to reverse my sleeping schedule every weekend. I'll be in the gym around 3am tomorrow before work to kick off my first day shifts at the new gym with some big sessions. I've been lifting at home between doing other things but nothing I've bothered to track.
Starting to see some veins pop out below my bellybutton even though the fat over my middle abs is still sticking around.
 
The tear is there and chances are it'll just get larger over time. As it is I'm not squatting or deadlifting because there's the potential for bowel entrapment. Once this is sorted and the area is reinforced and healed I shouldn't have to worry about it ever again.

Aside from that, log has been a little bare over the weekend as usual because I have to reverse my sleeping schedule every weekend. I'll be in the gym around 3am tomorrow before work to kick off my first day shifts at the new gym with some big sessions. I've been lifting at home between doing other things but nothing I've bothered to track.
Starting to see some veins pop out below my bellybutton even though the fat over my middle abs is still sticking around.
It's that bad, I wasn't sure how bad it is. @Frogger probably surgery is a must.
 
It's that bad, I wasn't sure how bad it is. @Frogger probably surgery is a must.
It's a tricky thing. At the moment it's a very small tear and it's only blood vessels and soft tissue etc. being pushed through when there's a lot of abdominal pressure (like in a deep squat) but it can go from that to full on bowel entrapment very quickly which needs emergency surgery so the part that gets pushed through doesn't get stuck and lose blood supply and go necrotic. Surgery is a must because I want to be able to do compound lifts, even if they aren't a regular part of my training at the moment.
 
It's a tricky thing. At the moment it's a very small tear and it's only blood vessels and soft tissue etc. being pushed through when there's a lot of abdominal pressure (like in a deep squat) but it can go from that to full on bowel entrapment very quickly which needs emergency surgery so the part that gets pushed through doesn't get stuck and lose blood supply and go necrotic. Surgery is a must because I want to be able to do compound lifts, even if they aren't a regular part of my training at the moment.
With this in mind I wouldn't do any legs, all sitting exercises and all machines imo
 
Big session this morning that I'll type up after work today. I've been hitting general upper body over the weekend at home but I didn't log that so I've picked up the split where my last logged session left off. Shoulders and core with a bit of bicep work before finishing up.

I'll be making the switch to Sydney City Supplements gear in the coming weeks and once I've got a surgery date I'll put together a solid plan for the upcoming blast.

Early starts and hard training to come this week. Getting back in to my high intensity cardio after being slightly lazy with it last week.
 
Big session this morning that I'll type up after work today. I've been hitting general upper body over the weekend at home but I didn't log that so I've picked up the split where my last logged session left off. Shoulders and core with a bit of bicep work before finishing up.

I'll be making the switch to Sydney City Supplements gear in the coming weeks and once I've got a surgery date I'll put together a solid plan for the upcoming blast.

Early starts and hard training to come this week. Getting back in to my high intensity cardio after being slightly lazy with it last week.
You plan to train during surgery? I'm not sure your recovery time on this. @Frogger
 
You plan to train during surgery? I'm not sure your recovery time on this. @Frogger
Nah I won't be training for six weeks after the surgery and I'll be off work for that time too. I might be able to do arms after a few weeks but anything that could interfere with the recovery I will give plenty of time before even considering it.
If something goes awry with the recovery it'll have to be repaired with full on open surgery so I'm not taking any risks.
 
Now I'm home with time to type up this morning's session. I'm also attaching a photo from the end of the session though it's not like there's a crazy amount of progression visible since I posted a photo a few days ago. I did get my abs pumped up earlier in the session but the photo was taken about 45 minutes later right before I left so that was gone. I've also been trying some of @Sydneycitysupplements anavar as a pre-workout once a week and though it might be placebo, I swear I can feel it making a difference. My muscles seem to recover between sets faster than I can burn them out and even when their strength is mostly gone they still feel ready to go.
I'm realising that my delt isolations look like they're really light weight, and maybe they are, but they're all performed with zero momentum to kickstart the movement and completed with a maximal range of motion with arms fully outstretched.

3/3/25 Feels like a long time since the last gym session but the previous one was at around midnight and I've been training over the weekend at home

Shoulders and core, finishing with biceps for a quick pump

Started with my 2km run to warm up.

DB Shoulder Press - Free weights instead of the machine today. I'll probably use the machine next time I do shoulders to hit some big numbers again.

10x15kg
15x20kg
15x25kg
15x30kg
10x30kg
10x25kg

High Incline Crunches - bodyweight

20
15
10 - Definitely need to add in some hanging leg raises and probably some oblique work here but I wanted to get into my delt isolations

DB rear delt - I wanted to hit my rear delts on the pec deck but the machine was out of order

15x10kg
15x10kg
10x10kg
10x10kg

DB Lateral Raise

10x10kg
10x9kg
10x8kg
10x8kg

DB Front Raise

10x10kg
10x10kg
10x9kg
10x9kg
10x9kg

EZ Bar Preacher Curls

10x30kg
10x35kg
10x40kg
10x45kg

I think I'm going to plug in biceps every other day or so and see if I can finally get them to grow. They've been stuck around 16.5-17 inches for as long as I can remember and while the super long muscle belly doesn't help when it comes to forming a large peak, I know they'll grow if I train them hard enough.

I'll see if I can log my sessions daily this week rather than dumping two or three days at a time but might fall apart depending on how tired I am after work each day.
 

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Now I'm home with time to type up this morning's session. I'm also attaching a photo from the end of the session though it's not like there's a crazy amount of progression visible since I posted a photo a few days ago. I did get my abs pumped up earlier in the session but the photo was taken about 45 minutes later right before I left so that was gone. I've also been trying some of @Sydneycitysupplements anavar as a pre-workout once a week and though it might be placebo, I swear I can feel it making a difference. My muscles seem to recover between sets faster than I can burn them out and even when their strength is mostly gone they still feel ready to go.
I'm realising that my delt isolations look like they're really light weight, and maybe they are, but they're all performed with zero momentum to kickstart the movement and completed with a maximal range of motion with arms fully outstretched.

3/3/25 Feels like a long time since the last gym session but the previous one was at around midnight and I've been training over the weekend at home

Shoulders and core, finishing with biceps for a quick pump

Started with my 2km run to warm up.

DB Shoulder Press - Free weights instead of the machine today. I'll probably use the machine next time I do shoulders to hit some big numbers again.

10x15kg
15x20kg
15x25kg
15x30kg
10x30kg
10x25kg

High Incline Crunches - bodyweight

20
15
10 - Definitely need to add in some hanging leg raises and probably some oblique work here but I wanted to get into my delt isolations

DB rear delt - I wanted to hit my rear delts on the pec deck but the machine was out of order

15x10kg
15x10kg
10x10kg
10x10kg

DB Lateral Raise

10x10kg
10x9kg
10x8kg
10x8kg

DB Front Raise

10x10kg
10x10kg
10x9kg
10x9kg
10x9kg

EZ Bar Preacher Curls

10x30kg
10x35kg
10x40kg
10x45kg

I think I'm going to plug in biceps every other day or so and see if I can finally get them to grow. They've been stuck around 16.5-17 inches for as long as I can remember and while the super long muscle belly doesn't help when it comes to forming a large peak, I know they'll grow if I train them hard enough.

I'll see if I can log my sessions daily this week rather than dumping two or three days at a time but might fall apart depending on how tired I am after work each day.
shoulders and core very good day bro @Frogger i noticed your size is growing your chest has gotten HUGe and thick
impressive for sure and curls are delivering need more weight on them
 
Mini update, I've had to take a rest day today so I could get a half decent amount of sleep. I had to get up at 10pm for an hour and after that I couldn't get back to sleep until midnight so I was wrecked by the time my alarm went off at 3am.

There shouldn't be any similar disruptions for the rest of the week so I should be able to smash out the next three days without issues. Legs coming tomorrow morning.
 
If the doctor thinks it needs to be taken care of, then definitely get your hernia taken care of.
 
Don't take any chances when it comes to your body.

Especially if it's covered by your insurance.
 
I've known people weight training who've had surgeries for hernias over the years.

It happens all the time, man. It's a pretty common thing.
 
shoulders and core, and finishing with biceps.

very cool stuff.
 
Nice job with the workout from today.
We're also seeing you keep getting leaner to abs are starting to show.
 
I've got hernias as well.

I haven't got them treated yet, so I'm curious to hear how much yours ends up costing and what kind of issues it has.
It's definitely minor enough that I could have just left it without getting it repaired, but it just isn't worth the risk in my eyes. The procedure itself shouldn't cost me anything because it's considered medically necessary and covered by public healthcare, but there might be fees for the night stay afterwards if I don't come straight home. If it gets worse before it's patched up it'll be open surgery rather than endoscopic and the recovery will probably be a whole lot more intense

Between living with it and having to avoid a bunch of exercises that could make it worse and having it fixed once and for all before it gets bad, the choice is pretty clear in my eyes.
 
i have several (what i believe) are hernias. had a GP look at them and brush them off as they were way beyong their IQ.

one i got deadlifting above my belly button and a couple on the side of my stomach
Mine is inguinal, basically half way down the "v" line of the lower abdomen where there's a weakness by the canal the testicles descend through. I'm not sure how commonly other kinds progress, but mine is one that usually gets worse over time
 
Mine is inguinal, basically half way down the "v" line of the lower abdomen where there's a weakness by the canal the testicles descend through. I'm not sure how commonly other kinds progress, but mine is one that usually gets worse over time
those do get worse bro
 
Mine is inguinal, basically half way down the "v" line of the lower abdomen where there's a weakness by the canal the testicles descend through. I'm not sure how commonly other kinds progress, but mine is one that usually gets worse over time
@Frogger I’ve had 2 hernia surgeries. Mine weren’t very major. They were right in my belly button but I wanted to get them fixed before they became an issue.
 
I meant to post yesterday's session after work, but by the time I remembered I was already falling asleep so here is both yesterday and today's sessions.

5/3/25

Legs


Once again my shins/calves weren't happy with running so after running at my normal pace for 3 minutes I dropped it to a fast walk for another 10 just to get some distance in at least. I'm going to have to look at finding a lower impact form of cardio that actually taxes my system enough to be clearly beneficial. Might have to take up cycling or swimming.

EZ bar preacher curls - started with biceps just to get them out of the way and give my legs a few minutes of rest after the treadmill before resistance training

10x35kg
10x45kg
5x50kg
5x50kg
10x45kg
10x45kg

Standing calf raise machine

10x25kg
10x40kg
10x50kg
10x60kg

Seated hamstring curl

10x60kg
10x70kg
10x80kg
10x100kg
10x90kg

Quad extension

10x47kg
10x68kg
10x89kg
10x103kg
8x89kg

End - Quads are getting stronger but still are weaker than I feel they should be. Probably could have done more drop sets on the extensions as I didn't end up with that much DOMS from this session

6/3/25

Chest + triceps and core - Like biceps, I think I'm going to plug ab work into roughly every other session because they recover relatively quickly and are lagging slightly due to low weekly volume

Plate loaded horizontal chest press - I really want to like this machine, but the angle and position of the handles just doesn't work well for me so I moved on after a single warmup set

10x40kg

Vertical chest press

10x40kg
10x80kg
5x120kg - Here I had the same handle issues as the previous machine and moved on to other things

Flat BB bench - Kind of awkward as I haven't used a proper competition bench much before, having opted for the one with the bar rest on a pivot for comfort

10x20kg
10x60kg
10x80kg
4x120kg - My left delt didn't like this much. I'm going to put that down to all the shoulder height heavy lifting I do at work as well as not doing BB bench much for the past few months. I think it's either time for me to start again like a beginner from a lower weight and work back up or just make the switch fully to cables and dumbbells

Cable crossover, pulleys high

15x10kg
15x15kg
15x17.5kg
10x21.5kg
10x17.5kg
Moved the pulleys to a low position
10x15kg
10x12.5kg
10x10kg
11x10kg - I love cables for chest work. The actual load may be low, but the stimulus and pump can be exceptional

Tricep push down - short straight bar

15x25kg
15x35kg
15x35kg
10x30kg

Incline crunches - steep, bodyweight only

20
10
10

Dips - chest focus, bodyweight

15
10
10

End

All in all, a couple of half decent sessions minus the issues completing my cardio. Unfortunately I can't wear my watch to work as I'm in a clean room all day but I think I easily get 10k+ steps even on days where I don't get into the gym. Walking just doesn't cut it to drop my blood pressure the way running does, and my lower legs really don't like running. This is definitely something I need to work out.
Picture attached below. Things are starting to really shape up and some proper definition is coming in. My lats aren't anything super impressive but there is some chest/lat width that I've been failing to capture on the camera so far. Tomorrow is back day and I'm planning on opting for more cable rows over my usual machines to really stretch my lats around my ribs and burn them out.
 

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Now I'm home with time to type up this morning's session. I'm also attaching a photo from the end of the session though it's not like there's a crazy amount of progression visible since I posted a photo a few days ago. I did get my abs pumped up earlier in the session but the photo was taken about 45 minutes later right before I left so that was gone. I've also been trying some of @Sydneycitysupplements anavar as a pre-workout once a week and though it might be placebo, I swear I can feel it making a difference. My muscles seem to recover between sets faster than I can burn them out and even when their strength is mostly gone they still feel ready to go.
I'm realising that my delt isolations look like they're really light weight, and maybe they are, but they're all performed with zero momentum to kickstart the movement and completed with a maximal range of motion with arms fully outstretched.

3/3/25 Feels like a long time since the last gym session but the previous one was at around midnight and I've been training over the weekend at home

Shoulders and core, finishing with biceps for a quick pump

Started with my 2km run to warm up.

DB Shoulder Press - Free weights instead of the machine today. I'll probably use the machine next time I do shoulders to hit some big numbers again.

10x15kg
15x20kg
15x25kg
15x30kg
10x30kg
10x25kg

High Incline Crunches - bodyweight

20
15
10 - Definitely need to add in some hanging leg raises and probably some oblique work here but I wanted to get into my delt isolations

DB rear delt - I wanted to hit my rear delts on the pec deck but the machine was out of order

15x10kg
15x10kg
10x10kg
10x10kg

DB Lateral Raise

10x10kg
10x9kg
10x8kg
10x8kg

DB Front Raise

10x10kg
10x10kg
10x9kg
10x9kg
10x9kg

EZ Bar Preacher Curls

10x30kg
10x35kg
10x40kg
10x45kg

I think I'm going to plug in biceps every other day or so and see if I can finally get them to grow. They've been stuck around 16.5-17 inches for as long as I can remember and while the super long muscle belly doesn't help when it comes to forming a large peak, I know they'll grow if I train them hard enough.

I'll see if I can log my sessions daily this week rather than dumping two or three days at a time but might fall apart depending on how tired I am after work each day.
@Frogger solid work bro! Stay on that grind!
 
I meant to post yesterday's session after work, but by the time I remembered I was already falling asleep so here is both yesterday and today's sessions.

5/3/25

Legs


Once again my shins/calves weren't happy with running so after running at my normal pace for 3 minutes I dropped it to a fast walk for another 10 just to get some distance in at least. I'm going to have to look at finding a lower impact form of cardio that actually taxes my system enough to be clearly beneficial. Might have to take up cycling or swimming.

EZ bar preacher curls - started with biceps just to get them out of the way and give my legs a few minutes of rest after the treadmill before resistance training

10x35kg
10x45kg
5x50kg
5x50kg
10x45kg
10x45kg

Standing calf raise machine

10x25kg
10x40kg
10x50kg
10x60kg

Seated hamstring curl

10x60kg
10x70kg
10x80kg
10x100kg
10x90kg

Quad extension

10x47kg
10x68kg
10x89kg
10x103kg
8x89kg

End - Quads are getting stronger but still are weaker than I feel they should be. Probably could have done more drop sets on the extensions as I didn't end up with that much DOMS from this session

6/3/25

Chest + triceps and core - Like biceps, I think I'm going to plug ab work into roughly every other session because they recover relatively quickly and are lagging slightly due to low weekly volume

Plate loaded horizontal chest press - I really want to like this machine, but the angle and position of the handles just doesn't work well for me so I moved on after a single warmup set

10x40kg

Vertical chest press

10x40kg
10x80kg
5x120kg - Here I had the same handle issues as the previous machine and moved on to other things

Flat BB bench - Kind of awkward as I haven't used a proper competition bench much before, having opted for the one with the bar rest on a pivot for comfort

10x20kg
10x60kg
10x80kg
4x120kg - My left delt didn't like this much. I'm going to put that down to all the shoulder height heavy lifting I do at work as well as not doing BB bench much for the past few months. I think it's either time for me to start again like a beginner from a lower weight and work back up or just make the switch fully to cables and dumbbells

Cable crossover, pulleys high

15x10kg
15x15kg
15x17.5kg
10x21.5kg
10x17.5kg
Moved the pulleys to a low position
10x15kg
10x12.5kg
10x10kg
11x10kg - I love cables for chest work. The actual load may be low, but the stimulus and pump can be exceptional

Tricep push down - short straight bar

15x25kg
15x35kg
15x35kg
10x30kg

Incline crunches - steep, bodyweight only

20
10
10

Dips - chest focus, bodyweight

15
10
10

End

All in all, a couple of half decent sessions minus the issues completing my cardio. Unfortunately I can't wear my watch to work as I'm in a clean room all day but I think I easily get 10k+ steps even on days where I don't get into the gym. Walking just doesn't cut it to drop my blood pressure the way running does, and my lower legs really don't like running. This is definitely something I need to work out.
Picture attached below. Things are starting to really shape up and some proper definition is coming in. My lats aren't anything super impressive but there is some chest/lat width that I've been failing to capture on the camera so far. Tomorrow is back day and I'm planning on opting for more cable rows over my usual machines to really stretch my lats around my ribs and burn them out.
Abs looking good and definition is coming strong. @Frogger I do think you can do more planks and cardio though.
For lats start pull ups and more deads if you can.
 
Abs looking good and definition is coming strong. @Frogger I do think you can do more planks and cardio though.
For lats start pull ups and more deads if you can.
Can't do deads at the moment with the risk of making this hernia worse (I'm 99% sure deadlifts are what caused it in the first place) I've been doing more pull ups lately. I did one set this morning in my back session (will likely type up after work) but didn't put it in my book as I was already fatigued from cable rows and the performance was subpar.

I'll definitely be getting my cardio back up there. It was really good for some time but a few bad sessions killed my desire to get better at running.

I'll have a bit of a rest over the weekend and then get into some evening sessions while I've got some time off work.
 
Did the doctors say how long their hernia would take to get better afterwards?

Meaning, how long would you have to stay away from weight training?
 
Hernias are definitely part of the game. Many of us have had them before, it's pretty common.
 
Yeah. Deadlifts can definitely make a hernia worse.

Really anything heavy.
 
deadlifts certainly can cause deadlifts. also dry heaving or throwing up as well.
 
Very smart to get your hernia taken care of.

If not treated, it can get worse.
 
i think lunges should be safe for you. as long as you don't strain too much.
 
Excellent volume on this training.

You're definitely burning a lot of calories.
 
I meant to post yesterday's session after work, but by the time I remembered I was already falling asleep so here is both yesterday and today's sessions.

5/3/25

Legs


Once again my shins/calves weren't happy with running so after running at my normal pace for 3 minutes I dropped it to a fast walk for another 10 just to get some distance in at least. I'm going to have to look at finding a lower impact form of cardio that actually taxes my system enough to be clearly beneficial. Might have to take up cycling or swimming.

EZ bar preacher curls - started with biceps just to get them out of the way and give my legs a few minutes of rest after the treadmill before resistance training

10x35kg
10x45kg
5x50kg
5x50kg
10x45kg
10x45kg

Standing calf raise machine

10x25kg
10x40kg
10x50kg
10x60kg

Seated hamstring curl

10x60kg
10x70kg
10x80kg
10x100kg
10x90kg

Quad extension

10x47kg
10x68kg
10x89kg
10x103kg
8x89kg

End - Quads are getting stronger but still are weaker than I feel they should be. Probably could have done more drop sets on the extensions as I didn't end up with that much DOMS from this session

6/3/25

Chest + triceps and core - Like biceps, I think I'm going to plug ab work into roughly every other session because they recover relatively quickly and are lagging slightly due to low weekly volume

Plate loaded horizontal chest press - I really want to like this machine, but the angle and position of the handles just doesn't work well for me so I moved on after a single warmup set

10x40kg

Vertical chest press

10x40kg
10x80kg
5x120kg - Here I had the same handle issues as the previous machine and moved on to other things

Flat BB bench - Kind of awkward as I haven't used a proper competition bench much before, having opted for the one with the bar rest on a pivot for comfort

10x20kg
10x60kg
10x80kg
4x120kg - My left delt didn't like this much. I'm going to put that down to all the shoulder height heavy lifting I do at work as well as not doing BB bench much for the past few months. I think it's either time for me to start again like a beginner from a lower weight and work back up or just make the switch fully to cables and dumbbells

Cable crossover, pulleys high

15x10kg
15x15kg
15x17.5kg
10x21.5kg
10x17.5kg
Moved the pulleys to a low position
10x15kg
10x12.5kg
10x10kg
11x10kg - I love cables for chest work. The actual load may be low, but the stimulus and pump can be exceptional

Tricep push down - short straight bar

15x25kg
15x35kg
15x35kg
10x30kg

Incline crunches - steep, bodyweight only

20
10
10

Dips - chest focus, bodyweight

15
10
10

End

All in all, a couple of half decent sessions minus the issues completing my cardio. Unfortunately I can't wear my watch to work as I'm in a clean room all day but I think I easily get 10k+ steps even on days where I don't get into the gym. Walking just doesn't cut it to drop my blood pressure the way running does, and my lower legs really don't like running. This is definitely something I need to work out.
Picture attached below. Things are starting to really shape up and some proper definition is coming in. My lats aren't anything super impressive but there is some chest/lat width that I've been failing to capture on the camera so far. Tomorrow is back day and I'm planning on opting for more cable rows over my usual machines to really stretch my lats around my ribs and burn them out.
Does the clean room have the means to tell the time?
 
Did the doctors say how long their hernia would take to get better afterwards?

Meaning, how long would you have to stay away from weight training?
Six weeks is the rough time I was given. It'll only be a tiny entry wound but they'll be digging around between the bellybutton and groin for most of the width of my abdomen
 
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