It's been a while since I logged into my kiwi account. Never thought it would be a lifting thread that forced me into resetting my password.
I've had a few phases of working out seriously in the 2 decades I've been an adult, but never did stick with it for more than 2 yrs at a time, and never really had the knowledge to make the most of that time. Pussyfooted around with machines and cable lifts too much.
Until I was bit by the bug again back in Feb this year. I decided I was going to really put on some muscle mass and master the big compound lifts (Bench, Squat, Deadlift, etc). I spent the first couple months working the rust off and gradually incorporated the lifts I was less familiar with (squats, dead, military).
But since starting, I've went from 155lbs to a decently solid 180lbs. My most consistent lift has been the bench, which climbed from 115lbs×5 to 175×3. Nagging pain in my right shoulder joint has forced me to readjust my workout after considerable progress.
I was doing the "Big 5" lifts three days a week (M-W-F and sometimes a weekend day), my maxes the last time I did this program:
Bench - 175 x 3
Squat - 215 × 5
Military - 105 x 5
Bent Row - 115 × 5
Dead - 205 x 4
The last two weeks, I tinkered my program to switch to a less intense workout that gives my joints a break. I settled on a (still 3 days a week) mostly ISO dumbbell with Chest/Shoulder Mondays, Back/Arms Wednesday and Legs Friday.
I hesitated to halt my mass program, the spirit was willing but the body wasn't. I felt I would lose my gains and only see progress in definition, but I'm pleasantly surprised by the initial results. The heavy compound lifts gave me a nice foundation that the moderate-reps DBs are building upon nicely (prob also helped by moving from a routine full body program to one that focuses on specific muscle groups).
I'm trying to focus on building up the weak links in my chain by hitting specific areas of each muscle (lower chest, rear delts, lower traps, etc). Having fun trying different lifts, especially ones that force me to use light weight as that's an indicator to me of muscle that needed work (a flat bench pullover-raise using a barbell was hitting my chest, lats, shoulders and even core very nicely and Arnold Presses with DBs are becoming a favorite).
Best of all, the right rotator cuff that had become a daily nuisance at best, hasn't bothered me in days. I think I'll return to the compound lifts after 6-8 wks with this program, and try to blast my bench past 200lbs hopefully (I'd love to get 225lbs = 2x45 plates).
But enough of jerking myself off . . .
Do you guys have any tips for lifting while working an 8-5? I usually have fuckall energy at the end of the day and not sure what my strategy should be. I think I will try drinking coffee near the end of the day
I'm thankful I've never had an issue working out after work. I can't imagine going as hard in the gym first thing in the am. I tend to spend the day loading up carbs and protein, and using my fairly labor-intensive job to warm up whatever muscles I plan on targeting in the gym that day. My pre-wo usually consists of some protein-heavy greek yogurt, two servings of oatmeal, either some juice or milk, maybe a half cup of trail mix and a Bang energy drink just before the drive to the gym. The only supplements I take are vitamins (A, B, Magnesium, Iron, Tumeric, CoQ10, DHEA and a regular ol' multivit), but with advancing age (nearing 40) I can really tell a difference with them.
Every one's body is different, but I feel like my all day loading/supplements/warm-ups makes my time in the gym so much more productive. And I'm able to manage this with a full time job, a disabled wife and kids at home, so it should be feasible for anyone to have an hour and a half to spare after a long day at work. But if mornings work best for you, I'd recommend drinking a good amount of water first thing in the am, and eating a combination of high carbs and lean protein (2 or 3 eggs and milk, wheat toast, some Greek yogurt and a little juice should fuel a solid workout, but you'll definitely need something for recovery post-WO to start the rest of your day, a nice protein smoothie maybe?).
The only things that matter in terms of gym progress are lifting enough weight to stimulate muscle growth, hitting your macros to supply that muscle growth and getting enough sleep to allow your body to build the muscles, and that's it. Eat, Lift and Sleep. It's up to you how to fit that in and still have a normal productive day.