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  1. #1
    OLYMPIAN esplendido's Avatar
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    Default What it takes to grow muscle

    I've been in gyms of all kinds since 1973. Hardcore gyms, yuppie gyms, private gyms, gyms of all kinds. I've seen the same 3 people in every gym. The first one is there just to make themselves feel good that they do more than reps on the T.V. remote. You've seen them....hitting every station on the machines doing high reps with little weight. They either work every bodypart at once or one bodypart with everything.

    Then you have the gym rat....usually a very muscular man or woman who works efficiently, quietly, and is usually annoyed with anyone else getting in their way. They are the competitive bodybuilder, powerlifter, olympic lifter, or an ex-one-of-those.

    Finally, you have the wannabe. This guy (usually always guys) who is in the gym for hours, trying every routine published in Flex, MD, IronMan, etc. They are there year after year and never, EVER change. They look exactly the same as they did a year ago. They ask endless questions about how you do this or shape that or take this, etc. And they complain that even though they are using proper form and push the limits, they can't seem to grow....or grow a particular bodypart.

    Let me say, without reservation, that I could spend 1 hour with that person and show them how to accomplish their goal(s). And if they would follow that advice, they would grow.

    You cannot tell this person how to do something, as we do on this website. You have to prove to that person that what they've been doing is not working by showing them exactly how to do it.

    I have requently shown a client that they really are NOT pushing it to the limit on an exercise. I have to dial some of them back with the amount of reps/sets they do and convince them that less IS more. And yes, you have to EAT to lose weight.

    I could go on, but let me end it this way; unless you are already an elite pro bodybuilder who has reached their potential for muscular size/strength, you can grow. It only takes a few tweaks and the eye of someone who knows to help you reach your goals. It's not rocket science and it's not the drugs. It's about being a good student.

  2. #2
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    Great post Esplendido.

  3. #3

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    Great post. Oh so true. I will add that the key is Intensity. In training, dieting, supplementation, even recuuperation. The more intensely you push these things, the greater your progress. I see it in the gym, no matter what your psrticular style of training is, the people who are working the hardest are the ones progressing. Many are happy to sit back and do a fairly easy 4 sets of 10 or something, and then wonder why I'm bigger and stronger than they are.. Shakes head...

  4. #4
    FREAK Baldiewonkanobi's Avatar
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    Ahmen brother...

    I was close to hurling 3 times this morning. My wife is right..."Bill, you are freakin nutts".

    Bury me BIG,

    Baldie

  5. #5
    RESURRECTED! AnglicanBeachParty's Avatar
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    I used to be the 3rd guy.

    Now I'm the 2nd guy.

  6. #6
    ARNOLD LIKE gman's Avatar
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    I try to be the 2nd guy, but give up to easy when the results don't come quickly.

    I am a recovering idiot, and a founding member of idiots anonymous.

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by gman View Post
    I try to be the 2nd guy, but give up to easy when the results don't come quickly.

    I am a recovering idiot, and a founding member of idiots anonymous.
    Results nerver come quickly unless your name is Arnold or Flex etc. The truth is, muscle growth is a slow process and literally must be forced. The body doesn't want to add so much metabolically expensive tissue unless it has to do it. You have to make it do it. Not an easy task. Fat loss is different. Enough of a calorie deficit and you will lose, over time. All of the above assumes someone in fairly good health and normal hormonal levels. Those need to be optimal or progress will be suboptimal at best.

  8. #8
    ARNOLD LIKE gman's Avatar
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    problem is hdg, I need to do the fat loss first, and find it extremely slow compared to others, makes me give up too soon! See people on here drop 25 lbs in 8 weeks, and I get jealous that I lose 8 in the same period, and seeing as how I need to lose at least 45, my patience wears thin.

    I know, don't compare to others....I am learning that slowly.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by gman View Post
    problem is hdg, I need to do the fat loss first, and find it extremely slow compared to others, makes me give up too soon! See people on here drop 25 lbs in 8 weeks, and I get jealous that I lose 8 in the same period, and seeing as how I need to lose at least 45, my patience wears thin.

    I know, don't compare to others....I am learning that slowly.
    25 lbs in 8 weeks? Not unless some is water or even muscle. 3 lbs a week would be the max assuming you did everything right and no backsliding, 2 lbs is more in line with reality, and maybe for you its 1. So what? Its progress. 1 lb a week is 52 lbs in a year, which would probably turn you into amnother Clarence Bass. See where I'm going with this?

  10. #10
    ARNOLD LIKE gman's Avatar
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    yes, I do...and I am learning that slow is better anyway! I have to look at the positive, being a slow fat loser probably means I won't lose as much muscle either!

  11. #11
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    Trying to work my way into being guy #2 but like gman has said, it is frustrating trying to lose the fat and hopefully put on even an ounce or two of muscle. But I am 100% better today than a year ago so I just take it one day at a time.

  12. #12
    ARNOLD LIKE gman's Avatar
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    Good for you LD5, awesome that you have come so far in one year!

    I am going to switch to the hardcore gym that I tried out the other night. Not many bodybuilders there, if any, but some serious-ass weight lifting dudes who will push my ass...I know I am only scratching the surface of what I am able to do.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by gman View Post
    Good for you LD5, awesome that you have come so far in one year!

    I am going to switch to the hardcore gym that I tried out the other night. Not many bodybuilders there, if any, but some serious-ass weight lifting dudes who will push my ass...I know I am only scratching the surface of what I am able to do.
    Thanks gman, I am down about 30-35 pounds in the last 9 or 10 months but still have a LONG way to go. But my diet is better in check and my workouts get better every week.

    Enviorment can make a huge difference in gyms. I just switched from a preppie 24 Hour Fitness to a local Gold's and it has been great. I hope the new place works out for you as well.

  14. #14
    FREAK blu2xtreme's Avatar
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    I wasn't even good enough to be any of those guys/girls
    Then one day I woke and said damn I'm in my 40's - it's now or never
    Kicked it in gear and never looked back
    I read , listen and learn - it amazing what you can accomplish at any age.

  15. #15
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    Help us Obi Wan Kenobi, you're our only hope....

    In you're own words, "Let me say, without reservation, that I could spend 1 hour with that person and show them how to accomplish their goal"

    Well, back that shit up and write a page or two a day telling us what you've learned with you're valuable MASTERS (no pun intended) in Bodybuilding!

    We are all ears boss.

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