I took this not at the best shape of my life but before cancer hit me and I had to quit training for around 3-4 months. Will post new pictures of the Beast I am turning into.
No, I don’t lift weights, except for limited leg exercises (lunges with bodyweight added) and for some stretching. Most of my training is bodyweight. My goals are sport specific (higher level gymnastics elements and higher level rock climbing), and the best way to train for those are through bodyweight exercises. That said, I sincerely doubt that many people who lift weights, even at a high level with low body weights (like Richard Hawthorne) have the combination of flexibility, mobility, strength, joint prep, connective tissue prep and nervous system coordination required to perform even basic gymnastics strength elements like these:
And my absolute level of strength is also fairly high, so I’m not too concerned about it being too low. And if you look at gymnasts, youll see that they’re not un-aesthetic.
I was traveling for a week and couldn’t get to heavy dumbbells. Had to resort to planet fitness in laguna niguel. Did 2 days there 75lb flat 10 reps 10 sets, didn’t even feel like I got a workout. Took many rest days, diet lacked a lot.
Came back to home gym today and felt real strong. Did flat bench 120s today x 4 rep 2 sets for first time. Started with 110s x 6 reps after 90lb x 10 rep warmup and felt strong enough to go to 120s.
Did a 2hr chest/row superset after that. Feeling good.
I think I need more rest days. Was doing chest every other day, maybe every 2 days is best. Also, I had 1-2 days of complete inactivity while traveling. Could have helped.
No, I don’t lift weights, except for limited leg exercises (lunges with bodyweight added) and for some stretching. Most of my training is bodyweight. My goals are sport specific (higher level gymnastics elements and higher level rock climbing), and the best way to train for those are through bodyweight exercises. That said, I sincerely doubt that many people who lift weights, even at a high level with low body weights (like Richard Hawthorne) have the combination of flexibility, mobility, strength, joint prep, connective tissue prep and nervous system coordination required to perform even basic gymnastics strength elements like these:
And my absolute level of strength is also fairly high, so I’m not too concerned about it being too low. And if you look at gymnasts, youll see that they’re not un-aesthetic.
Thats mainly flexibility rather than strength. I never will be able to do that. I have never been able to touch my toes due to a variety of factors (mainly lower back issue/tightness). I do yoga sometimes, but know I’m significantly limited. Furthermore, upon increased flexibility I have more back pain so avoid it.
My man, please, no disrespect but unless you’ve trained that element, you don’t know what you’re talking about. That is not “mainly flexibility.” Its an element which takes on average 2-4 years to develop, over a couple dozen progressively difficult exercises and stretches. Gymnastics is not generally understood by the outside public. I guarantee you that that takes an enormous amount of strength, and that its not just because hes flexible.
Sure, you need the flexibility as well as the strength. Its more thoracic spinal flexibility than piking flexibility, but ya that is important. The vast majority of the training for this is developing the ability to push your hips up though, and thats what takes the years to develop.
If you’re not convinced of the strength required, try this lower level progression of it. Put your hands in back of your butt, shoulder width, facing backwards, on the ground. Spread your legs as far as you can, and then just lift your butt off the ground and off of your wrists. Push forward as far as you can off your wrists and hold for as long as you can. Then you’ll see that its a strength element. If you can keep your butt off your wrists, with your hands flat and facing backwards and on the ground and your arms completely straight, for 30 seconds, I’ll be very impressed.
Youre right about carnivorous eating. I’ve been destroying massive amounts of food lately. In California I was eating yuuuge amounts of steak tacos and burritos and fish tacos. I ate 3 steak entrees at one place at the bar and the people and bartender were like wtf mang, you have the munchies? lol
I just went to the store and picked up a few pounds of meat (beef, turkey, salmon), which really starts to add up in price in daily food expenditure.
As far as bone structure, that could be a factor but my muscles are just extremely dense. I don’t blow up like other people, which makes me look lighter and it looks out of place when I pick up real heavy weights. But, lately as I have been eating more and lifting more I have seen some physical results.
