Mike

Very impressive pics, especially that one with you holding your own standing next t o Ronnie Coleman. Mike

You're how old ??? Just kidding, man. Have an awesome birthday!!!!!!! Mike

I hope you had a great birthday, Brendan!!! Mike

Congrats!!! : Mike

Shalom, Val! Being from Israel, are you an Avi Lehyani fan? Mike

Right on, Tony! I have major respect for that guy, not only for adopting a plant-based diet but also for being so open about it in a sport like pro football. I'd love to see him make it to the Pro Bowl on a vegan diet, and I'm confident that he can make it happen. Mike

I can't believe you posted a clip of my squat workout here without even telling me about it!!! Yeah right . That was intense. Mike

That's a tough one. Could it be that you're more confident with the deadlift than the squat because you don't have to worry about getting pinned if you miss a rep on the deadlift? That was always my prob. I'm sure I could squat more than I deadlift, but I've always been too paranoid to really go for it. Also, the squat, to me, seems much more technical than the deadlift. Maybe you just need to get your form perfected again and your numbers in the squat will start rising. By the way, great topics, man! I really enjoy these weight-lifting threads. Mike

I had the same probs when I tried them. I ended up nixing the exercise because I was afraid it was bad for my shoulders. I tried to put the bar more on my collarbone so my shoulders wouldn't hurt so bad, but I don't know if that's advisable. Have you tried the olympic style where you hold the bar in your hands with your elbows pointing forward? I'll keep my eyes and ears open for technique tips. Good luck . Mike

Awesome post!! I completely agree. Although some people have easier times gaining muscle than others, I try to avoid labels like "hardgainer." Calling yourself a hardgainer only makes you think that you won't be able to make the gains you're after. It's kind of a self-fulfilling prophesy: by calling yourself a hardgainer, you'll give up more easily and won't achieve gains. Instead, I would train hard, eat like a horse and enjoy the gains at whatever rate they come. Mike

Hi Simon! I'm glad you're here . Mike

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TROY!!! I hope you have a great birthday and party all night long- Lionel Richie style . Mike

Congrats!!! Mike P.S. Hey, what does s.i.t.h. stand for?

"Socially pimp myself out..." That's the way to do it, my friend. Once you get into a gym, maybe you could start a thread letting us know what types of equipment/weights they have, so we can run some ideas by ya. Are you familiar with the Body for Life weight training program? I think that would be a good intro into weight training for you. Good luck!!! Mike

I know what you mean about being worried about injury. I think the best thing to do, once you can get a gym membership, is just to start really light and go for high reps. High reps would help you practice your form safely and would also help to build up the connective tissue so you're less prone to injury when you do move on to heavier weights. Also, high reps are a good way to "pump" up your muscles and cause them to swell. They can give you the appearance of having big muscles even if you really aren't all that strong. Mike

If you have access to a chin-up bar, you could do the Navy Seals workout. It consists of running, pushups, pull-ups, and situps. It won't make you huge, but it would probably get you ripped (as much as I don't like to use that word). I'm not sure if you'd be interested since you're looking to move away from bodyweight workouts, but I thought it might be a good program until you can afford a gym. Mike

ROFLMMFAO! Thanks for sharing! Mike

That would be awesome! It would very cool to look back one day and know that you actually ran in the NYC marathon. That would be something to tell the grandkids . Mike

In my personal opinion, the BMI is worthless. I've heard that Arnold would be considered obese (at least in his prime) according to the BMI. Plus, people always say vegans are unhealthy because they have less than "average" body mass. If "average" is a beer gut and McDonald's diet, I don't want to be average. Mike

I came across this rep scheme on a bodybuilding board. I just started a routine so I won't be trying it for a little while but, as a fan of low reps, I thought it was kind of cool. I'm not sure if it's good for the CNS to be doing reps of 3 every week for the same exercise, but that might only be true for the elite lifters who are closer to their max strength. Here it is: Set 1 30% x 6 2 60% x 6 3 70% x 6 4 80% x 3 5 90% x 3 6 TARGET x 3 7 90% x 6 8 90% x 6 9 90% x 6 Mike

I wonder if it might be because of the fact that you don't have to support your entire body when running. Even though you're working hard on a bike, you're still seated. I'm the opposite. I can jog for a while without getting tired, but I can barely last any time at all on a bike. Mike

Welcome to the group!!! Mike

Never let yourself get bored . Every moment you spend bored is a moment that you will never get back and that was essentially wasted. If you spend 3 hours a day being bored, that is one-eighth of your life that has been completely wasted that you'll never get back. I would use your spare time to find out what you want, write it down and then get it. If you want to be physically fit, develop an exercise routine and do it. If you want to learn, read or take some courses. Just do something to get yourself closer to what you want in life. This way, in 5 years you can look back and know that you really did something with your time. Also, I would read Peaceful Warrior or rent the movie. You'll never be bored again. Mike

YES!!! Finally some love for '80's rock! I'd have to go with the Crue (I wish I knew how to add umlauts), Skid Row, Van Halen/Van Hagar, any solo stuff from Diamond Dave or Sammy Hagar (you can't be in a bad mood listening to David Lee Roth), Journey, GNR, Def Leppard, L.A. Guns ... ... ... I'm making myself stop before I have to go through my entire cassette collection and show everybody how lame I really am. By the way, here's a butt rock link: Who cries for the children? That guy! Mike

Thanks, man! We love you, too . You're right that his forum is filled with a lot of very cool people. Thanks for making this such a great place to "hang out." I'm getting a little verklempt; talk amongst yourselves... Mike