Thread: Pumping Iron

I used to Olympic lift and compete in college. I tore up my shoulder, had surgery an now am nearing where I once was many years ago.

I've been weight lifting regularly (3+) times per week for about three years now and seem to have achieved a solid intermediate/advanced level for someone of my size according to Strength Standards . I started simply enough by installing a pull up bar on the deck of my apartment. Every day I would try to do as many pull ups as possible. After just a few weeks of doing this, I had more than doubled my PR, and I was seeing those glorious beginner gains. This motivated me to look into a real routine.

Eventually me and my brother put together a home-gym with an olympic bar and platform and full set of dumbells. We recently added a ghetto squat rack so we can do heavy back squats (we were doing front squats before which required cleaning the weight into position).

My routine today is a simple one based on strength, but the aesthetic benefits don't hurt anything . For the last year or so, I have been doing a four day split consisting of Squats, Deads, Cleans, Bench Press, Pull Ups, and Overhead Press with accessory work thrown in for aesthetics and muscular balance. My progress has been helped by me learning to eat a lot and to maximize my nutrition. I've gained about 15lbs of muscle and noticeably altered my physique and physical presence. It has been a fun road and I've learned a lot so far, but I understand that I still have much to learn about the mechanics of lifting, nutrition, and my own body. I think that's what makes the hobby fun - there's always room for improvement.

Hello gang. Lifting weights is one of my hobbies. I competed in bodybuilding competitions years ago and decided to take the plunge again last year in an Over 50 contest. I generally prefer a routine of "pre-exhaust" techniques with a HITT approach...as little volume in the way of sets while still getting 6-12 reps with good form going to failure on the last set. Most of my weightlifting sessions usually go for around an hour for "off-season" as I'm not doing abs or cardio. When I'm looking at competitions the gym is essential but for keeping in shape and maybe getting into a more "athletic" looking mode (and not quite the "hulky bulky" look) I'm giving the bowflex a whirl.



This is me at the competition last May...not quite there now but for now, competitions have to take a back seat.