Priorities???

[didelydoo]

Sure I've asked before ...but... who wants to look like a body builder (and diets as such) and who just does it to get strong, or get big? And who goes for a mid point?

So....would you rather have a six pack than have a big squat/dead/bench? (And who wants to be ripped and strong, not knowing that both can be the same?)

I ask as I read (on here) about people wanting to get big and strong, but in the same day worrying about too many carbs/protein/whatever they've eaten.... almost like the two are incompatible.... Not my words but interesting none the less http://www.jimwendler.com/2011/09/time-to-man-up/ My thoughts run in a similar vein to this (though not as cheesy), but I understand a lot of people don't want to compete or take it further....

I'm aware that many on here know, and do, what they do, with precision and do it well. Just adding a view that may make some people rethink there approach.

Nike phrased it well a long time ago....

[SignalGruen]

Aesthetics mainly - whilst I still do the 3 main lifts, I'd have no qualms removing them in the pursuit of my goals. I think getting stronger is a by-product of this but it's not my ultimate aim.

[mattikake]

Out of principle, before you start anything, you set yourself a goal and set a realistic time to achieve it in. Whether that be to deadlift a certain weight, get your chest to a certain measureable size, get a six pack or whatever.

Yet I don't really have a goal myself. Somewhat hypocritical for a PT! I guess it was to have a body that is a selling point, but I managed to achieve that about a year ago and it is a selling point that is often noted. So now I'm in the happy state of what we call maintenance. Something that a new lifestyle makes it easy keep your current state. It means I no longer have to calorie and protein count, time my meals to the half-hour, or increase the weight I'm lifting.

It also means I can get back into curries and beer without guilt and if things start to head south, I can just switch back to the routine to return to my happy maintenance state.

I never wanted to get big, strong or ripped. Just looking nice that it looked naturally achieved I guess (which it wasn't!).

[HonestIago]

I used to just focus on getting my big 3 up (2-3 years ago) but then it dawned on me that I looked like sh*t so re-assessed, dieted down from 93 to 76kg in 2011, and now train very much as a BBer but still doing the big lifts at the core of my training. Currently dieting again having bulked from October-March but I'm very sure I'll be in awesome (for me!) shape by June/July.

Where as before I wanted to be as jacked and strong as possible I'm settling for being lean and in good shape year round with semi-decent mass/strength. That doesn't mean I don't want to train hard and improve gradually but one has to be realistic about what can be achieved natty. Have several mates who've either used gear or are planning it; whilst I've got nothing against it in principle its just not for me. Its a LOT more widespread than I ever realised a few years back and I was rather naive about what was possible. I do love lifting and it has been my core activity all through uni but will just train for enjoyment and gradual gains as I now know being big and lean is just not going to happen.

Edited by HonestIago on Saturday 21st April 10:56

[Hoofy]

Agreed that it's a good topic. When I started, I knew what I wanted (aesthetics) but got a bit diverted by all the talk of big numbers. For a moment, I was interested but now it's purely for aesthetics.

SignalGruen said:

Aesthetics mainly - whilst I still do the 3 main lifts, I'd have no qualms removing them in the pursuit of my goals. I think getting stronger is a by-product of this but it's not my ultimate aim.

Yep, agreed. I'm stronger as a result of training but not bothered.

[BenM77]

HonestIago said:

I used to just focus on getting my big 3 up (2-3 years ago) but then it dawned on me that I looked like sh*t so re-assessed, dieted down from 93 to 76kg in 2011, and now train very much as a BBer but still doing the big lifts at the core of my training. Currently dieting again having bulked from October-March but I'm very sure I'll be in awesome (for me!) shape by June/July.

Where as before I wanted to be as jacked and strong as possible I'm settling for being lean and in good shape year round with semi-decent mass/strength. That doesn't mean I don't want to train hard and improve gradually but one has to be realistic about what can be achieved natty. Have several mates who've either used gear or are planning it; whilst I've got nothing against it in principle its just not for me. Its a LOT more widespread than I ever realised a few years back and I was rather naive about what was possible. I do love lifting and it has been my core activity all through uni but will just train for enjoyment and gradual gains as I now know being big and lean is just not going to happen.

Edited by HonestIago on Saturday 21st April 10:56

Good post mate, you are not wrong about gear being widespread as I see the young lads at my work change size in 3months and then deflate as they give up for a bit which is when I take the piss

My priorities are training for fitness at the moment, I don't do the diet thing but may do one day. I think the most important ingredient for training is intensity and this is the bit I know I get right.

Just a point on the whole protein and sups, I have never used any but still managed to get a 100kg bench at 85kg bodyweight in 9 months. Unless you are overweight then you should hit intermediate lifts in the first year or you are not pushing yourself hard enough. That is if strength is your goal !

If I go back to barbell training in the future then I would train for hypertrophy with the strength as a nice sideline, number chasing is not for me as I have a dodgy elbow (fractured the radius head) which plays up as the weights get heavier. I am happy beating myself up with the kettlebell for now

[balders118]

I started off as a "body-builder" wanting to get massive and ripped. However my training has now shifted completely reaching numbers and lifting big weights.

My goals are simple, to lift more weight in all the lifts I do. However it's not at any expense, I do want to stay lean(ish) and also keep the size I've got. It's also important to not gain too muich weight as I want to be able to compete in the powerlifting 83kg weight class later this year, so currently sitting at 85kg means I can't really gain too much more if I want to make that weight. Although my goals are totally strength now, I still appreciate the way I look and want to fill my t-shirts well

Diet wise I'm never too strict as long as I'm eating enough of the right stuff; I'm happy to eat a pudding or a chocolate bar etc.

[Driller]

50% not wanting to look like most soft numpties with their flat chests and flabby bellies and 50% needing to keep everything strong as my job is very demanding the back and neck and if they go I'm fked.

[alfa pint]

Job related. Then sport related. Needed to strengthen up to do my training with the marines. Liked it, saw and felt the results. Started to dabble a lot more - I like to think of myself as looking like a front row forward, but still able to run a sub 4 hour marathon (I do half marathons between 1hr 33 and 1 hr 46 depending on weather, crowd, hills and fitness at the time)