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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: purenaturalstrength on August 23, 2011, 07:41:18 AM

Title: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on August 23, 2011, 07:41:18 AM
and call it a day?

because seems that continuing banging my head against the (genetic) wall with my hardest most unrelenting efforts i still dont make the magic gains and this just leads to frustration and bitterness

if i cut back training to "maintenance" will i regress or not really?

maybe i should just do this and stop frustrating myself into depression
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Dr Dutch on August 23, 2011, 07:43:30 AM
and call it a day?

because seems that continuing banging my head against the (genetic) wall with my hardest most unrelenting efforts i still dont make the magic gains and this just leads to frustration and bitterness

if i cut back training to "maintenance" will i regress or not really?

maybe i should just do this and stop frustrating myself into depression
Maintance means no regression by definition my man.
And the answer is: you could go back to 1-2 times a week, if you should is up to you. Maybe you like training that much...
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on August 23, 2011, 07:45:33 AM
Maintance means no regression by definition my man.
And the answer is: you could go back to 1-2 times a week, if you should is up to you. Maybe you like training that much...

how can anyone seriously like training? that is if you are actually training with a lot of intensity it's torture and u would only do it for gains. but once the gains stop then well....u start wondering
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Dr Dutch on August 23, 2011, 07:47:43 AM
how can anyone seriously like training? that is if you are actually training with a lot of intensity it's torture and u would only do it for gains. but once the gains stop then well....u start wonderi
If I truly reached natural limits (which doesn't happen to quickly I think) I would do the least amount required to maintain. I got better things to do then....
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: WillGrant on August 23, 2011, 07:50:53 AM
Up the dose
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: RustyTrenbolona on August 23, 2011, 07:53:17 AM
Listen purenatural, you have to love to train. Sure, first thing in the morning i could piss on the gym. But you drink 6 eggs and some carbs, have a coffee get the energy level up and boom....you get excited to get the blood flowing. What could be better than feeling that blood burn through your shoulders or quads or whatever? Not to mention seeing some tits and asses in the mean time. If your not growing size anymore, maybe you wanna improve shape or conditioning and let that be your thing since your not on juice...
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: WillGrant on August 23, 2011, 07:58:53 AM
how can anyone seriously like training? that is if you are actually training with a lot of intensity it's torture and u would only do it for gains. but once the gains stop then well....u start wondering
Why do you go to the gym for ? shit I love it - it is my second home, just being there makes me feel good - its very rare to find someone that has reached there full genetic potential in fact Id say its imposiible to reach it - surely theres still another 5 pounds of lean tissue in you - you have actualy roadblocked your own progress with your mindset.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: ManBearPig... on August 23, 2011, 08:02:35 AM
fuck that, i haven't seen any progress in years, and i have better shit to do.

i work out 3 days a week, run 4 days a week.  stopped training legs completely as they haven't grown since about 2000, now i just run.  feel better, look better, with less effort.  chasing the dream's stupid.  work out hard enough so you're not fat and look better than most and enjoy life.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: tom joad on August 23, 2011, 08:07:13 AM
i've reached my natural limit, but i still like to hit each bodypart once a week (and don't see how you can do it effectively in less than 3 days per week.)

Mon: back & shoulders
Wed: legs
Fri:  chest & arms
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: YngiweRhoads on August 23, 2011, 08:09:17 AM
I followed Mentzer's routine to the letter for almost a year, meaning 4 workouts per month and didn't lose any muscle.

In fact, I was at my stongest during that point in time. Maybe I'll switch my routine around again and see how I fare.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on August 23, 2011, 08:10:23 AM
I followed Mentzer's routine to the letter for almost a year, meaning 4 workouts per month and didn't lose any muscle.



that's crazy....


what is the workout?

*heavy squat
*heavy bench
*heavy row

?
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: RustyTrenbolona on August 23, 2011, 08:14:23 AM
Just quit training or take a long break. Seems like your looking for some magic routine that will allow you to train once a week because you natural. That s ridiculous. Mentzer training  ::) and now that you have wasted all these years with protein powder there is no hope  ;D
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: YngiweRhoads on August 23, 2011, 08:20:02 AM
that's crazy....


what is the workout?

*heavy squat
*heavy bench
*heavy row

?


Pretty much. Plus some ancillary exercises.

It's been a few years but I was following the advanced workout in Heavy Duty 2.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tito24 on August 23, 2011, 08:34:22 AM
lol i actually go two times a week for quite a few weeks now, doesnt matter, i can go 5 times a week, like that would make me bigger, dont think so, i now have good recovery, i need to go more often to do cardio though  because i become fat. im more massive than ever muscle wise , dont take supps and dont eat like a bber, training goes much better now through experience and already had several people thinking im in a cycle. really. its crazy
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on August 23, 2011, 08:40:41 AM
lol i actually go two times a week for quite a few weeks now, doesnt matter, i can go 5 times a week, like that would make me bigger, dont think so, i now have good recovery, i need to go more often to do cardio though  because i become fat. im more massive than ever muscle wise , dont take supps and dont eat like a bber, training goes much better now through experience and already had several people thinking im in a cycle. really. its crazy


well that is not that crazy actually. these "hardcore" idiots often forget the following factors (natural training)

*cortisol levels too high from excessive training
*decreased test levels from excessive training
*increased glucocorticoid levels from excessive training
*cns burnout


maybe mike mentzer was right


i mean think about it
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Stavios on August 23, 2011, 08:40:59 AM
I fuck your mom only 1-2 times a week
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: ob205 on August 23, 2011, 08:49:58 AM
If you truly have reached your genetic potential, then yes you can easily maintain your size on 2x a week.  I think the major benefit from training 3x a week is more caloric burn during and post exercise, therefore keeping you leaner.  I agree with other poster who stated to change goals to shape and condition as opposed to size.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on August 23, 2011, 08:54:29 AM
If you truly have reached your genetic potential, then yes you can easily maintain your size on 2x a week.  I think the major benefit from training 3x a week is more caloric burn during and post exercise, therefore keeping you leaner.  I agree with other poster who stated to change goals to shape and condition as opposed to size.

for calorie burning you can do low intensity cardio which doesn't cause the body to release physique wrecking stress hormones
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: The True Adonis on August 23, 2011, 08:56:35 AM
and call it a day?

because seems that continuing banging my head against the (genetic) wall with my hardest most unrelenting efforts i still dont make the magic gains and this just leads to frustration and bitterness

if i cut back training to "maintenance" will i regress or not really?

maybe i should just do this and stop frustrating myself into depression
You will be completely fine as long as you work hard the 1-2 days you are in there.  Full-Body each workout.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: JP_RC on August 23, 2011, 08:57:11 AM

well that is not that crazy actually. these "hardcore" idiots often forget the following factors (natural training)

*cortisol levels too high from excessive training
*decreased test levels from excessive training
*increased glucocorticoid levels from excessive training
*cns burnout


maybe mike mentzer was right


i mean think about it

Avoiding going to failure will prevent cns burnout.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: jedibrat on August 23, 2011, 09:08:23 AM
for calorie burning you can do low intensity cardio which doesn't cause the body to release physique wrecking stress hormones

You also get the natural test and gh uplift from resistance training that follows the weider principles   :D
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: PJim on August 23, 2011, 09:10:11 AM
I haven't trained more than once a week in over 4 years.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tapeworm on August 23, 2011, 09:39:38 AM

well that is not that crazy actually. these "hardcore" idiots often forget the following factors (natural training)

*cortisol levels too high from excessive training
*decreased test levels from excessive training
*increased glucocorticoid levels from excessive training
*cns burnout


maybe mike mentzer was right


i mean think about it

You'd have to be unemployed to find enough time to overtrain like that or lift heavy daily with balls out intensity.  I do morning cardio and lift evenings 5 days, about 45 minutes, moderate intensity, and higher rep ranges for the sake of my candy ass joints.  Mentzer's way, as I understand it, is pretty much the opposite of what I need to do.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Papper on August 23, 2011, 09:50:22 AM
Umm, how are you going to cut back from 4-5 t a week to 2 t a week and maintain everything?

How do you even fit in the whole physique in two sessions? One excercise per part? Two hour workouts? :S
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tito24 on August 23, 2011, 09:59:18 AM
well i train delts only once in the two weeks because it already gets enough work to do with the other muscle groups combined for instance.

if i never train again i will remain probably almost as wide as im now, training often is overrated imo, training right is where its all about.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: ob205 on August 23, 2011, 10:02:59 AM
for calorie burning you can do low intensity cardio which doesn't cause the body to release physique wrecking stress hormones

I was actually referring to EPOC, and I highly doubt that 3x a week resistance training is physique wrecking.  And yes, you can do low intensity cardio on other days, but I thought the original intent was to do less not more.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: CrazyWhite on August 23, 2011, 10:12:17 AM
You should never train more than 2-3 times a week at any time if you are natural and have typical genetics. Obviously people haven't heard of abbreviated training.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Dr Dutch on August 23, 2011, 10:26:02 AM
fuck that, i haven't seen any progress in years, and i have better shit to do.

i work out 3 days a week, run 4 days a week.  stopped training legs completely as they haven't grown since about 2000, now i just run.  feel better, look better, with less effort.  chasing the dream's stupid.  work out hard enough so you're not fat and look better than most and enjoy life.
So your legs really look like those in your avatar....
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: MB on August 23, 2011, 11:03:18 AM
Not just people who are approaching their natural limit, but even a beginner can make gains on 1-2 workouts per week.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: MAXX on August 23, 2011, 11:06:08 AM
there is no such thing as maintainance aka "keeping what you built up"

not even for a natural.

you will shrink if you train less natural or not.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Dr Dutch on August 23, 2011, 11:08:06 AM
there is no such thing as maintainance aka "keeping what you built up"

not even for a natural.

you will shrink if you train less natural or not.
Of course there is. When you train just enough to counter atrophy. Don't mean you don't have to train hard.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tito24 on August 23, 2011, 11:08:18 AM
doing pushups and chins once a week at home is enough to keep everything in place.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: MAXX on August 23, 2011, 11:10:47 AM
Of course there is. When you train just enough to counter atrophy. Don't mean you don't have to train hard.
well that is just not my experience.

for the last year i've been doing about 2 workouts a week on average. I'm smaller and weaker than when I did more serious 4 times a week.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Ursus on August 23, 2011, 11:11:14 AM
I train 4x week but am still making progress.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Dr Dutch on August 23, 2011, 11:11:53 AM
well that is just not my experience.

for the last year i've been doing about 2 workouts a week on average. I'm smaller and weaker than when I did more serious 4 times a week.
Then 2 a week isn't maintenance for you man...
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on August 23, 2011, 12:59:40 PM
well that is just not my experience.

for the last year i've been doing about 2 workouts a week on average. I'm smaller and weaker than when I did more serious 4 times a week.

you could have done full body twice a week
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Red Hook on August 23, 2011, 05:24:12 PM
fuck that, i haven't seen any progress in years, and i have better shit to do.

i work out 3 days a week, run 4 days a week.  stopped training legs completely as they haven't grown since about 2000, now i just run.  feel better, look better, with less effort.  chasing the dream's stupid.  work out hard enough so you're not fat and look better than most and enjoy life.

We have the exact same routine. Also I look forward to the running just as much as the weighs.

My goal is keeping my abs somewhat visible.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Army of One on August 23, 2011, 06:30:57 PM
surely theres still another 5 pounds of lean tissue in you -

There is, his boyfriend.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: asbrus on August 23, 2011, 10:28:59 PM
N0 NATURALS NEED M0RE STIMULATI0N T0 TAKE ADVANTAGE 0F MUSCLE PR0TEIN SYNTHESIS WHICH G0ES T0 BASELINE AFTER 48- 72 H0URS. IF Y0U G0 D0WN T0 0NCE A WEEK Y0U'LL MAINTAIN BUT W0N'T GR0W. 0NE 0F THE REAS0NS I WAS ABLE T0 PUT 0N S0 MUCH MUSCLE AND MAX 0UT NATURALLY WAS UNDERSTANDING H0W THE NATURAL B0DY W0RKS AND N0T D0ING 0NCE A WEEK TRAINING LIKE M0ST GUYS D0 AND THEY W0NDER WHY THEY NEVER REACH THEIR P0TENTIAL. F0LL0WING A PR0'S R0UTINE 0N R0IDS BLASTING THE MUSCLE 0NCE A WEEK W0N'T GET Y0U ANYWHERE.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: RC Money on August 23, 2011, 10:50:45 PM
I too have cut back to 2 maybe 3 days a week ever since attaining a desirable level of muscle sie. Through out the years I have come to see that this is optimal for maintenance and injury prevention as I still wrestle and practice bjj regularly and would get regularly injured when still lifting 5 times and for no reason as there was no growth due to over training and natural plateau. The key for me in proper calorie consumption based on the week's level of intensity and physical activity time. Sometimes I lift the 3 days instead of 2 if I feel I have the energy from easier grappling weeks and/or start to get the feeling of regression.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Papper on August 24, 2011, 12:38:05 AM
there is no such thing as maintainance aka "keeping what you built up"

not even for a natural.

you will shrink if you train less natural or not.

This sounds logical.

If you go 5 times a week training effectively and have reached a natural state in which you do not grow anymore. No increase in weights are made. Decreasing that effort to 1 day a week, how will the muscles not adapt to the lesser effort, ie shrink? Do tell.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Meso_z on August 24, 2011, 12:44:30 AM
well i train delts only once in the two weeks because it already gets enough work to do with the other muscle groups combined for instance.

if i never train again i will remain probably almost as wide as im now, training often is overrated imo, training right is where its all about.
I have a wide cock.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: MB on August 24, 2011, 06:46:46 AM
This sounds logical.

If you go 5 times a week training effectively and have reached a natural state in which you do not grow anymore. No increase in weights are made. Decreasing that effort to 1 day a week, how will the muscles not adapt to the lesser effort, ie shrink? Do tell.

Several of those 5 gym days per week become wasted effort if you're not growing anymore.  Wouldn't it be logical to eliminate some of those wasted effort days?  Muscles do not shrink that quickly. 
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tito24 on August 24, 2011, 07:19:34 AM
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tapeworm on August 24, 2011, 11:24:07 AM


Thanks bro.  Some of those schoolgirls were pretty hot.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: MCWAY on August 24, 2011, 11:58:00 AM
i've reached my natural limit, but i still like to hit each bodypart once a week (and don't see how you can do it effectively in less than 3 days per week.)

Mon: back & shoulders
Wed: legs
Fri:  chest & arms

How do you know you've reached your "natural limit"?

Sometimes you'd be amazed at what you can do, with a few changes here and there. I used to think that I reached that at age 24, when my max bodyweight was 247 lb. I had a max bench of 375 and 173/4" arms. This was back in 1997.

I stalled for an number of years. The older I got, the greater I was, in my mind. But in 2004 and 2005, I pushed myself, made some changes in my diet here, went a little old-school there.

By Sept. 2005, I exceeded all my previous limit, DRUG-FREE. I bulked up to 252 lbs., pushed 405 for the first time, and had arms at 181/4" arms.

I didn't think I'd be bigger and stronger at 32 than at 24. But, I managed to pull it off.

Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Man of Steel on August 24, 2011, 12:06:51 PM
I followed Mentzer's routine to the letter for almost a year, meaning 4 workouts per month and didn't lose any muscle.

In fact, I was at my stongest during that point in time. Maybe I'll switch my routine around again and see how I fare.

I haven't followed Mentzer's routine, but I do agree with this 100%....as soon as I backed off significantly I realized I can both retain and even build with less.  I've also been the strongest when I back off.  Also I liked that Mentzer said that the outrageous amounts of food bodybuilders consume is unecessary.  You don't need 6000-8000 calories per day, just need slightly increased protein intake and that's sufficient for growth....I also find this to be true. 
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Papper on August 24, 2011, 12:08:43 PM
Several of those 5 gym days per week become wasted effort if you're not growing anymore.  Wouldn't it be logical to eliminate some of those wasted effort days?  Muscles do not shrink that quickly. 

Absolutely, if the mininum level to keep muscle are confirmed at one session per part per week ~ roughly, then you're certainly wasting time with 5 days.

I just thought that overall lean mass would shrink over time if you reduced amount of sets and frequency of sessions. But maybe ~ once a week is confirmed as enough for keeping it all. I'm really not familiar with maintence training :)






Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: asbrus on August 24, 2011, 04:03:29 PM
How do you know you've reached your "natural limit"?

Sometimes you'd be amazed at what you can do, with a few changes here and there. I used to think that I reached that at age 24, when my max bodyweight was 247 lb. I had a max bench of 375 and 173/4" arms. This was back in 1997.

I stalled for an number of years. The older I got, the greater I was, in my mind. But in 2004 and 2005, I pushed myself, made some changes in my diet here, went a little old-school there.

By Sept. 2005, I exceeded all my previous limit, DRUG-FREE. I bulked up to 252 lbs., pushed 405 for the first time, and had arms at 181/4" arms.

I didn't think I'd be bigger and stronger at 32 than at 24. But, I managed to pull it off.



CERTAIN STATS. AT 5 11 I W0N'T GET PAST 182 AT 6 PERCENT B0DY FAT.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: mesmorph78 on August 24, 2011, 04:59:40 PM
I train 4x week but am still making progress.

same here
I train SUPER HARD 5 times a week and have never stop making progress..
...
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week traini
Post by: RustyTrenbolona on August 24, 2011, 05:04:56 PM
The more consistently you train and eat the more you grow. Natural or not. 1 to 2 work outs a week? What fucken pussies are u? Mental failure at its best.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: MCWAY on August 24, 2011, 06:46:16 PM
I haven't followed Mentzer's routine, but I do agree with this 100%....as soon as I backed off significantly I realized I can both retain and even build with less.  I've also been the strongest when I back off.  Also I liked that Mentzer said that the outrageous amounts of food bodybuilders consume is unecessary.  You don't need 6000-8000 calories per day, just need slightly increased protein intake and that's sufficient for growth....I also find this to be true.  

Mentzer's advice has sent more people to the hospital than it has to the posing dais. Besides, HE (and his brother) may not have needed higher calories. But other people do. I would have never even broken 200 lbs, had I not pushed my calories beyond the 5000 calories mark in my younger years.

Some people can grow on lower calories; other need higher amounts. Plus, once you get to a certain size (and a certain age), you don't need as much. I certain don't need as much as I did 10-15 years ago (thank goodness!!).

If you're skinny, steak/ground beef, whole eggs and milk should be on one side of your diet and weight gainer shakes should be on the other. Throw in the veggies to get the fiber, vitamins, and minerals; and business will pick up.

It's about food, FOOD, and more FOOD. When you're not eating it, you should be drinking it. That's the basics for size.

You'd be amazed how many natural guys turn out not to be such "hard gainers" after all, when they take such an approach.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: el numero uno on August 24, 2011, 06:51:06 PM
LOL @ the attention whores saying they are naturals but continue making progress after 10 years of training  :D
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: el numero uno on August 24, 2011, 06:58:41 PM
2 days per week may not be enough in my experience. I train 3 times per week and I look the same, also I eat less protein than before, around 100g per day and I was eating around 200g 2 years ago. Training less is cool after a couple years of training, you just mantain what you got, you have more energy and you play with food so you don't eat clean al the time. I already wasted 2 years thinking I could surpass my natural limit, training very very hard and eating a looot of clean food,  ::) not to mention the money I wasted and how my social life became almost zero. Wtf I was thinking??
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Marty Champions on August 24, 2011, 07:04:52 PM
how can anyone seriously like training? that is if you are actually training with a lot of intensity it's torture and u would only do it for gains. but once the gains stop then well....u start wondering

i used to really enjoy training especially when high on weed, the adrenaline rush was immense but god put an end to that. i did enjoy training sober too but after many years realized it was a silly life addiction because i was not happy with my strength or epic leans, then i matured and overcame all that. men are the hardest critics of themselves too...if you quit youll keep your mass but get a little fatter if you choose not to be a caffienaholic
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: el numero uno on August 24, 2011, 07:11:13 PM
how can anyone seriously like training? that is if you are actually training with a lot of intensity it's torture and u would only do it for gains. but once the gains stop then well....u start wondering

c'mon, if you workout as you want, it's gonna be fun. If you are worried about having an "estricte bodybuilding workout"  ::), then you will hate it after a while, specially if you train very very intense. I'm talking about naturals btw. If you want to stay natural, just go to the gym a couple of days per week and ENJOY your workout.

el numero uno approved
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Marty Champions on August 24, 2011, 07:13:08 PM
How do you know you've reached your "natural limit"?

Sometimes you'd be amazed at what you can do, with a few changes here and there. I used to think that I reached that at age 24, when my max bodyweight was 247 lb. I had a max bench of 375 and 173/4" arms. This was back in 1997.

I stalled for an number of years. The older I got, the greater I was, in my mind. But in 2004 and 2005, I pushed myself, made some changes in my diet here, went a little old-school there.

By Sept. 2005, I exceeded all my previous limit, DRUG-FREE. I bulked up to 252 lbs., pushed 405 for the first time, and had arms at 181/4" arms.

I didn't think I'd be bigger and stronger at 32 than at 24. But, I managed to pull it off.


[/quote

serious question... you got older and stronger but did you go bald as well. if you did it was from the meat. id be interested to know brother.. 405 is a sick benchpress IMO
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Hulkotron on August 24, 2011, 07:13:43 PM
I have reached the peak natural human muscular development level at 6'0" with 178 rippling pounds of mass.  Anyone bigger than me is on "the gas".
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week traini
Post by: Viking11 on August 24, 2011, 07:56:15 PM
Try this.    Legs. 5 to 8 post warmup sets total.  To at least failure. Add forced reps and negatives where practical,  rest 3 to 4 days,  pecs/delts/tis. 8 to 11 post warm up sets same protocol.  Focus on compound exercises, maybe pushdowns, flies and laterals every third workout.  Rest 3 days.  Back/biceps 6 to 9 total sets,  focus on pulldowns, rows and deads, finish off with a couple sets of various curls, your choice. Eat.  Sleep. Watch DVDS .  THANK ME LATER LOL.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week traini
Post by: Tapeworm on August 25, 2011, 05:12:36 AM
Try this.    Legs. 5 to 8 post warmup sets total.  To at least failure. Add forced reps and negatives where practical, 

Unless you're talking about leg curls, thanks but no way in hell.  You're a better man than I, Gunga Din.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: asbrus on August 25, 2011, 05:49:16 AM
I have reached the peak natural human muscular development level at 6'0" with 178 rippling pounds of mass.  Anyone bigger than me is on "the gas".

N0. I'M 5 11 180 5-6 PERCENT AND NEVER T0UCHED ANY DRUG.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week traini
Post by: Dr Dutch on August 25, 2011, 05:52:18 AM
Unless you're talking about leg curls, thanks but no way in hell.  You're a better man than I, Gunga Din.
X2 sounds like boot camp from hell...
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: MCWAY on August 25, 2011, 08:53:31 AM


serious question... you got older and stronger but did you go bald as well. if you did it was from the meat. id be interested to know brother.. 405 is a sick benchpress IMO

My hair started thinning in my late 20s; That's just called "Father Time". Since razors are cheaper than Rogaine, I simply decided to shave my head completely bald.

Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Nomad on August 26, 2011, 10:03:32 PM
I wouldn't bother training heavy more then 1-2 a week even if you havent reached your natural limit. So easy to overwhelm your two balls, go too heavy too many times and your body switches from doing light repair work and growing to non stop repair work/maintenance.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: cross-of-iron on August 26, 2011, 11:11:33 PM
I cut my training to three days a week. Recovery is a major factor for me on drugs or not. Weightlifting is my passion but 2-3 hours a week in the gym is the only way I can make gains and not burn out from the stress to the CNS.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: xander29 on August 26, 2011, 11:53:48 PM
when work out 1x a week, isnt a gym membership kinda  a waste of $$$?
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: asbrus on August 27, 2011, 12:36:58 AM
I'M IN THE GYM 5 DAYS A WEEK BUT I NEVER D0 HIGH V0LUME AND D0 2X A WEEK EACH MUSCLE GR0UP. 2 EXERCISES USUALLY PER MUSCLE WITH 3 SETS EACH.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: io856 on August 27, 2011, 12:47:59 AM
I'M IN THE GYM 5 DAYS A WEEK BUT I NEVER D0 HIGH V0LUME AND D0 2X A WEEK EACH MUSCLE GR0UP. 2 EXERCISES USUALLY PER MUSCLE WITH 3 SETS EACH.
ass bruise
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Meso_z on August 27, 2011, 01:51:49 AM
I cant workout "2-3" times a week. I just cant.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tito24 on August 27, 2011, 01:55:33 AM
i dont recall we asked you how much you trained meso
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Meso_z on August 27, 2011, 01:57:37 AM
i dont recall we asked you how much you trained meso
lol
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Papper on August 27, 2011, 03:48:56 AM
when work out 1x a week, isnt a gym membership kinda  a waste of $$$?

Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on August 27, 2011, 03:52:57 AM
I wouldn't bother training heavy more then 1-2 a week even if you havent reached your natural limit. So easy to overwhelm your two balls, go too heavy too many times and your body switches from doing light repair work and growing to non stop repair work/maintenance.
very very interesting


look i train something like this


monday: 5x5squat, 1x3 bench, 1x3 row, abs, calves
wednesday: 5x5 light front squat, 3x3 deadlift, 5x5 military press, 3x8 weighted chin ups, abs
friday: 1x5squat, 3x3 bench, 3x3 row, 3x8 weighted dips, 3x8 barbell curls, calves


considered cutting wednesday out but i'm not sure
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on August 27, 2011, 03:54:04 AM
when work out 1x a week, isnt a gym membership kinda  a waste of $$$?

when not making gains on 5 days a week year in year out a gym membership is also a waste
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tapeworm on August 27, 2011, 05:44:01 AM
Nobody wants overwhelmed balls.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: True on August 27, 2011, 09:00:25 AM
and call it a day?

because seems that continuing banging my head against the (genetic) wall with my hardest most unrelenting efforts i still dont make the magic gains and this just leads to frustration and bitterness

if i cut back training to "maintenance" will i regress or not really?

maybe i should just do this and stop frustrating myself into depression

Absolutely! Unless your really hardcore and motivated enough to go through a shitload of hard work and dedication in order to make small gains every year, then yes you should most defintly cut back and just maintain instead. Funny thing is, I can easily maintain most of my muscle mass and strength by doing a full body workout just one-two times per week. The rest of the week I just jog and swim to stay in proper shape. Works just fine and you can eat more balanced as well and not gain that much fat. After Im done dieting, I will probably go back to just maintaining again, but if Im really motivated I will continue a 4-split. I wont be bulking myself up again though, but rather just keep a healthy balance. I cant stand all that excessive fat anymore no matter how much stronger it makes me... Its just not worth it in the end, and you`ll just end up having to put up a lot of hard work to get it all off again. But that is my 2 cents. Just workout, eat what you want and be happy. :)
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Nomad on August 27, 2011, 03:03:21 PM
very very interesting


look i train something like this


monday: 5x5squat, 1x3 bench, 1x3 row, abs, calves
wednesday: 5x5 light front squat, 3x3 deadlift, 5x5 military press, 3x8 weighted chin ups, abs
friday: 1x5squat, 3x3 bench, 3x3 row, 3x8 weighted dips, 3x8 barbell curls, calves


considered cutting wednesday out but i'm not sure


I dont bother doing that much volume even on cycle and if you are natty no wonder you are not getting anywhere. Make one day/week your heavy compound day and the rest light isolation lifts or doing your other compound lifts at 60-70% of your 3rm.

So 1 heavy lift day, 2 light lift days.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: apply85 on August 27, 2011, 03:13:27 PM
I would train every day if I could, here's my split

day1, bi and tri

2 hams, glutes, lower back

3) chest, lats

4) brachialis, inner calves

5) quads, glutes

6) shoulders, upper and middle back

7) outer calves, abs
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Ursus on August 27, 2011, 07:26:28 PM
I used to train 6x week.

In hindsight i was alwyas injured. Then I dropped it down to 4 and added about 6lbs in about 2 weeks. I have added about 20lbs in total in the last 2 years since doing 4x week.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on September 07, 2011, 05:53:24 AM
I dont bother doing that much volume even on cycle and if you are natty no wonder you are not getting anywhere. Make one day/week your heavy compound day and the rest light isolation lifts or doing your other compound lifts at 60-70% of your 3rm.

So 1 heavy lift day, 2 light lift days.
this actually seems to be working strength wise

i tried 5 day a week splite and that didnt do anything size wise and destroyed my strength levels


so i dont believe in hypertrophy pretty much you can only hope to gain some strength naturally

when i can full squat 180kg for 5 reps i'll be satisfied for legs and 3 reps bench with 140kg or so

currently 5 reps with 160kg squat, 3 reps with 120kg
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Dr Dutch on September 07, 2011, 05:57:00 AM
I would train every day if I could, here's my split

day1, bi and tri

2 hams, glutes, lower back

3) chest, lats

4) brachialis, inner calves

5) quads, glutes

6) shoulders, upper and middle back

7) outer calves, abs
You are one funny mister too....
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Hulkotron on September 07, 2011, 06:02:04 AM
You should give outer calves their own day.  Stupid split.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: tlc on September 07, 2011, 06:41:46 AM
You should give outer calves their own day.  Stupid split.

Agreed. Some of you guys are just plain lazy. My ab workout split alone is:

1. Upper left ab, middle right ab
2. Lower right ab, middle left ab
3. Upper right ab, lower left ab
5. Serratus and right oblique
6. Intercostals and left oblique
7. Rest, feel guilty about it, do ten thousand crunches

Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tito24 on September 07, 2011, 06:54:02 AM
people go way too often, for cardio i rather bike or jog on the beach.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Mick33 on September 07, 2011, 07:02:34 AM
how can anyone seriously like training? that is if you are actually training with a lot of intensity it's torture and u would only do it for gains. but once the gains stop then well....u start wondering

I like training for the daily accomplishment! :D
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Meso_z on September 07, 2011, 07:08:30 AM
people go way too often, for cardio i rather bike or jog on the beach.
I jog naked on the beach.
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Tito24 on September 07, 2011, 07:14:51 AM
I jog naked on the beach.

(http://p1-1.xhamster.com/000/009/554/625_1000.jpg)
Title: Re: once you reach natural limits, should you cut back to 1-2 time a week training?
Post by: Dr Dutch on September 07, 2011, 07:56:38 AM
Agreed. Some of you guys are just plain lazy. My ab workout split alone is:

1. Upper left ab, middle right ab
2. Lower right ab, middle left ab
3. Upper right ab, lower left ab
5. Serratus and right oblique
6. Intercostals and left oblique
7. Rest, feel guilty about it, do ten thousand crunches