What are some things you wish you knew before you started working out

[leonp1981]

I wish I knew how my body would respond to different things, exercises, rep ranges, diets, supplements, etc.

[calfzilla]

I wish I knew that bodybuilding as a sport was extremely gay and deserving of little to no respect. 

[tbombz]

I wish I knew how my body would respond to different things, exercises, rep ranges, diets, supplements, etc.

now thats a good one.

[big man]

before you started working out? For me i'd say


-doing high reps won't get you "cut".

Amen To that! And I still hear it quoted in the gym all the time.
I wish I knew I had to train forearms,ha. Now they're so far behind I don't even know if it's worth the extra headache?

[local hero]

do people realy train forarms?............ other than hammer curls is there realy anypoint???

[Palpatine Q]

That squats are gay and overrated

[tbombz]

That squats are gay and overrated

thats  good one ..i wasted alot of time trying to get myself to get soemthin out of squats... all the pros taling in their columns about "squats are amust"...yeah bullshit... they just trying to sound hard core... but what they fail to realise is that hack squats, machine power squats, front squats, leg press, leg extension, lunges... al of these can be JUST AS HARD as regular squats...and they are all better for quads...

[Palpatine Q]

thats  good one ..i wasted alot of time trying to get myself to get soemthin out of squats... all the pros taling in their columns about "squats are amust"...yeah bullshit... they just trying to sound hard core... but what they fail to realise is that hack squats, machine power squats, front squats, leg press, leg extension, lunges... al of these can be JUST AS HARD as regular squats...and they are all better for quads...

Some guys are just lucky and there legs grow like weeds from heavy squats, i have a sneaking suspicion that they would grow just as well on presses, extensions etc.  but  they never had to get creative because of favorable leg genetics and hip structure.

[tbombz]

Some guys are just lucky and there legs grow like weeds from heavy squats, i have a sneaking suspicion that they would grow just as well on presses, extensions etc.  but  they never had to get creative because of favorable leg genetics and hip structure.

i learned how to do propper squat form about two weeks ago.... and its all glutes... squats are an ass builder... 

[Emmortal]

i learned how to do propper squat form about two weeks ago.... and its all glutes... squats are an ass builder... 

Not really.  You're just feeling it there mostly because your glutes don't get worked a lot from the other stuff you're doing.  When going below parallel in the squat your hams and glutes come into assist the quads so your glutes are playing catch up in the assisted part of the movement.  I don't really feel it in my glutes too much anymore, they still get a little sore but not anything like they used to.  You're also going to see a lot of growth there if you've just started doing them, your glutes will start popping out.

[tbombz]

Not really.  You're just feeling it there mostly because your glutes don't get worked a lot from the other stuff you're doing.  When going below parallel in the squat your hams and glutes come into assist the quads so your glutes are playing catch up in the assisted part of the movement.  I don't really feel it in my glutes too much anymore, they still get a little sore but not anything like they used to.  You're also going to see a lot of growth there if you've just started doing them, your glutes will start popping out.

well i actually work out my glutes. my gym has a glute machine that i like and i use it pretty much everyd leg day.  i also do the seated leg machines that workout inner and outer thigh...  .. my philosophy is to leave no muscle untrained

[Emmortal]

well i actually work out my glutes. my gym has a glute machine that i like and i use it pretty much everyd leg day.  i also do the seated leg machines that workout inner and outer thigh...  .. my philosophy is to leave no muscle untrained

Yea, I'm just saying the glute machine isn't going to hit the glutes as hard as a back squat will.  Plus, with just starting squats, since it's essentially a new exercise to you, you're going to get DOMS in the glutes pretty bad from it.  Should get better over time.

As far as the original comment about squats goes, can you build big legs without the squat? Sure.  But I feel that the squat offers a lot more than just building the legs.  It hits the spinal erectors hard, glutes and hams also get worked very well.  It's a move that you can't really beat for the best bang for you buck.  Yea I can do a bunch of different exercises to hit those other muscles, but with the squat there's not really any need for me to.

Years ago I hated the squat.  I was self taught and had horrible form.  After throwing it in the "useless" exercise category I had a guy who had been powerlifting for years show me how to squat properly.  After 3 months of squatting correctly it's something I'll always have in my rotation for legs.  I love it now and am very comfortable with it, one of my favorite moves.

[pumpster]

-One of the classics is that squats or deads will build overall muscle size. I did squats for years, great results but very little to do with upper body development IMO.

-Rull ROM is essential - did both full and box squats, much preferred box squats.

-Do only compounds at first...BS.

-Free weights are always better...that depends on the cable and machine alternatives available.

[big man]

do people realy train forarms?............ other than hammer curls is there realy anypoint???

I do think a person could be an Olympian with weak forearms so the importance may not be great. But I wouldn't mind having Lee Priest genetics for arms that's for sure.