First day back in gym

[denarii]

90kg incline bench
Is that what you call a solid base after 4 1/2 months off during lock down?

[robcguns]

How many you get and what you weigh?

[denarii]

3 but Im 41 and natural. Was doing 110kgs before so 30kgs loss.

[JDG]

My chest strength and grip strength reduced the most with time off.

I had been doing KB presses with up to 56kg KBs when the gyms were closed so I maintained shoulder strength fairly well.

[Matt]

3 but Im 41 and natural. Was doing 110kgs before so 30kgs loss.

I think given your age, and given you are natural, that is very good.

Since we are a similar age, and since I think I will get similar results to you, I can tell you this about myself:

Firstly - ugh.  I fear I will get atrocious results going back to bench.  I will probably start off with that, and go from there.  I am 38 and PED-free at the moment, but have used small quantities of things in the past, but nothing significant.

My best bench ever was 345-lb in 2009, and I feel that I can get back to that PED-free [with steroids, no doubt about it].  I was using or just finished using Gaspari SIZE-ON when I bench pressed that which - not for nothing - was some strong stuff.  But SIZE-ON did what it said it would - it put SIZE ON.  It was never something that I think was meant for gaining strength.

I am 38 now, and I don't want to tear a pec after months away from the gym, so I think I will start with roughly 90-kg and go from there.  Small chance I can still bench press over 100-kg, just off the couch.

I would assume I will peter out after I hit about 285-lb [just under 130-kg] because I am actually more concerned about dropping the weight on myself than anything else once we start getting too deep into the 300's.

I think seeing a Russian powerlifter my size dropping about 400-lb on his chest in 2012 got to me, and in 2002 - I almost dropped dumbbells on myself two times that I can remember.  I think that may factor into the psychology of why I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to maximal lifts.

If I get to a solid 315-lbg [approximately 143-kg] for two solid reps, I will be beyond pleased.

If I throw in some Anavar, I could get there faster.  But I wouldn't be starting that right away, if I ever do.

[denarii]

I mainly want to lose some weight but drink too much. I have given up making sizable gains in 1rm strength. max DL is 195kgs on trap bar.

After incline then flat bench then back, I was running out of energy tbh but Im also cycling 50 minutes a day to work and back.

[DooM_]

90kg incline bench
Is that what you call a solid base after 4 1/2 months off during lock down?

respectable amounts

[rocket]

It was strange - at full tilt in the gym four days a week and about 2600 cals, I wasn't losing weight.

I drop to 2400 cals and go into covid, using smaller weights in my home gym setup and not really training very hard for about 30 mins 3 times a week and I lose a fair bit of gut fat (and strength of course).

I don't quite understand it. 

(No thanks to the inevitable suggestions to go much lower in cals for dieting, I'm more of a strength seeker than bodybuilder).

[IroNat]

It was strange - at full tilt in the gym four days a week and about 2600 cals, I wasn't losing weight.

I drop to 2400 cals and go into covid, using smaller weights in my home gym setup and not really training very hard for about 30 mins 3 times a week and I lose a fair bit of gut fat (and strength of course).

I don't quite understand it. 

(No thanks to the inevitable suggestions to go much lower in cals for dieting, I'm more of a strength seeker than bodybuilder).

What's hard to understand?  You ate less.

You can't outrun an Oreo cookie.

[Mr Anabolic]

I'm finally back to pushing the 80's on the flat bench for 10 reps.  It took 7 weeks to work back up to it.  I couldn't even do 55's for 10 when I first came back.  I'm 54 and natty.

[denarii]

It was strange - at full tilt in the gym four days a week and about 2600 cals, I wasn't losing weight.

I drop to 2400 cals and go into covid, using smaller weights in my home gym setup and not really training very hard for about 30 mins 3 times a week and I lose a fair bit of gut fat (and strength of course).

I don't quite understand it. 

(No thanks to the inevitable suggestions to go much lower in cals for dieting, I'm more of a strength seeker than bodybuilder).

how much of the 2600 were you eating in the evening?

[rocket]

What's hard to understand?  You ate less.

You can't outrun an Oreo cookie.

I also trained substantially less, hence the confusion.  Somehow, 200 calories a day accounts for:  less training plus a deficit that actually caused me to lose weight.  Very odd.

how much of the 2600 were you eating in the evening?

No loading up, just regular 6 meals.

I did not change that, either - it remained exactly the same.  The meals were exactly the same in composition, too.

[denarii]

I also trained substantially less, hence the confusion.  Somehow, 200 calories a day accounts for:  less training plus a deficit that actually caused me to lose weight.  Very odd.

No loading up, just regular 6 meals.

I did not change that, either - it remained exactly the same.  The meals were exactly the same in composition, too.

cut sugary foods, run a calorie deficit, do cardio to maintain metabolism level, should lose weight?

[pellius]

I think given your age, and given you are natural, that is very good.

Since we are a similar age, and since I think I will get similar results to you, I can tell you this about myself:

Firstly - ugh.  I fear I will get atrocious results going back to bench.  I will probably start off with that, and go from there.  I am 38 and PED-free at the moment, but have used small quantities of things in the past, but nothing significant.

My best bench ever was 345-lb in 2009, and I feel that I can get back to that PED-free [with steroids, no doubt about it].  I was using or just finished using Gaspari SIZE-ON when I bench pressed that which - not for nothing - was some strong stuff.  But SIZE-ON did what it said it would - it put SIZE ON.  It was never something that I think was meant for gaining strength.

I am 38 now, and I don't want to tear a pec after months away from the gym, so I think I will start with roughly 90-kg and go from there.  Small chance I can still bench press over 100-kg, just off the couch.

I would assume I will peter out after I hit about 285-lb [just under 130-kg] because I am actually more concerned about dropping the weight on myself than anything else once we start getting too deep into the 300's.

I think seeing a Russian powerlifter my size dropping about 400-lb on his chest in 2012 got to me, and in 2002 - I almost dropped dumbbells on myself two times that I can remember.  I think that may factor into the psychology of why I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to maximal lifts.

If I get to a solid 315-lbg [approximately 143-kg] for two solid reps, I will be beyond pleased.

If I throw in some Anavar, I could get there faster.  But I wouldn't be starting that right away, if I ever do.

Aren't pretty much all your post telling us about you?

[Griffith]

I think given your age, and given you are natural, that is very good.

Since we are a similar age, and since I think I will get similar results to you, I can tell you this about myself:

Firstly - ugh.  I fear I will get atrocious results going back to bench.  I will probably start off with that, and go from there.  I am 38 and PED-free at the moment, but have used small quantities of things in the past, but nothing significant.

My best bench ever was 345-lb in 2009, and I feel that I can get back to that PED-free [with steroids, no doubt about it].  I was using or just finished using Gaspari SIZE-ON when I bench pressed that which - not for nothing - was some strong stuff.  But SIZE-ON did what it said it would - it put SIZE ON.  It was never something that I think was meant for gaining strength.

I am 38 now, and I don't want to tear a pec after months away from the gym, so I think I will start with roughly 90-kg and go from there.  Small chance I can still bench press over 100-kg, just off the couch.

I would assume I will peter out after I hit about 285-lb [just under 130-kg] because I am actually more concerned about dropping the weight on myself than anything else once we start getting too deep into the 300's.

I think seeing a Russian powerlifter my size dropping about 400-lb on his chest in 2012 got to me, and in 2002 - I almost dropped dumbbells on myself two times that I can remember.  I think that may factor into the psychology of why I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to maximal lifts.

If I get to a solid 315-lbg [approximately 143-kg] for two solid reps, I will be beyond pleased.

If I throw in some Anavar, I could get there faster.  But I wouldn't be starting that right away, if I ever do.

SARMS can also considerably increase strength.

[denarii]

Dont know if these guys ship to the US but I used them before for a few cycles, JW Supplements.

https://www.jwsupplements.co.uk/brawn-halo/

Halodrol was the one I got the most out of, and I did one cycle of oral Anavar I think it was. That might have been bunk gear though.

[Mr Anabolic]

Dont know if these guys ship to the US but I used them before for a few cycles, JW Supplements.

https://www.jwsupplements.co.uk/brawn-halo/

Halodrol was the one I got the most out of, and I did one cycle of oral Anavar I think it was. That might have been bunk gear though.

95% of what's out there labeled as Anavar is fake, or some other drug other than Anavar.

[Henda]

95% of what's out there labeled as Anavar is fake, or some other drug other than Anavar.

Normally it’s winny sold as var

[denarii]

95% of what's out there labeled as Anavar is fake, or some other drug other than Anavar.

I did breakthrough a leg plateau and its only a 30 day cycle if I remember. Usually I could either make progress with legs or upper body, not both at same time.

[Primemuscle]

I also trained substantially less, hence the confusion.  Somehow, 200 calories a day accounts for:  less training plus a deficit that actually caused me to lose weight.  Very odd.

No loading up, just regular 6 meals.

I did not change that, either - it remained exactly the same.  The meals were exactly the same in composition, too.

I have throughout my life gained weight when I stick to a regular lifting and exercise routine. As soon as I slack off, I lose weight. I think this is because I only eat when I am hungry and I am hungry a lot less of the time when I'm being lazy.   

[Methyl m1ke]

What the fuck is a kg? This aint nicks strength and power bro.

[Methyl m1ke]

Aren't pretty much all your post telling us about you?

I noticed the same thing but Matt is generally cool and would have given a pass but thats me personally.

[rocket]

cut sugary foods, run a calorie deficit, do cardio to maintain metabolism level, should lose weight?

Why the fuck would I want to hear generic statements of advice when I'm saying "I was successful at losing weight, but I find the circumstances to be rather strange"?

I said that it was strange that whilst being on around 2600 calories, 4 day a week gym (not light training, extremely taxing training), I was not losing weight, but then lost weight during Covid period with 2-3 halfass workouts at home a week and 2400 calories with the same macro ratios with exact same food.

IE, I'm training substantially less (burning less calories), eating only 200 calories less and a flick of the switch, I'm losing weight.

[denarii]

Why the fuck would I want to hear generic statements of advice when I'm saying "I was successful at losing weight, but I find the circumstances to be rather strange"?

I said that it was strange that whilst being on around 2600 calories, 4 day a week gym (not light training, extremely taxing training), I was not losing weight, but then lost weight during Covid period with 2-3 halfass workouts at home a week and 2400 calories with the same macro ratios with exact same food.

IE, I'm training substantially less (burning less calories), eating only 200 calories less and a flick of the switch, I'm losing weight.

because muscle weighs more than fat, you chubber.

[CT_Muscle]

Why the fuck would I want to hear generic statements of advice when I'm saying "I was successful at losing weight, but I find the circumstances to be rather strange"?

I said that it was strange that whilst being on around 2600 calories, 4 day a week gym (not light training, extremely taxing training), I was not losing weight, but then lost weight during Covid period with 2-3 halfass workouts at home a week and 2400 calories with the same macro ratios with exact same food.

IE, I'm training substantially less (burning less calories), eating only 200 calories less and a flick of the switch, I'm losing weight.

Clearly you weren't listening to Adonis! under 2500 cals a day to lose weight