The 300/400/500 club. Can you join?

[Steve-O-68]

Put me in for 300lb bench. Got it this weekend. I still got some work to do on squats and deads, but I'll get there in 07.

[Mahler]

Originally Posted by Steve-O-68

Put me in for 300lb bench. Got it this weekend. I still got some work to do on squats and deads, but I'll get there in 07.

Big congrats on the bench PR Steve-O.

[Terry Monk]

Originally Posted by Steve-O-68

Put me in for 300lb bench. Got it this weekend. I still got some work to do on squats and deads, but I'll get there in 07.

Nice job!!!!

Dean, man, I don't know. I don't think any of us are in your league. :p

[Troy810]

Got 315 this past weekend, but at age 41, joints getting sore, any advice? Keep going heavy? or start toning?

[Terry Monk]

Heavy. Just make sure to rest plenty between workout days. Glucosamine.
Do NOT start "toning".

[Troy810]

Thanks GymRat, I've cut it down to like 3 hard days a week and at least maintaining or even stronger, so maybe I was overtraining in past.
Diet still a concern, at about 238, need to get to about 230 or 225...

[Terry Monk]

Originally Posted by Troy810

Thanks GymRat, I've cut it down to like 3 hard days a week and at least maintaining or even stronger, so maybe I was overtraining in past.
Diet still a concern, at about 238, need to get to about 230 or 225...

Looks like you're on the right track. Heavy lifting, plenty of rest. However as Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

As far as the diet is concerned:

Read this
and
this
and
this
and
especially THIS

I know, lots of links, but working out, having the right intensity and having desire mean a lot, but it all really comes down to your diet and nutrition.
I have spent years and years toiling in the spot you are in now. DO NOT make the same mistakes I've made. Focus should be 95% on your diet. You must concentrate on what you eat and when you eat it. I know most people say they watch what they eat, but c'mon.... be honest do they really? I said the same thing up until about a year ago.
I'm following the advice in that first link and am really determined in my goals. I kid you not, I'm seeing improvements in my physic daily. It's amazing.
Good luck!

[Terry Monk]

Troy -

Here's a teaser from the article written by Dr. John Berardi in the 2nd link from above. Read it, learn it, live it.

Whether you want to gain muscle, lose fat, or just live healthy, the limiting factor is almost always nutrition.
Poor nutrition is what holds you back.
And good nutrition is what will move you forward. Good nutrition is what will feed muscle and shed fat. It’s what will improve nearly every health marker you can measure. It’s what will drastically improve recovery and mood, so you can work harder, longer. Good nutrition is what will get you the body you never thought you could have.
Change your nutrition, and you’ll change your body entirely. Change your nutrition, and you’ll quite literally change your life.
Just look at people who have made major changes to their body – and I mean major changes, the type of changes that make people take notice when you enter the room. The common denominator is that they all completely changed their nutrition.
“Well, great,” you say, “I understand the importance of nutrition to my body – and I do want to change – the question is how!”

[Troy810]

GymRat, thanks buddy. I will read it to the end and after reading it, I'll let you know how I am doing, but thanks again. I can't thank you all enough. I know a lot of my problem may be depression, but I refuse to take medication, so maybe it is my diet that I can fix to move on.
Thanks guys.

[Terry Monk]

Originally Posted by Troy810

GymRat, thanks buddy. I will read it to the end and after reading it, I'll let you know how I am doing, but thanks again. I can't thank you all enough. I know a lot of my problem may be depression, but I refuse to take medication, so maybe it is my diet that I can fix to move on.
Thanks guys.

Don't be too quick to dismiss medication for your depression. I know it's not for everyone, but seriously keep it in the back of your mind. If you read the off topic forum at all you'll see some of the shit I've been going through with my wife the last week, hell, last week? last year.
I'm not saying to jump on meds, but keep that option open. You may need it. In the meantime, great work and keep it up. Read those articles and really concentrate on getting the "diet"/eating habits in order. You CAN DO IT. I have faith in you.

[Ian Kay]

Troy: Do you take fish oil? A healthy amount of EPA/DHA could alleviate some of the joint AND depression issues.

Other over-the-counter joint soothers (that don't cost an arm and a leg) that have worked for me: Curcumin (found in Turmeric, and Indian herb) and Bromelain (an enzyme found in the stem of pineapples). I can't link you to tons of scientific studies, becaue there haven't been that many. Just years and years of anectodal "evidence" , and my own experiences.

[Dean Szilvasy]

How about a 400lb Good Morning? That's what I'm going for next time I GM. I love the damn things. 400 for reps btw

[Troy810]

400 bench? Amazing. I just got 320 and I'm thrilled. I tried to max out on INCLINE too and pulled a neck muscle.. Damn ,Im getting old.hahahaa.
Thanks for info guys...

[eastcoastsurfer]

Troy, I'll echo the keep going heavy. I never thought I would get over 305lb bench b/c my hands and elbows kept hurting. I scaled back my barbell benching by using dumbbells, heavy dips, and keeping the reps low but heavy with the barbell. Also tons of rest. I'm having probably 3-4 days between each BP session b/c of school atm. At first I was concerned with not being able to workout as much, but all my big lifts have gone up with the extra rest I'm 'forced' to get

Pressed 315lbs with ease last week. This was after being stuck at 305 for probably 9 months...

[Terry Monk]

Nice going guys!

[Troy810]

Great work...same thing, taking more rest and got 320 may be highest..dont see getting much stronger..41, and 6'3 is taking it's toll.haha.
GOOD WORK ALL OF YOU.

[He-man]

I've been chasing 300 for years now still at 270/340/300. I think I can attain the bench and squat eventually. I can pull more than 300 but if I start going heavier I ended up getting hurt. I don't think I was born to reach 500. I predict I'll get to 300 when I get a little more of that "old man strength."

If I hit any of these I'd be posting like crazy. Congrats to others who have put in the work to get those numbers to motivate the rest of us.

[Neil]

I'm in for 300 bench. I need 75 pounds on deads and I'm a ways off on squats. I'll hit deads this year.