Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

A little butt hurt that they discontinued my Xtend, I really enjoyed it. Anyone here take any intra-workout supplement? Read good things about Purplewrath and intrabolic, anyone have experience with any?

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

SciVation Xtend is still available, maybe not the old one though.

I just got Starchem Labs Evolution X7 in a few days ago, I'll let you know when I try it today.

I can say AminoX had no effect for me at all.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Hmm, thanks Bill. I wonder how similar that is to Xtend.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

For sure it tastes great, watermelon flavor tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher. I'll try it out again Friday but right now I feel like I didn't work out. We'll see about the AM, I took it mid work out. 1 scoop only needs 8 oz's of water, that's nice.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Gave it another trial run today. Got in a very good workout, but it being the only intra/post workout I've tried I can't really say "buy it, buy it". It does work though for me, and taste good too. I'll probably try Xtend next month and see which I like better.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

put up 175 for 3 on incline today nice and smooth... felt great!

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

holy crap... bodybuilding.com is really awesome! I typed in tricep workouts and got taken to this massive repository of exercises with pics and videos. Found some really cool stuff... did the same for quads today.

Right now (meaning for the last week or so), I'm trying to do only one muscle group a day and I like it a lot. Now all I need is a diet plan... hahaha.

I'm strongly considering some PFT certification (AFAA or ISSA) mainly so I can learn more.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Yes that is a great site. In the nutrition forum there is a sticky that tells you how to calculate caloric needs including macronutrients needs. After reading that I realized that I was totally clueless.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Anyone here use resistance bands for their workouts? I want try and incorporate the bands with a few of my chest exercise. Any recommendations/tips?

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Forgot to update but yeah Evolution X7 does help you mid work out but the next day you still feel like sore. It's not bad if you want to work out longer to take it midway. I didn't notice too much of an effect post work out. Especially on a very large muscle group like legs.

Just got in some nitric oxide boosters (Top Secret Nutrition Astravar) so I'll be giving those a shot. Hopefully all my preworkouts get a nice boost.

Bought Muscletech Neurocore as well, that 2 for 1 was a nice deal.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I have with some good gains. Primarily reverse band bench press. Allows you to use more weight and work on being explosive out of the hole.

Using them for added resistance can be good if used the right way. One of my favorites is adding bands to the iso machine bench presses and really burning out my chest. You can do drop sets with them on there or do a set with full reps then get 4-8 reps doing the top half only. I've found doing just the top portion (limited range of motion) really pumps up your chest.

As far as on benching with them I would be careful. You want to remain explosive on the lifts. If you are grinding it out with the bands on there it is no better than just having that much weight on there.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Woke up and weighed myself this morning... 152.9!!! Yesterday it was 149.8, but still... I finally woke up and found myself over 150. That's the first time that has ever happened. I'm not delusional, though... I know I'll poop and be right back to 148... :r

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Never poop again! :D

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Won't that make me full of sh1t? :sh

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Never, Dan! :r

Brutal bsck workout today. Started with pull-ups with 30 pounds added for three sets, then 3 more sets with just bodyweight.

Then supersetted heavy wide barbell rows with heavy t-bar rows for 4 supersets.

3 supersets of wide grip pulldowns and narrow grip cable rows.

Finally 2 more sets of pull-ups for 11 and then 10 reps.

Didn't feel very energetic after a late hockey game last night and limited sleep the last two nights, but I bulled my way through and got a great workout in. Hockey again tonight, I am guessing I sleep like a baby afterwards.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I woke up that was the start of my workout....

It is now 12:55 so I only have about 7 more hours before my workout ends....

Rob :tu

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

The Snow Globe Workout....it's the toughest of all, Rob.;s

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Trying to take a week off from weights to let my shoulder and wrist get a little better (hurt my wrist doing reverse curls and my shoulder about a month back when I lifted a bit too much without a spot off the seated military bench). It is very difficult to stay away... did some Ab Ripper X (from the P90X thing) just to do something. That hurts.

How often should one take breaks from the gym and for what duration?

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Barring injury, I usually let my herf and vacation schedules dictate my time off from the gym, Dan. Usually leaves me a couple full weeks and 3 or 4 four to five day breaks a year. Besides that, if my body is telling me to take an extra day off here and there, I do that too.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Was never much into reverse curls and military barbell press is too risky for me...

That being said, listen to your body and just work on cardio and core while your wrists and shoulders heal. Good time to work on stretching and making "space" in your body.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Reverse curls are about the only way I can curl due to a previously broken elbow that doesn't really enjoy when I supinate. I did spend the 2 weeks before last practicing for a 5k and then ran one (first ever) last weekend. Really enjoyed it as, prior to this week, I did no cardio at all. (PS... did the 5k in 32:32).

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

My rest periods are the same as Tom's.. If I injure myself I'll take it easy on whatever hurts the injury. Otherwise days off come when I feel the need, vacations and herfs. Otherwise I'm doing something at the gym.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I know it's about 7 weeks after you asked but I just got Xtend in today and put it to the test.

I can say the differences IMHO, which I will further test next week, aren't much. Xtend gets the nod from me though over Evolution x7. Price is significantly cheaper ($23 vs $32) and 5 more servings. I also find Evolution X7 turns my stomach for about 20 minutes after I drink it. That said Xtend takes a bit longer to work. I would take Evolution X7 at the half way point of my sets, Xtend probably 2-3 sets before that.

EDIT looks like they dropped the price on Evolution X7 to $26.

As far as recovery, I would say they are both the same. Xtend is easier to get down as well, I just chugged it.

I will be purchasing a the 90 serving Xtend after my 30 runs out. The green apple is "green apple" very good tasting. I'd score it a 9/10, if it worked just a bit faster it would be perfect.

I also tried Hyper FX as I got a free sample with my order. Glad I didn't get that on the 3 for the price of 2 deal. The taste is just hard to get down, WAY too intense. It's spicy, a real black pepper spice. No crazy pumps or strength from one serving, which has 270 mg of caffeine so I couldn't imagine doubling up on it. Pass on that one.

I have about 15-20 mini reviews on various proteins, preworkouts, intra workouts and creatines if anyone would find them useful I would be more than happy to post them and elaborate if need be.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I started a new workout program called Convict Conditioning. It's all body weight exercise. Has anyone done this before? I decided to take a bit of time off the weights and just see what I get out of this.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Prison tat's are optional.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I think Hershel Walker used a variation of that, and he was a beast....of course, superior genetics don't hurt.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

IMO a lot of people forget that when diving into new workout supplements or a routine. A lot of the hype of "gain so much muscle in x days" or "get shredded in x days" partially has to do with the genetics of those using the routine or supplement. A person with superior genetics can adapt and grow from pretty much anything where an average person would get run into the ground after some minor gains.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Quoted for the truth.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

You bet, Son....genetics is huge.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Or, you can lift heavy (for your size) all the time, eat like a mutha and still look like a beanpole that's never seen a gym a day in your life like me... hahaha.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Genetics at its finest (or worst), Dan.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Except you don't eat like a mutha. You eat like a fat conscious mutha :r

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

What are your guys thoughts on home gyms? I'm debating possibly getting one. My work schedule has me on the road a lot at times, so the thought of paying monthly dues for a membership that I won't be able to use has me leaning away from joining a gym. But on the other hand for the cost of a good home gym, I could get a multi year membership. Right now on Craigslist there's a Hoist half cage with all the options for $2k. I may be able to get it for less though.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Too many distractions at home, unless that is absolutely your only option. :2

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

If you are relying on a home gym for any real fitness level, I'd say do not do it. It takes a certain kind of person to really get results at home and if you were that type, you’d be banging out push up's and sit up's all day long already at home. Most people end up hanging laundry from their home fitness equipment

My suggestion for a traveler is to just pay for walk-in classes in which ever city you are in. You are only paying for actual fitness, so the more you pay, the better you'll be. Every place has Yoga, Pilates, or a Core fitness class.

You could consider a national fitness chain like Bally, but that is no guarantee that there will be one on your assignment.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Thanks for the opinions Tom and Moses. I sort of went thru this same thought process last year about a treadmill, which I ended up buying. Exercising has become a part of my life now for the last 14 months after getting diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Since then I've lost 115-120 lbs and probably in the best shape of my life. So I'm not worried about it becoming an expensive clothes hanger.

One of the pluses about joining a gym is I have a number of friends that belong to various gyms around the area, so I could potentially have a workout partner. That would be a big plus, especially in the beginning.

I'll keep weighing out the pros and cons.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Congrats on your accomplishments so far, Bob! :tu

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

If I was you Bob I would get a gym membership and then buy some specialty items for at home that the gym probably won't have. If I had to choose 1 though it would be find a gym. I'm with Tom, that home has too many distractions. Also some gyms will let you freeze your account with notice so that his something you might want to look into.

Some examples for at home stuff; Prowler from elitefts.com (I highly recommend this. I've asked for one for my Christmas and my birthday for the past 3 years to no avail but one day I will get one), TRX, ViPR, a True Stretch cage, heavy bag.

Those are all I can think of off the top of my head. I think that would be the ultimate setup. Because you will have enough at home to get a workout in but have the option of going to a gym. While this isn't really a solution for you, it will definitely help you meet all your goals.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I'll have to start researching those items Christos. One of the things I've been trying to do is mix up the routine, to keep it from getting stale. I've built a pullup bar, bought the treadmill and adjustable dumbbells, have a heavy bag, run, walk, do P90x, etc. But you're right, at some point I'll need to join a gym to reach certain goals.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Just curious about what you guys take, this is what I take.

Pre workout - Jacked3D
Intra workout - water/bcaa
Post workout - hydrobolic fx protein

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I mix up my pre-workout drinks so I don't become "immune" to any of them, Huy. Right now, it is berween Jack3d, Hemo-Rage Ultra and White Flood. Both Jack3d and Hemo-Rage Ultra are being taken off the market by the FDA due to one of their ingredients being compared to metha-amphetimine. I grabbed 4 of each to start, so I have plenty to last until something new takes their place.

During the workout, I either finish any remaining pre-workout supplement, or drink water.

Afterwards, some whey isolate along with one of several recovery drinks with BCAAs.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I did the same, I bought a few Jacked3D myself. I go between jacked and Hemovex.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

My current supplements

Preworkouts (all taken with Con-Crete)
MusclePharm Assault
Muscletech Neurocore
Cellucor C4
Starchem labs momentum

Intra workout
BSN AminoX
Starchem Labs Evolution X7
Scivation Xtend

Post
MusclePharm Combat Powder

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Xtend has been my main after-workout supplement lately, mixed with some other protein sources.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

It's good stuff, I just got mine not too long ago as well.

Sometimes Evolution X7, which I think works much quicker intra workout, messes with me and it takes a bit because I get kind of queasy. Bodybuilding.com sent me like 4 samples of AminoX so I've been trying that recently.

It's a good product as well with a great price point. Tastes absolutely wonderful too. $20 for 30 servings. I'll probably pick up a bottle of it. The only odd thing I did not get at all is they recommend cycling off it :confused:

Perhaps someone could explain why? It's a post workout, none of them I've seen every recommending cycling.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Does it contain creatine?

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I was using Xtend for a while as well.

Just ordered some casein protein.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

Nope.

Re: Pumping Iron with Zemekone and Icehog3
 

I am not sure why then either, I will assume since it's post, it doesn't have any form of caffeine either.