[BigBen]

i agree with u bro, u know your flaws, but your looking great. Just keep up your hard work bc your seeing the results u desreve for the work your outting in and yoiur looking good for it. Nice shoulders and u have a good back width bro, just keep going, and remember its all lightweight!


PEACE

[chesticles]

You have a great base to work from. Definetly on your way.

[Maxd]

Great work Gopher,

You have a great natural V-Taper, delts outstanding, as said previousley work those legs and look forward to seeing more updated pics in future

[miniduck]

Like you said: legs and biceps, and I also recommend more back detail.

[Gopher]

Thanks for the continued comments guys--I appreciate everything.

Today is the final day of my first run through the 5x5 program I'd posted about previously (9 weeks long). I've been eating like a mad man and squatting like its going out of style and definitely have seen some results. I've put on 20 pounds and according to my most recent bf analysis I'm at 10.4% bf. I have a hard time believing I'm that low as I just feel kinda flabby, but thats the same system I've always used performed by the same person--so worst case scenario, at least it is consistently wrong.

Over the last 9 weeks my upper legs have really thickened up greatly. My thighs are measuring in at about 26 inches at present, and though I did not measure them previously, the progress is very visable. Additionally I've put on some significant back mass, particularly in the lower lats.

I'm gonna dedicate another 9 weeks to running a second 5x5 with a few substitutions/additions to hit weak points. Instead of bent over rows I'm going to do power cleans to get some additional trap work, and instead of sumos, I'll do traditional deadlifts to work on the lower back def. a bit more. Finally--I'm gonna try to figure out a way to get in some calf work without throwing everything off as my calves haven't seen nearly enough progress.

Thanks again everyone. Will post pictures at end of my bulking/before begining to cut (be ready for some chunk!).

[TrueOutlaw]

just checked this thread out u seem to have a good program intact.......20lbs over 9 weeks wow looking forward to the follow up pics........stay motivated good luck

[ryanmalone43]

gopher youve built a good base physique, props on that bro! im glad to see that you know areas you need to improve on as well, and by reading through your posts you seem determined to get want. Keep training hard and heavy and youll get the size and muscle maturity you want. Best of luck to you bro!

[rugger85]

You look really good! I do agree that you need some forearm work. The best ever in the business of forearms is Bill Pearl. He's OLD SCHOOL, but amazing! Google him and you'll see what hard work and proper diet alone can do. Remember when you see him, he is old school (no creatine, steroid, or other crap) and he was hardcore (he could bend 70 penny nails, rip phonebooks in half...the usual). Also, for all out hand strength I highly recommend the book "Hand Strength." It gives some amazing advice on getting a stronger grip, which WILL help you lift more weight.

[Gopher]

rugger85,

I did a search on Bill Pearl as you suggested and he is indeed impressive--particularly considering he was a natural lifter.

I don't think my forearm problem is an issue of handstrength at all. I've trained my grip for years with Captains of Crush grippers (ever since I was a high school wrestler) and am able to close the number #2 tightly for sets of 5 or 6 right handed (3-4 lefty). Additionally, I almost never use straps when I train heavy (i.e. earlier this week I deadlifted w/ 5 plates nude w/o grip problems).

I've seen some big gains so far this winter with the program I wrote about, but the joint and ligament stress coupled with my muscles nearing their threshold (I suspect) are starting to take their toll. I think I'm definitely going to dedicate another 9 weeks to the program I posted and hope to keep moving along.

I've set a few power goals for my natural training (i.e. 6 plate deadlift and 4 plate bench and squat). I'm rapidly approaching these goals and next winter (bulking season '07) I may consider adding AAS to my regimine--depending on how I'm looking with my weak points/overall.

[Fry]

U need work on ur legz upper body good !legs are weak

[Revone]

You really need to start squatting. Upper body is very impressive I see loads of potential.

[Gopher]

Yep. But those pictures are pretty old now. I've put on like 20 pounds since then and have been squatting 3x a week. Calves are still behind but developing, thighs are thickening up significantly. I'm planning on continuing to bulk until about late april so hopefully I'll be good for another 20 pounds or so...

[ruel]

good body.. nice work!!!

[oneandonly]

next plz