[islandboy]

Okay guys, I'm relieved to find out that there was a crash on the forum that lost my posts. I was worried that I was booted out for my incredibly horrible diet! Anyway, thanks to you all for replying to my, now missing, first two dumb question sets. My next question is in regards to intensity.

I tend to push mega hard in the gym. While I don't have a lot to compare to, perhaps I just think that I'm pushing hard, and that I'm really a wimp. Anyway, here is what's going on, and perhaps you can tell me if I am really giving it my all. Because, if there is a way, I'll push more. Though, at times I'm worried about injury and hold back.

1. Is my set strategy on track??

Here is my typical sets:

3 sets per excersize.
Start with enough weight to push out 12 reps.
Add 10-20%, push out 8-10 reps.
Add 10-20%, push out 6-8 reps.

The last two reps for each set are a bitch, but I love it anyway. I focus on form, and not cheat so that I get myself injured. My push through the last two reps take a little while. If I get stuck in the middle, I don't bail out. I take a quick breath and push more! I don't groan and make stupid noises, but if I don't make some ugly faces, then I don't think I've pushed hard enough. When I'm done, I have to catch my breath, and my heard is pounding...

2. I pump up like a balloon. I think this is a good thing, maybe a sign I'm doing something right?

By the time I'm on my second set of excercises, I'm starting to pump up big time. After my second set, its kinda like I'm flexed all of the time! Actually, if I'm not careful to keep stretching, I feel like I'm on the verge of cramping. Though, that has never happened. It's not that I'm fat, though I could loose a few fat lbs, it's hard muscle. Actually, the fullness somehow makes me feel like I can push more weight. I can go into the gym in a baggy t-shirt (XL). When I leave, I'm stretching the sleeves and chest! I love the feeling of the pump. It keeps me coming back for more. I look like a muscle monster when I leave the gym. But, sfter about an hour and a half, I shrink back down to just about "normal".

3. Effort as I get stronger. Is a certain weight suppose to lift "easier" when I get stronger?? Or, am I just able to push more weight with more effort because I'm stronger??

Yes, definetely a newbie question. I was under the impression that weight would be easier to lift as I got bigger and stronger. However, it seems like the effort it takes to lift a certain weight does not change. But, it seems that as I get bigger that I'm able to force heavier weight. Does this mean that I'm going to feel like I'm birthing a baby (whatever that feels like) with every rep when I get bigger?

Yea, these may sound like stupid questions, but remember, I'm newbie muscle. I've never had them before, and it's all new to me! Thanks in advance for your patience and time in your thoughtful responses!

islandboy

[Rocky]

Hey man! Sounds to me like you're doing fine.
Those sets you do, are those 3 all work sets?
And yes, I suppose a lot of people think that as you get stronger it gets easier to lift weights, well it does if you go back to the weights you started lifting but that's why it gets harder as you go, you are constantly pushing your body's natural limits and giving it a hammering so in a way the longer you train, the harder it becomes so yes, get used to pulling those ugly faces! :)
Other than that - if that's accurate as to your training, then carry on!
If you are training that intensely it probably wouldn't hurt to do a light week training every6 weeks or so just to give your body a little breather from max weights!

[islandboy]

Thanks for the reply. It's been a while, and I've really been doing pretty good in the gym. Though I have a few ammendments to the intensity question.

I still train super hard. Every set I push with all of my might for the last couple of reps. I get a major pump, especially during back/triceps day. Maybe I'm just new, but I get so pumped, that I'm wondering if it's "normal". I never feel pain when I'm pushing hard in the gym, though, my last rep takes forever, and I'm pushing so had that I'm making the ugly faces. My last set is generally between 4-8 reps. So, I'm not really maxing out on the weights. I'm hoping that will eliminate the possibility of injury, but pushing so hard for the extra reps that will make the real gain difference.

Anyway, when I'm doing back/tris, my arms get so "tight" that my skin actually feels stretched to it's max. Flexing doesn't do anything either, because by about half way into my workout, my muscles already feel like they are flexed even when just resting. This last workout, after I did a heavy set of bent over rows, I felt so "tight" that it seemed like my circulation in my arms was impeded. My hands starting to feel a little tingly. I lifted my arms slightly to relieve the pressure from under my arms to my body. This seemed to help. But, my forearms, triceps, and even my biceps were rock hard. It felt great, but it took me a little bit by surprise to have the circulation thing. I am improving a little in my vascularity, as I'm improving in my diet. Does that have anything to do with it? It would be my guess that the more vascular a person, the less fat there is to protect veins. Perhaps they are becoming more suseptable to being pinched off?

Okay, I'm sure this qualifies for a dumb question. Please be easy on me!

Islandboy

[Nothin' but a peanut!!]

if you're referring to the tingling in your arm then maybe you have a compression of te brachial plexsus not the compression of the vein mate

[islandboy]

Duh, okay, what is a brachial plexsus?