Vlog #16 // Progress and Posing

Had a great one and here's how it went.....

*Warm-ups excluded

WG Pulldowns- 4x8 / 1x10 (TUT)
RG T-Bar row- 4x8
Freemotion High Row- 4x8
Stiff Arm Pulldowns- 3x10

-Luke

"Me" Time!

Getting some final posing critiques before the 2010 NANBF California Natural Muscle Mayhem

Work has really been picking up the last few days and it looks like I am back to working 7 days per week again.  For those of you that don't know, I work at a Fruit Brokerage that specializes in processor fruit and we currently handle about 90% of all cherries from California all the way up to Washington and even into Canada.  The big difference this year is I am not prepping for the first time in 5 years!!  It really makes for some crazy times, but its only lasts for a few months.  I actually don't mind it too much because it really adds a sense of structure to each day and kind of puts me in a mode to really step things up.  Each day I know what I have to do, so I just have to do it and of course I always make time for my workouts.  They might just be a little sporadic with times, such as I might have to lift in the morning or later in the evening.  The one thing I can guarantee you is they ALL get done!  After all everyone has to have a little "me" time.......    

*Warm-ups excluded

BB Bench- 1x8@275 (Slow) / 1x6+1@335 / 1x5+1@335 / 1x6*RP*3@315
Hammerstrength Incline Press- 4x8
Machine Flyes- 4x10

Hanging leg raise- 4x10
Rope crunch- 4x15

Leg placement



Leg placement can make a huge difference in the gym and on the stage

 Legs are the one body part that can separate you from other competitors.  They are probably the most under trained muscle group in the gym.  One reason why is because they take a totally different mentality to train.  No one ever asks "let me see your quads" or "how much do you squat" when your walking around.  So one thing I try to do to keep things interesting when training legs is vary my foot and leg placement.  I do this through different exercise variation, such as wide stance and narrow stance squats.  Doing so can place more of an emphasis between your quads, hamstrings and glutes aswel as help push your physique to the next level.
   
Today, Tara and I took up the squat racks.  We kept a fast pace with a focus on depth and rep speed.  Overall really happy with how this one rolled and here's how it went....

*Warm-ups excluded

Front Squats- 2x8@315 / 1x8@315*1x35@135
V-Squat- 3x8 / 1x10
DB Walking lunges- 3x8 (Per leg)
Leg extensions- 4x8

-Luke

A positive support system



Hanging out with three of the four 3DMJ Coaches Eric Helms, Jeff Alberts and Alberto Nunez after the 2010 NANBF Washington State Natural

 Bodybuilding is touted as a very individual sport by how its always you against yourself, but one thing many people don't take into consideration is the use of a team or support system along the way.  I have been fortunate enough to cross paths with each member of 3DMJ on and off the stage and doing so I have really made some true friends along the way.  They have provided help, motivation and inspiration through their actions and words that is hard to describe in writing.  Just the thought that someone is going through exactly what I am really helps me continue to push my limits each day in and out of the gym.  It also really helped me bring my physique to the next level.  Also, make sure to keep positive influences around you each day to share your journey with.  Doing so will make it much more enjoyable and productive and will allow you to come in at your absolute best each and every time.

I had another amazing one today!  It took a little bit to warm up, but I finished strong!  I also put together a video of some highlights form yesterday and today.  Here's how it went.....

*Warm-ups excluded

EZ Bar curls(Bar=25)- 1x12@115 / 1x10@135 / 1x8@145 / 1x8@155
Machine press- 3x12 / 1x10

Incline curls- 3x10
-Superset-
Machine Tricep Extensions- 3x8

DB Hammer curls- 3x8@75's
-Superset-
Reverse cable kickbacks- 3x10

-Luke