8 to go! Never settle....

One thing that is really hitting me this prep is the mentality to never settle for anything less than your best.  It doesn't matter what others think or say, just as long as you personally know you didn't just settle for anything.  Bodybuilding is actually more mental than most would care to admit and what separates most competitors is the ability to break through barriers mentally before physically.  If you say "never"...then you never will.

Progress for me at this point is slow, but steady.  I am staying consistent and trying to keep as much strength as possible. Here is a highlight from my deficit deadlifts this past Wednesday as well as my comparison pictures from my 2010 prep.  I also finished this week with a low of 203.6lbs.  I still have a long way to go, but I am closer than I was yesterday.

2010

2012

Yesterday marked the 8 week out point and I was able to meet up with Cohn Wolfe, a fellow bodybuilder and good friend for some legs.  We didn't really keep track of sets or reps but here is some footage from our Safety Bar squats.

-Luke

Mental Toughness

This past week has been a little harder mentally than usual, but I finally broke through.  I weighed in at 204.6lbs 9 weeks out and progress is really picking up steam.  For those of you who have prepped before you all know about some of the mind tricks that take place during a sticking point of your prep.  You may question your calorie intake or amount of cardio your doing, but when it comes down to it all you have to do is stick to the plan that you have set in place and you will push through with no problem. All I know is I could not do this without the help of Tara and her watchful eye on monitoring my progress.  It makes all the difference in the world to know I have her backing me in my corner as well as all of your support.  No matter the outcome of each training session, as long as I give my absolute all at the time I will improve in more areas than one.

Despite the mental toughness this past week, I have actually had some amazing workouts.  Here are some highlights from this past week.

*Warm-ups excluded

Safety Bar Squats- 4x8@335
BB Lunges- 4x12@135 (Pauses on each step at bottom)
V-Squat- 4x8
Leg Extensions- 4x10 / 2x12

-Luke

10 week out comparison

10 Weeks out from the 2012 IFPA Pro USA

Progress has been rolling right along and my weight is sitting just at 206lbs.  I am passing the 10 week out mark for my first show, so today just before cardio Tara was able to take a few progress pictures for comparison from my last prep.  I had many areas I wanted to improve on this past offseason and now is when I can start to see if I have made any progress towards those goals of improvement.  Progress is made a day at a time, the key is to be consistent and it will come.

2010 Prep

2012 Prep









































































Also, here are a few training highlights from this past week.

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

*Warm-ups excluded

Leg Press- 4x10
Hack Squat + Bands- 2x10 / 3x8
Smithmachine Lunge- 4x8 1x12
Leg Extensions- 4x10 / 1x8

-Luke

"To give any less than your best is to sacrifice a gift" -Steve Prefontaine

 

"To give any less than your best is to sacrifice a gift" - Steve Prefontaine

For me this really hits home in all areas. Some days you feel amazing and others its a real struggle to push forward. As long as deep down you know you are giving 100% of what you are capable at that time, it will always be worth it.  These past few weeks have been a little harder for me.  I have actually had a few setbacks with allergies and a cold, but I still kept things on track and worked around it with one goal on my mind...Improve!  I also just passed the 11 week out mark to the IFPA Pro USA and I am weighing right at 206lbs.  I am defiantly leaner and stronger at this weight, so I am pretty excited to finally see some of the improvements I have made this last year.  This is also really helping with my motivation and I have never been so focused, but at the same time loving every second of the journey.  Here are a few training highlights from this past week.

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

*Warm-ups excluded

Front Squats- 1x10@225+Bands / 2x6@275+Bands  / 1x8@225+Bands
BB Lunges- 4x8
V-Squat- 4x8
Leg Extension- 4x12 / 1x15

-Luke

16 weeks out progress!

I am just rolling past the 16 week out mark for the IFPA Pro USA and currently weighing in at 216.6lbs. So far I am about 2 pounds lighter than in my 2010 prep at this point, so the key is to stay ahead of the game and really bring something different to the stage.  Here are a few shots Tara took from this past weekend pre workout compared to my last prep in 2010.

2010

2012

Overall I am really happy with the progress and the intensity I am keeping in the gym.  My main focus is always to keep my weights as heavy as possible throughout this entire prep and so far things are really coming together with not too much of a loss in strength.  Also, here are are a few training highlights from this past week of lifting.

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

*Warm-ups excluded

BB Shrugs- 1x12@405 / 1x10@495 / 1x8@585 / 1x8@585*1x10@405*1x10@225
Smithmachine Military Press- 1x10@225 / 1x8@245 / 2x8@225
Seated DB Laterals- 2x8 / 2x10@60's
Machine Reverse Flyes- 4x8
Rope Upright row- 4x8
DB Front Raise- 4x8

-Luke

Vlog #20 // Trying to sport the Hulk Green!

Just passed the 17 week out mark to show #1 of the 2012 season for me, here are a few thoughts of how things are going so far.

Also, I was able to meet up with Natural Bodybuilder Cohn Wolfe and Clint SwinDell for a great back workout this past Friday.  Here are a few highlights...

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

*Warm-ups excluded

Squats- 2x8@405 (Pause at bottom)  / 1x8@405*1x12@315*1x12@225
V-Squat- 2x10 / 2x8
Lunges- 3x10@225
Leg Extensions- 2x12 / 2x10 / 2x8

-Luke

Vlog #19 // Single Arm BB Row and Sticking point

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

*Warm-Ups excluded

Wide NG Pullups- 2x12 / 1x10(+45) / 1x8(+45) / 1x10
Single Arm BB Row- 4x8
NG Pulldown- 4x8
Hammerstrength Pullover- 4x8

-Luke

Progress at 21 weeks out!

I am just passing the 21 week out mark and weighing 228.6.  Overall everything is feeling great so far during my prep and I am really starting to pick up some steam with visual progress, which always makes you feel a little better.  The biggest part is staying consistant and doing the work every single day, which makes it hard for most people because there is no instant gratification.  The work I am putting in now will show in time.  I also took a few progress pictures for comparison from my last prep.  I am still roughly about 1/2 a pound lighter, but there is a slight difference natural lighting.  Now I just have to keep pushing it all the way to the stage and bring the best total package I can.

2010



2012



I also put together a few training highlights from this past week

*Warm-ups excluded

Safety Bar Squats-  1x12@335 / 2x8@385 / 1x8@335 / 1x8@225 (1 sec Pause at bottom)
V-Squat- 4x10
Single Leg Press- 4x8
Leg Extensions- 3x10 / 2x8

-Luke

Breaking in the new belt

This weekend marks the 23 week out mark to my first show of the 2012 season.  Overall I am happy with how things are progressing so far, but I can't wait to be a little deeper into prep where it can be a little more visual than at the beginning.  Also, I finally received my Inzer Forever lever belt that I ordered in early December!  This is one thing I have been waiting for forever, but it was more than worth the wait.  I had to put it to good use and break it in with some deadlifts and what a better way than pulling a 8 rep PR with it during prep.  Just like all my other lifts I tend hold off using my belt and straps until my last few sets, so the majority of my pulls are raw.    

Here's how they went!

*Warm-ups excluded

Hybrid Sumo Deadlifts- 1x12@405 / 1x10@495 / 1x8@565 / 1x6@565
Seated Leg curls- 4x12
Abductor- 3x20
Aductor- 3x20
Reverse Hypers- 4x10
Seated Calf press- 4x10
Standing Calf press- 4x12

-Luke

Time to own 2012!

This past year I feel that I have evolved in may areas in and out of the gym.  I have placed an emphasis to think outside of the box, enjoy all aspects of my training and most importantly I am rolling into my contest prep healthy and hungry.  I would also like to thank everyone for all their help and support this past year.  It has been an amazing journey that just keeps getting better each and every day and this is one reason I love what I do so much.  With this I wanted to post a few training highlights from my 2011 offseason as a base for self improvement next year.

Now that 2011 has come and gone, it is time to press forward into 2012 with one huge goal on my mind....to improve and have fun!

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

*Warm-ups excluded

Pullups- 3x15 / 2x10 (Pause at bottom)
Chambered BB Row- 3x10@315 / 1x15@
Reverse NG Pulldown- 4x10
Hammerstrength Pullover- 4x10

Hanging leg raise- 4x10
Cable Crunch- 4x10

-Luke

Vlog #13 // Controlled Labs Gold Feast

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

*Warm-ups excluded

Narrow Stance Low pin Rack Deads- 3x8@545
Leg curls- 4x10
Reverse Hypers- 4x10
Glute Kickbacks- 3x10
Abductor- 3x20
Aductor- 3x20

-Luke

#BEASTMODE

Since the first of the year is almost here and we are about to see a huge influx of new members at every gym across the USA.  This is a great time to buckle down, focus on your goals and mentally prepare for the large crowd that is ahead in January.  Always remember that at one point you were a beginner too and may have been more nervous than you remember at the start of this new adventure.  Keep the intensity high and be aware of your surroundings, just because you are in Beastmode doesn't mean you have to disrespect others or make a mess.  Take the frustration out on the weights!!

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

Also, I was able to meet up with Ty this past weekend for a great back workout.....It's been too long!!

*Warm-ups excluded

Mid Shin Rack Deads- 4x8@585
Leg curls- 4x10
Glute Kickback- 3x10
Abductor- 3x20
Aductor- 3x20

-Luke

Vlog #11 // Black Friday at "The Gym"

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

*Warm-ups excluded

Smithmachine High Incline Press- 1x8@295 / 2x8@275 / 1x6@275*1x10@225
DB Flat press- 1x10@120's / 1x9@120's / 2x8@120's
Machine Flyes- 4x10
Low Pulley Flyes- 3x10

Hanging leg raise- 3x10
Machine crunch- 4x10

-Luke

Vlog #10 // Powered by Controlled Labs White Flood!

For those of you interested here is a link to my Supplement review log on Bodybuilding.com of Controlled Labs new Flavor of White Flood, Juicy grape!

Ehlisl brings the Juicy Grape White Flood!

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

*Warm-ups excluded

Narrow Cybex Leg Press- 4x8
Front Squats- 3x20@225
BB Walking lunges- 4x8
Leg Extension- 3x10 / 2x8
-Luke

Halloween Chains

One of my main focuses right now is spicing up my training with some unconventional approaches to my lifts.  With it being Halloween I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to throw around some chains to help overload the peak of the contraction on lateral raises.  Each week I am going to try a few slightly different approaches to my lifts and I really encourage everyone to try something similar in their training.  We all can be found guilty of falling into a rut at some point and this is one way to keep things interesting.  I really feel that everyone can benefit in some way from slight variations and I regret not trying anything like this sooner.  This has allowed me to take a totally different approach to my training and in turn push forward with improvement. 

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

*Warm-ups excluded

DB Military- 3x12@100's / 1x10@100's
Standing Lateral raise (With Chains)- 2x10 / 2x8
Smithmachine Upright row (With bands)- 2x8@185+ / 2x10@135+
SA cable rear delt- 2x12 / 2x10
Cable Reverse Shrugs- 4x10

-Luke

Crushing it with 3 Natural Pros!

Crushing it with 3 Natural Pros!  Paul Tomko, Luke Ehlis and Scott Kluth

Tara and I just got back from a quick trip to Seattle, where we hit the town and enjoy some great food from Whole Foods.  I probably enjoyed that a little too much, but oh well.  I made up for it on Saturday.  I was able to meet up with NGA Pro Paul Tomko and WNBF Pro Scott Kluth to watch the prejudging of the 2011 NPC Iron Mountain, then headed into Golds to train some arms.  It was technically an off day for me, but I ended up following along and putting in some work.  This by far is one of the best parts of the sport, just hanging out with some friends and killing some weight.  Here are a few highlights from Saturday.

Today I went in for some legs and had a great one.  Here's how it went.....

*Warm-ups excluded

Front Squats (with Bands)- 3x12@315 / 2x8@385
Narrow Leg press- 1x25 / 2x30
Step-ups- 3x8
Leg extensions- 2x10 / 1x10*6*8

-Luke