Bodybuilding and Martial Arts
 

Do we have any bodybuilders or Martial Arts people in here? When I was younger i was into these two sports. Since i got into cars, college and started my company, i been out for 7 years or so.

Any good websites to go to? Any new news since i been out of the "game" so long? I am using Mike Mentzer high intensity training, efferesent creatine, various prohormone enhancers, and looking into other supplements, etc.

My goal is to look like a gorilla by summer, LOL.

See my tag..."Allergic to Fitness"

I did take Judo when I was a kid (during the Jurassic era). Now I just do the 12-ounce curls (6 reps or more) :D .

My wife had a personal trainer at Womack's, and I watched my nephew do the "Fit for Life" program and his results were amazing. It is a full-circle workout that involves cardio, weights, and diet management in order to achieve the staggering results in a matter of a few months.

i used to do Tai-Chi, Kung-Fu and Thai Kickboxing. I should get back into it. lots of fun and it kept the weight off.

Gilly: so that "Fit for Life" thing DOES work, eh? I might have to look into that.

martial arts
 

I have a martial art school in Ft. Worth, Tx. I am also a certified public school teacher. There is a good article in the current issue of Black Belt magazine about the different styles and what each offers. There is also an article in this issue about the importance of aerobic endurance and strength training.
My style is most similar to Jeet Kune Do. I balance several styles (Okinawan Karate, Hapkido, Escrima) with Combatives learned from my military training/exp. We only train with shoes on, and do not wear gis or belts. I also try to emphasize the importance of character development and intellectual development. Check out these two great articles, you will not be disappointed.
Robert Davis

martial art "clothing"
 

I have come to the conclusion that either some individuals on this forum are severly lacking in common sense, or maybe they think they are comedians at the expense of others. I have tried to contribute useful and friendly information and opinion on this forum, but I am first a gentleman, second a scholar, and third a warrior. I am about fed up with some individuals.
To clarify the "uniform" at my martial art school. First, we wear shoes because they are what we would be wearing to defend ourselves on the street. My Ranger and SEAL buddies all practice with shoes on for combat; it makes sense in the street also. Also a great many injuries occur to the ankle and toes when kicking bare footed. Bare feet is impractical for true self defense training. Secondly, we do not wear traditional gis, meaning that we do not work our naked, we wear sweats or athletic shorts and colored tshirts reveal our "belt" rank.
I responded to this forum strand because I was attempting to help and individual with martial arts and bodybuilding training. My 20 years in martial arts and 15 in the U.S. Army led me to believe that I might be of some use. I hope the individual I responded to was helped.
Robert Davis

The Arnold Classic is coming to town in the end of the month... pretty wild stuff if you're into bodybuilding and fitness.

Serious and "Uptight"
 

"Put a sock in it" Thanks TANK !
Well, I realize that I am serious about life because of the dangerous, eroding society that we live in. As a teacher I see it, as a drill sergeant I see it also. I especially see it as a martial art instructor. I face reality daily! I do not like what I see!
I do, however, have a sense of humor when the time calls for it. Have I been serious on other strands on this site? You be I have! And I will continue to do so when called for.
The main thing I like about the open forum is it gives me a chance to respond to what I am interested in. The silly things I may read, but I usually do not respond to them; moreover, most of the silly topics I pass over entirely.
As far as uptightness and health issues I have a BS in Health Promotion, am certified by the Cooper Clinic as a personal trainer,wear the Army Physical Fitness Patch, and have attended the army physical fitness school.
I am not really a people person, but I have enjoyed chatting with the people on this forum that have similar tastes to mine. Robert Davis

can't we all just get along? :(

creatine
 

I believe that several credible companies (EAS, Weider) have done studies on creatine and have concluded if correct dosages are followed it is safe. I have used it for many years and have seen great gains. You must, however, avoid dehydration. I drink at least a gallon of pure water daily. I think many individuals abuse creatine and think it is a wonder substance. It is also good to cycle its use or the body adapts. The same problems have occured with ephedrine. Use carefully and cycle!
Robert Davis

You won't be Gorilla-like by the end of the summer that quick... unless you take some EPO, stacks of "stuff" and some working out:D ;) :p However.. you will give up functions of certain parts of your body for your new looks.:rolleyes: Its your choice.

I used to bodybuild in college, and even entered in many amateur contests here in Southern California. The highest I placed in a contest was second.

I am not a naturally big person and I don't gain muscle mass easily. I was hopelessly skinny in high school. When I graduated, I was 6'1" tall and weighed 146 lbs. I started lifting weights to gain size and build self-confidence - and it worked.

It was frustrating for me to not be able to get "big". I gained strength very easily, but not size. I had a professional trainer and trained 6 days a week. I took a ton of supplements, protein powders; drank a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs everyday in a protein shake.

Those that would see me in regular clothes had no idea that I was a serious bodybuilder. With a bathing suit on, I just looked very athletic.

What's amazing is that in bodybuilding contests, I regularly placed higher that guys who were much bigger than I was. They usually had huge upper-bodies and underdeveloped lower bodies. I had really good symmetry which helped me a lot.

In the end, my trainer told me that I had hit a wall, that my genetics wouldn't allow me to get much bigger. I ended up finding a doctor in Newport Beach who would give me steroids. I gained more muscle mass in 6 months than I did in the previous four years, but the side effects were terrible. I suffered from rage, got acne all over my face, chest, and back; and my scrotum shrunk up - like it gets when you are in very cold water.

Nowadays, in my middle thirties, I am more interested in staying lean than in getting big. I run 3 - 5 miles 5 days a week, and do some stretching excersise, too. I know I should do some weight training to build more lean muscle mass, but it's hard to find the time.

Just thought my little story might be interesting...

Robert and tank-- i am glad the two of you "made up". I didnt want to see us mbshop members arguing over stuff, i kind of feel guilty since i started this thread.

For creatine, i used it before when i did work out and do now. The only problem i have is stomach upset, even with the efferecent creatine it still does it. I know that some people have been killed using this supplement but it is becasue they were wrestlers and was taking creatine but not drinking water and doing other things like cardio to make weight class. when people "abuse" or not understand what the drug is doing then it causes problems.

Robert Davis; your SEAL and ranger buddies, have they heard of Paul Vunak, Frank Gucci, and Hostile Control Systems SCARS training? In the early 90's (after movies like Under Seige) all these ads popped up with people "claiming" to have taught the SEALS, FBI, marine recons, etc. and came up with video tapes. I am wondering if they REALLY did teach or use these systems?

I bought one of Paul Vunaks tapes called "Street Smart" or something and basically i paid $40.00 for a tape that teaches you how to kick someone in the balls and jab them in the eye. Needless to say i was disappointed.

Supposedly hes the next "Jeet Kune Do" guru out there, but i never seen any of his "stuff".

suginami/Paul
 

Suginami,

That is a interesting story. If I were to ask you, if you would do it all over again, would you?

I am like you, a hardgainer/ectomorph. I can build strength but size doesnt want to come as fast or much.

I am about 5'10" 150lbs, so i am not big or tall but i would like to someday be in the 200lbs area. With this long layoff i had, i really missed a lot of time to catch up with.

Oh, do you know of anyway to help with squats? WHen i do squats i get a bruise where the bar sits on my back/neck and i get red stretchmarks. My legs can handle the weight but my neck cant.

What he said.

However, I didn't enjoy doing squats because it hurt my back.

Instead, I used the machine where you sit low on the floor and your back is supported, and you push the weight up on an incline.
I really didn't spend much time on my lower body because it responded more easily to training. I spent much more time on my chest, shoulders, and lats to improve symmetry.

I would do everything again except for the steroids, and I wouldn't strive for bigger size. It's not necessary to get "bulked-up". I would just want to be healthier: improve strength and increase lean muscle mass. Having a higher percentage of lean muscle tissue raises your metabolism. Fat is inert and doesn't burn calories. Muscle, even at rest, burns calories.

I've been going to the gym regularly now for around three years. I'm 5'9" and weigh around 160, and am almost 38 years old. Like a couple others here, I've always been a skinny ectomorph (if that's the class where you have smaller bones).

When I first got into the gym, I gained a quiick ten pounds, up to 155 or so. I topped out at 164 a couple years back, and now have been 160 for quite a while.

I took creatine for two years and it seemed to help. But a few months ago I decided to stop altogether since I have only one kidney and, regardless of studies pro or con, I'm not taking the chance just to look a little bigger or not be as sore. I do drink two Myoplex Deluxue Lo-Carb shakes a day with the phylosophy of consuming one gram of protein per pound I weigh while lifting regularly.

I've never wanted to get really big and like another member who posted, have trouble keeping the weight on (sorry to those of the opposite persuasion!).

My advice to you is 1: to stay away from a lot of suppliments. They all have great claims and usually aren't proven. Have you considered the complications that may arise if some of them have interaction effects? Who's to say for sure?

1: Don't get too caught up in the "must get bigger" thinking. It'll make you crazy as you'll never be big enough or satisfied in your appearance. I always smile at the gym when I see some guy constantly looking over himself in the mirror. Be happy with the genetics God gave you.




My question: After all that, any advice on gettng better results for my chest?? (Implants not desired, I don't go that way....) :D