The Bodybuilders Thread!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Higher weights + low reps v/s Low weights + high reps. Which one is better for bulking?
Been reading SL5x5 and other bodybuilding sites and not sure what the correct one is.

This depends.

Higher weights + low reps = Strength (5 reps, 3 reps, 1 rep)
Low weights + high reps = Hypertrophy (and other stuff depending on the reps)

Now, if you want to bulk up, you need to do hypertrophy. HOWEVER, if you are not strong enough, don't expect the hypertrophy bulking to work well.

For example, lets say you want to build very nice looking legs.
Squats for reps at 40kg vs Squats for reps at 100kg, which one do you think will work best? Ofcoarse Squats for reps @ 100kg, if you can do it.

Which is why, for beginners, I suggest first build up proper strength via SL5x5 then once you decently strong enough, eg. 1 or 2 years down the line, then switch over to hyperstrophy program and reap the benefits.

If you are in a hurry to bulk up right now...well you can jump into a hypertrophy program, but don't expect to look like superman or Schwarzenegger a year later. I made this mistake, and lets just say, in 1 year doing strength, I gained better physique and looks than the 4 years doing hypertrophy prior to me doing SL5x5.
 
This depends.

Higher weights + low reps = Strength (5 reps, 3 reps, 1 rep)
Low weights + high reps = Hypertrophy (and other stuff depending on the reps)

Now, if you want to bulk up, you need to do hypertrophy. HOWEVER, if you are not strong enough, don't expect the hypertrophy bulking to work well.

For example, lets say you want to build very nice looking legs.
Squats for reps at 40kg vs Squats for reps at 100kg, which one do you think will work best? Ofcoarse Squats for reps @ 100kg, if you can do it.

Which is why, for beginners, I suggest first build up proper strength via SL5x5 then once you decently strong enough, eg. 1 or 2 years down the line, then switch over to hyperstrophy program and reap the benefits.

If you are in a hurry to bulk up right now...well you can jump into a hypertrophy program, but don't expect to look like superman or Schwarzenegger a year later. I made this mistake, and lets just say, in 1 year doing strength, I gained better physique and looks than the 4 years doing hypertrophy prior to me doing SL5x5.

Tx. I have been lifting for over two weeks now. No specific program. Just to get used to the gym and all that. So I think SL5x5 will work for me.
 
Howzit I'm on creatine monohydrate and evox 100% whey protein synergy. I got a couple of questions, what's the Ideal way to take creatine? Water or juice, if juice what brand? Is the whey protein I bought good enough?
 
Howzit I'm on creatine monohydrate and evox 100% whey protein synergy. I got a couple of questions, what's the Ideal way to take creatine? Water or juice, if juice what brand? Is the whey protein I bought good enough?

Why would that make a difference?
 
Reading a lot and people recommend SS (3x5) over SL5x5.

There's no major difference is there? Except for the set ranges, and the original SS incorporates power cleans, both good beginners routines IMO

Although most newbs should not be attempting power cleans without proper coaching
 
I heard many people talking the say take it with water some say with juice? I'm confused!!

I suppose people take it with juice because it tastes better than with water, I just throw mine in together with my post workout shake, doesn't make a difference IMO, your overthinking it:)
 
Reading a lot and people recommend SS (3x5) over SL5x5.
I'd say have a look at both programs and see which you would like better. I personally never did SS, and doing that now will be pretty impossible or not the best use of my time since it is a solid beginner program.

What I do know is, SL was super simplistic, and easy to follow, and I think that was one of the main reasons why I liked it. You already have a lot to learn, just working on the proper technique for Bench Press, Overhead Press, Deadlift, Squat and Pendlay Rows, so adding even more to that and you will really have your hands full with a lot of learning.

But either way it is your choice, but they both are solid good beginner programs. On bodybuilding.com forums they are the 2 highest advised programs to beginners.
 
I'd say have a look at both programs and see which you would like better. I personally never did SS, and doing that now will be pretty impossible or not the best use of my time since it is a solid beginner program.

What I do know is, SL was super simplistic, and easy to follow, and I think that was one of the main reasons why I liked it. You already have a lot to learn, just working on the proper technique for Bench Press, Overhead Press, Deadlift, Squat and Pendlay Rows, so adding even more to that and you will really have your hands full with a lot of learning.

But either way it is your choice, but they both are solid good beginner programs. On bodybuilding.com forums they are the 2 highest advised programs to beginners.
I suppose I should continue with SL since I have done workout A this past Wednesday.
 
I suppose people take it with juice because it tastes better than with water, I just throw mine in together with my post workout shake, doesn't make a difference IMO, your overthinking it:)

The reason you drink it with something sugary it to increase the amount of available insulin in the body, this means your muscles are more open to accepting nutrients and thus absorbs the creatine better... Read it somewhere :whistle:
 
The reason you drink it with something sugary it to increase the amount of available insulin in the body, this means your muscles are more open to accepting nutrients and thus absorbs the creatine better... Read it somewhere :whistle:

But the whole point of taking creatine is to reach saturation levels and then maintain the levels from there on (hence the reason most manufaturers recommend a loading phase) So I don't see the point in better/faster absorbtion(once the required levels are reached at least), read a few forum discussion on bb.com now, seems like bro science tbh, most of the guys that look like they know what they're doing say "have it which ever way you like"
 
Last edited:
But the whole point of taking creatine is to reach saturation levels and then maintain the levels from there on (hence the reason most manufaturers recommend a loading phase) So I don't see the point in better/faster absorbtion(once the required levels are reached at least), read a few forum discussion on bb.com now, seems like bro science tbh, most of the guys that look like they know what they're doing say "have it which ever way you like"

The insulin increases absorption so the monohydrate doesn't pass through. The insulin I think triggers release / production of enzymes that actually increase monohydrate absorbtion, not the insulin itself.
That's why they make ethyl ester because it's absorbed more efficiently due to molecular differences.
Personally I stick to creapure monohydrate which I have after workout when I refuel the glycogen stores by chowing simple carbs and sugars anyway.
 
You know...all this science on creatine...and yet I didn't find it work that well, if at all for me.... :(

Yap apparently the most researched supp, ah well its so cheap, might as well take it with my PWO shake, although I see a lot of "mass builder" shakes have creatine mixed in by the manufacturer nowadays
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatine
"Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle.
...
Extensive research over the last decade has shown that oral creatine supplementation at a rate of 5 to 20 grams per day appears to be very safe and largely devoid of adverse side-effects, while at the same time effectively improving the physiological response to resistance exercise, increasing the maximal force production of muscles in both men and women"
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X