Comments on: Why You Should Achieve Goals That Make YOU Happy

By: Caleb_Lee

Caleb_Lee — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:41:06 +0000

@ Sam: Actually, I do pretty heavy weight, and low reps and that's what "tones" a muscle.

Tone is residual tension and density in a strong muscle which high tension (weight) and low reps (low volume) creates.

High volume and low weights, gives you a temporary "pump" and makes you feel hard after the workout, but it doesn't last because this is just the buildup of lactic acid in the muscle and blood pumping in … which … eventually leaves.

For real tone and the "cut" look, high weight strength training, low volume, and reduce body fat.

Best,
Caleb

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:38:05 +0000

Nice post, Caleb, I really enjoyed it.

@ Craig & Alexi, you might want to try less weight and way more reps, that way the exercise is geared toward toning the muscle you do have instead of bulking it up.

By: What To Do When Life Kicks You In The Teeth

What To Do When Life Kicks You In The Teeth — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:39:09 +0000

[...] you ever try to achieve a big goal … improve your life … or step outside your comfort zones … you’re going to eventually get knocked to [...]

By: Caleb Lee

Caleb Lee — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:44:41 +0000

@ ProJM: aww, slow down there chief. Take a deep breath

Bruce wasn’t at 160 very long cause he realized it was too heavy for his frame. I knew that before, so I’ve never gained that much weight.
And at 122-123, I’d be around 3-5% too … and would probably die shortly after too if I stayed that lean …
You’re off by about 100lbs on his bench, still 3 x 10 with 160lbs is strong, then again that’s heard second-hand …
By the way, the only record of his squats was 95lbs for 3 sets of 10 too … he wasn’t very strong in his lower body, probably from all the running

Glad you have an opinion either way man

By: ProJM

ProJM — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:54:01 +0000

How can you compare yourself to Bruce Lee???? Your nothing like him!!!
First of all he was around 160lbs when he was 24! Nothing like you!
Then it’s true he was between 130-140 and 122lbs at his death. But something very important that you forget to mention if you want to compare your weight to his, is that his bodyfat was around 3%. I guess yours is more like 12%. So your physique has nothing to do with His.
Lee could bench press 260lbs for 3 sets of 10 reps in his routine workout, I imagine the best you can do is 10 reps with 120lbs.
I’m glad your happy with your body, but please do not compare with someone you can’t!

By: tricky

tricky — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:49:08 +0000

Hi, nice post. Im really enjoying my workouts at the moment. Im doing 5×5 compound exercises. Its working well for me, im increasing my calories and getting bigger and stronger (as planned). I have a plan to bulk until 10 weeks b4 my hols, then up CV + get nice and cut for my holidays!!

Im 23, 6ft and 14stone 5, and BF around 14%. i know i should stop but all i can do is worry about getting fat. i suffer from body dysmorphia and it is really stopping me from goin anywhere as i feel like im getting too big! I know im totally normal, but just get so deflated as the days goes on.

First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, i feel brilliant and toned, then as the day goes on my thoughts and mood change and my appearance changes in the mirror.

therefore, six weeks into my bulking i am starting to feel like i should get trimmer again.

Back to the topic, “what do i want”. I want to be trim but be bigger than i was last time i was trim, hence the muscle cycle. Therefore, im doing the right thing but mentally not allowing myself to progress.

This is extremely stressful and unhealthy as it consumes my thoughts constantly!!

My life would be so much easier if i just chilled out!

Thanks, just need a shoulder to cry on lol

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:01:22 +0000

I believe Caleb had a PR in the DL of 400lb this summer. Clearly that takes muscle. And a muscle does not have to be “big” (whatever that means) to be strong. Your CNS takes care of that.

By: Ashers

Ashers — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:37:55 +0000

@ craig + alexi , try doing mixing cardio with your weights for example circuit training , i found that when i did this i didnt bulk up as much .

another option might be to cut down on your protein slightly and go for more veg’s , which may not sound appealing but it might work and will increase ur pound for pound strength and get rid of some of the muscle that is more for show .

hope this helped !

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:57:40 +0000

me too!!! I have a history of weight training with minimal cardio and strength work and i have large (or considered large) muscles on a short 5′5″ frame and I look bulky. I want a lean, ripped look, but achieving the goal of moving from bulky muscles to lean muscles still seems to evade me. Any suggestions??
I am 42 btw and more Meso than Ecto like a lot of these lucky dudes that just whurr and buzz burning their fat away!

By: Alexi

Alexi — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:11:46 +0000

First of all, fantastic post, I’m glad someone finally addressed this issue.
Secondly, much like you the person who really inspired me into weight training was Bruce Lee, as well as with my martial arts. However I always seem to end up ‘bulking up’ no matter what routine I do, which is fine for everyone else but not for me. Can you recommend a routine that will help increase my strength and power without leading to excessive muscular growth?