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Monday – Chest & Abs:
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Today was the first day of my high volume routine. I switched up from low volume (4-7 reps with warm ups, 7-8 sets) to my high volume routine, which consists of around 45% more sets, slightly less rest (10-15 reps) for the next couple of weeks.
The point of my new routine for the next couple of weeks is to shock my body, allow muscles to retain more fluid in cell – and increasing pump and blood flow. The pump and overloading via total weight lifted are the factors in muscle growth.
My first period of training was overloading, now it is a combination emphasized with the pump.
The body can only adapt to this routine for a short period of time before over training and begin going into catabolic state. Many people make the mistake of utilizing such a routine (high volume) for months at a time and end up overtraining, looking flat and stringy and not making strength or size progress.
The idea of combining high volume weeks with low volume training is that we can combine both hypertrophy and strength for muscle fibres, stamina and endurance, increasing blood flow, fluid in muscles capacity and pump – thus allowing for greater size, definition and fullness to the muscles. This can be extremely beneficial to those who lack vascularity!
I feel that a basic routine – same rep range, same protocol with rest, etc. will leave you hitting the wall, not progressing, and ultimately making you give up. Of course, there are the select few that can progress with the same routine and rep range week in and week out - but remember that they are not the norm.
Green magnitude is a great supplement for each stage of training.
Training:
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press: 5 sets x 10-15 reps
Flat Dumbbell Bench Press: 4 sets x 10-15 reps + 2 drop sets for the last set
Flys: (warm up sets) 5 sets of 12-15 reps
Hanging Leg Raises: 20, 20, 20
Side Leg Raises: 20, 20
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Tuesday: Back & abs
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Feeling yesterday’s workout! Back day was another intense volume workout!

Training:
Pullups – 3 sets – 12-15 reps
Pulldowns – 4 sets x 10-15 reps
Machine Rows – 5 sets x 10-15 reps
Incline Lying Dumbbell Bench rows – 3 sets x 10-15 reps
Rear delt raises – 4 sets x 12-15 reps
Shrugs: (warm ups) 100lbs x 15-20 reps
Lying neck extensions: 45lbs x 10, 10, 10
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Wednesday: Shoulders/Cardio
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Today’s shoulder workout gave me the best pump for some time. I am enjoying the higher volume. Really focusing on each rep and achiving maximum pump and blood flow.
Best value below:
Training:
Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 5 sets 10-15 reps – I use drop sets for last couple of sets with shoulder press machine – holding at the top for 2 seconds
Lateral Raises: 5 sets 12-15 reps
Upright rows: 4 sets 10-15 reps
Ab training
Hanging leg raises: 3 sets of 20
Hanging leg side raises: 2 sets of 20
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Thursday: Arms
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Arms were bursting out of my shirt! I miss going all out but I am enjoying the pump increase and vascularity.

Training:
Barbell Curls: 5 sets x 10-15 – last two using 21 method – 7 at top of movement, 7 at bottom, 7 full reps
Lying tricep extensions: 5 sets x 10-15
Lying curls: 3 sets x 10-15
Overhead two arm extension: 3 sets x 10-15
Cable curl: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
Pushdowns: 150lbs (stack) 3-4 sets x 15 reps
Hanging leg raises
Decline crunches
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Saturday: Legs
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Really great pump! My lagging hamstrings needed extra work!
Training:
Squats: 5-6 sets x 10-15 reps
Stiff leg deadlifts 5 sets x 10-15 reps
Walking lunges: 4 sets
Leg extensions: 4 sets x 12-15reps
Superset with:Hamstring curls: 3 sets x 12-15 reps
Leg press/hacksquat machine: 3sets x 12-15 reps
Calve Raises: 5 plates x 14 reps, 12 reps, 12 reps
Lying neck extensions: 45lb plate x 12, 12, 10
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Overview of the week:
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So the first week of volume training is over and I feel confident. This change of routine is just what I needed and I cannot wait to get the full benefits when I go back to lower volume. I am up to 185lbs and feeling strong and focused!
The green magnitude and myofusion have been a great assist so far.
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Diet:
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I am eating the majority of my carbohydrates in the morning, before a workout and after a workout. I cut my carbs back after 8pm, before my last meal.
My last meal is usually a myofusion protein shake blended with peanut butter and milk
From Protein:
from eggs, egg whites, sliced meats, chicken breast, lean beef, canned tuna and chicken, myofusion protein powder.
Carbohydrates:
wholewheat bread (2 slicesa day), oatmeal, bran cereal, brown rice, yams, potatoes, green vegetables, 1-2 pieces fresh fruit.
From Fats:
from omega 3-6-9 caps, fish oil, ex.olive oil, natural peanut butter/almond butter.
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Progress:
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Weight last week: 183.5lbs
Weight this week: 185lbs
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Workout Journal 2010
- ~ New workout journal 2010
"Okay guys.
I now have my computer back and I am back stronger than ever to do my second transformation cycle journal!
My transformation results last time were fantastic - in my opinion.
My weight went up 15lbs and I leaned out for a total of 10lbs of muscle gain. Leaner and bigger!
However, I ended up finishing not as well as I would have hoped in the bodyspace spokesmodel contest finals - mostly due to the fact that I took over a year off doing regular modeling and had a lot going on in my life with moving countries.
I hadn't worked out for size in over a year. I lost muscle - coming in at 172lbs just this past October, so I was happy going in at 184lbs. The contest was strong and I needed that extra time to compete, so no excuses! Just more fuel to the fire! My motivation is high!
However, I was happy to make the top 5 out of thousands of people and it was a great experience.
After a few weeks off reflecting and taking my new job, I am coming back with a new transformation journal.
I am going to get shredded these next 4-5 weeks and then lean bulk it all the way back to 195lbs and beyond.
I will be doing this with the help of Optimum Nutrition - I will be using their protein powders, creatine, no products, multi vitamin, fish oils, and CLA. I will document my progress with each supplement on my transformation blog.
Keep updated for the first one - coming next week!
- Read all Journal Weeks »


November 9, 2009 in 
