WSMWANNABE's path to (not) becoming a pro strongman

[wsmwannabe]

If you’re concerned with bw, I’d avoid MENT. I see you already started so best to control food intake and go from there. Yes NPP had definitely made me an ass hole and I know a few other guy who have the same experience. Strange since deca doesn’t do that to me.

Anecdotally I've heard something similar.
My personal opinion is the rapid change in hormone levels.
Wheras with Deca you have time to "Acclimatize" to the changes in hormone levels

Until about 2 weeks ago, I was running nolva to combat my last round of gyno. Now that I am not running that I have had to bump up my AI to .25 mg anastrazole EOD because of water retention, mild ED, and gyno (again). This MUST be largely attributed to the MENT, because my last run with NPP and test was much higher than this one and I had zero E2 issues.

I may bring down the MENT to 5mg/day. because it DOES offer a huge mood boost and I cannot lose that with the NPP.

 

[Worf]

Anecdotally I've heard something similar.
My personal opinion is the rapid change in hormone levels.
Wheras with Deca you have time to "Acclimatize" to the changes in hormone levels

I agree, I handle blasts much better with longer esters for that reason in particular I’m pretty sure. Wasn’t aware of mood enhancing ability of ment. Good info, thanks for posting

 

[Worf]

Great example is a video Jamal Browner did a few weeks ago ( a QA)
Guys keep asking him when hes going to try for Eddie hall's record (Thors doesnt count IMHO)

He said "Guys.... no one pays me anything, I have a full time job, what can I do bro?"

The fact that a 240 lb guy is DL over 1k is crazy... and no one is paying him fuck all as one of the greatest athletes in the world is mind boggling

Powerlifting be like that. My coach is a top 10 wilks guy in wraps in the lighter weights, dude doesn’t make shit. Some prize money out there at a few of the bigger meets maybe 5-6 each year. He has a couple sponsors that give him products and that’s it. Its not the actual accomplishments of the athlete IMO, its how they build themselves or their persona as a brand. Sell coaching, some sorts of gear, a method, a special bar or what ever. Look at everyone who is top 10 success stories that came from powerlifting . Dave Tate, mark bell, Louie Simmons, Stan Efferding, Ed Coan, Kaz, Marc Henry, Etc. These guys all have their hands in making and selling products, a diet, training program, coaching, making coaches, or they also did strong man or pro wrestling, own a successful gym, etc. Now go and look at men’s top 10 wilks on openpowerlifting.com right now , wraps or raw, multiply, single ply, raw w a fucking slingshot and compression shorts or what ever the hell, tested or untested. All but maybe 2 of those guys are in the fucking trenches and not selling anything. There’s no “pro“ powerlifters and if they make any money it’s from marketing and selling powerlifting related stuff not actually getting paid to perform.

Rant over, lol

 

[wsmwannabe]

Well now that I am getting more into comp prep, I'll try picking this thread back up again. Maybe it'll be a little more interesting, maybe it won't.

Current cycle:
test C @ 280/wk, EOD
NPP @ 280/wk, ED
MENT @ 70/wk, ED
.25mg adex E3D
20mg nolva ED
4mg salbutamol on work out days only (this is for asthma, not cutting)

29 July 21 BW: 238.8

1) Standing box jump
4x2 @ 40"

2) 20' acceleration run
3x

3) axle strict press from rack w/ bands. beltless
8x2 @ 135 lbs, 195 lbs at top. 45s rest between sets

4) Banded snow angels
3x15

5) Yoke run
600 for 60'x3, 90 s rest between runs
14s run (huge PR)
18s run
21s run

6) T bar row with elbows flared up high
4x6 @ 100 lbs

7) BSS with front foot on foam pad
3x10 each leg. 3 count eccentric with brief pause in hole

8) banded bridge machine
3x20 with fat red band

Salbutamol works MUCH better than albuterol for battling asthma. Depending on the day, albuterol does literally nothing for me. I have not had a single breathing issue with the salbutamol.

 

[wsmwannabe]

30 July 21 BW: 239.2 (I woke up at 237.4 yesterday, the 31st, 2.6 lbs under my goal weight and I am still getting stronger)

Overall I feel my progress is slow, but I have to keep reminding myself that I am cutting and I am down 10 lbs in 26 days. I am hoping to run maintenance cals soon and just work on maintaining 240 lbs BW and recomping. I think my BF% is down to about 14.5-15 right now. I'd love to get to about 12% by end of September.

1a) axle clean and press, clean each
1x1.8 @ 265 (ran our of gas 3/4 of the way through the second press)
1x2 @ 255 (RPE 7.5)
2x2 @ 215

I am getting better about using my leg drive/triple extension, I have a bad tendency to strict press, even when it looks like I am trying to push press. This is my first competition since Jan 2020 in which I have trained axle clean and press. It'll get better and I am still building the technique on this. I also haven't trained this event since I was damn near 30 lbs heavier.

1b) banded face pull
3x20

2) 12" trap bar deadlift
1x4 @ 640 (RPE 6.5, this was a 30 lb PR. I didn't go heavier, because I feel like my strength is building on this much faster than my technique is and I don't care to injure myself again.)
1x4 @ 600
1x4 @ 550
1x15 @ 475 (RPE 3? I felt like I could've knocked out 10-15 more reps)

3) Sand bag toss to 15.5'
2x 35/40
3x 40/50

All throws made it to 15.5' or higher, except the 50 lb bag, I only had one or two out of three that made it to height.

4) meadows rows
4x6 @ 115

5) spanish goblet squat
3x10 @ 70

6) prone banded hamstring curls
3x20 red mini band

7) reverse hyper
2x20 @ 90

 

[dennia]

Just a question and more of curiosity.
You are a 240lbs guy. Aren't strongman running more gear at that size? Isn't a plus for you (and anyone) running more gear as your goal is competing and winning?
Don't know how much gear run a pro strongman at +330lbs but I assume much much more.
Is just a question as I don't know nothing about strongman steroid use,training and nutrition. I am just a viewer of this sport

Good luck on your career!

 

[wsmwannabe]

Just a question and more of curiosity.
You are a 240lbs guy. Aren't strongman running more gear at that size? Isn't a plus for you (and anyone) running more gear as your goal is competing and winning?
Don't know how much gear run a pro strongman at +330lbs but I assume much much more.
Is just a question as I don't know nothing about strongman steroid use,training and nutrition. I am just a viewer of this sport

Good luck on your career!

You know, I’ve thought a lot about the amount of gear I run. I feel like maybe I should be running a lot more. But then I also think I should be running even less than I am.

Even at this relative small amount, I’m still making pretty good gains. I know some guys that run little more than just test that are REALLY strong and athletic and could win literally any amateur show they went to, and I know some guys that run grams of gear and are barely more competitive than novice level.

I would love to blast TONS of gear, but I don’t think I’ve reached my natural strength limit yet, even being on gear, because even on TRT I still get stronger.

I honestly don’t know what the right answer is, but this time around I chose a smaller cycle. Next one I may choose to run at least double the amount.

 

[dennia]

Don't know how much time you have left as you are 33 and you have few years left to make a name around. So waiting and training to reach a natural strength level,making slow progress and running smaller amount of gear don't know if that suits your goal as the clock is ticking.
I would certainly run as much as I can pin if I would like to compete at a pro level but that's me. I am a kamikaze guy if I put a goal in my mind.
Thanks for answering and probably a answer to how much gear to run is depending on who you ask,who is your couch and so on.
I will keep a eye on your journey and hoping for the best for you!

 

[wsmwannabe]

Don't know how much time you have left as you are 33 and you have few years left to make a name around. So waiting and training to reach a natural strength level,making slow progress and running smaller amount of gear don't know if that suits your goal as the clock is ticking.
I would certainly run as much as I can pin if I would like to compete at a pro level but that's me. I am a kamikaze guy if I put a goal in my mind.
Thanks for answering and probably a answer to how much gear to run is depending on who you ask,who is your couch and so on.
I will keep a eye on your journey and hoping for the best for you!

I’ve often thought about the time aspect as well. I wouldn’t kamikaze lol, but I would certainly be much closer to borderline reckless. I’m not willing to impact my family or work life, but the amount I’m running has me nowhere near that point.

I guess I decided to pull back some after a conversation with my coach. My last two cycles I ended up with moderate injuries. Last October I had central serous retinopathy (essentially a partially detached retina from pushing fluid between my retina and eyeball) and a partially torn bicep in May. I think if I can make it out of this cycle/competition injury free it’ll help me to push it farther/harder with the gear.

The injuries also comes down to my training/recovery, which I feel are much better now than they were back in October. May I was pretty dialed in and it was a competition day mistake that caused the injury

 

[dennia]

You know, I’ve thought a lot about the amount of gear I run. I feel like maybe I should be running a lot more. But then I also think I should be running even less than I am.

Even at this relative small amount, I’m still making pretty good gains. I know some guys that run little more than just test that are REALLY strong and athletic and could win literally any amateur show they went to, and I know some guys that run grams of gear and are barely more competitive than novice level.

I would love to blast TONS of gear, but I don’t think I’ve reached my natural strength limit yet, even being on gear, because even on TRT I still get stronger.

I honestly don’t know what the right answer is, but this time around I chose a smaller cycle. Next one I may choose to run at least double the amount.

Isn't HGH helping you to be more injury free and helping with the ones that you are dealing with?
Or is to expensive for you to run year around?

 

[wsmwannabe]

Isn't HGH helping you to be more injury free and helping with the ones that you are dealing with?
Or is to expensive for you to run year around?

I have never run HGH, and to be frank idk if it helps with injury prevention.

The eye issue is directly contby increased testosterone levels, so the more I take, the more likely it is to happen. However I don’t know the likelihood of it reoccurring as I could find no information about that. Also the increased test was only one factor, and all of the other contributing variables I have more or less direct control over.

The bicep was an issue mostly with poor technique.

My coach is a very “health first” type of coach so I expected him to tell me to run as little as possible (he actually told me to run TRT only), but I’ve talked to a few buddies of mine (one of which is a pro strongman) and they thought I was running too much gear previously as well.

I do largely agree with you though that I think I’m running very little gear and probably should run more.

mom still about 10 weeks out from my next company and depending how I feel it’s going I may bump it up more in a few weeks

 

[wsmwannabe]

Two things today:

1) Increased (decreased) my dosages from 280/280/70 to 600/400/42 test/NPP/MENT. I was also recommended boldenone, but I cannot find cyp or ace and EQ will take longer than the 10 weeks I have left in this cycle

2) 2 Aug 21 BW: 238.6 (woke up at 237.6 today)

1) single leg box jump
4x2 each leg @ 6"

2a) swiss bar bench press
1x6 @ 285 (PR, RPE 7)
1x6 @ 265
2x6 @ 225

2b) DB rear delt fly
4x20 10 lbs/hand

3) axle bar floor press
1x8 @ 245
1x8 @ 225
2x8 @ 205

4) neutral grip tbar row
4x8 @ 180

5) banded tricep pushdown
3x50 w/ orange micro mini

6) deadbug w/ 5 lbs per hand
3x12

 

[Type-IIx]

You don't have to push crazy amount of gear, you use it intelligently. I strong recommend GH, even INSTEAD of AAS (most of the year), doing this sport at your age. It does help with healing and injury prevention (soft tissue).

 

[NLM36]

You don't have to push crazy amount of gear, you use it intelligently. I strong recommend GH, even INSTEAD of AAS (most of the year), doing this sport at your age. It does help with healing and injury prevention (soft tissue).

I have buddy who’s a power lifter ,52, who tore his tricep and said hgh sped up the recovery significantl. he also said it speeds up his recovery in general. he’s running 2iu a day. to him it’s a game changer

 

[MindlessWork]

I have buddy who’s a power lifter ,52, who tore his tricep and said hgh sped up the recovery significantl. he also said it speeds up his recovery in general. he’s running 2iu a day. to him it’s a game changer

yeah it pays not to get too greedy as it just results in disaster. If you can't make a rep rack it don't try to force it. I made that mistake not long ago and managed to severely strain my left shoulder and that slowed me down now.

 

[wsmwannabe]

4 Aug 21 BW: 236.4 (woke up today, August 5th, at 233.6, I know I didn't burn 3 lbs of fat in 24 hours, but the fat is certainly melting off quickly with this nutritionist I hired)

1) Depth jump off 12" box
4x2

2) Lateral Shuffle
4x 10yards back and forth

3a) Log clean and press (clean once)
265x2 (RPE 8, this was a rep PR but not a weight PR)
245x1 (working up to top set)
225x3x2

3b) banded face pull
3x20 w/red mini

4) wheel barrow run 60'
560 (grip gave out and only made it 45' in 10s)
440x3 (fastest run was 10s)

The handles are brand new with no knurling, so they are very slick. I usually false grip my farmers runs with no issue ever with grip. I'm going to have to train hook grip for this wheel barrow. I already do use it a little bit here and there and I am glad that I trained it, even though I didn't need to.

5) Sand bag toss to 15.5'
5x 35/45/45 (all throws were to 16' or higher)

6) meadows row
4x6 per arm w/ 90 lbs

7) spanish goblet squat
3x10 w/ 70 lbs

8) prone banded hamstring curls
3x20 w/ pause at peak

9) reverse hypers
4x20 @ 90

 

[Type-IIx]

4 Aug 21 BW: 236.4 (woke up today, August 5th, at 233.6, I know I didn't burn 3 lbs of fat in 24 hours, but the fat is certainly melting off quickly with this nutritionist I hired)

1) Depth jump off 12" box
4x2

2) Lateral Shuffle
4x 10yards back and forth

3a) Log clean and press (clean once)
265x2 (RPE 8, this was a rep PR but not a weight PR)
245x1 (working up to top set)
225x3x2

3b) banded face pull
3x20 w/red mini

4) wheel barrow run 60'
560 (grip gave out and only made it 45' in 10s)
440x3 (fastest run was 10s)

The handles are brand new with no knurling, so they are very slick. I usually false grip my farmers runs with no issue ever with grip. I'm going to have to train hook grip for this wheel barrow. I already do use it a little bit here and there and I am glad that I trained it, even though I didn't need to.

5) Sand bag toss to 15.5'
5x 35/45/45 (all throws were to 16' or higher)

6) meadows row
4x6 per arm w/ 90 lbs

7) spanish goblet squat
3x10 w/ 70 lbs

8) prone banded hamstring curls
3x20 w/ pause at peak

9) reverse hypers
4x20 @ 90

Depth jumps huh? Good to see you working on explosivenesss. There are plyos and there is shock method, Russian shit. Never done them myself but I do appreciate your training.

 

[wsmwannabe]

Depth jumps huh? Good to see you working on explosivenesss. There are plyos and there is shock method, Russian shit. Never done them myself but I do appreciate your training.

I’m slow. I used to be fast, twitchy, and explosive. But years… or a decade really, of bro lifting at its finest slowed me down and made me tight.

I feel more athletic and spry now than I have in 10+ years. And the plyo has only been incorporated since end of May.

I do lots of box jumps, broad jumps, vertical jumps, and lots of sprinting and footwork. I took 3rd in my last competition largely because I was slow under the yoke. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a better athlete

 

[Type-IIx]

Nice. Upper body ballistic work is good too. You can apply the drop concept to some other muscle groups as well.

 

[wsmwannabe]

6 Aug 21 BW: 235.4 (weighed 235 this morning, the 9th)

1) SL lateral jumps
4x2

2) 20' acceleration run
x3

3) banded axle push press from rack
6x2 @ 160 plus green bands (220 at the top), 45s rest between

4) banded snow angles
3x15

5) SSB hatfield squats
545x6 (RPE 6)
515x6
435x6
425x6

6) T bar row
4x6 @ 115

7) BSS w/ front foot on foam pad
3x10

8) banded glute bridges
3x20