Fergamusprime

Thanks for clearing that up. Im coming from a weight training background you see and I'm trying to figure out as much as I can to start callisthenics. Appreciate the corrections. So basically small intelligent changes to a exercise that cane be achieved is the best method of progression? For this, is a strict program needed? Or just focusing on always making progression on those given movements through time?

You always need to be making progress on your lifts and movements no matter what. If you don't, you'll never make any gains. At the end of the day the body does not know you are using barbells or bodyweight, all it knows it resistance and how to adapt to it. Making movements harder will give you great progress though time. As its stated above if you can do 20 push ups, move onto elevated push ups, or weighted vest push ups. Though to be honest, if you want to slab on the muscle, barbell lifts are quicker method than bodyweight. You could try a hybrid approach to this also..hit one big lift per day and follow it up with your bodyweight stuff!

Yeah I really like the looks of 5/3/1 and the slow progress is defiantly a plus with recovery and such. Though I'd like to focus on a more frequent LP before venturing onto this..How long have you followed it for? I've seen a trend of people following it for a year, then they stop it. I always wondered what they moved onto afterwards too..

Hey guys, I'm looking a bit of insight on some programs. A while back I done SS for a significant amount of time and gained some good strength. After a stretch of sickness I went from 154lbs to around 196lbs in weight and I was happy with my lifts before stalling. Roughly: Squat: 130kg x 3 Deadlift: 170kg x 3 Press: 75kg x 1 Bench: 90kg x 3 (Pressing exercises are my weak point as my arms are long and I'm 6ft5!) I'm terms of programs, I wish to plan for the long term. I've looked at 5/3/1 but I want to hold of it for a bit as I would like to use that when I'm a bit more advanced. I've noticed some other routines like madcow, greyskull, simple strength, juggernaut etc... But would there be anything else worth reading or researching ? A few of them look pretty complicated too! So I'm looking for something generally simplistic. Thanks for your time!

Appreciate the comments. There's a gym about 15 mins away from my house. ( I live in Ireland so they are few and far between). It's run by a ex fitness model (strange I know). But he's gained members through word of mouth and no advertising...with 100+ members that's a plus. He has a oly lifting coach working for him too..and a number of rugby and galic athletes too. I was following crossfit football for a length of time and enjoyed it..so that's why I was interested to see what other options there is. But I'm glad you's put some light on the situation.

I've came to face a bit of a complication in my life as of late. Since starting crossfit a few years ago, I recently had to leave my gym due to distance. It's located over 25 miles away and i attended it while I was studying. Since then I began to research other methods of training to try and set myself up to train at home..but from this I've came to face a lot of crossfit hate online. Its so much that I've actually lost all heart in it due to the bashing and i can't figure out what else to do as this is all I've ever known and enjoyed. The reasons i started crossfit was to keep my depression and anxiety under control..but now that this has fired up, I've hit a downer again. Has anyone ever faced anything like this? or moved on from crossfit? any input would be great.

Unbelievably..it's awesome at the moment. Warm as hell for once and no rain I'm actually from the north so...that's even more unbelievable. Lol what part of the uk are you from ?

I jumped back into SS after a while off and couldn't handle the recovery. The weight jumps get a bit much when your working with larger loads. I researched around for something more suitable.. Look up greyskull lp. It's more intermediate and works wonders. But it's smaller increases in the weight. I'm running it at the moment...really enjoying it more than SS and its flexible with assistance work...can be as simple or as complicated as you like! I'd recommend getting the ebook even to get the information out of it!

Day one: day three of paleo eating. Feel pretty good with it and no cravings or hunger pangs. Staying hydrated and I think I've lost some water weight. Training was great, first day of lifting again and I've set my starting weights for the challenge. Legs are smoked! Lots of bodyweight assistance work and progressions. I can do a one legged front lever! Socially I feel more confident when I push myself. Went for coffee with a few people I know. Was pretty fun! Taking a bit of time to myself is great too. Spend my lunch in the sun and relaxed. Ireland's looking awesome this time of year! Great start

Depends on what your goals are. What other training are you doing? Goblet squats are great!

Thanks! I thought I'd get a few days "ease" into things..and I actually managed to venture out with a group of people I don't really know! I made effort to be friendly and have a laugh...so good start! It's officially day one here in Ireland...feels good!

Nothing wrong with a lil bit o bodyweight training. Seems functional enough..if it doesn't interfere with any other fitness training..go for it..or..do heavy squats 2-3 times a week..fire those glutes

Mobility, foam rolling, cold bath and hydration usually help with the pain...it'll subside through time as you get stronger.

Thanks dude. I hope it holds up!

Name: Fergal Age: 24 Weight: 14 stone (196lbs) height: 6ft5 Hey everyone. First challenge but I've been thinking about doing one for a while now! Only managed to sign up for one now, at last! I’ve currently lost a bit of heart in fitness due to an injury in my shoulder. I hurt it at the start of the year, since recovery I've been far less active and I've put a bit of weight on. I also used to compete in athletics, rowing and crossfit, but I stopped crossfit for a while as it got a bit much for me and wasn’t meeting my goals. The intensity got a bit much. All in all with the injury and not training properly, things got a bit bad in my life and I hit a low. Put on weight and became less social, cutting myself off from everything and everyone. So this challenge is perfect for me and I’m adamant to make changes in my life for the better good! Time to get back on my feet and get back to the way I used to be! My Goals are: Goal 1= Paleo: When I was at my peak with crossfit, I was strict paleo and I felt amazing. I didn’t include cheats, and to be honest I’ve had enough cheats over the past while to do me for the rest of my life! So I want to follow paleo for the duration of the challenge, without slipping and eating crap foods. I will allow myself some extras though in the form of sweet potatoes, BCAA, and creatine for recovery. So though this and exercise I wish to drop a bit of fat and get back to my optimal weight of 13.5 stone. I think this is achievable. Goal 2 = Exercise: I’m going to strength train 3 times per week, with two or three conditioning sessions. My routine will be based on the GSLP. The conditioning sessions will be short and intense to compliment my strength session; also weakness will be worked upon big time! The main thing I want to achieve is to see it as fun instead of a strenuous task. I want to enjoy training again! Goal 3 = Social: I really want to be more social and build up a friend base again. So my goal is to make at least 1-2 new friends with similar interests! Not as easy as it sounds as I’m shy as hell! But I’ll make the effort to do this for the challenge. Hopefully this will lead to new hobbies and interests. Goal 4 = Skills: I want to get at least 1-2 bar muscle ups by the end of this challenge, 4-6 handstand push-ups and increase my strength considerably in my main lifts. I’ve based my routine around my weaknesses and hopefully this will be achieved! Goal 5 = 1 hour breaks: Each day I want to have one hour to myself, computer free, and people free, free from the world! To relax, reflect and do something that is ZERO stress. During this time I plan on reading a number of books I’ve been planning to read. So hopefully I’ll finish them! Goal 6 = Happy: I want to be happy and enjoy life more, take more risks and step out of the comfort zone for a change. So if I’m confronted by something I’ll usually hide away from and ignore, or pass, I’m going to face it and take part, stand up for myself, stand my ground and live my life to the full! Pretty happy and excited with these goals and hopefully by the end of this, I’ll be a better person and a lot happier with myself! So here it goes!