Knowing if you're ready

[Thewaterboy]

Scott,

Sorry to bother you. I'll start off by saying just purchased the e-book a few days and and admittedly I haven't read the e-book completely. I get in as much as I can while I'm working my 12 hour shifts. A section I read says you must know your body well. I've only been working out for a little over 3 years (minus highschool when I was forced for sports). I spent the previous 7 months dropping from 282# to 175# using very strict dieting and liss daily. I know now that I didn't necessarily go the right way about losing weight, but I did it that way and have continued my progress by lifting. I feel like I know my body well for the style of fitness and lifting I'm used to. My wife is an avid crossfitter, I do crossfit wods a couple times a week for cardio. I really grabbed onto the the Olympic lifting so I implemented that into the powerlifting style training I was doing. 90 percent of my work load was squats (variations), deadlift (variations), bench (predominately flat with grip variations). I also did shoulder press and barbell rows. I implemented clean and jerk (variations) and snatch (variations) into my lifting. I run a 3 day split. For the most part I hit those major muscles multiples times a week with how I pair the Olympic lifts, shoulder presses, and barbell rows with the big three. I don't really do any isolation training. I haven't really dabbled in bodybuilding type hypertrophy and isolation. I do get some high rep work in doing the crossfit words.

With all that said I know very little about isolation type training. I don't know how my body responds to it. I was recommended this program by a guy on another forum I'm on who highly advocates it. With the info I've given, do you feel I'm a candidate for this program?
               

[Thewaterboy]

The first picture was at 282# Jan 2014.

The second was at 175 Aug 2014. Hadn't ventured into lifting weight at this point

The 3rd is a process pic after I began lifting, not sure on weight

The 4th is current. My weight swings drastically, as I don't really control sodium to much (around 3g). For the most part I cycle carbs also do a high carb refeed the day before I start my day 1 lifts.7

I predominately run a 5-3-1-3-3 rep scheme and 5x5.

[Scott Stevenson]

Hey Bud!

FIRSTLY - CONGRATS on the HUGE success so far!

And thanks for posting this up, as this is a question others may have for sure.

So, a first question is: Is what you're doing still working (are you making progress)? If so, and you're enjoying it, I'd keep with that. If it ain't broke...

Secondly, you might want to finish reading the book of course, before you start off.

I have the sense, that when the time is right, you'll do just fine with this training. There will be a learning curve (as with anything), of course. You're in a unique position (I think) in that most folks who are starting off haven't done as much free weight (not to mention Oly lifting) training as they have machine ("isolation") training, which is technically much easier. So, I don't see exercise form being a hurdle.

Another consideration is that if you're really wanting to get the most from FT (or any bodybuilding or sports-specific training program for that matter really), you'll have to specialize to some degree, which would mean dropping the CrossFit workout. Of course, this is up to you and I'm happy if folks find anything useful in FT to incorporate into their training, trying to mix FT and crossfit is going to be like mixing oil and water (especially if your CF workouts follow a somewhat randomized WOD format, which would preclude strategically planning them within the FT weekly schedule.)

-S

[Stewilliams]

The thread title had me ready to start offering dating advice.

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On a serious note you have done very well with that weight drop. Congratulations man

[Thewaterboy]

Hey Bud!

FIRSTLY - CONGRATS on the HUGE success so far!

And thanks for posting this up, as this is a question others may have for sure.

So, a first question is: Is what you're doing still working (are you making progress)? If so, and you're enjoying it, I'd keep with that. If it ain't broke...

Secondly, you might want to finish reading the book of course, before you start off.

I have the sense, that when the time is right, you'll do just fine with this training. There will be a learning curve (as with anything), of course. You're in a unique position (I think) in that most folks who are starting off haven't done as much free weight (not to mention Oly lifting) training as they have machine ("isolation") training, which is technically much easier. So, I don't see exercise form being a hurdle.

Another consideration is that if you're really wanting to get the most from FT (or any bodybuilding or sports-specific training program for that matter really), you'll have to specialize to some degree, which would mean dropping the CrossFit workout. Of course, this is up to you and I'm happy if folks find anything useful in FT to incorporate into their training, trying to mix FT and crossfit is going to be like mixing oil and water (especially if your CF workouts follow a somewhat randomized WOD format, which would preclude strategically planning them within the FT weekly schedule.)

-S

I'll most definitely finish reading the book before I start. I also have no issues with dropping the crossfit wods, besides the cardio direct they were being done to work out with my wife more than anything. She's a hell of an athlete, she's at the very least regionals capable, she just doesn't have a desire to compete. She's wanting to work more on her physique at this point too. So she's ready to put crossfit down as well and venture into this with me. Thank you for the kind words on my transformation.

My current routine is still working. I guess the best way to explain it is my goals have become more realized/focused. At first I just wanted to be healthier, stronger, and over all just better than I was. Now I'm seeking more size overall, developing the rest of my body to be proportionate in regards to muscle mass, and of course symmetry. I want to work on my back (lats and traps are my main targets because it's extremely noticeable they lack), over all chest, all 3 heads of the shoulders. Also, while I'm over all happy with my legs, my inner thigh (abductor longus) is underdeveloped per the rest. I also need to bring the hams up to. I figure arms are OK considering I don't directly train them, but I want better bi (short head need more work than the long) and tri (all 3 heads need about the same amount of work) development.

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The thread title had me ready to start offering dating advice.

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On a serious note you have done very well with that weight drop. Congratulations man

Thank you.

[Scott Stevenson]

I'll most definitely finish reading the book before I start. I also have no issues with dropping the crossfit wods, besides the cardio direct they were being done to work out with my wife more than anything. She's a hell of an athlete, she's at the very least regionals capable, she just doesn't have a desire to compete. She's wanting to work more on her physique at this point too. So she's ready to put crossfit down as well and venture into this with me. Thank you for the kind words on my transformation.

My current routine is still working. I guess the best way to explain it is my goals have become more realized/focused. At first I just wanted to be healthier, stronger, and over all just better than I was. Now I'm seeking more size overall, developing the rest of my body to be proportionate in regards to muscle mass, and of course symmetry. I want to work on my back (lats and traps are my main targets because it's extremely noticeable they lack), over all chest, all 3 heads of the shoulders. Also, while I'm over all happy with my legs, my inner thigh (abductor longus) is underdeveloped per the rest. I also need to bring the hams up to. I figure arms are OK considering I don't directly train them, but I want better bi (short head need more work than the long) and tri (all 3 heads need about the same amount of work) development.

So you're saying you're happy with your quads and calves.

If what you're doing it working and you're growing in those areas (essentially everywhere), then I'd stick with that for now, TBH. If there's a need to change something, then FT could be a great tool for you.

There is something to say for eeking out as much progress from each program you use, IMO. Changing a training program will likely, due to novelty of stimulus, produce some progress (unless the program is horribly designed or wildly inappropriate for your level of development and goals). So, that's a given you can count on for the most part. Lots of folks will rotate among DC Training, FT and several of John Meadows' programs, among perhaps their own hybrids. But this is after years of exploiting those for long periods of time.

You've got the opportunity to build a damn good foundation her in core lifts and I'd take that if I were you, unless you just simply feel you would like to / need to change. (You'll also generally get the most out of the training plan you're most excited to do. )

-S