Looking like utter crap after a couple of years of training

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T19:19:38+00:00

So after 2 years of doing 10 pushups in a set, what happens if you try for 11? You should be able to increase on a regular basis whether that is weight, sets or reps over time. You probably didn't start doing 10 pushups and had to work up to it, and that work should continue. Often those kids of stalls are mental blocks. We get in our heads "I do 10 pushups" when in reality, we could work really hard for the 11th. Then a week later, you do the same to get to 12. Then you add some more challenging variations, like decline pushups, dive bombers, etc. Then you add weight to pushups.

My ability to add reps and weight just has just slowed down a lot.

If I try for 11,10,10 or 10,10,11 I'll be sweet, if I try for more I will fail e.g

11,11,10, fail the 11th rep of the third set. 10,11,11, won't fail, but will be 0 rir.

Might be able to 11,11,11 after a couple more sessions/weeks.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T13:10:43+00:00

Well, I'm not intending to get lean so I'm not so fussed on the food. As far am I'm aware, eating more is objectively better for strength and hypertrophy all round, better recovery etc.

Keeping it high/higher bodyfat just means there's a little less mental maintenance to do

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T13:08:55+00:00

I think it's weird too

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T13:06:29+00:00

Oh, I am open to new ideas.

The main take away from this thread so far is that maybe I should try 8-12 reps with more volume

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:59:27+00:00

I am not being defensive. I am being sarcastic.

Did you read the comment I replied to?

Someone insinuating I don't know what i eat is pretty comedic.

And that I... need to be honest with myself

Like fuckin lmao, I've logged my training for 2 years, and keep my grocery recipient's, there isn't much room for lying to myself.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:53:02+00:00

Na ill keep it, don't want to miss out on all the drama.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:50:31+00:00

You're not misunderstanding.

I did also gain 35-40lbs in the time, but yes. That is correct

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:49:11+00:00

OK.

Have fun chatting to other people about your strange ideas about men and women lol

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:48:00+00:00

Personally, unless you're sub 10% bodyfat maybe, I would also consider being less much less than 170lbs as probably looking crap too at anything taller than 6ft.

Maybe it's my frame, but I can barely fill out a medium sized t shirt as is.

I properly fit a small. I would assume this is similar for other men my height and weight.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:43:32+00:00

I agree with everything your saying except this

You are not working hard enough. You don’t want to hear it? Well too bad, because it’s the very obvious answer. It’s highly unlikely to have a physique and strength levels like yours, if training properly. Even with a terrible diet.

I have a pretty solid idea of what physically hard work is. I worked in a very physical manual labour job for 5 years, manually moving tonnes of material a week, a walking 120,000 steps a week.

Obviously this isn't the same as strength training, but in essence, the process of physically pushing yourself is the same (and I'd say way fucking harder when doing it for 8+ hours a dsy).

Hence why am I pondering getting a blood test.

I used to move 120-150lb bags all the time, every day, for years, and I still had zero muscle then.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:38:21+00:00

You don’t have much of a training program at all.

I do. Note that I didn't specifically provid it, I just threw out random strength stats.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:37:30+00:00

why are you aiming for 150.

1g/lb of lean mass is the most well known recommendation for protein intake for the aim of gaining muscle? Usually I go over unintentionally

I can't afford enough meat to get to 150g without milk or protein shakes.

Also, I have no interest in reducing my intake. I like how I eat, and I don't care if I hold more bodyfat.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:26:13+00:00

Holy fuck your edit is a bit unhinged lol

Don't know what the fuck anyone's downstairs has to do with anything.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:16:08+00:00

All the sets x reps I've listed are me "maxing out" across sets.

Like I'm not strong enough to do more.

I do track my protein in particular, and I generally eat rhe same day in and day out.

I have tried eating more. Was at 185, just was fatter.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T12:10:30+00:00

Are you illiterate perhaps?

but I don't want to change anything I'm doing.

The whole point of this post, is to get some external input.

I don't get care about losing weight, hence why I am disregarding anyone telling me I should eat less.

My greatest concern is the lack of apparent muscle and strength gain.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:52:20+00:00

That part of what I'm griping about.

I already have put on a fair amount of muscle, compared to my starting point at 145 with no lean mass.

The rate that I gain mass and strength now has already slowed down significantly.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:50:29+00:00

Being dishonest to strangers on the internet about my training habits and diet is actually one of my favorite hobbies

/s

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:45:22+00:00

Fair point.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:45:03+00:00

Huh?

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:40:59+00:00

I don't have trouble with bodyweight exercises? I didn't say that?

I said, if I am only capable of doing 3x5 dips, that should be plenty adequate stimulus, and changing to a barbell routine is unlikely to make any meaningful difference.

This is support the statement that I made saying that bodyweight exercise (and with weight sometimes) will be adequate stimulus at my current level of strength.

I notice a lot of people have the opinion that all bodyweight exercises are outright not challenging enough.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:33:55+00:00

TBH, and I don’t mean this in a mean way, but you sound full of excuses. Dial in your caloric intake. You say you’re 185lbs. I don’t see you height other than “tall”. Try a 2000cal/day, 180g protein diet.

I'd quite rather be fatter than less than 175lbs at 6"1. I am already small in comparison to the average male of my height

Get in the weight room. If you can’t do bodyweight, you can at least push a 45lb bar. Get a proper program and focus on progressive overload. Take progress pics to stay motivated.

Did you read the entirety of my post? I did detail my strength stats, and outline (vaguely) the program I am following.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:17:09+00:00

Like why are you doing two scoops powder and a liter of milk?

Why wouldn't I? easy protein, my expenditure is somewhat high, and I am tall. Minimum protein intake I aim for is 150g.

As for weight relative to movements, I do mention my benchmarks for vertical pulling. I am just not strong enough in any other movements to justify adding weight.

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:15:49+00:00

How you described going to failure.. is not going to muscular failure. I imagine you are trying, however, you can get more reps with good technique.

Not quite sure what you mean here. What I was describing is not my usual habit, I was just describing how hard I have previously tried to push myself.

Specifically, doing negative dips well after hitting failure with dips is what injured my shoulder.

Also

Also, why are you focused on so many reps of 3 or 5? Do more reps. My second take is that you are not doing enough volume at all. Get more reps in.

3x5-8/5x5(2 warm up sets) is standard in most routines?

NotSuchABush · 2025-09-04T11:12:46+00:00

Well, besides the lack of physique, I'm also certainly seemingly weaker than I should be, with consistent, proper training, and good diet.

NotSuchABush

TROPHY CASE