Almost 3 years without squatting and legs dont look so bad (pic)

09-02-2021, 08:46 PM

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#1

induced_drag
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induced_drag
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Almost 3 years without squatting and legs dont look so bad (pic)

Used to train mostly for strength. Was at my peak just over 3 years ago. Pulling into my driveway I was rear ended. Fractured my spine and 2-buldging disks 1- displaced disk L5 S1 causing LOTS of nerve pain.

It has now been 3 years and still a problem. When I got hit, my back was pretty much bullet proof. The last few years have been tough. I am 48 so injuries just dont heal like they used to.

I never stopped working out. I just did what I could. I could not squat at all or deadlift. I could not even do a bent row. I started working my lower back VERY slow to see if I could squat again. I have failed at this a few times, but this time I took it slower.

It has now been just over a month. I dont go over 225 and I am not going to rush it. Snapped a pic in the gym tonight, and actually dont feel too bad about where my legs are given I have not been able to do much over the past 3 years.

Not great...but not bad.... At some point you can only do what you can do.

09-02-2021, 08:48 PM

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#2

SouthDakotaBrah
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you should look into HGH brah, it could help with your injuries

looking swole btw bro

09-02-2021, 09:03 PM

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#3

multiplemiggs
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That's fukkin impressive considering that long of down time. Good for you for staying active through all that brah.

09-02-2021, 09:05 PM

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#4

Getter_done

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Still look great man!

09-02-2021, 09:05 PM

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#5

induced_drag
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Originally Posted By SouthDakotaBrah⏩

you should look into HGH brah, it could help with your injuries

looking swole btw bro

It would be a neat idea, but my older brother got cancer at an early age, and the idea of that freaks me out.

I had thought about stem cell injections, but it is a bunch of $$ and no guarantees.

I have resolved that my days of PR's are long gone. I am cool with that. Health and wellness are now my focus. I have almost 20 years of training under my belt and I am on year 11 of my 'comeback'. I have not missed more than 5 workouts (unplanned) in the last 11 years. I even worked out though my spinal fracture (with ortho's consent). Was just told to NOT do anything that caused any pain. If it did not hurt, he said I was ok.

09-02-2021, 09:06 PM

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#6

MetroBrah

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bruh wtf. Some of the nicest wheels I've ever seen on this forum srs

09-02-2021, 09:13 PM

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#7

induced_drag
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Thanks guy. On spread with a bunch of you. Repped who I could.

Originally Posted By MetroBrah⏩

bruh wtf. Some of the nicest wheels I've ever seen on this forum srs

I am a lot leaner than that pic shows. Leg pumps wash out definition. This is a pic cold.

Really become a convert to fasting. Used to track every macro and weigh food for years. 3+ years now IF and my new thing is 'hard fasts' on non workout days. I will only eat one meal and try to push my fasts to 20-22hours.

I started out with one day and now I am up to 3. Just leaning out. No cardio. Easiest thing I have ever done.

09-02-2021, 09:16 PM

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#8

notbadnotbrad

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so what do you do for legs?

I don't like squatting at all and would rather not

Details brah

09-02-2021, 09:33 PM

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#9

induced_drag
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Originally Posted By notbadnotbrad⏩

so what do you do for legs?

I don't like squatting at all and would rather not

Details brah

I wont judge...but if I could do squats I would. The effectives of a SINGLE exercise needs quite a few and still does not come close. That said, I wont preach.

I have a leg press in my home gym. But even going heavy on those would aggravate my lower back. I started doing all kinds of variations. Lots of TUT training. And Giant sets. Eg put a weight where you would fail at 15 or so. Do 12 reps, rest 10 sec, do 8 reps, rest 10 sec, do 6 reps...etc...etc to failure.

Anything I could do in the end. If I were at a commercial gym it would be easier. This is why I am motivated to bring back traditional squats. No handed squats are something I grew to love since I could really stimulate legs without going as heavy. It is a lot of fun too. Before I hurt my back, I could actually move decent weight no-handed. I have tried doing no-handed up to 315 and while I could do it, my back did not like it. Love to get back here....

09-02-2021, 09:35 PM

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#10

TheJediBrah
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Impressive af even without back problems. Massive respect for achieving that with a debilitating injury like that. Back problems are ****ed.

09-02-2021, 09:38 PM

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#11

notbadnotbrad

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Originally Posted By induced_drag⏩

I wont judge...but if I could do squats I would. The effectives of a SINGLE exercise needs quite a few and still does not come close. That said, I wont preach.

I have a leg press in my home gym. But even going heavy on those would aggravate my lower back. I started doing all kinds of variations. Lots of TUT training. And Giant sets. Eg put a weight where you would fail at 15 or so. Do 12 reps, rest 10 sec, do 8 reps, rest 10 sec, do 6 reps...etc...etc to failure.

Anything I could do in the end. If I were at a commercial gym it would be easier. This is why I am motivated to bring back traditional squats. No handed squats are something I grew to love since I could really stimulate legs without going as heavy. It is a lot of fun too. Before I hurt my back, I could actually move decent weight no-handed. I have tried doing no-handed up to 315 and while I could do it, my back did not like it. Love to get back here....

Just a weapon lol

Didn’t even know that lift existed

Good for you tho - impressive legs, like best I’ve seen here srs (no homo)

09-02-2021, 10:01 PM

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#12

Broady78
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Great looking legs bro.

09-02-2021, 10:25 PM

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#13

lolatpaniccels
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how did the rear end fuk u up so bad? how fast were they going?

09-02-2021, 10:53 PM

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#14

insidemane
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Share your. Leg. Routine then *******

Mirin

09-03-2021, 07:54 AM

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#15

induced_drag
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Originally Posted By notbadnotbrad⏩

Just a weapon lol

Didn’t even know that lift existed

Good for you tho - impressive legs, like best I’ve seen here srs (no homo)

No handed stuff is fun. At first it feels very unstable. But over time, you grow to find your 'groove' even better. I have been training a long time. Finding ways to still keep it fun and interesting are what it is all about. One of my favorite exercises.

Originally Posted By Broady78⏩

Great looking legs bro.

Thanks man.

Originally Posted By lolatpaniccels⏩

how did the rear end fuk u up so bad? how fast were they going?

I live on a road that is a 45 but most people go 55-60. I was pulling in my driveway and a girl was looking down at her cell phone and never hit the brakes. She ran right up underneath me. Luckily I was in a mini van and she was in a smaller car. But to give you an idea, the hit totaled the mini van. My body was turned looking into pulling in and getting jabbed like that from the rear just was NOT good.

VERY frustrating. Dr wanted to do facet injections (cortisone and pain killers). I elected against it because I wanted to know where the pain was coming from and the facet is a temp fix. You think you have things planned, and then things like this happen. At the end of the day, you adapt or you quit. I am not quitting.

Originally Posted By insidemane⏩

Share your. Leg. Routine then *******

Mirin

I would not recommend anyone do my routine. I dont have one. I just train by feel. I rarely count sets and often dont even count reps. BUT...this is NOT a good way to train IF you still have progress to made. I am long past the point of progress. Best I can hope for is to hold on to what I built over 20 years. So my goals are to get as much stimulation as I can without hurting myself.

Prior to my injuries, I was a big 5/3/1 believer. I think, and still do, that if you are going to train naturally, or mostly natural and dont want to rely on drugs to keep your physique, that you HAVE to train for strength. Save the last 5% for iso movements, but the goals are always to lift more and just as important, MOVE THE SCALE.

My first 5 years back, there was not 2 weeks that I was the same weight ever week. I was either eating to gain, or on a deficit. I gained and lost 100's of lbs. Moving the scale an using food as a tool is what people leave out. It is very hard and takes the gym from a simple activity, to a lifestyle. Very few are committed to do it, but it works. I used to gain 40+lbs all the time and then diet back down. OVER AND OVER.

09-03-2021, 07:59 AM

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#16

insidemane
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Originally Posted By induced_drag⏩

No handed stuff is fun. At first it feels very unstable. But over time, you grow to find your 'groove' even better. I have been training a long time. Finding ways to still keep it fun and interesting are what it is all about. One of my favorite exercises.

Thanks man.

I live on a road that is a 45 but most people go 55-60. I was pulling in my driveway and a girl was looking down at her cell phone and never hit the brakes. She ran right up underneath me. Luckily I was in a mini van and she was in a smaller car. But to give you an idea, the hit totaled the mini van. My body was turned looking into pulling in and getting jabbed like that from the rear just was NOT good.

VERY frustrating. Dr wanted to do facet injections (cortisone and pain killers). I elected against it because I wanted to know where the pain was coming from and the facet is a temp fix. You think you have things planned, and then things like this happen. At the end of the day, you adapt or you quit. I am not quitting.

I would not recommend anyone do my routine. I dont have one. I just train by feel. I rarely count sets and often dont even count reps. BUT...this is NOT a good way to train IF you still have progress to made. I am long past the point of progress. Best I can hope for is to hold on to what I built over 20 years. So my goals are to get as much stimulation as I can without hurting myself.

Prior to my injuries, I was a big 5/3/1 believer. I think, and still do, that if you are going to train naturally, or mostly natural and dont want to rely on drugs to keep your physique, that you HAVE to train for strength. Save the last 5% for iso movements, but the goals are always to lift more and just as important, MOVE THE SCALE.

My first 5 years back, there was not 2 weeks that I was the same weight ever week. I was either eating to gain, or on a deficit. I gained and lost 100's of lbs. Moving the scale an using food as a tool is what people leave out. It is very hard and takes the gym from a simple activity, to a lifestyle. Very few are committed to do it, but it works. I used to gain 40+lbs all the time and then diet back down. OVER AND OVER.

Very informative post, will rep on rx

09-03-2021, 08:02 AM

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#17

x-trainer ben
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Dam, ID, I read about back issues from a collision but after reading that a minivan was totaled, she must have been flying. Wtf!?
Helicopter, mini van, you are 1 lucky and determined dude.
Bravo.

09-03-2021, 08:24 AM

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#18

ChewYourFood
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Nice wheels.

why no front squat?

09-03-2021, 08:45 AM

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#19

induced_drag
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Originally Posted By insidemane⏩

Very informative post, will rep on rx

Back at ya. Thanks man. Funny...the further down this road I get, the more it becomes clear what was and what was NOT effective and worth my time. The biggest theme of 'wasted' effort is over-complication.

At the end of the day adaptation is what it is all about. Have to force your body to adapt AND at the same time, give it the fuel to adapt. It is clear to me that without over-reliance on drugs the only way to do this is lift to get one more rep or put more weight on the bar EVERY time you train>>>>while finding that caloric surplus that you can maintain for 4-5 months. It is NOT easy and the eating was the hardest part for me. But once you get here....keeping it is a lot easier.

Originally Posted By x-trainer

Dam, ID, I read about back issues from a collision but after reading that a minivan was totaled, she must have been flying. Wtf!?
Helicopter, mini van, you are 1 lucky and determined dude.
Bravo.

Yea...been banged up a decent bit. But I think it was a good thing for me. The helicopter crash, broken neck and brain injury left an indelible mark on me of how 'bad' it can get. I have spent every day since refusing to give up on life KNOWING full well it could be worse. No excuses. No one cares. You only owe accountability to yourself. If you can look yourself in the mirror and be happy with the person you are, that is what matters. Lifting has been my therapy and my metric to remind myself that life is a struggle and nothing is promised to you. It is amazingly clear in it's ability to do this. I think overcoming obstacles is a gift at times. It give you a resolve and clarity that I dont know you can find without the adversity.

Originally Posted By ChewYourFood⏩

Nice wheels.

why no front squat?

I have all kinds of issues I have to work around. 09 was a broken neck, also have partially torn labrum going back to 07 that never had fixed... So between shoulder and neck mobility I dont think I can (comfortably) front squat. As I get close to 50, I have to find the things that I can do and that dont cause me to go backwards. Front squats are GREAT, just not great for me.

09-03-2021, 08:59 AM

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#20

induced_drag
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Originally Posted By piramparam⏩

No chit brah youre enhanced. You could kick a toddler twice a week and still have 28inch quads.

Typical comment from a twink who will quit in a few years and be a fat fuk who talks about how he used to be in shape in his 20's.

Pic of me at your age...3 years of training...yes nattie. I was 23 here, so post up a pic and lets compare where you are if you want to talk smak.

I suffered a TBI in 09. Took me 3+ years to figure out that I actually had REAL low t. I also became hypo thyroid. Both are pituitary stimulated. I have told my story here many times. I would not claim to be nattie and I am 100% transparent as to my path in the gym. But I dont think anyone could say that I built my physique on drugs. I had 15 years of training under my belt before I crossed that line.

This was one of my last pics as lifetime nattie. (leaned out)

09-03-2021, 09:06 AM

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#21

Beast92
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Looks pretty swole and big but if u want to get women, I would advice you to stop training legs to deflate them

Women like ripped legs, not swollen like tree trunks

09-03-2021, 09:14 AM

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#22

Fitnessguy24
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Looking good, man...very inspirational!

I also am a big advocate of fasting!

09-03-2021, 09:31 AM

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#23

StinnerOzz
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More info on this fasting stuff please. I'm getting to the point where it feels no "traditional" nutrition plan is getting me anywhere unless I'm suffering.

09-03-2021, 09:42 AM

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#24

wasp9166
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All natty

09-03-2021, 09:44 AM

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#25

x-trainer ben
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Originally Posted By Beast92⏩

Looks pretty swole and big but if u want to get women, I would advice you to stop training legs to deflate them

Women like ripped legs, not swollen like tree trunks

He has been married for a while now.

09-03-2021, 09:51 AM

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#26

keyboardworkout
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Leg press was your go to leg exercise the last three years?

09-03-2021, 10:01 AM

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#27

Kadoobiedo
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im glad opie anavar gave up

09-03-2021, 10:08 AM

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#28

Kiop

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small bulge
confirmed
good luck
with your
injection
dependency
on 2022

09-03-2021, 10:11 AM

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#29

induced_drag
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Originally Posted By StinnerOzz⏩

More info on this fasting stuff please. I'm getting to the point where it feels no "traditional" nutrition plan is getting me anywhere unless I'm suffering.

I used to do the eat every 2 hour thing...etc and plan and track macros. I switched up 3 years ago after the accident since I was having a harder time with everything and I need to not focus on food so much.

IMPORTANT!: I also was at the point where there was really no progress to be had for me. Only thing I could decide to do was carry more or less fat. So if you still have progress to be made or that is a goal, I do NOT think fasting is an effective tool.

If you have achieved the strength levels and mass you want, than fasting makes life very easy.

Been doing IF for 3 years and about 8 months ago with the goal of leaning out more, I started bringing in 'hard' fasts where I only eat one meal per day and push out to about a 20-22 hour fast before doing so.

All my fears about my mass going away have proved unfounded. I do supplement luecine and whey + fiber as a last meal of the day to keep protein levels up, but I dont get the 220g/day that I ate for 10 years. Has not proved to be an issue.

But these days my only goals are stay in the 10% range and be 'fit'. If that is where you are, fasting is easy.

Originally Posted By Beast92⏩

Looks pretty swole and big but if u want to get women, I would advice you to stop training legs to deflate them

Women like ripped legs, not swollen like tree trunks

Been married 20 years. Yes to a hot wife even by misc standards. I am very lucky, but you are right. My wife does not like the 'muscle thing. She preferers me with some fat on me. For many years I kind looked like a foot ball player. Boxy and stocky. It is only the last 5-7 years I have discovered that I liked being lean. She turns her head if I flex or try to show her look at the veins in my legs

Not her thing. Younger girls seem to like it, but I think it is novelity. Most people look at a physique like mine and just assume you are self absorbed.

It is why I hide my physique anytime in business. I have been self employed since my 20's and I know that having a good build can be an obstacle to overcome. I do the best I can to hide it. Actually MUCH easier now that I am leaner since I can hide under normal clothes pretty easily.

Originally Posted By keyboardworkout⏩

Leg press was your go to leg exercise the last three years?

Essentially. With a little leg ext and curls thrown in. The big thing is I have thrown all kinds of stim at them. I do partials, I do giant sets, rest pause. I do light and try to go heavy, but not so heavy I will tweek my back. I just 'wing' it.

AGAIN I would NOT recommend this to anyone trying to make progress. I dont think for a minute I could have built the physique I have now doing this. But there is a HUGE difference between building and maintaining.

Maintaining takes MUCH less work and I get away with MUCH more diet leeway and training than I every could at the claw up the mountain it took me to get here.

09-03-2021, 11:19 AM

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#30

induced_drag
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Originally Posted By Kadoobiedo⏩

im glad opie anavar gave up

That would actually be a great thing. Just about the most widely fakes stuff out there. Only PED really shows to help with fat loss (which is the only goal I have now). I dont need any more mass on my frame. Going from lifetime nattie, to non-nattie, the only real change I noticed was being able to hold mass better as I dipped below 10%. VERY conservative use and I actually take a lower dose than prescribed since I actually feel better about mid range than I do to (or over the top).

It has had a cumulative effect. But in 6 years I averaged about 1-1.5lb / year. And that is still with doing bulk cut phases. Had no desire to 'take the training wheels off' and health has always been my number one. So taking stuff at an unhealthy lever was not something I was going to do. Also a non-starter was do something to the point where I would lose strength or mass if I stopped. I dont think my brain could handle that.

I am blessed with a great training response. I gained 50lbs my first three years of training in my late teens to 21. No one would have ever guessed it. I was 140lbs at 18 and 190 at 21. The problem is everyone first jumps to the conclusion that everyone has to take drugs. You really dont, and natural gains are pretty damn incredible. Just have to give them a chance. If you really are doing it right, in the first 3 years you will gain 90% of what you ever will achieve. In the first 5 years, 95%+ After that you are clawing.

But strength still comes and it will give you a density and maturity that takes years to build.

If you really like training, there is a lot to lean my friend.

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Thread: Almost 3 years without squatting and legs dont look so bad (pic)

Almost 3 years without squatting and legs dont look so bad (pic)