Jeff Rodriguez Thread

[jrod]

Do you do the incline barbell presses very often? Do you feel they hit delts too much and chest not enough?

I do them every so often, but I use dumbbells more often.

This is probably a personal, case by case thing. Just cause I say they're fine, doesn't mean it feels the same for you. So, if YOU feel they hit YOUR delts too much, then choose something with a lower incline. For me, they're ok, but sounds like you don't like them, or are at least curious, so try this:

1)The easy solution would be to use dumbbells and find an adjustable bench where you could have some, but not too much incline. Do them between the standard incline and flat.

2)Another solution, if you wanted to use a barbell, would be to take the bench you would use with dumbbells and set it up in a cage/power rack. Adjust the pegs the hold the weight racked at an appropriate height for you to use the "semi incline" positioned bench. I've done this and like it, try it out and see how it feels. Hopefully this works well for you.

Let me know what you think, if you try it.

(my gym has a bench like this: http://www.true-natural-bodybuilding...able-bench.jpg )

[Carlito99]

I do them every so often, but I use dumbbells more often.

This is probably a personal, case by case thing. Just cause I say they're fine, doesn't mean it feels the same for you. So, if YOU feel they hit YOUR delts too much, then choose something with a lower incline. For me, they're ok, but sounds like you don't like them, or are at least curious, so try this:

1)The easy solution would be to use dumbbells and find an adjustable bench where you could have some, but not too much incline. Do them between the standard incline and flat.

2)Another solution, if you wanted to use a barbell, would be to take the bench you would use with dumbbells and set it up in a cage/power rack. Adjust the pegs the hold the weight racked at an appropriate height for you to use the "semi incline" positioned bench. I've done this and like it, try it out and see how it feels. Hopefully this works well for you.

Let me know what you think, if you try it.

(my gym has a bench like this: http://www.true-natural-bodybuilding...able-bench.jpg )

Yeah, was more just curious than anything

I do standard incline bb presses occasionally, but prefer the lower incline db presses as well

I've never tried taking the adjustable bench to the power rack, but today I stuck a 25 lb plate under the front of the incline bench to reduce the angle a bit. It didn't reduce it by very much, but it did a little bit!

[jrod]

Yeah, was more just curious than anything

I do standard incline bb presses occasionally, but prefer the lower incline db presses as well

I've never tried taking the adjustable bench to the power rack, but today I stuck a 25 lb plate under the front of the incline bench to reduce the angle a bit. It didn't reduce it by very much, but it did a little bit!

Funny, I've done that as well. I've stacked 2-25 pound plates under the bench when the incline didnt go low enough. But at my gym now, there's one that goes from flat to upright (and everything in between), so I don't do it anymore.

Yeah, putting the bench in the power rack works--you just have to set up the rack properly. You might like it.

[Fitzchivalry]

Hey, whats up.

My shoulder has been getting better. I've just been doing exercises which dont bother it.

I haven't been wanting to shoot this video because I'd like to put together a video that is indicative of how I REALLY train, instead of how I train around something hurting. I took some time off and it feels better, so maybe in the next few weeks I'll put it together (gotta find someone to film me, though, and its not easy). I'll make it happen eventually!

How's your training going?

Training is going all right. I decided to try a few things differently on some bodyparts than Max-OT as my quads and arms (mainly bi's) seem to lag on it.

Did you ever find a log book from back in the day to compare lifts back then to today?

[jrod]

Training is going all right. I decided to try a few things differently on some bodyparts than Max-OT as my quads and arms (mainly bi's) seem to lag on it.

Did you ever find a log book from back in the day to compare lifts back then to today?

Alright, found an old workout log book from 2005. Here are some of my lifts from 2005 (in a 4-6 rep range):

Bench: around 285
Incline DB press: 110
DB shoulder press: 90
Pulldowns: 260
DB curls: 70
Squats: 335
Stifflegged Deadlift: 365
BB shrugs: 365


And the highest I've reached in the last year, 2008-2009 (not necessarily what I do TODAY ):

Bench: just over 315 (maybe 325)
Incline DB press: 125 (maybe 130, dont remember)
DB shoulder press: 110
Pulldowns: 335
DB curls: 80 (85 sloppy!)
Squats: 405
Stifflegged Deadlift: 415
BB shrugs: 495 (maybe 505)

[Fitzchivalry]

Alright, found an old workout log book from 2005. Here are some of my lifts from 2005 (in a 4-6 rep range):

Bench: around 285
Incline DB press: 110
DB shoulder press: 90
Pulldowns: 260
DB curls: 70
Squats: 335
Stifflegged Deadlift: 365
BB shrugs: 365


And the highest I've reached in the last year, 2008-2009 (not necessarily what I do TODAY ):

Bench: just over 315 (maybe 325)
Incline DB press: 125 (maybe 130, dont remember)
DB shoulder press: 110
Pulldowns: 335
DB curls: 80 (85 sloppy!)
Squats: 405
Stifflegged Deadlift: 415
BB shrugs: 495 (maybe 505)

Awesome, I was just going to mention and see if you had found those yet. We're similar on some of those beginning weights.

[Toddbz]

Now I don't know exactly hwere your shoulder pain is at, but I can say that often times the origion of the issue is not the shoulder at all, but in the bicep/brachialis. If you look at the anatomy of the brachialis tendon and see where the insertion point is, you'll see that it runs right under the front delt. So with that being said, if that muscle and/or tendon gets tight it will pull on the deltoid causing some considerable discomfort (right where the supra-spinatus is).
Once again I'm not saying this is what you have, but some simple stretches and massage on that entire area would more than do the trick if it is.
Oh and even if it's only on one side treat both to even them out.

[NTT91]

Jeff, how are my macros looking for a clean bulk. I'm 17 and I weight train 4 days a week. I'm 5'11 and 162 pounds in the morning.

Calories generally are 3,500-3,700

protein-290-320 grams

carbs-350-380 grams

fat-100-115 grams

[miami vice]

JROD,

You are a great inspiration to us all. Thanks for all of the great advice over the past few years.

[Fitzchivalry]

I'm curious. Yesterday, I did six sets of back in the morning and was planning on doing seven total. I work at a gym so I did the last set at night and to my surprise I upped the weight quite easily on pull-ups after stagnating for quite awhile on them. Have you ever split it up like that and do you think it would actually be beneficial to do that if you have the time? Or is there some obvious benefit (besides convenience) that I am not seeing to doing it all at one time during the day. Hmmm....

[jrod]

Now I don't know exactly hwere your shoulder pain is at, but I can say that often times the origion of the issue is not the shoulder at all, but in the bicep/brachialis. If you look at the anatomy of the brachialis tendon and see where the insertion point is, you'll see that it runs right under the front delt. So with that being said, if that muscle and/or tendon gets tight it will pull on the deltoid causing some considerable discomfort (right where the supra-spinatus is).
Once again I'm not saying this is what you have, but some simple stretches and massage on that entire area would more than do the trick if it is.
Oh and even if it's only on one side treat both to even them out.

Not a bad idea. I have had an issue with that area/tendon before, so you may be right. On the bright side, just training around (as opposed to through) it has helped a lot. Its much better now.

[jrod]

Jeff, how are my macros looking for a clean bulk. I'm 17 and I weight train 4 days a week. I'm 5'11 and 162 pounds in the morning.

Calories generally are 3,500-3,700

protein-290-320 grams

carbs-350-380 grams

fat-100-115 grams

Its hard to say for several reasons, mostly because I know nothing about you. I would say if you want to start with that, then its fine, though the ratio of macros is a bit different than what I would choose (I usually eat more protein than carbs). Keep track of what you eat and make adjustments along the way. There is no better way to figure it out than by actually doing it. If you realize you're putting on too much bodyfat, then maybe cut back on calories. Start with that, if you like, and adjust accordingly.

[jrod]

JROD,

You are a great inspiration to us all. Thanks for all of the great advice over the past few years.

Thanks a lot!

[jrod]

I'm curious. Yesterday, I did six sets of back in the morning and was planning on doing seven total. I work at a gym so I did the last set at night and to my surprise I upped the weight quite easily on pull-ups after stagnating for quite awhile on them. Have you ever split it up like that and do you think it would actually be beneficial to do that if you have the time? Or is there some obvious benefit (besides convenience) that I am not seeing to doing it all at one time during the day. Hmmm....

I've never done or heard of anyone doing this.

Maybe you got the weight up quite easily on that last set because instead of your usual X minutes rest, you rested 8 hours between sets! Haha.

Who knows, you may be onto something here, but if I had to guess... I would rather just do the whole workout at once. I doubt doing that last set at the end of the day would make any positive difference. Since its only one set you did at the end it might not be so bad, but training twice a day is difficult on the body. I PERSONALLY would just do my entire workout and all sets at once.

[NTT91]

Its hard to say for several reasons, mostly because I know nothing about you. I would say if you want to start with that, then its fine, though the ratio of macros is a bit different than what I would choose (I usually eat more protein than carbs). Keep track of what you eat and make adjustments along the way. There is no better way to figure it out than by actually doing it. If you realize you're putting on too much bodyfat, then maybe cut back on calories. Start with that, if you like, and adjust accordingly.

ok you dont think i'm eating too much protein considering my weight though? Layne thought it was ludicrous haha but I dont see why it would be?