I realize that this is my first training journal log ever, so let me inform you of my goals before I detail my workout. First, I am three weeks and some change out from an upcoming bodybuilding competition held at my university campus. It is informal, but still competitive. Age groups range from freshman (which is the year I am currently in) all the way to grad students and alumni. Weight classes are pretty simple - lower, middle, heavy. I have been preparing for this competition since Jan 1st and went from being 205 to 190 which is where I currently reside.
This is my first bodybuilding competition ever, and if you would like to see pictures simply go to my Fitness Modeling Website and there you can see my improvement over the course of the last month or so. I have been dieting moderately strict, but recently I have began to cut my carbs to about 30% of my diet. As a result, my strength has been stagnant and even declined in some areas. Traditionall, I try to increase weight and/or reps each consecutive workout, however since I am cutting I have barely been able to maintain strength.
My workouts are less for strength currently and more for volume and intensity. I train hard and fast. Today’s workout was Chest only and it lasted roughly 30 minutes. These are the exercises that I chose to do today:
- Flat Dumbbell Bench Press - 3 sets 8 reps 90lb
- Incline Dumbbell Bench Press - 3 sets 8 reps 80lb
- Decline Barbell Bench Press - 3 sets 8 reps 205lb
- Cable Chest Fly - 3 sets 8 reps 100lb
Why choose these exercises?
I have completely given up on flat barbell bench all together due to the fact that my shoulder would bother me after I completed a set. Dumbbells feel a lot more natural and gives me more of a range of motion. The decline bench works great for lower chest and tricep development and I usually alternate between this and dips. The cable chest fly is an awesome finisher, especially when you squeeze your reps at the end.
How did I feel?
I had an awesome pump and I have a feeling that I will be sore tomorrow from it. I kept my rest time real short ~30-45secs between sets. Get some water and pump out another set.
Compare to previous workout:
The last time that I did a chest workout I was using heavier weight with reps of 6. I also did barbell incline instead of dumbbell. I think I like the dumbbells better. Lets hope my body has something new to adapt to 
Other thoughts:
Something interesting occurred in the gym today. I saw another competitor for the bodybuilding competition - he competed last year actually. He is in a lower weight class and we talked for a minute. He was telling me that he made a last minute decision to drop out of the competition due to a sinus infection that he encountered three days prior to today. It seems as though everyone who is going to compete is getting “sick.” This is not the first time that I have heard a scenario similar to this (one person said they can’t because of a shoulder injury and then I noticed them doing barbell press…) I am sort of disappointed to hear people giving up, but I guess not everyone has the determination to follow through with a competition. I’m not giving up, definitely not.
Related posts:
- Jump Rope 3-13-08
- Quad Workout 3-11-08
- Back/Bis Workout 3-12-08
- Horse Fighting Cardio Day? 3-10-08
- Bodybuilders and Power Lifters
