I'm at impasse with my training, please help...

[Guinness5.0]

I'd say if you have 17" arms and weight 215 your not a hardgainer

I agree. Plus (and I don't mean this as insulting or demeaning) but your lifts are pretty low for your size. Are you new to these lifts and the 5x5? Something just ain't right. Help us figure it out

 

[kiosk]

Yeah, but it took me years to get to 17'' arms...lol, for someone that has trained consistently for 4+ years I think I should be bigger/stronger.

I am relatively new to the 5x5, less than 4 weeks....but I agree with you, recently weights that I used to lift w/o problem all the sudden feel like they weight a f'ing ton.....

 

[BOOEY]

thx lot all.
I am going to get my diet in order and lower by carb intake, I had luck with that before (except PWO shakes or breakfast oatmeal)

My worry is still gauging when I start to lose muscle.....will a loss in strenght reflect that? I plan to go to a higher rep range (8 or 12), should I maintain a consistent weight for all sets and if I have trouble maintaining will that mean muscle loss is occurring?

Also, I f'ing hate cardio...I rather lift till bones break....is cardio a must?

Listen, I was in the same boat as you last year. I was afraid to lose any muscle I had just gained on a bulker. So what did I do .... I kept bulking. BIG MISTAKE. I paid the price by having to work extra hard this summer to get rid of the extra fat. You're going to have to come to terms with the fact that when cutting from a high b/f, you will lose SOME muscle. Now, how much muscle depends upon how solid your diet is, and how well you train. As far as strength issues go, don't expect to set PRs while cutting. You may even lose some strength. I'd start creatine if you haven't already. This will give you help you in the strength department while cutting.

I think the moral of this story for everyone is don't bulk to ridiculous weights and high bodyfats. It will just take you longer to work off the fat. The best approach is to start at a low bf and slowly put on some muscle while keeping the fat in check - rather than bulking-cutting-bulking-cutting-bulking-cutting.

 

[Kane Fan]

Yeah, but it took me years to get to 17'' arms...lol, for someone that has trained consistently for 4+ years I think I should be bigger/stronger.

I am relatively new to the 5x5, less than 4 weeks....but I agree with you, recently weights that I used to lift w/o problem all the sudden feel like they weight a f'ing ton.....

if you are not fudging us on the numbers, 17" arms after 4 years is pretty solid
especially if you were lean to begin with

 

[kiosk]

if you are not fudging us on the numbers, 17" arms after 4 years is pretty solid
especially if you were lean to begin with

well, 16.7'' on the right and 17'' on the left (I am leftie), do you measure the arm flexed or relaxed?3

BOOEY...thats good advice man, thanks.....