I've been working out regularly for about 2 years now. It
took some time to get started, but once I did, I really came to appreciate the physical
changes that resulted, from both strength and appearance perspectives. I'm also pleased with what it's done for my mind. It's a tremendous
stress release, to the point that if I'm having a bad day, I really look forward to
lifting. Also, my physical appearance has had a great impact on my confidence.
At long last, someone opened a gym that's convenient to
both work and home, so I joined about a year ago. Aside from some time off while
recovering from knee surgery earlier this year, I've been going faithfully 4 or 5 times
per week.
If you've made it this far, you've probably noticed that I
have a bit of a belly. You may be shocked and aghast to learn
this, but I like my belly and I intend to keep it. I fought my weight for a long time, and
it was a tiring, never-ending battle. Fresh out of college, I was 180 lb. I recently saw a
picture of myself at that weight. Not a pretty sight. I'm much more comfortable at 285 lb.
Besides, I think I look better with an 'energy pack' mounted out front, if I do say so
myself.
That having been said, let's get to the specifics of my
'routine.' I'm currently on a 4-days-per-week schedule, which is one day short of where
I'd like to be, but, at least during the summer months, I'm thankful I can find time for 4
workouts every week.
Day 1: Shoulders/Biceps
| Excercise |
Week 1 (sets/reps) |
Week 2 (sets/reps) |
| Standing Barbell Curl |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Hammer Curl |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Concentration Curl |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Shoulder Press |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| One-arm Lateral Raise |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Standing Dumbell Press |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Upright Row |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Dumbell Flys |
3/15 |
3/3 |
|
Day 2: Legs/Forearms
| Excercise |
Week 1 (sets/reps) |
Week 2 (sets/reps) |
| Squat |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Leg Curl |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Leg Extension |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Standing Calf Extension |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Seated Calf Extension |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Wrist Curl |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Reverse Wrist Curl |
3/15 |
3/3 |
|
Day 3: Back/Neck
| Excercise |
Week 1 (sets/reps) |
Week 2 (sets/reps) |
| Lat Pull-down |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Cable Row |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Kneeling Bent-arm Pull-down |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| One-arm Cable Row |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| One-arm Dumbell Row |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Deadlift |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Barbell Shoulder Shrug |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Dumbell Shoulder Shrug |
3/3 |
3/15 |
|
Day 4: Chest/Triceps
| Excercise |
Week 1 (sets/reps) |
Week 2 (sets/reps) |
| Bench Press |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Inclined Bench Press |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Dumbell Bench Chest Flys |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Inclined Dumbell Chest Flys |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Declined Dumbell Chest Flys |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Cable Chest Flys |
3/15 |
3/3 |
| Standing Triceps Extension |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Seated Triceps Extension |
3/3 |
3/15 |
| Nose Breakers |
3/3 |
3/15 |
|
|