Gold's Gym is a popular national gym chain originating in Los Angeles, California. It was started by bodybuilder Joe Gold in 1965 and has been a home to bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts ever since.
Gold's Gyms represent the 'golden era' or bodybuilding. It's all over their signage. Images of bodybuilders with big arms, small legs, and slightly-less-than-average bodyfat adorn their walls. Its logo has a cloudy, golden-era looking man with a bent barbell. It also has an all-american style, having been founded by Joe Gold in Los Angeles, CA, back in 1965. Give me a more American man than a guy named Joe Gold. I'll wait.
The Mecca of all gyms is the Gold's Gym in Venice Beach, California. Countless bodybuilding legends have worked out in that gym. Arnie, Cutler, Dex, Joffrey. Too many to count. For some reason, it's become a destination gym for people visiting California from all over the world. It holds a special place in the heart of bodybuilding.
Gold's Gyms typically have no restrictions. Unlike bullshit gym chains like Planet Fitness, Gold's doesn't ban barbell exercises. They have dumbbells going up way past 60ibs. If you want to work out, no matter your program, you will probably get a good pump at a Gold's.
Gold's Gyms are usually fitted with extra amenities. These include saunas, pools, and classes. Of course, this depends on the location. But Gold's is not marketed as a cheap, economy club. If you belong to a Gold's, chances are, you are not dead poor. That's what community centers and Planet Fitness are for. So, they need to provide additional services to make them worth it. It's hard to not like your gym when they have such sweet perks.
Gold's Gyms typically have mid-tier pricing. They are not super pricy. They don't fuck you over like a CrossFit gym. They are fair and reasonable, typically between 30 and 50 per month. They have a great image, good services, and clean facilities; all you got to do is nix a date or two per month and you can afford it.
If I wasn't a peasant, I'd buy a membership. I don't do classes, swim, or tan, but those are nice options in case I decide I want to become a DYEL pool diver with skin cancer.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Monday, December 12, 2016
Why Powerlifting Is More Dangerous Than Bodybuilding
Powerlifting is a strength sport that tests an athlete's proficiency at the squat, bench press, and deadlift. The sport does not take into account looks, which explains fatty lifters and skinny girl superwomen. Bodybuilding is the frequent use of resistance weight training to cause hypertrophy muscle growth in the body. The sport has evolved into thousands of competitions across the world, with the most prized one being the Mr. Olympia contest.
The weights are heavier. This is a given. Bodybuilders don't need to squat insane numbers for growth. Quads are some of the easiest muscles in the body to grow with lightweight time under tension. Powerlifters, however, are not interested in hypertrophy, they are interested in lifting the most amount of weight possible. The increased stress on the joints leaves athletes more prone to injuries.
The workouts include more compound movements. Compound movements can be great if the appropriate weight and form is used. They use multiple muscle groups and promote the most growth. However, this also means that they put more stress on the body. Bodybuilders may have a 'biceps day' where they focus on curl variations, but powerlifters will have a 'deadlift day' where they primarily focus on deadlift variations with curls added to the end. Deadlifts tax the back, biceps, and legs.
Form and one rep maximums do not go hand in hand. Ya wanna go crazy for the gram. I'm not judging. But let's face it. When your 1RM is 275 on conventional deadlift and you decide to say "Fuck it, I'm going for 3 plates," your form will likely be worse. This is not always bad, as you need to push yourself in all sports. But if you look like a frightened cat you are putting your spine at risk. Powerlifters are more likely to push for bad 1RM because they care about weight, while bodybuilders can get pumps off of 20ib dumbbells and resistance bands .
Powerlifting encourages stimulant abuse. Bodybuilding and powerlifting both use performance enhancing drugs. But I'd argue that powerlifters use more stimulants. Sure, average preworkout will have caffeine. But bodybuilders don't need to get FUCKING PSYCHED to do a superset. Powerlifters really do need to get FUCKING PSYCHED to deadlift 1000ibs. So they load up on caffeine to the max and use nose tork when competing. If you use too many stimulants too often, they lose their effectiveness, you use more, repeat cycle. Then you need to get the fuck off them because you can't afford 30 caffeine pills every workout and you suffer from withdrawal. Shit sucks, b.
The required eating leads to digestive issues. This probably applies more to strongmen, but the same thinking applies to powerlifters, as well. Strength and bodyweight are unfortunately correlated. So, if you want to be the absolute strongest in a lift across weight classes, you will have to get fat-strong. To many people, you will look like just another fatty. But gym bros everywhere will respect the superficial sacrifice to get fuckin yuge. Some of these fatties have to eat 10k calories a day. That leads to digestive issues that leave you feeling real sick.
Chances are, if you obsessively pursue any sport, you will deal with injuries. But in powerlifting, if you are a noob, you are even more likely to hurt yourself.
The weights are heavier. This is a given. Bodybuilders don't need to squat insane numbers for growth. Quads are some of the easiest muscles in the body to grow with lightweight time under tension. Powerlifters, however, are not interested in hypertrophy, they are interested in lifting the most amount of weight possible. The increased stress on the joints leaves athletes more prone to injuries.
The workouts include more compound movements. Compound movements can be great if the appropriate weight and form is used. They use multiple muscle groups and promote the most growth. However, this also means that they put more stress on the body. Bodybuilders may have a 'biceps day' where they focus on curl variations, but powerlifters will have a 'deadlift day' where they primarily focus on deadlift variations with curls added to the end. Deadlifts tax the back, biceps, and legs.
Form and one rep maximums do not go hand in hand. Ya wanna go crazy for the gram. I'm not judging. But let's face it. When your 1RM is 275 on conventional deadlift and you decide to say "Fuck it, I'm going for 3 plates," your form will likely be worse. This is not always bad, as you need to push yourself in all sports. But if you look like a frightened cat you are putting your spine at risk. Powerlifters are more likely to push for bad 1RM because they care about weight, while bodybuilders can get pumps off of 20ib dumbbells and resistance bands .
Powerlifting encourages stimulant abuse. Bodybuilding and powerlifting both use performance enhancing drugs. But I'd argue that powerlifters use more stimulants. Sure, average preworkout will have caffeine. But bodybuilders don't need to get FUCKING PSYCHED to do a superset. Powerlifters really do need to get FUCKING PSYCHED to deadlift 1000ibs. So they load up on caffeine to the max and use nose tork when competing. If you use too many stimulants too often, they lose their effectiveness, you use more, repeat cycle. Then you need to get the fuck off them because you can't afford 30 caffeine pills every workout and you suffer from withdrawal. Shit sucks, b.
The required eating leads to digestive issues. This probably applies more to strongmen, but the same thinking applies to powerlifters, as well. Strength and bodyweight are unfortunately correlated. So, if you want to be the absolute strongest in a lift across weight classes, you will have to get fat-strong. To many people, you will look like just another fatty. But gym bros everywhere will respect the superficial sacrifice to get fuckin yuge. Some of these fatties have to eat 10k calories a day. That leads to digestive issues that leave you feeling real sick.
Chances are, if you obsessively pursue any sport, you will deal with injuries. But in powerlifting, if you are a noob, you are even more likely to hurt yourself.
Monday, December 5, 2016
How Strongman Training Differ From Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport that tests an athlete's proficiency at the squat, bench press, and deadlift. The sport does not take into account looks, which explains fatty lifters and skinny girl superwomen. Strongmen are strength competitors who test their skills across a variety of activities like the log lift, farmer walk, and tire deadlifts. They are typically big tall monster men.
Strongmen don't spend all day jerking off barbells. In powerlifting, competitors focus on the squat, bench, and deadlift. All barbell work. Strongmen do log lifts, keg flips, and crazy farmer walks. FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH, AM I RIGHT?
Strongmen typically don't have weight classes, instead focusing on absolute strength. You have tall dudes like The Mountain facing short guys like Eddie Hall in the same activities. You'd think height would be an absolute advantage, but it's not. In powerlifting, competitors are split into classes because strength typically correlates with bodyweight.
Competitive strongmen ARE fat. You don't need to be fat to be a powerlifter. You can just compete in a low weight class and look DYEL but be really strong. Plenty of people do that. However, to be a strongman, you literally have to eat 10k calories a day and you get super fat. Don't get me wrong, if you cut, you'd be jacked, but right now, you're just a fat man with inhuman strength. Sacrifice for the gainz.
Strongmen are much less safe than powerlifters. Hate me, but it's true. Strongmen are lifting way more weight in much weirder ways for much longer time. Lifting 300ibs logs isn't normal. Farmer walking mini-cars isn't great for your body, either. How can somebody safely spot you if you're lifting 500ibs over your head?
Strongmen can only train in specialized gyms. Every gym worth its sweat has a barbell. The only ones that don't are Planet Fitness outlets and hotel gyms. But I've never been inside a gym with a loglift. Those kinds of gyms are relatively rare and expensive. Just one reason why we'll never have a champion strongman from Montana.
Strongmen are basically powerlifters on (more) steroids.
Strongmen don't spend all day jerking off barbells. In powerlifting, competitors focus on the squat, bench, and deadlift. All barbell work. Strongmen do log lifts, keg flips, and crazy farmer walks. FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH, AM I RIGHT?
Strongmen typically don't have weight classes, instead focusing on absolute strength. You have tall dudes like The Mountain facing short guys like Eddie Hall in the same activities. You'd think height would be an absolute advantage, but it's not. In powerlifting, competitors are split into classes because strength typically correlates with bodyweight.
Competitive strongmen ARE fat. You don't need to be fat to be a powerlifter. You can just compete in a low weight class and look DYEL but be really strong. Plenty of people do that. However, to be a strongman, you literally have to eat 10k calories a day and you get super fat. Don't get me wrong, if you cut, you'd be jacked, but right now, you're just a fat man with inhuman strength. Sacrifice for the gainz.
Strongmen are much less safe than powerlifters. Hate me, but it's true. Strongmen are lifting way more weight in much weirder ways for much longer time. Lifting 300ibs logs isn't normal. Farmer walking mini-cars isn't great for your body, either. How can somebody safely spot you if you're lifting 500ibs over your head?
Strongmen can only train in specialized gyms. Every gym worth its sweat has a barbell. The only ones that don't are Planet Fitness outlets and hotel gyms. But I've never been inside a gym with a loglift. Those kinds of gyms are relatively rare and expensive. Just one reason why we'll never have a champion strongman from Montana.
Strongmen are basically powerlifters on (more) steroids.
Friday, December 2, 2016
Why Bodybuilding Is Good For You
Bodybuilding is the frequent use of resistance weight training to cause hypertrophy muscle growth in the body. The sport has evolved into thousands of competitions across the world, with the most prized one being the Mr. Olympia contest.
Your clothes will fit better. Well, working out the right way will make your clothes fit better. You will build muscle on your arms, shoulders, chest, and legs. You will buy stretchy pants that are 8% spandex and they will feel great. You will have to buy shirts a size higher than you used to, but they will look better. You should not wear suits. Your clothes will no longer be hiding your body, they will be framing your gainz.
You will be more confident. Honestly, even with little visual changes, you will still feel better. You won't feel like a fat fuck for watching Netflix on the couch if you've been working your ass off in the gym all week. You'll feel superior to the people you see on a daily basis who are out of shape. This will help you in public places, at work, and with the ladies/dudes. You know it's for the dudes. Girls don't care about you rear delts.
You can eat what you want. Within reason, duh. But if you're not competing, and you're in the gym most days of the week with sweet cardio, you can pretty much what whatever you want and not get fat. It's still calories in vs. calories out, but those calories in will build muscle instead of going straight to fat. If you're not super short, not super old/weak, and have never been obese, you won't have to go hungry to make gainz.
At 5'8'', I eat 3000 - 3500 calories a day and maintain/slow bulk at a current 171ibs/12% bodyfat. It doesn't make too much sense (that's a lot of food for a shorty like me) but I roll with it.
Your clothes will fit better. Well, working out the right way will make your clothes fit better. You will build muscle on your arms, shoulders, chest, and legs. You will buy stretchy pants that are 8% spandex and they will feel great. You will have to buy shirts a size higher than you used to, but they will look better. You should not wear suits. Your clothes will no longer be hiding your body, they will be framing your gainz.
You will be more confident. Honestly, even with little visual changes, you will still feel better. You won't feel like a fat fuck for watching Netflix on the couch if you've been working your ass off in the gym all week. You'll feel superior to the people you see on a daily basis who are out of shape. This will help you in public places, at work, and with the ladies/dudes. You know it's for the dudes. Girls don't care about you rear delts.
You can eat what you want. Within reason, duh. But if you're not competing, and you're in the gym most days of the week with sweet cardio, you can pretty much what whatever you want and not get fat. It's still calories in vs. calories out, but those calories in will build muscle instead of going straight to fat. If you're not super short, not super old/weak, and have never been obese, you won't have to go hungry to make gainz.
At 5'8'', I eat 3000 - 3500 calories a day and maintain/slow bulk at a current 171ibs/12% bodyfat. It doesn't make too much sense (that's a lot of food for a shorty like me) but I roll with it.
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