Dustin’s Journey

Well, we have not updated this page recently but it is exciting to report that Dustin did complete his journey!!  He competed in his first body building competition last weekend down in York, PA.  His division was the amateur heavy weight open division and I am pleased to inform you that he took a solid third place!!  Some of us even think he had a legit shot at 1st place.  As you know Dustin did this drug free and this competition was a all natural drug free event as well.  Watch for an upcoming post with Dustin’s pics and the actual video of him competing.  Everyone here at Variety Trainer is extremely proud of his dedication and determination to follow through with a plan and reach his goal.  Dustin is also thankful for all the support you all gave him for the entire past year.  Thank you!

Dustin’s injury has been healing well and is now starting to advance with his program into Phase III which will be a nice growth phase for him.

DUSTIN ROSE

Name:_________________________________   Phase:  III

Functional IP:  Day 1: Walking Hip Circuit

Day 2: Shoulder Circuit

Day 3: Hip LLR/RRL

Day 4: Scapular Retraction

Core:  Day 1: Side Bend

Day 2: Seated Plate Russian Twist ss Plate Crunch

Day 3: Db Oblique Raise

Day 4: Standing Cable Rotation

Emphasis:  Day 1                     Week 1                Week 2                Week 3               Week 4              Week 5

Sumo Squat 12 12 12 12
Sumo Squat 12 12 12 12
Back Squat 12 12 12 5 12
Back Squat 6 4 2 5 6
Back Squat 12 12 12 5 12
Back Squat 6 4 2 5 4
RDL 10 10 8 6 10
RDL 8 8 8 4 8
RDL 6 6 6 4 6
RDL 4 4 4

Supplemental:  Day 1              Week 1                Week 2                 Week 3             Week 4              Week 5

*Wall Sit                      F
Pull-up 40 40 50 40 50
Chin-up 30 40 40 60 50
*1 Arm Db Drop Curl Sets

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Flexibility

Comments/Training Notes:

*Wall Sit-Lean back into a wall and sit down to you reach 90 degrees in your hips and knees, keep you back flat against the wall and squeeze a small medicine ball between your knees.  Stay in that position until fatigued and document your time each week.

  • *1 Arm Db Drop Curl Sets:  Grab one dumbbell and curl it for 8 reps; set it down and grab a dumbbell 5-10 lbs lighter and curl it for 8 reps; repeat once more for another 8 reps; then complete with other arm; then rest for 90 seconds and repeat.

Emphasis:  Day 2                     Week 1                Week 2                Week 3               Week 4              Week 5

Incline Db Press ss       8

Spiderman Push-up      F

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HS Decline Press 8 9 6 6 5
HS Alt. Decline Press 16 18 12 12 10
HS Decline Press 8 9 6 6 5
Cable Cross 10 10 8
Cable Cross 10 8 8
Upright Row 12 12 10
Upright Row 10 12 8
Upright Row 10 8

Supplemental:  Day 2              Week 1                Week 2                 Week 3             Week 4              Week 5

Triceps Complex

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Wrist Flexion
Dirty Thirty Calves

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Flexibility
  • Grab a dumbbell and bring it behind your head and perform 10-15 over head extensions; then do 6 tricep kickbacks and without resting finish with bench dips to failure.  If doing multiple sets, give 90 sec-2 min rest between sets.

Day 3:  Core Work, High Intensity Interval Cardio, Flexibility

Emphasis:  Day 4                     Week 1                Week 2                Week 3               Week 4              Week 5

Seated Row WG 14 14 8 14 12
Seated Row WG 12 12 8 12 6
Seated Row NG 10 10 10 12
Seated Row NG 8 8 8 6
Seated Row NG 6 6 6
WG Lat Pull Down 10 12 14 8 10
WG Lat Pull Down 10 8 6 6 10
WG Lat Pull Down 10 8 6 4 10
One Arm Db Row 12 10 8
One Arm Db Row 10 8 6

Supplemental:  Day 4              Week 1                Week 2                 Week 3             Week 4              Week 5

Standing BB Curl ss   10

Alt. Db Curl ss           16

Eccentric Chin-up       F

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Wrist Extension
Seated Calves

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Flexibility

Emphasis:  Day 5                     Week 1                Week 2                Week 3               Week 4              Week 5

*DB Farmers Walk      F
Db Reverse Lunge to Step-up 10 12 10 12
Db Reverse Lunge to Step-up 10 6 8 8
Db Reverse Lunge to Step-up 8 6 6
Partner Curl                  F

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Db Bulgarian Split Squat 8 6 7
Db Bulgarian Split Squat 8 6 7
Db Bulgarian Split Squat 6 6
*Leg Extension Complex

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*Leg Press Complex

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Leg Press                      F

Supplemental:  Day 5              Week 1                Week 2                 Week 3             Week 4              Week 5

M-R Hip Abd/Add       F
Walking Db Lunge 10yds
Dips  ss                         F

Triceps Push Down      F

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Shoulder Width Standing Calves           F

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Flexibility

*Farmers Walk: Grab two heavy dumbbells and walk ten steps, squat 5 reps and then walk ten more steps-repeat until failure (grip will probably give out first).  Monitor Improvement each week!

*Leg Extension Complex: Extend Legs and hold (isometric) for 1min, rest 30sec and repeat hold for 1min.

*Leg Press Complex: 4 reps, rest 10sec, 4 reps, rest 20sec, 4 reps, rest 10sec, 2 reps, rest 10sec, 2 reps.

Day 6:  Core Work, High Intensity Interval Cardio, Flexibility

Day 7:  Flexibility, Rest/Recovery, Free Day-Nutrition

Comments/Training Notes:

Dustin is now starting Phase II after coming off an injury.  We are starting the chest area training slow so we don’t rush anything.  Below, Dustin posted a quick note to you all that have been following him and his training program.  Please post your comments to Dustin as he checks them often and loves the words of encouragement.

Hey guys, as I get back into the groove of a full-on workout, I thought I’d give you an update as to what’s been going on with my training in the past 9 weeks.  As many of you may know, I sustained a partial tear in my left pectoral muscle in week 4 of my initial training phase.  It took place during bench press.  The tear was very painful, and limited my range of motion and strength for around 8 weeks.  At the time, I was making great progress, and sustaining that injury set me into a state of depression.  This was tough to overcome, but about 2 weeks after my injury, I got back into the gym under Jerry’s guidance, and got a in a lot of good work.  I think now that the injury was a blessing in disguise, as I greatly improved the size and strength of my legs.

Now that I’m on Phase II of the workout that Jerry has designed for me, I will focus on injury prevention, and listening to my body during my pre-workout warm-ups.  If I had done so on the day I was injured, I would be much further along in my journey…  Live and learn, right?

DUSTIN ROSE

Name:_________________________________   Phase:  II

Functional IP:  Day 1: Walking Hip Circuit

Day 2: Shoulder Circuit

Day 3: Standing Hip Circuit

Day 4: Internal/External Shoulder Rotation

Core:  Day 1: Side Bend

Day 2: Seated Plate Russian Twist ss Plate Crunch

Day 3: Side Bend

Day 4: Seated Plate Russian Twist ss Plate Crunch

Emphasis:  Day 1                     Week 1                Week 2                Week 3               Week 4              Week 5

Back Squat 10      245 10       225 20       225 10     245 12     225
Back Squat 14      265 14       275 20       245 14     245 12     225
Back Squat 14      265 16       275 14     245 12     245
Back Squat 10      275 10     265 12     245
Dead Lift 10      185 12       225 10      205 10     205 10     185
Dead Lift 10      185 14       225 10      205 10     205 8      205
Dead Lift 10      185 14       225 16       185 10     205 8      205
Dead Lift 10       225 8        205

Supplemental:  Day 1              Week 1                Week 2                 Week 3             Week 4              Week 5

Leg Curl  ss                12

Leg Extension            12

170/170/170

90/90/95

100/110/110

190/190/190

100/110/110

190/190/190

110/110/130

190/200/200

110/110/130

190/200/200

Single Leg Calf Raise   20

(Standing)

45/45

55/45

55/50

55/55

60/50

Seated Calves               F

(Soleus)

115/115

115/115

115/115

125/125

125/125

Wrist Flexion 55 55 60 60 60
Wrist Extension 55 55 60 60 60
Flexibility 15 min 15 min 15 min 15 min 15 min

Comments/Training Notes:

Day 1/Week 1:

Very difficult workout.  Back to heavy volume.  I plan on resting more between sets next week.

Week 2:

Rest between sets definitely helped…  Better workout this week.

Week 3:

Continued improvement.

Week 4:

Tough Week!

Week 5:

Getting Stronger!!!

Emphasis:  Day 2                     Week 1                Week 2                Week 3               Week 4              Week 5

Push-up (pain-free) F/20

20/20

20/25

30/25

30/30

35/30

Pec Dec X-Reps    12-18 80 105 105 105 110
Pec Dec X-Reps    12-18 80 110 110 110 115
One Arm Db Row 10      70 10        70 10      70 12       70 14       70
One Arm Db Row 10      70 10        75 8       70 8        75 6        80
One Arm Db Row 10      70 8         80 8       75 6        75 6        80
One Arm Db Row 6       75 6        75 12       65
Seated Row                  F 13×145 13 x 145 13 x 145 13 x 145 13 x 150
Seated Row                  F 13×120 14 x 135 13 x 150

Supplemental:  Day 2              Week 1                Week 2                 Week 3             Week 4              Week 5

*“The Rack” 50  —- 5 50 x 10–5 x 15 50 x 10–5 x 15 50 x 10–5 x 15 50 x 10–5 x 15
**Triceps Push Down Complex 192 —- 12 192 x 16–12 x 15 192 x 16–12 x 15 192 x 16–12 x 15 192 x 16–12 x 15
Flexibility 15 min. 15 min. 15 min. 15 min. 15 min.
  • *“The Rack”:  Start curling the heaviest set of dumbbells until failure; set them down and count to seven then grab the next set down (5 lbs lighter) and curl them until failure; repeat until you have gone through ALL the pairs of dumbbells!
  • **Push down the heaviest weight you can do for a 5 rep failure; pull the pin and place it in the next lesser weight selection; wait seven seconds and do press downs until failure; repeat working through the weight stack

Comments/Training Notes:

Day 2/Week 2:

Great workout.  Worked hard.  Keeping it moderate to avoid another injury.

Week 2:

Good Pump.  Much Stronger on “the rack”.

Week 3:

Great Pump Again!

Week 4:

Arms really improving!

Week 5:

17 1/4″ arm measurement post workout!! That’s a 1 1/4″ improvement!

Day 3:  Core Work, High Intensity Interval Cardio, Flexibility

Each Time:  Abdominal Circuit, 12 min Intnesity Interval, Stretching.

Emphasis:  Day 4                     Week 1                Week 2                Week 3               Week 4              Week 5

Back Squat 5      275 5  No Workout 5       275 3       275
Back Squat 5      275 5 5       275 3       275
Back Squat 5      295 5 3       295 3       295
Back Squat 5      295 5 3       295 3       295
Back Squat 5      315 3       295
Dead Lift 3      275 3 5        275 5       275 3       275
Dead Lift 3      295 3 5        275 5       265 3       275
Dead Lift 3      295 3 5        275 3       265 3       275
Dead Lift 3 5        265 3       265
Leg Press                      F

450/450

500

Supplemental:  Day 4              Week 1                Week 2                 Week 3             Week 4              Week 5

RDL                            12

130/130

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13-/130/125

130/130/125

130/130/130

Walking Db Lunge  10yds 100 100 100
DB Step-up                10 100 100
Calf Raises        100 reps 10×10 @ 140 10 x 10 @160 10 x 10 @160 10 x 10 @160
Flexibility 15 mins. 15 mins. 15 mins. 15 mins. 15 mins.

Day 4/Week 1:

Great Workout.  Tough one.

Week 2:

Missed This one. Work ran really late.  I think my joints and back needed it though! Needed rest.

Week 3:

Good bounce back from last week.

Week 4:

Hard Volume today…

Week 5:

Still seeing improvement in lower back strength.

Emphasis:  Day 5                     Week 1                Week 2                Week 3               Week 4              Week 5

HSDecline Press         10 180 200 200 200 200
HS Decline Press        10 230 230 230 230 240
HS Decline Press        10 230 250 250 250 260
Db Military Press       12 55 60 65 65 70
Db Military Press       12 65 70 70 70 70
Db Military Press       12 75 75 75 80 75
WG Lat Pull Down ss   10

NRG Lat Pull Down     10

130 130 x 2 130 x 2 130 x 2 130 x 2
WG Lat Pull Down ss   10

NRG Lat Pull Down     10

130 130 x 2 130 x 2 130 x 2 130 x 2
WG Lat Pull Down ss   10

NRG Lat Pull Down     10

120 130/120 130/120 130/120 130/120
WG Lat Pull Down ss   10

NRG Lat Pull Down     10

120 125/110 125/110 125/110 125/110

Supplemental:  Day 5              Week 1                Week 2                 Week 3             Week 4              Week 5

Standing E-Z Bar Curl-to-Press                         8

50/60/70

60/70/80

60/70/80

60/70/80

60/70/80

*Crazy Twelve Triceps

25/25/20

25/25/20

25/25/20

25/25/20

25/25/20

**Bicep Complex

35/35

(40/35/25) x 2

(40/35/25)x2

(40/35/25)x2

(45/35/30)x2

Flexibility 15 min. 15 min. 15 min. 15 min. 15 min.

Day 5/Week 1:

Good workout. Nice to do some wide chest and shoulders!!!

Week 2:

Great pump.  Already Stronger.

Week 3:

My back is getting thicker.

Week 4:

Another good pump!

Week 5:

Not a bad finish after my transition to North Carolina!!

Day 6:  Core Work, High Intensity Interval Cardio, Flexibility

Each time: Abdominal Circuit-12 minutes.  Intensity Interval, Stretching.

Day 7:  Flexibility, Rest/Recovery, Free Day-Nutrition

Comments/Training Notes:

  • * “Crazy Twelve”:  Grab a dumbbell and do 4 tricep kickbacks; then switch hands and perform 4 tricep kickbacks; repeat 2 more times with no rest for a total of twelve reps on each arm.  If doing multiple sets, give 90 sec-2 min rest between sets.

  • ** Grab two dumbbells and curl them for 8 reps; then start alternating curls for 10 reps; follow that up with concentration curls for each arm 6 reps or to failure.

Below is Dustin’s past workouts!

Hey Everyone,

Dustin is doing great and is improving daily!  Below I am posting the workout that Dustin has been doing as he has been recovering from his pec strain.  Anyone who has ever had a bad strain before knows it takes time and a slow progression of rehab and strengthening to get back and we are not going to rush Dustin.  He thinks this might be a little blessing in disguise because his legs were lacking a little and now his attention is towards building up other parts of his body particularly his lower half.  He is staying very positive and is determined to stay committed to his goals.  Here is what he has been doing:

Dustin’s Lower Body

Monday:

Walking Hip Circuit

Side Bends

Hack Squat 6 x 10

Partner Curl 1-2 x F

M-R Hip Abd/Add 1-2 x F

Seated Calves 2 x 12

Straight Calves 100 reps

Low Back Extensions 3-4 x 10

Stretching

Tuesday:

Arms/Core/High Intensity Interval Cardio

Dustin’s Lower Body

Friday:

Standing Hip Circuit

Side Bends

Leg Press 3 x 16, 1 x F

Leg Curl 5 x 10

(Superset)

Leg Extension 5 x 10

Seated Calves 2 x 12

Straight Calves 100 reps

Low Back Extensions 3-4 x 10

Stretching

Saturday:

Arms/Core/High Intensity Interval Cardio

We’re going to be using this page to track Dustin’s workouts and nutrition. Please leave comments & suggestions, your feedback is very much appreciated!

Phase I  August 2009

Functional IP:

  • Day 1: Walking Hip Circuit
  • Day 2: Shoulder Circuit
  • Day 3: Standing Hip Circuit
  • Day 4: Internal / External Shoulder Rotation

Core:

  • Day 1: Side Bend
  • Day 2: Oblique Raise
  • Day 3: Side Bend
  • Day 4: Oblique Raise

Day 1

Emphasis:  Day 1         Week 1                Week 2                Week 3           Week 4              Week 5

Back Squat 14      225 16       225 18      235 20       245
Back Squat 14      225 14       245 14      250 14        255
Back Squat 14      225 14       245 14      255 14        265
Back Squat 10      245 10       255 10      265 10        275
Back Squat xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 6        275 6          295
Dumbbell Lunge 12      45 14      45 10      50 10        55
Dumbbell Lunge 12      45 12      50 10      55 10        55
Dumbbell Lunge 10      50 10      55 10      55 10        60
Dumbbell Lunge xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 10      60 10        60

Supplemental:  Day 1          Week 1              Week 2             Week 3            Week 4          Week 5

Hamstring Curl 12       110 12    100 12     115 12        115
Hamstring Curl 12       110 10    110 12     130 10        125
Hamstring Curl 12       120 8      120 12     135 8          135
Hamstring Curl xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 6      130 xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 6          145
Satan Calves           6/6/6

140

140 140 145
Satan Calves           6/6/6

140

150 150 155
Satan Calves           6/6/6

135

155 160 155
Satan Calves           6/6/6 xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 155 xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 150
Flexibility

Legs

Legs (10 min) Legs (10 min) 10 min

Comments/Training Notes:

Week 1 Day 1

Good, tough workout today.  I began feeling tightness in my lower back about half-way through the second set of squats, so I focused on good form, and that helped me get through it.  Hamstrings were good.  Lunges were tough, and once my quads began fatiguing, my glutes definitely started playing their role.  Overall, I feel like my fitness level is pretty good, but I can tell you this workout was very exhausting.  Looking forward to working upper-body tomorrow.

Week 2 Day 1

Rough one today.  The last set of squats were brutal, but I got through them.  Lunges were much better this week, as were calves.

Week 3 Day 1

Today was a great day at the gym.  18 reps on the 1st set of squats seemed pretty daunting, but it wasn’t so bad.  I kept strict form, and was able to get pretty heavy on the last set.  I could have gotten around 300 in retrospect.  275 seemed easier than I imagined it would be.

Week 4, Day 1

Best squat workout ever!

Day 2

Emphasis:  Day 2          Week 1                Week 2               Week 3          Week 4              Week 5

Bench Press 10     225 10       230 12     230 12
Bench Press 8       225 8         235 8      235 8
Bench Press 8       235 8         235 8      245 8
Bench Press 6       240 6         240 6      250 6
Incline Db Press 12     65 14         65 14       65 14
Incline Db Press 12     65 12         65 14       70 12
Incline Db Press 10     70 10        65 10      70 10
Cable/Db Fly 10     45 10        50 10      50 8
Cable/Db Fly 10     45 10        50 8        60 8
Cable/Db Fly xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 10        50 8        60 8
Supplemental:  Day 2     Week 1              Week 2              Week 3           Week 4            Week 5

Chin-ups      F

Standing Barbell Curl 10

8 /   6   / 6

70 / 70  / 60

10 / 6 / 7

70 / 70 / 70

12/ 8  /7

70/70 /70

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Db Tricep Kick Back 10

20

25 25
Db Tricep Kick Back 10

25

20 25
Db Tricep Kick Back 10

20

20 25
Db Tricep Kick Back   F xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 15       15 20
Db Tricep Kick Back   F xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 20
Flexibility 10 min. 10 min 10 min

Comments / Training Notes

Week 1 Day 2

Felt very strong today.  Had a little trouble at the end of the incline db’s.

Week 2  Day 2

Felt even stronger today.  Especially on benchpress.  Good workout!

Week 3, Day 2

Improving every week.  Great pump today.

Day 3

Core Work, High Intensity Interval Cardio, Flexibility

Week 1

Medicine Ball V-Ups       3 x 15

Side Bends                          3 x 15 (45 lbs)

Hanging Leg Raises        3 x 10

Weighed Crunches           3 x 10

12 Minute Intensity Interval

Week 2

Cable Crunches            3×15 (150 lbs)

Side Bends                      3×15  (45 lbs)

Hanging Leg Raise      3 x 10

12-minute Intensity Interval

Week 3

Medicine Ball V-Ups    3×15

Side Bends                           3×15 (45 lbs.)

Low Back Extension               3×15

Hanging Leg Raise               3×10

Weighted Crunches               3×10

12-Minute Intensity Interval

Comments / Training Notes

Week 1 Day 3

Good ab work today.  My lower back was really tightening up on the treadmill.

Week 2 Day 3

Abs went pretty well today.  I felt a little bloated from all of the caloric intake.  I was able to work past it during cardio, however.  The bike absolutely smoked my quads today.

Week 3, Day 3

Great work today.  Cardio really killed!

Day 4

Emphasis:  Day 4           Week 1                Week 2              Week 3          Week 4              Week 5

Dead Lift 5           245 5         245 5       255 5
Dead Lift 5           245 5         245 5       255 5
Dead Lift 5           275 5         265 5       255 5
Dead Lift 5           275 5         275 5       275 3
Dead Lift xxxxxxxxxxxxx 5         315 5       275 3
RDL 8           95 8        165 8       170 8
RDL 8           145 8        165 8       170 8
RDL 8           145 8        165 8       170 6
RDL 8           165 xxxxxxxxxxxxx 6       180 6
Supplemental:  Day 4    Week 1               Week 2            Week 3             Week 4             Week 5

Leg Extension 14         150 12       170 12     180 10
Leg Extension 12         170 12       190 10     190 10
Leg Extension 12         170 12       200 10     200 F
Leg Extension 12         170 xxxxxxxxxxxxx 10     210 xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dirty Thirty Calves  12/12/12 Seated   90 Seated   115 Press 360
Dirty Thirty Calves 12/12/12 Seated   90 Standing  140 Press 360
Dirty Thirty Calves  12/12/12 Press     360 Standing   140 Stand 140
Dirty Thirty Calves  12/12/12 Press     360 xxxxxxxxxxxxx Stand 120
Flexibility 15 min 15 min 10 min
Comments / Training Notes

Week 1 Day 4

Tough work today. Good motivation level.  Still a little weak in the lower back.

Week2 Day 4

Best workout yet on dead lift.  My back is definitely feeling stronger.  Tweaked my abdominals just under the left side of my rib cage.  Probably just a strain.

Week 3, Day 4

Decent work today.  Felt some lower abdominal pain that might have ended up a hernia.  Backed off a little afterward.  Calves felt great!

Day 5

Emphasis:  Day 5          Week 1                Week 2                Week 3          Week 4              Week 5

Bent Over Row 10         180 10     200 12     210 12
Bent Over Row 8          200 8       220 8      220 8
Bent Over Row 8          200 8       220 8      230 8
Bent Over Row 6          200 6       230 6      235 6
WG Lat Pull Down 12         120 14      130 14    130 14
WG Lat Pull Down 12         120 12      130 14    130 12
WG Lat Pull Down 10        130 10     140 10    140 10
Shrug 10         80 10      85 12     85 12
Shrug 10         80 10      85 10     85 10
Shrug F (15)   80 F (12)  85 F (12) 90 F
Supplemental:  Day 5     Week 1                Week 2            Week 3            Week 4          Week 5

BW Dips    10

Triceps Push Down 10/F

12 / 12 / 12

40 / 35 / 30

15 / 15 / 15

40 / 35 / 30

16/ 16 /16

40/ 40 /35

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Descending Weight One Arm Db Bicep Curl 8/8/8

35 / 30 / 25

35 / 35 / 30

40/ 35 /30

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Additional Work:
Wrist Curls 70 / 70 / 70 65 / 65 / 65 65/65/65
Reverse Wrist Curls 25 / 25 / 25
Flexibility 10 min 10 min N/A

Comments/Training Notes:

Week 1 Day 5

Tough work today.  Good motivation level.  Still a little weak in the lower back.

Week 2 Day 5

Great workout today.  Continually feeling stronger.

Day 6

Core Work, High Intensity Interval Cardio, Flexibility

Week 1 Day 6

Swiss Ball Crunches     3×15

Side Bends                          3×15 (45 lbs.)

Hanging Leg Raise              3×10

Weighted Crunches              3×10

12-Minute Intensity Interval

Week 2 Day 6

Swiss Ball Crunches     3×15

Side Bends                          3×15 (45 lbs.)

Hanging Leg Raise              3×10

Weighted Crunches              3×10

12-Minute Intensity Interval

Week 3, Day 6

Medicine Ball V-Ups    3×15

Side Bends                           3×15 (45 lbs.)

Low Back Extension               3×15

Hanging Leg Raise               3×10

Weighted Crunches               3×10

12-Minute Intensity Interval

Day 7

Flexibility, Rest/Recovery, Free Day-Nutrition



11 Responses to “Dustin’s Journey”

  1. Best of luck Dustin on your Journey, work on those basics and your body will grow :)

    squats, bench, chins and dead lifts…. stimulate that central nervous system

    Cheers
    Kev

  2. Hello everyone. My name is Dustin. I have been into working out since I can remember. In high school, I trained for football. In college, I trained to add strength and speed, as I competed in track. As a sprinter, I maintained a pretty muscular build, but was never able to really put on any size. After college, I joined the Army and of course, did about a million push-ups and sit-ups, in addition to tons of distance running. This was certainly not a good recipe for hypertrophy. During this time, I was able to stay in the gym pretty regularly, but I always felt like I was stretched a little too thin. I completed the popular Body-for-Life challenge twice with good results. Unfortunately, I felt with that program that I felt as though my strength had decreased over the 12 weeks. While I lost considerable amounts of body fat(which was one of my primary goals), I know that I lost some muscle tissue in the process. I feel like, in spite of focusing on proper nutrition, the combination of exercises, especially the cardio program, was the cause of this atrophy.

    About a month ago, I started getting the “bug” to do something totally different from anything I have ever done before. So a couple of weeks ago, I drove up to Pennsylvania and sat down with my friend Jerry Shreck to discuss a course of action to try my hand at bodybuilding.

    My ultimate goal is to eventually enter a competition. Now I’m going to hit you with a lame little cliché… “COMPETITION BREEDS SUCCESS”… I am a firm believer in this. It works for me, at least.

    So now this “ecto-mesomorph” is embarking on a new, challenging journey. Applying a quality diet and workout regimen, provided primarily by Jerry, I will get this done. So follow me on my journey down this challenging path. I will be posting progress photos every month or so, along with various measurements, as well as a daily workout and nutrition log. The “before” line-up should be posted by the end of this week. Please drop by and give me some words of encouragement, or discouragement… either way, it’s all motivation.

    Cheers,
    Dustin

  3. Hey, I just wanted to drop in and wish you the best of luck! Sometimes you may get a little discouraged, but maintain focus to be as big as me… Lol!!!

    Cheers to ya,

    Lance D. Rose

  4. Thanks, little bro. Or should I use the term “younger” instead of “little”?

  5. And thanks for the words of encouragement, Kevin. I love the motivation!

  6. Dustin,

    This is a great challenge to yourself and you have successfully chosen one of the best trainers in the world to help you! That truly is half the battle.

    Find the “switch” in your brain that shuts off any and all thoughts about eating anything that isn’t on your prescibed nutrition plan and any thoughts about neglecting the daily grind of training/cardio plans that you have set before you.

    Stay locked and loaded always on the target. You will go farther than you think that you can possibly go!

  7. Great advice, Vanessa. Thanks! Oh, and I love the use of “locked and loaded”. ;)

  8. Hey everyone! My friend in fitness Jessica sent me the link to this awesome blog that she found online. I don’t know about all of you, but I run into this kind of crap almost every day with people from work. I highly recommend you all read it!

    http://blog.bodybuilding.com/ChickenTuna/2008/04/13/crap-pushers-letter/

    Thanks Jessica! You and Karin M. are awesome for helping me stay motivated at work!

  9. Dustin – I’m amazed at your great attitude and motivation to complete this program. Thanks for inspiring me to aim higher with my strength training and now a half marathon! Keep up the good work!

  10. Thanks, Karin! I can’t deny the fact that on a couple of occasions, I’ve just felt like staying home. I draw a lot of my motivation from knowledgeable, positive people like you, who lend great encouragement that helps get me over those bumps in the road.

    Keep us all posted on your half-marathon training. I can’t wait to hear how it goes! I know you’ll do well.

  11. Hey Guys,
    Just wanted to give you all a quick progress update. If you’re going cross-eyed reading my workout chart, all I can say is that my strength is creeping ever skyward every day, and my muscles are feeling very full. It’s an amazing feeling! It’s quite shocking what the body can do when it is introduced to a controlled regimen like this one. At this point, I have shed about a percentage point of body fat. Taking me down to about 13.1%. But my body weight has actually increased to between 208 and 209. So, I’ve gained at least 5 lbs of muscle over these 3 weeks. Hopefully next week, when I post my 4-week progress photos and stats, things will be even better. Thanks for the encouragement! Keep it coming!

    Dustin

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