If you are experienced I would love some advice!

[Brendin00]

I'm 18, 5'11 and 158lbs. I have been lifting weights close to two years now and I started out at 135lbs. I have gained a lot of strength and some size since I have began, but I am looking to maximize my gains. I believe my problem is that my workout plan is not exactly the best. I don't over train, but I have problems with changing up my workout routine. I do the same sets of strength exercises over and over for specific muscle groups, because I am not familiar with a whole lot of exercises. I was also wondering if anyone knew what amount of reps and sets I should be doing every time for mass and strength. I am afraid to lift heavy often because people often say that it will lead to injury? If anyone could give me some advice on these issues I would really appreciate it!

P.S. I also use lots of supplements (ON Hydro Whey, ON Creatine Monohydrate, ON Opti-Men, 1MR pre-workout, Xtend bcaas, and ON Casein) are these right for me wanting to gain lots of lean mass?

 

[DawgMan]

You'll get a lot of different answers about workouts because what works for one person may or not work for you. I prefer to do different workouts and change them to keep the muscle working and growing. Depending on how heavy you're lifting, you may only want to work each major body part once per week. You may want to try something like 5 sets of 5 reps or 4 sets of 8 reps going heavy. Also pyramid sets are pretty good as well.

I would suggest you post your current workout so some of the more experienced members can give you helpful advice.

 

[Brendin00]

Thanks Dawgman for the advice I will give those sets a try. Do you think that I would benefit from any of these supplements on this site? I haven't completed a cycle before, but I'm aware of having to use cycle support, and a pct. My main fear is gyno and the fact that these supplements can be harsh on the liver (since cycle support doesn't fully protect the liver I've heard). Thanks!

 

[DawgMan]

Well, unfortunately I would not recommend using any form of prohormones or other forms of anabolic steroids. At the age of 18 your natural test and growth hormones should be pretty high. Using prohormones or other anabolic compunds could prove to be counter productive and cause more harm than good. That may not be what you want to hear, but I'm not just gonna say "oh sure, use this or that anabolic compound." I can't do that.

I think if your diet and training is spot on, you will continue to see good gains in both strength and mass.

Using anabolic compounds at your age could have serious negative results and cause some real issues for your HPTA.

The HPTA refers to the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Testes-Axis. This is the endocrine systems primary androgen and testosterone making area for males.

Under normal conditions testosterone production begins when the hypothalamus senses low circulatory androgen levels such as testosterone. In response to the signal the hypothalamus secretes and releases a hormone called Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) that contacts receptors of the pituitary gland. As you recall, hormones and receptors are simply a method of organs, glands and tissues communicating with one another. GnRH tells the pituitary gland to secrete two gonadotropic hormones called Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Next, both LH and FSH enter the vascular system and take a trip down south to the testes where the leydig cells (interstitial cells and sertoli cells) are located. The merging of LH and FSH with interstitial and sertoli cell receptor results in testosterone.

Introduction of outside sources can dramatically reduce the body's ability to produce testosterone. Even using PCT there can still be far reaching complications.

Eat, train, sleep...repeat.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

 

[Push50]

Well, unfortunately I would not recommend using any form of prohormones or other forms of anabolic steroids. At the age of 18 your natural test and growth hormones should be pretty high. Using prohormones or other anabolic compunds could prove to be counter productive and cause more harm than good. That may not be what you want to hear, but I'm not just gonna say "oh sure, use this or that anabolic compound." I can't do that. I think if your diet and training is spot on, you will continue to see good gains in both strength and mass. Using anabolic compounds at your age could have serious negative results and cause some real issues for your HPTA. The HPTA refers to the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Testes-Axis. This is the endocrine systems primary androgen and testosterone making area for males. Under normal conditions testosterone production begins when the hypothalamus senses low circulatory androgen levels such as testosterone. In response to the signal the hypothalamus secretes and releases a hormone called Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) that contacts receptors of the pituitary gland. As you recall, hormones and receptors are simply a method of organs, glands and tissues communicating with one another. GnRH tells the pituitary gland to secrete two gonadotropic hormones called Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Next, both LH and FSH enter the vascular system and take a trip down south to the testes where the leydig cells (interstitial cells and sertoli cells) are located. The merging of LH and FSH with interstitial and sertoli cell receptor results in testosterone. Introduction of outside sources can dramatically reduce the body's ability to produce testosterone. Even using PCT there can still be far reaching complications. Eat, train, sleep...repeat. Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

THIS. Great answer DAWGMAN! Wish I had the natural test levels of an 18 y/o again.

 

[Adrenolin]

THIS. Great answer DAWGMAN! Wish I had the natural test levels of an 18 y/o again.

Mine are still naturally high at 23; my last blood test revealed them at 947ng/dL (several month away from any cycles).

 

[Push50]

I wouldn't expect to see any tapering off till after 25. My levles are probably naturally low since I am pushing 50. I am going in in 6 weeks to see where I stand. I have a DO that does Biorestoration and a couple of the guys i see at the gym use him and have had favorable results.