WTF is the problem here?

[Knoxfan]

July 1st I started lifting again after almost a 3 year layoff. Lost 26lbs in a month, put some weight back on but not much. I did a small cycle of enth. Right now im sitting at 175lbs at 5'8" tall. Ive been off cycle for a month, and realized the size I put on my arms, which wasnt much, is gone. I eat like a horse.(posted my diet before on here) I train consistent, change up my program a lot in regards to lifts, and incorporated deads and a few other things ive never done before. Here is the kicker, now that im off cycle, continuously getting stronger and stronger, with no real size change. A couple examples:

Seated Dumbell Extensions:
July 1st - max 40lb dumbell x 10 reps
Today - max 105lb dumbell x 12 reps

Incline Dumbell Press:
July 1st - max 50lb dumbells x 8 reps
Today - max 115lbs dumbells x 10 reps

Im confused as to how i can be getting so much stronger, yet not showing any real size gains. Its starting to get extremely frustrating. All of my lifts are clean, smooth, with great form. Its not like im pussy footing my lifts either.

Not to mention, my lifts with the heaver weight doesnt seem as effective. I dont feel the contraction near as much. Maybe I should back down some until I get the contraction and the pump I need?? What you think?

I also want to add ill be doing a 500 enth / 400 deca / 25mg dbol bulker starting Dec 1. That should help a little.

 

[ExtraMile]

This is what's happening to me, Im putting on weight, getting stronger but putting on no mass. SaiBot told me the weight and strength gain is to do with the muscles getting denser and as a result of that stronger. Do your muscles feel harder?

 

[Knoxfan]

My muscles are tighter than hell. My arms have been rock for a while now. Also, my bi's peak like they never have before.

 

[ExtraMile]

Wow Im jelous my damned Biceps dont grow at all, the only exercise that makes them grow at all is chinups. But they still only grow realllyyyy slow

 

[Knoxfan]

I feel you on that one. I do all mass building movements for bi's and not much progress at all. Some, but not much.

 

[sweed]

what was your pct?

 

[Knoxfan]

I ran hcg from week 4 out and that was it. Been off that for a minute now.....so happy to see my nuts again.

 

[sweed]

just hcg? hopefully something else.

 

[Knoxfan]

just hcg? hopefully something else.

oops..thought i got all that in there. Had to reset router. Anyway, I ran clomid & nolva. which ill be ditching the clomid on the next cycle.

 

[sweed]

did you do blood work yet?
Look at PP's and Nelson's products! those will help you out a ton!
Go to the AAS board and read up on them now!

 

[Knoxfan]

Someone suggested i do that before I start cycle again. Which I will for sure. Im just frustrated about getting stronger and stronger with no real size gains. The one thing I can tell throughout this journey so far is that i'm WAY more proportionate than ive ever been. So I am thankful for that. I hope with this next cycle that some size follows.

 

[SouthernLord]

did you do blood work yet?
Look at PP's and Nelson's products! those will help you out a ton!
Go to the AAS board and read up on them now!

And Amp02/RawMCC!!!!!

These should be a PCT staple!!! I love Amp

 

[the_alcatraz]

Are you sure you are getting enough calories?

your diet is good?

How long are you training? you sure you're not overtraining?

 

[Knoxfan]

Are you sure you are getting enough calories?

your diet is good?

How long are you training? you sure you're not overtraining?

Bingo my friend from the north! Over trained! lol. I started a thread a week or so ago and asked where the reset button was. I am going to be taking a couple weeks off and getting the works done. Blood work, physical, etc. I was also thinking about revamping my routine and getting my diet squared away with a nutritionist before i start my bulk cycle. As far as food, i get enough cals for sure. Ive been training on and off since high school...11 years or so. Never have I been this serious as far routine and diet are concerned. I know my body well enough that it responds so single body part training. I liked your routine a lot from what i was reading earlier. Mind if I use some of it?

 

[cobracock1979]

Dont forget bro - if you add LBM on cycle your maintenance cals are going to be more by the end of the cycle, than at the beginning. Recalculate maintenance cals and make sure you are well over for pct

 

[musketeer]

You're missing the point a little I think. Training makes you better at training - not nec. bigger. Look at professional athletes who train a lot and are probably much stronger than you (some are much bigger like football players, or those in the higher weight divisions) and many will be a normal size or even smaller than you (like gymnasts or athletes in lighter weight categories). Size does not equall strength. I remember watching a 150lb MMA fighter who was full squatting doubles with 440lbs (confidently with no safety rails). Olympic lifters in your weight class will probably look like you in a suit and may not even look as strong as you when 'posing'. The difference is that they have developed the nervous system to fire the muscles in a massively specialized way to produce near 100% recruitment in exactly the correct cadence. Their connective tissues are both flexible and super tough and their bones are much denser. Your body is adapting to the stress you are putting on it - if it perceives that it needs to grow and has a constant surplus of energy - calories and low stress outside the workouts then it will attempt to grow. If you are getting stronger then you are on the right track to growing, you just need to add more attention to things outside of the gym like mass gaining diet and supplements and (as you don't seem averse to a bit of help) perhaps a moderate cycle - if you're not growing fast enough.

 

[b fold the truth]

Why on Earth were you using AAS if you were only 175 lbs???

If you are 175 lbs and aren't getting bigger and stronger at a rapid pace DRUG FREE then you are doing something wrong!

Why are you getting stronger without the gains in size? Size and strength do not run in a straight line upwards next to each other.