23 Days Out
23 days until I go to NYC to shoot for Silver Models. In this video I explain different techniques for chest and shoulder exercises. At the end of the video I show a couple reps of my HIIT cardio done outside...Hill Sprints.
Incline DB Press - 3x8-12
Flat DB press - 3x8-12
Incline DB Fly - 3x8-12
Incline Barbell Press - 2x8-12
Pec Dec - 3x8-12
Giant Set Standing Laterals - 2 sets
Rope standing Cable Front Raise - 3x8-12
Day 4
Day 4 into my preparation for my upcoming shoot and the hunger only seems to hit me at night time. I think by this time next week my body will be adjusted and the hunger pangs will subside...at least I hope so. I woke up this morning at 218 so that puts me down another pound. I'm not worried about this quick loss because I know it's just water. My strength in the gym today was very good too so that is another clear sign that I'm fine. I did some chest and biceps and on incline db presses I was using the 100's for reps with ease of coarse until the end of each set. As long as I can keep this intensity up the whole time I shouldn't lose an ounce of muscle. For biceps I hadn't done straight bar spider curls in a while so I threw those in there and worked up to 80lb for my last set. As you can see in the video below that is a large weight increase from when I did them December 2010 (this video was a day before I left for NYC for my shoots) . Words can't describe how excited I am about everything and to also top this condition that I had in this video too.
Past 5 Days
5 days in a row of workouts and my body is officially worn out. Since Brian was in town I wanted to take him through all muscle groups except the only one we didn't hit together was quads. Here is a rundown of what we did the past 5 days.. We used a lot of different techniques with partials,negatives,high reps,low reps, pre-exhaust,super sets,fst-7.
- Friday - Chest/Biceps
- Saturday - Hamstrings/Calf
- Sunday - Back
- Monday - Abs/Shoulders/Calf
- Tuesday - Arms
I have a slow day with clients so I'm going to use this time to just recover. I speak with Hany on Friday to find out what the game plan is now that I have to be prepared to shoot within 4-6 weeks so I know everything is about to get kicked into high gear. I can't wait to see what the final product looks like and I'll post more once I know more of when I'm going to NYC etc. One thing I know that will change is no more cheat meals until I'm done with my shoots. On a different note the weather has been awesome here and I'm hoping this spring weather is here to stay!
Silver Models!
Yesterday I got some exciting news that I am now signed with Silver Model Management again! If any of you have read my about section then you know that Adam Silver was the one who "discovered" me and gave the me the opportunity to get my foot in the door to the modeling industry in 2007/2008. He booked me on Under Armour, Ab Infomercial,Fitness magazines, and other stuff that I can't remember as I'm writing this. Mentally I'm such in a better place wanting to do this again as before I lacked direction and was very immature. In the next 4-6 weeks I'll be going back up to NYC to do all new shoots to update my portfolio and then hopefully I can start booking some things again
Also some more news since my webmaster Brian G. has been down here going through the McPeak bootcamp lol we have been working on my website and it should be ready soon! His graphics team sent over the start of my page last night and it looks SICK!
I'll be filming another video this weekend for my youtube channel so that should be up by Saturday or Sunday.
Hams/Calf
Yesterday was by far the most intense hamstring session I think I've ever had. I told myself once I got home that I need to be training my hamstrings that hard every single week. For the past 6 months I've consistently done stiff leg deadlifts but after reading and watching several different videos I decided to just do traditional deadlifts for high reps because in the higher reps is when your hamstrings and glutes get recruited the most. So after I did my leg curls I made it over to the deadlift area and my friend Dion from the gym was training back so he linked up with me on deads. So my whole concept of doing high reps got thrown out the window for 2 sets lol. This guy is a monster he's around 260 my height and ripped. It was definitely motivational for me to train with him. My first set with 315lb for 20 reps shot my heart rate up through the roof and my whole body was feeling crazy at that point. He knocked his set out no straps for 12 reps. I rested for 2 minutes then asked him if he wanted to do another plate. At 405lb I got 10 reps. Then another set for 8. After that he moved on and I dropped it back down to 315lb for 15 reps. Needless to say my hams and lower back are trashed today along with my rear traps. Here is my complete day of workouts
- 8am - 45 minutes cardio
- 2:30pm - Hams/Calf
- 4:30pm - 25 min dog walk..very slow
- Lying leg curls - 4x8-12
- Seated leg curls - 4x8-12
- Deadlifts - 135x10,225lbx10,315lbx20,405lbx10,405lbx8,315lbx15
- Standing One leg curl - 4x12-15 superset standing calf raise
- one leg leg press calf raise - 4x12
In my members section there will be posts like this with even more detail every day of my workouts.
Questions – 3/2/2012
TJ
Do you drink? Ever since I started my mission of packing on lean muscle and getting ripped I haven't been able to bring myself to do it.
2 March 2012
Tyler - In the past I would drink almost every weekend..hell I even drank before some of my shoots in NYC...I would party at the clubs all night then shoot the next day..very ignorant. It wasn't until I linked up with Hany that I changed my whole perspective of training and nutrition. I've only drank maybe 4-5 times in the past 6 months. That being said I think you can still let loose at least once a month and still make all the gains you want. You have to remember you only live once and take it from me you will go crazy if you just live like a hermit and don't go out and enjoy yourself every once in a while.
Jason
Tyler, im a bit concerned, i feel like sometimes my lower chest gets bloated or soft, but then other times my chest looks flat and toned... does this have to do with sodium manipulation or bloating of some sort? It's as if my i've gained fat in my lower chest nipple area temporarily. Im not sure if it's a sign of gaining fat. Im currently 15%bf, 175, 5,9, eating failry clean, but trying to put on mass. My diet has consited of alot of whole wheat pasta lately.
2 March 2012
Tyler - It sounds like water retention. At this point you shouldn't worry about sodium but maybe try switching out your carb source from the pasta to something else...rice or potato. Maybe add in some cardio to a few times a week. Even though your putting on size right now it's still important to do some cardio because ideally you should stay around 10-12% when trying to add mass.
Jamie
Are you doing morning cardio now cuz your trying to lean out even more, i.e. cut? You'll burn fat faster by doing morning cardio, right?
2 March 2012
Tyler - Yep your correct
Nolan
Me and some friends are arguing about the benefit of doing 'half reps' or partials like you do in some of your workouts. They're all hardcore oldschool lifters and think that if someone doesn't getting a full ROM then they're not trying hard enough. I think they're good to do at the end of sets or even a full set because it keeps constant tension on the muscle and saves joints as aposed to locking out on every rep. thoughts?
1 March 2012
Tyler - I believe they serve a purpose as an advanced technique to further muscle failure. I don't ever do a full set of partials but towards the end of something like a hammer strength press once I can't get full reps anymore I'll add in 3-4 partials. That being said I never lockout..always keep a slight bend in all of my joints. check out my chest/bicep video I did in FEB I did partials in that along with my Back video from FEB
Baker
I see in your nutrition log you always take took scoops of protein, why is that?
29 February 2012
Tyler - Take took? not sure what your trying to say but whey protein is one of the fastest digesting proteins and I've consistently taken it every since I started working out when I was 18
Luke
hey tyler, Im 6'2" and 205 and trying to lose the spair tire, around 8 pounds. I was wondering how much cardio do you do, when do you perform it, and what type of cardio?
29 February 2012
Tyler - Right now I'm doing 4 days on one day off of empty stomach cardio for 45 minutes on an incline treadmill walk. steady state low intensity is the type.
Vic
Hi Tyler, i am starting to see results just like you said, But i am still Skinny ( 6"2 and i weigh 76Kg (Age 27)) i do drink whey Protein and eat very healthy, My goal is to get a 6pack and i can see it in correct lighting, but i need it to grow bigger so it stands out much more, i do crunches on a ball, heel taps, plank, side crunches, and the Ab wheel every other day. i see my muscles taking shape, but i stay skinny.
29 February 2012
Tyler - I sent over your questions to fill out yesterday. looking forward to working with you!
Dan
I trained solidly for a year then had to take a year and a half off from training. Do you have any advice for starting back training after so long out
28 February 2012
Tyler - Start off slow and progressively up the intensity. Don't get discouraged and take each day as a day to improve. Stay dedicated and you will get where you want to be.
Randall
I have a couple questions. In your post about pre and post workout nutrition you say that you cycle your carbs post workout. What influences whether its going to be a carb day or no carb day, what muscle group you work that day? Also whats ur current body fat percent?
28 February 2012
Tyler - On muscle groups I'm trying to bring up is when I'll have more carbs. Not sure what my current body fat is I never get it checked.
Questions – 2/24/2012
James
How do you properly warm up for heavy squats? I can do 10 reps of 315lbs, but i feel like my warm up to get there isn't at its best. Should i be doing a few sets with short rest periods? or start my weight low and go up and increments of 50lbs with 10 reps of each set until i get to the 315? Im trying to warm up enough to get my joing and blood pumping in my legs but not so much that im too tired to lift the heavy weight!
24 February 2012
Tyler - That is some good weight your moving right there! keep up the hard work! I always start my leg session off with 5-10 minutes on the recumbent bike. I'll do 3-5 warm up sets before I get into my working sets keeping the reps low though so I don't fatigue resting about a minute in between warm ups. Depending how heavy i'm going that day I'll only do 5 reps or so on each warm up set. Hope this helps...all that being said I usually hit squats now at the end of my quad workout because the mechanics feel better and my knees don't ache.
Chris
Hey Tyler, i've been following Hany's "GET JACKED" program and so far my chest and back days are phenomenal, im getting great workouts from it. My Shouler day however, feels like its not being stimulated enough. It might be becasue of all the isolation exercises that im not used to, im not sure. One exercise involves doing front raises on an incline bench, face down; this is an FST-7 technique as well. I feel like i cant quote get a proper pump in my front delt from this exercise, im not sure what angle the bench should be at and if it should be bringing my arms parallel to my body or parallel to the floor. When i have workouts where my pumps are just "okay", i tend to second guess my postworkout shake consisting of 50g carbs... im on th evogen stack as well. Let me know if you can offer any advice about the Incline bench exercise and taking in postworkout carbs for moderate workout days. Thanks!
24 February 2012
Tyler - First off don't second guess yourself on the post workout drinks. We all have those days where you don't get a good full pump and it kinda just puts a damper on the rest of your day. Happened to me yesterday. As for the incline front raises put the bench on a 45 degree angle or so..most incline are numbered and i usually put it on 4 or 5. It's a great exercise maybe just drop the weight a little and really focus on the feeling going slower with your reps until you get the mind muscle connection down. If that doesn't help I would just substitute that exercise for another front raise exercise and hit the fst with a rope front raise.
andy
Do you do a protien shake after your Cell Kem? What do you put in it?
23 February 2012
Tyler - No..30 minutes after I take Cell Kem and glycoject I have a whole food meal
Yaseen
Hey Tyler can you tell me some examples of your favorite clean meals? like chicken and sweet potato, or what are your favorite sources of carbs and such?
23 February 2012
Tyler - I'll be posting my daily food logs in the members section so you will see exactly what I'm eating every day.
Sunny
Hey Ty, i feel like i cant get proper posture/footing when doing one arm rows on a flat bench, i feel like my lower back gets involved or my back doesnt get stimulated enough, im not sure if maybe my foot is to close to the bench or if i should be bending my knee. Any advice on one arm rows? I'[ve tried to lighted the weight and i make sure im always looking forward.
23 February 2012
Tyler - This will be something you will have to play around with to get the best feeling for you. Whenever I do them I have a bend in my knee is its close to the bench. Part of my members section videos I describe how to properly preform each exercise and where you should feel it.
Randall
When you say supplement hiatus, does that include whey and casein? Or is it just eliminating pre workout, creatine, etc? Great page by the way, looking forward to the members section.
23 February 2012
Tyler - It's just eliminating pre workout,creatine, and the pre and post carbohydrate drink.
Simon
How much water do you drink during your workout? If I am smaller I should drink less right?
22 February 2012
Tyler - I drink about a half gallon during my workout and a half gallon leading up to my workout. I would say a liter pre workout and a liter during workout would be sufficient.
Sam
Have you ever heard of or used "Animal" products i.e. Animal Stak, Animal Cuts, etc.? Do you know anything anout this supplement
22 February 2012
Tyler - I've used the mutli vitamin and the animal cuts before. I used the cuts when I was going through my eating disorder in nyc so i can't give a valid review on them since i wasn't on a proper exercise and nutrition plan. I will say one thing I didn't like about the product was that it had a diuretic in it. I don't think it's safe to take diuretics daily.
Daniel
...a 27 minute-long workout on video? O.K., Tyler, you got me. I going to become a member. Glad to see you decided to create a members only section of your site. You deserve it for all the inspiration and advice you give.give inspiration
22 February 2012
Tyler - Thanks You!
Ash
Hey Ty. ive got such a passion and drive for health and fitness, and really want to get into the field and study it more in depth. wanted to know how you got into personal training, and if you have any advice for the likes of myself wanting to get more involved and persue a career in fitness and nutrition? you're a huge inspiration to me, and get alot of motivation from your videos and articles. thnx.
22 February 2012
Tyler - First off thanks for the compliments...I got into personal training when I was 20 years old. I had gotten a job at a gym being the "house keeping" staff. I cleaned toilets and did laundry etc. I became friends with one of the personal trainers there and after speaking with him this seemed like something I wanted to try out. It took me about 4 months to get my first certification (ISSA) and every two years you have to get continued education courses.
A couple of my GOALS
Since I've been getting a lot of questions recently about what I'm currently doing and what my physique goals are now I figured I would just make a quick post about it. My goals are to get back into the fitness magazines. I have not shot for a fitness magazine or fitness shoot since 2008. If you have been following my site you know the whole story of when I went to NYC and tried out fashion modeling lost my fitness physique and it ended up being a bad situation. So for all of 2010 I didn't take nutrition very serious and was still partying a lot on weekends and just wasn't doing things correctly in order to achieve the type of physique I want. It wasn't until I linked up with Hany that everything changed. Fast forward till now and when I last spoke with Hany the game plan is to maintain the body fat level that I'm at now but still try to fill my frame out. I will know very soon about possible magazine stuff and then my program will change gears into getting as peeled as possible. Until then I'm going to continue to add lean mass enjoy the extra food and continue to build up my chest,back and legs more. I've gotten my weight back to where it was in 2008 but feel that I have a more matured look. Currently I'm 218lb in the morning on an empty stomach and 222 when I go to bed. When my member section launches I'll be doing my food log in it once again so you can follow my daily current diet from this phase I'm in now to when I'm shoot ready.
A fly on the Wall NYC Trip 1
NYC Day 2 food log & schedule
1. 7:25am 54g whey shake
2. 9:30 8oz chicken 8 asparagus
3. 10:15am 20 min run,15 min elliptical, 5 min stairclimber
4. 11:20 54 g whey
5. 12pm shop
6. 1pm 1 banana
7. 2pm shoot with Greg Vaughan
8. 3:20 5oz sweet potato
9. 6:10 8oz chicken 5oz sweet potato
10. 8:50 2 cans white tuna fish
Here is a picture I took last year coming back from VA over the holidays landing into NYC.