100 kilo squat club

[nburge]

I just hit 100kgs 5x5 today, four months and 10 days into the programme. Along the way I've learned proper technique, self discipline, picked up an enjoyable new hobby and had the pleasure of correspondance with many of the interesting and diverse membership of this forum.

Previously my trips to the gym were to look better, or because I felt "I should". They were unstructured and most workouts were random. I never got any stronger, leaner, more muscular nor better at lifting. I did bicep curls too.

Now I look forward to my gym trip to see if I can improve, or whether I can finally nail that damned OHP. I want to achieve so I can get on here and tell all my fellow SL 5x5ers what I've done, and to see how well they're doing too. I know someone will whip my ass if I've got a crappy excuse for skipping the gym.

I'm currently about 8 kilo's heavier than when I started in Feb. Not all has been muscle, but A LOT is. Medhi has personally helped me gain 6-7kgs of pure, hard muscle. I wonder how many kgs of muscle he's directly or indirectly responsible for gaining this year alone!!!

On top of that I feel healthier, I drink less, I'm more forceful and direct at work too. This has led to me closing a huge deal for my firm, keeping many peolpe employed and finally earning me money. Perhaps its the extra testosterone, or the greater belief I have in myself, but I definitely attribute it to working out and my lifestyle change.

When I started I didn't know how heavy 100kgs was. I didn't know how hard it would be to lift. But I also didn't know how satisfied I'd be to achieve it.

Thanks for the site and the programme Medhi, and thanks to all the wonderful people who's advice, time, thought and attitude makes this such and enjoyable place to come to.

Now to lift more weight.....

[pagangoddess]

That was a great post Neil. One would think it's just a training program. But it's more than that. Much more. Training becomes personal. It becomes ingrained in who we are.

Great job squatting 100 kgs!!

[guru]

Great post Neil.

[jpez]

Congratulations Nburge. I'm only a beginner to stronglifts but I know what you're talking about. When I used to do my bodybuilding routine I never looked forward to a workout but with stronglifts I do. I can't wait to see if I can add a little more weight to my squat or if I can do just that one more rep on my chins. Bodybuilding was just something I had to do but I enjoy strength training. I can't wait till I get strong enough to squat 100 kgs.

[bragi]

Congrats on the 100 kilos. Man I can't wait 'til I squat so much.

[Littlesimongeorge]

Well done mate, will be joining you shortly!

[holvoetn]

Congrats !!

Here is the catch:
It'll only get more difficult from now on as you add weight.

Looking at it from another angle though: 100kg will become easier and easier

[nburge]

Cheers guys! 100kgs was still hard today. The reason I don't mind though is I remember when 75kgs felt really heavy, and now that's an easy warmup. Hopefully 100kgs can be my warmup weight one day!!!

[adamr]

Congratulations on your achievement! Like pagangoddess says, it's amazing how this program becomes a part of who you are. Less a program and more of a lifestyle. And 100kg will become a warm-up set for sure! Keep it up.

[AD69]

Neil, great work on getting to the 100kg, hope to be there one day soon.

Like you, I spent years at the gym doing unfocussed routines, and while I always did squats, bench and cleans, I also wasted time doing dumbell raises, lunges, etc with very light weights. And I didn't go past parallel on the squat! I see PTs taking people through these routines time and time again, and wonder if they will ever teach them a routine that will work.

Stronglifts has been a revelation, and I am in the best shape of my life.

[pangram]

Congrats nburge! (I'm too new to be on a first name basis ) 100kgs! I can't imagine squatting that anytime soon, or how it would feel to squat that. Great work! Very motivational

[nburge]

Hey pangram, thanks. When you start with only a 20kg bar the weight is a pschological one - "do I look like a wuss for lifting this little?" - but the weight goes up, and it goes up quickly. Then you get to the situation like mine, where I'm the only person who uses a squat rack and squats below parallel in my gym, AND I lift decent weights. Adding weights becomes addictive, and you notice the strength gains you've made in the gym when you are doing day-to-day tasks.

To anyone reading this post who thinks, this programme won't work for me OR, I'll never squat 100kgs OR, I already know how to squat so I'm starting at X weight.... read the logs here, go to the gym, check your ego in the locker room and start 5x5. It works. Write a log - people are here to help you, and if you let them, they will.

In four months I look better, feel better, walk taller, behave differently (better) and have improved all aspects of my life. This IS NOT JUST ABOUT LOOKING GOOD. It's about joining a community of like-minded friends who are all on a journey to improve themselves. Get on board.

[pangram]

Amen to that! My benching weight is nothing compared to what some of the big guys bench, but I take my time and know I will progress steadily. I'm in the gym to do my stronglifts, not to look cool.

People look at you funny when you stuff weights in your backpack (thanks holvoetn ) what, you think I'm going to steal them?

I've been doing those for just a month now, and I love how it's changing the way I see some things, or how I deal with them. Leaving the ego in the locker at the gym makes it easier to leave it in the cupboard at home, too. So yes, I wholeheartedly agree with what you wrote above.

[dylanamus]

Congratulations, mate. I agree that this program is a life changer. Good to see another beneficiary proud to be a part of the community! 100kg won't get lighter, but you will become stronger both physically and mentally and will soon become its master.

[Littlesimongeorge]

This IS NOT JUST ABOUT LOOKING GOOD. It's about joining a community of like-minded friends who are all on a journey to improve themselves. Get on board.

Amen brother! One nation under the Iron!