Workout Logging: My Secret to Force Progressive Overload

darinstarr
Let's start with a quiz.  It's simple, so don't worry.  It'll take about 3 seconds, and then I'll call for pencils down.  Ready?  GO! Are you a human being? Do you like to lift? Do you hate hitting plateaus? If you answered 'yes' to all of those questions, then you should be logging your workouts.
Read More

The Drop Set – Episode 71: Protein Requirement, Darin’s Burning Ceremony

darinstarr
How much protein do you really need, and how much is too much?  This comes from a great listener question and rather than cite studies (which can support arguments on either end of the spectrum), I offer a little practical insight and opinion instead.  Also:  I get a little heated as I work to get some things off my chest!
Read More

The Drop Set – Episode 5: Gym Efficiency & Coping w/Holidays!

darinstarr
More Q&A, a total softball thrown my way in “bodybuilding myths”, a discussion on how to be more efficient in the gym and also how to cope with holidays and all the associated food!
Read More

Contest divisions and your body

darinstarr
If you read my earlier post on the different divisions at a physique contest, you know that there are 7 total divisions – 2 for men, and a whopping 5 for women.  That’s a lot to choose from – so how do you make the best decision for yourself? It comes down to this – what’s important to you?  Men...
Read More

Video: Lifting straps explained

darinstarr
As I explain in the introduction to the video, it seems nobody really understands how to use lifting straps correctly.  If you search around you’ll certainly be inundated with opinions on why straps are good, bad, or downright evil – but we’re going to completely sidestep that discussion for now.  This video assumes you’ve found some reason why you want...
Read More

Is your ‘routine’ hurting you?

darinstarr
I’ve mentioned before my semi-masochistic tendency to frequent the Bodybuilding.com forums.  Here’s something you see all the time – people asking for critiques of their workout routine.  Here’s a direct cut-and-paste of one poster’s routine: I Squats heavy Bench press BB heavy Cabel crossover Incline Bench BB DB Pullover DB flies II Cardio III Calves sitting Calves Standing DB shoulder...
Read More

HIIT it hard!

darinstarr
If you’ve competed – or thought about it – before, you probably know about or have at least heard of HIIT.  High-Intensity Interval Training is an exercise format that gets you working with a significantly higher heart rate.  Combined with a correctly devised and timed diet, this can be a fantastic way to get in to shape or shed those...
Read More

A primer on contest divisions

darinstarr
With 2 new options at the sub-national level in NPC contests in 2012, there are now 7 divisions to compete in at most bodybuilding shows – 5 for women and 2 for men.  Let’s break them down individually from a bird’s eye view and we’ll take a closer look at specific divisions in later posts. The Men Bodybuilding – the...
Read More