
Originally Posted by
Tenmoney
Ronnie asked if I would post this here as well. If you'd like to read over the whole thing, you can check my log.
So it took me awhile, but I have put together a progress report for improvements made over my first STS cycle.
As far as weight goes... I began at 215 lbs around 12% BF. I was able to maintain my BF % throughout. I stepped on the scale at 223 lbs on Fri. I know where the fat goes on my body when I gain it, and I can say that from the way my cloths fit, or I should say the way the don't fit, the weight gain is muscle. i.e. tight in the arms, chest/back, shoulders, ands thighs. My waist hasn't changed. The goal was to gain a solid 8 lbs of muscle, and that's what happened. YIPEE! (sorry , couldn't help it, lol)
As for strength... Holy Crap!! I calculated 1 rep maxs on bodybuilding.com (both before and after) for the sake of coming up with results that are easier to measure. I don't know if it will impress you guys, but I was extremely happy w/ them.
Exercise: Before/ After/ Difference/ % change
Bench Press: 366 lbs/ 387 lbs/ 21 lbs/ 5.5%
Dead Lift: 470 lbs/ 496 lbs/ 26 lbs/ 5%
Stiff Leg Deads: 393 lbs/ 470 lbs/ 77 lbs/ 27%
T Bar Row: 315 lbs/ 447 lbs/ 132 lbs/ 30%
Bentover BB Row: 320 lbs/ 340 lbs/ 20 lbs/ 6%
DB Pull Over: 132 lbs/ 161 lbs/ 29 lbs/ 18%
I couldn't tally the results for legs because my back was a major factor in my squats... which in turn affected the rest of leg day. Please don't think that I simply neglected legs (they are one of my favorite body parts to do). It's just that the poundages were all over the place depending on how fried my back was after warming up squats. I'll be switching to leg press for the next cycle of STS, so my back won't bother me (and in turn the results will be easier to read).
I have never seen across the board improvements like this ever, let alone in 8 weeks. If there was ever any doubt about STS, I hope that this helps put them to rest. If you're looking for something new to jump start your gains, I highly recommend that you try STS (and log it).
Special thanks to Ronnie Rowland for all your help and support. You have been a great coach and friend. The advice/instruction that you have given me has helped me go farther than I ever before.