Need Help from People with Cycle Experience

[HardGainer Member Find all posts View Profile Close HardGainer]

My friends strength went up too fast (50lbs) in two weeks and he tore both pecs. I need to know what is a healthy amount to increase your weight every week. Right now I'd say my bench is going up ten pounds every week but I'm wondering if I should only go up by 5 pounds a week to make sure I dont get injured.

[MrBig Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MrBig]

I'm going to guess that he may have not done the move correctly or to fast, in other words when putting on size, and strength is going up, you must keep your form tight and slow. There is no correct amount of what you should add, as everyone is different, different gear being used, there's just to many variables that can change or alter this. You just have to be careful.

[HardGainer Member Find all posts View Profile Close HardGainer]

Can you tell me what has worked for you just so I have an idea of where I'm at. I realize everyones different everyones body responds different and theres really no way to know whats safe for any one individual. But have you frequently had success with ten pound increases weekly? 20lbs? I always like to err on the safe side but I dont like being in the dark on this.

[MrBig Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MrBig]

Thats tough to say even for myself, If I find that and we'll use benching for the exercise. Say you have 225lbs on the bar, if I can do that 8-10 reps I'll throw 25's on there and should be able to do 3-6. This is based on how much I can do at a lower weight. Now if I get 275lbs for 6 reps I will stay there until I hit about 8-10 reps again, then I'll add maybe another 20lbs. This is what I do but this might be to much for some or not enough for others. Not sure if this will help.

[xamo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close xamo]

How did he do that? I'm not a pro yet I know my muscles well enough to tell when I must call my spotter for help to prevent tears in my pecs or arms..it's a feeling that any advanced weight lifter knows? Or I'd hope so at least?

Just as MrBig said there's no real amount...just be careful and listen to your body. Methodical & technical work outs are a must... I'm personally doing plyometric bench presses which pretty much means letting the bar drop on me to block it then push it as hard as I can... it puts a lot of stress on my muscles and tendons... you've got to listen to your body as much as you can and definitely control your moves... that in order to avoid injuries

[HardGainer Member Find all posts View Profile Close HardGainer]

Well honestly I woudln't have thought when I need a spotter is when my muscle would tear, I just have someone spot me when I think I may run out of strength before being able to re-rack the barbell myself. He said he was doing 275 for twelve or something like that and at one point he just said he felt a lot of pain and heard a ripping noise and his strength essentially evaporated and he had to have his spotter lift the bar off him. He lifts with slow negatives and good form nothing out of the ordinary aside from the exponential strength increase. I will continute to listen to my body but I also wanted to get an idea of what people safely increase week by week so I could get an idea if I'm in a normal/safe range. Obviously everyones different but I'd still like to get an idea of what has worked for others.

[ODB Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ODB]

Usually this type of injury comes from guys using Juice B4 they have a solid base and history of lifting - IMO @ a bare minimum of 2yrs solid (no layoffs) preferably 5yrs.
If ur @ ur max naturally then juice ur, weights will not increase that much (@ least mind don't?)

plus u need to warm up B4 hitting it heavy. unless ur doing a different workout like xamo u need to do it slow + controlled.

feel the weight, squeeze the muscle, if u just add weight for the sake of more weight + sacrifice form u risk injury + u will not keep that strength when u come off.

[HardGainer Member Find all posts View Profile Close HardGainer]

I don't increase weight at the price of my form. In my eyes if its not completed with good form it doesnt count so I'm not worried about that. I always go slow and controlled and squeeze the muscle at the end of the range of motion. I guess I'm paranoid and want to avoid every possible scenario that could happen especially after seeing this sideline someone for months,...what are your weekly strength gains on cycle?

[ODB Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ODB]

I don't increase weight at the price of my form. In my eyes if its not completed with good form it doesnt count so I'm not worried about that. I always go slow and controlled and squeeze the muscle at the end of the range of motion. I guess I'm paranoid and want to avoid every possible scenario that could happen especially after seeing this sideline someone for months,...what are your weekly strength gains on cycle?

JM2C (total Bro-Science)
- to address ur concern - I would only increase the weight after I have completed 2 workouts with the new weight. So if ur benching say 275 x12 like ur buddy then increase by 5 lb - 10lb for 2 chest days then go up again.

(u can research on the web a good Ligament+tendon workout also) - I like to do this when I'm "OFF"

also remember even the pro's don't go Heavy all the time.

Good luck Bro - sometimes shit happens.