chadison
Rebirthed.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2020
- Posts
- 1,614
- Reputation
- 3,353
Oh boy, it's finally done.
Somehow, this forum doesn’t have any good gymcelling threads. That is about to change.
My apologies for the wait. I’ve had a fairly busy summer.
So here’s how I’m gonna do this. Since I’m a trainer with many years of experience working out, I decided not to incorporate studies in this thread for the sake of simplicity and because this thread is already LO-ONG as fuck. If anyone wants me to attach a particular study supporting my guidance, feel free to ask and I will tag it in for you. I have quite a few of them, but did not attach them in as the thread would have probably crashed the server. I couldn't get the bolding to transfer over from the google doc so I convey emphasis WITH CAPS. Also, if you have questions, please ask. I'm happy to answer if anything is a bit confusing.
This entire thread will be designed to help max out your appearance in every way possible (every way that is related to gymcelling, directly or indirectly). It all matters.
No bullshit, no tinkering around. You live in a world of quick dopamine hits and instant information. So let’s dive right in.
First, a brief overview of fundamental lookism knowledge regarding gymmaxxing:
It has been agreed upon by members of the LooksMaxxing community that the ideal physique for most individuals is a lean, toned physique with prominent lean muscle mass and low body fat. This ideal falls between the "Brad Pitt fight club" character (a bit more muscle than this and less fat) and Jeff Seid's physique (a bit less muscle and more fat). The specific weight and body fat percentage will vary per individual, but generally, the ideal body fat percentage that balances health and aesthetics best is 10%, and the ideal weight ranges from 160lbs-210lbs (depending on height/skeletal structure and neuromuscular responsiveness to hypertrophy training).
The "Physique Halo Effect," similar to the effects exhibited by tall height and good facial ratios/aesthetics, is the phenomenon whereby a healthy, aesthetically pleasing physique produces the Halo effect about an individual. This in turn generates more respect from peers for the individual and can raise the individuals' sex appeal. However, the relative level of "Halo" one receives from a good physique varies greatly, and depends upon how aesthetically pleasing they are in other departments, as well as how their body holds the muscle. An example of this would be comparing a 5'6" man with a good physique to a 6' man with a good physique. The halo received from the physique on the 6' man will be much greater than that received by the physique on the 5'6" man, as the shorter man will lack aesthetics and can be seen as a “compensating manlet” if certain muscular insertions lack appropriate length. This also applies to phenomena such as clavicle width-those with larger widths will look better with more muscle, and those with small clavicles will appear unintimidating and weak. In general, the relative "Halo effect" level of a physique experiences diminishing returns at a 5psl facial rating and 6' in height - at these points, one can be better looking and taller, but a physique will give the same level of halo. As discussed before though, compared to a 5 '6'' 4psl man, the physique of the 6' 5psl man may give 3x the relative halo due to the other attractive features already possessed.
Physique halo is affected by the following: Race, height, skeletal structure (aesthetics), muscular insertions, and most importantly, face. For an individual new to Gymmaxxing, there are multiple avenues that must be taken to experience the best possible results. However, prior to making a commitment to gymmaxxing in an effort to LooksMax, one must weigh the relative Halo Effect and health effects they will garner from doing so, and determine whether it is a worthy pursuit of time. A 5'4" Indian man will only benefit from being healthy in order to feel and function better in day-to-day life: He will not receive enough Halo from a good physique for bodybuilding to be a worthy pursuit unless he derives great personal satisfaction from it.
People’s bodies will also shape differently in response to Gymcelling. Muscular insertions, fat distribution, and metabolic rate will determine the aesthetic level of a physique in conjunction with bones. There is NO WAY to know how you will look with a ripped body, so it is worth trying.
On a quick side note, genetic differences do affect the garnered success from gymmaxxing. One example is obese people: while most of their obesity is likely due to poor health habits, some people are genetically inclined to be fat due to bad metabolic and nutrient absorption rates. These people will need to work harder, but often have the ability to gain more muscle than most people. There is NO EXCUSE to be fat. It is the FOREMOST looksmin that exists, and anyone that is fat is NOT a true Looksmaxxer.
Furthermore, doing these things will completely alter your hormonal profile. Higher testosterone, lower estrogen, higher HGH, lower cortisol, etc. These hormones not only affect your mood, but your FACE, and your height if you are under 18. Bone growth, fat distribution, facial hair, skin glow/tightness. Thus, gymmaxxing can actually IMPROVE YOUR FACE. Who would have thought?
Now,
The Steps to Gymcel Heaven:
If you would like a very beginner, basic lifting program then I highly recommend viewing the post by @copingvolcel in this thread (his routine is below). This is what you could do to just gain exposure in the gym and get acquainted with lifting basics before hopping into my advanced program: https://looksmax.org/threads/gymcelling-question.269926/#post-4615531
@copingvolcel does an excellent job explaining the basics of lifting. READ HIS POST BEFORE YOU CONTINUE ON, SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW. After you have read that and understand the basics of lifting, take a look at his program here that I slightly modified.
Also, I want to briefly explain how muscles grow and how rep ranges affect that. You have three predominant systems in your body: Neuromuscular/ATP energy, Anaerobic/Type Two fibers, Aerobic/Type One. Rep ranges under 5 will train your fast-twitch, 5-12 will be fast and slow, and above 15 will be slow-twitch. Single rep plyometric exercises will train the neuromuscular system and its response rate. Thus, to generate hypertrophy (damage in the muscle, making it regrow back with bigger size) you want to stimulate both types of muscle fibers, sitting in the 8-10 rep range. For strength, you want to do 5 reps, stimulating fast-twitch muscles and the nervous system. These are the basics of muscle building and strength gain, and how they work.
(Can skip this, just adding it here cause I like to nerd out). To elaborate further, the ATP system (neuromuscular) utilizes creatine phosphate for short-term, brief efforts (1-6s). The type II fibers utilize the anaerobic system (glycogen (muscle fuel) synthesis lacking oxygen, allowing the muscles to contract without oxygen intake) but this creates lactic acid as a byproduct, which causes the appreciated burning sensation in muscles. Thus, the system is a reserve system while the body delivers oxygen to the areas. The last system, which utilizes oxygen, is Aerobic. Glycogen synthesis is achieved using oxygen, creating carbon dioxide as a byproduct. This system is slower than the first two, but MUCH more efficient, explaining why we can run at a slow pace for a long time but a fast pace for only a brief time. At the faster pace, the system’s capacity is maxed out (your body can only deliver so many molecules of oxygen to its muscles per second) and above this limit the other two energy systems are recruited, which also max out rapidly, limiting the speed at which humans can travel if running over a brief sprint. In brief sprints, the limiting factor is force generation and weight, not energy systems, as seen above with the ATP system (supplies lots of energy very briefly). This also applies to lifting weights.
Monday (Upper):
Overhead Press 3-5x6-10
Bench Press 3-5x6-10
Barbell Rows 3-5x6-10
Barbell Curl 3-5x8-12
Tricep Skullcrushers 3-5x8-12
Tuesday (Lower):
Squat 3-5x6-10
Deadlift 3-5x6-10
Lunges 3x10
Calf Raises 3-5x8-12
Thursday (Upper):
Overhead Press 3-5x6-10
Bench Press 3-5x6-10
Barbell Rows 3-5x6-10
Barbell Curl 3-5x8-12
Tricep Skullcrushers 3-5x8-12
Friday (Lower):
Squat 3-5x6-10
Deadlift 3-5x6-10
Hamstring Curls 3x10
Calf Raises 3-5x8-12
Saturday (Upper):
DB Front Raises 3x10
Face Pulls 4x10
Pull-Ups 4xFailure
Push-Ups 4xFailure
With core after each workout (5 minutes total of random exercises).
Continuing on: Below is a program that is very similar to what I do. I have stopped following routines as I have gained enough experience such that I have memorized/assimilated enough information to program my workouts on the fly. This is a rough guess of what I do within a 16 week period. The program is designed to optimize size increase while simultaneously improving strength, in a way that is most beneficial for aesthetic appearance. As you will see, the program will implement strength and hypertrophy focuses (split by days), many modern workout enhancements (eccentrics, drop sets, etc), and a dynamic approach to lactic acid handling and rest. It utilizes an appropriate amount of rest in elongated supersets to generate an intensity effect but splits agonistic muscles in the sets such that full muscle strength is recruited for maximum stimulation (there is enough rest for recovery of the muscles, and the supersets help shorten the workout duration while not sacrificing workout quality). Essentially, big bang for your buck. Also notice how I have two exercises per each major muscle group (triceps, lats, chest, etc) per workout. All important muscle groups are listed in the stretching section.
Key and Explanation:
RM = Rep max. This is the maximum number of reps you can do at weight X before reaching muscular failure (not being able to complete another rep in that set). This is VITALLY important for training as it helps determine what happens to your muscles (hypertrophy vs neural integration and enhancement).
“6x” or “#x” describes how many times the set/superset will be repeated before moving onto the next exercise.
For any exercise you are unfamiliar with, google a video demonstration. YouTube has almost every exercise you can think of.
“Ecc” describes an eccentric movement added to the respective exercise. This means the lowering portion of the weight will be intentionally slowed to a 3-4 second period, instead of letting the weight fall naturally utilizing gravity. Much research has been done into eccentrics in the last ten years, and almost all studies have shown it to be a great addition to workouts as it helps to generate additional hypertrophy in muscle bellies.
“Drops” are sets with an immediate weight drop of 20% for another set to failure. Drop sets are used to improve hypertrophy, they don’t help much with strength, however.
All supersets are to 10RM. All single sets in the first three workouts of each week are 12RM, the second three 6RM. All sets are to failure (where you can’t do another rep because your muscles are too tired).
“ISO” means an isometric, a set to failure with a hold in the middle portion of the last repetition until complete failure in that static position. Similar to eccentric training, this is a great addition to a workout program when placed in the right sets.
“/” denotes a superset with a 30s rest after the first exercise, and 60s rest after the second. The superset is then repeated the designated amount of times, as described above.
All Supersets notated with “/” are assumed to be 12RM. Burnout (last exercise to complete failure) 15RM unless specified.
DB = Dumbell. BB = Barbell.
Rest should be 60s for single/non-super sets on the first three days, 120s on the second three. Rest for supersets will always be 20-30s after the first exercise, and 60s after the second (before the second repetition of the superset).
The neck and forearm training is optional. I don’t do it, but if you really want bigger forearms and a bigger neck, then go ahead.
Week 1/3/9/11
Sun:
Week 2/4/10/12
Week 5/7/13/15
Week 6/8/14/16
*Note: All workouts have core after (6 minutes total of random exercises, using a core workout app-I use “Six Pack Promise” by AthleanX, full version).
You MUST be consistent. The number one reason people don’t progress in the gym is a lack of consistency. Do every workout, no excuses. An important factor to implement if you are consistent is variety (to prevent relative plateaus in gains). This program incorporates a variety of exercises that make it so that it will be difficult to peak without many program repetitions. However, this program is not the end-all. It is only an example, and many others will work.
Ok, I know that’s a bit of an info overload. As I said though, the key is that you FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES and not that exact program itself. Hypertrophy rep ranges, eccentrics, some drop sets to increase intensity and cardiovascular demand. That program is an example. Follow it if you want. As you can see above, it is a good example of all of those principles in action, combining together in one dynamic program. If you do try it, you may want to take down the volume a bit on some workouts (reducing the number of superset repetitions from like 6 to 4) so you don’t overtrain. Overtraining CAN HAPPEN and you need to listen to your body. If you are excessively sore (not just a little sore) each day, then take a few days off of lifting for those muscle groups. You can train whatever is recovering well, just give those soar groups a little more love.
Cardio
Yes, I know many of you hate it. But it’s necessary for so many things: Cardiovascular health, disease prevention, maintaining low body fat, and increasing mental energy. The list continues on and on. It is ABSOLUTELY worth your time to do it. So, let's discuss my two favorite types:
Running/routine (lean): For those that like to feel more agile, leaner, and powerful. No, you don’t need to run 50+ miles a week. But you should be doing intervals on the track. They are proven to increase T and HGH levels. A basic week would look like this:
Monday: 1mi warm up, 6x200m @90% effort, 2 min walking rest after each, 1mi cooldown
Wed: 8x60m, all-out, 3min rest, followed by a 2mi easy run. OR: Lactic threshold 3mi run, followed by 6x100m sprints @75% effort
Fri: 1mi warm up, 8x100m hill sprints @90% effort, walk down rest, 1mi cooldown
Sat: 4mi easy run
3x a week, 1 day for power, one for speed, and one for speed endurance. These could be modified to longer or shorter distances, and rest times adjusted accordingly. A beginner may do a few less reps, and an advanced person a few more. If you want more example workouts, google them or ask me and I’ll happily provide them below.
Biking/routine (big): For those that don’t like the intensity of cardio, and like big defined legs while sparing upper body muscle.
Monday: 45min easy
Wednesday: 10min easy, 25min hard, 10min easy
Friday: 70min long bike ride
Sat: 45min easy
Two easy days for fat burn, one workout day for lactic acid tolerance, one long day for aerobic fitness.
Of course cardio is your choice to neglect. But remember, you are not skipping it if you refuse to do it. You are NEGLECTING IT. One of the top two paths needs to be taken up in some form for the best gymcel results, or a path like it (agility ladders, elliptical, distance running). Cardio is truly amazing for chipping away stubborn fat.
Nutrition
One of the biggest myths about gymcelling is that you can only bulk to gain muscle, or cut to lose fat. In fact, you CAN gain muscle and lose fat simultaneously, especially if you are new to lifting. As you become more experienced it may be better to bulk and cut, but most people don’t need to bulk or cut much. What matters most is your food intake: diet and relative metabolism.
FOOD MATTERS. It makes you healthier, feel better and increases your quality of life. To neglect it is a critical mistake. That being said, let's answer the questions.
How much should you eat?
As much as you need. There is no set number of calories. If you want to gain weight, eat enough so your weight is trending up each day, and vice versa. Each person has a different caloric demand, and you can find yours by tracking your food intake and weight each day.
Quality of food:
QUALITY MATTERS, PERIOD. No, I’m not just talking about avoiding candy. I mean eating organic. Food without antibiotics (meats, eggs, animals are fed antibiotics and growth hormones at the farm). Growth hormones. Pesticides. Preservatives. ANYTHING ARTIFICIAL (sweeteners like sucralose (which is linked to cancer!!!), corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, food dyes). Avoid vegetable/palm/canola/soybean/safflower/sunflower oil. Really, the only two oils that are actually half-decent are olive and coconut. Avoid added sugar. I know all this is a lot, but making a conscious decision to avoid these things greatly improves your bodily health and makes you feel better. Anything enriched (wheat flour, etc). Wheat products. Rice syrup (sugar).
How much of each?
I like to eat an ample amount of protein, carbs, and fats. If you like to track these, go right ahead. I prefer to listen to my body and sense what I may be lacking: carbs for physical energy, fats for brain function, and protein for muscle recovery. If I notice a dip in one of those areas, I know I am lacking in that macronutrient.
Supplements?
Yes. Zinc, magnesium, ashwagandha, and vitamin D+K2 are necessities for ALL MEN. Again, these help with body functions and promote overall health. I also recommend a multivitamin, although some people don’t believe these are necessary. B-vitamins, selenium, Vitamin C, calcium, ginseng, ginger, turmeric are all optional.
Cheat days?
You’re inevitably going to slip up and have some. The key is not to avoid them, but to minimize their occurrences. Eat just enough junk food so that you are not inclined to purge and go all out one day (which leads to many).
Intermittent Fasting and when to eat?
There is no right time to eat. However, there is new and ongoing research in the field of intermittent fasting, which points to potential benefits. Eating within an 8 hour, and ideally, 6-hour window each day promotes cellular autophagy, increases insulin sensitivity, and inclines one to eat less through the day. However: At younger ages, these benefits are not as pronounced. So, if you are above the age of 30, this may apply to you, and you should research more into this to determine if you want to adhere to it. Otherwise, eat whenever you’re hungry.
What do you eat?
There is no ideal diet. The only thing I can do to answer this is to provide an example of what I eat in a few days (I skip lunches):
Day One:
Morning: Unsweetened oat cereal, full-fat milk, whey protein. Banana
Evening: Wild rice. Broccoli. Baked chicken. Raspberries. Scrambled eggs. Dark chocolate. Mints.
Day Two:
Morning: Peanut butter. Whey protein. Blueberries. RX-bar.
Evening: Quinoa. Spinach. Hot dogs. Pineapple. Dark chocolate. Larabar.
Day Three:
Morning: Oatmeal. Milk. Raspberries.
Evening: Some types of soup (chicken noodle, chili, french onion). Blueberries. Whey protein shake. Nuts (cashews or almonds).
Some people think dairy contributes to acne. If it does, I haven’t noticed. I think the positives of dairy (great micronutrient and protein content) outweigh that potential con. Also, eat fruits and vegetables. Studies have linked them to anti-aging effects on the skin (glow, tightness) and they provide key micronutrients. Blueberries, raspberries, bananas, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, spinach, peppers, pineapples to name a few.
Bonus: Drugs?
I have some experience with phenibut and modafinil, so I’ll note it quickly here. Like caffeine, modafinil must be used in moderation to prevent tolerance. I do 100mg 2-3x a week, or 2x200mg depending on how busy I am. Caffeine should not exceed 100mg a day. The smaller, the better.
Modafinil is a nootropic, which is basically a healthy drug. It is meant to produce a weak Adderall-like effect, but more so in a fashion that boosts thinking clarity rather than just simulating the entire body. I get huge pumps in the gym when on this stuff, and it helps me grind through work. I’ll let you do your own research from there. You can buy it from buymoda.org safely and without issue.
Phenibut is a Russian psychoactive drug that was designed to reduce anxiety, increase focus, and promote calmness. I use it once every few weeks in 1.25-1.75g doses to enjoy the day and ease social interactions with others. There is a great thread by @trendouche56: https://looksmax.org/threads/phenibut-is-like-night-and-day-in-terms-of-confidence.367799/ which describes the benefits more thoroughly (LINK). Give it a read if you’re interested. You can buy Phenibut at nootropicsdepot.com for cheap.
Sleep, Stress, and Stretching
Are all critical things that cannot be left out as you continue to max out your body. Sleep demands vary per individual (genetics) and physical activity, but a good rule of thumb is 8 hours every night. Or sleep until you’re rested and feel good the whole day, whatever that is. To improve sleep quality, go to bed at the same time each night, reduce light exposure one hour before going to bed, and don’t eat large meals right before bed. Meditation may also help.
Do everything you can to lower your stress levels. Not only does stress put a mental burden, but it also imposes debilitating physical effects. Hormones like cortisol are released, which wreak havoc on the immune system and muscle regeneration, promote hair loss, and accelerate aging. I meditate 15min a day in the morning and sometimes evening. Whatever lowers your stress, do it.
Stretching: Research is still relatively inconclusive on the benefits of static stretching (30-60s stretch holds, increasing intensity of the stretch throughout). However, if you have noticeably tight muscles or limited range of motion of a muscle, please do stretch it well. Not doing so can lead to injury. Another thing you can try is myofascial release, more commonly known as foam rolling or massaging. Really digging into the area can help to release sarcomere (muscle fiber) tension and promote healthy muscle growth and motion. Tight muscles are NEVER GOOD. However, this doesn’t mean you need to stretch every day. Muscles to stretch could include:
Calves/soleus.
Hamstrings/biceps femoris.
Quadriceps/hip flexors.
Hip adductors/abductors.
Lower back/QL.
Abdominals.
Neck.
Lats.
Traps.
Shoulders.
Triceps.
Biceps.
Chest.
Forearms.
Google videos of stretches for whatever you need.
Finally, a more extreme method of recovery: Dry needling. If you have a stubborn, tight muscle that just won’t release, you can go this route. A trained physical therapist will stick a very thin needle into your muscle (not as bad as you’re imagining right now) and poke it repeatedly to elicit a twitch response. This will instantly and drastically loosen it. However, this method is a bit expensive and a bit painful. As I said before, it's really only needed when a muscle is tight enough to the point that nothing can release it.
Elevator Shoe Bonus Thread
Since we’re on the topic of bodymaxxing: For all the manlets out there (and even for average height people, anyone below 6’) I thought I’d include an elevator guide, especially since I’ve accumulated a lot of experience in the area (I am a morning 5’10). That being said, elevator shoes and lifts are tricky. Luckily, I have done extensive experimentation with both and will put the best products below so you don’t have to do it yourself. They are beneficial for ANYONE below 6’-6'1. There are countless studies that show height is correlated with happiness and life success.
First, a brief video about how much height lifts add. It's probably NOT what you think. When lift and elevator shoe companies advertise height gain, they measure from the very back of the shoe or lift and post that. However, that is NOT your actual gain (which is less). Rob Paul will explain below:
Now, for the best all-around shoes I’ve been able to find, that provide a balance between style, height gain, and not looking like an idiot while walking:
https://www.tallmenshoes.com/elevator-shoes-h71904.html
Sometimes you can also find the same elevator shoes for MUCH cheaper on Amazon (depending on location). I got them for $50.
These shoes will give 2.7 inches total. I have a black and white pair for my different outfits.
PRO TIP: Buy a pair of lifts linked below, and put one of the smaller lift attachments backward into the front of the shoe. This will bring your foot up to allow for better posture while walking AND raise your midfoot, giving you another small boost of height to bring you up to 2.8 inches total.
Below, the best dress shoes I’ve been able to find, which are also the famed @Amnesia shoes that he wears with inserts to gain 3+ inches of height:
https://www.tallmenshoes.com/elevator-shoes-t5103.html
These shoes will give 2.8 inches of height by themselves. By putting in a frontal insert as I described above, and adding two additional top inserts, you can potentially gain 3.4 inches. However, walking will be more uncomfortable and posture will be sacrificed in the process.
Buy basic lifts on amazon. They have them for like $12.
So elevators will give you about 3 inches. Minus 1in for normal shoes that everyone wears, you can fraud TWO inches of height. It may not seem like a lot, but it can spare any 5’6 man from countless rejections, and give a huge SMV boost to any 5’10 man.
If anyone calls out your elevators, or suspects you are wearing them, play it off as a high-top, stylish shoe with a thick sole. It really is hard to tell as long as your ankle and sock aren’t jutting out of the lip of the shoe.
Oh, and since we’re stylemaxxing now too: Go get a bracelet or watch, and a thin chain necklace. Instant bonuses to your body aesthetics that many models utilize.
Please tag anyone else you know would want to see this.
It's been a good run here, boys.
If you deem this Best of The Best worthy mods @Gargantuan, I extend my gratitude.
@Maesthetic @ConspiracyTheory @nastynas @Htobrother @ahmsal15 @Nobody @Nick @Wadlow @tyronelite @Toodlydood @StephIsCold @lilhorizontal32 @Butthurt Dweller @Buadnan @looksmeester @N1666 @Chintuck22 @Zakamg @Aquillaxo @wanttobeattractive @PrestonYnot @volcelfatcel @Thot_slayer @mulattomaxxer @Jshd @tongue and cheek @Sal @Germania @LooksOverAll @TITUS @Blackgymmax @ascentium @Danish_Retard @Hopelessmofoker @looksmaxxer234 @Meximanlet @5’8manlet @looksmax.me @GripMaxxing
Somehow, this forum doesn’t have any good gymcelling threads. That is about to change.
My apologies for the wait. I’ve had a fairly busy summer.
So here’s how I’m gonna do this. Since I’m a trainer with many years of experience working out, I decided not to incorporate studies in this thread for the sake of simplicity and because this thread is already LO-ONG as fuck. If anyone wants me to attach a particular study supporting my guidance, feel free to ask and I will tag it in for you. I have quite a few of them, but did not attach them in as the thread would have probably crashed the server. I couldn't get the bolding to transfer over from the google doc so I convey emphasis WITH CAPS. Also, if you have questions, please ask. I'm happy to answer if anything is a bit confusing.
This entire thread will be designed to help max out your appearance in every way possible (every way that is related to gymcelling, directly or indirectly). It all matters.
No bullshit, no tinkering around. You live in a world of quick dopamine hits and instant information. So let’s dive right in.
First, a brief overview of fundamental lookism knowledge regarding gymmaxxing:
It has been agreed upon by members of the LooksMaxxing community that the ideal physique for most individuals is a lean, toned physique with prominent lean muscle mass and low body fat. This ideal falls between the "Brad Pitt fight club" character (a bit more muscle than this and less fat) and Jeff Seid's physique (a bit less muscle and more fat). The specific weight and body fat percentage will vary per individual, but generally, the ideal body fat percentage that balances health and aesthetics best is 10%, and the ideal weight ranges from 160lbs-210lbs (depending on height/skeletal structure and neuromuscular responsiveness to hypertrophy training).
The "Physique Halo Effect," similar to the effects exhibited by tall height and good facial ratios/aesthetics, is the phenomenon whereby a healthy, aesthetically pleasing physique produces the Halo effect about an individual. This in turn generates more respect from peers for the individual and can raise the individuals' sex appeal. However, the relative level of "Halo" one receives from a good physique varies greatly, and depends upon how aesthetically pleasing they are in other departments, as well as how their body holds the muscle. An example of this would be comparing a 5'6" man with a good physique to a 6' man with a good physique. The halo received from the physique on the 6' man will be much greater than that received by the physique on the 5'6" man, as the shorter man will lack aesthetics and can be seen as a “compensating manlet” if certain muscular insertions lack appropriate length. This also applies to phenomena such as clavicle width-those with larger widths will look better with more muscle, and those with small clavicles will appear unintimidating and weak. In general, the relative "Halo effect" level of a physique experiences diminishing returns at a 5psl facial rating and 6' in height - at these points, one can be better looking and taller, but a physique will give the same level of halo. As discussed before though, compared to a 5 '6'' 4psl man, the physique of the 6' 5psl man may give 3x the relative halo due to the other attractive features already possessed.
Physique halo is affected by the following: Race, height, skeletal structure (aesthetics), muscular insertions, and most importantly, face. For an individual new to Gymmaxxing, there are multiple avenues that must be taken to experience the best possible results. However, prior to making a commitment to gymmaxxing in an effort to LooksMax, one must weigh the relative Halo Effect and health effects they will garner from doing so, and determine whether it is a worthy pursuit of time. A 5'4" Indian man will only benefit from being healthy in order to feel and function better in day-to-day life: He will not receive enough Halo from a good physique for bodybuilding to be a worthy pursuit unless he derives great personal satisfaction from it.
People’s bodies will also shape differently in response to Gymcelling. Muscular insertions, fat distribution, and metabolic rate will determine the aesthetic level of a physique in conjunction with bones. There is NO WAY to know how you will look with a ripped body, so it is worth trying.
On a quick side note, genetic differences do affect the garnered success from gymmaxxing. One example is obese people: while most of their obesity is likely due to poor health habits, some people are genetically inclined to be fat due to bad metabolic and nutrient absorption rates. These people will need to work harder, but often have the ability to gain more muscle than most people. There is NO EXCUSE to be fat. It is the FOREMOST looksmin that exists, and anyone that is fat is NOT a true Looksmaxxer.
Furthermore, doing these things will completely alter your hormonal profile. Higher testosterone, lower estrogen, higher HGH, lower cortisol, etc. These hormones not only affect your mood, but your FACE, and your height if you are under 18. Bone growth, fat distribution, facial hair, skin glow/tightness. Thus, gymmaxxing can actually IMPROVE YOUR FACE. Who would have thought?
Now,
The Steps to Gymcel Heaven:
- Lifting
- Cardio
- Diet
- The 3 S’s: Sleep, Stress, and Stretching
If you would like a very beginner, basic lifting program then I highly recommend viewing the post by @copingvolcel in this thread (his routine is below). This is what you could do to just gain exposure in the gym and get acquainted with lifting basics before hopping into my advanced program: https://looksmax.org/threads/gymcelling-question.269926/#post-4615531
@copingvolcel does an excellent job explaining the basics of lifting. READ HIS POST BEFORE YOU CONTINUE ON, SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW. After you have read that and understand the basics of lifting, take a look at his program here that I slightly modified.
Also, I want to briefly explain how muscles grow and how rep ranges affect that. You have three predominant systems in your body: Neuromuscular/ATP energy, Anaerobic/Type Two fibers, Aerobic/Type One. Rep ranges under 5 will train your fast-twitch, 5-12 will be fast and slow, and above 15 will be slow-twitch. Single rep plyometric exercises will train the neuromuscular system and its response rate. Thus, to generate hypertrophy (damage in the muscle, making it regrow back with bigger size) you want to stimulate both types of muscle fibers, sitting in the 8-10 rep range. For strength, you want to do 5 reps, stimulating fast-twitch muscles and the nervous system. These are the basics of muscle building and strength gain, and how they work.
(Can skip this, just adding it here cause I like to nerd out). To elaborate further, the ATP system (neuromuscular) utilizes creatine phosphate for short-term, brief efforts (1-6s). The type II fibers utilize the anaerobic system (glycogen (muscle fuel) synthesis lacking oxygen, allowing the muscles to contract without oxygen intake) but this creates lactic acid as a byproduct, which causes the appreciated burning sensation in muscles. Thus, the system is a reserve system while the body delivers oxygen to the areas. The last system, which utilizes oxygen, is Aerobic. Glycogen synthesis is achieved using oxygen, creating carbon dioxide as a byproduct. This system is slower than the first two, but MUCH more efficient, explaining why we can run at a slow pace for a long time but a fast pace for only a brief time. At the faster pace, the system’s capacity is maxed out (your body can only deliver so many molecules of oxygen to its muscles per second) and above this limit the other two energy systems are recruited, which also max out rapidly, limiting the speed at which humans can travel if running over a brief sprint. In brief sprints, the limiting factor is force generation and weight, not energy systems, as seen above with the ATP system (supplies lots of energy very briefly). This also applies to lifting weights.
Monday (Upper):
Overhead Press 3-5x6-10
Bench Press 3-5x6-10
Barbell Rows 3-5x6-10
Barbell Curl 3-5x8-12
Tricep Skullcrushers 3-5x8-12
Tuesday (Lower):
Squat 3-5x6-10
Deadlift 3-5x6-10
Lunges 3x10
Calf Raises 3-5x8-12
Thursday (Upper):
Overhead Press 3-5x6-10
Bench Press 3-5x6-10
Barbell Rows 3-5x6-10
Barbell Curl 3-5x8-12
Tricep Skullcrushers 3-5x8-12
Friday (Lower):
Squat 3-5x6-10
Deadlift 3-5x6-10
Hamstring Curls 3x10
Calf Raises 3-5x8-12
Saturday (Upper):
DB Front Raises 3x10
Face Pulls 4x10
Pull-Ups 4xFailure
Push-Ups 4xFailure
With core after each workout (5 minutes total of random exercises).
Continuing on: Below is a program that is very similar to what I do. I have stopped following routines as I have gained enough experience such that I have memorized/assimilated enough information to program my workouts on the fly. This is a rough guess of what I do within a 16 week period. The program is designed to optimize size increase while simultaneously improving strength, in a way that is most beneficial for aesthetic appearance. As you will see, the program will implement strength and hypertrophy focuses (split by days), many modern workout enhancements (eccentrics, drop sets, etc), and a dynamic approach to lactic acid handling and rest. It utilizes an appropriate amount of rest in elongated supersets to generate an intensity effect but splits agonistic muscles in the sets such that full muscle strength is recruited for maximum stimulation (there is enough rest for recovery of the muscles, and the supersets help shorten the workout duration while not sacrificing workout quality). Essentially, big bang for your buck. Also notice how I have two exercises per each major muscle group (triceps, lats, chest, etc) per workout. All important muscle groups are listed in the stretching section.
Key and Explanation:
RM = Rep max. This is the maximum number of reps you can do at weight X before reaching muscular failure (not being able to complete another rep in that set). This is VITALLY important for training as it helps determine what happens to your muscles (hypertrophy vs neural integration and enhancement).
“6x” or “#x” describes how many times the set/superset will be repeated before moving onto the next exercise.
For any exercise you are unfamiliar with, google a video demonstration. YouTube has almost every exercise you can think of.
“Ecc” describes an eccentric movement added to the respective exercise. This means the lowering portion of the weight will be intentionally slowed to a 3-4 second period, instead of letting the weight fall naturally utilizing gravity. Much research has been done into eccentrics in the last ten years, and almost all studies have shown it to be a great addition to workouts as it helps to generate additional hypertrophy in muscle bellies.
“Drops” are sets with an immediate weight drop of 20% for another set to failure. Drop sets are used to improve hypertrophy, they don’t help much with strength, however.
All supersets are to 10RM. All single sets in the first three workouts of each week are 12RM, the second three 6RM. All sets are to failure (where you can’t do another rep because your muscles are too tired).
“ISO” means an isometric, a set to failure with a hold in the middle portion of the last repetition until complete failure in that static position. Similar to eccentric training, this is a great addition to a workout program when placed in the right sets.
“/” denotes a superset with a 30s rest after the first exercise, and 60s rest after the second. The superset is then repeated the designated amount of times, as described above.
All Supersets notated with “/” are assumed to be 12RM. Burnout (last exercise to complete failure) 15RM unless specified.
DB = Dumbell. BB = Barbell.
Rest should be 60s for single/non-super sets on the first three days, 120s on the second three. Rest for supersets will always be 20-30s after the first exercise, and 60s after the second (before the second repetition of the superset).
The neck and forearm training is optional. I don’t do it, but if you really want bigger forearms and a bigger neck, then go ahead.
Week 1/3/9/11
Sun:
- 6x Ass To Grass Squat 4x12RM/Calf Raises Single Leg
- 3x Single-Leg RDL Ecc/3 Way Lunge Sequence (Front, Back, Side)
- 3x Lying Lower Back Pulls Ecc/Goblet Squats-Drop to Rocket Jumps
- 4x Calf Raises Weighted 12RM
- 3x Neck front/back flexion/extension, side extension
- Bench Press 4x10RM
- 4x Dips Ecc/Scaptions Ecc
- Bench Press 4x12RM ISO
- 4x Plate Flip Raises/Kickbacks Ecc (Drop)
- Bench Press 2x Burnout-Pushups
- Pull-Ups OR Lat Pulldowns 4x10RM
- 4x No-Money Curls Ecc/DB Trap Raises-Drop
- Pull-Ups OR Lat Pulldowns 4x12RM ISO
- 4x 1.5 Curls/Trap Shrugs Ecc
- 3x Lat Pulldowns Burnout 15RM/Forearm Curls
- Deadlifts 6x8RM-Calf Raises SL Inner
- Bench Step-Ups 4x-Calf Raises Single-Leg Ecc
- Box Jumps ISO/BB Thrusts ECC 5x8RM
- Neck front/back, side 3x
- Bench Press 5x6RM
- 3x Skullcrushers 8RM/Plyo Push-ups
- Shoulder Press 4x8RM-ISO
- 3x Plate 8s Flip/Tricep Pushdowns 6RM
- Close Grip Bench 3x8RM
- BB Rows 5x6RM
- 4x Face Pulls/Sliding Hammer Curls
- BB Curls 4x6RM-ISO
- 4x Horizontal Resistance Band Pull Aparts (Traps)/Plyo Pull-Ups
- 3x Plyo Curls 10RM-Ecc/Forearms 3x Curls
Week 2/4/10/12
- 6x Standard BB Squat/Calf Raises
- 3x Single-Leg RDL Ecc/Lunge Sequence
- 3x Hamstring Curls Ecc/Goblet Squats
- 4x Calf Raises Weighted 12RM
- Neck front/back, side 3x
- Pushups 4x complete fail (drop set to knees)
- 4x Overhead Tricep Extensions Ecc/L-Shoulder Raises Ecc
- Bench Press 4x12RM ISO (8 Reps, 4 ISO) Ecc
- 4x Lateral Front Raise/Overhead Skulls Ecc (Drop)
- Incline Bench Press 3x Burnout 15RM
- Pull-Ups OR Lat Pulldowns Ecc 4x10RM
- 4x IV Ecc/Bench Trap-Raises-Drop
- Weighted Cable Rows 4x12RM ISO-Ecc
- 4x BB Curls-Drop/Trap Shrugs Ecc
- Wide Grip (Lat) Pushdowns 3x Burnout 15RM/Forearms 3x Curls
- Deadlifts 6x8RM/Calf Raises
- Pistol Squats w/Jump 4x-Calf Raises Ecc
- Split Squat Jumps/KB Thrusts Ecc 5x Alt. 8RM
- Neck front/back, side 3x/Calves Weighted 3x
- Hang Cleans 5x6RM
- 4x Bench Tricep Raises (Not Skullcrushers) 8RM/Plyo Push-ups
- Floor Flies 5x8RM
- 3-4x Shoulder Press Ecc/Tricep Pushdowns Ecc 6RM
- Close Grip Bench 3x8RM
- Wide Grip Lat Pulldowns 5x6RM
- 4x W Bench Raises/Sliding Hammer 8RM
- WG EZ Curls 4x6RM
- 4x Horizontal Band Pull Aparts/Sliding Pull-Ups (or regular)
- 3x Face Pulls 10RM-Ecc/Forearms 3x Curls
Week 5/7/13/15
- 6x Deadlift 12RM/Single Leg Calf Raises Ecc
- 6x Box Squats Ecc/Hamstring Ball Curls 10RM
- 5x BB Thrusts Ecc/Inner Weighted Calves Ecc 10RM
- 4x Quad Machine 10RM
- 3x Neck Exercises
- 6x Over Cable Flies Ecc 12RM OR Bench Press
- 5x Overhead Cable Tricep Extensions Ecc/External Rotator Cuff Rotation (Cable) 10RM
- 6x DB Scaptions Ecc 10RM
- 4x Floor Flies 10RM-Drop/Dive Bomber Push-Ups Ecc
- 4x Skull Crushers 10RM Drop
- 6x Close Grip Lat Pulldowns Conc-ISO/Trap Shrugs
- 4x 1-Arm Rows Conc-Ecc 10RM/Forearms
- 6x 1.5 Curls Ecc/Face Pulls
- 5x Sword Raises Alt/Hammer Curls 10RM
- 6x Squat 6RM/Single Leg Calf Raises Ecc
- 6x Single Leg Deadlifts Ecc/Pistol Squats Jump Ecc 6RM
- 6x KB Swings/Weighted Calf Raises Ecc
- 4x Goblet Squats 8RM/Hamstring Ball Curls
- 3x Neck Exercises
- Bench 12-6-4-4-4-6-12RM
- 3x Cable Flies Burnout
- Shoulder Press 5x6RM (ISO Mid Lower)
- Tricep Pushdowns 12-8-5-5-8-12RM
- 3x Plate 8s/Tricep Kickbacks 6RM
- UH BB Rows 12-6-4-4-4-6-12RM
- 6x BB Curls 6RM-2ISO/W-Bench Trap Raises 8RM
- Chin-Ups 12-8-5-5-8-12RM (Ecc)
- 4x Trap Shrugs 6RM ISO
- 3x Plyo Curls/Forearms
Week 6/8/14/16
- 6x Deadlift 12RM/Single Leg Calf Raises Ecc
- 6x Box Squats Ecc/Hamstring Ball Curls 10RM
- 5x BB Thrusts Ecc/Weighted Calf Raises Ecc 10RM
- 4x Quad Machine 10RM
- 3x Neck Exercises
- 6x 30 Degree Incline Bench-Drop
- 6x Overhead Tricep Extensions Drop/Rotator Cuff External Rotation
- 6x Under-Up Cable Flies 12RM
- 6x Tricep Kickbacks Ecc/DB Lateral Raises 10RM
- 4x Close Grip Bench Burnout
- 6x Pull-Ups
- 6x Sword Raises Alt (30)/No Money Curls 10RM Ecc
- 6x Bench Rows Ecc/DB Trap Raises 10RM-Drop
- 6x Drag Curls 12RM-Drop/Forearm
- 3x Pull-Ups Burn
- 6x Squat 6RM/Single Leg Calf Raises Ecc
- 6x Lying Lower Back Pulls Ecc/Lunges 6RM
- 6x KB Swings/Weighted Calf Raises Ecc
- 4x Step Ups 8RM/Hamstring Ball Curls
- 3x Neck Exercises
- Overhead Press BB Standing 12-6-4-4-4-6-12RM
- 5x Bench Press-ISO/L-Raises 8RM
- Skullcrushers 12-6-6-6-12RM
- 5x Plyo Push-Ups/Plyo Dips
- Lat Pulldown 12-6-4-4-4-6-12RM
- 5x Bench Trap Raises/Wide Grip Pushdowns 6RM
- Cheat Curls 12-8-5-5-8-12RM
- 5x Band Pull Aparts/Spider Curls-ISO 6RM
- 4x Forearm Curls
*Note: All workouts have core after (6 minutes total of random exercises, using a core workout app-I use “Six Pack Promise” by AthleanX, full version).
You MUST be consistent. The number one reason people don’t progress in the gym is a lack of consistency. Do every workout, no excuses. An important factor to implement if you are consistent is variety (to prevent relative plateaus in gains). This program incorporates a variety of exercises that make it so that it will be difficult to peak without many program repetitions. However, this program is not the end-all. It is only an example, and many others will work.
Ok, I know that’s a bit of an info overload. As I said though, the key is that you FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES and not that exact program itself. Hypertrophy rep ranges, eccentrics, some drop sets to increase intensity and cardiovascular demand. That program is an example. Follow it if you want. As you can see above, it is a good example of all of those principles in action, combining together in one dynamic program. If you do try it, you may want to take down the volume a bit on some workouts (reducing the number of superset repetitions from like 6 to 4) so you don’t overtrain. Overtraining CAN HAPPEN and you need to listen to your body. If you are excessively sore (not just a little sore) each day, then take a few days off of lifting for those muscle groups. You can train whatever is recovering well, just give those soar groups a little more love.
Cardio
Yes, I know many of you hate it. But it’s necessary for so many things: Cardiovascular health, disease prevention, maintaining low body fat, and increasing mental energy. The list continues on and on. It is ABSOLUTELY worth your time to do it. So, let's discuss my two favorite types:
Running/routine (lean): For those that like to feel more agile, leaner, and powerful. No, you don’t need to run 50+ miles a week. But you should be doing intervals on the track. They are proven to increase T and HGH levels. A basic week would look like this:
Monday: 1mi warm up, 6x200m @90% effort, 2 min walking rest after each, 1mi cooldown
Wed: 8x60m, all-out, 3min rest, followed by a 2mi easy run. OR: Lactic threshold 3mi run, followed by 6x100m sprints @75% effort
Fri: 1mi warm up, 8x100m hill sprints @90% effort, walk down rest, 1mi cooldown
Sat: 4mi easy run
3x a week, 1 day for power, one for speed, and one for speed endurance. These could be modified to longer or shorter distances, and rest times adjusted accordingly. A beginner may do a few less reps, and an advanced person a few more. If you want more example workouts, google them or ask me and I’ll happily provide them below.
Biking/routine (big): For those that don’t like the intensity of cardio, and like big defined legs while sparing upper body muscle.
Monday: 45min easy
Wednesday: 10min easy, 25min hard, 10min easy
Friday: 70min long bike ride
Sat: 45min easy
Two easy days for fat burn, one workout day for lactic acid tolerance, one long day for aerobic fitness.
Of course cardio is your choice to neglect. But remember, you are not skipping it if you refuse to do it. You are NEGLECTING IT. One of the top two paths needs to be taken up in some form for the best gymcel results, or a path like it (agility ladders, elliptical, distance running). Cardio is truly amazing for chipping away stubborn fat.
Nutrition
One of the biggest myths about gymcelling is that you can only bulk to gain muscle, or cut to lose fat. In fact, you CAN gain muscle and lose fat simultaneously, especially if you are new to lifting. As you become more experienced it may be better to bulk and cut, but most people don’t need to bulk or cut much. What matters most is your food intake: diet and relative metabolism.
FOOD MATTERS. It makes you healthier, feel better and increases your quality of life. To neglect it is a critical mistake. That being said, let's answer the questions.
How much should you eat?
As much as you need. There is no set number of calories. If you want to gain weight, eat enough so your weight is trending up each day, and vice versa. Each person has a different caloric demand, and you can find yours by tracking your food intake and weight each day.
Quality of food:
QUALITY MATTERS, PERIOD. No, I’m not just talking about avoiding candy. I mean eating organic. Food without antibiotics (meats, eggs, animals are fed antibiotics and growth hormones at the farm). Growth hormones. Pesticides. Preservatives. ANYTHING ARTIFICIAL (sweeteners like sucralose (which is linked to cancer!!!), corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, food dyes). Avoid vegetable/palm/canola/soybean/safflower/sunflower oil. Really, the only two oils that are actually half-decent are olive and coconut. Avoid added sugar. I know all this is a lot, but making a conscious decision to avoid these things greatly improves your bodily health and makes you feel better. Anything enriched (wheat flour, etc). Wheat products. Rice syrup (sugar).
How much of each?
I like to eat an ample amount of protein, carbs, and fats. If you like to track these, go right ahead. I prefer to listen to my body and sense what I may be lacking: carbs for physical energy, fats for brain function, and protein for muscle recovery. If I notice a dip in one of those areas, I know I am lacking in that macronutrient.
Supplements?
Yes. Zinc, magnesium, ashwagandha, and vitamin D+K2 are necessities for ALL MEN. Again, these help with body functions and promote overall health. I also recommend a multivitamin, although some people don’t believe these are necessary. B-vitamins, selenium, Vitamin C, calcium, ginseng, ginger, turmeric are all optional.
Cheat days?
You’re inevitably going to slip up and have some. The key is not to avoid them, but to minimize their occurrences. Eat just enough junk food so that you are not inclined to purge and go all out one day (which leads to many).
Intermittent Fasting and when to eat?
There is no right time to eat. However, there is new and ongoing research in the field of intermittent fasting, which points to potential benefits. Eating within an 8 hour, and ideally, 6-hour window each day promotes cellular autophagy, increases insulin sensitivity, and inclines one to eat less through the day. However: At younger ages, these benefits are not as pronounced. So, if you are above the age of 30, this may apply to you, and you should research more into this to determine if you want to adhere to it. Otherwise, eat whenever you’re hungry.
What do you eat?
There is no ideal diet. The only thing I can do to answer this is to provide an example of what I eat in a few days (I skip lunches):
Day One:
Morning: Unsweetened oat cereal, full-fat milk, whey protein. Banana
Evening: Wild rice. Broccoli. Baked chicken. Raspberries. Scrambled eggs. Dark chocolate. Mints.
Day Two:
Morning: Peanut butter. Whey protein. Blueberries. RX-bar.
Evening: Quinoa. Spinach. Hot dogs. Pineapple. Dark chocolate. Larabar.
Day Three:
Morning: Oatmeal. Milk. Raspberries.
Evening: Some types of soup (chicken noodle, chili, french onion). Blueberries. Whey protein shake. Nuts (cashews or almonds).
Some people think dairy contributes to acne. If it does, I haven’t noticed. I think the positives of dairy (great micronutrient and protein content) outweigh that potential con. Also, eat fruits and vegetables. Studies have linked them to anti-aging effects on the skin (glow, tightness) and they provide key micronutrients. Blueberries, raspberries, bananas, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, spinach, peppers, pineapples to name a few.
Bonus: Drugs?
I have some experience with phenibut and modafinil, so I’ll note it quickly here. Like caffeine, modafinil must be used in moderation to prevent tolerance. I do 100mg 2-3x a week, or 2x200mg depending on how busy I am. Caffeine should not exceed 100mg a day. The smaller, the better.
Modafinil is a nootropic, which is basically a healthy drug. It is meant to produce a weak Adderall-like effect, but more so in a fashion that boosts thinking clarity rather than just simulating the entire body. I get huge pumps in the gym when on this stuff, and it helps me grind through work. I’ll let you do your own research from there. You can buy it from buymoda.org safely and without issue.
Phenibut is a Russian psychoactive drug that was designed to reduce anxiety, increase focus, and promote calmness. I use it once every few weeks in 1.25-1.75g doses to enjoy the day and ease social interactions with others. There is a great thread by @trendouche56: https://looksmax.org/threads/phenibut-is-like-night-and-day-in-terms-of-confidence.367799/ which describes the benefits more thoroughly (LINK). Give it a read if you’re interested. You can buy Phenibut at nootropicsdepot.com for cheap.
Sleep, Stress, and Stretching
Are all critical things that cannot be left out as you continue to max out your body. Sleep demands vary per individual (genetics) and physical activity, but a good rule of thumb is 8 hours every night. Or sleep until you’re rested and feel good the whole day, whatever that is. To improve sleep quality, go to bed at the same time each night, reduce light exposure one hour before going to bed, and don’t eat large meals right before bed. Meditation may also help.
Do everything you can to lower your stress levels. Not only does stress put a mental burden, but it also imposes debilitating physical effects. Hormones like cortisol are released, which wreak havoc on the immune system and muscle regeneration, promote hair loss, and accelerate aging. I meditate 15min a day in the morning and sometimes evening. Whatever lowers your stress, do it.
Stretching: Research is still relatively inconclusive on the benefits of static stretching (30-60s stretch holds, increasing intensity of the stretch throughout). However, if you have noticeably tight muscles or limited range of motion of a muscle, please do stretch it well. Not doing so can lead to injury. Another thing you can try is myofascial release, more commonly known as foam rolling or massaging. Really digging into the area can help to release sarcomere (muscle fiber) tension and promote healthy muscle growth and motion. Tight muscles are NEVER GOOD. However, this doesn’t mean you need to stretch every day. Muscles to stretch could include:
Calves/soleus.
Hamstrings/biceps femoris.
Quadriceps/hip flexors.
Hip adductors/abductors.
Lower back/QL.
Abdominals.
Neck.
Lats.
Traps.
Shoulders.
Triceps.
Biceps.
Chest.
Forearms.
Google videos of stretches for whatever you need.
Finally, a more extreme method of recovery: Dry needling. If you have a stubborn, tight muscle that just won’t release, you can go this route. A trained physical therapist will stick a very thin needle into your muscle (not as bad as you’re imagining right now) and poke it repeatedly to elicit a twitch response. This will instantly and drastically loosen it. However, this method is a bit expensive and a bit painful. As I said before, it's really only needed when a muscle is tight enough to the point that nothing can release it.
Elevator Shoe Bonus Thread
Since we’re on the topic of bodymaxxing: For all the manlets out there (and even for average height people, anyone below 6’) I thought I’d include an elevator guide, especially since I’ve accumulated a lot of experience in the area (I am a morning 5’10). That being said, elevator shoes and lifts are tricky. Luckily, I have done extensive experimentation with both and will put the best products below so you don’t have to do it yourself. They are beneficial for ANYONE below 6’-6'1. There are countless studies that show height is correlated with happiness and life success.
First, a brief video about how much height lifts add. It's probably NOT what you think. When lift and elevator shoe companies advertise height gain, they measure from the very back of the shoe or lift and post that. However, that is NOT your actual gain (which is less). Rob Paul will explain below:
Now, for the best all-around shoes I’ve been able to find, that provide a balance between style, height gain, and not looking like an idiot while walking:
https://www.tallmenshoes.com/elevator-shoes-h71904.html
Sometimes you can also find the same elevator shoes for MUCH cheaper on Amazon (depending on location). I got them for $50.
These shoes will give 2.7 inches total. I have a black and white pair for my different outfits.
PRO TIP: Buy a pair of lifts linked below, and put one of the smaller lift attachments backward into the front of the shoe. This will bring your foot up to allow for better posture while walking AND raise your midfoot, giving you another small boost of height to bring you up to 2.8 inches total.
Below, the best dress shoes I’ve been able to find, which are also the famed @Amnesia shoes that he wears with inserts to gain 3+ inches of height:
https://www.tallmenshoes.com/elevator-shoes-t5103.html
These shoes will give 2.8 inches of height by themselves. By putting in a frontal insert as I described above, and adding two additional top inserts, you can potentially gain 3.4 inches. However, walking will be more uncomfortable and posture will be sacrificed in the process.
Buy basic lifts on amazon. They have them for like $12.
So elevators will give you about 3 inches. Minus 1in for normal shoes that everyone wears, you can fraud TWO inches of height. It may not seem like a lot, but it can spare any 5’6 man from countless rejections, and give a huge SMV boost to any 5’10 man.
If anyone calls out your elevators, or suspects you are wearing them, play it off as a high-top, stylish shoe with a thick sole. It really is hard to tell as long as your ankle and sock aren’t jutting out of the lip of the shoe.
Oh, and since we’re stylemaxxing now too: Go get a bracelet or watch, and a thin chain necklace. Instant bonuses to your body aesthetics that many models utilize.
Please tag anyone else you know would want to see this.
It's been a good run here, boys.
If you deem this Best of The Best worthy mods @Gargantuan, I extend my gratitude.
@Maesthetic @ConspiracyTheory @nastynas @Htobrother @ahmsal15 @Nobody @Nick @Wadlow @tyronelite @Toodlydood @StephIsCold @lilhorizontal32 @Butthurt Dweller @Buadnan @looksmeester @N1666 @Chintuck22 @Zakamg @Aquillaxo @wanttobeattractive @PrestonYnot @volcelfatcel @Thot_slayer @mulattomaxxer @Jshd @tongue and cheek @Sal @Germania @LooksOverAll @TITUS @Blackgymmax @ascentium @Danish_Retard @Hopelessmofoker @looksmaxxer234 @Meximanlet @5’8manlet @looksmax.me @GripMaxxing
i understand the point your making, consistently redlined cortisol for a natty can definitely in the long run be catabolic, however you are totally incorrect about steroids.
