building lower body size

Going "BIG" will get you bigger muscles, but you won't gain any endurance over more repetitions and you WILL lose some serious flexibility/coordination.
If you notice, you don't ever see any big body builder types doing well in MX/SX, or any other sport that requires flexibility and coordination.

Regards

Geeez...lots of bs and bad info flying around here today!

Todd...look, I know you mean well, but come on, no one, not even with the use of steroids is going to gain 10-20 pounds of "solid muscle" in 1-2 months. Not even with steroid use. 10-20 pounds of combined fat, muscle, and water retention? Sure. Solid muscle? Nope. It's kind of like my buddy who cycles his creatine. He swears up and down he can put on 8 pounds of solid muscle in 2 weeks. Sorry...this isn't muscle, it's water. Anyway...

IBWFO - Don't believe the old stereo type of being "muscle bound". Big muscles do nothing to hinder flexibilty, that is, if you work on your flexibility as you get bigger. Look at Flex Wheeler (IFBB pro for those not in the know). The guy has 30 inch thighs and can do the full splits, 2 ways. I also rode with a guy this summer who was in the 240-250 range, had 18" arms, and waxed my butt all over the track. So much for that theory...

Now, what was Rich saying about chicken excretement fuel additives?

J&K

Ask any true personal trainer and they will tell you what lifting big heavy weights with few reps will get you.
I still lift and hit the gym 4 day a wk, but woldn't think of doing the big weights
Also, you want some serious weight gain you can get some 8-ball and in 2/3 weeks depending on your workout and commitment and it can happen,.......easily. Now there might be some serious changes in your sex life, maybe good, maybe bad,............ and the temper might get out of hand, but hey LOL!!!

Payday2,I was picking about the roids,your right they won't put that kind off solid muscle on you in that short of time.As for a leg routine I 've been a weightlifter since 1985 and never kept any "routine" for a very long period of time.Im a "easy gainer" when it comes too the upper-body but in the beginning I did have trouble with my leg development.What did finally start working for me was constantly shocking them.Sometimes (not very often)I'd just do 10-12 drop sets of squats and that was it or I might would do 4 sets of 15-25 reps of leg presses along with my other leg exercises.IMO you never let your body start adapting to the day, routine,or number of reps your doing or it will slow down muscle growth.The biggest mistake I see most people making is POOR form,diet,and over training.It's amazing how many guys/gals do 16-20 sets for a small muscle like the bicep and then turn around and do 4-8 sets for their legs.Just remember more isn't always better & Squats are king.:)

Good info Tenn Thump and KDX. Michigan, I am sorry that you are not enjoying this thread as much as Rich is. I'm a little concerned why you feel it necessary to put down people who are concerned about their health by calling them Morons.

Rich has a good approach. When I got overly excited about another topic, with which I had limited knowledge, Rich pulled out his experience and put me to the test. I listened, and learned. But this is what I do...with EXPERIENCE. I don't mind the questioning and the chiding, but maybe you should talk to my 250lb client who has lost over 40lbs of fat in just three months. Ask her how much her self respect is worth? And while you are at it, don't forget to call her a moron.:confused:

Good Day!:)
TrailTramp

Todd,

I apologize for my negativity yesterday. I'm a much more optomistic person today. In fact, I'm going to order an ACE online personal training kit for six hundred bucks,just so I can help YoTracer158 make his calves grow. In six weeks I'll be able to play the "I'm a certified personal trainer" card. Until then, everyone should consider my views and experiences invalid despite 10 years of experience in the gym.

Congratulations on you client. Success stories are a beautifull thing. Her positive response will probably net you some new cients, to which you can explain the phenomenon that if they stop fueling their massive bodies, a need for energy will allow them to metabolize fat. Then they'll feel great, live longer, and be happier.

After I got home last night, I thought a little more about the thread and realized that you were being a good sport and I was being a "moron".
I'm glad to see that your still in good spirits, and I want you to know that I"m just throwing some ideas out there... people can interpret them however they like. I appreciate the fact that you take the time to give me feedback.

By the way, I really have enjoyed this thread... thanks to that "chicken legs" comment!

RK

ditto on that, I went from 215 to 175 in 3 months also.
The best thing about the gym for me is stress relief. Where else can you explode and put it to good use:)
I am not some huge muscle head or anything just like to look good at the Beach :cool:
take care guys, and kick some ass on the track not in the forum, lets all get along that's what keeps this comunity going.
later

Weak knees-Don't just give up squatting right off the bat, try to correct the problem. My knees got a little wonky from overly aggressive training, when I was younger, along with some help from my extra curricular activities. Warm up on the bike, stair, or treadmill (make sure to get the blood pumping and the body warm). Before I start squatting I do 4 or 5 sets of leg-extensions (make sure that the pivot of the machine is at the your knee joint, and the machine is set up properly for your body shape) DON'T just go through the motions FEEL every rep in the MUSCLE, and with those muscles supporting the joint it will really minimize wear and tear on the joint, and at the same time strengthen those same muscles. After the extensions I go into my squats (head up, chest out, back straight, abs tight, feet approx. shoulder width apart in a natural position, weight balanced on shoulders evenly over your feet) up and down in a controlled and concentrated manor using every muscle in your body to move the weight up and down (that is why squats are so great :p )A lot of people let there knees cave in while they are squatting a trick I was taught to correct this is to put your feet, and knees in the proper position for squatting, tie a string around your knees; now do your squats without letting the string drop to the ground (make sure to use good shoes with good arch support when you are squatting) after squats I then go to leg press, hack, or lunge to finish off. Then I'll train my hams and calves. Reps and sets change constantly depending on how I feel that day (always listen to your body, but try to coax it into one more rep or 5 more lbs. on a regular basis.
-The first rep is just as important as the last(concentrate on EVERY rep)
-Stretch LOTS
-Recognize signs of over training(tired, sore, loss of appetite, loss of interest, immune system worn down, etc.) and adjust your diet, rest, and training habits to compensate.
-Keep things fresh change it up regularly, use the days that you feel really good to push yourself a little harder (drop sets, forced reps,super, and giant sets)
-Don't get obsessed with one or two muscles; try and train all of your muscles equally.

A good shocker for calves is 100's. Do each set of 100 reps(I prefer seated calf raises for these) moving up in weight each set,if possible, your only rest between sets is the 30 second stretch for each calf. Do as many sets as you can:p

originally posted by Rich Rohrich

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They are very frail and almost chicken like.

Hey, are those your legs or are you riding a chicken:confused:

:)

Aloooooooha!
TrailTramp

Another good way to add size/strengthen the lower legs is to make sure you train your tibs. Stand on a step or something that will allow you to hang the front of your feet over the edge; now all you do is raise the front of your feet as far as you can towards your shins and lower to a good stretch do 3-4 set of as many as you can. For added resistance do one leg at a time.