Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sparkx]

I've been lifting here for about 8 months (8 years total) and have found that my strength and gains have plateaued. I've been using creatine combined with a high protein diet and a solid multi-vitamin.
What would you recommend to use in conjunction with creatine to reach my desired size/strength? I am posting on this board because I am looking for suppliments that are available in Korea. Many of the advanced suppliments from back home won't reach the ROK till 2010 probably...

Thanks

[makushi]

It's naturual to hit a plateau. The danger is trying to fight your way through it by training harder and then possibly over training.

Sometimes, it best to take a week or two off. Change your workout routine for a couple of months, take another rest and then go back to your original routine.

Sorry I didn't answer your question about supplements. IMHO most of them are a waste of your cash. Better just eat four or five squares a day. In you really got the jones for the latest supps, try getting a contact on one of the US military bases.

[William Beckerson]

Or you can go get some horse juice injected into your butt like most folks obssessed with big muscles do.

Man, just exercise to stay healthy, bugger trying to look like a model.

[raytownloc]

supplements work, but you pay a price... they can make you nervous, depressed, angry, etc.

here are some other ways to break through a platea, in order of effectiveness...

1. Try varying your workout. If you lift heavy, try lifting high reps every other week for three months.

2. Take a break for a week or two. Let your body rest and rejuvenate.

3. Make sure you sleep enough when you work out hard.

4. Make sure you eat enough meals when you work out hard (thats not enough protein, calories, etc. but enough MEALS, five or six small meals including one right before, one right after.

5. Start every workout with a few sets of heavy legs... like squats (3 sets of 5 at 250 lbs. or more) and leg press (3 sets of 5 at 500 lbs. or more).

6. Try varying your workout. Don't do the same exercises two weeks in a row. Learn a few more from a workout buddy or a fitness pro.

[Hank Scorpio]

I've been lifting and working out heavily for around 8 years now. Like it was said earlier, it's normal to hit your plateau after a certain amount of time. Also, I've never used, and will probably never use, any of the garbage that GNC or any other fitness center push. Any gains you get off of that crap is going to be at best, negligible.

Lifting isn't the be-all end-all of fitness. I find it best to do cardio work 3 days a week (running, squat thrusts, a hell of a lot of swimming (probably the best exercise there is), a lot of running up and down stairs, etc) and weight training only two times a week once you've plateaued (upper body one day, lower body the next). I'll happily go head to head against any pure lifting guy any day of the week because unlike them I've developed my endurance.

Just be thankful that you've finally reached the plateau level, now all you have to do is maintenance.

[sparkx]

[sparkx]

..thanks for the advice all the same

[Hank Scorpio]

[gilgamesh]

What are the weight facilities like over there?? How much is it to join a gym??

Now about supplements. Are they readily available and are they expensive. I want to bring my own when I come over and I am not sure about how I will get on in customs (it does look a bit like cocaine after all...). Opinions??

[Butterfly]

[sparkx]

Butterfly - Informative site...thanks man.

[William Beckerson]

Okay, I apologise. I automatically assumed you were one of 90% of the weightlifters I've met who do it because of some bit of vainity. My bad.

[raytownloc]

consider me part of the 90%...

There are other reasons, but vanity is a big part I admit it.

[Pootie]

I was going to reply, but Raytown's got it covered...

[yodanole]

Supplements are generally worse than not exercising at all.. Take that to the bank.