BodyWorks

Is a mechanism for change. A tool for survival. Since1994.

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Are neural adaptations to resistance training permanent, or are they lost if you haven’t trained in a long time?

Are neural adaptations to resistance training permanent, or are they lost if you haven’t trained in a long time?

Excellent question. Like any other habit or performance practice repeated over time, neural connections become more efficient signal conductors, more “solid” with repetition. Such is the case with what is commonly called muscle memory. You buy this quality with your resources of effort, consistency, practice and time spent in the gym. When you stop spending these above mentioned resources, the…

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What Muscle Is Most Limited By Genetics?

What Muscle Is Most Limited By Genetics?

Perhaps the question ought to be: Which one isn’t? You’ve heard it all before; it is dependant on your genes…the proteins and other assorted growth factors that these genes express. So we take our shotgun, point it at the target of muscle groups and pull the trigger, hitting which target? All of them. The concept of Anatomical Variation is what you really want to know about. AV is a highly…

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We Are Back In Business!

We Are Back In Business!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT Stage Two: Gym Re-opening 8 March, 2021 As per our reading of the SOG Guidelines, members wishing to resume using the gym at this point will be required to observe and adhere to the following rules: Wear the required face covering. Initially, these will be supplied at no extra cost to members for a limited time at the stand to the left of the top entry door, until our…

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If 1 lb. of fat is about 3500 calories, would I put on 1 lbs of fat if I ate 3,500 calories but the weight of food was less than 1 lb.?

If 1 lb. of fat is about 3500 calories, would I put on 1 lbs of fat if I ate 3,500 calories but the weight of food was less than 1 lb.?

Good question…but one that has a couple of problems embedded in it. A little arithmetic will show you why. The most calorific food known to man is pure fat (in either solid form-lard-butter, or liquid form-oil). Fat contains approximately 9 kcal/gram. A Lb. (pound) is exactly 453.592 grams. Now, if we take both these factors and multiply them, (453.592 g)(9 Kcals/g) we get about 4109 Kcals.…

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Can you really lose fat while gaining muscle?

Can you really lose fat while gaining muscle?

Well, sort of. At the very least you ought to be able to LOOK like you can. To gain muscle while losing fat is the HOLY GRAIL of bodybuilding. Can it really, in fact, be done? And to what extent it can be done, and for how long depends on many interesting things and on the following applicable circumstances; How much calorie deficit you maintain; How much protein surplus you have; Your…

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Is a creatine loading phase necessary? Can I take it with Apple juice or orange juice? Can I have it in my protein shake post workout? If I have it in water do I have it cold or warm?

Is a creatine loading phase necessary? Can I take it with Apple juice or orange juice? Can I have it in my protein shake post workout? If I have it in water do I have it cold or warm?

The so-called loading phase (around 20g a day for 5–7 days) is an approach popularly thought to optimise getting to a saturation level in a hurry. Then this saturation state is maintained by small daily (3–5g) doses. Is it necessary? Not very. It’s assumed that how you store creatine, how efficiently and how much you can store it is a genetic characteristic. So taking smaller doses over a…

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What Do You Regret Most About Spending So Much Of Your Life In The Gym.

What Do You Regret Most About Spending So Much Of Your Life In The Gym.

Regret is not really the right word, but I think that I’ll answer this rather personal question anyway. That gone are the days it was pure & easy & just about looking purrrty. …and now…now it’s all about survival.

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Day In The Life

Day In The Life

Another chest session at the Church of the Pumping Iron down & in the books. It’s 02:00 early… Anyone who is normal is tucked up cozily asleep… Outside, a storm is kicking over. Now you start wondering if that damn Hummer is gonna start. It’s a long & miserable amble home now, if it doesn’t.

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Do You Need To Cycle Creatine?

Do You Need To Cycle Creatine?

A very simple picture of what creatine does. This is probably the #2 question that I get asked about creatine ( #1 is “Does it really work?”). This answer applies specifically to Creatine Monohydrate, but can, most probably, be applicable to all othe firms as well. The answer is “NO” This is the answer for the following two reasons: It is not classified as a drug either in the literature or…

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Do Testosterone Levels Inevitably Fall in Men?

Do Testosterone Levels Inevitably Fall in Men?

Yes, there is a process of diminishing returns in operation. It’s why you’ll often see photos of guys who used to be real studs being waved about in the boney fingers of decrepit old men in wheel chairs reading comic books. But why do testosterone levels fall? Age related testosterone decline, or secondary hypogonadism has several main reasons for happening. I’m going to disgustingly simplify…

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How long after Carpel Tunnel Surgery should you wait before starting to lift again?

How long after Carpel Tunnel Surgery should you wait before starting to lift again?

Carpel tunnel repair jobs don’t come with lifetime guarantees. This is why much thought needs to be given to the decision of whether to have the operation done or not. The problem itself isn’t solved, but the symptoms are often alleviated by this procedure. There is no guarantee that the symptoms won’t return after you start using your hands again.

Whether an open or endoscopic surgery method…

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Can You Alter The Shape Of Your Face By Building UP The Muscles There?

Can You Alter The Shape Of Your Face By Building UP The Muscles There?

Oh, there are lots & lots of face, jaw and neck muscles that will definitely affect what your face might look like.

The main muscles of concern are going to be the sternocleidomastoid, the platysma and the muscles of the zygomatic arch area. But, it is not just these underlying muscles that affect your particular look, but also bone structure, subcutaneous fat and epidermal tissue integrity.

Pho…

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Which Protein Powder Does The Body Use Best: WHEY or CASEIN?

Which Protein Powder Does The Body Use Best: WHEY or CASEIN?

When you ask a question like this, what you are interested in is Biological Value (BV) of the protein source. However, there is also a whole slew of other formulae to assess various protein attributes.[1]

  The two applicable measurements of BV are currently in vogue:

Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS)[2] ;

Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS)[3]

Neither of…

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As Covid-19 continues, many people are purchasing home exercise equipment, how will gyms survive?

As Covid-19 continues, many people are purchasing home exercise equipment, how will gyms survive?

The vast majority of home gym sales are impulse buys. After a week or a month, the customer realises that he or she has wasted money, is bored and is not much fitter than when they started. The customer soon decides that if he or she wants to get fit, a gym is where it’s at.

Goal!

Home-Gym = 0,

Professional Gym = 1.

Now, as far as COVid-19 is concerned, here’s where I get a tad…

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Is it bad to take a cold shower or jump into cold water right after training to reduce DOMS?

Is it bad to take a cold shower or jump into cold water right after training to reduce DOMS?

To reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness? Well, you wouldn’t think so but looking at this link from Live Science provides a difference of opinion. True, this article discusses the negative effects of ice bathsafter resistance & strength training only-but it is reasonable to assume that you are going to need to tread carefully when considering taking post-training anti-inflammatory measures of any…

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How long will muscle memory and strength last if you take time off from training (say 3-6 months)? The concept of ”Muscle Memory” or neuromuscular conditioning, is basically a form of efficiency developed through practice and repetition similar to any other physical competency.

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I find myself wanting to eat lots of cheese every single day. Is this normal and what do I do about the unhealthy saturated fats in cheese?

I find myself wanting to eat lots of cheese every single day. Is this normal and what do I do about the unhealthy saturated fats in cheese?

As a matter of fact, I am a cheese addict from way back. At one sitting, I can easily eat 1/2 Kilo of this highly addictive food. Interestingly, cheese contains casomorphins, chemicals very akin to, yes you guessed it, opioids. In fact, research suggests that many of the casomorphins are more potent than morphine[1] Finally, a reason for our cheese lust! We are addicts!Now, on to the…

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