My name is Matt Blaze, this is a blog about Bodybuilding/Fitness whats going on in the world of b/f and some general tips for training, diet etc.. I'm a personal trainer and love anything to do with fitness and weight training, planning on competing in bodybuilding in the next few months so I might blog my prep for that to show what goes into getting ready for the stage.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Hi everyone I got a little bit side tracked after my last post, got a new job back then and really didn't have any time to post here, but now I'm at a place where I can set aside some time to make this blog work.
Little update since the last post I used the vital labs halo and had great strength gains I can't remember exact figures but all my lifts went up a decent amount got from 60s to 75lbs on incline dumbell press, gained about 10lbs and leaned out over all great product :) since then I've been training hard and I'm currently 6 weeks out from the nabba mr Ireland junior class and am contemplating competing in another show 2 weeks after which has potential to win sponsorship and to qualify for the ifbb European championships.
I'm also now offering online personal training and contest preparation
Pricing is
€75 for an 8 week diet and training program for general weight loss/muscle gain
€100 for 12 week diet and training program for general weight loss/muscle gain
These both include a weekly update on your diet and training a weekly Skype check in and unlimited emailing for any questions you have
€120 for a contest prep diet and training between that covers 16 weeks before your contest weekly Skype check ins daily emailing to keep you on track
€35 for a once off diet and training program with a 30minute Skype call
Email me at either mmacconuladh@gmail.com
Or mattblazePT@mail.com
Hey everybody finally getting this blog on track now, I'm starting a review and log of Halo-V by Vital Labs. I haven't used anything like this product before, but the people over at http://www.strongsupplementshop.com/ were nice enough to send me out a bottle to try out and review for you guys to show you how great it works. I have only started using it yesterday and I didn't get to hit the gym, but I'll be hitting back and bicep later on doubtful if I'll see any real change on the second day but I might get a placebo effect or who knows it could kick in already I really don't know what to expect from this product as this is my first pro hormone.
I've decided to dose this product as follows;
week 1 - 2 caps per day(1 - 8am 1 - 8pm which ever is closer to workout is taken pre workout)
week 2 - 2 caps per day(1 - 8am 1 - 8pm which ever is closer to workout is taken pre workout) optional extra cap pre workout leg/back day
week 3 - 3 caps per day(1 - 8am 1 - 2pm 1 - 8pm which ever is closer to workout is taken pre workout) optional extra cap pre workout leg/back day
week 4 - 3 caps per day(1 - 8am 1 - 2pm 1 - 8pm which ever is closer to workout is taken pre workout) optional extra cap pre workout leg/back day
There are 80caps in a bottle so if I don't use an optional extra pre workout I'll only use 70 caps if this happens I'll add a 5th week dosing @ 2/2/2/1/1/1/1
This product requires you to cycle on and off to prevent damage to the bodies natural hormone balance and production, also it requires some cycle support to control potential side effects and post cycle therapy to help bring your natural hormones to hemostasis(balance) as quickly as possible to retain as many of your gains as possible.
The cycle support I'm using is;
1-2 cups of dandelion tea a day to help ease any stress on the liver
2 dandelion/milk thistle combo cap again for the liver
and I also have some nolvadex on hand just incase of any sign of estrogen related problems but I'm very doubtful of anything like that
Have heard you can possibly get a slight drop in libido and in the case that happens I'll be grabbing a can of animal stack
1-2g of fish oils a day
Post cycle
I think I will use 4 caps a day of Post Cycle 3x by Vital Labs I'll decide by the end of the week its a quality product but since I already have some nolvadex I could just use that.
Some information on the product itself
Its similar to Gaspari 50, halovar, etc. except with 20 more Capsules for less money.
Rapid Muscle Growth
Increase Strength
Muscle Hardening
Experience Lean Gains
No bloated muscle water look
Halo-V by Vital Labs compound was created to produce unbelievable strength and lean muscle mass gains for those who will not settle for anything but the best.
Halo-V is formulated to produce incredible lean muscle gains with no conversion to estrogen.
Halo-V is good for improved vascularity with only a small to no amount of water retention.
The main ingredient is 4-chloro-17a-methyl-androst-1,4-diene-3b,17b-diol 25 MG Halodrol per capsule + and unestablished amount of magnesium stearate and rice flour(but I would guess its a very low amount of each they are just binding and bulking agents to transport the main ingredient)
I'm going to give a full update once a week on how this cycle is going and then a final review of the product on the day of my final dose. I will also be logging this cycle on the strong supplements forum so if you're a member there check it out my user name is mattblaze
To anybody who has been reading my blog, I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile I've been dealing with some family issues and had to spend some time away in spain, still got basic training done when I could and tried to eat the way I had been, but it was tough going, it pretty much ruined my plans to compete this year and I've got to now wait until the RIBBF spring classic in april/may to compete then.
But I'm back now and I want to start blogging regularly, updating you guys on my progress in my coming winter bulk/off season and giving out some free advice along the way about training, nutrition and all kinds of things so keep an eye on this blog for some serious improvements and remember..
So back and bicep was absolutely epic today, got some big lifts great pump didn't get the footage I wanted though because the gym got pretty busy and I didn't want to be "that guy" the douche making videos of himself getting in everyones way
But anyway here's the workout plan
Walk there to warm up
Pull-ups
2 sets of 20 body weight
3 sets of 10kg(15reps) 30kg(10reps) 50kg-40kg-20kg-BW (5-4-6-7reps)
Reverse-grip bent over rows(not sure but I think the bar weighs 15kg smith machine but its heavy)
Set number
1- 65kg x 15
2- 85kg x 12
3- 85kg x 8
4- 65kg x 12
5- 65kg x 15
Got a video of set number 3
Rack pulls(really wanted videos of my high weight sets but the bench I was supporting my phone on was being used after the warm up sets)
Video of set 1 warming up the movement didn't want to waste energy on the warm up set so I kept the reps low, final set of 220kg for 10 reps is a personal record(I've pull 235kg for 2 reps, but I see 220 for 10 as more of a pr) used a proper powerlifting belt for that set and got psyched up for 5-6mins before the set and just killed it.
Machine bicep preacher curls (I do these to warm up the bicep and I don't grip to bar to minimize forearm involvement and let the bicep work)
3 light sets 12 reps just focusing on contracting
Standing EZ barbell curls(huh reps- focusing on stretch and 1/2 rep but perfect form and heavy weight)
set 1-30kgx12, 2-40kgx10, 3-50kgx8
Cable concentration curls supersetting with high rope cable curls to the face
6 sets 12-15reps on both 15-20lbs(concentration) 35-50lbs(hammer)
This workout was from last week I've been a bit busy the last week so I've not been blogging, but I'll have my report up on the nabba worlds in a day or two(it was epic) until then
Looking forward to a good early back and bicep session 7am tomorrow, hopefully going to have someone with me to take a lot of pictures to post up here, I might do some rack pulls or straight deads it depends on how I feel its always hit and miss on how much strength I have that early in the morning hoping it will be a day like my last leg day with the serious leg press strength, but you never know it could end up being a day for more contractions with moderate weight as I said I'll see in the morning.
Nabba worlds here on saturday really looking forward to that, from what i'm seeing on http://irishmuscle.ie/ the competition is going to a great one, one competitor standing out to me is Niall Kinsella competing in class 3 and is looking his best won't be surprised if he can nab the overall he trains at the same gym as myself image health & fitness (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Image-gym-swords/311007808917245?ref=ts) best gym in ireland in my opinion. Only a short post anyway I'll get on here tomorrow while I eat my post workout meal and detail what I hope will be an epic back and bicep day. And if I can just get my back looking like this....
So since its a rest day I've decided to do my first supplement review, I'm going to maybe do one a week since I've used nearly every supplement you can think of I know how well they work or how well they don't work. And since I used gh blast last night I decided to review it.
Dorian Yates GH Blast Night Growth factor
GHBLAST is designed for competitive bodybuilders and is THE strongest sleep formula of its kind. As such, you must read the entire label before use and follow directions carefully. To assess your tolerance, begin your trip by mixing just 1 serving (1 scoop) into 6 to 8oz of cold water before bedtime for relief of occasional sleeplessness.
DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN TWO SERVINGS EVERY 24 HOURS. Do not consume with alcohol. This product does NOT contain GHB or Growth Hormone.
Everyone who uses GHBLAST raves about it because it produces remarkable results and with the very first use.
Never before has a dietary supplement offered such incredible benefits. GHBLAST is a night time formula to enhance deep and more restful sleep, and to assist in the release of natural hormonal compounds.
GHBLAST can also be used effectively in smaller serving amounts as a daytime formula for improved mood and a feeling of well being, and enhanced libido and sexual function.
In conjunction with proper diet and exercise, GHBLAST may also contribute to improvements in body composition and elevated energy levels.
GHBLAST users have reported the following benefits, based upon various serving amounts used:
Deep rejuvenating sleep
Increased muscle mass
Decreased body fat
Increased energy
Increased work capacity
Increased Libido
Improved mood
WARNING:
Do not use if you:
• are pregnant, nursing or trying to become pregnant
• have a medical condition including but not limited to heart, liver, kidney, or thyroid disease, psychiatric or epileptic disorders, difficulty urinating, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, recurrent headaches, enlarged prostate or glaucoma
• are unaware of your current health status
• are taking any prescription or non-prescription medication including but not limited to MAO inhibitors, anti-depressants, aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• After 8 weeks of use, take 1 week off before resuming use.
• Discontinue at least 2 weeks prior to surgery or if you experience rapid heartbeat, dizziness, severe headache or shortness of breath.
• KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
Since this time and until the release of GHBLAST by Dorian Yates Nutrition Inc no dietary supplement company has released a product that has produced such a desirable and beneficial effect. Just after the change in the law, many companies scrambled to find a 'legal loophole' with other pharmacologically or chemically similar substances, trying to trigger neurological pathways to identical GBL and GHB. Irrespective of the fact that virtually none of these substances met the definition of a legitimate dietary supplement and that they didn't do much more than look good on paper, efforts to introduce any 'similar' substance would, because of the design of the scheduled drug analog laws, result drug classification of these substances.
That's where all of these supplement companies and scientists missed the boat. Companies cannot access key raw material pricing low enough to make these supplements.
The quality of the primary raw materials in GHBLAST surpass those which are available through the limited number of raw material suppliers in China that offer these compounds.
There is a unique efficaciousness inherent within the proprietary blend of the active components in GHBLAST which is the result of years of experimentation and anecdotal evidence analysis.
As consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the availability of GHBLAST sales have increased rapidly over the past year. Very few supplements attain the high percentage of repeat sales that occurs with GHBLAST. If you have not yet tried GHBLAST you're missing the boat because GHBLAST is a true investment in the quality of your life.
DY nutrition is 6 times MR.OLYMPIA Dorian Yates supplement company all his products are top quality (i've only used gh blast and nox pump they were both great) I won't get into telling you about his competitive bodybuilding career because if you know bodybuilding you know him but I will show you a clip of how he trains(INSANE) he trains hard and heavy like a boss.
I think how I will rate supplements is under the following headings ;
Results(how well it actually works) Price(value for money cost per serving) Taste(not a big deal for me I use supplements for results but its nice if it tastes good too) Side effect/negatives(if there is anything bad about the product) Overall rating out of 10 with a general wrap up on how I feel about the product
Results - 10/10
Results of gh blast, basically it works too well, I use it because my sleep pattern is terrible lately some nights I can't sleep at all, when I take one scoop of ghb with about 350ml of water 15mins later I'm fast asleep and I sleep too well first time I tried it I slept for 16 hours, so as for giving "deep rejuvenating sleep" yes definitely it works 10 out of 10 times for me, but the rest of the claims about more muscle mass, lower body fat, more energy, increased work capacity, better libido and better mood, this all technically true it does all of that, but only because they are a result of quality sleep, but you get better sleep because of ghb so really "it does what it says on the tin"
Price - 7/10
Price varies depending where you get it anything from about €40-€65 which works out at between €1-€1.65 per scoop this can be up to €3.30 a serving if you use 2 scoops, that being said it isn't really like protein powder that you use every day, you only use it when sleep is bad or you need a really good nights sleep, so you might only use this once or twice a week and not at all some week meaning 1 tub could last up to 40 weeks.
Taste - 10/10
Taste is decent fruit punch, its a strong taste kind of overly sweet so if you have a sweet too you will love it and if you don't just use more water. I like mine with the smallest amount of water possible because I like the strong taste.
Side effect/negatives - 9/10 (higher the less sides)
The only problem I have with this is sleeping too long, a little bit of dry mouth and intense hunger when I wake up. I did read on a forum one guy saying it put him in such a deep sleep he didn't wake up to use the toilet and he pissed the bed, but personally I think he does that anyway(solution to his problem see a shrink and drink less) basically the only side effect is an epic deep sleep.
Overall 9/10
I think this is a great supplement for anybody to have around in the supplement pantry, just to use for those times when sleep is getting a bit rough or you want a really nice deep sleep well worth the money. I wouldn't recommend using it more than 3 times a week and even at 3 times a week don't do it for any long than about 6 weeks or you could become dependent on it and need spend weeks to get back to sleeping properly without.
So I wasn't able to sleep last night, been having a lot of trouble with my sleeping pattern last few months, so the last couple weeks I've said once the clock passes about 5am I make a decision sleep and not wake until late afternoon or get out of bed start prepping for the gym and get there before it opens and stay awake all day so I get to sleep the next night. Today I elected to hit the gym, tortured my quads, although I was planning on focusing on hamstrings but when I started into squats today my hams weren't really feeling it felt a bit tight and not up for a hardcore workout... luckily my quads were practically screaming at me "train me train me".
Before I talk about the workout itself I just want to talk about the little ritual I noticed I have for these sleep deprived earlies. I walk down to town center absolutely pumped for training pass the gym to go to the shop on the main street and I buy lucozade, banana's and water then I knock back my pre-workout and get down and hit it hard. Right now the actual workout
The Workout
Squats(with powerlifting bar 27.5kg won't bend until about 900lbs) Set number
67.5kg (150lbs) - 20 reps
87.5kg (195lbs) - 15 reps
" " "
127.5kg (280lbs) - 12 reps
157.5kg (345lbs) - 8 reps
Leg press(from 2nd set I used knee wrap ) Set number
160kg (350lbs) - 20 reps
260kg (570lbs) - 15 reps
280kg (615lbs) - 12 reps
320kg (705lbs) - 9 reps
350kg (770lbs) - 10 reps(5mins rest between set 4-5)
Leg extension(did alot of sets on this changing sets and techniques alot throughout and weight if rough because machine has numbers instead of weight) Set number
40kg (90lbs) - straight set 20 reps
60kg (135lbs) - ss 15 reps
80kg (180lbs) - ss 15 reps
30kg (75lbs) - one leg 25 reps each leg
" " " "
30kg (75lbs) - 28s(7reps bottom part of the movement + 7 reps top + 7 full slow 8 second each rep + 7 regular full range movement)
" " " "
30kg (75lbs) - one leg 15 reps each leg slow squeeze
Walking lunges in studio with 40kg(90lbs) barbell
1 continuous set to failure (about 20 reps each leg) then drop the bar and continue to failure (12 reps each leg) wall lean and and hold squat fail(25seconds max)
You may notice no warm-up/cool-down, this is because I walk to and from the gym so I use the walk, I don't see a need to burn excess calories on cardio equipment when you're tryna' get SWOLL, also I only stretch after training/occasionally during (going to do a short article on my views on stretching soon so I'll edit in a link here when I do so you understand why)
It was INTENSE my quads will hate me in about 32 hours :O
I only got 2 pics and they were of the 770lbs leg press, I was on my own in the gym so I didn't have anyone to video/photog me, but hopefully next work out someone will be awake and ready to train insane in the am..
Going to spend the rest of the day eating and hanging out with my wonderful girlfriend Ally(follow her on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/AllysonBamBam) who told me she will show me how to make lasange then I will eat it all muahahaha leg day hunger pains...
Anyway...
GO HARD OR GO HOME!!!
MATT BLAZE OUT!!
Monday, June 11, 2012
So this is the first entry to my new blog, I think the best thing to do is give a bit of background on myself.
First off my name full name is Matthew Christopher Blaze Mac Conuladh, Blaze is my confirmation name(for those outside of Ireland seems to bigger here than most places, confirmation is a religious ceremony for the catholic church to confirm you as an adult basically and pick a saints name to add to yours, but just to put it out there I'm not even a little bit religious, I consider myself an agnostic no big deal just don't see much evidence) Blaze just sounds awesome and because most people can't say Mac Conuladh I'm choosing to use the name Matt Blaze for this blog and for my bodybuilding career(that I will be kicking off very soon ;))
I'm 20 years old 5"9(and 1/2) 190lbs with about 10/11% body fat, my 1 rep max lifts on the big 3 are as follows
Bench - 297lbs (135kg)
Squat - 440lbs (200kg)
Deadlift - 517lbs (235kgs)
All were done with a spotter(excluding deadlift obviously) I used wrist straps and a weight belt on deadlift, knee wraps and belt on squat and elbow wraps on bench. I know some people will count me down for using the supports, but I have a few potential injuries I don't want becoming full injuries and really anyone not using a belt on a 1 rep max deadlift is either a complete beast who won't have any back strain and i tip my hat to you or a complete idiot willing to not train properly for 2 weeks with the messed up lower back. I'd consider some powerlifting competitions just for fun but I wanna get my lifts up 1,254lbs isn't the best competition number I think I could get if I can work up to about 1,500lbs I'll do it.
I'm a personal trainer getting my shit together to start my business officially, once I get it up and running and set up my website I will put a link up here and I might do some kind of deal or discount for readers of this blog(if you are all very nice ;)) My specialty is weight training and gaining weight, when I first started hitting the weights 4-5 years ago I was only about 115lbs so far thats 75lbs gained only about another 110lbs to go -.- (I'll try get some embarrassing pics of me at that weight to compare with my current pics) Even though I specialize in weight gain I also do have a lot of experience with helping people drop the weight through proper diet and regular exercise.
My own goals right now are to hopefully get on another 15-25lbs then cut my body fat down to 5-4% for either the NABBA Mr.Ireland Junior division in October followed by the RIBBF nationals which is around the same time, or the 2013 April RIBBF spring classic after a solid winter bulk, I will be keeping anyone reading this updated on my plans as I go.
I will also regularly blog about what ever bodybuilding news comes my way that I feel would be an interesting read, this weekend the 16th of June the NABBA WORLD BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS are coming to Dublin, I will be there supporting the Irish competitors hopefully snap a few pics of the show and I'll put up my thoughts on the results of the show.
Thats it for my first post, about to go eat a shit load of food after chest and tricep today(no major lifts to report went to a new gym that was great but the dumbbells only went to 30kg, I warmed up on incline with those not noticing there was nothing heavier -.-)
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