Comrades,
Thought I would share some experience and hopefully inspiration as I finish my 3rd cycle and end the year:
* Delays are OK, that is, better than skipping or quitting. I have many "weeks" that take 8-9 days, and it has taken 4 calendar months to finish 12 weeks of GB training. Yet the gains continue. Try to stick to it, but don't spaz and overtrain or skip workouts if you fall "behind" - just follow the program.
* Don't hack the program. I tried to reverse the push-ups and planks in F1 one workout and got destroyed. Worst workout thus far. Follow the program.
* Mobility can suck, but it helps a lot. And it feels great when you find new ROM. Use a dowel with an ankle weight, 2 lbs is fine - it's still hard. There is a huge difference between 2 lbs and 5 lbs - start low. Don't use an empty bar or yoga strap - I already asked and NO you must use something weighted. Don't skip mobility - follow the program.
* Using only F1 + H1 is fine. I don't do any cardio, barely any stretching, I have a laughable warm-up (5 mins salsa dancing) and don't lift any weights. Yet the gains cometh. GB works, just follow the program.
* Nobody will understand what you're doing or going through with the program - read the forum if you feel lonely. I read about how one guy weeped after Arch Body Rocks and I was inspired. I smile during the crappiest sets, it's a cheap trick to improve your attitude.
* V-ups suck. Nonetheless, after many sets of these, the other day I suddenly felt something click and my legs looked less ridiculous. I still have no compression by it's amazing what progress comes if you follow the program.
* If you have downstairs neighbors, deck squats may be problematic. They shake my entire building! I go outside to do them. I was so humbled the first day, I could do an OK pistol with each leg but I could not do a damn single deck squat. 3 months later I am testing my reps of 15 and fully expect to pass (4 x 15 was no problem). Yay! Follow the program.
* 5x60 is a lot different than hitting a position for 3 seconds. Just saying. Obtain mastery by following the program.
Well that's a lot, I hope some old inflexible person like me takes heart and makes gains as I have. I'm on a 5 year (at least) GB program - mentally it's a shift from 3 month cycles. A big shift. It's humbling. But look at those ahead of us - they're pretty awesome! And my non-training friends, they think even noob GB stuff is awesome. So do it.
Damien
PS Wrist exercises work. Do no sleep on the wrist stuff. I can do stuff after 3 months that was really tough starting out. It's cool. Follow the program.
