Comments on: The Stick Boy Explained http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-stick-boy-explained Blog for Michael Allen Smith of Seattle Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:20:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Exercises For Ectomorphs Revisited | Critical MAS http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-10566 Exercises For Ectomorphs Revisited | Critical MAS Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:21:09 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-10566 [...] the body type on the left side of the above image.  If that is you and you are tired of being a Stick Boy, do the exercises listed [...] [...] the body type on the left side of the above image.  If that is you and you are tired of being a Stick Boy, do the exercises listed [...]

]]> By: The Ectomorphs Dilemma | Critical MAS http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-9632 The Ectomorphs Dilemma | Critical MAS Sat, 08 Oct 2011 23:45:11 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-9632 [...] Or you could choose the 6-pack abs and end up with a physique that looks great on the beach, but stick boy in a shirt. This is what I call The Ectomorphs [...] [...] Or you could choose the 6-pack abs and end up with a physique that looks great on the beach, but stick boy in a shirt. This is what I call The Ectomorphs [...]

]]> By: Hunting Headaches Take 2 | Critical MAS http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-8939 Hunting Headaches Take 2 | Critical MAS Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:44:58 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-8939 [...] muscle without dairy. A man can only eat so much beef and bacon. And I rather be in pain than be a Stick Boy. The good news is I may not need to give up dairy. After Marian’s comment, I went back and [...] [...] muscle without dairy. A man can only eat so much beef and bacon. And I rather be in pain than be a Stick Boy. The good news is I may not need to give up dairy. After Marian’s comment, I went back and [...]

]]> By: Power To The People – 10 Years Later | Critical MAS http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-8765 Power To The People – 10 Years Later | Critical MAS Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:56:59 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-8765 [...] I could squat almost 300 pounds and dead lift over 300 pounds.  Not bad for a recovering Stick Boy.  This book made me a believer in low-repetition weight training.  I’ve been preaching [...] [...] I could squat almost 300 pounds and dead lift over 300 pounds.  Not bad for a recovering Stick Boy.  This book made me a believer in low-repetition weight training.  I’ve been preaching [...]

]]> By: MAS http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-523 MAS Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:00:15 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-523 1- I used a 5x5 with amazing results. 5 sets of 5 reps. I NEVER worked to failure and I was NEVER sore. 2- I'm still learning a lot about caloric intake and altering my opinions. I'm not a big fan of liquid calories. A single post-workout shake is all I ever consumed. 3- Steady state aerobics (cardio) suppresses testosterone. Not good for muscle building. It also elevates cortisol levels, which isn't good for getting lean. 1- I used a 5×5 with amazing results. 5 sets of 5 reps. I NEVER worked to failure and I was NEVER sore.
2- I’m still learning a lot about caloric intake and altering my opinions. I’m not a big fan of liquid calories. A single post-workout shake is all I ever consumed.
3- Steady state aerobics (cardio) suppresses testosterone. Not good for muscle building. It also elevates cortisol levels, which isn’t good for getting lean.

]]> By: dhammy http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-522 dhammy Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:34:40 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-522 The formula I followed was pretty simple... 1. Lift heavy weights 2-3 times a week doing low-reps, 2-3 sets of each to the point of failure 2. Eat a LOT of food with a strong focus on protein. Supplement with 2-3 large protein shakes per day. One in the morning, one at night and 1 after all workouts. 3. Stop ALL cardio work All three were required to get results. But I'm not willing to do 3 anymore, no way. And eating that volume of food is just plain does not feel healthy. I'm glad to do weight workouts once or twice a week and be a slightly stronger-than-average stick boy ;) The formula I followed was pretty simple…

1. Lift heavy weights 2-3 times a week doing low-reps, 2-3 sets of each to the point of failure
2. Eat a LOT of food with a strong focus on protein. Supplement with 2-3 large protein shakes per day. One in the morning, one at night and 1 after all workouts.
3. Stop ALL cardio work

All three were required to get results. But I’m not willing to do 3 anymore, no way. And eating that volume of food is just plain does not feel healthy. I’m glad to do weight workouts once or twice a week and be a slightly stronger-than-average stick boy ;)

]]> By: MAS http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-521 MAS Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:12:25 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-521 I'm probably drifting off subject a bit and might devote a separate blog to this, but the #1 problem ectomorphs have is the quest for weight over strength. Strength gains MUST be the primary goal, not weight gain. Think of martial artists or power lifters (not the heavyweight division). They are developing a super strong foundation on their framework. Efficiency. Only once you have that can you safely decide to gain weight (eat more, more sets - not reps). Bulking up before the strength gains only works for mesomorphs and college kids in university studies. Weight gain should never be confused with strength gain. One last thing - coconut milk is super healthy and calorie dense. Before the supplement industry came around, it was the original weight gainer. Think curries, not Wendys. :) I’m probably drifting off subject a bit and might devote a separate blog to this, but the #1 problem ectomorphs have is the quest for weight over strength.

Strength gains MUST be the primary goal, not weight gain. Think of martial artists or power lifters (not the heavyweight division). They are developing a super strong foundation on their framework. Efficiency. Only once you have that can you safely decide to gain weight (eat more, more sets – not reps).

Bulking up before the strength gains only works for mesomorphs and college kids in university studies. Weight gain should never be confused with strength gain.

One last thing – coconut milk is super healthy and calorie dense. Before the supplement industry came around, it was the original weight gainer. Think curries, not Wendys. :)

]]> By: Naug http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-520 Naug Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:58:46 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-520 I also am a stick boy... often referred to as stickman, stringbean, or simply tall drink of water. I find myself drawn towards the cardio activities such as cycling, tennis, raquetball, hiking, etc. I HAVE tried my hand at lifting and such, and did seem to gain a few pounds of muscle and strength and DID feel better for a time. As with anything that requires work that's not super fun to me, the weight lifting slowly ebbed and I am back to my 6'6" 180ish lb self. I'd love to be 190 or even 200 if I could do so without having too much fat. Heart disease also runs in my family and the only way I seem to be able to gain weight is by eating a higher proportion of fats (aka fast food) which isn't a good idea for the arteries, heart, cholesterol, etc. (I do eat fast food at times, but I try to keep it to a minimum affair.) Anyway, I agree with dhammy that you have to be who you are to some degree, you can make minor changes to your physique by changing your exercise and eating habits, but at 34 I don't expect any real dramatic change in my body type. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one of my kind. Being in the midwest in a primarily obese part of the country I do feel a bit out of place and maybe I should consider a move to Seattle so that I will be more like "the norm". :-) I also am a stick boy… often referred to as stickman, stringbean, or simply tall drink of water. I find myself drawn towards the cardio activities such as cycling, tennis, raquetball, hiking, etc. I HAVE tried my hand at lifting and such, and did seem to gain a few pounds of muscle and strength and DID feel better for a time.

As with anything that requires work that’s not super fun to me, the weight lifting slowly ebbed and I am back to my 6’6″ 180ish lb self. I’d love to be 190 or even 200 if I could do so without having too much fat.

Heart disease also runs in my family and the only way I seem to be able to gain weight is by eating a higher proportion of fats (aka fast food) which isn’t a good idea for the arteries, heart, cholesterol, etc. (I do eat fast food at times, but I try to keep it to a minimum affair.)

Anyway, I agree with dhammy that you have to be who you are to some degree, you can make minor changes to your physique by changing your exercise and eating habits, but at 34 I don’t expect any real dramatic change in my body type.

I’m glad to know I’m not the only one of my kind. Being in the midwest in a primarily obese part of the country I do feel a bit out of place and maybe I should consider a move to Seattle so that I will be more like “the norm”. :-)

]]> By: MAS http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-519 MAS Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:20:25 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-519 From 1994-2001, I made minor gains. Then in the summer of 2001, I discovered high-weight, low-rep training and everything changed. Most weight training programs are written for endomorphs and mesomorphs, which fail on ectomorphs. Today I'm far healthier and leaner than I was when I was a marathon running stick boy and I don't do ANY cardio these days unless it is directly involved with an activity I'm doing (hiking). My resting pulse is still under 60. But you are correct - in the end you must do what feels best for you. For you it might be running, for me it is that glorious moment when I see some guy stepping over and yielding the sidewalk to me. :) From 1994-2001, I made minor gains. Then in the summer of 2001, I discovered high-weight, low-rep training and everything changed. Most weight training programs are written for endomorphs and mesomorphs, which fail on ectomorphs.

Today I’m far healthier and leaner than I was when I was a marathon running stick boy and I don’t do ANY cardio these days unless it is directly involved with an activity I’m doing (hiking). My resting pulse is still under 60.

But you are correct – in the end you must do what feels best for you. For you it might be running, for me it is that glorious moment when I see some guy stepping over and yielding the sidewalk to me. :)

]]> By: dhammy http://criticalmas.com/2008/09/the-stick-boy-explained/#comment-518 dhammy Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:01:07 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=913#comment-518 Let me put in my dissenting 2-cent opinion as a fellow ectomorph (6' .5'' 165lb). I've tried the high-protien, high-calorie diet combined with varieties of heavy lifting (bent row, curls, bench press, etc.). The bottom line for me is that it did grudgingly result in the build-up of muscle mass. But the only way to get there was to completely eliminate all cardio-type work. Running, rowing, swimming, biking are all out. In the end I was 185 lbs with a lot more muscle but I felt terrible. Cholesterol numbers were higher than ever. Resting pulse was high. And eating the required amount of protien and calories made eating seem like a full-time job. In the end it felt like I was putting forth a tremendous amount of effort to be something that I am not. Something that I don't necessarily even want to be. It felt un-natural and unhealthy. Let me put in my dissenting 2-cent opinion as a fellow ectomorph (6′ .5” 165lb). I’ve tried the high-protien, high-calorie diet combined with varieties of heavy lifting (bent row, curls, bench press, etc.). The bottom line for me is that it did grudgingly result in the build-up of muscle mass. But the only way to get there was to completely eliminate all cardio-type work. Running, rowing, swimming, biking are all out. In the end I was 185 lbs with a lot more muscle but I felt terrible. Cholesterol numbers were higher than ever. Resting pulse was high. And eating the required amount of protien and calories made eating seem like a full-time job.

In the end it felt like I was putting forth a tremendous amount of effort to be something that I am not. Something that I don’t necessarily even want to be. It felt un-natural and unhealthy.

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