Here I am - Please Critique

I'm 26, 5'11", and 240lbs.  Currently, I am bulking up, and have made good progress in mass and strength.

I am in the Army, so I've been working out for quite some time now, over a span of about eight years.  However, I just recently started getting back into weight training about 2 1/2 months ago.  I know I have a ways to go still, but believe me when I tell you, that I was much different looking ("for the worse") three months ago.  This is especially the case with my abs. 

To give you an idea of my measurements, my neck is 17", chest is 46", arms are 16 1/2" (flexed), and my waist is 41".  Still gotta take leg measurements, as well as pics.  I'll post those shortly, just gotta get in front of a full-body mirror.

Ultimately, I want to get bigger and cut up.  I realize though, that I can't do both effectively at the same time .  So first, I am aiming to continue bulking up, probably for another 2/3 months, then I will move into a cutting phase, and drop some more fat.

Another note on my abs, I know that I definately still have room for improvement with my love-handles. 

Well, there ya go!  I'll post in another message my workout routine to show y'all exactly what I'm doing.

Attached Image(s)

Current 4x7's:
Flat Bench: 305lbs  
Back Squat: 405lbs
Deadlift: 315lbs (Stiff-Leg)

Current 1RM Maxes:
Flat Bench: 345lbs
Back Squat: 515lbs

You look like a powerful man

Thanks, NBS.

Btw, here are three other pictures that I forgot to put in with my original message.

Attached Image(s)

Current 4x7's:
Flat Bench: 305lbs  
Back Squat: 405lbs
Deadlift: 315lbs (Stiff-Leg)

Current 1RM Maxes:
Flat Bench: 345lbs
Back Squat: 515lbs

Do you pass your tape test? I just got out of the Army and I was always borderline. I'd think if you were looking to not get flagged then you would start to cut asap. Dunno how your unit is though.

"Damn it feels good to be a gangster."

I passed every tape test that I had to take. 
I actually just came off Active Duty in July, and in the NG now.  Most of the weight gain that I had experienced was gained within the last 3/4 months of me being in on Active Duty, during which I didn't have to take any APFT.

Between clearing my unit/post & getting ready for civilian life, and being the commander at the same time, I was definately under alot of stress.  I'm sure the stress took a toll on my cortisol levels, etc, and was a contributor.

Current 4x7's:
Flat Bench: 305lbs  
Back Squat: 405lbs
Deadlift: 315lbs (Stiff-Leg)

Current 1RM Maxes:
Flat Bench: 345lbs
Back Squat: 515lbs

Beastin thats all i have to say

Ht: 6''1
Wt: 185
Age: 17
Bench: 180 (max was 200 :( )
Squat: 350
Clean: 160
40 yd: 5.2 (i'm working on it)

Thanks.  I have a pic somewhere from 3/4 months ago, back when I was really heavy.  When I find it, I'll post it so y'all can see how far I've come.

Current 4x7's:
Flat Bench: 305lbs  
Back Squat: 405lbs
Deadlift: 315lbs (Stiff-Leg)

Current 1RM Maxes:
Flat Bench: 345lbs
Back Squat: 515lbs

I figured I'd post a few more pics that I juuust took.  I know I need to get some more angles.  There's not that many mirrors in my apartment, and not a whole lotta flexing room, hah. 
As always, any/all critigues are most welcome.

Attached Image(s)

Current 4x7's:
Flat Bench: 305lbs  
Back Squat: 405lbs
Deadlift: 315lbs (Stiff-Leg)

Current 1RM Maxes:
Flat Bench: 345lbs
Back Squat: 515lbs

legs???

Soccerking3000


legs???

Instead of asking for pictures of guys legs perhaps you could comment upon the pictures he has provided?  You might be able to learn something yourself if you strike up a bit of conversation.

Quite rich of you to ask for such thing considering you don't have pictures of your legs neither in your recent "Preliminary Shot for the Contest" thread....

Good work Brian.  Looking strong.  It's refreshing to see someone focusing on hypertrophy in the proper manner with less concern of abdominal muscle.

What was your starting weight?

arms look bigger than 16.5 IMO.. but if you say they're 16.5.. then they must be.

agreed with what kebabs said.  screw the abs for now, lift hard and heavy.  you look like a very stout guy.. nice job, keep up the good work

My name is FOX.... and I approve this message.

kingkebabs

Soccerking3000


legs???

Instead of asking for pictures of guys legs perhaps you could comment upon the pictures he has provided?  You might be able to learn something yourself if you strike up a bit of conversation.

Quite rich of you to ask for such thing considering you don't have pictures of your legs neither in your recent "Preliminary Shot for the Contest" thread....

Good work Brian.  Looking strong.  It's refreshing to see someone focusing on hypertrophy in the proper manner with less concern of abdominal muscle.

What was your starting weight?

or how about i was asking for legs shot so i could more appropriately see his progress and where he needs to work more on and such, and thus see muscle imbalances.  My thread was just a before and after shot that is all, please do not come in here talking all high and mighty.  You might learn something by not assuming and making an ass out of yourself too.

Nice man! You have a lot of muscle to work with.  Keep up what you are doing.  Keep lifting heavy as hell, and when you go to cut (and continue to lift heavy) you will be a freakin monster!

"True genius, in many fields of human endeavor, is often revealed in elegant simplicity."

- A smart man

Journal: http://www.wannabebigforums.com/showthread.php?t=117358

Perhaps next time you'll explain this from the outset elaborating past the one liner so that you don't pass off in the way that you did here. 

I didn't realize your legs were exempt from judgement in a before and after comparison. Clearly leg pictures are no more of a priority to the original poster than they are to yourself.

kingkebabs


Perhaps next time you'll explain this from the outset elaborating past the one liner so that you don't pass off in the way that you did here. 

I didn't realize your legs were exempt from judgement in a before and after comparison. Clearly leg pictures are no more of a priority to the original poster than they are to yourself.

please dont clutter up anothers thread because i asked to see leg pictures, you could have just said the last line in your original post.  Instead you needed to cause trouble for no reason.  I do not need to post leg pictures (although i have), and who are you to judge me?  Stay out of my face i did nothing to you nor brian that was out of line, drop it and grow up.

The last line was a reply to your previous post.

You don't need to post leg pictures?  Neither does the original poster.

I judge you no more than you judge him.

Now to prevent futher clutter which you are so clearly concerned about, why don't you go about giving some constructive criticism based upon the pictures he provided of the top half of his body in the same way you expect people to comment upon yours?

Simple, hypocrite-free logic.

i refuse to get inot an argue with you as you obviously are opinionated and higher-than-thou, so like i said drop it.

I'll critique him when i see some leg shots, the end.

edit: and i was referring to your ORIGINAL post why cause trouble... i dont get it, like i said grow up

hahahahaha soccerking i love you hahahahahah

king you are incompetent

YOU GOTTA EAT BIG, TO BE BIG!!

NASM certified trainer
NFPT certified trainer

Winter Bulk goal:245-250 by dec 31 - Achieved
Current weight: 246

Heeeeello everyone! 

First of all, I wanted to thank everyone for the positive feedback!  As always, any/all types of critiques are always welcomed:)

I know it's been some time since I've been on the site, but I have been attending to some personal matters the past few weeks, and haven't been able to get on the site as much.

Also, my digital camera is acting funky, so I haven't been able to use it for my leg shots.  As a result, I've had to make the best with my camera phone.  I know they're not the best, but they're better than nothing.  When my digital camera works, I'll use it to post some leg shots.

...and one note on the last pic of this post...those aren't tighty-whites I'm wearing, they're hiked up shorts, lol!

Let me know what y'all think:

Attached Image(s)

Current 4x7's:
Flat Bench: 305lbs  
Back Squat: 405lbs
Deadlift: 315lbs (Stiff-Leg)

Current 1RM Maxes:
Flat Bench: 345lbs
Back Squat: 515lbs

....and here are some more leg shots.

And to answer King's question earlier about my starting weight, my starting weight was just about the same as what it is now, 240lbs.  I guess I've lost fat as I've been bulking, so I leveled out.

Attached Image(s)

Current 4x7's:
Flat Bench: 305lbs  
Back Squat: 405lbs
Deadlift: 315lbs (Stiff-Leg)

Current 1RM Maxes:
Flat Bench: 345lbs
Back Squat: 515lbs