Quote (eSora @ Feb 16 2010 03:40pm)

Thanks, so would higher test mean better gains?

Quote (Babolat @ Feb 16 2010 04:04pm)

Sup gain SKC - Thanks for the ulcer/sickness guide, they did subside in size and in pain and sore throat i gone.

Another question specific to basketball.

I'm 6'3'' and I gain jump pretty high, on good days, I can throw down a one handed dunk.  The only time I did it were in game, usually with girls present.  Is this a coincidence or adrenaline working here.  I think
I gained roughly 3-5 inches just by playing against some high school girls.

Also, I'm looking to gain inches in vertical leap.  I was wondering if you know the physics behind dunking.

I work my calves, I do a lot of plyometric/squat workouts, yet I don't see much improvement.  Any help in increasing vertical leap?

Quote (SKCRaynor @ Feb 16 2010 08:12pm)

Hey there...glad to see my help worked out for you.

As for the jumping...yes you'd be surprised how much some female motivation can do in the way of both strength and ability. You have the ability inside of you (obviously) but to bring it out sometimes takes some persuasion. The key is to master that ability without the needed persuasion. To do this, you are going to need to gain mind-muscle control through visualization and meditation. Confidence in yourself can work wonders...it will take time and practice.

in order to increase your vertical leap, calves are very important, but the ACTUAL action itself is MORE important. You body uses everything from calves, hams/quads, hips, abs, lats, pecs, etc in order to perform a vertical jump.

With this in mind - the BEST way for you to gain vertical jump would be to recreate vertical jump with plenty of ankle weights and even wrist weights. This will add just enough safe weight to increase your vertical jump (without weights) by a marginal amount. Through practicing the jumping itself will adapt your body to get better at it. The more you jump the better....keep trying to get higher and higher.

Also hanging from a straight bar and letting your lower spine drop can help add 1/2 - 1 inch of height by decompressing your spine.

Quote (SKCRaynor @ Feb 15 2010 10:15pm)

lol...this is a very valid question...but it always makes me laugh.

Whole eggs are very healthy for you. Ignore the quack science that tells you it will raise your cholesterol levels. That is pure hogwash.

Cholesterol levels are not increased by the pure ingestion of cholesterol rich foods...if that was true, then anyone with a low cholesterol diet would have low cholesterol right? WRONG.

heres the facts:


1. A 2:1 ratio of Unsaturated fats vs Saturated fats is necessary to keep cholesterol levels in the blood under control. (example, 2g unsat fat to every 1g sat fat MINIMUM)

2. A "higher" level of cholesterol in the blood activates the body's production of additional testosterone and support anabolism.

3. Avoiding trans-fats GREATLY decreases the risk of elevated cholesterol levels

Now a basic science explaination behind this.


Excess saturated fat in the blood will eventually become congealed in the arteries and blood vessels. This causes the body to engage the saturated fat (thinking it is an invader) by sending white blood cells to attack. The white blood cells start getting stuck in the saturated fat and become congealed further - this begins the occlusion of blood vessels. Then when cholesterol molecules pass by in the blood, they also become stuck in the sticky congealed mess around each of the arteries and various blood vessels.

THE SOLUTION TO THE STICKY SITUATION -

Take in a LOT of HDL fats (these "good" fats are found mostly in olive oil, avocados, flax, fish, etc.) As you consume these rich HDL fats, the mono and poly unsaturated fats go to work in your blood stream acting like a sponge, scooping up all the bad fats that are stuck to your artery and blood vessel walls and flushing it through successfully thus breaking up occlusion.

So the ideal environment of fat for the bodybuilder human body is as follows:

1. 2:1 or better ratio of HDL to LDL fats (unsat vs sat)

2. Plenty of cholesterol (remember, cholesterol is the simplest form of steroid in the body and causes testosterone productions and anabolism as well as recovery)

3. No Trans Fats


Also to address the bit on eggs....


An average LARGE "egglands best" egg has 1g saturated fat and 3g unsaturated fat - this is a 3-to-1 ratio of good fats to bad fats...which classifies eggs as a good food that you can eat as much of as you want without ill effects. To make it even better...add olive oil to your eggs and benefit even further.

However, eggs by themselves are fine - and will never raise cholesterol levels - unless of course you like to add copious amounts of Crisco shortening to your eggs ;-)


Edit:

OMEGA 3-6-9 Supplements are also great to take with every food meal (not with shakes)

Quote (Babolat @ Feb 16 2010 04:18pm)

Not sure if you are familiar with sport psychology but are there any mental exercises to do before sleep like meditation or imagery and how could I do these?

Quote (toddavid @ Feb 16 2010 06:16pm)

quick quesiton, whats a good workout to get big round shoulders? And how long will it take?