Dropkick, a number of published studies show that the thermogenic effects of ephedrine actually increase over time (i.e., months on end). I know that bodybuilders tend to cycle absolutely everything in their lives, even protein consumption, but the research just doesn't show a need to cycle ephedrine. It _is_ true that the subjective effects of ephedrine attenuate over a few weeks (including jitteriness), but for most people that is a positive thing.
If you can put on 3+ pounds of muscle a month, that's great, but again, the published research for typical free weight training males shows 4-6 lbs/year. If you can do 36+ lbs./year for 2 years in a row, that jaw-droppingly good (and think about going pro), but that's not been my or my gym buddies' experience.
No offense I hope, as your post was an intelligent one.
About the above question about starting to train with only 3 exercises, that's not of course the optimum way to train, but I would choose 1) the bench press (chest, shoulders, triceps) 2) chin/pulldown (back, biceps) and 3) on a Bowflex, a leg press (mainly quadriceps, but some activation of entire thigh/glute region). Add in some ab work, work each set to failure, and you're doing your body a whole lot of good.
If you can put on 3+ pounds of muscle a month, that's great, but again, the published research for typical free weight training males shows 4-6 lbs/year. If you can do 36+ lbs./year for 2 years in a row, that jaw-droppingly good (and think about going pro), but that's not been my or my gym buddies' experience.
No offense I hope, as your post was an intelligent one.
About the above question about starting to train with only 3 exercises, that's not of course the optimum way to train, but I would choose 1) the bench press (chest, shoulders, triceps) 2) chin/pulldown (back, biceps) and 3) on a Bowflex, a leg press (mainly quadriceps, but some activation of entire thigh/glute region). Add in some ab work, work each set to failure, and you're doing your body a whole lot of good.