A Three Year Journey to Gaining 35 Pounds of Muscle

Introduction

For many, achieving a muscular physique takes time and effort, and for one Reddit user, it took them three years to gain 35 pounds of muscle. Their post, titled "M/22/6'3" [155lbs -> 190lbs = +35lbs] (3 years) (245/285/325/125 BP/SQ/DL/OHP)" detailed their fitness journey, outlining the workouts and eating habits that helped them reach their goal.

Trying Different Workout Routines

The user started with a brosplit that emphasized building up to a 1 plate bench press. They then switched over to a circuit training-style workout for tennis team training. Further, they spent a year doing various bodybuilding.com workouts, including Stronglifts 5x5, a program that helped them build up their core lifts to decent numbers.

The Crossfit Experiment

For ¾ of their third year, the user did Crossfit, and for all the criticism they receive, Crossfit helped them improve their strength when it was done properly. Their trainer was qualified in power and weightlifting and provided corrective feedback on their form, which helped with knee and shoulder issues, and introduced them to Olympic lifting. The user had to stop doing Crossfit after moving for school but plans to pick up hypertrophy-oriented routines in the new year.

Healthy Eating Habits

The user admits that their diet was basically nonexistent and never tracked their macros. They ate generally healthy and protein-rich foods and occasionally counted calories to figure out their rough intake numbers. While not tracking themselves, they believe a healthy diet played a critical role in their fitness journey.

Final Thoughts

The Reddit user may not have achieved the greatest progress in three years, but they are proud of their physical transformation given how they started as a DYEL and how this change occurred in the middle of a demanding degree program. Incorporating different workout routines, such as brosplits, circuit training, bodybuilding.com workouts and Crossfit, and healthy eating habits helped them achieve their goals. The takeaway for anyone on a fitness journey is to try different workout routines, eat healthy, and focus on proper form for compound lifts.