Old lady first-timer bikini log

UPDATE:

My first show was amazing and I'm hooked. Would've maybe been better to not have done so well because I don't really need another serious hobby :P

Won every division I entered plus the Overall. Granted, it was a small show and most in my category were also novices but it was still pretty cool to sweep it. Super cool for my coach too, so happy to have contributed to his team.

Now that I've been on stage and gotten some feedback from the judges, it's onward and upward. I'm looking forward to learning about a proper reverse (can I just start building NOW?!?!) and getting back to building more booty :) Also, my posing and transitions and walking need more work, a LOT more work.

I'm qualified for National level events for next year and I'm just dumb enough / brave enough to want to do it, even if it means getting clobbered. But I am betting I can do alright so let's go!

Thats incredible. Congrats.

If your bloods look good I dont see why you cant continue building but if LDL and such are high... We arent in our 20s any more. If I were hell bent on continuing, at the very least, I would adjust dosages or compounds to bring markers into normal range but thats just me.
 
Thats incredible. Congrats.

If your bloods look good I dont see why you cant continue building but if LDL and such are high... We arent in our 20s any more. If I were hell bent on continuing, at the very least, I would adjust dosages or compounds to bring markers into normal range but thats just me.
I’m on a statin + repatha for familial hypercholesterolemia and my lipids are crazy good now. LDL is 33 and everything else in the green as well. Just got post-show labs done yesterday. Kidneys, Liver, Lipids, Thyroid, etc…..gold stars across the board except for Apo(b) and Lp(a), both of which aren’t likely to change much, but also not likely to DO much at this point (see: Statin + repatha).

Happy to see that the whole process didn’t do too much damage, ready to BUILD and aiming for 3-5 shows next year, including a couple national events. Gonna aim for that pro card after all. Why not. YOLO.
 
REVERSE UPDATE
Reverse sucks. Sucks more than cutting to GET stage lean. Hate :P
I wouldn’t hate it so much but my lifts are weak sauce, and lifting is what I love most. Things are on the up and up though, and yesterday I finally finished planning out my next 12 weeks or so. Yes, I’m a planner. Yes, I use ChatGPT a LOT in addition to my coach. I kept meticulous records in my nutrition app, fitness app, and in a chat, about how I felt, what my macros were, etc. At the end, I created a massive document memorializing the process, looking at trends, and with recommendations for the NEXT prep.

WORKOUT UPDATE
Like I said, finally finished planning out my next block. Took a while because all of the ‘grow your booty’ plans that I was kinda trying to draw from were waaaay low with respect to the number of sets and reps I was doing at ‘peak’ build, even in a mild cut/deficit, before aggressive cutting started in September. Figured I’d paste what I put together in here, get some ‘wow’ reactions, or maybe some feedback.

Yes, the total number of sets is high. Yes, I recover just fine with this volume. This time around I’m focusing more on QUALITY engagement with the glutes though, so I may end up adjusting downward, we’ll see. This works pretty well for me, this split. Upper body days are dumb :)

Those Charles Glass moves are FIRE. Aaaand, am I crazy, but I might sign up for a SECOND gym membership, one that’s more of a bodybuilder gym. My current gym is a stupid 3 year contract. It’s fine, but the other gym is heaven, complete with a fancy posing room.

SPLIT
1 - posterior chain/glutes
2 - anterior chain
3 - upper body, zone 2 cardio
4 - posterior chain/glutes
5 - anterior chain

1 - POSTERIOR CHAIN (Heavy Day)

Exercise
Sets x Reps
Week 3 Load
Week 4 Load
Week 5 Load
Tempo
RIR
Rest
Notes
RDLs (or Pit Shark RDL)
6×12
95-115lbs
115-125lbs
125-135lbs
3-1-1
1
2-3 min
PRIMARY hamstring/glute mass builder
Hip Thrusts
6×12-15
185-205lbs
205-225lbs
225-245lbs
2-1-2
1
2-3 min
PRIMARY glute mass builder (heavier than Thursday)
Single-Leg RDLs
3×8-10/leg
25lbs
27.5lbs
30lbs
3-1-1
1-2
60s/leg
THASS emphasis, unilateral balance
Seated Leg Curls
3×12-15
60-70lbs
70-80lbs
80-90lbs
2-1-1
1-2
60s
Hamstring isolation
SCOOP METHOD Abductor
3×(6+15+5s)
Moderate
Moderate-Heavy
Heavy
Controlled
-
60s
Upper glute medius



2 - POSTERIOR CHAIN (Heavy Day)


Exercise
Sets x Reps
Week 3 Load
Week 4 Load
Week 5 Load
Tempo
RIR
Rest
Notes
RDLs (or Pit Shark RDL)
6×12
95-115lbs
115-125lbs
125-135lbs
3-1-1
1
2-3 min
PRIMARY hamstring/glute mass builder
Hip Thrusts
6×12-15
185-205lbs
205-225lbs
225-245lbs
2-1-2
1
2-3 min
PRIMARY glute mass builder (heavier than Thursday)
Single-Leg RDLs
3×8-10/leg
25lbs
27.5lbs
30lbs
3-1-1
1-2
60s/leg
THASS emphasis, unilateral balance
Seated Leg Curls
3×12-15
60-70lbs
70-80lbs
80-90lbs
2-1-1
1-2
60s
Hamstring isolation
SCOOP METHOD Abductor
3×(6+15+5s)
Moderate
Moderate-Heavy
Heavy
Controlled
-
60s
Upper glute medius



3 - UPPER BODY (Back Development Priority)

Exercise

Sets x Reps

Week 3 Load

Week 4 Load

Week 5 Load

Tempo

RIR

Rest

Notes

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

4×8-12

35lbs

40lbs

42.5lbs

2-0-1

1

90s

PRIMARY lat width exercise. Full stretch at top, pull to upper chest. X-frame emphasis.

Straight Arm Pulldown

3×12-15

25lbs

27.5lbs

30lbs

2-0-1

1-2

60s

Lat isolation. Slight forward lean, feel lats stretch and contract.

Seated Cable Row

2×10-12

50lbs

55lbs

60lbs

2-1-1

1-2

90s

MINIMAL mid-back work. Just maintenance, not priority.

Rear Delt Pec Fly (Machine)

4×12-15

35lbs

37.5lbs

40lbs

2-0-1

1-2

60s

Rear delt emphasis. Contributes to back pose + shoulder width.

Lateral Raise (DB or Cable)

3×12-15

10lbs

12.5lbs

12.5lbs

2-0-2

2

60s

Side delt width. Contributes to X-frame. Light weight, controlled.

Cable Face Pulls

3×15-20

30lbs

32.5lbs

35lbs

2-1-1

2

45s

Rear delt + upper back. Posture work.



4 - POSTERIOR CHAIN (Glute Isolation Day)


Exercise
Sets x Reps
Week 3 Weight
Week 4 Weight
Week 5 Weight
Tempo
RIR
Notes
Mini Band Side Steps
2x20
Mini Loop Band
Mini Loop Band
Mini Loop Band
Controlled
-
Activation only
Hip Thrusts (3s pause)
4x10
175lbs
185lbs
195lbs
1-0-3-2
1
PRIMARY glute stimulus. 3s pause at TOP. 2-3 min rest.
Smith Machine Vertical Leg Press + Hip Thrust Lockout (a la Charles Glass)
4x10-12
90-100lbs
100-110lbs
110-120lbs
2-0-2-1
1
Long-length + peak contraction. Focus on LOCKOUT squeeze. 90-120s rest.
Single-Leg RDL
4x8-10/leg
25lbs DBs
27.5lbs DBs
30lbs DBs
3-1-1
1-2
THASS emphasis (judge feedback). 60s rest per leg.
Smith Machine Reverse Hyper Sumo (a la Charles Glas)
4x12-15
BW-45lbs
45-55lbs
55-65lbs
2-0-1-2
1-2
Upper glute + thass. Face DOWN on bench. Keep weight LOW. 60-90s rest.
SCOOP METHOD Abductor
4x(6 banded leans + 15 mini + 5s hold)
Moderate
Moderate-Heavy
Heavy
Controlled
-
Upper glute medius. Front pose emphasis. 60s rest.
Machine Adductor
2x15-20
60lbs
65lbs
70lbs
2-1-1
2
OPTIONAL - drop if time. 45s rest.



5 - ANTERIOR CHAIN (Quad Isolation Day)


Exercise
Sets x Reps
Week 3 Load
Week 4 Load
Week 5 Load
Tempo
RIR
Rest
Notes
Leg Extensions (VMO EMPHASIS)5×15-20ModerateModerate+Heavy2-1-2160sVMO detail. Toes out, 2s squeeze at top.
Bulgarian Split Squats5×10/leg30lbs32.5lbs35lbs2-0-21-260s/legYou did 11 sets in August. 5 is reasonable progression.
Leg Press (High Foot Placement)4×15-20180lbs200lbs220lbs2-1-21-290sGlute bias. High/wide foot placement.
Walking Lunges3×12/leg15lbs17.5lbs20lbsControlled260sYou did these in August. Maintain.
Cable Kickbacks3×15-20/leg30-40lbs40-50lbs50-60lbs2-0-2-1245s/legAugust: 3x20 cable hip extension. Similar stimulus.
SCOOP METHOD Abductor3×(6+15+5s)ModerateModerate-HeavyHeavyControlled-60sUpper glute medius. Every lower day.

I should add that at the moment, still reversing out, I’m not up to this volume YET, but I’m just a few sets shy of it. I imagine in 3-4 weeks I’ll be back to where I was in August, and then go from there.

ALSO: have some local/regional shows planned for next year and 3-4 National shows. Such an easy rabbit hole to fall down.
 
Last edited:
REVERSE UPDATE
Reverse sucks. Sucks more than cutting to GET stage lean. Hate :P
I wouldn’t hate it so much but my lifts are weak sauce, and lifting is what I love most. Things are on the up and up though, and yesterday I finally finished planning out my next 12 weeks or so. Yes, I’m a planner. Yes, I use ChatGPT a LOT in addition to my coach. I kept meticulous records in my nutrition app, fitness app, and in a chat, about how I felt, what my macros were, etc. At the end, I created a massive document memorializing the process, looking at trends, and with recommendations for the NEXT prep.

WORKOUT UPDATE
Like I said, finally finished planning out my next block. Took a while because all of the ‘grow your booty’ plans that I was kinda trying to draw from were waaaay low with respect to the number of sets and reps I was doing at ‘peak’ build, even in a mild cut/deficit, before aggressive cutting started in September. Figured I’d paste what I put together in here, get some ‘wow’ reactions, or maybe some feedback.

Yes, the total number of sets is high. Yes, I recover just fine with this volume. This time around I’m focusing more on QUALITY engagement with the glutes though, so I may end up adjusting downward, we’ll see. This works pretty well for me, this split. Upper body days are dumb :)

Those Charles Glass moves are FIRE. Aaaand, am I crazy, but I might sign up for a SECOND gym membership, one that’s more of a bodybuilder gym. My current gym is a stupid 3 year contract. It’s fine, but the other gym is heaven, complete with a fancy posing room.

SPLIT
1 - posterior chain/glutes
2 - anterior chain
3 - upper body, zone 2 cardio
4 - posterior chain/glutes
5 - anterior chain

1 - POSTERIOR CHAIN (Heavy Day)

Exercise
Sets x Reps
Week 3 Load
Week 4 Load
Week 5 Load
Tempo
RIR
Rest
Notes
RDLs (or Pit Shark RDL)
6×12
95-115lbs
115-125lbs
125-135lbs
3-1-1
1
2-3 min
PRIMARY hamstring/glute mass builder
Hip Thrusts
6×12-15
185-205lbs
205-225lbs
225-245lbs
2-1-2
1
2-3 min
PRIMARY glute mass builder (heavier than Thursday)
Single-Leg RDLs
3×8-10/leg
25lbs
27.5lbs
30lbs
3-1-1
1-2
60s/leg
THASS emphasis, unilateral balance
Seated Leg Curls
3×12-15
60-70lbs
70-80lbs
80-90lbs
2-1-1
1-2
60s
Hamstring isolation
SCOOP METHOD Abductor
3×(6+15+5s)
Moderate
Moderate-Heavy
Heavy
Controlled
-
60s
Upper glute medius



2 - POSTERIOR CHAIN (Heavy Day)


Exercise
Sets x Reps
Week 3 Load
Week 4 Load
Week 5 Load
Tempo
RIR
Rest
Notes
RDLs (or Pit Shark RDL)
6×12
95-115lbs
115-125lbs
125-135lbs
3-1-1
1
2-3 min
PRIMARY hamstring/glute mass builder
Hip Thrusts
6×12-15
185-205lbs
205-225lbs
225-245lbs
2-1-2
1
2-3 min
PRIMARY glute mass builder (heavier than Thursday)
Single-Leg RDLs
3×8-10/leg
25lbs
27.5lbs
30lbs
3-1-1
1-2
60s/leg
THASS emphasis, unilateral balance
Seated Leg Curls
3×12-15
60-70lbs
70-80lbs
80-90lbs
2-1-1
1-2
60s
Hamstring isolation
SCOOP METHOD Abductor
3×(6+15+5s)
Moderate
Moderate-Heavy
Heavy
Controlled
-
60s
Upper glute medius



3 - UPPER BODY (Back Development Priority)

Exercise

Sets x Reps

Week 3 Load

Week 4 Load

Week 5 Load

Tempo

RIR

Rest

Notes

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

4×8-12

35lbs

40lbs

42.5lbs

2-0-1

1

90s

PRIMARY lat width exercise. Full stretch at top, pull to upper chest. X-frame emphasis.

Straight Arm Pulldown

3×12-15

25lbs

27.5lbs

30lbs

2-0-1

1-2

60s

Lat isolation. Slight forward lean, feel lats stretch and contract.

Seated Cable Row

2×10-12

50lbs

55lbs

60lbs

2-1-1

1-2

90s

MINIMAL mid-back work. Just maintenance, not priority.

Rear Delt Pec Fly (Machine)

4×12-15

35lbs

37.5lbs

40lbs

2-0-1

1-2

60s

Rear delt emphasis. Contributes to back pose + shoulder width.

Lateral Raise (DB or Cable)

3×12-15

10lbs

12.5lbs

12.5lbs

2-0-2

2

60s

Side delt width. Contributes to X-frame. Light weight, controlled.

Cable Face Pulls

3×15-20

30lbs

32.5lbs

35lbs

2-1-1

2

45s

Rear delt + upper back. Posture work.



4 - POSTERIOR CHAIN (Glute Isolation Day)


Exercise
Sets x Reps
Week 3 Weight
Week 4 Weight
Week 5 Weight
Tempo
RIR
Notes
Mini Band Side Steps
2x20
Mini Loop Band
Mini Loop Band
Mini Loop Band
Controlled
-
Activation only
Hip Thrusts (3s pause)
4x10
175lbs
185lbs
195lbs
1-0-3-2
1
PRIMARY glute stimulus. 3s pause at TOP. 2-3 min rest.
Smith Machine Vertical Leg Press + Hip Thrust Lockout (a la Charles Glass)
4x10-12
90-100lbs
100-110lbs
110-120lbs
2-0-2-1
1
Long-length + peak contraction. Focus on LOCKOUT squeeze. 90-120s rest.
Single-Leg RDL
4x8-10/leg
25lbs DBs
27.5lbs DBs
30lbs DBs
3-1-1
1-2
THASS emphasis (judge feedback). 60s rest per leg.
Smith Machine Reverse Hyper Sumo (a la Charles Glas)
4x12-15
BW-45lbs
45-55lbs
55-65lbs
2-0-1-2
1-2
Upper glute + thass. Face DOWN on bench. Keep weight LOW. 60-90s rest.
SCOOP METHOD Abductor
4x(6 banded leans + 15 mini + 5s hold)
Moderate
Moderate-Heavy
Heavy
Controlled
-
Upper glute medius. Front pose emphasis. 60s rest.
Machine Adductor
2x15-20
60lbs
65lbs
70lbs
2-1-1
2
OPTIONAL - drop if time. 45s rest.



5 - ANTERIOR CHAIN (Quad Isolation Day)


Exercise
Sets x Reps
Week 3 Load
Week 4 Load
Week 5 Load
Tempo
RIR
Rest
Notes
Leg Extensions (VMO EMPHASIS)5×15-20ModerateModerate+Heavy2-1-2160sVMO detail. Toes out, 2s squeeze at top.
Bulgarian Split Squats5×10/leg30lbs32.5lbs35lbs2-0-21-260s/legYou did 11 sets in August. 5 is reasonable progression.
Leg Press (High Foot Placement)4×15-20180lbs200lbs220lbs2-1-21-290sGlute bias. High/wide foot placement.
Walking Lunges3×12/leg15lbs17.5lbs20lbsControlled260sYou did these in August. Maintain.
Cable Kickbacks3×15-20/leg30-40lbs40-50lbs50-60lbs2-0-2-1245s/legAugust: 3x20 cable hip extension. Similar stimulus.
SCOOP METHOD Abductor3×(6+15+5s)ModerateModerate-HeavyHeavyControlled-60sUpper glute medius. Every lower day.

I should add that at the moment, still reversing out, I’m not up to this volume YET, but I’m just a few sets shy of it. I imagine in 3-4 weeks I’ll be back to where I was in August, and then go from there.

ALSO: have some local/regional shows planned for next year and 3-4 National shows. Such an easy rabbit hole to fall down.
Thank you so much for sharing your training protocol. It is super helpful, especially with all the notes. Wishing you the best in your reverse diet and in future endeavors!
 
Thank you so much for sharing your training protocol. It is super helpful, especially with all the notes. Wishing you the best in your reverse diet and in future endeavors!
Thanks - I posted yesterday then spent some time thinking maybe I shouldn’t have, maybe Meso is gonna pile on and say WTH are you even doing here…all good though, and this volume has been working for me for a while now (May-August 2025, really).

I don’t think I had good Mind Muscle Connection with my glutes before, and now that I do, I may lower the sets/reps based on recovery, we’ll see. But goal is to grow that peach :)
 
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