Yesterday we had a great workout, largely due to the fact we were able to successfully get through a grueling workout with a five-man training crew. Training with more than two people is a challenge -- getting five people to work in sync, remain focused, and push each other both physically, as well as emotionally is a major acommplishment that can only be chalked to a serious committment to disciplined training.
John Mamaligas, James Lawrence, the Hawk, Melvin Byron, & myself embarked on a shoulder routine that included well over seven exercises -- for a total of over 30 sets, that's 150 sets between the five of us over the course of just ninety minutes. The group also implemented light exercises in between working-sets to offset extended periods of downtime.
When you're training with one or two other guys, you might wait/rest anywhere from thrity seconds to a minute, but when you have to wait four turns just for your number to come up X 5 sets -- this can easily turn into a recipe for disaster. Still, w/o getting in anyone's way or hogging any equipment, I must confess that being part of a team effort -- in what's largely been marketed as a 'sport of one,' is truly a great feeling.
When you create a group and keep a blog or a little facebook group, and recruits start knockin on the door from other cities, states, and even from other countries -- that's very flattering. When guys like Melvin Byron and Greg Morison are actually brainstorming for t-shirts for the group (and their ideas just floor you, and their future thinking into cost, artists, prices) -- that's encouraging, it give me and all of us that renewed sense that what we're all doing is so much more than just carrying on w/ a group of guys that happen to lift.
I think there's a few envious trolls out there that aim solely to take a crap on what we're doing -- be it by openly trying to sabotage us to the subtle defeatist talk in the gy -- but overall you can't just lift with someone 1-2hrs, 3-5x per week, every week - for months on end - even years, without building friendships, without developing a trust in these people, without beginning to depend on them.
I personally don't like to hear people tell me I can't do something -- or -- I shouldn't be too disappointed when I fail . The old saying 'misery loves company' is quite rampant in the gym -- I know there's people w/ better physiques than me, I know there's far more knowledgeable people out there than I am, but I don't care -- I've lost 50lbs and I'm getting ripped; Jordan went through hell and back in a car accident and he's benching 245 w/ perfect form, the Hawk went from barely training to being one of the strongest, most committed lifters at Gym Bumz. Your destiny is in your hands.
If a severely retarded child can train his butt off despite all the curve balls life has thrown his way and win a race at Special Olympics and succeed despite all the obstacles in his way -- then you can get stronger, you can get ripped, and you can be a role model people look up to.
Every single member of StrengthAddicts.com has the potential to reach their goals and be a role model -- and not only can you do that, but the group will push you.
High school and college are over for most of you. Some of you didn't play sprots -- but really wanted to, some of you weren't in fraternities or sororities -- but have always wondered what it would have been like. StrengthAddicts.com can be your sports team and it can be your greek lettered organization -- in fact -- it can be just about anything you want it to be :) Because everyone has a voice and we encourage you to speak up!
[Sermon now Over :-) ]
I've never used a Large, so I'm hoping if I get halfway into it, I'll reached my lowest waist size since my teen years. I think if I could sport a 38" weight I'd look very formidable. 
Interestingly, the most important chest exercise for mass and strength in your chest region is working the top portion of the muscle, addressed by incline movements. In terms of difficuluty, the incline is King for overall power and presentation. The most commonly used litmus test for gym-abilities by the overweight, out-of-shape mainstream is the flat bench. Chest training, while largely motivated by our want of female attention, is also a key make-or-break point of conversation between Alpha-Males -- and let's face it.. even the scholarly, fine wine drinkin, golf playing, father's son, Church going and flag saluting goody two shoes wants to be an ALPHA MALE whether in his outward appearance only - or - altogether.