# What do you think the following workout does to hormone levels **URL:** \ **Category:** Men's Pheromone Advice & Field Reports\ **Created:** [June 1, 2011, 8:58am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543 "2011-06-01T08:58:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dsouza](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/dsouza/32/840_2.png) [@dsouza](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/dsouza)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 8:58am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/1 "2011-06-01T08:58:34Z")
Just curious on your opinions on the following workout: I workout 3 x week. With 5-10 lbs kettlebelles. 5 min warm up. 20 min NON STOP max heart rate training. I’m usually sweating like a pig when the 20 min is up 5 min cooldown. I figure I stay in the 85-90% MHR target range for 50% of the workout. Now with bodybuilding and heavy weights I found my hormone levels and sex drive increasing. With this I find my sex drive is zilch. I also find when I recover I have tremendous energy and feel on top of the world. I am 41 years young and feel in 6 weeks I will be in the best shape of my life even if I don’t lose that much weight. Just wondering if workouts like this castrate men. I tend to do 1 day resistance with 10 lbs kettlebells. 1 day cardio with 5 lbs kettlebells and 1 day core with 5 lbs kettlebells. I average 200 Bodyweight squats per workout and sweat like a pig. What do you think this does to my mone signature at my age? Do you think I can safety use high amounts of products to increase it? I also tend to sleep less with this workout as the energy boost really helps me recover faster. Its a great core workout. I feel my abs, legs and butt are challenged throughout the 20 min dsouza ---
**Author:** ![RADMAN513](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/radman513/32/364_2.png) [@RADMAN513](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/RADMAN513)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/2 "2011-06-01T12:53:43Z")
Cardio, while essential for overall health and incredibly helpful for fat loss does seem to have a negative effect on testosterone levels. Body builder/Weight lifter/Power Lifter style training is best for boosting T levels. Heavy weights, low reps/gross motor movements (multi joint) with reasonably long rest periods between sets. An example would be a power-5 workout. Bench, Squat, Deadlift, Military/Overhead Press, and Bent Over Barbell Rows…do bench and barbell rows on monday, Overhead Press and Dead lifts on wednesday and Squats on friday. Do each exercise with as much weight as you can safely handle for 5 reps, take upwards of 5 minutes rest between each set. That’s a killer T boosting workout. On the other hand if you want to boost your GH (the fountain of youth hormone) levels studies have shown German Volume Style training can make GH levels skyrocket. Similar to the above but using a weight you can handle for 20 reps. You stop each set at the 10 rep mark and rest 60 seconds between sets. The muscle pump is insane and lasts almost all day. The way you’re training now, might not be enough cardio to raise Cort or Est levels significantly (excessive cardio can do that) but it’s doing nothing for your T levels. ---
**Author:** ![thegentleman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/thegentleman/32/1770_2.png) [@thegentleman](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/thegentleman)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/3 "2011-06-01T17:14:41Z")
Yeah be careful about doing too much cardio if you’re not balancing out with some strength training. Cardio will raise your estrogen levels. ---
**Author:** ![evolver](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/evolver/32/1896_2.png) [@evolver](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/evolver)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/4 "2011-06-01T17:44:34Z")
> [@thegentleman](#): > > Yeah be careful about doing too much cardio if you’re not balancing out with some strength training. Cardio will raise your estrogen levels. Not anything to worry about. The weight loss and energy benefits are excellent. For what it’s worth, beer increases estrogen levels too. ---
**Author:** ![dsouza](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/dsouza/32/840_2.png) [@dsouza](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/dsouza)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/5 "2011-06-01T17:49:37Z")
Guys the cardio I’m doing isn’t like biking or running on a treadmill for 25 min. I mentioned bodyweight squats with 10 lb kettlebells. 200-300 squats per workout and about a dozen other exercises with the kettebells. After lifting a 10 lbs kettlebell in all kinds of fashion along with the squats hundreds upon hundreds of times per week I feel I can easily curl a 60 lb dumbell with 1 hand even though I never touch more than 10 lbs of weight with the kettlebells. Obviously real world transfer here is huge. But without going off topic I do know I’m really relaxed and happy and full of energy. I also make for a better romancer. With heavy weights I get the testosterone but it gets me no where as I find myself introverted because I’m so horny all the time, and also because it messes my posture. I also feel more depressed because all that muscle mass I gain makes me look fat and short since I am already quite bulky at 5’8". A depressed mood doesn’t transfer into success even if my muscles do look better. A streamlined physique is a lot more attractive if you ask me and appeals to more women than just a bodybuilders physique. Perhaps once I lose enough weight I will increase to 15 lb kettlebells if necessary to build muscle but I think that will be it. I have neck injuries and low back injuries from years of intense mixed martial arts training and its gotten to the point where I can aggravate them easily with heavy weights. Just curious what it does to mone signature. Being able to wear more mones without OD is just a welcome change. But if sex drive is killed I may have to resort to cialis or viagra if test levels are too low. Now if I was 20 I wouldn’t have any of these problems and be able to lift like any other kid, but time has done its damage and I’m here for fitness in the long haul now. dsouza ---
**Author:** ![Blacky\_Chan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/blacky_chan/32/973_2.png) [@Blacky\_Chan](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Blacky_Chan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/6 "2011-06-01T18:30:50Z")
Why not try replacing one of your workouts with a moderate weight full body workout. Years ago when i was trying to get back into shape I would use a mix of full body workouts. Mon and Friday were high reps and short rest. Wed was low reps and longer rest breaks. ---
**Author:** ![Gotchaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@Gotchaz](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Gotchaz)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/7 "2011-06-01T20:11:05Z")
Why not take something to boost your T? I use [Testo-Burn Fat Burner AND Natural Testosterone Booster](http://www.houseofmuscle.com/tefatbuandna.html) The same site has an estro blocker if you don’t want to take a T enhancer all natural not steroids. ---
**Author:** ![dsouza](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/dsouza/32/840_2.png) [@dsouza](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/dsouza)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/8 "2011-06-01T22:34:24Z")
> [@Gotchaz](#): > > Why not take something to boost your T? I use [Testo-Burn Fat Burner AND Natural Testosterone Booster](http://www.houseofmuscle.com/tefatbuandna.html) > > The same site has an estro blocker if you don’t want to take a T enhancer all natural not steroids. I take a herb called Tongkat Ali. It does increase my T to some extent but not as much as the squats and deadlifts did. Still walking around horny doesn’t mean you will get laid. Most women won’t respond to sex immediately unless your in a bar looking for ONS which I’m not. I think being full of energy and increasing arousal as a woman’s emotions increase is best. It also means I’m a happier person and not seen as some sex maniac in his 40’s. I don’t plan on turning skinny or anything. Maybe plan to add 5-10 lbs of muscle and lose 3 inches off my gut. That would make me happy as ever. It would result in probably a 10 lbs drop on the scale down to 170 or so at 5’8" is pretty much medium build. Lifting heavy or even moderate weights just makes me want to sleep all the time and really irritable. I’m addicted to the good feeling of the endorphin rush I get with my kettlebell workout so it stays .. for now. Lets see how the mones complement it. dsouza ---
**Author:** ![Gotchaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@Gotchaz](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Gotchaz)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/9 "2011-06-01T23:29:13Z")
I wasn’t talking about taking supplements to get laid. I was suggesting it so you can increase your T without doing lifts and getting tired. That’s all. ---
**Author:** ![thegentleman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/thegentleman/32/1770_2.png) [@thegentleman](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/thegentleman)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/10 "2011-06-02T18:44:19Z")
> [@evolver](#): > > Not anything to worry about. The weight loss and energy benefits are excellent. For what it’s worth, beer increases estrogen levels too. It is something to concern yourself about when you are a low producer of testosterone…like say a guy in his mid 40’s. 😉 And wasn’t saying NOT to use cardio. Was saying balance it out with strength training. ---
**Author:** ![dsouza](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/dsouza/32/840_2.png) [@dsouza](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/dsouza)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/11 "2011-06-02T18:50:33Z")
> [@thegentleman](#): > > It is something to concern yourself about when you are a low producer of testosterone…like say a guy in his mid 40’s. 😉 > And wasn’t saying NOT to use cardio. Was saying balance it out with strength training. Agreed which is why i’m going to up the kettlebell weights on resistance day. dsouza ---
**Author:** ![evolver](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/evolver/32/1896_2.png) [@evolver](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/evolver)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/12 "2011-06-03T18:01:31Z")
I think you significantly overestimate the fluctuations weightlifting causes to your hormones and [pheromones](https://pheromonelabs.com/). Also, I find your claims about heavy weights very odd. You say it makes your posture worse, which makes me think you do not use the correct form. Weightlifting done properly improves posture, and eliminates soreness (Delayed Onset Soreness is eliminated by regular training). Maybe you are overtraining? The amount of reps you are doing of your exercises have to be significantly reduced if you are doing heavy weights. I recommend 5x5 (ala [stronglifts.com](http://stronglifts.com)) or 5/3/1 (starting strength). Stronglifts is great because you start off with an empty bar, and slowly add 5lbs each exercise, so that you are never overwhelmed. I recommend [reddit.com/r/fitness](http://reddit.com/r/fitness) if you have any other fitness related questions. Here’s an article that may help, [Do You Listen To Your Body? | StrongLifts.com](http://stronglifts.com/do-you-listen-to-your-body/) I also use kettlebells, love em. I do 2 armed swings at this point, 50-75 3x a week with a 50lb kettlebell. Radman and Thegentleman, please post a citation for where you are making these claims about cardio. Otherwise it’s just broscience. ---
**Author:** ![CB2553](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47c2d/32.png) [@CB2553](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/CB2553)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/13 "2011-06-03T19:42:02Z")
Just my 2 cents - I have been body building for years. Very heavy training 4-5 days a week. I am 197lbs approx 12% bf at the moment and leaning out a little more for summer. There is NO way you are going to gain 5 - 10 lbs lean mass using 10 lb kettle balls, 20 lb kettle balls or 100 lb kettle balls for that matter. They will help build up less used muscles and even help you lose weight since the amout of reps you are doing and your working heart rate is really cardio - and not weight training. If you want to put on the 10 lbs of lean mass just like everyone has stated above you must lift heavy weights and use all compound movements. On to your injuries - I have spinal stenosis, hurniated and bulging disks which bother me just getting out of bed in the morning. If you train with correct form - it doesnt matter the exercise it will not bother you. the adrenaline rush actually makes the pain go away. Good luck with your training. > [@evolver](#): > > I think you significantly overestimate the fluctuations weightlifting causes to your hormones and pheromones. Also, I find your claims about heavy weights very odd. You say it makes your posture worse, which makes me think you do not use the correct form. Weightlifting done properly improves posture, and eliminates soreness (Delayed Onset Soreness is eliminated by regular training). Maybe you are overtraining? The amount of reps you are doing of your exercises have to be significantly reduced if you are doing heavy weights. I recommend 5x5 (ala [stronglifts.com](http://stronglifts.com)) or 5/3/1 (starting strength). Stronglifts is great because you start off with an empty bar, and slowly add 5lbs each exercise, so that you are never overwhelmed. > > I recommend [reddit.com/r/fitness](http://reddit.com/r/fitness) if you have any other fitness related questions. > > Here’s an article that may help, [Do You Listen To Your Body? | StrongLifts.com](http://stronglifts.com/do-you-listen-to-your-body/) > > I also use kettlebells, love em. I do 2 armed swings at this point, 50-75 3x a week with a 50lb kettlebell. > > Radman and Thegentleman, please post a citation for where you are making these claims about cardio. Otherwise it’s just broscience. ---
**Author:** ![Nycteris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8c91f0/32.png) [@Nycteris](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Nycteris)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/14 "2011-06-04T00:22:22Z")
I’m just going to keep it simple and agree with RADMAN and CB2553 that compound lifts are going to release the most hormones and work out multiple muscles along with the primary ones they’re intended to strengthen. The most productive one is definitely squats because of the sheer size of your leg muscles and the support you need from your upper body to perform the lift. f you’re worried about using free weights, exercise videos on [bodybuilding.com](http://bodybuilding.com) or a personal trainer can show you proper form, technique, and range of motion to perform them. Starting to work out with those lifts rather than isolation exercises, along with a 6 meal/day diet so you’re periodically getting protein is pretty much textbook for gaining mass. ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/boudicca/32/5171_2.png) [@Boudicca](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Boudicca)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/15 "2011-06-04T00:47:21Z")
[Bodybuilding.com - Manipulating Hormone Release Naturally With Resistance Training!](http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/issa22.htm) > [@](#): > > According to the size principle, motor units are recruited in order according to their recruitment thresholds and firing rates. Since most muscles contain a range of Type I and Type II fibers, force production can be very low or very high. Therefore, to get to a high-threshold motor unit, all of the motor units below it must be sequentially recruited. Heavy resistance training recruits these high threshold motor units, therefore all the units below it can undergo hormonal adaptations to the stress of the heavy loads. > > An increase in serum testosterone levels is one result of heavy resistance training. Since testosterone is the primary hormone that interacts with skeletal muscle tissue, it has both direct and indirect effects on muscle tissue. Resistance training utilizing large muscle groups of the lower body (squats, deadlifts) can increase serum testosterone concentrations more than other types of exercises. Using a resistance of 85%-95% of one-rep maximum will also increase testosterone levels more than other resistance loads. ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/boudicca/32/5171_2.png) [@Boudicca](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Boudicca)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/16 "2011-06-04T00:49:55Z")
Same link: > [@](#): > > The light weight used in high repetition work is not enough to innervate the higher threshold motor units in a muscle. The key is that only muscle fibers activated by the resistance training will respond to increased levels of anabolic hormones. When heavier weights (lower reps) are used in resistance training, more muscle fibers are recruited. The more muscle fibers recruited for an exercise, the greater the extent of remodeling in the entire muscle. FWIW I used to noncompetitively bodybuild and was, for a time, an ACE-cert’ed personal trainer. ---
**Author:** ![dsouza](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/dsouza/32/840_2.png) [@dsouza](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/dsouza)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 6:31am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/17 "2011-06-05T06:31:01Z")
I don’t need to gain muscle mass I’m big enough. i need to lose 15 lbs of fat and put on 5 lbs of muscle. Still I don’t think i lack muscle mass, I think i lack libido/sex drive at 41. I found my sex drive and horniness go through the roof when I was doing heavy squats etc but I also found myself sleeping all day, being generally tired, and walking around horny. Perfect recipe if I was a male whore or a stripper but I need to interact with everyday women too and many are turned off by a horny bastard initially unless they are cougars or looking for ONS. With the 10 lb kettlebells muscles are developing all over my body that I never even saw develop with heavy weight training. Cardio is through the roof with hundreds of squats. Sleep is less because the cardio is causing me to recover faster and you know less sleep kills hormones. Sex drive is non existent which makes for good use of mx297 as I’m relaxed and socialable. When I add in the tuth I act more masculine to be congruent. Basically I’m turning into a good actor. But there will come a time when I will need to pop boners. I may have to resort to drugs (viagra, cialis) if weight loss kills my test. I know this is not a problem with my mind or anything because soon as I do bodybuilding in the gym I pop boners all through the nighttime and am horny as a pig in heat. dsouza ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/boudicca/32/5171_2.png) [@Boudicca](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Boudicca)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/18 "2011-06-05T06:35:56Z")
> [@](#): > > With the 10 lb kettlebells muscles are developing all over my body that I never even saw develop with heavy weight training. No, the muscles are not developing. 10lb is not enough resistance to develop muscle. What is happening is that you are TONING the muscles that are already there, and EXPOSING them by fat-burning. You are getting “ripped.” Frankly I suspect that you are actually overtraining. You haven’t said anything about your diet at this point. Are you getting plenty of protein? Drinking enough water? Electrolytes? What is your calorie intake? ---
**Author:** ![thegentleman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/thegentleman/32/1770_2.png) [@thegentleman](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/thegentleman)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/19 "2011-06-05T21:44:17Z")
I wanted to help out here…but I just don’t have the energy to watch someone not listen. ---
**Author:** ![dsouza](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/dsouza/32/840_2.png) [@dsouza](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/dsouza)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543/20 "2011-06-05T23:48:25Z")
Seems like the general consensus here is that kettlebells at low weights will not up hormone levels and based on my experience with it this last week it sure shows that is true. I have decided to take up weight training in place of the hundreds of squats. Today I did a leg workout of 3 sets of 8 reps of: squat, leg press, deadlift, leg extension, leg curl, calf raise,followed by 30 min of cardio. Some are compound lifts some are not. I was out of there in 45-50 min. Feel very rested and energetic. I am anticipating my sex drive will get back on track again. Unfortunately, I have degenerative disc disease in my knee cartilage, lower back cartilage and neck cartilage from years of weight training in my 20’s and also from MMA throughout right up to the age of 30 when I gave it up due to severe injuries to neck, lower back, achilles tendon etc. Consequently no extremely heavy lifts for me. I also have decided to split the body into 1 week giving it plenty of time to recover at my age of 41. I now do legs (day 1), back/chest (day 2), shoulders (day 3), arms (day 4). Some days will give a test boost some days may not. I try to include at least 2-3 compound lifts every workout along with isolation. I don’t want to be the huge balled testosterone guy with no shape but just bulky muscles. I like the well propotioned look. **As for mones I find IS, ammo, mx 297, and tuth work like magic for me (sometimes all in one day). I use any combination of the latter depending on the occassion. Once in a while I throw in a314 but I’m not really an alpha dude so I don’t want to project that vibe.** I’m giving the kettlebells a rest. I was concerned about posture. tell me guys if this is a mistake:Since I have neck problems I found ANY abdominal work to aggravate and tense up my neck even when I keep it straight. I also found heavy shoulder work to do the same since its closely connected with the neck muscles. Because of this I’ve decided to just get indirect work on the abs by all the free weights I do. Do you think this is good enough for some tone? I know I will probably not drop so low in BF% or get hard abs but as long as its flat and my posture is good I am a happy man. [Next page](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-think-the-following-workout-does-to-hormone-levels/50543.md?page=2)