[Layla]

Hey Layla, can you provide a little history on your Muscle Round utilization? Do you program this as a time saving strategy or just general enjoyment? Also curious how you stumbled into it! Thanks

Hey Thomas, very late response on my part but here goes: I came across muscle rounds reading Scott Stevensons Fortitude Training – honestly 100% worth the purchase, please do invest in it. When I was fairly new to bodybuilding it gave me an absolute treasure trove of knowledge all in one spot. I didn’t directly apply fortitude style training to myself but I cherry picked elements that I found suited me well – one of those being muscle rounds for two of my (4) training days in the week. Aside from the logic of providing decent variation in rep ranges for me across a week, I also just found and still find them incredibly fun – even if I’ve since bastardised the way I approach them. I find they CAN help save time for sure, but imo you’ve got to be pretty dialled in with where you’re loading should be for appropriate intensity otherwise they can turn into a bit of a lacklustre cluster set and not give you much in the way of stimulus for growth imo.

[Layla]

Had a really good time at the TBJP sponsored 2brospro show up in Bradford this weekend. It was fantastic to see a Pro Figure lineup, which is something I’ve wanted to see for a while, as well as a Pro Wellness lineup. Really enjoyed the day.

Yesterday was a non-training day and a pretty late one getting back home around 02:30, but back in the gym this morning. I’ve quite literally just moved into a new place and am now really close to a gym in Croydon that I used to train at years ago, so it’s nice to be back there again.

Things are a little manic with the move at the moment, but training is going fantastically. Body weight has dipped slightly to around 76.7kg, largely because I’ve been busy rather than from any intentional reduction in food. I’ll be bringing food up a little next week and seeing how things respond.

Training split is staying the same, generally following a 2 on, 1 off layout. Everything is progressing well, so the plan is to keep pushing up a little for the remainder of the year, potentially have a bit of a tidy-up in January, and then work towards competing later in 2027. Shifting gyms isn’t likely to be a hindrance training wise because I’ll be coming from a really well kitted out gym straight into another really well kitted out one.

I’ve got my eye on a few shows in 2027, mainly with the tested feds. Exactly which shows I go for will depend on how I’m looking and where I fit best class-wise, but female bodybuilding will be the only class I enter in natural federations.

I’ll keep updating on here as things progress. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I should also be getting back to posting a few more videos on socials over the coming week 🫡

[Layla]

Lower early this AM went down a treat – food has been upped slightly as bodyweight is holding firm at 78k. Super busy day at work post training so a VERY big COR meal post to make sure I didn’t get behind. Currently catching up on my last meal and getting some much needed rest.

[Layla]

Working 7 days on the trot this week so a slightly shorter day at work followed with rest and just some life admin. Training early AM tomorrow for lower which I’m looking forward to as always.

[Layla]

Upper loading today was a tad shorter than planned purely because of scheduling today with both work and life but it was a good session nonetheless. Rowing moves really hitting all time highs on strength now which is lovely – predominantly chest supported at the moment purely so I can have a fresh lower back and SI for all lower sessions.

[Layla]

As promised, steps today were high for me – sat just above 20k so very glad I didn’t need to squeeze a training session in today. Hoping to train at a more reasonable time tomorrow for upper loading which is always a slightly longer one.

[Layla]

Yet again another super busy day yesterday so a rest day on the books. Also somehow managed to squeeze in watching the new Spider-Man film in the cinema at a late showing. Early AM today was lower MRs which was a great session. Super busy day at work tomorrow planned so times well with a rest day as steps will be HIGH.

[Layla]

Super busy day yesterday with a late PM upper muscle rounds. Leading into today with an early start recovery wasn’t where I’d like it to be so it’s an early night for me. BW holding at 77.5kg throughout this week.

[Layla]

First day off in what feels like forever so had a very much needed lie in and cracked on with some household chores and a few bits on my car I’ve been meaning to do. Full rest day today with a walk around lunchtime. Busy week ahead so meals mainly all prepped tonight.

[Layla]

Lower muscle rounds ticked off early again this AM. ANOTHER nice new bit of kit to play with on lower days – gymlego hip press is one of my all time favourites so base loading is set and it’ll only climb up from here. Without wanting to jinx anything, I’m not carrying any kind of niggles at the moment so it’s looking like this will be a good run.

[Layla]

Upper muscle rounds checked off early this AM – strength holding nicely despite a few weeks of less than ideal recovery due to work. A few more busy weeks and I’ll be back on track with a slightly more normal routine again which I’m looking forward to.

[Layla]

Lower loading in the books early this AM. The gymleco hack is honestly such fun to progress – it’s been a few years since I’ve had a different hack in regularly so this should be interesting to see how my hips and knees hold up. So far so good!

[Layla]

Super busy day today and fortunately a rest day – pretty much at work from 10-10 so very glad for the rest. Steps averaging 12k a day with work at the moment so rest day food is sat at 250C 200P 85F. Lower loading tomorrow evening which I’m looking forward to with the new kit I have access to.

[Layla]

So after a few weeks lacking an update here’s where we’re at:
– New gym opened over in Brighton after about a year of prep and work – honestly most spare nights and days have been spent helping put that place together so this is a huge thing for me and the whole team at Unified Strength.
– Strength is at all time highs especially in upper body work – 60kg dbs for flat pressing are on the horizon which is insane to me.
– BW holding fairly well at 79kg, I’ll run another month or so with food where it’s at and will be running a 8 week tidy up l.
– Split is still exactly the same, just access to a few pieces of new kit has meant a little more variety in my leg work which is never a problem. E.g. Gymleco hack is now in the mix as is the granite x tbjp loaded hyper which is immense.

[Layla]

I’ve had a crazy busy month since my last update and so I’ve been sparse on the updates since. Training is going fantastically – I’ve had to make amendments here and there to simply fit training in my days for a few weeks here and there but on the whole I’ve taken progressions across the board. All to be expected as BW is creeping up nicely and recovery is surprisingly good considering how busy I’ve been. BW sitting at 78kg or thereabouts.