Dynamic Warm-ups
Deadlifts
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x1
335x1
335x1
335x1
335x1
335x1
18" S-Cubed Bar Box Squats
207x5
257x5
307x5
Glute Ham Raises
bwx10
bwx10
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
Reverse Hyperextensions
50x20
50x20
50x20
29 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Really happy this is a deload week as I have a bit of a cold now. Despite that, I felt quite strong. Pulled deadlifts as fast and explosive as I could. Super easy stuff. Went right from pulls to box squats. Plenty warm from the deadlifts to not have to do any warm-ups for the squats. Finished up with easy assistance stuff and went home to stretch where it was quieter as my head was thumping haha.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
February 25, 2013 – Bench Press Training (Deload)
Dynamic Warm-ups
Close Grip Barbell Bench Presses
45x10
95x5
135x3
175x3
215x1
250x1
250x1
250x1
185x6
Wide Grip Barbell Bench Presses (paused)
205x6
205x6
Parallel Bar Dips
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
Dumbbell Front Raises
30’sx4
30’sx4
IYT’s
5’sx12
5’sx12
5’sx12
28 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: First workout of the deload. Abs and forearms as still quite sore. Weight actually felt quite good on my shoulders (wrists are a different story) so it was all quite fast and easy. Tried to move the weights as fast as I could on all the exercises. Nice and easy so a good start to this deload.
Close Grip Barbell Bench Presses
45x10
95x5
135x3
175x3
215x1
250x1
250x1
250x1
185x6
Wide Grip Barbell Bench Presses (paused)
205x6
205x6
Parallel Bar Dips
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
Dumbbell Front Raises
30’sx4
30’sx4
IYT’s
5’sx12
5’sx12
5’sx12
28 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: First workout of the deload. Abs and forearms as still quite sore. Weight actually felt quite good on my shoulders (wrists are a different story) so it was all quite fast and easy. Tried to move the weights as fast as I could on all the exercises. Nice and easy so a good start to this deload.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
February 24, 2013 – Event Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Yoke (drops at 50')
340x100'
520x50'
610x50'
700xpick
700x174'
Atlas Stone Loads to 60"
240x3
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
Comments: Managed to get events in this week. Did endurance work for yoke and speed work for stones. The idea for yoke was to go as far as I can with a good weight until I have to drop it. Used a 50' course and warm-ups felt like garbage at times. Getting the yoke into position at the start and the first pick with 700lbs felt like crap. I just knew I had to get my head right. I was doing close to this weight for speed work a few weeks ago. It's not heavy, just do it. The actual work set felt remarkably better. Goal was to at least get 100' but aiming optimistically for 200'. Fatigue really kicked in on the third trip and I dropped it about half way on my fourth trip. Just one a done. Save that multiple drop and grind stuff for when it matters. Legs were swollen from this haha. Cleaned up the yoke stuff and got ready for stones. Just wanted to do speed work. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do doubles or singles. Hips didn't feel as snappy (probably from the yoking) but did doubles. Dirty stone is dirty. I was going to cut it at six but the first rep of that set was so piss poor I got angry and felt I needed to do two more sets for redemption. Figures a loose pebble came off the stone and cut my chest and hand a little. Not a lot of work but a lot of intensity. Looking forward to an easy week.
Yoke (drops at 50')
340x100'
520x50'
610x50'
700xpick
700x174'
Atlas Stone Loads to 60"
240x3
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
315x2
Comments: Managed to get events in this week. Did endurance work for yoke and speed work for stones. The idea for yoke was to go as far as I can with a good weight until I have to drop it. Used a 50' course and warm-ups felt like garbage at times. Getting the yoke into position at the start and the first pick with 700lbs felt like crap. I just knew I had to get my head right. I was doing close to this weight for speed work a few weeks ago. It's not heavy, just do it. The actual work set felt remarkably better. Goal was to at least get 100' but aiming optimistically for 200'. Fatigue really kicked in on the third trip and I dropped it about half way on my fourth trip. Just one a done. Save that multiple drop and grind stuff for when it matters. Legs were swollen from this haha. Cleaned up the yoke stuff and got ready for stones. Just wanted to do speed work. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do doubles or singles. Hips didn't feel as snappy (probably from the yoking) but did doubles. Dirty stone is dirty. I was going to cut it at six but the first rep of that set was so piss poor I got angry and felt I needed to do two more sets for redemption. Figures a loose pebble came off the stone and cut my chest and hand a little. Not a lot of work but a lot of intensity. Looking forward to an easy week.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
February 22, 2013 – Overhead Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
12" Log Jerks
90x5
90x5
120x3
150x3
180x1
210x1
240x2
255x2
260x2
270x2
235x8
Bigg Dogg Strongg Dumbbell Clean and Presses
72x3 R
72x3 L
97x1 R
97x1 L
122x1 R
122x1 L
142x7 R
142x7 L
152x5 R
152x5 L
162x3 R
162x3 L
Dumbbell Overhead Extensions (standing)
120x12
120x12
120x12
Incline Chest Supported Dumbbell Rows
110’sx6
110’sx6
110’sx6
110’sx6
110’sx6
Band Triceps Pressdowns
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
27 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: With the events posted for the Pro/Am, this workout had some changes made. There is only one pressing event and it is dumbbell. I wasn't really sure what to make of that as most have two pressing events. I asked Jenkins is thought on that and he told me to keep in a two arm press and do dumbbell work either 2 on and 1 off or every other week. Decided to keep log work in the mix as the April show has clean and press for reps and also because axle rarely feels awkward or crushing on my chest like a log does if I don't do it. The every other week method will work well with my progression schema for the dumbbell so win-win. Despite the weights making my upper body ache, the leg drive was outstanding and the weights were flying up on log. Was only supposed to do three heavy doubles but I messed up my mental math for the last one so I did another one with the correct weight. Felt a little fatigued doing the rep set but got the planned reps with little trouble. Some balance issues with the last rep is all. Feeling good with how log is going. I was somewhat dreading circus dumbbell as it hasn't been good for me like it has in the past. No idea if it is the size of the dumbbell or the handles we use now. Haven't touched a dumbbell really since Nats last year so incredibly rusty. The power is there but the conditioning and technique need to built up and come back. Got to stop thinking so much and make a predetermined decision on how I want to lower the thing. It seems to be that dropping it back to the shoulder is the best method for me if I can control to minimize the bounce and keep it close for the next rep. I had the added difficulty of using spring collars as I couldn't find my wrench for my heavy duty collars. Had to stop every so often to put them back on and track down the weights that exploded off the dumbbell. Exhausting work but happy with the work. Basing my weights off of 200lbs as the goal. Gym closed right after my last set of dumbbell so I had to drive across town to finish up the assistance work. Different dumbbells there so I had to change my weights and just did heavier rather than more reps as planned. Overhead extensions were quite the challenge while rowing was super easy. Recovered with stretching and double meat burritos from Chipotle.
12" Log Jerks
90x5
90x5
120x3
150x3
180x1
210x1
240x2
255x2
260x2
270x2
235x8
Bigg Dogg Strongg Dumbbell Clean and Presses
72x3 R
72x3 L
97x1 R
97x1 L
122x1 R
122x1 L
142x7 R
142x7 L
152x5 R
152x5 L
162x3 R
162x3 L
Dumbbell Overhead Extensions (standing)
120x12
120x12
120x12
Incline Chest Supported Dumbbell Rows
110’sx6
110’sx6
110’sx6
110’sx6
110’sx6
Band Triceps Pressdowns
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
27 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: With the events posted for the Pro/Am, this workout had some changes made. There is only one pressing event and it is dumbbell. I wasn't really sure what to make of that as most have two pressing events. I asked Jenkins is thought on that and he told me to keep in a two arm press and do dumbbell work either 2 on and 1 off or every other week. Decided to keep log work in the mix as the April show has clean and press for reps and also because axle rarely feels awkward or crushing on my chest like a log does if I don't do it. The every other week method will work well with my progression schema for the dumbbell so win-win. Despite the weights making my upper body ache, the leg drive was outstanding and the weights were flying up on log. Was only supposed to do three heavy doubles but I messed up my mental math for the last one so I did another one with the correct weight. Felt a little fatigued doing the rep set but got the planned reps with little trouble. Some balance issues with the last rep is all. Feeling good with how log is going. I was somewhat dreading circus dumbbell as it hasn't been good for me like it has in the past. No idea if it is the size of the dumbbell or the handles we use now. Haven't touched a dumbbell really since Nats last year so incredibly rusty. The power is there but the conditioning and technique need to built up and come back. Got to stop thinking so much and make a predetermined decision on how I want to lower the thing. It seems to be that dropping it back to the shoulder is the best method for me if I can control to minimize the bounce and keep it close for the next rep. I had the added difficulty of using spring collars as I couldn't find my wrench for my heavy duty collars. Had to stop every so often to put them back on and track down the weights that exploded off the dumbbell. Exhausting work but happy with the work. Basing my weights off of 200lbs as the goal. Gym closed right after my last set of dumbbell so I had to drive across town to finish up the assistance work. Different dumbbells there so I had to change my weights and just did heavier rather than more reps as planned. Overhead extensions were quite the challenge while rowing was super easy. Recovered with stretching and double meat burritos from Chipotle.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
February 20, 2013 – Lower Body Training
Lifting was a bit off with the three day weekend. I've made changes in that I'm doing just 4 days a week. Squat and deadlift day are combined. Still doing what I was doing for deadlifts just with 5/3/1 stuff for box squats. Still working on some things with the squats though. Events were posted (kind of) for the first Pro/Am this year. Couldn't have been better events for me. Unsure of the weights but planning for heavy obviously. Gearing my training towards that but still keeping in the events for the April show in NY.
Dynamic Warm-ups
Deadlifts
135x5
185x5
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x1
405x1
455x1
495x1
550x3
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
18" S-Cubed Bar Box Squats
132x3
182x3
232x3
282x1
332x1
387x5
437x3
487x3
Side Handle Car Deadlifts (short rests)
Carx1
Car+50x1
Car+90x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Glute Ham Raises
bwx5
bw+25x10
bw+25x10
bw+25x10
bw+25x10
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
Reverse Hyperextensions
50x20
50x20
50x20
32 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: I knew this was going to be a long workout as I had three stupid heavy lifts to do and they all took time to set up; not fluidly going from one to the other. Started off with the usual deadlifts. Did all warm-ups double overhand so happy with that coming back. Triple wasn't as easy as I would have liked but upon reflection, it is the easiest this kind of weight has felt in a long time. So progress for sure. Speed sets were easy but fairly tiring. Went to box squats after that. Did a few warm-up sets to get used to it. Just jumped in for the 1's week of 5/3/1 since I've been doing heavy triples the past two weeks. Didn't really mean to push it on these as the goal was just one with the top weight and additional reps if it was easy. I got three and got greedy going for a fourth rep. Went to set up the car deadlift after that. It was dark and the wind was blowing and it was already below freezing outside. I did car stuff in place of platform pulls/ssb dead squats since it will be an event. I'll be dropping it after the next four week wave as the Pro/Am doesn't have it. Warming up was certainly a better tactic than just going in to it right away like last time. Still got to find the sweet spot or at least get more consistent with it. Cleaned up my weights and toys before going back inside for assistance stuff. More reps for the glute hams and added weight for the sit-ups. Hammies are hating me now. Did super light reverse hypers to finish up the day. Super late when I got home to stretch.
Dynamic Warm-ups
Deadlifts
135x5
185x5
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x1
405x1
455x1
495x1
550x3
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
18" S-Cubed Bar Box Squats
132x3
182x3
232x3
282x1
332x1
387x5
437x3
487x3
Side Handle Car Deadlifts (short rests)
Carx1
Car+50x1
Car+90x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Car+140x1
Glute Ham Raises
bwx5
bw+25x10
bw+25x10
bw+25x10
bw+25x10
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
Reverse Hyperextensions
50x20
50x20
50x20
32 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: I knew this was going to be a long workout as I had three stupid heavy lifts to do and they all took time to set up; not fluidly going from one to the other. Started off with the usual deadlifts. Did all warm-ups double overhand so happy with that coming back. Triple wasn't as easy as I would have liked but upon reflection, it is the easiest this kind of weight has felt in a long time. So progress for sure. Speed sets were easy but fairly tiring. Went to box squats after that. Did a few warm-up sets to get used to it. Just jumped in for the 1's week of 5/3/1 since I've been doing heavy triples the past two weeks. Didn't really mean to push it on these as the goal was just one with the top weight and additional reps if it was easy. I got three and got greedy going for a fourth rep. Went to set up the car deadlift after that. It was dark and the wind was blowing and it was already below freezing outside. I did car stuff in place of platform pulls/ssb dead squats since it will be an event. I'll be dropping it after the next four week wave as the Pro/Am doesn't have it. Warming up was certainly a better tactic than just going in to it right away like last time. Still got to find the sweet spot or at least get more consistent with it. Cleaned up my weights and toys before going back inside for assistance stuff. More reps for the glute hams and added weight for the sit-ups. Hammies are hating me now. Did super light reverse hypers to finish up the day. Super late when I got home to stretch.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
February 18, 2013 – Bench Press Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Close Grip Barbell Bench Presses
45x10
95x5
135x3
175x3
215x1
245x1
275x1
300x3
320x3
330x3
290x6
Wide Grip Barbell Bench Presses (paused)
260x6
260x6
Close Grip Barbell Dead Presses (short rests)
300x1
300x1
300x1
300x1
Parallel Bar Dips
bwx3
bw+50x3
bw+100x8
bw+100x8
bw+100x8
bw+100x8
Dumbbell Front Raises
40’sx5
40’sx5
40’sx5
IYT’s
5’sx12
5’sx12
5’sx12
36 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: It was not a good weekend. Got into a mental funk, the kind where you wear pajamas for three days straight and go outside once. Feeling better but I really hate when I get that way. Should be thankful I had a three day weekend to get that out of my system. Laying around doing nothing is bad for me, had aches popping up left and right. Felt better once I started lifting. Weights felt heavy in my hands until I got serious. The benching felt fine but I was noticing that my hamstrings were trying to cramp up on me. Wide grip stuff was pretty easy. Dead benching sucked for the simple fact I wasn't able to use the power rack to do them this time. Someone was doing an Oly workout right in front of the rack (they had started before I even got to the gym) and when I asked them if I could work in the rack for 5 minutes, they said no because they were going to squat next. I was quite pissed off about their attitude but I stayed calm and took my time setting up a bench in the tiered squat rack. I had to elevate it with plates and mats. Cooled off considerably and was unable to get my legs into a good position so these were much harder than they should have been. I finished all of my sets before the person in front of the rack even did one set of squats. Moved on to dips. Didn't feel bad, some swaying caught me off guard on the last set. I may need to do some kind of accumulation set(s) for the front raises as jumping right in can be brutal. Finished up with IYT's and a ton of stretching.
Close Grip Barbell Bench Presses
45x10
95x5
135x3
175x3
215x1
245x1
275x1
300x3
320x3
330x3
290x6
Wide Grip Barbell Bench Presses (paused)
260x6
260x6
Close Grip Barbell Dead Presses (short rests)
300x1
300x1
300x1
300x1
Parallel Bar Dips
bwx3
bw+50x3
bw+100x8
bw+100x8
bw+100x8
bw+100x8
Dumbbell Front Raises
40’sx5
40’sx5
40’sx5
IYT’s
5’sx12
5’sx12
5’sx12
36 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: It was not a good weekend. Got into a mental funk, the kind where you wear pajamas for three days straight and go outside once. Feeling better but I really hate when I get that way. Should be thankful I had a three day weekend to get that out of my system. Laying around doing nothing is bad for me, had aches popping up left and right. Felt better once I started lifting. Weights felt heavy in my hands until I got serious. The benching felt fine but I was noticing that my hamstrings were trying to cramp up on me. Wide grip stuff was pretty easy. Dead benching sucked for the simple fact I wasn't able to use the power rack to do them this time. Someone was doing an Oly workout right in front of the rack (they had started before I even got to the gym) and when I asked them if I could work in the rack for 5 minutes, they said no because they were going to squat next. I was quite pissed off about their attitude but I stayed calm and took my time setting up a bench in the tiered squat rack. I had to elevate it with plates and mats. Cooled off considerably and was unable to get my legs into a good position so these were much harder than they should have been. I finished all of my sets before the person in front of the rack even did one set of squats. Moved on to dips. Didn't feel bad, some swaying caught me off guard on the last set. I may need to do some kind of accumulation set(s) for the front raises as jumping right in can be brutal. Finished up with IYT's and a ton of stretching.
Friday, February 15, 2013
February 13, 2013 – Overhead Training & February 14, 2013 – Squat Training
February 06, 2013 – Overhead Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
12" Log Jerks
90x5
90x5
130x3
160x3
190x1
220x2
230x2
245x2
260x2
235x6
12" Log Clean & Jerks
205x6
205x6
12" Log Jerks w/ 40lbs of Chains
240x1
240x1
240x1
240x1
240x1
240x1
Dumbbell Overhead Extensions (standing)
115x12
115x12
115x12
Incline Chest Supported Dumbbell Rows
105’sx8
105’sx8
105’sx8
105’sx8
105’sx8
Band Triceps Pressdowns
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
30 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Feeling a bit better with the log. Not amazing though. Certainly getting under it a bit better and the crushing feeling is going away. Felt like my skull wanted to escape my head on some of those reps though. The clean every rep sets were noticeably tougher but better balance wise. Just about uppercut myself on the first rep of the second set again. More rack work against the chains. Getting a lot tougher already. Finished up with overhead triceps work and chest supported rows. Really felt good doing those. Finished up with bands to keep the elbows happy.
February 14, 2013 – Squat Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
18" Box Squats
45x10
95x5
145x5
195x3
235x3
285x3
325x1
375x1
420x1
470x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
Front Squats
60x3
110x3
160x3
200x1
240x5
240x5
240x5
Side Handle Car Deadlifts (short rests)
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Single Leg Dumbbell Squats
70'sx8/8
70'sx8/8
70'sx8/8
One Legged Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts
90'sx3/3
90'sx3/3
90'sx3/3
Isometric Prone Abdominal Holds
bwx1 minute
bwx1 minute
bwx1 minute
33 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: This workout took a while, probably longer than last time. After last time, I tempered the goal weight for the cycle and I'm using smaller jumps for the heavy sets, so only up 15lbs from last time. Definitely not easy but doable. Harder than the pulls are feeling at this point. Speed work even felt better, actually felt fast. Actually felt better as the sets went on. Front squats weren't quite as easy as last time. Felt some twinges in my upper back on the left side. Haven't felt it there in some time. Decided to put car deadlifting in on this day in place of ssb dead squats. More time to recover between deadlift, squat and events hopefully. Took some time to set it up. Probably should have done some warm-up pulls as the first single was the toughest one haha. After that, I did single leg work and abs and a lot of stretching.
Dynamic Warm-ups
12" Log Jerks
90x5
90x5
130x3
160x3
190x1
220x2
230x2
245x2
260x2
235x6
12" Log Clean & Jerks
205x6
205x6
12" Log Jerks w/ 40lbs of Chains
240x1
240x1
240x1
240x1
240x1
240x1
Dumbbell Overhead Extensions (standing)
115x12
115x12
115x12
Incline Chest Supported Dumbbell Rows
105’sx8
105’sx8
105’sx8
105’sx8
105’sx8
Band Triceps Pressdowns
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
30 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Feeling a bit better with the log. Not amazing though. Certainly getting under it a bit better and the crushing feeling is going away. Felt like my skull wanted to escape my head on some of those reps though. The clean every rep sets were noticeably tougher but better balance wise. Just about uppercut myself on the first rep of the second set again. More rack work against the chains. Getting a lot tougher already. Finished up with overhead triceps work and chest supported rows. Really felt good doing those. Finished up with bands to keep the elbows happy.
February 14, 2013 – Squat Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
18" Box Squats
45x10
95x5
145x5
195x3
235x3
285x3
325x1
375x1
420x1
470x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
Front Squats
60x3
110x3
160x3
200x1
240x5
240x5
240x5
Side Handle Car Deadlifts (short rests)
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Car+130x1
Single Leg Dumbbell Squats
70'sx8/8
70'sx8/8
70'sx8/8
One Legged Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts
90'sx3/3
90'sx3/3
90'sx3/3
Isometric Prone Abdominal Holds
bwx1 minute
bwx1 minute
bwx1 minute
33 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: This workout took a while, probably longer than last time. After last time, I tempered the goal weight for the cycle and I'm using smaller jumps for the heavy sets, so only up 15lbs from last time. Definitely not easy but doable. Harder than the pulls are feeling at this point. Speed work even felt better, actually felt fast. Actually felt better as the sets went on. Front squats weren't quite as easy as last time. Felt some twinges in my upper back on the left side. Haven't felt it there in some time. Decided to put car deadlifting in on this day in place of ssb dead squats. More time to recover between deadlift, squat and events hopefully. Took some time to set it up. Probably should have done some warm-up pulls as the first single was the toughest one haha. After that, I did single leg work and abs and a lot of stretching.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
February 11, 2013 – Deadlift Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Deadlifts
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x1
415x1
465x1
525x3
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
Deadlifts w/MMB’s dbl (+80lbs)
365x1
415x1
465x1
495x1
3" Platform Deadlifts
425x3
425x3
Glute Ham Raises
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bw+10x8
bw+10x8
bw+10x8
Reverse Hyperextensions
50x20
50x20
50x20
29 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: After doing event training a few days earlier, wasn't sure how this would go. I was worried I overdid it. I didn't feel as fast warming up as last time but I put that out of my mind and just did it. Actually felt good enough to add some weight to my planned triple. Very much the same as last week in that it wasn't super easy but it wasn't super hard. For the sets after that, I just shouted “speed” to myself before pulling. Didn't feel tired this time. For band pulls, I started with the same weight and added 50lbs each time until it felt like I was slowing down. Felt slightly easier than 455lbs felt last week so I went for 5 plates. A bit slower than I would have liked but still within what I planned and there was no doubt I was going to miss the lift. Platform pulls felt kind of tough as my glutes and hips were still quite sore and getting down to that position finally hit those spots. Added weight to glute hams and sit-ups. Hammies really liked the added weight. Did super light reverse hypers to finish up the day. Going to keep it that way like I'm doing with the last exercise on my upperbody days.
Deadlifts
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x1
415x1
465x1
525x3
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
Deadlifts w/MMB’s dbl (+80lbs)
365x1
415x1
465x1
495x1
3" Platform Deadlifts
425x3
425x3
Glute Ham Raises
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
bw+25x8
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bw+10x8
bw+10x8
bw+10x8
Reverse Hyperextensions
50x20
50x20
50x20
29 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: After doing event training a few days earlier, wasn't sure how this would go. I was worried I overdid it. I didn't feel as fast warming up as last time but I put that out of my mind and just did it. Actually felt good enough to add some weight to my planned triple. Very much the same as last week in that it wasn't super easy but it wasn't super hard. For the sets after that, I just shouted “speed” to myself before pulling. Didn't feel tired this time. For band pulls, I started with the same weight and added 50lbs each time until it felt like I was slowing down. Felt slightly easier than 455lbs felt last week so I went for 5 plates. A bit slower than I would have liked but still within what I planned and there was no doubt I was going to miss the lift. Platform pulls felt kind of tough as my glutes and hips were still quite sore and getting down to that position finally hit those spots. Added weight to glute hams and sit-ups. Hammies really liked the added weight. Did super light reverse hypers to finish up the day. Going to keep it that way like I'm doing with the last exercise on my upperbody days.
Monday, February 11, 2013
February 10, 2013 – Bench Press Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Close Grip Barbell Bench Presses
45x10
95x5
135x3
175x3
215x1
245x1
275x3
290x3
305x3
325x3
290x5
Wide Grip Barbell Bench Presses (paused)
255x6
255x6
Close Grip Barbell Dead Presses (short rests)
290x1
290x1
290x1
290x1
Parallel Bar Dips
bwx3
bw+50x3
bw+100x5
bw+100x5
bw+100x5
bw+100x5
bw+100x5
Dumbbell Front Raises
40’sx3
40’sx3
40’sx3
IYT’s
5’sx12
5’sx12
5’sx12
33 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Lower body still feeling stiff and sore but didn't really hamper the workout. Benching felt alright. Felt a lot slower than it actually looked on camera. Again, assistance work was quite easy. Wide grips felt fine , with the second set being easier than the first, and dead pressing was flying up again. Dips were easier than last time. Weird doing front raises for low reps. Finished up with IYT’s for the tiny back and shoulder muscles and stretched a lot.
Close Grip Barbell Bench Presses
45x10
95x5
135x3
175x3
215x1
245x1
275x3
290x3
305x3
325x3
290x5
Wide Grip Barbell Bench Presses (paused)
255x6
255x6
Close Grip Barbell Dead Presses (short rests)
290x1
290x1
290x1
290x1
Parallel Bar Dips
bwx3
bw+50x3
bw+100x5
bw+100x5
bw+100x5
bw+100x5
bw+100x5
Dumbbell Front Raises
40’sx3
40’sx3
40’sx3
IYT’s
5’sx12
5’sx12
5’sx12
33 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Lower body still feeling stiff and sore but didn't really hamper the workout. Benching felt alright. Felt a lot slower than it actually looked on camera. Again, assistance work was quite easy. Wide grips felt fine , with the second set being easier than the first, and dead pressing was flying up again. Dips were easier than last time. Weird doing front raises for low reps. Finished up with IYT’s for the tiny back and shoulder muscles and stretched a lot.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
February 09, 2013 – Event Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Uphill Yoke (10 second runs)
340x94'0"
430x78'2"
520x74'1"
570x67'2"
620x59'4"
670x54'4"
Side Handle Car Deadlifts
Carx1
Car+50x1
Car+100x11 (60 seconds)
Atlas Stone Loads to 58"
240x3
315x1
335x1
365x1
385x1
420x0
Comments: Wasn't even sure if I wanted to do anything today. Tired, and incredibly sore still from squat day. Got to get back into doing the events with regularity with Spring coming up. Did the speed runs on yoke again. I like them and I learned from last time. All sets were uphill and I took plate jumps until I got to over 500lbs. Actually did markedly better on the light weights warming up then I did the first time back in November. Car deadlifts was interesting. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep it as part of my deadlift day or what. Decided to try out some singles and when I got to a good weight, hit as many as I can without killing myself. I got nine with the work weight in one clip and then got two more before calling it. Did stones too. Plan was to see how I was feeling and see if I can hit a decent stone. 385lbs went up too easy to call it a day so I tried the 420lbs stone. No dice but it was a lot better than last time. Couldn't even lap it then. Getting back to form, even though I was fatigued from pulls and squats this week. It's coming back, just not there yet.
Uphill Yoke (10 second runs)
340x94'0"
430x78'2"
520x74'1"
570x67'2"
620x59'4"
670x54'4"
Side Handle Car Deadlifts
Carx1
Car+50x1
Car+100x11 (60 seconds)
Atlas Stone Loads to 58"
240x3
315x1
335x1
365x1
385x1
420x0
Comments: Wasn't even sure if I wanted to do anything today. Tired, and incredibly sore still from squat day. Got to get back into doing the events with regularity with Spring coming up. Did the speed runs on yoke again. I like them and I learned from last time. All sets were uphill and I took plate jumps until I got to over 500lbs. Actually did markedly better on the light weights warming up then I did the first time back in November. Car deadlifts was interesting. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep it as part of my deadlift day or what. Decided to try out some singles and when I got to a good weight, hit as many as I can without killing myself. I got nine with the work weight in one clip and then got two more before calling it. Did stones too. Plan was to see how I was feeling and see if I can hit a decent stone. 385lbs went up too easy to call it a day so I tried the 420lbs stone. No dice but it was a lot better than last time. Couldn't even lap it then. Getting back to form, even though I was fatigued from pulls and squats this week. It's coming back, just not there yet.
February 06, 2013 – Overhead Training & February 07, 2013 – Squat Training
February 06, 2013 – Overhead Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
12" Log Jerks
90x5
90x5
125x3
160x3
195x2
210x2
225x2
240x2
255x2
235x5
12" Log Clean & Jerks
190x6
190x6
12" Log Jerks w/ 40lbs of Chains
225x1
225x1
225x1
225x1
225x1
225x1
Dumbbell Overhead Extensions (standing)
105x12
105x12
105x12
Incline Chest Supported Dumbbell Rows
105’sx6
105’sx6
105’sx6
105’sx6
105’sx6
Band Triceps Pressdowns
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
31 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Quite odd coming back to log pressing after a hiatus from jerks. Strict pressing tends to bother my lower back when I get fatigued (hence benching for the shoulders) so sticking with jerks to keep the overhead strong and to get used to moving under the weights again. I'm always shocked with how awkward the log feels on my chest, even with light weights when I come back to it. Feels like it is going to fold me over backwards or crush my lungs. Form was slightly off but hit all the planned weights. Taking a page from Jenkins in training the rack work first and heavy to get the press up and save the lower back for lower body stuff. Used lower weights for clean and jerks every rep. Only thing I've been doing with log has been lightish cleans for reps. Pretty easy, just a little off on my balance locking out the weights from a clean. Just about uppercut myself on the first rep of the second set haha. Not trying to push this, just want to stay familiar and work up to a decent weight come contest time. Went on to do more rack work against light chains. Add a bit of a challenge by having the chains complete come off the ground to make lockout even tougher. Most of the reps felt good and easy. Finished up with overhead triceps work and chest supported rows. Really felt good doing those. Finished up with bands to keep the elbows happy.
February 07, 2013 – Squat Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
18" Box Squats
45x10
95x5
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x3
315x1
365x1
405x1
455x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
Front Squats
50x3
100x3
150x3
190x1
230x5
230x5
230x5
Safety Squat Bar Dead Squats (short rests)
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
Single Leg Dumbbell Squats
65'sx10/10
65'sx10/10
65'sx10/10
One Legged Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts
80'sx5/5
80'sx5/5
80'sx5/5
28 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: This workout took a while. Didn't look like it would on paper haha. I'm switching to box squats over free squats as I'm not worrying about squats. Deadlifts are contested way more often and I feel that my pull and hamstrings felt their strongest when I was doing frequent box squat with the bar on my back, either heavy or for speed work. I can use more weight here than I can for a good morning as well and I can use my heavy duty ratchet belt to keep my lower back in a tight position. I can really sit back and hit the hamstrings without the issue of falling forward. Obviously I'd change this training if the contest require squats. I initially set the workout to go off of my 570lbs PR but thought that perhaps I should readjust since I haven't done box squats since late 2011. I decided to see how the weights felt a go from there. 405lbs didn't feel too bad so I stuck to my original goal. 455lbs was tougher than I would have liked for a triple but too late now haha. The adjusted goal would have just been 10lbs less. Really felt the hamstring working on these, more so than when I was squatting free style. Speed work even felt better, actually felt fast. Went to front squats after that. This is my compromise to keep full range free squats in the mix. No point in doing high bar squats when I can front squat and hit the same muscles but put more emphasis on my weak points. I did have to warm-up for these as the depth and movement are very different from box squats. Felt surprisingly easy. From there came dead squats with the ssb. Jenkins' ssb is heavy duty, custom made and is 85lbs empty. I used the straps rather than pins. Had them set lower than I usually do so I really had to squeeze under it. Not bad but boy were these tough. The thing that sucked the most this workout was actually the assistance work. One leg stuff can eat it, I'm so very sore from doing them. Range of motion wasn't the goal, just constant tension. Just wanted to sleep when I was done haha.
Dynamic Warm-ups
12" Log Jerks
90x5
90x5
125x3
160x3
195x2
210x2
225x2
240x2
255x2
235x5
12" Log Clean & Jerks
190x6
190x6
12" Log Jerks w/ 40lbs of Chains
225x1
225x1
225x1
225x1
225x1
225x1
Dumbbell Overhead Extensions (standing)
105x12
105x12
105x12
Incline Chest Supported Dumbbell Rows
105’sx6
105’sx6
105’sx6
105’sx6
105’sx6
Band Triceps Pressdowns
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
MBx25
31 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Quite odd coming back to log pressing after a hiatus from jerks. Strict pressing tends to bother my lower back when I get fatigued (hence benching for the shoulders) so sticking with jerks to keep the overhead strong and to get used to moving under the weights again. I'm always shocked with how awkward the log feels on my chest, even with light weights when I come back to it. Feels like it is going to fold me over backwards or crush my lungs. Form was slightly off but hit all the planned weights. Taking a page from Jenkins in training the rack work first and heavy to get the press up and save the lower back for lower body stuff. Used lower weights for clean and jerks every rep. Only thing I've been doing with log has been lightish cleans for reps. Pretty easy, just a little off on my balance locking out the weights from a clean. Just about uppercut myself on the first rep of the second set haha. Not trying to push this, just want to stay familiar and work up to a decent weight come contest time. Went on to do more rack work against light chains. Add a bit of a challenge by having the chains complete come off the ground to make lockout even tougher. Most of the reps felt good and easy. Finished up with overhead triceps work and chest supported rows. Really felt good doing those. Finished up with bands to keep the elbows happy.
February 07, 2013 – Squat Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
18" Box Squats
45x10
95x5
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x3
315x1
365x1
405x1
455x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
340x3
Front Squats
50x3
100x3
150x3
190x1
230x5
230x5
230x5
Safety Squat Bar Dead Squats (short rests)
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
305x1
Single Leg Dumbbell Squats
65'sx10/10
65'sx10/10
65'sx10/10
One Legged Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts
80'sx5/5
80'sx5/5
80'sx5/5
28 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: This workout took a while. Didn't look like it would on paper haha. I'm switching to box squats over free squats as I'm not worrying about squats. Deadlifts are contested way more often and I feel that my pull and hamstrings felt their strongest when I was doing frequent box squat with the bar on my back, either heavy or for speed work. I can use more weight here than I can for a good morning as well and I can use my heavy duty ratchet belt to keep my lower back in a tight position. I can really sit back and hit the hamstrings without the issue of falling forward. Obviously I'd change this training if the contest require squats. I initially set the workout to go off of my 570lbs PR but thought that perhaps I should readjust since I haven't done box squats since late 2011. I decided to see how the weights felt a go from there. 405lbs didn't feel too bad so I stuck to my original goal. 455lbs was tougher than I would have liked for a triple but too late now haha. The adjusted goal would have just been 10lbs less. Really felt the hamstring working on these, more so than when I was squatting free style. Speed work even felt better, actually felt fast. Went to front squats after that. This is my compromise to keep full range free squats in the mix. No point in doing high bar squats when I can front squat and hit the same muscles but put more emphasis on my weak points. I did have to warm-up for these as the depth and movement are very different from box squats. Felt surprisingly easy. From there came dead squats with the ssb. Jenkins' ssb is heavy duty, custom made and is 85lbs empty. I used the straps rather than pins. Had them set lower than I usually do so I really had to squeeze under it. Not bad but boy were these tough. The thing that sucked the most this workout was actually the assistance work. One leg stuff can eat it, I'm so very sore from doing them. Range of motion wasn't the goal, just constant tension. Just wanted to sleep when I was done haha.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Update - February 03, 2013 – Bench Press Training & February 04, 2013 – Deadlift Training
I figure I should elaborate on the last post. I was making good progress on the program but my schedule had changed and it was making it harder to complete the workouts. The workout before the last deload did something as I was having twitches in my back and hamstrings. Made me apathetic and hampered things more. Chiropractor said that my hips were a bit more out of alignment than usual. Certainly feeling better after the adjustment. Going to try and work around it and I'm certainly keeping ideas from training with Mr. Bryant as they were working and I may have his assistance again when things aren't so chaotic. The workouts week is going to be bench, deads, off, overhead, squat, off, events. Main thing I'm aiming for is getting the deadlift and overhead lift up. Swallowing my pride and basing my deadlift off of a 600lbs max with how the weights have been feeling. Changing squats to box squats as I feel that my hamstring and deadlift were strongest when I was doing them. Overhead is going to be just jerks as strict pressing tends to put more stress on my back. Deload will be every four weeks. Contest I'm planning on is April 06, 2013. Might do a Pro/AM in Louisiana in May as well. Just have to see.
February 03, 2013 – Bench Press Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Close Grip Barbell Bench Presses
45x10
95x5
135x3
185x1
225x1
250x3
265x3
280x3
300x3
315x3
290x4
Wide Grip Barbell Bench Presses (paused)
250x6
250x6
Close Grip Barbell Dead Presses (short rests)
275x1
275x1
275x1
275x1
Parallel Bar Dips
bwx3
bw+45x3
bw+90x5
bw+90x5
bw+90x5
bw+90x5
bw+90x5
Dumbbell Front Raises
35’sx6
35’sx6
35’sx6
IYT’s
5’sx12
5’sx12
5’sx12
30 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Trying this again, slightly different cycle. Benching didn’t feel too bad, weights felt heavy but moved fast. Just used to doing a few doubles as of late. Hopefully I can form it up next time. Assistance work wasn’t bad, most of it was quite easy. Hopefully it means big things to come. Wide grips felt fine and dead pressing was flying up. Only real challenge with dips was getting used to the volume again and keeping my balance as most sets felt like speed work. Decided to give front raises a try for shoulders. Pretty challenging even at this weight. Probably because of my orangutan arms. Finished up with IYT’s for the tiny back and shoulder muscles and stretched.
February 04, 2013 – Deadlift Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Deadlifts
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x1
405x1
455x1
500x3
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
Deadlifts w/MMB’s dbl (+80lbs)
365x1
405x1
455x1
3" Platform Deadlifts
405x3
405x3
Glute Ham Raises
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
28 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Well, starting again. Really apprehensive going in to this after the last time I tried a heavy deadlift workout. Just told myself to brace and pull fast. 500lbs for triple wasn’t super easy but it wasn’t terribly hard either. I’ll take it as a place to build from. For the sets after that, I just shouted “speed” to myself before pulling. A little tiring but still feeling fine. 365lbs with the bands felt like a joke, 405lbs felt like I had weight and 455lbs felt like a good note to end it on. I was debating between doing platform pulls or car deadlifts as that is coming up at the contest. I decided it would be worth my while to do platform pulls to work my start, especially with it being 22 degrees outside and snowing. Might just do that on event day instead. Platform pulls felt fine. First set was easy but I gripped it wrong on the second so it really hurt my hand’s skin on that set. Did glute hams and sit-ups to finish up the day. Plan on adding a bit of weight to those next time so should be interesting.
February 03, 2013 – Bench Press Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Close Grip Barbell Bench Presses
45x10
95x5
135x3
185x1
225x1
250x3
265x3
280x3
300x3
315x3
290x4
Wide Grip Barbell Bench Presses (paused)
250x6
250x6
Close Grip Barbell Dead Presses (short rests)
275x1
275x1
275x1
275x1
Parallel Bar Dips
bwx3
bw+45x3
bw+90x5
bw+90x5
bw+90x5
bw+90x5
bw+90x5
Dumbbell Front Raises
35’sx6
35’sx6
35’sx6
IYT’s
5’sx12
5’sx12
5’sx12
30 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Trying this again, slightly different cycle. Benching didn’t feel too bad, weights felt heavy but moved fast. Just used to doing a few doubles as of late. Hopefully I can form it up next time. Assistance work wasn’t bad, most of it was quite easy. Hopefully it means big things to come. Wide grips felt fine and dead pressing was flying up. Only real challenge with dips was getting used to the volume again and keeping my balance as most sets felt like speed work. Decided to give front raises a try for shoulders. Pretty challenging even at this weight. Probably because of my orangutan arms. Finished up with IYT’s for the tiny back and shoulder muscles and stretched.
February 04, 2013 – Deadlift Training
Dynamic Warm-ups
Deadlifts
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x1
405x1
455x1
500x3
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
415x4
Deadlifts w/MMB’s dbl (+80lbs)
365x1
405x1
455x1
3" Platform Deadlifts
405x3
405x3
Glute Ham Raises
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bwx8
bwx8
bwx8
28 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Well, starting again. Really apprehensive going in to this after the last time I tried a heavy deadlift workout. Just told myself to brace and pull fast. 500lbs for triple wasn’t super easy but it wasn’t terribly hard either. I’ll take it as a place to build from. For the sets after that, I just shouted “speed” to myself before pulling. A little tiring but still feeling fine. 365lbs with the bands felt like a joke, 405lbs felt like I had weight and 455lbs felt like a good note to end it on. I was debating between doing platform pulls or car deadlifts as that is coming up at the contest. I decided it would be worth my while to do platform pulls to work my start, especially with it being 22 degrees outside and snowing. Might just do that on event day instead. Platform pulls felt fine. First set was easy but I gripped it wrong on the second so it really hurt my hand’s skin on that set. Did glute hams and sit-ups to finish up the day. Plan on adding a bit of weight to those next time so should be interesting.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
January 27, 2013 – Day 4, Week 8 & January 28, 2013 – Day 1, Week 9
Had to make some changes. The circumstances have changed from when I had started the 12 week program with Mr. Bryant and I can't keep to the schedule any more. These are the last two workouts I did. I took off the rest of the week to rest and heal.
January 27, 2013 – Day 4, Week 8
Dynamic Warm-ups
1) Deadlifts – Up to several sets of 345×1
2) One Arm Barbell Shrugs – 95x2x15
3) Bent Over Dead Stop Rows – 200x2x5
4) 45-Degree Back Raises – bwx2x5
27 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Super unmotivated going in to this workout. Back still tight and twitchy. Only had access to the Y for the weekend which made an already boring deload workout more so as no events. Really just going through the motions here.
January 28, 2013 – Day 1, Week 9
Dynamic Warm-ups
1) Strict Presses – Up to 265×1
2) Barbell Close Grip Bench Presses – Up to 335x2
3) Neutral Grip Pullups – bw+35x3x6
4) Parallel Bar Dips – bw+135x2x8
5) Incline Chest Supported Dumbbell Rows – 75'sx3x12
6) Dumbbell Hammer Curls – 55'sx3x12
7) Isometric Abs
30 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Still feeling blah going into the workout after the deload. Plan was to hit a triple with 265lbs but that didn't come close to happening. I knew that last time I did these was really not the typical but I still thought I'd get more than a single. All the benches were being used downstairs so I had to do my benching on the upstairs benches. Starting to slow down on these but unsure if it's due to apathy or the weights are getting tough. Pullups didn't feel so bad and I just did the weight I did on dips since three plates was easier to configure. Nice to do the chest supported rows again. Curling was tough. Finished up with abs and stretching.
January 27, 2013 – Day 4, Week 8
Dynamic Warm-ups
1) Deadlifts – Up to several sets of 345×1
2) One Arm Barbell Shrugs – 95x2x15
3) Bent Over Dead Stop Rows – 200x2x5
4) 45-Degree Back Raises – bwx2x5
27 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Super unmotivated going in to this workout. Back still tight and twitchy. Only had access to the Y for the weekend which made an already boring deload workout more so as no events. Really just going through the motions here.
January 28, 2013 – Day 1, Week 9
Dynamic Warm-ups
1) Strict Presses – Up to 265×1
2) Barbell Close Grip Bench Presses – Up to 335x2
3) Neutral Grip Pullups – bw+35x3x6
4) Parallel Bar Dips – bw+135x2x8
5) Incline Chest Supported Dumbbell Rows – 75'sx3x12
6) Dumbbell Hammer Curls – 55'sx3x12
7) Isometric Abs
30 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: Still feeling blah going into the workout after the deload. Plan was to hit a triple with 265lbs but that didn't come close to happening. I knew that last time I did these was really not the typical but I still thought I'd get more than a single. All the benches were being used downstairs so I had to do my benching on the upstairs benches. Starting to slow down on these but unsure if it's due to apathy or the weights are getting tough. Pullups didn't feel so bad and I just did the weight I did on dips since three plates was easier to configure. Nice to do the chest supported rows again. Curling was tough. Finished up with abs and stretching.
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