Friday, May 29, 2009

28 May 2009 - Chest

Shoulder Pre-Hab (L/R)
-Rotator Cuff Work - 5lbs
-Front/Mid/Rear Delt Work - 5lbs

Triceps/Wrist Warm-Up (L/R)
-Overhead Triceps Extensions - 45lbs
-Wrist Flexion/Extension/Adduction/Abduction - 20lbs

Neck Stretches
-All Directions

Flat Bench Press (Full-Pause Reps)
-Bar X 20
-135 X 10
-185 X 5 (Arched over a foam roller)
-225 X 3 (Arched over a foam roller)
-275 X 3 (Arched over a foam roller)
-300 X 3 (Arched over a foam roller)
-315 X 3 (Arched over a foam roller)
-320 X 3 (Arched over a foam roller)
-325 X 3 (Arched over a foam roller)
-330 X 1 (Arched over a foam roller)

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
-100's X 5
-100's X 5
-100's X 5

Flat Bench - Stabilization Work (KBs hung from the bar with bands)
-50lb KBs X 15
-50lb KBs X 15
-50lb KBs X 12

Everything felt great on the bench last night. Let me tell you, those pause reps are BRUTAL! I wanted to get 330 for a triple; but, I could only push it for a single. I got buried on my second rep. Everything else is everything else. Max effort singles next week.

BW - 237lbs.

Goody

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

27 May 2009 - Legs + Weekend Gripper/Blob Update

Shoulder Pre-Hab (L/R)
-Rotator Cuff Work - 5lbs
-Front/Mid/Rear Delt Work - 5lbs

Triceps/Wrist Warm-Up (L/R)
-Overhead Triceps Extensions - 45lbs
-Wrist Flexion/Extension/Adduction/Abduction - 20lbs

Neck Stretches
-All Directions

Squat Warm-Up
-BW Good-Mornings X 20
-BW Squats X 20
-Bar Good-Mornings X 20
-Bar Squats X 20

Front Squats
-135 X 10
-185 X 5
-225 X 5
-275 X 3
-275 X 3
-275 X 3

Bottoms-Up Squats (Smith Machine)
-315 X 5
-315 X 5
-315 X 5

1-Leg Press (L/R)
-280 X 5
-280 X 5
-280 X 5

Leg Curls
-200 X 20
-200 X 17
-200 X 15

ABS

Straight Leg Lifts
-3 X 12

Cable Crunches
-100 X 12
-100 X 12
-100 X 12

Cable Torso Twists (L/R)
-50 X 15
-50 X 15
-50 X 15

I decided to go with the front squats tonight because the last time I did them, they felt really heavy when they shouldn't have. I need to train to increase weakness, not avoid it. Last week I did heavy partials, so this week I did bottoms-up squats after the fronts. The hardest part is getting under the damn bar. HAHA!

Operation slim down and stay strong is in full effect. I'm down to a scant 235lbs from 247lbs 3 weeks ago. I have not changed my lifting. I have not increased cardio. I've simply started to eat a little better. We'll see where this goes. I'm not trying to get ripped and lose strength; I'm just cleaning up my act a little bit.

Memorial Day Weekend: Grippers and Blobs

I brought the grippers and blobs to PA this weekend for Geo and our buddy to mess around with. Geo can easily pull the 42lber and the 42.6lber and he's working on getting his CoC#3 shut. He's got long fingers and a freaky-long thumb. He'll go really far if he trains more often. Our other buddy, Ricky had a good run at the blobs. This kid is all palm with short fingers...like Eaton (sorry for blowing you up there buddy). Eaton's hands are bigger, they're oddly similar. Ricky broke the blobs off the ground a few times but, just couldn't lock them out. He also came within 1/16" of closing my CoC #2 - first time he ever touched a real gripper. He's another dude who could really murder the grippers if he starts training regularly. Ricky also brought a few phonebooks over for us to rip up.

I pulled the blobs until I couldn't pull them anymore. Which is unusual for me - I can't recall the last time I went to failure with the blobs. I also had multiple CoC #3 closes and several good attempts on Eaton's CoC #3.5. I think the blobs really took it out of me because I was about 1/16" - 1/8" out on all of them. I'll take it. I haven't had a grip day like that in a while.

Goody

Thursday, May 21, 2009

20 May 2009 - Chest

Shoulder Pre-Hab (L/R)
-Rotator Cuff Work - 5lbs
-Front/Mid/Rear Delt Work - 5lbs

Triceps/Wrist Warm-Up (L/R)
-Overhead Triceps Extensions - 45lbs
-Wrist Flexion/Extension/Adduction/Abduction - 20lbs

Neck Stretches
-All Directions

Flat Bench Press
-Bar X 20
-135 X 5
-225 X 22 (Arched over a foam roller/Failure on 23rd rep) PR

Incline Bench Press
-225 X 3
-250 X 3
-265 X 3

Flat Dumbbell Flies
-40's X 20
-40's X 20
-40's X 20

Plate-Loaded Chest Press Negatives (Weight per hand)
Set 1:
-180 X 12 sec.
-180 X 8 sec.
-180 X 5 sec.
Set 2:
-135 X 18 sec.
-135 X ~10 sec.
-135 X ~4 sec.
Set 3:
-135 X 21 sec.
-135 X ~8 sec.
-135 X ~3 sec.

Dumbbell Pull-Overs
-80 X 12

I really wanted to get in the gym tonight and test out on 225lbs. - NFL Combine style. I hit 225lbs for 21 reps a week or so ago, after my working sets. I thought I was going to go in there and murder it for something in the high-20's/low-30's. Not so much. I only got 22 clean reps with it. I really thought I'd get it for more; I guess my muscular endurance isn't quite there yet. I'll try it again in a few weeks. Aaron Curry was the first linebacker drafted into the NFL in 2009. He benched 225lbs for 25 reps at the Combine. Not too shabby. I think I can do better...

Goody

Monday, May 18, 2009

18 May 2009 - Legs

Shoulder Pre-Hab (L/R)
-Rotator Cuff Work - 5lbs
-Front/Mid/Rear Delt Work - 5lbs

Triceps/Wrist Warm-Up (L/R)
-Overhead Triceps Extensions - 45lbs
-Wrist Flexion/Extension/Adduction/Abduction - 20lbs

Neck Stretches
-All Directions

Squat Warm-Up
-BW Good-Mornings X 20
-BW Squats X 20
-Bar Good-Mornings X 20
-Bar Squats X 20

Partial Squats (Top 40%)
-135 X 3
-225 X 3 (Wrist wraps)
-315 X 3 (Wrist wraps)
-405 X 3 (Wrist wraps/Knee wraps)
-455 X 3 (Wrist wraps/Knee wraps/Belt)
-500 X 3 (Wrist wraps/Knee wraps/TK Neoprene/Belt)
-550 X 3 (Wrist wraps/Knee wraps/TK Neoprene/Belt)
-575 X MISS (Wrist wraps/Knee wraps/TK Neoprene/Belt)

Front Squats
-135 X 3
-225 X 3
-275 X 3

Band-Deloaded Pause Squats (Single Blue Band)
-135 X 3
-225 X 3 (Wrist wraps)
-275 X 3 (Wrist wraps)
-315 X 3 (Wrist wraps)
-365 X 3 (Wrist wraps)

Stiff-Leg Deadlifts
-315 X 5
-315 X 5
-315 X 5

This was a great workout for me. I felt solid and tight the whole time. I wish I could have gone into the 600's with the partial squats; but, I think I do them a little deeper than the average bear. I just tossed the front squats in there for a few sets because I haven't done them in ages. They're tougher than I remember! HAHA! 275lbs felt like it was going to tear my biceps on the way up so I thought I better stop there. The fronts were close stance and ass-in-the-grass deep. The band-deloaded pause squats were super deep and I tried to be as explosive out of the whole as I could. Great stuff, and they really kicked my ass.

Goody

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

13 May 2009 - Chest

Shoulder Pre-Hab (L/R)
-Rotator Cuff Work - 5lbs
-Front/Mid/Rear Delt Work - 5lbs

Triceps/Wrist Warm-Up (L/R)
-Overhead Triceps Extensions - 45lbs
-Wrist Flexion/Extension/Adduction/Abduction - 20lbs

Neck Stretches
-All Directions

Flat Bench Press
-Bar X 20
-135 X 3 (Arched over a foam roller)
-185 X 3 (Arched over a foam roller)
-225 X 3 Pause Reps (Arched over a foam roller)
-275 X 3 Pause Reps (Arched over a foam roller)
-275 X 3 Pause Reps (Arched over a foam roller)
-275 X 3 Pause Reps (Arched over a foam roller)
-275 X 3 Pause Reps (Arched over a foam roller)
-225 X 21 (Arched over a foam roller/Failure on 22nd rep) PR

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
-100's X 5
-100's X 5
-100's X 5
-100's X 5
-100's X 5

Flat Bench - Stabilization Work (KBs hung from the bar with bands)
-50lb KBs X 14
-50lb KBs X 14
-50lb KBs X 11

That was that! I should have done the working sets a little heavier or for more reps. I was able to get 275lbs for triples doing full pauses pretty easily. 225lbs for 21 preps is a PR for me. I think my previous best was around 20.

Zeek powered through a tough workout tonight. I think he's just having an off week. No biggie. He showed some real testicular fortitude by hanging in there and grinding out the reps. I'm no easy guy to have in your grill barking orders. Props bro. You're going to push through this slump and come out stronger on the other side.

Goody

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

12 May 2009 - Max Effort Squats - 20lb PR!

Shoulder Pre-Hab (L/R)
-Rotator Cuff Work - 5lbs
-Front/Mid/Rear Delt Work - 5lbs

Triceps/Wrist Warm-Up (L/R)
-Overhead Triceps Extensions - 45lbs
-Wrist Flexion/Extension/Adduction/Abduction - 20lbs

Neck Stretches
-All Directions

Squat Warm-Up
-BW Good-Mornings X 20
-BW Squats X 20
-Bar Good-Mornings X 20
-Bar Squats X 20

Squats (Low Bar/Wide Stance)
-135 X 3
-225 X 3
-315 X 3
-405 X 1 (Wrist wraps, Knee wraps)
-455 X 1 (Wrist wraps, Knee wraps/TK Neoprene)
-500 X 1 (Wrist wraps, Knee wraps/TK Neoprene + Belt)
-520 X 1 (Wrist wraps, Knee wraps/TK Neoprene + Belt) PR

Leg Extensions/Leg Curl Super-Set
-200 X 20/200 X 20
-200 X 20/200 X 17
-200 X 19/200 X 14

I've been meaning to get a max effort squat day in and over the last few weeks, it just didn't happen. Bad days. Lack of sleep. Blah. Blah. Blah. Rex posted a new thread on the Gripboard about hitting a massive squat PR. Big Rex hit 635lbs in the squat - stating it was a 35lb PR. I don't care what kind of a PR it is, that's a serious squat in my book. Congrats! I hope we can chat about programs and technique soon.

I rolled in the gym tonight knowing I was going to hit a PR. I squatted 500lbs back in 2005 at a BW of 238lbs. I hit 520lbs tonight at a BW of 244lbs. I'm pumped.

Goody

Saturday, May 9, 2009

8 May 2009 - Grippers - Max Effort

Non-Specific Warm-Up
-Wrist Stretches - Flexion/Extension/Adduction/Abduction
-Overhead Triceps Stretches
-Push-Ups (~15)

Grippers (RH)
-CoC #2.5 X 1 MMS
-Eaton's CoC #3.5 X 1 MMS
-Eaton's CoC #3.5 X 1 MMS
-Eaton's CoC #3.5 X 1 FR (~1/16" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3.5 X 1 FR (~1/16" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3.5 X 1 FR (~1/8" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3.5 X 1 FR (~1/4" out)
-CoC #4 X 3 Deep Set Attempts

Grippers (LH)
-CoC #2 X 1 MMS
-Eaton's CoC #3 X 1 FR (~1/16" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3 X 1 FR (~1/16" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3 X 1 FR (~1/8" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3 X 1 FR (~1/8" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3 X 1 FR (~1/4" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3 X 1 FR (~3/8" out)
-Eaton's CoC #3.5 X 3 Deep Set Attempts

~REST~

-CoC #3 X 3 Over-Crushes ~15-30sec. (RH)
-CoC #2.5 X 3 Over-Crushes ~10-20sec. (LH)

I just hit some extensor band work afterwards and that was a wrap. This was the best LH gripper day I've ever had. I was so close to closing Eaton's CoC #3 with my LH I could taste it. The first and second attempts were great...man, I was PUMPED! I can't wait to get that thing shut with my LH. On my third attempt my strength started to drop off...and it just went down from there. I'm trying really hard to get my LH up to par with my RH.

I really wanted to get my CoC #4 into a choker; but, I need a bigger washer! Looks like I'll be hitting the hardware store before my next max effort gripper day. I'd like to do some targeted work on the last 1/8" of the close and I think the choked CoC #4 will be good for it. If I can't close it in the choker I'll just choke Eaton's #3.5 and hit it for reps. We'll see.

Deadlifts today...sometime after noon. I have to wait until they change the music in my gym from cool jazz to pop hits at 12. No bullshit. Watch for the update.

Goody