Bluebirds, Butterflies, and Barbells - A Starting Strength Journal

[PeterGibbons316]

Texas Method - Week 23 Volume
BW: 225.4

Color code:
Estimated 1RM PR (weight + 0.033 x weight x reps)
PR for reps/weight

Squat
45x5
45x5
155x5
245x3
340x2
395x5
395x5
395x5
395x5
395x5 (vid)

Glad I didn't bump to 400 this week. Not that I couldn't have done it, but this was plenty hard enough. Did a decent job keeping my knees out I think, but still room for improvement.

Press
45x5
45x5
65x5
85x2
130x5
130x5
130x5
130x5
130x5 (vid)

Made sure I did the right weight this week. Left my elbow sleeves on the entire time I was pressing and by my last set my right index finger was starting to go numb. Still need to break these things in a little more I guess.

Vid:



Notes:
I tried some hanging leg raises and pullups but with my forearms feeling goofy from wearing those sleeves I just called it a night after my 2 core lifts.

I've decided that weightlifting is unique from other sports in that as you get better at it, it gets harder instead of easier. Every week is a challenge. It fuels me, but I can see how it leads most people to quit.

[MatTheCur]

Nice stuff Jason!

I've been wondering about the elbow sleeves myself, but think that I'm doing fine for pressing right now. Maybe in a few months.

[liftingson]

Ive never worn elbow sleeves...what made you want to start wearing them?
Once again, nice lifts!

[Ironlife]

Wow man 395 for volume is impressive stuff, and definately a true statement about the harder things get the more you advance.

[jshaw5]

Awesome squats man. Thanks for not increasing VD lol. How do you like the rehbands so far in comparison to your TK's? Why did you replace the TK's anyway, were they ripped?

[Juggernaut0]

Amazing squatting! 400 lb. VD coming up?!

[PeterGibbons316]

Nice stuff Jason!

I've been wondering about the elbow sleeves myself, but think that I'm doing fine for pressing right now. Maybe in a few months.

Ive never worn elbow sleeves...what made you want to start wearing them?
Once again, nice lifts!

I've had some tendinitis in my elbow again, the sleeves help with that a little, but they also help me to keep my upper back tight, so I like them on my squat.

Awesome squats man. Thanks for not increasing VD lol. How do you like the rehbands so far in comparison to your TK's? Why did you replace the TK's anyway, were they ripped?

Yeah, my TKs were starting to rip after just one year. I like the Rehbands, but they aren't as tight as the TKs. More of a sizing issue than anything, but they seem to be just as effective.

Amazing squatting! 400 lb. VD coming up?!

Maybe. I'm still pretty sore today from the 395, so I'm think another week at 395 would probably be better. Unless I just feel completely fresh on Thursday, then I'll bump to 400.

[Juggernaut0]

Maybe. I'm still pretty sore today from the 395, so I'm think another week at 395 would probably be better. Unless I just feel completely fresh on Thursday, then I'll bump to 400.

Why you no sub to my log? Is the Juggernaut not strong enough for you?

[PeterGibbons316]

Why you no sub to my log? Is the Juggernaut not strong enough for you?

I'll make an effort to get in there more frequently.

[jshaw5]

Yeah, my TKs were starting to rip after just one year. I like the Rehbands, but they aren't as tight as the TKs. More of a sizing issue than anything, but they seem to be just as effective.

I've had my TK's for a bit under a year. One of them has a rip through to the cloth. It's in a spot (middle of the sleeve on the side of my knee) that I think as long as I'm careful with it, it should hold up a bit longer. I've heard a lot of people complain about TK durability, but I just love them so much, I'm nervous to try anything else.

[MatTheCur]

I'll make an effort to get in there more frequently.

Oh good, I'm still in the list

[dopamine72]

I've decided that weightlifting is unique from other sports in that as you get better at it, it gets harder instead of easier. Every week is a challenge. It fuels me, but I can see how it leads most people to quit.

Amen

Its so mental

[The Shoeless Wonder]

definately a true statement about the harder things get the more you advance.

thats what she said

[PeterGibbons316]

Texas Method - Week 23 Light Day
BW: 229.0 lbs.

Color code:
Estimated 1RM PR (weight + 0.033 x weight x reps)
PR for reps/weight

Squat
45x5
45x5
135x5
225x3
320x5
320x5

Was using my goofy plates today so this was technically about 323.5.......but who's counting?

Bench Press
45x5
45x5
135x5
225x5
225x5
225x5

I'd like to call this being lazy and not wanting to use any other weights besides the 45s I had pulled off the tree for my squats, but typically "lazy" implies less work done which wasn't the case.

Cajun Rows
105x5
105x5
105x5

Haven't done these in a while, need to bump to 115 I think.

Captains of Crush - Grip Training
Tx1/1/1/1/1
#1x1/1/1
#1.5x6
#1.5x5
#1.5x4
#1.5x1, 3s hold

Grip was feeling weak today for whatever reason, but I still enjoy that I am doing these on a regular basis now. Every now and then I'll bring these guys in to work and make everyone there feel like a little girl.

Vid:

Standard light day vid rules apply.

Notes:
BW ticked up a bit most likely due to the fact that Pizza Hut decided to make it cheaper for me to buy 2 pizzas with their big dinner box than just the 1 pizza I wanted.....so I've had pizza for like 5 of my last 7 non-breakfast meals. And for the record that box is dumb as hell - I had to keep it in the fridge in the garage diagonally because it won't fit in our side-by-side fridge in the kitchen. Who would make a pizza box that holds two pizzas which will obviously have leftovers, but not design it so it fits in a fridge? Dumb.

So I think the BW jump is kind of a fluke, but man have I felt fat these past couple days - got some rolls developing under my man boobs and I'm really starting to feel uncomfortable. So as a result I think I am going to maybe finish this week out, take a week or so off, max (maybe), and then start cutting. I've decided that I don't want to compete in a PL meet in February for a whole host of reasons, switching from bulk to cut not really being one of the big ones. It's kind of expensive (would cost me like $142 after buying a singlet and a membership), and I'm worried about the deadlift and having to change grips with only 6 weeks to train for it. So I'm thinking I might just go and watch and see how everything goes - I'll still learn a lot from that and can always just go to a competition later in the year when I have more time to train and prep for it.

[Sinaku5]

Man your strength is rediculous Peter. I think I'm going to do TM pretty soon...after seeing the strength that you've gained from it its clearly worth it.

[FastCatChamp]

Long time....no been in here.

Damn impressive Jason.

Hope all is well.

[dopamine72]

Man your strength is rediculous Peter. I think I'm going to do TM pretty soon...after seeing the strength that you've gained from it its clearly worth it.

Its sad people have to see the results to start this program. Its such a great program for intermediates it blows every other one out of the water. That's why its so sad. But don't worry man, I was skeptical at first too.

As long as your diet and rest is in check you will get some of the best gains of your life, srs. Strength and size. You can tailor this program to fit most of your goals as well. I added in a good amount of bodybuilding and still progressed just like Jason, just not as long because I got injured (partially tore bicep).

[Sinaku5]

Its sad people have to see the results to start this program. Its such a great program for intermediates it blows every other one out of the water. That's why its so sad. But don't worry man, I was skeptical at first too.

As long as your diet and rest is in check you will get some of the best gains of your life, srs. Strength and size. You can tailor this program to fit most of your goals as well. I added in a good amount of bodybuilding and still progressed just like Jason, just not as long because I got injured (partially tore bicep).

Definitely. Could you tell me how you tailored TM for bodybuilding, did you just add to the volume day or was there something else that worked well for you? I'd be interested to see how you incorporated bodybuilding to the program.

Sry to hear bout the bicep though.

[dopamine72]

Definitely. Could you tell me how you tailored TM for bodybuilding, did you just add to the volume day or was there something else that worked well for you? I'd be interested to see how you incorporated bodybuilding to the program.

Sry to hear bout the bicep though.

I made a lot of changes to the program and it probably would have been "too much" for the average lifter.

On volume day I did 5x5 back squats, bench, SOHP with a few other easier exercises.

Then on Tues right after volume day I had a back day with 5x5 weighted pullups. Then some rows, power shrugs, curls, standing ab wheel and a few other little things.

Wed was the regular recovery day that everyone does (i was always trashed that day). I did front squats that day instead of back squats, then bench + light pullups.

Thurs = off.

And Friday was a massive rape the CNS intensity day: 1x5 back squats, bench, deads, SOHP, weighted Pullups. All in that order. I usually did RDL's after too along with a few other things.

All in that order I always did SOHP after bench but that didn't matter because it kept going up. Same with my front squats even though I did them light. All my lifts went up easily and I never stalled, just got injured. I was eating more than I ever have before and that was also one of the main reasons I could lift like this. I would put 2k cals in front of me and not leave the table till I was done. Had a lot of free time so I went all out.

[jshaw5]

Its sad people have to see the results to start this program. Its such a great program for intermediates it blows every other one out of the water. That's why its so sad. But don't worry man, I was skeptical at first too.

As long as your diet and rest is in check you will get some of the best gains of your life, srs. Strength and size. You can tailor this program to fit most of your goals as well. I added in a good amount of bodybuilding and still progressed just like Jason, just not as long because I got injured (partially tore bicep).

This. I started TM towards the end of summer, added 60 lbs to my 5RM squat in 5 months, I'm almost repping 4 plates on intensity day now. The only thing I don't like about it is that my body doesn't seem to handle heavy deadlifts in the same workout after heavy squats too well.

[dopamine72]

This. I started TM towards the end of summer, added 60 lbs to my 5RM squat in 5 months, I'm almost repping 4 plates on intensity day now. The only thing I don't like about it is that my body doesn't seem to handle heavy deadlifts in the same workout after heavy squats too well.

Don't worry about the weight on deads. Lower it if you have to. Your deadlift will still shoot up.

[GinjaNinja85]

I made a lot of changes to the program and it probably would have been "too much" for the average lifter.

On volume day I did 5x5 back squats, bench, SOHP with a few other easier exercises.

Then on Tues right after volume day I had a back day with 5x5 weighted pullups. Then some rows, power shrugs, curls, standing ab wheel and a few other little things.

Wed was the regular recovery day that everyone does (i was always trashed that day). I did front squats that day instead of back squats, then bench + light pullups.

Thurs = off.

And Friday was a massive rape the CNS intensity day: 1x5 back squats, bench, deads, SOHP, weighted Pullups. All in that order. I usually did RDL's after too along with a few other things.

All in that order I always did SOHP after bench but that didn't matter because it kept going up. Same with my front squats even though I did them light. All my lifts went up easily and I never stalled, just got injured. I was eating more than I ever have before and that was also one of the main reasons I could lift like this. I would put 2k cals in front of me and not leave the table till I was done. Had a lot of free time so I went all out.

That's just insane. I'm impressed you made that work.

[dopamine72]

That's just insane. I'm impressed you made that work.

Sat and Sun was all sitting on my ass and eating lol

[jshaw5]

Don't worry about the weight on deads. Lower it if you have to. Your deadlift will still shoot up.

For now I've switched to pulling sumo, much easier on my back, progress is going good so far. If/when I switch up my programming to something where I can squat and deadlift on separate days, I'll probably switch back to conventional, and I'm hoping it will shoot up nicely.

[Sinaku5]

I made a lot of changes to the program and it probably would have been "too much" for the average lifter.

On volume day I did 5x5 back squats, bench, SOHP with a few other easier exercises.

Then on Tues right after volume day I had a back day with 5x5 weighted pullups. Then some rows, power shrugs, curls, standing ab wheel and a few other little things.

Wed was the regular recovery day that everyone does (i was always trashed that day). I did front squats that day instead of back squats, then bench + light pullups.

Thurs = off.

And Friday was a massive rape the CNS intensity day: 1x5 back squats, bench, deads, SOHP, weighted Pullups. All in that order. I usually did RDL's after too along with a few other things.

All in that order I always did SOHP after bench but that didn't matter because it kept going up. Same with my front squats even though I did them light. All my lifts went up easily and I never stalled, just got injured. I was eating more than I ever have before and that was also one of the main reasons I could lift like this. I would put 2k cals in front of me and not leave the table till I was done. Had a lot of free time so I went all out.

Thanks Dopamine - that was always a question of mine - would the OHP really suffer that much doing it after bench if I wanted, and I guess you answered that question. I think I may try something similar with doing BP and OHP on the same day, do you think you would fare any better doing OHP on "back" day instead?

I'm going to bite the bullet on TM and really follow through with it after this deload session next week.

And Jshaw - thanks for the feedback.

[PeterGibbons316]

Texas Method - Week 23 Intensity
BW: 226.4

Color code:
Estimated 1RM PR (weight + 0.033 x weight x reps)
PR for reps/weight

Squat
45x5
45x5
185x5
265x3
385x2
455x3 (vid) PR
500 - walkout (vid)

It wasn't easy, but it was pretty decisive. Probably going to hit 500 for a single next week and then move on from TM.

Press
45x5
45x5
85x5
115x3
135x2
165x5 (vid)

Strict OHP is tough. It's heavy enough to cause some excessive arching of my back which I don't like. I think I'm going to start doing these seated with my bench inclined as far as it will go (~85° or so).

Deadlift
95x10
225x5
315x3
385x1
455x3 (vid)
465x1 DOH (vid)
465x1 DOH (vid)

Just barely locked out the 465 singles - a DOH PR for me. Didn't feel my back rounding on the 455 set this week, so a little improvement there. Not sure if I will max on these next week as well or not.

Vid:



Notes:
Squats today were more mentally exhausting than any set I have ever done. I was focusing hard on keeping my stomach and upper back as tight as possible. It helped (obviously) but was really taxing mentally. I intentionally only rested about 2 minutes before doing the walkout with 500 because I didn't want to walk it out and think "this feels light, I'll just try it now." It's not light. It's 500 lbs. But I'm going to nail it next week. It's pretty much all the weight I can put on my bar too without using my 47 and 46 lb plates that I should probably just get rid of at this point and buy some new ones that actually weigh 45 lbs. Or maybe just take my dremel to them or something.

So yeah, great day today. Will talk more about my programming coming up here in the next few days.

[The Shoeless Wonder]

blahagrfaefcoughsheikosafjkljsaoficough

i never understood walkouts. why not just do partials at that point?

[PeterGibbons316]

I just didn't want the first time I attempt the weight to be the first time I have it on my back. Just the tip, see how it feels.

[Woody-5]

Kickass triple! That's some serious weight. I can't wait to see you squat 500
That's some serious DOH grip strength. 500 DOH pull soon.jpg

[GinjaNinja85]

Awesome stuff as always. Can't u just belt up for press?