Starting Strength log - Let's try this again!

[karkey]

Let me tell you a incredible dull story. I got into bodybuilding 4 years ago, FOUR years ago. I was a fresh, youngin', just having finished 1st year in high school. Today, I am in university, finished first semester of computer science, and yet haven't got ANYWHERE. I got nowhere. I picked it up several times, and each time failed to stay consistent for even five months. When I started posting on this forum several years ago, the oldins' were commenting on how they wished they got started at such young ago. Damn, feels like I disappointed the hell out of them.

So, here's another attempt. I'll be doing the Babylover's SS. My starting status will be as follows:

Bodyweight- 125lbs *not too sure, but will update when I know
Squat- 95lbs
Bench- 85lbs
Rows- 65lbs
Dumbbell curls- 17.5lbs
Military Press- 45-50lbs *I'll update when I find out
Deadlifts- 95lbs

I'll also be doing chin-ups, which I'll probably be able to do bodyweight for 12-15 reps. I'll do 5 reps each set, and each other workout day, increase by a rep each set. When I can do 9xbodyweight, I'll probably add on weights as well.
I'll add in some kind of tricep work as well, as per Babylover's advice. Also, I'll start doing front squats on workout B once I reach 135lbs in back squat.

My short-term goals are:

Bodyweight- 150lbs
Squat- 185lbs
Bench- 145lbs
Rows- 115lbs
Military Press- 95lbs
Deadlifts- 225lbs

I'll be training in morning, at about 7AM, on about 200-300 calories. I'm also currently on roughly 400-600 caloric surplus(just a little peanut butter shake, mixed with a milk and banana). Any advice you consistent ****ers can spit on me, I'd very much appreciate it.

[karkey]

Alright, first day. I thought it went great

Squats- 3x5x85lbs
Bench- 3x5x95lbs
Chinups-3x3xbodyweight
Rows- **
Biceps Curl- 2x8x17.5lbs

SQUATS: felt great, however, as you probably noticed, I did 10lbs less than I envisioned.

BENCH: I bench more than I squat, woah. Must be all that bench only workouts I did for while. Anyway, great contraction is chest.

CHINUP:- time away from gym, and being that I did gain about five or so pound of fats, I had difficulty with this.

ROWS: did cable rows because I forgot and didn't bother remembering the weights. Oops!

Biceps Curl: Curl for the girls! It was great, but my left, weaker arm held me back. I didn't want to continuw for only right arm, increasing the imbalance, so stopped after two sets

[CharonRower]

Good luck bro!

[karkey]

Great workout, but was really short

Squats- 95lbsx3x5
Overhead Press- 50lbsx3x5
Deadlift- 110lbsx5
Triceps pull-down(Rope)- 50lbsx3x8

Squats- being a weekend, I was really in the mood today. I liked this session
Overhead Press- Felt absolutely amazing in this one. Shoulder was groaning for more, but still is a tough exercise
Deadlift- bit tough, but again, absolutely amazing exercise.
Triceps pull-down- This is my accessory exercise. Felt great contraction!

[karkey]

Squats- 100lbsx3x5
Bench Press- 95lbsx3x5
Chinups- bodyweightx3x3
Barbell Rows- 65lbsx3x5

Squats:- Felt good
Bench Press:- Stuck with the same weight, as I felt 100lbs a bit too heavy
Chinups:- I'm not as light anymore, and more than anything, my grip gives out. But I'm really going to try 4 reps per sets next time
Barbell Rows:- Felt good, but I might stick to the same weight next time as I may not have been entirely too strict with the movement.

All in all, I liked it. Barbell Rows, along with chinups gave me nice back workout.
Also, I just turned 20y/o

[karkey]

Squats- 105lbsx3x5
Overhead Press- 55lbsx3x5
Deadlift- 125lbsx5
Triceps Extension- 60lbsx3x8

Squats:- My legs are way too weak. My knees are already start to cave in on the way up. But maybe, it was because I squatted on empty stomach
Overhead Press:- Love this exercise so far
Deadlift:- Loved it. Not too tough on forearms yet
Triceps Extension:- I'm going to stick with this weight next time. I love the contraction from this though

Overall, another great session. However, damn you spaghetti legs!

[karkey]

Skwaats- 110lbsx3x5
Didn't feel as tough as last one. Hip drive's helping with it!

Chinups- 3x4

Bench Press- 100lbsx3x5
3-digit club! If only it was 3 plates club :Red Face. It wasn't too bad!

Barbell Rows- 70lbsx3x5
My form wasn't good. I just learned a very important tip that I'll definitely apply next "Rows for the hoes" workout.

Hammer Curl- 15lbsx3x10

[karkey]

#6

Squats- 115lbsx3x5
Super tough, knees might have caved in on few reps

Overhead Press- 60lbsx3x5
Super tough again, grinded the last rep

Deadlift- 135lbsx5
Great, but I feel like my back may be rounding on the way up. My grip is, surprisingly, holding well so far.

[karkey]

University gym was packed today, so I couldn't get to workout. So, I ended up doing about 15 minutes of cardio, and a chest press on the machine.

Ah well!

[karkey]

#7

Today felt absolutely great. I weighed in at 128lbs today morning as well, so bulk is going well

Squats- 120x3x5
Tough, but maximum my knees caved was in one repetition. I applied proper breathing, and it helped tremendously. The depth is still quite good, however I can never be too sure on the form.

Bench Press- 105x3x5
Really tough last few reps, but I did it. And I got the sickest pump!

Pullups- 3x5
Yeah, the last rep may not even have been a complete rep. Anyway, I'm going to keep trying to improve on this. Very hard for me

Rows- 65x3x5
I reset my weight so I could focus on form. It felt good!

[karkey]

#8


Squats- 125lbsx3x5
This is starting to becoming incredibly tough. I was piss red on some reps. I'll repeat this weight next time as well, since form was sloppy

Overhead Press- 65lbsx3x5
Last rep was a grind, but killer. Loved it!

Deadlifts- 145lbsx3x5
May or may not be rounding my back. I really have to get around to filming myself. But it felt absolutely great

[karkey]

#9

Squats- 125lbsx3x5
Well, it was still very tough, but I'll increase the weight next time

Pullups- 3x5
The bench was packed, so I did pullups first. I'm finally at my former glory, and it was hard af.

Bench Press- 110x3x5
It was tough, not too hard, but I didn't pause at all in the bottom. Touch and go

Pendlay Rows- 75lbsx3x5
This is a exercise that I've experimented with a lot, but I've found Pendlay Rows to be the most rewarding one, hence the reason for starting this. I like it. The movement no longer feels like its turning my lower back into stone, or a part biceps exercise.

[karkey]

#10

Squats- 135lbsx2x5
115lbsx5
I was trying to evaluate how my form is, and man does it feel bad. I attached a video below, so if you guys can criticize, I'd greatly appreciate it. I got a major case of butt wink, it seems. Ignore my friend's comment pls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APrYZ...ature=youtu.be

Overhead Press- 70lbsx2x5
45lbsx5
Damn, this was tough. Last reps were a grinder, and my back was arching way too much. Don't know whether to deload and focus on tight back, or to repeat the weight...

Deadlifts- 145lbsx5
Repeated the weight from last time, and back felt a straight this time. Will move up

[karkey]

#11
Weighed in at 129lbs

Squats- 115lbsx3x5
Deloaded and focused on form, which I think is better now. It's really cool to see 115lbs, which last time was very heavy, become easy

Pushups- 3x6
Last rep was not clean at all

Bench Press- 105lbsx3x5
Yup, deload and form focus. Nice, clean, pause press

Pendlay Rows- 85lbsx3x5
Not good. I'll do the same weight next time

Overall, it felt good having a deload on squats and bench press. They were getting too insanely hard, too fast

[karkey]

#12

Squats- 120lbsx3x5
Nice, felt easy this time around

Overhead Press- 70lbsx3x5
Nice, felt easy this time around. No grind needed

Deadlift- 155lbsx3x5
Damn, I did lift it, but now I'm starting to get calluses. That's not what I'm worried about though. It's that I have this lingering feeling that I'm not keeping my back straight through the lift. I'll need to film this soon

[karkey]

#13

Squats- 125lbsx3x5
This felt easy, but I started getting lower back soreness even though I tried to keep the 'butt wink' to minimum

Bench Press- 110lbsx3x5
This was definitely very tough, but I'm excited for 115lbs

Pullups- 1x6, 1x5, 1x4
I'm certain I could've gotten 6 reps for all sets, but my grip is so bad. I could NOT hold onto the bar

Bent-over rows- 85lbsx3x5
On-off relationship with this one, but this time I think my form was well, and I felt it in the back

[karkey]

#14
Weighed in at 132lbs today

Squats- 130lbsx3x5
Yup, next workouts I'll be back to where I was in my 10th workout

Overhead Press- 75lbsx3x5
Dammmn, that was hard, but I'm surprised I got all the reps. I'm moving to 80lbs next time

Deadlift- 165lbsx3x5
I was fatigued just thinking about lifting this weight haha. Took the longest break before getting on the platform and it was... not too bad

Good workout man!

[karkey]

#15

Squats- 135lbsx4x5
I was trying to focus on form, hence the fourth set. I still don't feel confident. Anyways, weight was tough at best

Bench Press- 115lbsx3x5
Okay, this one was super hard. That one plate bench just seem impossible at this rate

Pullsups- 3x6
I got the reps, but my form was slacking. Chest caves in on last few reps

Bent-over Rows- 90lbsx3x5
I might drop weight back again to focus on form. Can't feel **** working

Anyways, good workout after couple of days not being able to. I'm also fluctuating at around 133-135lbs

[matthew10113]

Definitely will be checking in to see your progress , running the same routine basically

[karkey]

Definitely will be checking in to see your progress , running the same routine basically

Thanks for checking in. I looked through your old log, and you are a ****in' beast man!

[CWGame]

Stay consistent, eat a lot, and the gains will flow in. Good luck man.

[matthew10113]

Thanks for checking in. I looked through your old log, and you are a ****in' beast man!

Apprciate it, Although going to college set me back quite a bit due to a lot of drinking/partying :P what are your short term goals as far as the big 3 lifts?

[karkey]

Stay consistent, eat a lot, and the gains will flow in. Good luck man.

Thanks a lot brah! I'm starting to get more picky on what sorts of food I eat, but I'm definitely eating a lot.

Apprciate it, Although going to college set me back quite a bit due to a lot of drinking/partying :P what are your short term goals as far as the big 3 lifts?

My goal isn't really to be super strong, but as far as short term goals go, or at least what I want out of this program is to have 115/160/225/250 for OHP/BP/Squats/Deadlifts. Basically, just get myself to intermediate level before I move on from a strict strength program.

Also in University, so yeah, I get tempted as well, but I've stopped myself from drinking so far in parties. I am NOT fun at parties, haha!

[karkey]

#16

*I went to workout yesterday as well, but the gym was so packed that I only got Squats and Overhead Press done. Also since all the plates(microplates) were taken, I worked with the same weight as before. So going into this workout today, it might have affected me.

Skqwaaaaats- 140lbsx3x5
So much harder than last workout, but again, could've been due to yesterday's workout. Goal by the end of this week is to get to 150lbs squat

Overhead Press- 80lbsx5, 80lbsx2x4
Reps three and four were already a grind. I'll be repeating this weight

Deadlifts- 175lbsx3x5
My grip is starting to give out in some reps, but I think I'm progressing well in this.

[karkey]

#17

*I had to take a break off from the gym since I had a midterm going on. I think the break turned out to be much needed. I felt fresh, and this workout felt amazing! Also, I'm now 135lbs

Squats- 145lbsx3x5
I struggled in last few reps, but damn, I'm just happy it progressed well

Bench Press- 120lbsx3x5
Last workout, was thinking it'd be a pipe dream to increase next workout. This felt better than 115lbs, woah! Better form, and my chest pump was great

Pullups- 2x7, 1x5
Not much to say on this one. Hope I keep improving

Bent-over rows- 85lbsx3x5
Clean, nice, strict bent-over rows that, for the first time, didn't feel uncomfortable.

[karkey]

#18

Squats- 150lbsx3x5
Reps for last sets were a grind, but I'm just happy that I progressed. Might be time soon for another deload

Overhead Press- 80lbsx2x5, 80x1
Yuup, no progress in this department. Could not get it up after a rep, but the shoulder pump was insane, haha

Deadlifts- 185x5
My grip finally gave up. My fingers were holding the weights for my dear life. Very slow set, too. I probably should take a small deload, either next workout, or very soon

[karkey]

#19

Squats- 155lbsx3x5
Last few reps were a grind, and I'm beginning to be unsure about my form again

Pullups- 2x7, 2x5
Same as last time, but my first few reps were the best form than they'd ever been. My legs used to swing forward when I pulled myself up, but now atleast the first few reps are with straight body

Bench Press- 125lbsx5, 125lbsx4, 120lbsx4
Maybe it's because I did pullups first, or that this simply wasn't meant to be. Either way, it was super hard. I mean, this is the only lift that's more than halfway already to intermediate level according to strstd. I'll deload to 110lbs or 115lbs next time

Bent-over rows- 95lbsx3x5
This was a strict row, and It wasn't too bad

[Bballer99]

Try giving your bench more volume. 3x5 usually isn't enough volume to drive progress for a lift that alternates with another.

So deload, and try 5x5 or something

[karkey]

Try giving your bench more volume. 3x5 usually isn't enough volume to drive progress for a lift that alternates with another.

So deload, and try 5x5 or something

Thank you! I'll deload about 10%, and work with 5x5 until I catch up to 125lbs again. I don't think it's recommended that I change any exercise to 5x5 however. So, only while on deload, I'll give it a try.

[orion792]

Nice progress,getting stronger. How's your form on the bench and on deadlifts?
also,if you have trouble with barbell rows you can try dumbbell rows. I've progressed a lot on those, and it's much easier to have propper form (much better on the lower back aswell).