Journey to be stronger than yesterday

[CS8833]

I started back in the gym about four months ago after suffering mentally during the pandemic and doing minimal exercise for about four years. I previously played soccer but am now too fat and old to play competitively. I will now focus on strength training to compete in natural powerlifting and strongman in the future.

I have just started doing Westside Barbell training after 5/3/1 for a few months.

Height: 191cm/6'3
Weight: 271lb/123kg

Personal bests

Deadlift: 250kg/551lb equipped, 230kg/507lb raw
Overhead: 100kg/220 x 2
Bench: 130kg/286lb
Squat:180kg/396lb

[CharlesSwann]

Good luck! Hope you keep updating.

[CS8833]

I did some block pulls yesterday, and they are not much better than off the floor. I did 230kg/507lb. I'm hoping to break my record by the end of the year at 260kg/573lb

[CS8833]

I tried some block pulls in my deadlift suit and managed 240kg. I needed to buy some thinner plates as I could not fit any more weight on the bar, but 250kg would be hitched anyway.

[CS8833]

I had a light week, and then today, I did some more block pulls in my deadlift suit, managing 250kg/551lb. I aim for 235kg/518lb off the floor next week and will hopefully be back to 250kg in the next few months and 275kg off the blocks.

[CS8833]

I was going to do some close-grip bench work at the gym today, but it is closed due to the holidays here in England. I did strict presses at home and managed 75kg/165lb for 6 reps. By next year, I'm aiming for 100kg/220lb and a 120kg push press.

[CS8833]

I did some squats yesterday, increasing to 150kg/330lb. I'm hoping for 200kg/440lb by the end of the year.

[CS8833]

I managed an 85kg/187lb strict overhead press but failed at 90kg/198lb. Then, I did close grip bench presses and squats in knee wraps for the first time; I went up to 140kg to practice in them.

I'm aiming to break my bench press record of 130kg by next year and hopefully squat 200kg.

[CS8833]

I did some deadlifts off the floor today and reached 220kg, but this new deadlift suit is making lockout hard.