Time to get it on!!!

[matt297]

what did you bench used to be? did you have an injury?

[TKD]

what did you bench used to be? did you have an injury?

My all time best is only 110kg. I have a torn rotator cuff (supraspinatus) which has caused many problems. I have learnt to eliminate certain exercises that make it flare up.
Surgery would probably fix it but I'm not perpared to risk it. Healthcare here in Sweden sucks bollocks mate.

[matt297]

Youre british right? cant you get back and get it on the NHS?

[carnage1985]

With the reverse grip bb rows I do them with my chest supported on bench and try bring bar to my hips.
Destroys my lower Lats.

Good work on the 85kg bench it is definitely the hardest exercise to improve!!

Did you get the hang cleans of TPO haha - the best thing about journals is all the diff exercises you learn or remember I do again!!

[TKD]

Youre british right? cant you get back and get it on the NHS?

Thats right mate. I probably could as I'm still a British citizen. Thing is I'm 40 now and can train how I like atm, I don't think I'd want to risk the operation anywhere tbh. I'm making slow progress

With the reverse grip bb rows I do them with my chest supported on bench and try bring bar to my hips.
Destroys my lower Lats.

Good work on the 85kg bench it is definitely the hardest exercise to improve!!

Did you get the hang cleans of TPO haha - the best thing about journals is all the diff exercises you learn or remember I do again!!

Thanks Carnage. I used to do a lot of weightlifting exercises a couple of years back. I did clean high pulls not hang cleans

[markyg]

Clean high pulls? Interesting. I like new exercises!!

[TKD]

Today should have been Max Effort squat/deadlift. I was planning to go for a new DL pr but it would seem like I've strained my bicep, so decided to go for a new 5RM in the back squat.


Squat
Bar x10
60kg x5
80kg x5
100kg x3
120kg x3
130kg x3
140kg x3
155kg (341lbs)x5 PR!! New 5RM!!

Safety Squat Bar Arched Back Good Morning -- what a mouth full lol
Bar x8
66kg x8
76kg x8
86kg x6
96kg (211lbs)x8

Bench Leg Raise
x15
x15
x15


Comments:

Squat: Oh hell yeah! A new 5RM. The last 2 reps had my entire body shaking, very tough.

Safety Squat Bar GMs: Doing anything with this bar is a real challenge!! So hard to keep a good arch.



Not much done today. Really tired after work today. I usually train after work at about 4pm, but today I had to wait until 8pm.....almost skipped it

[markyg]

Altering training times throws me totally out of whack too. I get really grumpy if I can`t train at the same time

Congrats on the PR!

[iron619]

Thanks broski!!
You'll be BPing double what I ever could soon enough mate
I quite like the reverse grip bb row. Yes, I feel them a lot more in the lats. Especially the lower lats. Yeah man, I always try to keep the upper body around about 45 degrees. If I find myself edging toward standing up, then I know the weight is too heavy.

Hopefully that will be true! I am making great progress on bench, as you will see on my next monthly training update . Good dude, I try to keep the same angle also. I can't believe I went so many years without incorporating reverse grip barbell rows. Definitely feel my lower lats more.

I had a look on youtube for a vid to explain the high pull but was amazed by the dreadful form used. They all pull up into a high upright row lol
The pull is done explosively with the traps and the bar doesn't travel much higher the the navel. I learnt it from Jim Schmitz.

I think you mentioned a few pages back that you prefer the clean high pulls over barbell shrugs to build your traps. Personally, I'm not completely sold on this idea as a better alternative than shrugs, specifically power shrugs. For one, you can handle much, much more weight doing power shrugs, which can not only make you stronger but also "train" your CNS and mind to be able to handle that heavy weight. With clean high pulls, you really won't be using much weight, compared to what you already deadlift. Second, with power shrugs, you can still build that total body explosiveness, hence the "power" in the name. Third, you will definitely work your grip more with power shrugs. Basically, I prefer the overload factor that power shrugs offers. I know I can powershrug a lot more than I can deadlift, which can carryover to help you at least get a feel of that heavy weight. To each his own though.

Today should have been Max Effort squat/deadlift. I was planning to go for a new DL pr but it would seem like I've strained my bicep, so decided to go for a new 5RM in the back squat.

Great job adapting to your injury and being mentally focused enough to hit a PR dude, that's awesome. I know we go to the gym with a focus on doing something and if things don't go as planned, we may get discouraged. So what's up with the bicep? Did you ice it? Strong good mornings, especially after hitting that PR. I wish I could try a safety squat bar! Lastly, I'm seeing the word "skip" too much lately .

[carnage1985]

^^
Good advice on shrugs

Nice squat 5rm mate!!
What is you all time max?

[carnage1985]

Thanks Carnage. I used to do a lot of weightlifting exercises a couple of years back. I did clean high pulls not hang cleans

So hang cleans is the middle part of a clean.
And clean high pulls is the first 2/3 of a clean?
Is this how Olympic lifters practice the clean etc by isolating specific parts of the lift and getting better and stronger?
Intradasting.

[TKD]

Altering training times throws me totally out of whack too. I get really grumpy if I can`t train at the same time

Congrats on the PR!

Thanks Mark. Haha yeah me too. I find 4-5pm is the best time of day for me. Later in the evening I just wanna chill

Hopefully that will be true! I am making great progress on bench, as you will see on my next monthly training update . Good dude, I try to keep the same angle also. I can't believe I went so many years without incorporating reverse grip barbell rows. Definitely feel my lower lats more.


I think you mentioned a few pages back that you prefer the clean high pulls over barbell shrugs to build your traps. Personally, I'm not completely sold on this idea as a better alternative than shrugs, specifically power shrugs. For one, you can handle much, much more weight doing power shrugs, which can not only make you stronger but also "train" your CNS and mind to be able to handle that heavy weight. With clean high pulls, you really won't be using much weight, compared to what you already deadlift. Second, with power shrugs, you can still build that total body explosiveness, hence the "power" in the name. Third, you will definitely work your grip more with power shrugs. Basically, I prefer the overload factor that power shrugs offers. I know I can powershrug a lot more than I can deadlift, which can carryover to help you at least get a feel of that heavy weight. To each his own though.


Great job adapting to your injury and being mentally focused enough to hit a PR dude, that's awesome. I know we go to the gym with a focus on doing something and if things don't go as planned, we may get discouraged. So what's up with the bicep? Did you ice it? Strong good mornings, especially after hitting that PR. I wish I could try a safety squat bar! Lastly, I'm seeing the word "skip" too much lately .

I've never really done them that much in the past either. I'll be alternating them for now. Keep looking after that shoulder mate!

HAHA Dude!! I had a look on youtube for power shrugs, the first vid I found was one of yours!! Totally get what you are saying about them. Although, personally, I find the bend in the arms to bring the bar up while doing high pull (snatch/clean grip)gives a better trap activation. I've never really gone on well with regular or power shrugs. But that just me

You'd love the SSB!! Makes the squat and good morning feel like whole new exercises. I have no clue what happened with the bicep lol.
Agreed, "Skip" is becoming a very ugly word indeed!!!

^^
Good advice on shrugs

Nice squat 5rm mate!!
What is you all time max?

Thanks Carnage! I set a new squat 1RM about two weeks back. I got 182.5kg (401lbs).

So hang cleans is the middle part of a clean.
And clean high pulls is the first 2/3 of a clean?
Is this how Olympic lifters practice the clean etc by isolating specific parts of the lift and getting better and stronger?
Intradasting.

Well, a hang clean is starting with the bar around mid-thigh level, powering the bar up with the traps, getting under the bar to go into the front squat. Then standing up of course.
High pulls, snatch or clean grip, can be started from the floor like a deadlift or from a hang position. From there it's accelerating the bar up, powering up with the traps to bring the bar just a bit higher than navel level.
Yeah, the snatch and clean & jerk have to be broken down to "individual" exercises to make learning easier.

[TKD]

Pin Press (1" off chest)
Bar x10
40kg x5
50kg x3
60kg x1
70kg x1
80kg x1
90kg x1
100kg x1
105kg x1
110kg (242lbs)x1 PR!!

BB Row
60kg x10
70kg x8
80kg x6
90kg x5
100kg x5
110kg (242lbs)x5
110kg x6
110kg x8

Seated Press
Bar x10
40kg x5
50kg x5
**20-30 second rest between sets @60kg**
60kg x1
60kg x1
60kg x1
60kg x1
60kg x1
60kg x1
60kg x1
60kg x1

Snatch High Pull (Hang Position)
60kg x10
80kg x10
90kg (198lbs)x10
90kg x10
90kg x10

Comments:

Pin Press: Well, well, well!! A bench PR!! lol I'll take what I can get here!

BB Row: Upped the weight this time by 10kg.

Seated Press: Decided to take things a little easier this session.

Snatch High Pull: Didn't feel too heavy, will increase for next time.


A great session today. Enthralled to get a bench PR

[markyg]

'miring that volume there!! Good work on the BP too. Little steps and you`ll soon be hitting 3 plates

[carnage1985]

Great work on the 110kg pin press.

So much harder from a dead cold start!
I don't reckon I'd have a 110kg pin press in me lol

Need to step up my game hahaha

[bigbrit]

Nice amount of blue Dazzler, im liking the pin press, 110k is bad ass... but im did notice your rows as well man (im not sweatin', yet!)

[iron619]

Nice work Darren. Pin Presses are so much fun IMO! I'm surprised it doesn't bother your shoulder any. Sometimes I'll throw a variation in there, like Close Grip Pin Press. When doing Pin Press, you can notice a difference in your arch (in your back) because the barbell will either be closer or further from your chest. At the same time, this will help you stay consistent. I like to do my Pin Press from as close to my chest as possible, also. You alternating regular BB Rows with Underhand Rows? I'm doing this, as well as throwing in 90 degree rows.

[jeezyreezy]

Great work! The Pin Press PR is awesome. You must have been pretty stoked about it!

[TKD]

'miring that volume there!! Good work on the BP too. Little steps and you`ll soon be hitting 3 plates

Thanks broski!! 150kg BP is my dream lol.

Great work on the 110kg pin press.

So much harder from a dead cold start!
I don't reckon I'd have a 110kg pin press in me lol

Need to step up my game hahaha

Thanks Carnage!
I'm sure you could, your BP is stronger than mine

Nice amount of blue Dazzler, im liking the pin press, 110k is bad ass... but im did notice your rows as well man (im not sweatin', yet!)

Cheers mate! Haha, yeah I'm along way off your rows!

Nice work Darren. Pin Presses are so much fun IMO! I'm surprised it doesn't bother your shoulder any. Sometimes I'll throw a variation in there, like Close Grip Pin Press. When doing Pin Press, you can notice a difference in your arch (in your back) because the barbell will either be closer or further from your chest. At the same time, this will help you stay consistent. I like to do my Pin Press from as close to my chest as possible, also. You alternating regular BB Rows with Underhand Rows? I'm doing this, as well as throwing in 90 degree rows.

Sup Chris?! Thanks man! I did feel it a little in the shoulder. I have been playing about with foot position and have discovered that I feel a lot more powerful with feet tucked under the bench as opposed to having them wide out in front. Close grip pin press may well be my next ME exercise Yes, I alternate the rows each session.

Great work! The Pin Press PR is awesome. You must have been pretty stoked about it!

Thanks Jeezy. I was very happy to get that PR. BP prs don't come around too often for me.

[TheMatzah]

BEAST!


OK mister, what's up with all these damn PR's lately????


SSP is treating you well.

[TKD]

BEAST!


OK mister, what's up with all these damn PR's lately????


SSP is treating you well.

lol Thanks Matz!!

Yes, things have been going well...almost too well Gonna deload soon though.


Finished the SSP trail nearly a week ago, still haven't heard from them lol

[TKD]

Just did some bench today and trap work.
Worked up to 198lbs x5 BP.

Felt quite weak and a little unmotivated to be honest. Not the first time over the last two weeks. I've had a damn good run for quite a while now with many PRs. Now I'm starting to feel a bit beat up......time to deload.

I'll just do two light sessions next, upper and lower.


I won't bother posting the deload sessions. Be back soon.

Cheers

[iron619]

Just did some bench today and trap work.
Worked up to 198lbs x5 BP.

Felt quite weak and a little unmotivated to be honest. Not the first time over the last two weeks. I've had a damn good run for quite a while now with many PRs. Now I'm starting to feel a bit beat up......time to deload.

I'll just do two light sessions next, upper and lower.

I won't bother posting the deload sessions. Be back soon.

Cheers

198x5 is good man, considering you did 87kgx3x5 last week or so, and these sets from last week was a good increase for you. If you could have squeezed out another set of 198x5, then I think you are still progressing, no?

Sometimes it's mind or matter in the gym. Our mind holds us back from what our bodies can definitely do. I'm trying to grasp this better--the state of mind in lifting. But at the same time, you gotta learn to listen to your body. Distinguishing that fine line is a long learning experience.

So your deloading strategy is to go light--is this a normal strategy for your deload? I still don't know what deload works best for me. Sometimes I omit all ME work and do high rep/RE work, and other times I only do ME Work and cut everything else out. Either way, keep progressing bro!

[jeezyreezy]

Nothing wrong with taking some time to recover. I'm sure you'll come back stronger than ever

[carnage1985]

Sometimes coming back from a deload you hit PRs!!

Have a great rest mate

[TKD]

Just watched the movie DRIVE!!!

Totally infectious movie and soundtrack!! The best film I've seen in a very long time!!!!







What a film!!!!

[carnage1985]

Just watched the movie DRIVE!!!

Totally infectious movie and soundtrack!! The best film I've seen in a very long time!!!!







What a film!!!!

How's the break going mate?
I've been meaning to watch it only heard good things!
Apparently hunger games is meant to be good?

[TKD]

198x5 is good man, considering you did 87kgx3x5 last week or so, and these sets from last week was a good increase for you. If you could have squeezed out another set of 198x5, then I think you are still progressing, no?

Sometimes it's mind or matter in the gym. Our mind holds us back from what our bodies can definitely do. I'm trying to grasp this better--the state of mind in lifting. But at the same time, you gotta learn to listen to your body. Distinguishing that fine line is a long learning experience.

So your deloading strategy is to go light--is this a normal strategy for your deload? I still don't know what deload works best for me. Sometimes I omit all ME work and do high rep/RE work, and other times I only do ME Work and cut everything else out. Either way, keep progressing bro!

Cheers Chris. Yeah well, I take all I can get with pressing movements I tend to feel volume is the key to a bigger bench for me.
Psychology in training is a seriously overlooked part to the puzzle isn't it? Sometimes I take a good hard look at my training and ask myself many questions and go from there really. It's all to easy to get caught up in this or that and lose your way.
TBH mate I don't really have a set strategy when it comes to deloading. I'll be uotright honest here and say I've never really run a deload!! My insticts always seem to tell me to just rest up for a week, so that is all I do.

Nothing wrong with taking some time to recover. I'm sure you'll come back stronger than ever

Thanks Jeezy. Lets hope so eh?

Sometimes coming back from a deload you hit PRs!!

Have a great rest mate

How's the break going mate?
I've been meaning to watch it only heard good things!
Apparently hunger games is meant to be good?

Feel very rested after the week off, thanks mate!

Yeah, check out that film

[TKD]

On paper today should have been a max effort day, but I opted for more volume over intensity. May do this for another week then....attack, attack, ...ATTACK!!!!!


Conventional Deadlift
60kg x5
80kg x5
100kg x5
120kg x5
140kg (309lbs)x5
140kg x5
140kg x5
140kg x5
140kg x5

Safety Squat Bar Good Morning
66kg x5
86kg x5
96kg x5
96kg x5
96kg x5
106kg (233lbs)
106kg x5

Zercher SQuat (Harness)
40kg x10
60kg x10
80kg (176lbs)x10

GHR
x12
x12
x12
x12

Bench Leg Raise
x15
x15
x15
x15

Comments:

Deadlift: No thrills here, nice reps. Focused on form.

GMs: Easy weight.

Zercher Squat: Haha..wasn't having it today!! Last set was murder. I need to work harder at these to properly assist the SQ and DL.

GHR: Just body weight reps today.


First day back after a week's rest. Session felt good. Glad to be back

[jeezyreezy]

Way to come back strong! NICE!!