Hopes Up High, Head Down Low: The Road to 2014 Raw Nationals

[ErickStevens]

Previously...

I started my last log in 2012 with a 455lb squat, 260lb paused bench, and a 575lb deadlift. In 17 months I brought those lifts to a 560lb squat, 320 paused bench, and a 630lb deadlift. A string of injuries has stalled my progress for a little but but I hope to get back on track with this log.

The Goals

I plan on growing into the 231/248 class over the next year or two and I expect my lifts to increase along with my weight. My goals for the next 12 months are as follows:

- Squat 600, bench 350, and deadlift 700. Total 1600 or more.
- Win a best lifter award as some point.
- Compete at USAPL Raw Nationals in 2014 in Denver, CO and place Top 5 in the 231s.
- Compete at the 2015 Arnold Raw Challenge.

Lets get this thing started!

[ErickStevens]

Training

Front Squat (No Belt)
185 x 5 (5x)

Pause Bench SS w/ Wide Grip Pull Ups
210 x 6 (6x) - BW x 6 (6x)

BB Row
185 x 6
205 x 6
135 x 15 (2x)

DB Fly
20 x 15 (2x)

GHR Sit Up
2 x 15

[LCFCFOX]

In on this log, lurked the last one. Good luck man!

[Jason2459]

In for the long road ahead...

and the new log...

[FrmrHoss]

3rd?

[samsont]

Inn

[ErickStevens]

Here is my prize student doing work at Raw Nationals:

[The Solution]

Always following. Grow time! Staying healthy and breaking records, in for the ride.

[psychodiver9]

Erick changes logs more than Jason changes shoes. But still in

[ErickStevens]

Erick changes logs more than Jason changes shoes. But still in

I had my previous log for 19 months.

[psychodiver9]

I had my previous log for 19 months.

Just busting your balls because you had 1 or 2 in nut forum too

[ErickStevens]

Just busting your balls because you had 1 or 2 in nut forum too

Yeah, but that section sucks dik.

[psychodiver9]

Yeah, but that section sucks dik.

No argument. Btw awesome job on the coaching job

[sheed30]

In on log...I also have a similar goal of Competing at USAPL Raw Nationals in 2014 in the same weight class and actually being competitive. Good luck, I'll be lurking hard

[adamsz]

It's about time brah!

In

time to update your sig

[ErickStevens]

No argument. Btw awesome job on the coaching job

Thanks. She's a freak.

In on log...I also have a similar goal of Competing at USAPL Raw Nationals in 2014 in the same weight class and actually being competitive. Good luck, I'll be lurking hard

Nice! We have similar totals so I look forward to our battle in Colorado. Hopefully my bench isn't poverty by then.

It's about time brah!

In

time to update your sig

Done.

[The Solution]

Coaching Job!?

[psychodiver9]

Coaching Job!?

Already answered for you in post 7

[arian11]

in on 2014 raw nationals & 2015 arnolds

[ErickStevens]

in on 2014 raw nationals & 2015 arnolds

Oh yeah!

So, I'm itching to compete again and I've picked my last two meets of the year. They'll be Raw United's Tony Conyers Extravaganza in November and the USAPL Sunshine State Games in December. I will most likely be a 220er for the November meet but December will mark my debut as a (light) 242er.

[jsullivan93]

in on 2014 raw nationals & 2015 arnolds

^^^^^^^^

I need to actually post here. You strong bro, GJ.

[psychodiver9]

Oh yeah!

So, I'm itching to compete again and I've picked my last two meets of the year. They'll be Raw United's Tony Conyers Extravaganza in November and the USAPL Sunshine State Games in December. I will most likely be a 220er for the November meet but December will mark my debut as a (light) 242er.

Awesome. I'm hoping to do the dec meet too

[dtaps24]

So, I've been wondering this for awhile, what's the deal with the current trend towards high frequency lifting?

[lohmie]

General reasoning tells me you're esk on YouTube? Did you end up competing this past weekend? I was in the 93's and don't recall if I saw you or not - your lifts were looking solid as of late on YT.

I remember when I first saw Meghan on the platform, I thought she didn't have a shirt on with the color of her t shirt! It was a blast watching her weight class compete

[sheed30]

Nice! We have similar totals so I look forward to our battle in Colorado. Hopefully my bench isn't poverty by then.

Yea, but with your lofty goals, I don't think I'll be close, unless I can figure out my weight better. I can gain strength very easily when I gain weight, which I can also gain very easily, I just always gain so much fat as well, lol.

2 questions.

455 to breaking 500? How long did that take you? I've been stuck at mid 400's for over a year (but also losing 20lbs)

575 to breaking 600? How long did that take you? I've hit 585 and am hoping for 600 in my meet in a few weeks, but am just curious about time intervals. Not that I would experience anything similar.

[ErickStevens]

^^^^^^^^

I need to actually post here. You strong bro, GJ.

Thank you. Not quite "strong" yet but I'm working on it.

Awesome. I'm hoping to do the dec meet too

Good deal!

So, I've been wondering this for awhile, what's the deal with the current trend towards high frequency lifting?

Practice. I get better at the lifts when I do them more often. Simple as that.

General reasoning tells me you're esk on YouTube? Did you end up competing this past weekend? I was in the 93's and don't recall if I saw you or not - your lifts were looking solid as of late on YT.

I remember when I first saw Meghan on the platform, I thought she didn't have a shirt on with the color of her t shirt! It was a blast watching her weight class compete

Here's what happened:

- I got hurt two weeks out and decided not to do the meet.
- Went to Cali on vacation and ate everything in site, gaining like 5 pounds. I trained a couple of times while I was there and felt decent, so decided to do the meet.
- Tried to cut 15 pounds of water in 3 days, made myself sick, and I was still 4 pounds over.
- Pulled out again. lol

So basically an epic fail on all fronts. Next year I won't be an idiot and I'll compete at my natural weight. I also won't go on vacation two weeks out.

455 to breaking 500? How long did that take you? I've been stuck at mid 400's for over a year (but also losing 20lbs)

575 to breaking 600? How long did that take you? I've hit 585 and am hoping for 600 in my meet in a few weeks, but am just curious about time intervals. Not that I would experience anything similar.

1. Smolov Base Meso.
2. 8 months I think. It was a crazy long time but that was the period where I was bringing up my squat.

[sheed30]

1. Smolov Base Meso.
2. 8 months I think. It was a crazy long time but that was the period where I was bringing up my squat.

Thanks...on spread

[The Solution]

What your kcals at right now? I imagine you will have to raise them pretty good to be growing into a new class given the course of time.
Would be EPIC to see you compete 2015 @ The Arnold. Keep working hard.

[Marshall28]

In for the ride.

[dtaps24]

I'm sorry I worded that poorly I didn't mean your specific trend towards high frequency I meant that it seems like a lot of guys have gone to high frequency recently. I was wondering if there was a particular school of thought behind it. Everything looks solid in here, good luck.