Something Something Dangerzone

[thehobbes]

I think I need to spend some time looking at rows. I just do 1 arm DB rows right now, resting knee and hand on the bench... but finding grip strength is starting to become an issue now I'm at 16kg. Time for some more research!.

Versa Grips are the best grip assist ever invented, srs. Expensive I know, my current pair have lasted 3 or 4 yrs so far. I use those on pull ups, db rows, Hammer Strength lifts, Lat pulls. You go from getting stuck at a wt because you can't hang on to it to adding oodles of wt and being able to do 3-5 rep sets. It legit lets you focus on working your back/arms and there is zero chance of grip failure. I've done straps before but they're a mega pain in the ass to keep setting up tightly.

Try em, if you guys don't like Versa Grips then I'll majestically gallop through the gym in a wedding dress riding a donkey.

[FallenAngel80]

Grip has been becoming an issue for me too, which is why I ordered some cheap straps online to see if they help. I know, cheap isn't always good, but the reviews checked out, and I'm not spending "actual" money on them, so it's not a loss if they suck or I hate using them, lol.

Yeah they do work well, which is also why they suck. lol.

Got my True Grit review up, and hopefully it's all ok, and what they were looking for. If anyone's interested: Link.

I gotta mow the lawn n' chit so I'll get my workout, and rack pic up a little later.

Nice review

I've never tried a pre-workout. What might lead someone to want to try one? I'm just wondering if I should consider it although I can be caffeine sensitive so I don't want to be bouncing off the walls ha ha!

[LunaLifts]

Lower Power - Home

Glute Bridges
87lbs x 60sec
87lbs x 60sec
87lbs x 60sec

Squats
97lbs x 5
97lbs x 5
97lbs x 5

Sumo Deadlifts
127lbs x 3
127lbs x 3
127lbs x 3

Bulgarian Split Squats
42lbs x 8 Per Side
42lbs x 8 "
42lbs x 8 "

So today went well. Got to try out the True Grit pre finally, still didn't sit well with my stomach, but it seems most pres do that. Didn't used to be an issues, but whatever, it sill worked well. My full review is in the post up there ^ but, in short, the focus really helped me out. I was more mindful of my glutes activating during bridges, not putting more load on the hammies, and my deadlifts were way better. Reset well each time, and got a good drive through my glutes, and hammies.

Squat posts did what they needed to. So paranoid that the bar will flip when I'm loading on a rack, no matter the weight of the bar. It didn't though, so I'm good. >.< Don't know how high I can go with it, but 97lbs is a solid start. One bucket bubbled a bit because the ground wasn't flat, but it turns out it's pretty irrelevant since my floor is so uneven the flat bucket doesn't sit right either. Oh well, stuffing the gap with old t-shirts seems to work well enough. You'll see what I mean in the picture:

The hooks are a little cockeyed, but I didn't do that part. Still works, still beats BB hack squats. Oh, and that's just where they were sitting at the time, I had to move them to space them out, and get them where I needed. It was just more convenient for the picture to have them together.

Also I'm trying swai today. Better be good stuff, because they did have tilapia this time, but I went with Phoenix's recommendation.

[FallenAngel80]

Lower Power - Home

Glute Bridges
87lbs x 60sec
87lbs x 60sec
87lbs x 60sec

Squats
97lbs x 5
97lbs x 5
97lbs x 5

Sumo Deadlifts
127lbs x 3
127lbs x 3
127lbs x 3

Bulgarian Split Squats
42lbs x 8 Per Side
42lbs x 8 "
42lbs x 8 "

So today went well. Got to try out the True Grit pre finally, still didn't sit well with my stomach, but it seems most pres do that. Didn't used to be an issues, but whatever, it sill worked well. My full review is in the post up there ^ but, in short, the focus really helped me out. I was more mindful of my glutes activating during bridges, not putting more load on the hammies, and my deadlifts were way better. Reset well each time, and got a good drive through my glutes, and hammies.

Squat posts did what they needed to. So paranoid that the bar will flip when I'm loading on a rack, no matter the weight of the bar. It didn't though, so I'm good. >.< Don't know how high I can go with it, but 97lbs is a solid start. One bucket bubbled a bit because the ground wasn't flat, but it turns out it's pretty irrelevant since my floor is so uneven the flat bucket doesn't sit right either. Oh well, stuffing the gap with old t-shirts seems to work well enough. You'll see what I mean in the picture:

Nice lifts, Luna

Squat posts looking good, love the wording

[LunaLifts]

Not sure how much those cheaper ones are, but remember the mason jar trick

As low as ~$15. I'll remember! I can also get a pack of them and make smoothies I can keep in the fridge so I don't have to make one every time.

And thanks for the comment on my review thread.

Versa Grips are the best grip assist ever invented, srs. Expensive I know, my current pair have lasted 3 or 4 yrs so far. I use those on pull ups, db rows, Hammer Strength lifts, Lat pulls. You go from getting stuck at a wt because you can't hang on to it to adding oodles of wt and being able to do 3-5 rep sets. It legit lets you focus on working your back/arms and there is zero chance of grip failure. I've done straps before but they're a mega pain in the ass to keep setting up tightly.

Try em, if you guys don't like Versa Grips then I'll majestically gallop through the gym in a wedding dress riding a donkey.

I would, but I have chit for cash at the moment.... or most of the time.... I'm perpetually broke. >.< I think those are the ones PR mentioned too. I do want to invest in a pair when I can, because they seem popular, and easier to use.

Nice review

I've never tried a pre-workout. What might lead someone to want to try one? I'm just wondering if I should consider it although I can be caffeine sensitive so I don't want to be bouncing off the walls ha ha!

Thanks. :3
It depends, many people don't need one, well, no one needs one, but there are different kinds for different effects. Some are more focused on pump, and increasing your reps/weight, like nitric oxide boosters. Some are primarily stimulants, in which case you'd definitely be off the wall. Some give you more focus, and it sorta makes you more mindful of your workout.

Basically if you can get through your workouts, and don't want to spend money on more supps, then you're fine without them. If you need a pick me up, or are looking for something to assist with your workouts, then you can try a few and see if you like them, and what works best for you.

For me it's a few things. I like ones that help with focus, it helps me to not rush things, and focus on form, and activation. I also dig the ones that give you a good pump because by the end of my workout my muscles feel consistently flexed, lol. Plus when I take it I know I'm not putting it off, supps are expensive (even cheaper ones add up over time), and I'm not wasting them, even free.

Nice lifts, Luna

Squat posts looking good, love the wording

Yeah, I could have gotten cheaper buckets at Walmart, but then they don't tell me "let's do this" and that's not as awesome. >.<

[JenSTL4]

Love the squat rack! And the buckets are just perfect!

Ditto Hammie on the versa grips. They are awesome! Hope you cash situation improves so you can get a pair of them

Oh..I love swai!! I'm not much of a fish person, but swai is one that I will tolerate.

Great work out today!!

[thehobbes]

Squat posts did what they needed to. So paranoid that the bar will flip when I'm loading on a rack, no matter the weight of the bar. It didn't though, so I'm good. >.< Don't know how high I can go with it, but 97lbs is a solid start. One bucket bubbled a bit because the ground wasn't flat, but it turns out it's pretty irrelevant since my floor is so uneven the flat bucket doesn't sit right either. Oh well, stuffing the gap with old t-shirts seems to work well enough. You'll see what I mean in the picture:

The hooks are a little cockeyed, but I didn't do that part. Still works, still beats BB hack squats. Oh, and that's just where they were sitting at the time, I had to move them to space them out, and get them where I needed. It was just more convenient for the picture to have them together.

Cool squat station! Assuming you're using an Olympic barbell as long as it's set up where the hooks grab right inside where the collars you should be ok as far as not creating crazy tipping points. I have seen people use sawhorses as well for safety/bail out points (with something sticking up on the ends so if the bar is set there it doesn't roll off into the great abyss lol.)

[viccles007]

Oooh I am liking your squat rack!!!

[LunaLifts]

Cool squat station! Assuming you're using an Olympic barbell as long as it's set up where the hooks grab right inside where the collars you should be ok as far as not creating crazy tipping points. I have seen people use sawhorses as well for safety/bail out points (with something sticking up on the ends so if the bar is set there it doesn't roll off into the great abyss lol.)

Thanks, and yep, Oly bar. Only 6ft, but close enough, lol.

Sawhorses would actually be a relatively cheap solution. My plan was to, at some point, get a couple 2x4s and rig something together. either way it'll be a wait, so for now I just squat right next to my bed. Kinda like doing box squats with it being there, and it's ok if I have to drop the weight on it because it's a piece of **** I rarely use anyway. lol

Oooh I am liking your squat rack!!!

Thanks. And here I was nervous about posting it, because I thought it'd look like chit. >.<

Love the squat rack! And the buckets are just perfect!

Ditto Hammie on the versa grips. They are awesome! Hope you cash situation improves so you can get a pair of them

Oh..I love swai!! I'm not much of a fish person, but swai is one that I will tolerate.

Great work out today!!

Thanks.
Yeah, my mental situation needs to improve so I can improve my cash situation. Fluffin' illogical, irrational, anxiety disorder bullchit.

I found it interesting, I like the taste, but the texture was different than I'm used to with tilapia. It's not a bad texture though, just unusual. At least now I know I like more than one kind of fish, so I have another option at the store.

[viccles007]

Yeah, my mental situation needs to improve so I can improve my cash situation. Fluffin' illogical, irrational, anxiety disorder bullchit.

Oh I hear you there. Sometimes wish I could put a fork through my head with some of the illogical, irrational crap my brain comes up with.

[LunaLifts]

Oh I hear you there. Sometimes wish I could put a fork through my head with some of the illogical, irrational crap my brain comes up with.

I swear every time I'm about to drive, I'm half convinced I'm about to kill someone. >.<

[lowroller21212]

[B] 97lbs is a solid start. One bucket bubbled a bit because the ground wasn't flat, but it turns out it's pretty irrelevant since my floor is so uneven the flat bucket doesn't sit right either. Oh well, stuffing the gap with old t-shirts seems to work well enough. You'll see what I mean in the picture:

The hooks are a little cockeyed, but I didn't do that part. Still works, still beats BB hack squats. Oh, and that's just where they were sitting at the time, I had to move them to space them out, and get them where I needed. It was just more convenient for the picture to have them together.

Also

Nice job putting that together it looks like you had fun with the squat rack project.

[FallenAngel80]

needs[/i] one, but there are different kinds for different effects. Some are more focused on pump, and increasing your reps/weight, like nitric oxide boosters. Some are primarily stimulants, in which case you'd definitely be off the wall. Some give you more focus, and it sorta makes you more mindful of your workout.

Basically if you can get through your workouts, and don't want to spend money on more supps, then you're fine without them. If you need a pick me up, or are looking for something to assist with your workouts, then you can try a few and see if you like them, and what works best for you.

For me it's a few things. I like ones that help with focus, it helps me to not rush things, and focus on form, and activation. I also dig the ones that give you a good pump because by the end of my workout my muscles feel consistently flexed, lol. Plus when I take it I know I'm not putting it off, supps are expensive (even cheaper ones add up over time), and I'm not wasting them, even free.

I do sometimes wonder about my focus. I know I have things going on right now, but in general my mind is often thinking of what I have to do next in my day which means I'm not necessarily focusing fully on what I am doing. I might have a look round and perhaps try and get a few samples just to see what happens. It could be an interesting experience 0_0

[GingerHanna]

Versa Grips are the best grip assist ever invented, srs. Expensive I know, my current pair have lasted 3 or 4 yrs so far. I use those on pull ups, db rows, Hammer Strength lifts, Lat pulls. You go from getting stuck at a wt because you can't hang on to it to adding oodles of wt and being able to do 3-5 rep sets. It legit lets you focus on working your back/arms and there is zero chance of grip failure. I've done straps before but they're a mega pain in the ass to keep setting up tightly.

Try em, if you guys don't like Versa Grips then I'll majestically gallop through the gym in a wedding dress riding a donkey.

I'm going to get them just on the chance to get you galloping through a gym in a wedding dress on a donkey, majestically or not!

Thanks for the tip though. I'll track some down this afternoon and get them ordered. Never used any kind of grips or straps before so it's new territory for me. Not even got a belt and still wonder about that!

[LunaLifts]

I do sometimes wonder about my focus. I know I have things going on right now, but in general my mind is often thinking of what I have to do next in my day which means I'm not necessarily focusing fully on what I am doing. I might have a look round and perhaps try and get a few samples just to see what happens. It could be an interesting experience 0_0

I like l-carnitine for focus, also called acetyl-l-carnitine. True Grit has l-theanine, which is the first time I've used it, and I think that worked well too. It's supposed to help relax you without causing drowsiness.

I'm going to get them just on the chance to get you galloping through a gym in a wedding dress on a donkey, majestically or not!

Thanks for the tip though. I'll track some down this afternoon and get them ordered. Never used any kind of grips or straps before so it's new territory for me. Not even got a belt and still wonder about that!

Lol.

I've considered getting a belt too, but not sure how comfortable I'd be wearing one. Might get a cheaper one to see how I feel lifting with one, then decide whether or not I want to invest in a better one. Wouldn't be 100% the same because of the materials, but I'd know if I generally don't like having something there during lifts.

Nice job putting that together it looks like you had fun with the squat rack project.

Thanks, and yeah it was fun some of the time. The blister I got from mixing the concrete wasn't, lol. Plus I had to saw off the excess at the top with a fluffin' coping saw, so that took about a half hour per post (my right hand has issues, so I had to stop a lot). Had nothing else but a hack saw with a much duller blade. I don't even know why we have one, it's only use is high school shop classes.
Well, I guess except for when it's the only decent blade you have to chop off the tops of your posts. >.<

[LunaLifts]

Upper Power - Home

Decline Push ups
BW x 8
BW x 8
BW x 8

Pendlay Rows
87lbs x 5
87lbs x 5
87lbs x 5

OHPs
47lbs x 10
47lbs x 10
47lbs x 8

BB Curl
42lbs x 10
42lbs x 10
42lbs x 10

French Press
42lbs x 10
42lbs x 10
42lbs x 10

Managed to get an extra rep on OHPs! Almost didn't get the last one up, I was thinking my arms would collapse, and I'd have an awful bruise at best. lol. Rows were heavy as chit, I don't think I was 100% ready for that first set, but they got better. I think my hand threw me off, I have a tiny callous under my pinky on my left hand and it hurt like hell at first, still hurt by the end, but I was over it by then.

Everything else went alright. Found that my stomach doesn't disagree with preworkout so much depending on what breakfast is. Had protein powder + oatmeal and didn't get so nauseous. I'd increase the time between when I eat, and when I take it, but I can't eat much sooner, and I can't workout any later. At least I can eat something that's not so bad beforehand, and save eggs for post workout snacking.

[jsari23]

Yeah for the squat rack!

I just added hip thrusts in my WO 3 weeks ago, I do some bridge or thrust variation at the start of every workout, for those 60 second thrusts are you just doing 3 sets of one rep but holding that for 60 seconds???? (OMG)

[LunaLifts]

Yeah for the squat rack!

I just added hip thrusts in my WO 3 weeks ago, I do some bridge or thrust variation at the start of every workout, for those 60 second thrusts are you just doing 3 sets of one rep but holding that for 60 seconds???? (OMG)

Yeah, it's easier for me to hold a lighter weight for longer than it is for me to do high weights for reps. I don't have a bench, a chair doesn't work too well, and forget trying to use a bed, lol.
I have been working on holding my glutes better the whole time, they tend to try and quit on me towards the end, putting more load on my hammies. While I want good hammies too, my glutes can't be lazy lol.

[anandagirl]

Yay for extra OHP rep!!! And nice that the PWO doesn't bother your tummy if you eat the right breakfast

[FallenAngel80]

Nice workout, Luna. 'Mirin your rows, need to get my BORs up there!

[LunaLifts]

Yay for extra OHP rep!!! And nice that the PWO doesn't bother your tummy if you eat the right breakfast

OHPs are so hard to progress on. Need microplates for that chit. Might increase the weight, and lower the reps for power days, the PHUL template does say 6-10 reps, but I do around the same reps with my Arnold Presses on hyper day so maybe a little more weight on OHP days would get my shoulder strength up a bit.

It still upsets my stomach a bit, but not until the end of the workout, and today I had two scoops so I consider it a win.

Nice workout, Luna. 'Mirin your rows, need to get my BORs up there!

Thanks. The first few didn't do up so well, but last time they were better so I think it was just an off morning. I'm also pretty tired.

[anandagirl]

OHPs are so hard to progress on. Need microplates for that chit. Might increase the weight, and lower the reps for power days, the PHUL template does say 6-10 reps, but I do around the same reps with my Arnold Presses on hyper day so maybe a little more weight on OHP days would get my shoulder strength up a bit.

Yeah, I would probably try to up the weight so that 6 reps are hard on power days.

It still upsets my stomach a bit, but not until the end of the workout, and today I had two scoops so I consider it a win.

[LunaLifts]

That meme, lol. It was a pretty good day, until I had a migraine bad enough to make me nauseous as fluff. -_-

I've been binge watching this guy's youtube videos where he roasts people doing dumb chit at the gym. It's not so much new people who just don't know how to gym, though some are, it's largely ego lifters, and a truck load of people who arch their backs on deadlifts. >.< There's a guy he references a lot based on some beef they had, and he usually has a segment to pick on crossfitters, but overall it's good fun. Even if you mute them, you can still just cringe at some of the bad spotting, quarter repping, and plain nonsense.

So I checked the shipping on my straps, and they'll be here tomorrow (because shipping something in the same state takes a fluffin' week). "Awesome, you'll have your straps on RDL day!" Yes, yes I will, but I workout in the morning, and they'll show up around noon. T_T If they didn't take three days to ship it, they'd be here already.

[anandagirl]

Those videos are totally cringeworthy, but not as funny as this one!

https://www.********.com/GymFlow100/...5299513507632/

Sorry to hear about the grips

[FallenAngel80]

That meme, lol. It was a pretty good day, until I had a migraine bad enough to make me nauseous as fluff. -_-

I've been binge watching this guy's youtube videos where he roasts people doing dumb chit at the gym. It's not so much new people who just don't know how to gym, though some are, it's largely ego lifters, and a truck load of people who arch their backs on deadlifts. >.< There's a guy he references a lot based on some beef they had, and he usually has a segment to pick on crossfitters, but overall it's good fun. Even if you mute them, you can still just cringe at some of the bad spotting, quarter repping, and plain nonsense.

I watched one...I'm going to have to watch more!!

[LunaLifts]

Those videos are totally cringeworthy, but not as funny as this one!

https://www.********.com/GymFlow100/...5299513507632/

Sorry to hear about the grips

I don't know what it is with cables machines, but they attract so many people doing such weird chit. >.<
At least she didn't seem like she'd hurt herself though, unless she falls over. lol

I watched one...I'm going to have to watch more!!

It's not the type of thing everyone will like, but I cannot get enough of them.
I knew some of the crossfit stuff was weird, but what are some of these people trying to do? Outside of injuring themselves. I know it's not representative of every crossfit class, but there's some coaches out there making up some crazy chit. What's functional about two dudes interlocking around a pull up bar, and spinning around it? >.<

[viccles007]

Nice upper body workout Luna - Great job on the extra rep on OHP! I find OHP so difficult to progress on as well.

[lowroller21212]

[LunaLifts]

Nice upper body workout Luna - Great job on the extra rep on OHP! I find OHP so difficult to progress on as well.

Thanks Vic. I just hope I can hit the same next week, because it was getting pretty brutal on those last reps.

Spoiler!

I hope so. I'm tired, and it's leg day so I guess we'll see. lol.
Gonna be one these kinda of days:

[GingerHanna]

Gonna be one these kinda of days:

Made me giggle... feels like me right now trying to get through the rest of this afternoon and convince myself I want to head into town to meet a friend despite the pouring rain!