Barbells, Dumbbells, and Life's Journey

[mstatefan91]

Hi all,

Some of you may know/recognize me. Some of you won't.

Link to old journal: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=169053663

I will try my best not to bore you, but let's be honest, nobody reads the posts. Been lifting now for..... 6 years? Yeah, that sounds right. I've had my fair share of ups and downs in the gym and outside of the gym. I've gone from logging regularly to posting once in the past 6 or so months. Long story short, my life changed.

I got married, obviously moved in with my wife, got a new position at the university that I attend, and generally just kind of got myself lost in the middle of it all. But I'm starting to figure things out... slowly. Day to day life doesn't feel as hectic as it did this time last year. So without any further comments/excuses/boring drivel:

Current Training Program:

Texas Method

Disclaimer:
This is the Texas Method as remembered by mstatefan91 with tweaks and days that probably do not look like the Texas Method since the trainer has changed some of the intensity/programming to better suit his needs.


Anyway, I believe I'm on the 5th week. Have finally gotten over some nagging injuries that I won't talk about here unless somebody wants to know. The only time they will be brought up is if they pop up again. I'm ready to move past them.

Here is a video of my recent training:



Intensity day is tomorrow

[mstatefan91]

So I figure I might as well lay out the training week that I'm currently following:

Day 1: Volume
Squat 5x5
Bench 5x5
Tricep extension 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps
Face Pulls 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps

Day 2: Upper Back Assistance
Pullups
DB Row 3-4 sets of 6-8
Lat pulldown 3-4 sets of 6-8
Iso Row 3-4 sets of 6-8
EZ Bar curl 3-4 sets of 8-12
Hammer Curl 3-4 sets of 8-12

Day 3: "Recovery"
Front Squat 3x5
Standing OHP 3x5
Leg extension 3-4 sets 8-12
Leg Curl 3-4 sets 8-12
Standing Calf Raise 4-5 sets 8-12

Day 4: Rest

Day 5: Intensity
This one is a little strange. I have a target weight that I want to hit 5 reps with. If I hit only 4 then I up the weight by 15 to 20 pounds and hit a single. If I only hit three reps then I stay at the same weight for the next week...
Squat x5
Bench x5
Deadlift I hit 5 singles. I have been struggling with my deadlift lately. Trying this method while learning a slightly new setup/form. Really focusing on getting my shoulders behind the bar instead of over/in front of it.

[jshaw5]

Yay first one in

Love seeing Texas Method!!! I always made good progress on that, been contemplating another run on it, maybe this summer.

Lifts are looking good. Are those PR's still current? I noticed you hit 247.5x5x5 in that video, if you're hitting that on volume day, you should be good for way more than 300x1.

[mstatefan91]

Yay first one in

Love seeing Texas Method!!! I always made good progress on that, been contemplating another run on it, maybe this summer.

Lifts are looking good. Are those PR's still current? I noticed you hit 247.5x5x5 in that video, if you're hitting that on volume day, you should be good for way more than 300x1.

Thanks for joining me dude!

PR's are technically current... I hit them in August 2016 and haven't maxed anything since then. Been dealing with annoying little injuries (mostly my fault). Finally healthy now.

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method
Intensity Day

Back Squat
45x8, 5
135x5, 2
225x2
275x1
315x1
345x1
Belt added
365x1
385x1
410x4 Video. Maybe could have gotten a 5th but lost quite a bit of tightness on the 4th rep and didn't deem it a necessary risk.
430x1 Video. As stated in OP, if I only get 4 on "top set" then I go for a single about 20 pounds heavier.

Bench Press
45x20
135x5
185x2
205x1
225x1
245x1
265x5 Video. I think this ties a PR, but I'm not exactly sure since I haven't logged/recorded most of my workouts the past 6 months or so... slight butt lift which I need to get sorted out. Lower benches in the new gym have thrown me off a little bit.

Deadlift
135x5
225x3
275x2
315x1
Belt added
365x1
385x1x5 5 singles. Nothing exciting. Just working on form and staying healthy. Went about a month without deadlifting until last week..








Notes:
BW: 196.8
Had a splitting headache for most of the day, so I am pleased with today's results despite not feeling well. In a slight calorie deficit. Trying to get back to around 190.. Just more comfortable in my body at that weight.

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method
Volume

Back Squat
45x8, 5
135x5, 2
225x2
275x1
315x1
Belt added
345x5x5 Vids of 3rd and 5th set. Horrible vid angle on 5th set... sorry.


Bench Press
45x15
135x5
185x2
205x1
225x1
250x5x5 Vids of 3rd and 5th sets... This was hard..


Additional assistance work moved to later today.



Notes:
BW: 196.0

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method
Assistance

Pullups
BWx6, 6, 6, 4, 4 I still suck at these...

DB Row
60x8
80x8
90x6, 6

Lat Pulldown
120x8
140x6x3

Iso low-row: single arm
45x8
90x6
100x6, 6

EZ Bar Curl
70x10, 9, 8

Tricep Pushdown
50x8
57.5x8
65x8

Face Pull
50x8
57.5x8
50x8

DB Hammer Curl
25x12
20x15

Hanging Leg Raise
BWx8, 8, 8, 6

[MatTheCur]

Oh.

Oh hi there.

[mstatefan91]

Oh.

Oh hi there.

Hi.

[MatTheCur]

Hi.

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method
Recovery

Front Squat
45x5, 3
135x5
185x2
205x1
225x1
Belted
255x5x3 Vid of last set. Not particularly challenging

Standing OHP
45x8, 3
95x3, 1
115x2
135x1
Belted
155x5x3 Vid of last set. This was a bit challenging

Leg Extension
110x8
160x8
190x8x3

Single Leg Hamstring Curl
25x8
35x8
45x8
50x8

Standing Calf Raised: Skipped




Notes:
BW: 197.4

Bit bloated going into the workout. Didn't feel my best but didn't really struggle too much with anything.

[mstatefan91]

Have an intensity day workout to post. Forgot my phone cord (to upload my videos). We shall see if I post it today or wait until tomorrow... Supposed to study today anyway.

[MatTheCur]

Have an intensity day workout to post. Forgot my phone cord (to upload my videos). We shall see if I post it today or wait until tomorrow... Supposed to study today anyway.

I'm like 9 videos behind or something, so don't sweat it

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method
Intensity

Back Squat
45x8, 3
135x5, 2
225x1, 1
275x1
315x1
345x1
Belted
365x1
385x1
415x5 PR Vid. Big PR. Took a lot out of me. Still feeling this two days later.

Bench Press
45x15
135x5
185x2
205x1
225x1
250x1
270x4 Vid. Very meh. Was very drained from the squat. These were awful reps tbh.
280x1 Vid. Paused. Still meh.

Deadlift
135x5
225x3
275x2
315x1
365x1
Belted
405x5 Vid. Oddly tho these felt good.




Had a test today that went chitastic. Debated whether I even wanted to post this workout, but I'm here and feeling sorry for myself isn't really a good excuse so..

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method
Volume

Back Squat
45x8, 3
135x3, 1
225x2
275x1
315x1
Belt added
352.5x5x5 Vid of 5th set. The added 2.5 lbs was not really the plan. Just couldn't find any other clips. The metal "bulldog" clips way 2.5 lbs as a pair.

Bench Press
45x15
135x5
185x3
205x2
225x1
252.5x5x5 Vid of 5th set. Bench is getting kinda rough...



Recovery

Front Squat
45x5, 5
135x3
185x2
205x1
225x1
245x1
Belt added
260x5x3 Vid of 3rd set.

Standing Press
45x8
95x3
115x2
135x1
160x5x3 Vid of last set. Would not have been able to complete a 4th set of five.




Notes: This has been a very stressful week (school related). Skipped my upper back accessory day. Skipped my leg accessories after my main lifts last night. BUT, I'm seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method
Intensity

Back Squat
45x8, 3
135x5, 2
225x2
275x1
315x1
345x1
Belt added
365x1
395x1
420x4 PR No video. File got corrupted due to a phone call. Trust me, it happened. I have felt like a chewed up piece of meat mainly due to this.
440x1 Vid. Not that bad.

Bench Press
45x15
135x5
185x2
205x1
225x1
245x1
272.5x2 Vid. Idk what it is. I watch the videos and the reps don't look that bad, but in the moment, they feel slow and out of groove.
277.5x1 Vid. Kinda paused. Just doesn't feel right.

Probably going to switch over to Ph3 for bench press. Benching 3 times a week with so much more volume is what got me to this level. TM is great for Squat for sure and ok for Deadlift, but only getting in 30 or so working reps a week on bench is just not cutting it for me.

Deadlift
135x5
225x3
315x1
Belt added
365x1
385x1
415x4 Vid. Probably should have just grabbed the 5th, but my tightness was breaking down. I've had issues over the years with my back, and it just isn't worth it to me to grab that extra rep if I can stay healthy.
435x1 Vid. This went up smoothly.

[MatTheCur]

Other than maybe being a bit quick on the bench pause, everything else looked smooth as, man. Good stuff!

[mstatefan91]

Other than maybe being a bit quick on the bench pause, everything else looked smooth as, man. Good stuff!

Thanks man. Yeah I think part of it is that I'm in my head on the bench and the other part is that I'm just not getting the reps in that I was used to so a lot of this is starting to feel misgrooved. It just isn't feeling solid.

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method Squat/Ph3 Bench
Volume

Squat
45x8, 4
135x5, 2
225x2
275x1
315x1
Belt Added
355x5x5 Vid of last set. Felt fine overall.

Bench Press
45x15, 12
135x5
185x3
205x2
225x9x3 Vid of last set. Felt solid

[mstatefan91]

Assistance

Pullups
BWx5, 4, 4, 4

DB Row
65x8
80x6
90x6, 6

Lat Pulldown
120x8
140x6
150x6

Cable Row
120x8
150x8
180x6
Changed to the v-grip
150x8
180x6 Kinda went overboard here lol

Face Pulls
40x8
70x8
85x8
100x8

DB Curl
30x8, 8, 8

Hammer Curl
25x8, 8, 8

Tricep Pushdown
40x8
70x8
85x8
100x6, 6

Plank
BWx3 sets... just held it as long as I could. Didn't really time it.

Leg Raises
BWx10, 8, 6

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method/Ph3 Bench
Recovery

Front Squat
45x8, 5
135x5
185x2
205x1
225x1
245x1
Belt Added
265x5x3 Vid of 3rd set

Bench
45x15, 12
135x5
185x2
205x1
235x7x3 Vid of 3rd set

Leg Extension
100x8
145x8
170x8
195x8

Hamstring Curl
90x8
100x8
110x8

[dbone1026]

Joining along for the ride while I still have access to the internet ...

[mstatefan91]

Joining along for the ride while I still have access to the internet ...

Welcome aboard!

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method/Ph3 Bench
Intensity

Squat
45x8, 4
135x5, 2
225x2
275x1
315x1
345x1
Belt added
365x1
395x1
425x4 PR This was fairly tough, but I'm pretty confident I could have squeezed out the 5th rep. Just didn't want this set to be @10
445x1 Slow but steady

Bench Press
45x12, 8
135x5
185x2
225x1
245x5x3

Deadlift
135x5
225x3
315x1
Belt added
365x1
425x4 Again, could have eeked out a 5th... just not worth it. Back was feeling shot.

[KenshinH]

In on new log

Squats looking strong as usual.

I'm interested in how Ph3 treats you. At some point, I'll move on from the DUP program I've been running (for what seems like forever), and Ph3 is a possibility.

[mstatefan91]

In on new log

Squats looking strong as usual.

I'm interested in how Ph3 treats you. At some point, I'll move on from the DUP program I've been running (for what seems like forever), and Ph3 is a possibility.

Thanks bro. Ph3 is good for my bench. Helped move my max from 265 to 300 last year.

Anyway, taking today off from the gym. I'm a bit of a slug today after last night's activities lol. Also gives my back another day to loosen up.

Volume tomorrow.

[shoefanatic23]

Sub'd

[dbone1026]

Thanks bro. Ph3 is good for my bench. Helped move my max from 265 to 300 last year.

Anyway, taking today off from the gym. I'm a bit of a slug today after last night's activities lol. Also gives my back another day to loosen up.

Volume tomorrow.

Have you been doing those BFR exercises? Just couldn't get myself to look like a heroine addict at the gym lol.

[mstatefan91]

Sub'd

Thanks bro

Have you been doing those BFR exercises? Just couldn't get myself to look like a heroine addict at the gym lol.

No. I tried them in the past, and all I got was pain out of the experience. Not worth it imo.

[mstatefan91]

Texas Method/Ph3 Bench
Volume

Squat
45x8, 4
135x4, 2
225x2
275x1
315x1
Belt added
360x5x5 Not that bad actually. I had built it up to be some kind of monster in my mind, but I finished it (warmups to last set) in 30 minutes.

Bench Press
45x12, 12
135x5
185x2
205x1
225x9x4 Last set was a little bit of a struggle. Would give it an @9

I have been eating like crap the past 2 or 3 days. Lots of food. Little protein. Pizza, fast food... gotta clean it up.