What training are you doing/have you done today? (Vol.3)

[TheJimi]

horsemeatscandal said:

Food for thought, cheers both. I'll try and phase out use of a belt during warm-up sets and higher rep working sets earlier in my program, see how that goes. Same for straps really, I've relied on them too much to the detriment of grip strength and I can't use the excuse of 'safety' for that. I reckon I could, at a push, get ~75% 1RM on deadlift without straps.

Might do a bit of grip training in the gym tonight.

Also, try hook grip too.

I'm a huge fan of hook. It's a learning curve though, but once you get to grips(!) with it, it's a bloody solid grip.

[biggbn]

I use straps for my high rep deadlifts for the simple reason that my grip will give out long before my (relatively poor!) stamina! I might buys some chalk and try a set without them, not done so in a while.

[biggbn]

d_a_n1979 said:

TheJimi said:

d_a_n1979 said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Slight thread diversion but probably as good a place to ask as any; any recommendations on a lever lifting belt, preferably under £60?

Why do you feel you need a lever belt?

A standard 2 prong belt is generally more than enough for anyone; lever belts are excellent for when you REALLY need to crank a belt on for that all out, nose busting lift; but they're incredibly stiff and uncomfortable... Been there/done that/never used it again as my 2 prong belt never failed me...

If you want one go for it; just my advice above

I've always gone to Pullum for my belts: https://www.pullumsports.co.uk/collections/powerli...

I've only ever had 3 and 2 of them have been all over the world with me, including Hull...

I'd suggest this for a first belt: https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/products/13mm-doubl...

I disagree on the first point.

In my opinion, you can set up a lever belt to create as much or as little tension as you like - largely as you would a prong buckle. The difference with a lever is that you have the ability to go further with the tension and it's easier to put on and off - regardless of tension - in comparison to a prong.

Edit: like for like, a prong style belt will most likely be less stiff, however, and thus more comfortable.

Wait, did I just do a 180 and agree with you?

Edited by TheJimi on Monday 8th April 14:40

They both have their places

My best ever squat at 302.5kg was with a lever belt; it left its mark on me for weeks... I did a 300kg squat not long after with my normal belt and no issues at all; it was on just as tight but it just felt better

It is a personal preference; they're just not for me and I'm not an advocate unless you're really going to go all out hardcore with one rep maxes etc and even then, I'd think twice

Best squat was @310kg from memory (it was a looong time ago), using the belt I pictured earlier, knees wrapped, but I can GUARANTEE your squat was much deeper than mine. I'm not one of these number chasing minimal movement guys but I never perfected the arse to the floor squat, thighs about parallel was as far as I could get on a good day. I'm only squatting 140 for reps jist now and wrap my knees and use my belt for that, I've always wrapped up for any squat 140 or over on the advice of an older powerlifting champ in my gym many years ago

[d_a_n1979]

This is my 'grip wall'



Top down is a 6ft 60/100mm saxon bar. 10kg 60mm 7ft bar under that, under that is just an eBay special Swiss bar to aid my shoulders when pressing, when they're hurting etc; below that are x2 Rolling Thunders; the black one is the Ironmind one (60mm live spinning handle) and the red one is a el cheapo copy from StrengthShop; it's crap, as to be expected!

Captains of Crush in the middle (1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 - I've nearly closed No.3, about 3mm off a full close).

Next to them are a 60mm training handle on chains; you wrap the chains to the handle and lift it with them facing out, it's hard as they open your hand up/facing in its easy as they tighten down onto the handle (if that makes sense)?

Under that is an 11kg 50mm solid handle

Under that is a 60/100mm pinch block and 40/80mm pinch block - holes on both sides to make the grip wider or narrower for the loading pin etc

On top of the tool box is a 55kg loaded 76mm handled globe dumbbell

On the floor is a 68.2kg dumbbell with a Fat Grips Extreme handle on it It was a pair of approx 150lb dumbbells from the gym I used to train at; one sheared as I placed it down after pressing (years of knobbers dropping them becasue they couldn't handle the weights properly). So I bought the single and use it for grip and rows (when I'm healthy enough)

Me playing with the Rolling Thunder the other day; 85kg weight and just kept doing it until I couldn't move it no more...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BT4QkUmCxqqSxQ5N9

Same principle with the loadable 50mm handle with 76kg total weight; keep at it until my grip fails (always my left before my right):

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5MHgiapi456cfBd3A

[d_a_n1979]

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

TheJimi said:

d_a_n1979 said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Slight thread diversion but probably as good a place to ask as any; any recommendations on a lever lifting belt, preferably under £60?

Why do you feel you need a lever belt?

A standard 2 prong belt is generally more than enough for anyone; lever belts are excellent for when you REALLY need to crank a belt on for that all out, nose busting lift; but they're incredibly stiff and uncomfortable... Been there/done that/never used it again as my 2 prong belt never failed me...

If you want one go for it; just my advice above

I've always gone to Pullum for my belts: https://www.pullumsports.co.uk/collections/powerli...

I've only ever had 3 and 2 of them have been all over the world with me, including Hull...

I'd suggest this for a first belt: https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/products/13mm-doubl...

I disagree on the first point.

In my opinion, you can set up a lever belt to create as much or as little tension as you like - largely as you would a prong buckle. The difference with a lever is that you have the ability to go further with the tension and it's easier to put on and off - regardless of tension - in comparison to a prong.

Edit: like for like, a prong style belt will most likely be less stiff, however, and thus more comfortable.

Wait, did I just do a 180 and agree with you?

Edited by TheJimi on Monday 8th April 14:40

They both have their places

My best ever squat at 302.5kg was with a lever belt; it left its mark on me for weeks... I did a 300kg squat not long after with my normal belt and no issues at all; it was on just as tight but it just felt better

It is a personal preference; they're just not for me and I'm not an advocate unless you're really going to go all out hardcore with one rep maxes etc and even then, I'd think twice

Best squat was @310kg from memory (it was a looong time ago), using the belt I pictured earlier, knees wrapped, but I can GUARANTEE your squat was much deeper than mine. I'm not one of these number chasing minimal movement guys but I never perfected the arse to the floor squat, thighs about parallel was as far as I could get on a good day. I'm only squatting 140 for reps jist now and wrap my knees and use my belt for that, I've always wrapped up for any squat 140 or over on the advice of an older powerlifting champ in my gym many years ago

My squats were A2G - at 6ft 4 my best hope was to 'bomb squat' - drop through quickly, deep enough to pick an apple up with my bum cheeks and then drive it back up... If I got my hips through I locked it out; if I didn't (which happened a lot TBH); I just sort of sat there and watched the spotters panic

No wraps, no suits - just belt on and away we go haha

[horsemeatscandal]

d_a_n1979 said:

This is my 'grip wall'

Ah, you must just be starting out on your grip strength journey. I remember those days....

[d_a_n1979]

horsemeatscandal said:

d_a_n1979 said:

This is my 'grip wall'

Ah, you must just be starting out on your grip strength journey. I remember those days....

Haha I wish; had a lot of that for years...

When I've not been able to train properly over the last few years due to health issues; the grip stuff has come into its own thankfully

[biggbn]

d_a_n1979 said:

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

TheJimi said:

d_a_n1979 said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Slight thread diversion but probably as good a place to ask as any; any recommendations on a lever lifting belt, preferably under £60?

Why do you feel you need a lever belt?

A standard 2 prong belt is generally more than enough for anyone; lever belts are excellent for when you REALLY need to crank a belt on for that all out, nose busting lift; but they're incredibly stiff and uncomfortable... Been there/done that/never used it again as my 2 prong belt never failed me...

If you want one go for it; just my advice above

I've always gone to Pullum for my belts: https://www.pullumsports.co.uk/collections/powerli...

I've only ever had 3 and 2 of them have been all over the world with me, including Hull...

I'd suggest this for a first belt: https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/products/13mm-doubl...

I disagree on the first point.

In my opinion, you can set up a lever belt to create as much or as little tension as you like - largely as you would a prong buckle. The difference with a lever is that you have the ability to go further with the tension and it's easier to put on and off - regardless of tension - in comparison to a prong.

Edit: like for like, a prong style belt will most likely be less stiff, however, and thus more comfortable.

Wait, did I just do a 180 and agree with you?

Edited by TheJimi on Monday 8th April 14:40

They both have their places

My best ever squat at 302.5kg was with a lever belt; it left its mark on me for weeks... I did a 300kg squat not long after with my normal belt and no issues at all; it was on just as tight but it just felt better

It is a personal preference; they're just not for me and I'm not an advocate unless you're really going to go all out hardcore with one rep maxes etc and even then, I'd think twice

Best squat was @310kg from memory (it was a looong time ago), using the belt I pictured earlier, knees wrapped, but I can GUARANTEE your squat was much deeper than mine. I'm not one of these number chasing minimal movement guys but I never perfected the arse to the floor squat, thighs about parallel was as far as I could get on a good day. I'm only squatting 140 for reps jist now and wrap my knees and use my belt for that, I've always wrapped up for any squat 140 or over on the advice of an older powerlifting champ in my gym many years ago

My squats were A2G - at 6ft 4 my best hope was to 'bomb squat' - drop through quickly, deep enough to pick an apple up with my bum cheeks and then drive it back up... If I got my hips through I locked it out; if I didn't (which happened a lot TBH); I just sort of sat there and watched the spotters panic

No wraps, no suits - just belt on and away we go haha

I started my training at Polysport in Dundee, lots of world and European class powerlifters and strength athletes trained there so from before I had lifted a weight I was inspired to be strong. Watching a proper, heavy, legal squat as opposed to a 'strongman' squat is incredible, isn't it! I never competed at any strength events and can now concede that strength and size were props for me and my job at the time (ran a lot of doors, and being strong, relatively mobile and quite an accomplished grappler was a good blend of attributes for getting the 'baddies' for whom the most important 'muscles', brain and tongue hadn't persuaded, out the door or away from danger quickly). I'm five years retired from that life now and don't miss it at all, but it was hard to pack in after 33 years!

[d_a_n1979]

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

TheJimi said:

d_a_n1979 said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Slight thread diversion but probably as good a place to ask as any; any recommendations on a lever lifting belt, preferably under £60?

Why do you feel you need a lever belt?

A standard 2 prong belt is generally more than enough for anyone; lever belts are excellent for when you REALLY need to crank a belt on for that all out, nose busting lift; but they're incredibly stiff and uncomfortable... Been there/done that/never used it again as my 2 prong belt never failed me...

If you want one go for it; just my advice above

I've always gone to Pullum for my belts: https://www.pullumsports.co.uk/collections/powerli...

I've only ever had 3 and 2 of them have been all over the world with me, including Hull...

I'd suggest this for a first belt: https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/products/13mm-doubl...

I disagree on the first point.

In my opinion, you can set up a lever belt to create as much or as little tension as you like - largely as you would a prong buckle. The difference with a lever is that you have the ability to go further with the tension and it's easier to put on and off - regardless of tension - in comparison to a prong.

Edit: like for like, a prong style belt will most likely be less stiff, however, and thus more comfortable.

Wait, did I just do a 180 and agree with you?

Edited by TheJimi on Monday 8th April 14:40

They both have their places

My best ever squat at 302.5kg was with a lever belt; it left its mark on me for weeks... I did a 300kg squat not long after with my normal belt and no issues at all; it was on just as tight but it just felt better

It is a personal preference; they're just not for me and I'm not an advocate unless you're really going to go all out hardcore with one rep maxes etc and even then, I'd think twice

Best squat was @310kg from memory (it was a looong time ago), using the belt I pictured earlier, knees wrapped, but I can GUARANTEE your squat was much deeper than mine. I'm not one of these number chasing minimal movement guys but I never perfected the arse to the floor squat, thighs about parallel was as far as I could get on a good day. I'm only squatting 140 for reps jist now and wrap my knees and use my belt for that, I've always wrapped up for any squat 140 or over on the advice of an older powerlifting champ in my gym many years ago

My squats were A2G - at 6ft 4 my best hope was to 'bomb squat' - drop through quickly, deep enough to pick an apple up with my bum cheeks and then drive it back up... If I got my hips through I locked it out; if I didn't (which happened a lot TBH); I just sort of sat there and watched the spotters panic

No wraps, no suits - just belt on and away we go haha

I started my training at Polysport in Dundee, lots of world and European class powerlifters and strength athletes trained there so from before I had lifted a weight I was inspired to be strong. Watching a proper, heavy, legal squat as opposed to a 'strongman' squat is incredible, isn't it! I never competed at any strength events and can now concede that strength and size were props for me and my job at the time (ran a lot of doors, and being strong, relatively mobile and quite an accomplished grappler was a good blend of attributes for getting the 'baddies' for whom the most important 'muscles', brain and tongue hadn't persuaded, out the door or away from danger quickly). I'm five years retired from that life now and don't miss it at all, but it was hard to pack in after 33 years!

Absolutely; ass-to-grass, IMO, is the only way. But then again that was drilled into me in the late 90s/early 2000s as I was training with a world record holding powerlifter & it was a surefire way to ensure that you never got red-lighted on your squats (unless you bombed or didn't lock the lift out etc)

I've never been wable to wind my squat in until just passed parallel and then get back up; just felt wrong to me

Misha Koklyaev for was one of the best strongmen that came from a weightlifting background and did very well in powerlifting too; the core of it all really. His technique (deadlifts too) was flawless IMO. Rep after ep, set after set, technique stayed the same

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nI-RMQps4M&ab...

[biggbn]

d_a_n1979 said:

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

TheJimi said:

d_a_n1979 said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Slight thread diversion but probably as good a place to ask as any; any recommendations on a lever lifting belt, preferably under £60?

Why do you feel you need a lever belt?

A standard 2 prong belt is generally more than enough for anyone; lever belts are excellent for when you REALLY need to crank a belt on for that all out, nose busting lift; but they're incredibly stiff and uncomfortable... Been there/done that/never used it again as my 2 prong belt never failed me...

If you want one go for it; just my advice above

I've always gone to Pullum for my belts: https://www.pullumsports.co.uk/collections/powerli...

I've only ever had 3 and 2 of them have been all over the world with me, including Hull...

I'd suggest this for a first belt: https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/products/13mm-doubl...

I disagree on the first point.

In my opinion, you can set up a lever belt to create as much or as little tension as you like - largely as you would a prong buckle. The difference with a lever is that you have the ability to go further with the tension and it's easier to put on and off - regardless of tension - in comparison to a prong.

Edit: like for like, a prong style belt will most likely be less stiff, however, and thus more comfortable.

Wait, did I just do a 180 and agree with you?

Edited by TheJimi on Monday 8th April 14:40

They both have their places

My best ever squat at 302.5kg was with a lever belt; it left its mark on me for weeks... I did a 300kg squat not long after with my normal belt and no issues at all; it was on just as tight but it just felt better

It is a personal preference; they're just not for me and I'm not an advocate unless you're really going to go all out hardcore with one rep maxes etc and even then, I'd think twice

Best squat was @310kg from memory (it was a looong time ago), using the belt I pictured earlier, knees wrapped, but I can GUARANTEE your squat was much deeper than mine. I'm not one of these number chasing minimal movement guys but I never perfected the arse to the floor squat, thighs about parallel was as far as I could get on a good day. I'm only squatting 140 for reps jist now and wrap my knees and use my belt for that, I've always wrapped up for any squat 140 or over on the advice of an older powerlifting champ in my gym many years ago

My squats were A2G - at 6ft 4 my best hope was to 'bomb squat' - drop through quickly, deep enough to pick an apple up with my bum cheeks and then drive it back up... If I got my hips through I locked it out; if I didn't (which happened a lot TBH); I just sort of sat there and watched the spotters panic

No wraps, no suits - just belt on and away we go haha

I started my training at Polysport in Dundee, lots of world and European class powerlifters and strength athletes trained there so from before I had lifted a weight I was inspired to be strong. Watching a proper, heavy, legal squat as opposed to a 'strongman' squat is incredible, isn't it! I never competed at any strength events and can now concede that strength and size were props for me and my job at the time (ran a lot of doors, and being strong, relatively mobile and quite an accomplished grappler was a good blend of attributes for getting the 'baddies' for whom the most important 'muscles', brain and tongue hadn't persuaded, out the door or away from danger quickly). I'm five years retired from that life now and don't miss it at all, but it was hard to pack in after 33 years!

Absolutely; ass-to-grass, IMO, is the only way. But then again that was drilled into me in the late 90s/early 2000s as I was training with a world record holding powerlifter & it was a surefire way to ensure that you never got red-lighted on your squats (unless you bombed or didn't lock the lift out etc)

I've never been wable to wind my squat in until just passed parallel and then get back up; just felt wrong to me

Misha Koklyaev for was one of the best strongmen that came from a weightlifting background and did very well in powerlifting too; the core of it all really. His technique (deadlifts too) was flawless IMO. Rep after ep, set after set, technique stayed the same

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nI-RMQps4M&ab...

Agreed, proper deep squats are the gold standard. Koklyaev was an absolute monster, such a happy fella too!!

[d_a_n1979]

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

biggbn said:

d_a_n1979 said:

TheJimi said:

d_a_n1979 said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Slight thread diversion but probably as good a place to ask as any; any recommendations on a lever lifting belt, preferably under £60?

Why do you feel you need a lever belt?

A standard 2 prong belt is generally more than enough for anyone; lever belts are excellent for when you REALLY need to crank a belt on for that all out, nose busting lift; but they're incredibly stiff and uncomfortable... Been there/done that/never used it again as my 2 prong belt never failed me...

If you want one go for it; just my advice above

I've always gone to Pullum for my belts: https://www.pullumsports.co.uk/collections/powerli...

I've only ever had 3 and 2 of them have been all over the world with me, including Hull...

I'd suggest this for a first belt: https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/products/13mm-doubl...

I disagree on the first point.

In my opinion, you can set up a lever belt to create as much or as little tension as you like - largely as you would a prong buckle. The difference with a lever is that you have the ability to go further with the tension and it's easier to put on and off - regardless of tension - in comparison to a prong.

Edit: like for like, a prong style belt will most likely be less stiff, however, and thus more comfortable.

Wait, did I just do a 180 and agree with you?

Edited by TheJimi on Monday 8th April 14:40

They both have their places

My best ever squat at 302.5kg was with a lever belt; it left its mark on me for weeks... I did a 300kg squat not long after with my normal belt and no issues at all; it was on just as tight but it just felt better

It is a personal preference; they're just not for me and I'm not an advocate unless you're really going to go all out hardcore with one rep maxes etc and even then, I'd think twice

Best squat was @310kg from memory (it was a looong time ago), using the belt I pictured earlier, knees wrapped, but I can GUARANTEE your squat was much deeper than mine. I'm not one of these number chasing minimal movement guys but I never perfected the arse to the floor squat, thighs about parallel was as far as I could get on a good day. I'm only squatting 140 for reps jist now and wrap my knees and use my belt for that, I've always wrapped up for any squat 140 or over on the advice of an older powerlifting champ in my gym many years ago

My squats were A2G - at 6ft 4 my best hope was to 'bomb squat' - drop through quickly, deep enough to pick an apple up with my bum cheeks and then drive it back up... If I got my hips through I locked it out; if I didn't (which happened a lot TBH); I just sort of sat there and watched the spotters panic

No wraps, no suits - just belt on and away we go haha

I started my training at Polysport in Dundee, lots of world and European class powerlifters and strength athletes trained there so from before I had lifted a weight I was inspired to be strong. Watching a proper, heavy, legal squat as opposed to a 'strongman' squat is incredible, isn't it! I never competed at any strength events and can now concede that strength and size were props for me and my job at the time (ran a lot of doors, and being strong, relatively mobile and quite an accomplished grappler was a good blend of attributes for getting the 'baddies' for whom the most important 'muscles', brain and tongue hadn't persuaded, out the door or away from danger quickly). I'm five years retired from that life now and don't miss it at all, but it was hard to pack in after 33 years!

Absolutely; ass-to-grass, IMO, is the only way. But then again that was drilled into me in the late 90s/early 2000s as I was training with a world record holding powerlifter & it was a surefire way to ensure that you never got red-lighted on your squats (unless you bombed or didn't lock the lift out etc)

I've never been wable to wind my squat in until just passed parallel and then get back up; just felt wrong to me

Misha Koklyaev for was one of the best strongmen that came from a weightlifting background and did very well in powerlifting too; the core of it all really. His technique (deadlifts too) was flawless IMO. Rep after ep, set after set, technique stayed the same

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nI-RMQps4M&ab...

Agreed, proper deep squats are the gold standard. Koklyaev was an absolute monster, such a happy fella too!!

He was; met him a few times. Up in Glasgow when he came and did a seminar and met him a few times at Highland Games when we were up there doing stones etc. Proper gent; funny, interested in everyone and everything, no ego etc

One of the best to never win WSM

[d_a_n1979]

Managed to train today which is good... Still easy/still light as I'm still struggling. No word from the specialists yet, but only got referred on Thursday. Patience isn't my virtue...!

Pull ups again; narrow supinated grip this time; full dead hangs with a slow up/slow down - 8 x 5 with bodyweight - super-setted those with 15kg dumbbell lateral raises

Then onto pressing - flat bench; seated presses - 8x8 with 60kg (insides started to get uncomfortable so stopped these)

Ended with 20kg hammer curls 4 x 8s, super-setted with 45sec bodyweight hangs on the widest grip on my powercube; tore a callus for my sins

[horsemeatscandal]

d_a_n1979 said:

Get some of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Gripz-Pro-Forearms-Ma...

Ordered some of these (well, different brand), cheers.

[d_a_n1979]

horsemeatscandal said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Get some of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Gripz-Pro-Forearms-Ma...

Ordered some of these (well, different brand), cheers.

No worries; they can be a bit greasy to begin with, the more you use them and with some chalk, the greasiness will go. But, train hard/lift easy

[horsemeatscandal]

Well today was supposed to be AM and deadlifts but was neither of those things due to lack of sleep and still being crocked, from walking of all things. Swapped to a pressing day.

Strict and push presses are now out due to currently not being able to effectively clean the same weight I can press. I've swapped in seated Smith machine presses (flat bench, thanks Dan). Should have been attempting a 1RM PB on strict so perfect time to test out my 1RM on the Smith. After a warm-up, managed 40kg loaded on the machine. Seems about right considering my best strict press is 60kg and my previous heaviest (for 3, with back suppoet) on the Smith was 35kg.

Then 5 x 2 bench, 62.5kg. Nice and slow with pauses. Was so tempted to try that 100kg again but resisted.

3 x 12 each arm, 20kg dumbbell shoulder press

3 x 8 hammer press, 30kg

Finished with a few sets of 30kg clean and presses and dead hangs for 1m/45s/30s/15s.

I'm goosed. Let's see about that 160kg deadlift in the morning eh.

Edited by horsemeatscandal on Monday 8th April 21:29

[horsemeatscandal]

Despite recently claiming I never go to the gym during the day, today I did. Extended WFH dinnertime, shall we say.

5 X warm-up deadlift sets to 65% 1RM. No straps and belts as advised.

1 x 1, 160kg, new PB. Buzzing with that as my lower target for the end of the 12 weeks was 157.5kg.

Then The Prodigy came on shuffle so thought it would be rude not to have a crack at 162.5kg. Managed it and decided to stop there, but feel like I could pull 170kg on a good day now. Special thanks to me mam for the snack size Picnic bar before I set off.

3 x 3 110kg deadlifts, no belt. Ripped a little fart on one of these, unfortunately for the fella next to me.

2 x 5 pendlay rows, 70 then 75kg, also a new 5RM. This was meant to be 72.5kg but was still feeling good.

3 x 3 70kg squats, nice and low.

4 x 12 lat pull downs, 82.5kg.

Now to celebrate with a massive bowl of pasta.

[d_a_n1979]

horsemeatscandal said:

Despite recently claiming I never go to the gym during the day, today I did. Extended WFH dinnertime, shall we say.

5 X warm-up deadlift sets to 65% 1RM. No straps and belts as advised.

1 x 1, 160kg, new PB. Buzzing with that as my lower target for the end of the 12 weeks was 157.5kg.

Then The Prodigy came on shuffle so thought it would be rude not to have a crack at 162.5kg. Managed it and decided to stop there, but feel like I could pull 170kg on a good day now. Special thanks to me mam for the snack size Picnic bar before I set off.

3 x 3 110kg deadlifts, no belt. Ripped a little fart on one of these, unfortunately for the fella next to me.

2 x 5 pendlay rows, 70 then 75kg, also a new 5RM. This was meant to be 72.5kg but was still feeling good.

3 x 3 70kg squats, nice and low.

4 x 12 lat pull downs, 82.5kg.

Now to celebrate with a massive bowl of pasta.

Well done on the PB; there's always more in the tank.. Just keep the reps in and the one rep maxes will look after themselves

[biggbn]

horsemeatscandal said:

Despite recently claiming I never go to the gym during the day, today I did. Extended WFH dinnertime, shall we say.

5 X warm-up deadlift sets to 65% 1RM. No straps and belts as advised.

1 x 1, 160kg, new PB. Buzzing with that as my lower target for the end of the 12 weeks was 157.5kg.

Then The Prodigy came on shuffle so thought it would be rude not to have a crack at 162.5kg. Managed it and decided to stop there, but feel like I could pull 170kg on a good day now. Special thanks to me mam for the snack size Picnic bar before I set off.

3 x 3 110kg deadlifts, no belt. Ripped a little fart on one of these, unfortunately for the fella next to me.

2 x 5 pendlay rows, 70 then 75kg, also a new 5RM. This was meant to be 72.5kg but was still feeling good.

3 x 3 70kg squats, nice and low.

4 x 12 lat pull downs, 82.5kg.

Now to celebrate with a massive bowl of pasta.

Good going man, don't get caught up in 1rm, I know it is a measurable way to know you are getting stronger, but they are also a way to hurt yourself and put yourself back several weeks or sometimes months. Keep building the reps and the 1rm IS increasing, you don't even have to try it to know. Keep up the wonderful work man, you are reaping benefits for the future. I'm in tomorrow for legs and deadlfits and my circuit so we'll see how that goes.

[horsemeatscandal]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement both. This is the last week of the program so all attempts at new PBs. Back to reps next week, not sure which is worse.

[horsemeatscandal]

These have also arrived. Very exciting.