Eh, felt like posting a pic for some reference. About two months after my first set of pics. I’m weighing in at 205 in these.
Back is looking pretty full man (I’m not gonna say NO HOMO, that phase annoys the hell out of me lol).
I’m glad to see you had a grinder with 185, only because that means I might pass you sooner than expected haha. jk
Looking SOLID in these pictures man! Keep up the awesome work! Im pumped for deadlifts tomorrow morning!!
[quote]ashylarryku wrote:
Back is looking pretty full man (I’m not gonna say NO HOMO, that phase annoys the hell out of me lol).
I’m glad to see you had a grinder with 185, only because that means I might pass you sooner than expected haha. jk[/quote]
Haha thanks man. One day I’d love to have me a map of the Swiss Alps on my back :P.
Hey, I am human haha. Can’t be perfect all the time.
[quote]pbclax1 wrote:
Looking SOLID in these pictures man! Keep up the awesome work! Im pumped for deadlifts tomorrow morning!![/quote]
Thank you kindly 
I’d sure as hell be pumped for DLs if I had them planned for tomorrow!
After today’s total body-esque session. I’m thinking of giving total body workouts a try come summer as a change of pace. I’ve been wanting to give Alpha’s training style a go. No better time than summer.
Cycle 1, Week 3, Day 4
Friday 3/4/11
Bench press
somexsomex135
1x5x175
1x3x195
1x1x225
5x3x185
Pull ups (staggered w/ benching)
lots and lots
DB row
1x10x80
1x10x90
1x10x100
1x10x90
1x10x80
1x10x90
1x10x100
Military press
1x5x95
1x5x135
1x3x155
1x1x165 (ties PR from Oct/Nov)
2x5x135
Floor press (these were done a few hours after the bench session)
somexsomex135
2x3x185
1x3x205
7x1x225
2x0x245
Today’s bench session was better than the previous weeks in that my elbow wasn’t as bothersome and I was able to get 225, albeit at much more difficulty than usual. Instead of doing singles w/ 230 decided to just do some work w/ 185.
DB rows are always fun, but were a bit harder today, probably from the increase in pull ups I’ve been doing.
Since I couldn’t get much benching done, I figured I may as well do some OHPing. Military press definitely feels easier than before. I managed to tie a PR despite being pretty tired.
Seeing as benching has been bothering my left elbow, I decided to give floor pressing a shot. Definitely digging floor pressing. I didn’t mess with my elbow, and could definitely feel the chest and tris doing work. I’ll probably set my floor press max at 225 and use this exercise instead of benching for now.
Cycle 1, Week 4, Day 1
Saturday 3/5/11
Deadlift
somexsomex135
somexsomex225
1x3x275
a few x 2x315
Deficit DL (finally found a use for the 35lb plates I have, done on one 35 plate)
3x5x225
Shrugs
1x10x225
2x10x275
2x20x135 (used a snatch grip)
Sort of a deload week. My lower back was feeling a little weaker than usual. Probably due to doing DB rows the other day, I’ve noticed that if I DL right the day after doing DB rows my lower back is still a little tired. So I’ll probably just stick to DLing on Sundays. Besides the lower back feeling weaker, the DLs felt slower than normal off the floor.
Deficit DLs were quite interesting. I didn’t have trouble getting used to it. I found I was able to drive through my heels more with these. I’ll definitely be keeping these. After doing these I felt pretty winded. May have had to do with taking shorter rest periods, or maybe I need to get my conditioning to a more acceptable level. Probably the former, but regardless I think taking walks on off days while carrying something may help me physically and mentally.
Figured I throw in some shrugs. Man my grip was feeling weak while doing these.
Felt like doing something today so I went ahead and did some push presses and band pushdowns.
Looking forward to doing floor presses tomorrow
Wow, those DB rows got stronger, no?
Glad you found an alternative with the floor pressing, I’ve always wanted to give those a shot. Maybe one day.
[quote]Nikki9591 wrote:
Wow, those DB rows got stronger, no?
Glad you found an alternative with the floor pressing, I’ve always wanted to give those a shot. Maybe one day.[/quote]
I’m not sure if they’re getting stronger, but I’m definitely loving 'em more and more
I’m pretty glad too. I may have also needed to give the elbow a rest. Oddly enough I just realized that a few weeks ago I started doing A LOT of band shoulder dislocates, and those were uncomfortable. And may have actually caused the elbow pain. Anyhoo hopefully it’s fine now. I’ll probably try some regular benching after floor pressing to see how it is.
Cycle 1, Week 4, Day 2
Tuesday 3/8/11
Floor press
5x95
5x135
5x155
5x185
5x205
5x225
1x245
3x225
3x205
3x185
3x155
1x135
Bench press
5x135
5x185
CGBP
5x135
5x185
Band pull aparts
tons and tons staggered with the pressing
Awesome session today. Elbow wasn’t a problem at all. The benching and CGBPing felt really good, but I’ll stick floor pressing as a main movement for at least one cycle, then maybe switch it to regular benching or CGBPing.
Cycle 1, Week 4, Day 3
Wednesday 3/9/11
Front squat
5x135
5x155
5x185
5x205
5x225
1x245
Squat
5x135
5x155
5x185
5x205
5x225
1x245
2x1x255
Pull ups
Lots and lots
Decent session, nothing special seeing as it’s a deload. I figured I’d do some normal squats so I can more accustomed to the low bar placement.
While FSing, I felt some pain/strain in my adductors. Any ideas as to why? A possible weakness?
Finally decided to get me some straps and a belt. Looking forward to trashing my back and traps. As well as getting used to the belt.
That belt is gonna add a solid 30 lbs to your squat lol, you’re in for a treat my friend
[quote]ashylarryku wrote:
That belt is gonna add a solid 30 lbs to your squat lol, you’re in for a treat my friend[/quote]
I can hardly wait! I should be in for an awesome spring break
I’ve personally been wondering if I should use a belt or not. It might help, but I don’t want to be dependent on it in order to lift big weights. 
[quote]xjusticex2013x wrote:
I’ve personally been wondering if I should use a belt or not. It might help, but I don’t want to be dependent on it in order to lift big weights. :/[/quote]
Same here. I love the thought of being able to eventually lift big weight without a belt and what not. But seeing as I’ll eventually have to use one for PLing and the fact that EFS was having a sale, I figured I may as well get one haha.
[quote]AquaCruzer wrote:
[quote]xjusticex2013x wrote:
I’ve personally been wondering if I should use a belt or not. It might help, but I don’t want to be dependent on it in order to lift big weights. :/[/quote]
Same here. I love the thought of being able to eventually lift big weight without a belt and what not. But seeing as I’ll eventually have to use one for PLing and the fact that EFS was having a sale, I figured I may as well get one haha.[/quote]
Yeah I only use mine for my last set of 5/3/1. But sometimes, like today when I was only supposed to do the required 5 reps, I don’t even use it then.