[quote]ashylarryku wrote:
[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.[/quote]
If I remember correctly you have the same belt that I ordered. Did you have to break it in?
Training adductors won’t hurt. Mine get hit pretty well with DLs and squats already, but if you want to do some stability ball squeezes, they might help. Really burns the adductors.
There are quite a few things to do for adductors without equipment.
[quote]Nikki9591 wrote:
Training adductors won’t hurt. Mine get hit pretty well with DLs and squats already, but if you want to do some stability ball squeezes, they might help. Really burns the adductors.
There are quite a few things to do for adductors without equipment.[/quote]
I figure I could just make use of my bands. Hopefully that and some different warm ups will help fix the problem.
And it’s good to see you posting again 
Bleh, training ADD is starting to kick in. With all of CT’s livespills and what not, I’m thinking of finally giving CT’s HP Mass principles a shot. Not the actual program he outlined, but using the concepts, like working with a my MTW, doing rocket launch reps, and doing the big lifts more than just once a week.
Thankfully, I should be able to stave off the ADD until summer. I should give the use of heavy triples, doubles, and singles a shot and see how I like that.
[quote]AquaCruzer wrote:
[quote]ashylarryku wrote:
[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.[/quote]
If I remember correctly you have the same belt that I ordered. Did you have to break it in?[/quote]
Oh hell yes lol, that thing was sooo stiff when I first got it. I rolled it all the way to the last notch and kept it like that in my gym bag whenever I wasn’t using it (still do that). Also, when I first got it, I rolled it in and out numerous times. took a little while but it’s good now and I love it
Definitely give the HP principles a go man. I’ve been loving my workouts ever since I started using them on my own. Especially if you have access to a sled/Prowler for eccentric-less work
[quote]ashylarryku wrote:
Oh hell yes lol, that thing was sooo stiff when I first got it. I rolled it all the way to the last notch and kept it like that in my gym bag whenever I wasn’t using it (still do that). Also, when I first got it, I rolled it in and out numerous times. took a little while but it’s good now and I love it
Definitely give the HP principles a go man. I’ve been loving my workouts ever since I started using them on my own. Especially if you have access to a sled/Prowler for eccentric-less work[/quote]
Haha thanks. That’s good to know.
Yeah I’m really looking forward to giving HP principles a go, but alas I must stick to what I’ve planned right now.
[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]
Good point.
To play the devil’s advocate with myself, I figure that if it itself doesn’t make you lift big(-er) weights, then it loses it’s meaning anyway. In powerlifting, you don’t get a cookie for not using one, and everyone else pretty much competes with one. It doesn’t really seem to give much reward besides bragging rights, but let’s face it - everyone who can lift a lot with a belt can lift a lot without one. So it may be that, by not wearing one, you’re only putting yourself at a disadvantage with others (of course assuming you actually get something out of a belt; some don’t, but I think that I actually might).
Of course, I still like being able to lift what I lift without concerning about any gear, but idk. If I do decide to wear one, it’ll only be for 90%+ loads, and even then it’s meh. 
[quote]xjusticex2013x wrote:
[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]
Good point.
To play the devil’s advocate with myself, I figure that if it itself doesn’t make you lift big(-er) weights, then it loses it’s meaning anyway. In powerlifting, you don’t get a cookie for not using one, and everyone else pretty much competes with one. It doesn’t really seem to give much reward besides bragging rights, but let’s face it - everyone who can lift a lot with a belt can lift a lot without one. So it may be that, by not wearing one, you’re only putting yourself at a disadvantage with others (of course assuming you actually get something out of a belt; some don’t, but I think that I actually might).
Of course, I still like being able to lift what I lift without concerning about any gear, but idk. If I do decide to wear one, it’ll only be for 90%+ loads, and even then it’s meh.
[/quote]
I feel you man. If it doesn’t help, then I won’t use it. If anything I think it may help my squat the most. Regardless, I will only strap it on when I use heavy loads. But I’ll see how I like it.
Cycle 1, Week 4, Day 4
Friday 3/11/11
Push press
5x65
5x95
5x115
5x135
6x3x155
Pull ups
A bunch done throughout the whole session
DB row
5x80
5x90
8x5x100
Today was an alright session. I was feeling pretty tired and hungry, so good thing today was a deload. Elbow started to act up a little, but it’s probably because last night my elbows were propped on my desk while writing a paper. Icing should do just the trick. Looking forward to having me some, er rather tons, of beef fajitas tonight. Also looking forward to starting the next cycle.
Somewhat of a random side note, for the past few weeks my DL set and DLing has been feeling a bit off. After taking some time to toy around with set up and what not, I think I’ve got it more up to my liking and can’t wait to give it a go come Sunday’s DL session.
Do something off day
Saturday 3/12/11
Mountain climbers (held the stretch after each rep)
3 sets
Goblet squats (paused at the bottom to get some stretch on)
3 sets
Glute bridges (squeezed at the top for a second or two)
3 sets
Planks
3 sets
Band pull aparts (held the contraction for a sec or two)
3 sets
Good session, definitely will be doing these more often on my off days. Obviously there’s a common theme with these, basically stretching/contracting and what not. The goblet squats and mountain climbers were awesome and really opened up the hips.
[quote]
And it’s good to see you posting again [/quote]
Trying my best lol
Mmm beef fajitas. Were they good?
[quote]Nikki9591 wrote:
[quote]
And it’s good to see you posting again [/quote]
Trying my best lol
Mmm beef fajitas. Were they good?[/quote]
Hell yeah!!! I had them for dinner and breakfast
Cycle 2, Week 1, Day 1
Sunday 3/13/11
Deadlift
5x210
5x245
5x275
5x3x295
0x405
Deficit pulls (off two 35’s)
8x3x225
Pretty decent session. The first set w/ 295 felt a bit off, but after that I started to find my groove. After 5 sets of 295 feeling pretty good, I figured I’d give 405 a shot instead of another set of 295. Still can’t seem to get it off the floor, hence the use of deficit pulls.
Deficit pulls were a little annoying since my plates aren’t flat, they’re the ones with spaces in between, so it makes it a little difficult to stand on two or more plates. My hands were absolutely beat after the deficit pulls.
I’m really hoping the deficit pulls will help, but I have a feeling the GMs may be more useful. The only way I’ll find out if deficit pulls are any good is if I stick with them.
[quote]
The only way I’ll find out if deficit pulls are any good is if I stick with them. [/quote]
True-ness.
You’ll get the 405, keep truckin
[quote]Nikki9591 wrote:
[quote]
The only way I’ll find out if deficit pulls are any good is if I stick with them. [/quote]
True-ness.
You’ll get the 405, keep truckin[/quote]
Thanks Nikki
Cycle 2, Week 1, Day 2
Monday 3/14/11…Happy pi day 
Bench press
5x155
5x175
5x195
6x3x205
Floor press
2x3x225
2x3x205
2x3x185
Band pull aparts
Lots and lots staggered w/ pressing
Hammer curls
Sets for teh pumpz and teh girlz
Decided to do today’s session a day early. Overall I’m pretty happy with the session. Tried out a new set up for my bench. I definitely feel a lot tighter especially on my upper back/traps. I just need to work on getting more leg drive, I may try keeping my heels on the floor next time.
Switching gears to floor pressing was a cool change of pace. Since I couldn’t arch, I really felt my chest and triceps doing work.
Figured I’d some hammer curls, cuz my curling sucks balls.
Did you go straight from 295 to 405 on the deadlifts?
Benching, curls for girls… it was just your vanity day =)
I almost asked what was pi day, but I got it. Yessir.
[quote]Getting Closer wrote:
Did you go straight from 295 to 405 on the deadlifts?[/quote]
Haha yeah…in retrospect it was pretty idiotic. But at the time I figured why the hell not lol.