Friday 2/28
HEAVY(ish) DEADLIFT
Axle Deadlift
5x115
5x205
1x295
1x385
1x405
1x420
Taking the kids to Disney World next week so no heavy training. Wanted to finish this week with a bang. After next week I’ve got some thoughts on where to go next - still rebuilding box squats (adding 5 pounds per week), making Wednesday a nice “volume deadlift” day and Friday a “heavy deadlift” day (rotating the “heavy deadlift” between axle, sumo, and conventional barbell).
I also should credit @T3hPwnisher - his article on the axle deadlift (THE AXLE DEADLIFT WITH STRAPS: WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT) is one reason this is my absolute favorite deadlift variation. It’s the most honest deadlift you can do. I’ll post a vid a little later when I get a chance.
1 Like
That’s outstanding dude! So glad it was of value to you. You’re absolutely right too: as far as deadlifts go, the axle tells a lot of truth. No trying to hitch yourself out of a jump on it: all you can do is pull.
1 Like
A couple of interesting notes:
Several years back in this log - like 2018-19 - I was pulling this and much more on both an axle and regular barbell. But this is still a nice lift for a couple of reasons:
- at that time I was a lot heavier (though I’d still like to slim down a little…as is often the case for me…)
- it’s been several years since I switched to sumo deadlift (2020) because of recurring lower back pain; since I’ve resumed pulling post-hernia-surgery (beltless) I have actually been managing to pull conventional stance without pain! Actually my back seems to feel better on days that I deadlift than days that I don’t - go figure
- I’m confident that with a couple more good cycles, I’ll be approaching 500 on a regular barbell. The axle will remain a focal point of my training to get there.
As briefly noted above…I think after the Disney trip:
Mondays will be a box squat day, eight doubles with short rests, adding 5 pounds per week as long as I can stand it.
Wednesday will be a “volume deadlift” day using the axle; probably something like 3-5 sets of 3-5 reps at 295-385 pounds.
Fridays will be a “heavy deadlift” day working up to a heavy single or two, rotating through axle / sumo / conventional deadlift on three- week cycles.
Filling in the gaps around those with lots of pull-ups and kettlebell work.
2 Likes
Saturday 3/1
EASY DEADLIFT
Deadlift
3x135
3x225
3x315
3x315
3x315
Got up and did this at 6AM before catching the plane. Will be limited to a couple of KB workouts this week at Disney. Probably just as well…I’m always pretty dedicated to “no days off” but I have to remember that for a non competitor (and even for competitors!) the occasional week off does some good.
1 Like
Sunday 3/2
KETTLEBELL CIRCUIT
Overhead Lunge 5 x 26
Bottoms Up Press 5 x 26
Ten rounds.
Just going to try to get this in 3-4 times out of the week we’re here at Disney. We brought the 26 because my wife is also a KB person & a 26 can fit as checked luggage (packing it in a bag designed for a bowling ball) without paying an extra fee 
Tuesday 3/4
CONDITIONING
Overhead Lunge
3 x 5 x 26
Bottoms Up Press
3 x 5 x 26
Kettlebell Press
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 x 44
My parents brought up a 44 for me to have the rest of the week (additional explanation: my parents have a place in FL, and came up to Disney to spend the second half of the week with us, and longtime readers may know that I have a couple of KB’s stashed at their place for workouts when we are visiting them).
Wednesday 3/5
EASY KB PRESS
Kettlebell Press
4, 5, 4, 5, 4, 5, 4 x 44
Some good news here - though this is still a light bell, my shoulders finally seem to be calming down from their jacked-up state that seemed to be brought on by bench pressing. These presses felt okay today. After I get back I think I have a nice re-on-ramp plan for working my kettlebell press back up to its usual standard, but I think I’m done with bench pressing and maybe entirely with barbell pressing altogether.
Friday 3/7
No training. Disney park walking only.
1 Like
The Disney queue shuffle works the hips, knees, and feet like no other.
1 Like
What did you end up enjoying the most?
1 Like
This was my first trip as a parent; I went three times as a kid (when I was 6, 8, and then 12) but that last trip was over 20 years ago by now.
What I’d have enjoyed the most if I came by myself / just with my wife is different than what I enjoyed the most as a parent because what I’m mostly concerned with is actually that my kids (6 and 4, both boys) are having a good time.
We did 2 separate days in Magic Kingdom (one near the beginning, one near the end), one in Animal Kingdom, one in Hollywood Studios, one in EPCOT.
We stayed at Art of Animation resort. Our boys love the Cars franchise so this was a perfect choice for us. Very high marks to the resort from me.
We paid for Lightning Lanes on our park days. It makes me a little squeamish (the thought of people paying extra to get out of lines with the common folk feel) but it was every penny to avoid super long wait times. Our 6 year old is autistic and may have struggled if we had super long lines.
I’ll come back and update this with a few more thoughts later if I get a chance.
3 Likes
Sunday 3/9
EASY DEADLIFT
Deadlift
3x135
3x135
3x225
3x225
3x315
3x315
2x365
This is one of those good reminders that an occasional week off from heavy training does no harm and if anything likely some good. My back felt great and every rep was smooth and easy.
1 Like
That right there is family goals!!
2 Likes
Monday 3/10
EASY DEADLIFT
3x135
3x135
3x225
3x225
3x315
2x335
1x365
1x365
1x365
Unfortunately had to come back from Disney and head right out for a short work trip. But in the area I’m staying, there’s a great gym very close to my hotel with Eleiko bars and plates that I just couldn’t pass up for a quick visit.
