Brandon's Backyard Buffoonery

9/19
1a) Sandbag to 51" Platform - 150 x 7 singles
1b) Farmers Carry - 106 per hand x 50ft x 13 rounds (plus 1 100ft carry back to the shed because I planned poorly)
1c) Axle Clean & Press each rep - 69x5, 91x5, 102x3, 113x3 (all strict pressing thru here), 135x2 (1 push press 1 push jerk), 146x2 (1 push press 1 push jerk)

32:00ish

Another session from Brian Alsruhe’s YT. The accumulated fatigue from those farmers catches up fast. I am gonna need to learn how to continental if I plan on entering a contest that has max axle C&P. I was power cleaning all these like Misha, but I can jerk way more than that.

12 Likes

9/20/25
Sandbag Front Carry - 150lb x 50ft x 10 rounds EMOM

9:26

9/21/25
30 minute walk w/ 20lb vest

9/22/25
1a) Log Clean & Strict Press each rep - 67x10, then 117x3/3/3/3/3/3/3/2/2/2 E3MOM
1b) Axle Deadlift (strapped) - 135x5, then 201x5/5/5/5/4/4/4/4/4/4 E3MOM
1c) Wide Grip Pullups - BW x3, then 4/4/4/4/4/3/3/3/3/3 E3MOM

36:29

9/23/25
1a) KB Snatch (2x35) - 10x5 E3MOM
1b) Backwards Sled Drag - +88lb & 1 girlfriend - 10x50ft E3MOM
1c) Wide Dips (hands at most flared part of bars) - 10x8 E3MOM

29:19

Log cleans and axle deads were not a good pairing. Need to use carries or drags for leg work whenever I do the ground to overhead stuff. Also have a feeling that each day should really only have “1 hard thing”, to make setup/warmup faster and just for sustainability. I’ve been loving training outside again though.

8 Likes

Learning this myself right now. Vids and comments in my log. When you are ready to learn @Koestrizer is very knowledgeable.

3 Likes

9/26/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 1/Day 1

A1) Back Squat - 45x10, 111x5, 166x3, 210x8x4
A2) Axle Strict Press - 47x10, 69x5, 91x3, 102x8x4

B1) Neutral Grip Landmine Rows - 102x12x4
B2) DB Inclines - 51x12, 40x12x3
B3) Good Mornings - 67x12x4

47:40

9/27/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 1/Day 2

30 minute walk w/ 25lb weight vest

Ok, I’m giving myself a pass for kinda falling off the wagon the past month as I was a mess with becoming an adult student again, and just reframing it as a victory that I was able to consistently exercise at all. That being said, it’s time to quit playing around and stick with something tried and true that will give me the results I want. There are 2 more strongman comps nearby early next year that I want to show up to and feel like I belong. Time to get my training locked in the way the rest of my life is right now.

9 Likes

@T3hPwnisher and anyone else who wants to chime in, I’m trying to plan out how to train for the events at these next 2 comps. Any input is appreciated.

February events
Max Axle C&P: I think I’m good here, I’m using the axle for my strict press work during Grey Man and Bravo (hypertrophy block), and once I switch to Operator (strength block) I’ll use Axle Clean and Press away in my main cluster. Can also throw in a heavier continental here or there occasionally (probably the day I do the below).

Max Axle Deadlift: This is the one I’m not quite sure how to play. I will definitely use the axle for my deadlifts during Operator using one of the stock options, but not sure if I should start using the axle now during Mass or stick with the straight bar.

Hus Stone to Fingal Finger medley: I may buy a loadable Hus if I can find a deal, otherwise I can do sandbag carries during Operator as HIC work, MAYBE I can practice a medley by doing a carry to some type of C&P. Otherwise this is probably going to be an event where I just show up and go for it.

200lb sandbag over bar amrap: simple enough, work sandbag loading once a week during Op as HIC.

Arm over arm rope hoist: I may buy a rope and hook it to my sled for arm over arm sled pull, otherwise I am going to have to rely on all my rope chins to build strength for this.

May events
Sandbag throw series: I have a med ball to practice throwing and will probably buy a bigger one. Can do this before strength days as a warmup, 5/3/1 style.

Log C&P amrap: easy enough, will swap the axle for the log in my Operator cluster after the Feb comp.

Straight bar Dead amrap: again, will swap the axle for the straight bar after the Feb comp.

Truck pull: total wild card, I may be able to practice pulling my jeep if I get someone to sit behind the wheel, otherwise will work sled pulls and hope for the best.

2 Likes

I would deff use the axle early, lots of reps with it at lower weight will help in the long run

Do you have a land mine attachment ? Could use a bar to simulate the pick up and transition into press.

I have a tractor pull coming up in 3 weeks and have just been using heavy sled pulls to simulate the misery

2 Likes

9/28/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 1/Day 3

A1) Bench Press - 45x10, 89x5, 122x3, 148x8x4
A2) Axle Deadlift - 47x10, 135x5, 190x3, 234x8x4

B1) Axle Curls - 47x12x4
B2) Dips - 22x12/12/12/9+3 (had to rest pause the last set)
B3) Landmine Belt Squats - 133x12x4

58:36

9/29/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 1/Day 4

30 minute walk w/ 25lb weight vest

I will be able to shave some time off that lifting workout now that I know how the room needs to be laid out to get that giant set in. I also immediately ordered some axle straps afterwards, as my regular straps just don’t quite work for higher reps and losing my grip was pissing me off.

8 Likes

I think sticking with the axle for deads for your Feb event is the right call, assuming straps are allowed. It will carryover into May.

Definitely get a rope for the arm-over-arm pull. It’s not just about strength: you want to develop the rhythm and technique for pulling the rope. Are you pulling a weight vertically or horizontally for this comp?

For the truck pull, definitely worthwhile to get a harness and develop the skillset there. Also, figure out what terrain you are pulling on. If it’s concrete/pavement, rock climbing shoes are awesome. If it’s turf, you’ll want cleats.

1 Like

I do have a landmine. I might be able to rig this up but it would def have to be setup outside. Good thinking.

It’s vertical, like a rope hung over a crossfit rig. So I am thinking maybe some seated lat pulldowns with the rope could simulate it, at least partially?


9/30/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 1/Day 5

A1) Back Squat - 45x10, 111x5, 166x3, 210x8x4
A2) Axle Strict Press - 47x10, 69x5, 91x3, 102x8x4

B1) Neutral Grip Landmine Rows - 108x12x4
B2) DB Inclines - 40x12x4
B3) Good Mornings - 67x12x4

40:27

Solid day, shaved over 7 minutes off Friday’s session.

7 Likes

Happy cake day!

2 Likes

Happy Birthday

Happy TN anniversary day

1 Like

It’s vertical, like a rope hung over a crossfit rig. So I am thinking maybe some seated lat pulldowns with the rope could simulate it, at least partially?

Honestly outside my wheelhouse. Just from a swag, I’d say getting your grip up to snuff will be huge, along with familiarity with rope technique. As far as strongman cheating goes, take a page from Mariusz’ playbook. Don’t just chalk your hands: chalk the rope.

2 Likes

10/1/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 1/Day 6

30 minute walk w/ 25lb weight vest


Haven’t mentioned it but I’ve brought the daily work back in. It’s just too much return on investment for only 5 minutes each day. Here’s where I stand at the end of September.

  • 13,934 BW Squats
  • 11,235 Pushups
  • 2,862 Pullups
  • 67.5 hours running or rucking
7 Likes

10/3/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 2/Day 1

A1) Bench Press - 45x10, 89x5, 133x3, 159x6x4
A2) Axle Deadlift - 47x10, 135x5, 199x3, 252x6x4

B1) Axle Curls - 53x10x4
B2) Dips - 22x10x4
B3) Landmine Belt Squats - 144x10x4

54:05

Shaved a few minutes off the last time. Still need to get the hang of these new figure 8 straps, lost valuable time trying to figure out how to strap onto the bar.


@alex_uk the man just dropped this. I don’t have any plans to change what I’m doing but might buy just to support him. Thought you might be interested.

8 Likes

Fantastic, thanks for the heads up, will definitely add to my library soon!

1 Like

10/4/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 2/Day 2

30 minute walk w/ 25lb weight vest

10/6/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 2/Day 3

A1) Back Squat - 45x10, 111x5, 166x3, 225x6x4
A2) Axle Strict Press - 47x10, 69x5, 91x3, 109x6x4

B1) Neutral Grip Landmine Rows - 113x10x4
B2) DB Inclines - 45x10x4
B3) Good Mornings - 78x10x4

42:15

Tomorrow will be a vest walk and Wed will be the Bench/Deadlift day, then I’m taking Thu/Fri off. This weekend is my back-to-back Strongman comp/trail run test. I definitely made a ton of mistakes in the training for this, but I am in better shape than I was when I signed up, which was really the whole point. The only thing I am really worried about for the strongman show is the car squat; I set some squat PRs this summer but this thing is a total unknown. Everything else should be ok. As for the trail race, I gave up on running long ago, but I am going to ruck it with the full weight of my vest, 50lb. That feels worthwhile to me.


@freshyfresh @T3hPwnisher I finished “Never Let Go” and immediately picked up this. Based on the Kindle sample it looks like a thematic sequel. I’ll let you know how it is.

8 Likes

10/7/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 2/Day 4

30 minute walk w/ 25lb weight vest

10/8/25 - Tactical Barbell Mass Protocol: Grey Man - Week 2/Day 5

A1) Bench Press - 45x10, 89x5, 133x3, 159x6x4
A2) Axle Deadlift - 47x10, 135x5, 201x3, 252x6x4

B1) Axle Curls - 53x10x4
B2) Dips - 22x10x4
B3) Landmine Belt Squats - 144x10x4

44:29

Absolutely fantastic session, finally got the hang of the axle straps and totally owned everything. Also picked up one of those fancy new “open trap bars” for an absolute steal on marketplace. I plan on using it for cambered bar squats and good mornings, and possibly chest supported rows as well.

7 Likes

Outstanding score on the trap bar! That will open up a lot of avenues.

1 Like

Yeah this thing looks bomb proof and I got it for less than half the sticker price when it looks “gently used” at worst.

9 Likes