CardioMASScular

Saturday 04.05.19 - GZCL Linear Program, Week 9 Day 1 Bench

All weights in KG
Numbers in bold are AMRAP results

T1 - Flat BB Bench
92.5x4
92.5x4
92.5x4
92.5x 5

T2 - Close-Grip Dips
Bodyweight(98.5kg)+2.5kgx10
Bodyweight(98.5kg)+2.5kgx10
Bodyweight(98.5kg)+2.5kgx10

T3 - Prone Row
30x15
30x15
30x17

T3 - Face Pull
10.2x15
10.2x15
12.5x15

T3 - Seated Hammer Curls (with Beast Grips)
6sx15
6sx15
6sx 12

Static Dumbell Holds (with Beast Grips)
16sx20 seconds
16sx20 seconds
16sx20 seconds

Finished with a few sets each way on the wrist roller.

Tuesday 30.04.19 - GZCL Linear Program, Week 10 Day 2 Squat

All weights in KG
Numbers in bold are AMRAP results

Box Jump
5 sets of 3 at 75cm

T3 - Seated Leg Curl
27.3x15
27.3x15
27.3x 15

T1 - Back Squat (knee sleeves only)
40x5 paused
50x3 paused
70x2 paused
80x1
90x1
100x1
110x1
120x2
120x2
125x1
130x1
70x12
Deviated from the 5x3 rep scheme today, as frankly I’m getting a bit bored of the LP, and felt great on box jumps so wanted to push it a bit. Happy with the numbers.

T2 - SLDL off bottom pins
20x5
30x5
40x5
50x5
60x5
70x5
Hamstrings are still awfully tight (which I’m working on), so working from a position where I can be sure my posture isn’t compromised. Saw a physio recently due to low/mid back pain which is aggravated by good mornings and high ROM posterior work. She thinks the open heart surgery has caused a lot of inflammation in the thoracic area of my spine, which may be rubbing against my ribs. Explains the severe pains I’ve been having! Been doing a lot of thoracic stuff on the foam roller to help, and overhead squats to warmup which she prescribed.

T3 - Ab Pulldown
32x15
32x15
32x 12

Single-Leg Standing Calf Raises
Bodyweight(98kg)x4
Bodyweight(98kg)x4
Bodyweight(98kg)x3
Bodyweight(98kg)x3

Think I’m gonna move on to 531 Simplest Strength Template with First Set Last next week. Working above 80% really takes it’s toll on me, and I read that stuff over 85% is the most taxing on your heart, which is no good for me!

Wednesday 22.06.19 - GZCL Linear Program, Week 10 Day 3 Overhead

All weights in KG
Numbers in bold are AMRAP results

T1 - Military Press
Decided to go for a new max, aiming for 80kg
20x5 hang clean & push press
25x3 hang clean & push press
30x2 hang clean and 5 strict press
40x1 hang clean and 3 strict press
50x1 hang clean and 2 strict press
60x1
70x1
75x1
80x1…suprisingly easy!
82.5x1… a grinder! Don’t think I’d get more
70kgx7

Pullups
x5
x4
x3
x3
x3

T2 - Incline BB Bench
50x5
60x5
65x5
50x15

T3 - Pushdowns
14.3x15
14.3x15
14.3x 15

T3 - Ez-Bar Curls
12.5x15
12.5x15
12.5x 17

T3 - Ez-Bar Shrugs
25x15
25x15
25x 20

Pinch Grip Holds
Three 2.5kg weights per hand for 30 seconds
Three 2.5kg weights per hand for 20 seconds
Three 2.5kg weights per hand for 20 seconds

Summary - Very happy with that new overhead max! Felt strong on the other work too.

Started 5/3/1 this week. Gonna go with First Set Last and the Simplest Strength Template for the first few cycles.

Accessory work will be max rep sets, increasing the weight only after I hit 50 total reps.

Saturday 25.05.19 - 5/3/1 Week 1, Wave 1 Bench

All weights are in KG

Flat BB Bench (5’s)
68.5x5
78.5x5
90x6
68.5x8

Dips
Bodyweight(100kg)x10
Bodyweight(100kg)x10
Bodyweight(100kg)x10

Prone Ez-Bar Row
32.5x16
32.5x13
32.5x10
= 39 reps

Face Pull
12.5x20
12.5x15
12.5x12
= 47 reps

Fat Grip Seated Hammer Curls
6sx15
6sx15
6sx10
= 40 reps

Fat Grip Statis Dumbell Holds
16sx30 seconds
16sx25 seconds
16sx20 seconds

Monday 27.05.19 - 5/3/1 Week 1, Wave 1 Squat

All weights are in KG

Seated Leg Curls
25x20
25x16
25x14
= 50 total reps

BB Back Squat (5’s)
77.5x5
88.5x5
100x6
77.5x9

SLDL
52.5x10
52.5x10
52.5x10

One Leg Calf Raise
x5 per leg
x3 per leg
x1 per leg
= 9 total reps

Ab Pulldown
32x16
32x12
32x10
= 38 total reps

Finished with planks, side planks, some thoracic and hamstring work with the peanut and stretching.

Tuesday 28.05.19 - 5/3/1 Week 1, Wave 1 Military Press

All weights are in KG

Military Press (5’s)
48.5x5
56x5
63.5x5
48.5x8
Was hoping for 6 on the top set. I think the problem is that I can really grind out a rep when testing 1rm on Military, so the difference between my 1rm and higher rep weights is bigger than the other lifts. I’ll carry on as is, and maybe just not increase the max for my next cycle.,

Pullups
x3
x2
x2

Incline BB Bench
50x10
50x10
50x10

Ez-Bar Shrugs
27.5x16
27.5x12
27.5x10
= 38 total reps

Ez-Bar Curls
17.5x15
17.5x10
7.5x20
= 45 total reps

Pushdowns
14.7x20
14.7x18
14.7x12
= 50 total reps

Pinch Grip Holds
3x2.5kg plates per hand x 30 seconds
3x2.5kg plates per hand x 30 seconds
3x2.5kg plates per hand x 30 seconds

Thursday 30.05.19 - 5/3/1 Week 1, Wave 1 Deadlift

All weights are in KG

Deadlift (5’s)
106x5
122.5x5
138.5x6
106x8

Deadlift Stance Machine Hack Squat (Pause at bottom)
54x10
54x10
54x10

Standing Machine Calf Raise
x14
x10
x9

One Leg Extension
10.2x15
10.2x12
10.2x10

Rotary Machine Oblique Twist
15x20 per side
15x18 per side
15x12 per side

Finished with some planks and stretching.

31.05.19 - 5/3/1 Week 2, Wave 2 Bench

All weights are in KG

Flat BB Bench (3’s)
72.5x3
82.5x3
92.5x 6
72.5x 8

Dips
Bodyweight+3kg = 103kgx6
Bodyweight+3kg = 103kgx6
Bodyweight+3kg = 103kgx6

Prone Ez-Bar Row
32.5x20
32.5x12
32.5x10
32.5x5
= 47 reps

Face Pull
12.5x20
12.5x17
12.5x13
= 50 reps

Fat Grip Seated Hammer Curls
6sx17
6sx16
6sx10
= 43 reps

Machine Lateral Raise
6.8x20
6.8x14
6.8x10
= 44 reps

Fat Grip Static Dumbell Holds
16sx30 seconds
16sx25 seconds
16sx20 seconds

Saturday 01.06.19 - 5/3/1 Week 2, Wave 2 Squat

All weights are in KG

Seated Leg Curls
27.3x20
27.3x12
27.3x8
= 40 total reps

BB Back Squat (3’s)
82.5x3
93.5x3
106x 5
82.5x 7

SLDL
60x6
60x6
60x6

One Leg Calf Raise
x5 per leg
x4 per leg
x3 per leg
= 12 total reps

Ab Pulldown
32x17
32x12
32x10
= 39 total reps

Monday 03.06.19 - 5/3/1 Week 2, Wave 2 Military Press

All weights are in KG

Military Press (3’s)
52.5x3
60x3
67.5x 5
52.5x 7

Pullups
x2
x2
x2
x2

Incline BB Bench
56x6
56x6
56x6

Ez-Bar Shrugs
27.5x20
27.5x16
27.5x12
= 48 total reps

Ez-Bar Curls
17.5x17
17.5x11
17.5x7
= 35 total reps

Pushdowns
17x22
17x16
17x12
= 50 total reps

Pinch Grip Holds
3x2.5kg plates per hand x 30 seconds
3x2.5kg plates per hand x 30 seconds
3x2.5kg plates per hand x 20 seconds

Wednesday 05.06.19 - 5/3/1 Week 2, Wave 2 Deadlift

All weights are in KG

Deadlift (3’s)
113.5x3
130x3
146x 4
113.5x 8

Deadlift Stance Machine Hack Squat (Pause at bottom)
61x6
61x6
61x6

Standing Machine Calf Raise
x15
x11
x10
= 36 total reps

One Leg Extension
11x18
11x14
11x11
= 43 total reps

Finished with some planks and stretching.

11.06.19 - 5/3/1 Week 4, 5’s Wave Bench

All weights are in KG

Flat BB Bench (5’s)
67.5x5
78.5x5
88x5
78.5x5
67.5x5

Dips
Bodyweight (100kg)x15
Bodyweight (100kg)x8
Bodyweight (100kg)x3
Chest and triceps were absolutely fried after this.

Prone Ez-Bar Row
37.5x12
37.5x10
37.5x8
37.5x6
= 36 reps

Face Pull
15x12
15x12
= 36 reps

Fat Grip Seated Hammer Curls
8sx12
8sx10
8sx6
= 28 reps

Machine Lateral Raise
7.9x15
7.9x13
7.9x12
= 40 reps

Fat Grip Static Dumbell Holds
16sx30 seconds
16sx30 seconds
16sx30 seconds

Thursday 13.06.19 - 5/3/1 Week 4, 5’s Wave Squat

All weights are in KG

Seated Leg Curls
28.4x15
28.4x12
28.4x10
= 37 total reps

BB Back Squat (5’s)
78.5x5
90.5x5
103x5
90.5x5
78.5x5
Enjoying the pyramid rep scheme. Not too tiring and can concentrate on quality reps.

SLDL
53x10
53x10
53x10

One Leg Calf Raise
x5 per leg
x5 per leg
x4 per leg
= 14 total reps

Ab Pulldown
33.25x15
33.25x12
33.25x10
= 37 total reps

Finished with planks, some mobility work on my hamstrings and thoracic with the peanut, and stretches.

Haven’t updated in a while. Had some health problems over christmas, then recently had an Implanted Cardio Defibrillator fitted, so training’s taken a hit. Juts getting back into the swing of things.

Friday 13.09.19 - Upper A, Bench Focus

Work sets listed only

All weights in KG’s

1A.Flat BB Bench
70x5
80x5
90x7
72.5x8

1B.Prone Ez-Bar Row
47.5x10
47.5x10
47.5x9

2A.Face Pull
14.7x13
14.7x12

2B.Dips
BW(95kg)x9
BW(95kg)x9

2C.Machine Lateral Raise
25x12
25x12

3.Beast Grip Hammer Curls
12sx12
12sx10

4.Beast Grip Dumbell Static Holds
20sx30 seconds
20sx27 seconds

Saturday 14.09.19 - Lower A, Deadlift Focus

Work sets listed only

All weights in KG’s

1.Deadlift
140x8
125x8
112.5x8

2.Split Squats
x6
x6
x6

3.Machine Calf Raise
+10kgx12
+10kgx12

4.Side Plank Bend superset Side Plank
x11 then 18 second Side Plank per side
x11 then 16 second Side Plank per side

5.Unilateral Leg Extension
14.7x13
14.7x13

Sunday 15.09.19 - Upper B, Overhead Focus

Work sets listed only

All weights in KG’s

1A.Military Press
70x1…this wasn’t a max lift, more of an over-warmup to see if it helps my rep sets
60x7
55x7

1B.Machine Assisted Pullups
Bodyweight minus 45kgx7
Bodyweight minus 50kgx7
Bodyweight minus 54kgx7

1C.Trap Bar Shrugs
45x12
34x12

2A.Incline BB Bench
65x7
60x7
55x7

2B.Machine Preacher Curl
27x12
24x12

3.Overhead DB Tricep Extentions
9sx12
8sx12

Fourth day of lifting in a row, and I feel great. Should probably take a rest day though to be safe.
This style of trainings working very well for me while dieting. I work up to a set of max reps in a set rep range for that lift, then reduce the weight by 10 per cent on the subsequent sets, to get the extra volume in while not tiring myself much more. Basically RPT but without the extra reps.

Tuesday 17.09.19 - Lower B Squat Focus

Work sets listed only

All weights in KG’s

1.Seated Leg Curl
46x11
41x11

2.Box Jump
83cmx1
83cmx1
83cmx1

3A.Back Squat
80x3
90x3
100x3
105x3
85x9

3B.Decline Situps
x12
x12

3C.Plank
23 seconds
20 seconds

4A.Stiff Leg Rack Pull
90x6
80x6
72.5x6

4B.One Leg Calf Raises
x8 per leg
x8 per leg

Nice log man, didn’t know you had one.

Keep up the good work and don’t let your condition define you. I worked out in afib many of times. And I was very symptomatic. But doing something kept me sane, and my Dr was good with it as long as I was careful and didn’t cause a bleeding wound from the anticoagulants. Are you in sinus rhythm most of the time?

Again, good stuff man. You’re very strong considering some of the crap you’re dealing with.

You’ll be far better off for putting the gym work in.

1 Like

Thanks man. I’m actually dieting at the moment so it’s nice to be getting some strength back too.

I had problems with afib before my valve was replaced mate, and I know how much of a hindrance it can be. Felt breathless all the time.
I started training again very soon after my heart first started playing up for my sanity. The doctors said I shouldn’t, but now they can’t believe how much my conditions improved compared to others that have similar problems.
I actually did some strongman competitions about a year and a half in, as I always wanted to give one a try and wanted to tick it off the list. Didn’t place well, but I didn’t come last which I think is a hell of an achievement for a natural trainee with heart failure.
The only time I’ve had problems with afib since the valve replacement surgery is directly after and it was caused by a med called gabapentin. Some strange things can set me off!
The Dfib unit’s more as a precaution, incase it does happen again and because I get a lot of ectopic beats which can be dangerous. It’s not gone off yet though thankfully!

Next plan is to start some martial arts training. Theres a Jeet Kun Do class nearby, that implements muay thai and russian sambo which looks like my cup of tea. I’d also like to get my lifts back to their best, which were 140kg bench, 100kg military, 160kg squat, and get my deadlift to 220, which would be 5kg above my all time best.

1 Like