Clueless Lifter

Bench
75% 120 1 5
85% 135 1 3
95% 152.5 1 1+ (5 reps)
75% 120 5 5

Back squat
75% 120 1 5
85% 135 1 3
95% 152.5 1 1+ (15 reps)
75% 120 5 5

Assistance
Incline BB bench: 87.5 lbs - 3x15,1x10 (1-2 min rest)
Skull crushers: 52.5 lbs - 2x12,2x10,1x9

Form on 1+ squat wasn’t as good as I’d like (especially near the end). Not sure if it’s okay if form isn’t 100% on 1+ lifts (especially week 3).

I think I do too much on the accessory work because it’s Saturday and I have more time to workout. Need to reel it back a bit next Saturday.

When you’re doing 15 reps, don’t expect form to look picture perfect throughout, especially if you’re really pushing for those reps. If it worries you, video it and throw a video up and if its dangerously sloppy, you’ll soon hear about it

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I agree with @dagill2. You’re still getting a lot of reps on so it’s not like the weight is too heavy for you to execute with good form. Just try to realize what is being fatigued during the set and try to correct it next time.

2 Likes

Back squat
65% 110 1 5
75% 127.5 1 5
85% 145 1 5+ (18 reps)
65% 110 5 5

Press
65% 77.5 1 5
75% 90 1 5
85% 102.5 1 5+ (12 reps)
65% 77.5 5 5

Assistance work:

Plate high pull: 45 lbs - 5x20 (superset with FSL to save time)

Incline Pushups: 2x25 (was in a bit of a rush for work so just did two sets)

I was aim for 13 reps on Press. This was my first time pressing from a rack vs grabbing from the floor. I wonder if that effected things. I know in the past I’ve found starting Press from rack more difficult/awkward vs floor.

3 Likes

Deadlifts
65% 180 1 5
75% 207.5 1 5
85% 235 1 5+ (15 reps)
65% 180 5 5

Bench
65% 107.5 1 5
75% 125 1 5
85% 140 1 5+ (9 reps)
65% 107.5 5 5

Assistance
Kroc rows: 35lbs x45
Preacher curls: 47.5 lbs - 4x15 (90 sec rest)

Press
65% 77.5 1 5
75% 90 1 5
85% 102.5 1 5+ (12 reps)
65% 77.5 5 5

Back squat
65% 110 1 5
75% 127.5 1 5
85% 145 1 5+ (18 reps)
65% 110 5 5

Assistance
Incline BB bench: 90 lbs - 5x10
Skull crushers: 55 lbs - 5x10 (90 sec rest)

1 Like

Back squat
70% 120 1 3
80% 135 1 3
90% 152.5 1 3+ (16 reps)
70% 120 5 5

Bench
70% 115 1 3
80% 132.5 1 3
90% 147.5 1 3+ (7 reps)
70% 115 5 5

Assistance work:
Plate high pull: 45 lbs - 5x20 (superset with inclines pushups to save time)
Incline Pushups: 5x15 (superset - 1 min rest)

I think I lost track of one rep on squats and actually did 17 just in case. So I either did 17 or missed one and did 16. Either way I was just trying to beat 15, which was my previous count. I think I could have did more but usual aim to just beat previous.

Was hoping to hit 8 reps on bench. Maybe I could have did it but was feeling fatigued after 7 reps and didn’t risk attempting 8th rep. Curious to see if I can hit 8 in my next workout where I do bench first.

2 Likes

Deadlifts
70% 192.5 1 3
80% 220 1 3
90% 247.5 1 3+ (13 reps)
70% 192.5 5 5

Press
70% 85 1 3
80% 95 1 3
90% 107.5 1 3+ (10 reps)
70% 85 5 5

Assistance
Kroc rows: 35lbs x50
Preacher curls: 50 lbs - 5x10

I feel like I’ve hit a bit of a plateau with my Press despite the reset. Should I just keep going since I’m above the 3+? Maybe I can retest my TM in a few cycles.

Look for other signs of progress than just weight and reps. Is the bar speed faster? Reps smoother? Less time between sets? Etc. The press uses such low weight that persistent poundage/rep increases don’t always happen, but progress is still occurring.

3 Likes

Yeah, I think my ROM is better than before. That’s the only thing that’s making me think it’s not a complete stall.

1 Like

If you’re still getting 10 reps on your 3+ week you should be increasing your TM as laid out in the program. That’s still a lot of reps at 90% of your TM and the work you’re doing will help you get stronger. Stay the course and keep kicking ass.

2 Likes

Bench
70% 115 1 3
80% 132.5 1 3
90% 147.5 1 3+ (7 reps)
70% 115 5 5

Back squat
70% 120 1 3
80% 135 1 3
90% 152.5 1 3+ (16 reps)
70% 120 5 5

Assistance
Incline BB bench: 90 lbs - 5x11 (90 sec rest)
Skull crushers: 55 lbs - 5x11 (90 sec rest)

I tried a pre-workout for the first time. I thought it would allow me to add a rep to my AMRAP, but instead I didn’t have to rest as much. I was able to jump right into squats after bench and only needed to rest 30 seconds for FSL 5x5 for both main lifts. Usually I feel way more wiped out in these scenarios even with equivalent caffeine from energy drinks/coffee.

Back squat
75% 127.5 1 3
85% 145 1 3
95% 162.5 1 1+ (14 reps)
75% 127.5 5 5

Press
75% 90 1 5
85% 102.5 1 3
95% 115 1 1+ (8 reps)
75% 90 5 5

Assistance work:
Dips (body weight): 20,20,16,16,13
Incline Pushups: 4x20

My press has regressed a bit, since I was able to do 9 reps @ 115 back in August. I’m guessing it’s because I stopped doing dips, so I started again.

1 Like

Is this the first workout you’ve done where you got less reps than your previous set at that weight?

I would add more food. The first thing you should do when a lift stalls (and when you’re not fat, which you currently are nowhere near fat), is add food intelligently. Like an extra serving of rice and/or meat each day.

Additionally, you pushed yourself very hard 2 days ago, which could have your nervous system a little fried for today’s workout. Everything adds up and it takes a long time to realize how every single thing you do contributes to your performance, even the tiny details.

Not a bad suggestion. I would wait until I stalled a few times to sort out if that day was just a bad day. If skinny, well it isn’t going to hurt much. I get fat easy, so I am scared of upping the food.

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My exact thought process here - which is why I asked the question about whether it was the first instance of stalling or not. That, coupled with pushing a workout extra hard 2 days before, I figured had something to do with the regression.

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I skimmed your response. The adding food stuck out to me. As I said not a bad suggestion. I think the add food suggestion is great for hard gainers and beginners, as they often overestimate what they eat or just don’t eat enough.

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Definitely some history of that here. Sounds like most of the overeating was done via junk though, not decent food. But yes, you’re completely right though. I always have to reframe things because I’m learning to be slightly fat and OK with it so that I don’t revert to binge/starve habits. But that’s a story for a different place - sorry @Digity!

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Yeah, this was the first time I waited only one day to start my week 3 workouts. I usually have a two day rest before starting the next weeks workouts. However, I had the day off due to Canadian Thanksgiving so decided to workout. I was concerned too about not having the usually two days rest.

That’s probably why you struggled.

For info - how is the body weight right now? Still going up?

1 Like