Farmer's Log 2

Training Over 35 Lifter
521

Matty, james - Thanks guys.

Git - Thanks. Maybe it’s time you reacquainted yourself with them. Just to remind yourself why you don’t do them.

dday - WTF! What prompted that? I thought you were one of the good guys. I don’t know quite how you discovered that I have a very high voice with a slight lisp (much like Ronnie’s) and that I prance around my gym yelling “light weight baby, woo hoo”, but that was a real low blow taking the piss like that. Real low.

But seriously, what is up with his voice? Is he experimenting with the anabolic properties of helium or something?

Oh yeah and why exactly did you “leave that here” ? Were you just resting on your way to taking it to Bulldog’s log? I’m going to look for a slightly camp inspirational video to post in your log now. Ha Ha. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

522

21/12/2011

20 rep squat @ 297 lbs x 20

Weighted chins @ bw +14 lbs x 10 3/4

Military press @ 159.5 lbs x 7 1/4

DB one arm rows @ 102 lbs x 9

Weighted push up (feet elev. 18") @ bw +55 lbs x 11

GHR @ bw x 8

Band pullaparts (3 bands) x 15

Face pulls @ 66 lbs x 17

EZ curls @ 77 lbs x 18

Ab rollouts ( start on toes, rollout then collapse) x 6

The squats were hard. Looking forward to my week off.

It might seem strange that I’m counting 1/4 and 1/2 reps, but it means I can at least see a little progress session to session, rather than when I just complete an extra full rep.

I almost nominated myself for the Darwin Awards tonight (where people find ways to kill themselves in stupid ways). I’ve been trying to think of ways to add extra plates on my weighted push ups for a while, so tonight I had the bright idea of putting an 11 lb plate in the hood of my sweatshirt. Clever huh?

So I put the plate in and then put the 44 lb bumper on top of that and got in to position. All was well. Then as I started to knock out reps the bumper started to slide down my back dragging the weighted hood down with it. This caused the front of the neck of the sweatshirt to clamp tighter and tighter around my throat!!! It got stuck right in the middle of my adams apple and started to choke me out. I could have done way more, but I had to ‘tap out’ at 11. Bollocks! Really annoyed with myself.

I think I might have to invest in a rucksack.

523

[quote]FarmerBrett wrote:
21/12/2011

I almost nominated myself for the Darwin Awards tonight (where people find ways to kill themselves in stupid ways). I’ve been trying to think of ways to add extra plates on my weighted push ups for a while, so tonight I had the bright idea of putting an 11 lb plate in the hood of my sweatshirt. Clever huh?

So I put the plate in and then put the 44 lb bumper on top of that and got in to position. All was well. Then as I started to knock out reps the bumper started to slide down my back dragging the weighted hood down with it. This caused the front of the neck of the sweatshirt to clamp tighter and tighter around my throat!!! It got stuck right in the middle of my adams apple and started to choke me out. I could have done way more, but I had to ‘tap out’ at 11. Bollocks! Really annoyed with myself.
[/quote]

Thanks, Brett, I needed a good laugh! Heck, maybe the Darwin awards will give you an honorable mention.

And awesome squatting, too.

524

Fuggin awesome 297x20…By order of the Queen, I knight thee…Sir Brett of Squatdom…holy crap brother…

525

I keep scrolling thru this log - seeing the 20 rep squat numbers go up and up

great job.

I have been sucessful using a 45 and a 25 on my back for loaded pushups

but its not easy to get them on there its goofy-

maybe its time for a 45 or 75 lb loaded vest or some chains?
I have seen 45lb vests on ebay for 100$ us shipping included

or you could use mountain climbing gear - runners and caribiners
to make a little harness

526

20 rep squats at that weight is insane, Great Job. Did you do the deep breathing with it? I almost passed out the last tie I did these.

527

297 x 20…beast mode. How soon do you anticipate you will hit your goal numbers of 350 x 20?

528

Damn, just damn. What’s next once you hit 350? I still can’t believe that you’re doing all of that “other” work after your squat sessions. That’s just insane to me.

I’d watch the 1/4 reps. I find that failing reps really eats into my recovery.

529

[quote]FarmerBrett wrote:
20 rep squat @ 297 lbs x 20
[/quote]

FAK!

530

[quote]OldGoat wrote:
Fuggin awesome 297x20…By order of the Queen, I knight thee…Sir Brett of Squatdom…holy crap brother…[/quote]

What an honour, thanks. Does that mean I can now drive my geese over Tower bridge? I think that used to be one of the benefits. Or could be a myth.

Cav - Thanks. I’m glad my stupidity amuses.

Kev - Don’t really want to spend any money. Think I’ll try the rucksack first, then other avenues.

Colin “shredded” Wilson - I don’t intentionally do the whole Peary Rader deep breathing thing from rep 1, but by the last few reps you can’t really avoid it. I knock off the first 12 or so at a normal cadence, 13-17 with a deep breath between and the last few probably with several good breaths between.

Yonkey - Thanks. I don’t know if I’ll ever get there (350) or if it’s even a feasible goal for me. Got to shoot for the stars though, right? Maybe 330 is more realistic. I’d be happy with that.

James - Once I’ve done the squats the rest is a doddle. Don’t forget it’s only one set of each, it might look like a lot written down, but it’s not much work really and the face pulls and pullaparts for example, aren’t very taxing exercises.

I know you’re right about the 1/4 reps, but I just like to see some sort of improvement. I do realise I’m not always the most intelligent lifter. I often let my heart rule my head. I always appreciate your well considered input though. Thanks.

CK - Thanks for the positivity as always.

531

[quote]atypical1 wrote:
I’d watch the 1/4 reps. I find that failing reps really eats into my recovery. [/quote]

Are you saying it takes you longer to recover after straining and failing a rep rather than straining and accomplishing? I don’t think I’ve ever thought about this.

532

After 10 days off I knew it was going to be either an absolute blinder (because I was well rested) or a pile of shit!..Well it was a pile of shit. A free range, chocolate covered, carol singing, steaming pile of reindeer excrement.

31/12/2011

Back squat @ 308 lbs x 2 sets of 10 (see footnote)

Weighted chins @ bw + 16 lbs x 10

Military press @ 159.5 lbs x 6

DB one arm row @ 102 lbs x 9

Weighted push ups @ bw + 44 lbs x 10 (without feet raised, also see footnote)

GHR @ bw x 7

Band pullaparts (3 bands) x 14

Face pulls @ 66 lbs x 15

EZ curls @ 77 lbs x 18

Ab rollouts (off toes, eccentric only) x 7

The only exercise I didn’t drop reps on was the EZ curls, I guess all the cracker pulling must have had a training effect.

Ab rollouts were more controlled at full extension than last time.

Footnote - I have developed over the last few weeks a cracking sternum. I keep getting a tight feeling right in the centre of my chest which I can only alleviate by squeezing my shoulder blades together resulting in a loud crack like you get when you crack your knuckles.

I’ve googled it and opinion is divided, some people say they’ve had it after a blow to the chest (I haven’t had one) and it clears up by itself, while others say it could be to do with having a sublaxated rib or with problems with the T4 vertebrae.

It’s not painful, it just feels wierd. I’m not that bothered about it, but I thought it wise to go easy on the squats, because of where the bar sits and the feet elevated weighted push ups because of the stress on the middle chest until I can figure out what it is. Has anyone else had this problem and have any advice?

I’m going to start foam rolling again as that was suggested by one Dr as the next best thing to having a spinal adjustment.

Off out in an hour to see in the new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

533

My chest does that occasionally. Usually from sleeping on my front with an arm under. It feels funny, then cracks and then I forget about it until it happens again.

You are a human piston with them squats. It’s better to be a piston than to be pissed on, I always say.

I do. People don’t get me.

534

[quote]kpsnap wrote:
Are you saying it takes you longer to recover after straining and failing a rep rather than straining and accomplishing? I don’t think I’ve ever thought about this.[/quote]

For some reason it does take more out of me to miss the rep. I don’t really know why that is the case though. Maybe it’s the hit on my CNS.

Sorry for the threadjack.

Happy new year FB!

james

535

Brett - chest pop , I have had it and it resolved without incidence, It may be related to the different lifting and something being out of sync strength wise, maybe try some symetrical chest movements stay away from asymetrical lifts (ie DB presses) for a while, try to balance out chest/back strength. Just my 1.5 cents

536

[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
It’s better to be a piston than to be pissed on.
[/quote]

That’s always been one of my favourite sayings. Confucius right?

Did you have any corresponding trouble with your upper back at the time?

James - A Happy PR filled New Year to you too.

Dude - I’d probably say my back to chest strength ratio has never been better since I started doing all these face pulls and pullaparts. I was shocked how much my middle and upper traps have grown when I caught sight of them in the mirror when shaving my head the other day. But you’ve made me wonder if it coincided with raising my feet on the weighted push ups. I’ll have to check. Thanks for the idea.

Well we’ve just booked a ferry crossing to Santander, northern Spain for Feb 15th, so I only have 6 weeks of lifting left! Noooooooooooo!

“Shit just got real” as you Americans would say, or “crikey, gosh” as we say here.

537

[quote]FarmerBrett wrote:
After 10 days off I knew it was going to be either an absolute blinder (because I was well rested) or a pile of shit!..Well it was a pile of shit. A free range, chocolate covered, carol singing, steaming pile of reindeer excrement.[/quote]

Why does this make me hungry?

Happy New Year!

538

Happy New Year to you too Matty.

I’m still bloated from Christmas. What I crave right now is a nice salad!

539

Which port to do leave from brett ??

540

[quote]big nurse wrote:
Which port to do leave from brett ??[/quote]

Portsmouth. Was trying to leave from Plymouth because it’s closer, but they don’t sail until the summer months.