OK Folks, I wanna use this tool in order to track progress and gain constructive criticism. I am a 36 yr old male and have been lifting since 15. I have a friend who told me I was way overtrained and needed to take a look at this workout. I see on the board that lots of people here follow Rippetoe.
I love this workout and I can see good results coming from it. I also have a goal to compete in a Special Olympics Fund Raiser next year and I dont wanna embarrass myself. I know its for a good cause, but I still want to shoot for something.
Any advice or info would help. All lifts are legit and I am coming back from shoulder impingement, so my presses are not where they should be yet. Here is where I am as of today Thursday April 17th, 2008:
Monday April 14th, 2008 Workout A
Squat 3x5 working sets 400lbs - all lifts good - felt great
Strict Press (standing) 3x5 working sets 135lbs - all lifts good - feeling stronger in my shoulder
Power Cleans 5X3 working sets 165lbs - working on technique - all lifts good
Wednesday April 16th, 2008 Workout B
Squat 3x5 400lbs all lifts good - feeling strong
Bench Press 3x5 205lbs - all lifts good - will gradually increase - cautious of shoulder - but felt good
Back Extensions (unweighted) 5x10 and Chin-Ups 3x Failure
Friday April 18th, 2008
Feeling a little soreness in my spinal erectors - took a little extra time to warm-up and stretch. Got going once I got the joints loose though. Its Saturday morning and I feel like I worked hard yesterday, so here goes yesterday’s workout:
SQUAT - all warm-up lifts same as M/W 400# 3x5 all lifts good go up 2.5% next week
STRICT PRESS - went up on working sets to 3 sets x 5 @ 140# increase next week
DEADLIFT - 160#2x5, 240#x3, 340#x2 & 400#x5 - Last set was killer but successful - increase 2.5% next week
I am becoming convinced that alot of us overtrain - with or without anabolics. I met a young inspiring trainer who is very knowledgable and even at 36 I am just beginning to learn more about myself physically. Hindsight is truly 20/20 - LOL Please post your comments and critiques - especially if you’ve followed a Rippetoe Program - Thanks and God Bless
Monday April 21st, 2008
Feelin good, just getting used to the weight. Whoever said this program is easy isn’t using their maximum wieght. Here goes Mondays numbers and all lifts were successful.
SQUATS warm-up sets: 2@45#x5, 160#x5, 245#x3, 325#x2 & 3 working sets of 5 @ 410#
SQUAT - all warm-up sets same as Monday
Working Sets: 3x5 @410# - all lifts good - a little tight
STRICT PRESS - 2x5 @45#, 5@75#, 3@100#, 2@120#, Working Sets: 3x5 @ 145# felt strong and smooth
*Back Extensions 5x10 (unweighted) & Chin-Ups 3 sets to failure
All in all a very challenging workout. I usually do my first two major lifts at lunch - because of time restraints - then the third in the evening. All done in one workout yesterday though. Im liking this workout alot…
Those who wanna flame - go ahead I deserve it. - LOL I started this workout full of p and vinegar, but then started wondering why squat heavy three times a week. Ive never done that. I know better, but I saw this Rippetoe workout and thought Id try it. Well I am re-vamping it toward my own powerlifting workout - HYBRID seems to be the popular name now. After dealing with a cold and some IT Band issues I took that time to get my workout straight - 3 x a week - Squat Day, Bench Day and Deadlift Day. Yeah boring but its my life. U know how the lateral dorsimus muscle overlaps the uvulus - OK Ron Burgundy kicked in a second. I started back on Thursday and feel like I bagan something great for me - Some Westside Barbell, some Rippetoe - I dont think I can do wrong, just dont overtrain. I did two days in a row this week to get to the weekend to rest for the MWF starting Monday.
Thursday May 1st, 2008 BENCH PRESS DAY
Bench Press 3x5 working sets @ 220#
2x5@45#, 5@110#, 3@150#,2@195# then WORKING SETS 3x5@220#
Close Grip Floor Press
3x8: 145#x8, 2 sets @165#x8
1/4 Dips (weighted)
2x8: 8kg KBx8, 12kg KBx8
Seated Rows
2x8 @ 160#
Power Cleans 5x3 working sets @175#
2x5@45#, 5@90#, 3@115#, 2@140# - 5x3@175#
Friday May 2nd, 2008 Deadlift and Pull-up Day
Deadlift - 1x5
2x5@160#, 3@245#, 2@345# 1 working set of 5@410#
Rack Pulls - singles to max
455#, 505#, 555# - all good; definitely feel it today
Still Legged Dead Lifts 3x3
225#, 315#, 365#
Pull Ups (assisted) 3x failure
Light Hang Snatch
3x6 @ 85#
Ive seen some of the replys here and really like the input from the brothers on-board. I hope to find some folks looking for the same goals. Please, once again feel free to drop a note or comment; as I will add more input on my workouts as they come.
Squats 3x5 working sets 420# all lifts good
Box Squats 3x3 w/ 315# all lifts good
Box Jumps 4x3
Strict Press 3x3 working sets w/165#
Push Press 3x3 165#, 185# and 205# then 1 rep @ 225#
NOTE: Still working on some IT Band soreness. Taking a little extra time to stretch and do cardio on off days w/core and flexibility exercises. Noticing my weak areas when doing olympic lifts. Lots of core and low back strenthening needed.
As rhe weight goes up I dont want to compromise my form or get injured. I am becoming more interested in the westside stuff, and olympic lifting periodicals.
It looks like your pressing is coming up quickly towards the other strong lifts you are logging. Are you recovering ground that you have already passed over in the past? And what are your more specific goals?
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am shooting for 500 lbs in my squat and deadlift each by the end of summer. And on my bench press, I will be happy with anything between 250 and 300.
My shoulder is making progress so I wont push it until I feel my full strength and endurance come back. A friend of mine will help me do a max day on June 14th for Squat, Bench and Deadlift. I’ll try to take pics if I can get them done. I will post todays numbers after I’m done with my power cleans tonight.
Thanks Again
Wednesday May 7th, 2008 Bench Press/
Power Cleans Day
Bench Press - working sets @ 225#
warm up 2x5@45#, 5@110#, 3@155#, 2@200# & 3x5 @225# - all sets good
Close Grip Floor Press 3x8 @ 185#
1/4 Dips 2x8 w/12kg Kettlebell
Decline Press 2x8 @ 175#
Power Cleans: working sets 5x3 @ 180#
warm up: 2x5@45#, 5@95#, 3@125#, 2@150# - 5x3@180#
4x6 light hang snatch w/wide grip floor pulls all at 65# (light weight speed work)
20# overhead ball throws between sets of PC (2 reps per set to work on exploding and throwing hips)
Notes: Shoulder is feeling better, Making sure Im using proper posture and staying tight through full press. Dips and Decline I feel is helping me with my lockout on bench. Power cleans are helping me with my deadlift - If you can move a little weight fast you can move alot of weight slow and controlled. Will do deads and pulling on Saturday
NOTE: Freakin’ Killer Workout!!! I feel my strength increasing and I believe its because Im taking 2 days rest between workouts and not overtraining. First time doing tire flips and I believe it keeps you honest on keeping your butt down and then throwing your hips. I probably wont change my workouts much until after June 14th. Then I can see what exercises really help me on each phase of the lifts I do.
Note: My shoulder was a little achy so I feel I didnt get the explosion I usually got in weeks before. But, My squat felt AWESOME!!! I do believe box squats have helped me get my explosion coming out of the hole. On my first set of 3 @ 435, I paused at the bottom for a second and I felt like I had to think about getting out of there and when my brain said “PUSH DUMB ASS!!”, the weight actually felt very light. My focus was through the roof then and my confidence in what Im doing shot through it. Keep posted as I will try to be more punctual on my posts, but Im having trouble with my computer.
Hey Geech,
Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it. I will be doing bench and power cleans today. If I can get my computer fixed, I will have it posted by this weekend. What are you doing in your training? Let me know, Im interested.
There are some very appealing training logs in the over 35 section – I see you ‘qualify’ in terms of years – and we were permitted by the mods after some discussion to keep them there, and not get lost in this section. There are all strength levels and training interests, and a lot of support for each other. You might discover you get some more feedback there, should you want to consider relocating.
Deadlifts 1x3 @440# - All lifts good
185#2x2, 260#x3, 370#x2, 440#x3 - easier than I thought
Tire Flip 2 sets 6 flips - high intensity
Bent Barbell Rows (reverse grip)
185#x8, 225#x7, 275#x5, 315#x6 -
felt real good!!!
RDL - 315#x5, 365#x4, 415#x3
Chins - 3x6
Sit Ups - 3x10
Notes: Felt very solid on deads today. I definitely feel rack pin pulls and tire flip is helping on strong finish in deads. First time I did bent rows in a couple of months - Most weight Ive used for reps. I just feel like its all coming together. Rest has been a key. Til next time…
Squat 450# 3x3 working sets
200#x5, 295#x3, 380#x2 - 3x3@450#
16" Box Squats
315#x3, 365#x3, 385#x3
24" Box Jumps
3x3
Back Extensions/Sit-Ups 3x10
Push Press 3x5 @ 145#
1 arm Kettle Bell Press
2x8@16kg, 1x6@24kg
DB Supported Rows on incline bench
50#x10, 70#x8, 80#x6
Notes:
Box squats are really helping. I feel it really helps come out of the hole. I feel stronger through the whole ROM and the weight feels easier to manage. Im not pressing my olympic lifts as much, the closer I get to June 14th I am focusing more on my big 3. Be back soon…
Bench Press 3x3 @245#
135#x10, 5x150#, 3x200#, 2x220#, 3x3 @245#
Close Grip Floor Press
195#x6, 2x6@205#, 215#x6
Incline DB Bench Press
70’sx6, 80’sx6, 90’sx6 & 100’sx6
Pec Dec Flye 3x8
130#, 160#, 190#
Note:
Shoulder is feeling better and I believe floor press is helping with sticking points. Toning it down a little until MAX DAY
Nice work, Galjour. You make me want to look into a box, whether for squats or jumps. What does that 16" measurement amount to with regard to your parallel squat – above, below, even?