Mattjp's Training Log

Thursday, 25 April

Didn’t sleep well last night which, on top of the 900kcal day yesterday, meant an inevitably shit workout. Just had no energy and everything was sluggish. Shocker.

Actually only farmer’s walks were disappointing. Grip just was not there. Might sack off this fat loss thing until post comp. Who needs abs anyway?

Workout

Warmup
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Farmer’s Walks
For ~20m/60ft with drop and turn midway.
15kg (35lbs) for two runs
45kg (100lbs) for one run
55kg (125lbs) for one run
60kg (135lbs) for three runs
Dropped it twice in the last two runs. Just couldn’t keep it held. Felt a lot heavier than the 80%ish it was.

SSB Box Squats
To a box thats pretty damn close to parallel.
8x20kg (45lbs)
8x40kg (90lbs)
2x8x60kg (135lbs)

@littlesleeper any tips to get the most out of these? They seemed to hit my glutes and hips well.

Speed Deadlifts
8x3x90kg (200lbs) w/45s rest

DB Row
3x12x35kg (80lbs)

DB Bench
3x12x20kg (45lbs)
Superset with rows.

Wide Lat Pulldown
3x12x75kg (170lbs)

Seated DB Shoulder Press
3x10x20kg (45lbs) (PR, hilariously)

Couldn’t deal with conditioning or grip. Going to eat a lot now.

The cues that my coach gives me are to:

  1. Make sure to sit back on the box; “Glide back” when you’re nearly at the box.
  2. Take all weight off your feet when seated on the box; “Release your hips”
  3. Explode off the box trying to keep your torso fairly upright, don’t let your knees collapse; “Knees out, fire!”
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Friday, 26 April

Back up a bit to 219.4 but at least I’m still <100kg. Actually ate some food yesterday, so not too shocking.

Workout

Warmup
Limber 11
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates

Conditioning
4x15yd sled pushes w/empty sled (30kg/65lbs)
4x15yd sled pushes w/50kg (110lbs)
4x15yd sled pushes w/70kg (155lbs)
4x15yd sled pushes w/90kg (110lbs)

Arm-over-arm sled drag 15yds, push back 15yds:
6x rounds w/110kg (250lbs)

Misc
2x10 BW lunges
3x20 rotator cuff thingies
3x10 DB curls w/some weight

Saturday, 26 April

No weigh-in today.

Crossfit lads were doing some sort of competition today so there was a good atmosphere in the gym but not much room.

Workout

Warmup
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Block Pulls (from bumper plates)
3x60kg (135lbs)
3x100kg (225lbs)
3x120kg (270lbs)
3x140kg (315lbs)
1x160kg (360lbs)
Turns out I might be weaker from this height. Which is sad because it looks like the comp will be from a few inches of mats. Then again it is my first time doing them. @T3hPwnisher you pull from all kinds of heights; any adjustments I might have to make? Already stole your pressing protocol today so might as well get more stuff!

Press
Strict:
5x35kg (80lbs)
5x40kg (90lbs)
12x45kg (100lbs)
With leg drive:
4x60kg (135lbs)
Strict:
17x35kg (80lbs)
With leg drive:
3x5x40kg (90lbs)

Chinups
Superset with presses
8x5 @ BW

Front Squat
5x50kg (110lbs)
5x60kg (135lbs)
5x70kg (150lbs)
5x60kg (135lbs)
5x50kg (110lbs)

Face pulls
3x15x30kg (65lbs)

Reverse Hypers
3x12x10kg (25lbs)

Strongman Conditioning
Put off until tomorrow. Wife-to-be didn’t want to go out in the rain to help out with car push/pulls today and to be honest I’m not arguing. Its pretty miserable.

Biggest adjustment I’d say is back off the weight and get in some rep work. It gives you some room for error/growth as you move through the ROM.

I tend to do well at any point in the ROM, because I’m not a speed puller in the slightest. I have “slow strength”, and can grind the everloving crap out of a heavy weight. If you’re not similar, and are used to relying on speed and momentum to carry you through a rep, partial ROM work might chew you up. And with that, I make a push for touch and go sets for higher reps, because it teaches you how to strain for a LONG time compared to dead stop sets.

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Thanks. Out of curiosity what’s the highest you pull from with your own progression?

I don’t measure height on them, but I stack 6 rubber patio tiles under the plate. I think they are 3/4 inch thick.

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Sunday, 28 April

Up to 222.2 today. Probably going to stay in the 220-225 range over the coming months.

Did a little arm-over-arm car stuff today which went OK; the climbing rope and towing hook I got work well. I need to scout around for somewhere that has both a flat surface on which to pull the car and something against which to brace my legs to better simulate the event.

Monday, 29 April

Down to 220.4 today.

Workout

Warmup
Limber 11
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates

Press Medley
DB, BB, AX, BB, DB pyramid
27.5kg (60lb) DB, 45kg (100lb) BB, 50kg (110lb) Axle

30kg (65lb) DB, 50kg (110lb) BB, 60kg (135lb) Axle:

32.5kg (70lb) DB, 55kg (120lb) BB, 65kg (145lb) Axle (medley PR, I guess)

32.5kg (70lb) DB, 55kg (120lb) BB, 65kg (145lb) Axle - no pyramid back here, just 3 lifts

Two runs: 27.5kg (60lb) DB, 45kg (100lb) BB, 50kg (110lb) Axle

Chest-supported T-bar Row
10x20kg (45lbs)
10x30kg (65lbs)
10x40kg (90lbs)
8x50kg (110lbs)

Incline DB Bench
Superset with rows
3x12x22.5kg (50lbs)

Wide-grip Lat Pulldown
3x15x80kg (180lbs)

Standing DB Press
3x12x15kg (35lbs)

Rope Triceps Pushdown
3x15x25kg (55lbs)

Rope Hammer Curl
3x15x25kg (55lbs)

Tuesday, 30 April

Weighed in at 221.0 this morning. Really exhausted before today’s training, not sure why; perhaps the massively disappointing Game of Thrones episode is still weighing on me. Slogged through it though and it went OK.

Workout

Warmup
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Deadlifts
5x120kg (270lbs)
3x135kg (305lbs)
6x150kg, 1x150kg (340lbs)
Hit the first AMRAP in one set, then one more before the 70s timer went off. Pretty sure 6x150 is a rep PR.
3x145kg (325lbs)
3x5x130kg (295lbs)

Front Squats
5x45kg (100lbs)
5x55kg (125lbs)
3x5x62.5kg (140lbs)
These felt more comfortable, which is sad because it means heavier front squats are in my future…

SSB Good Mornings
3x10x50kg (110lbs)

GHR Situps
3x12x5kg (10lb) plate behind head

Circus Dumbbell
EMOM: 1 rep each arm w/25kg (55lbs) for 10 mins

Behind-the-Back Double Overhand Hold
3x45s w/70kg (155lbs)

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Wednesday, 1 May

Surprised to be the same weight today after a higher-sodium evening and general gluttony but sure I’ll take it.

Training

Warmup
Limber 11
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Extra foam rolling for whatever reason

Sled
15yd drag, 15yd push; strict <60s rest
1x50kg (110lbs)
1x70kg (155lbs)
8x90kg (200lbs)

Misc
100 rotator cuff thingies
50 light curls for the gurls

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Thursday, 2 May

Back down to 220.6 today.

Good news is I hit the farmer’s weight I was struggling with last week. Bad news is that’s less than my PB. Hopefully I’m just out of practice…

Training

Warmup
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Farmer’s Walk
40m/120ft with drop and turn
1 run w/15kg (35lbs)
1 run w/45kg (100lbs)
1 run w/55kg (120lbs)
1 run w/65kg (145lbs) (one drop)
3 runs w/55kg (120lbs)

SSB Squats
5x40kg (90lbs)
5x60kg (135lbs)
5x80kg (180lbs)
3x10x60kg (135lbs)

Reverse Grip BB Row
3x12x50kg (110lbs)
Superset with…

DB Bench Press
3x10x25kg (55lbs)

Wide-grip Lat Pulldown
3x12x90kg (200lbs)
Superset with…

Seated DB Press
3x10x20kg (45lbs)

Arm Superset
3x15 overhead triceps extensions
3x15 axle curls

Friday, 3 May

Back up to 222 today but weight essentially holding. This weekend some social obligations will spike it up a bit.

Training

Warmup
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Sled
15yd each way; drag back and then push
30kg (65lbs)
70kg (155lbs)
90kg (200lbs)
110kg (250lbs)
130kg (295lbs)

Axle Continental Cleans
EMOM for 10m: 2x45kg (100lbs)

Saturday, 4 May

I did weigh in today but I’ve actually forgotten it now.

Family visiting and missus passed her driving test so good times this weekend; not to mention the Bank Holiday.

Workout

Warmup
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Press
3x35kg (75lbs)
3x42.5kg (95lbs)
10x47.5kg (105lbs)
With leg drive: 5x62.5kg (140lbs)
Strict: 15x35kg (75lbs)
With leg drive: 3x5x42.5kg (95lbs)

Front Squats
5x45kg (100lbs)
5x55kg (125lbs)
3x5x62.5kg (140lbs)

Power Cleans
5x40kg (90lbs)
3x50kg (110lbs)
1x60kg (135lbs)
0x70kg (160lbs)
1x60kg (135lbs)

Misc
4x12 reverse hypers ~20kg (45lbs)
100 facepulls
50 DB curls

Monday, 29 April

No weigh-in today. Shorter session as I have to drop the family off at the airport soon.

Workout

Warmup
Limber 11
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates

Press Medley
DB, BB, AX, BB, DB pyramid
25kg (55lb) DB, 40kg (90lb) BB, 45kg (100lb) Axle

30kg (65lb) DB, 50kg (110lb) BB, 55kg (120lb) Axle

33kg (75lb) DB, 55kg (120lb) BB, 60kg (135lb) Axle (DB PR but only got the first lift on it)

Three runs in a continuous circuit:
25kg (55lb) DB, 40kg (90lb) BB, 45kg (100lb) Axle

Chest-supported T-bar Row
3x12x40kg (90lbs)

Incline DB Bench
Superset with rows
3x12x22.5kg (50lbs)

Rope Triceps Pushdown
3x15x25kg (55lbs)

Rope Hammer Curl
3x15x25kg (55lbs)
Hit in a superset before leaving to impress my mother with an arm pump. Only half-joking tbh.

Tuesday, 30 April

Solid day of training but a nagging pain in my side has gotten worse after. Feels like I’ve pulled or strained something in my obliques. Fortunately tomorrow was a planned recovery day so hopefully it won’t get much worse. Also hopefully it isn’t a hernia.

Workout

Warmup
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Deadlifts
5x125kg (280lbs)
3x140kg (315lbs)
6x155kg, 1x155kg (350lbs) (rep PR)
Hit the first AMRAP in one set, then one more before the 70s timer went off.
9x140kg (315lbs) (rep PR)

Front Squats
5x60kg (135lbs)
5x70kg (155lbs)
5x75kg (165lbs) (joint rep PR and felt nice and easy)
5x70kg (155lbs)
5x60kg (135lbs)

SSB Good Mornings
2x12x50kg (110lbs)
10x60kg (135lbs)

Cable Crunch
3x20x60kg (135lb)
This hurt.

Circus Dumbbell
EMOM: 1 rep each arm w/25kg (55lbs) for 10 mins

Behind-the-Back Double Overhand Hold
30s w/70kg (155lbs)
30s w/85kg (190lbs)
30s w/90kg (200lbs)
Grip is coming along.

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Nice deadlift there mate. Well done

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@simo74 cheers. Need to rep 180kg (405lbs) in early July so pretty pleased I’m hitting heavier rep PRs.

Wednesday, 8 May

Forgot to weigh-in today. Whatever weird strain I have feels a little better now; at the very least, I have to bend more to make it hurt, which seems like progress.

Training

Recovery
Limber 11
5 miles on Airdyne bike (around 15m)
100 facepulls (light)
3x12 straight-arm pulldowns (light)
20 lat raises superset w/20 curls (light)

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Thursday, 9 May

So I hit a farmer’s walk weight PR today. Side is pretty damn painful, but I think if it were a hernia then today would have let me know in a big way. #notadoctor

Probably will book in to see a doctor just for peace of mind unless it gets significantly better over the weekend.

Training

Warmup
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Farmer’s Walk
Inside today, so a shorter distance.
24m/70ft with midway drop and turn: 15kg (35lbs)
24m/70ft with midway drop and turn: 35kg (75lbs)
24m/70ft with midway drop and turn: 52.5kg (115lbs)
24m/70ft with midway drop and turn: 60kg (135lbs)
24m/70ft with midway drop and turn: 67.5kg (155lbs)
24m/70ft with midway drop and turn: 80kg (180lbs) (one drop, probably over 70s too) (PR)

Nice to see some progress on these after a while of stagnant sessions. I would have liked to go the distance dropless but what can you do. Still not sure how I’m going to manage to move 25% more weight for 40m…

SSB Squat to Box
3x8x60kg (135lbs)

Lat Pulldown/Seated DB Press
3x12x90kg (200lbs)
3x10x20kg (45lbs)

Overhead Rope Extension/Axle Curl
3x15x25kg (55lbs)
3x15x20kg (45lbs)

Friday, 10 May

Oblique/side/whatever still pretty owie today with certain movements. Today is another recovery-focused day anyway, but tomorrow is meant to have block pulls, presses and front squats. Will see how it feels tomorrow and potentially could end up doing some lighter DB isolation and conditioning stuff.

Have booked to see a GP on Tuesday but hopefully I won’t need it by then. A forced deload week might not be the worst thing in the world, though.

Training

Recovery
200 pullaparts
100 dislocates
Limber 11

Grip
3x5x each hand CoC Trainer
2.5x right hand CoC 0.5
2x left hand CoC 0.5
Too-short hold each hand CoC 0.5
10x5x each hand CoC Trainer

Misc Stuff
More Limber 11

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