More I learn Less I know

[quote]punnyguy wrote:
Personally, I’ve finally decided on an approach (when doing the main lifts) of using weights that I can do “anytime”, pausing every rep, and using form in addition to weight and reps as a progression.

I’ve dropped the weight on all my assistance exercises and upped the reps (I think Carter’s thing with high repping was gold in terms of body health). For instance high reps (or time under tension) with shoulder joint stuff while making sure all the body parts are perfectly aligned and stuff is something that’s really been helpful.

Basically I realized lifting for strength, fitness and looks should make you feel better not worse. Lifting as a sport is different -trying for the best that you can be in a sport will lead to injury, unless you’re lucky (and young!).[/quote]

Respect PG. You are a wise man.

I have some goals that may bring some major injuries. I do this for a couple of reasons. I need to set a bar or two for my kids and grandkids. Not that I want them to get hurt, but they should realize that you can continue getting decently strong and fit in your 40’s, 50’s and beyond. They are watching.

I also do it for selfish reasons. I know I’m peaking soon and I since I like to test limits, I’ll keep going until injuries or beating my head against the wall stops me. Its also nice having the strength and endurance to enjoy other things.

I wish I would have done all of this in my 20’s and 30’s. I didn’t start until 46, so I don’t have very high expectations. But I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far and will keep going as long as I can. I’ve gone from a 165lb skinny fat desk jockey that couldn’t press or lift anything over 135 to now. My kids, family and close friends have seen it happen.

There’s a State meet coming up in February and I’m hoping to set a few records, more for the kids than me. They won’t be much by PL standards, but a lot for them.

[quote]gorillavanilla wrote:
Though I’m getting plenty of work with the Smolov Squat and Bench I’m really getting the urge to return to Westside conjugate training. The constant heavy lifting is tiring and not as rewarding as the Westside but I’m committed to finishing Smolov for now.[/quote]

Glad you are feeling better and kicking ass. If I ever get a chance to do Smolov, e.g. I have a lot of time off and a stocked fridge, I’d like to give it a run. I’m hoping to get a few lbs out of Westside. I have a good base to work from now and I’d like to take it to the next level. Hopefully the oldman tendons will catch up.

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
I’m following with interest. I am really curious about westside/conjugate but it seems like programing is a pain in the ass and I’m not sure I’d like rotating away from the big three lifts. [/quote]

I’m trying to figure out how to keep the main lifts in rotation in the program. I haven’t found a reason not to other than Louie is convinced, based on the Soviet studies and gym experience, that using over 90% 3 weeks in a row is counter-productive, hence conjugate to keep 1RM going weekly and by definition, strength increasing weekly. The side benefit is no “CNS” burnout. Whatever that is. As long as it’s following Prilepins table modified for powerlifting.

[quote]alexus wrote:
Interesting about figuring out your weaknesses then working on shoring them up. I guess one is only as strong as the weakest link.[/quote]

Thanks Alexus and welcome to the older but wiser forum. :wink: Great to have you here. I’ll be checking in on your log.

ME Lower

Classic Deadlifts

bar x some
135 x 10
185 x 5
225 x 5
275 x 3 sumo
325 x 1
365 x 1
385 x 1
420 x 1 PR +15
430 x 0

Zerchers:

135 x 10
155 x 10 x 2

Core work

I haven’t tested deadlifts in a while so now that I have a baseline, I can work the percentages for Dynamic Effort days.
Within the last couple of weeks my 1RM gym numbers:

Squat 365
Bench 335
Dead 420

Onward and upwards I hope.
BW 195ish

Nice numbers, sweeeeeeeet PR!

[quote]Oldman Powers wrote:
I have some goals that may bring some major injuries. I do this for a couple of reasons. I need to set a bar or two for my kids and grandkids. Not that I want them to get hurt, but they should realize that you can continue getting decently strong and fit in your 40’s, 50’s and beyond. They are watching.

I also do it for selfish reasons. I know I’m peaking soon and I since I like to test limits, I’ll keep going until injuries or beating my head against the wall stops me. Its also nice having the strength and endurance to enjoy other things.

I wish I would have done all of this in my 20’s and 30’s. I didn’t start until 46, so I don’t have very high expectations. But I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far and will keep going as long as I can. I’ve gone from a 165lb skinny fat desk jockey that couldn’t press or lift anything over 135 to now. My kids, family and close friends have seen it happen.

There’s a State meet coming up in February and I’m hoping to set a few records, more for the kids than me. They won’t be much by PL standards, but a lot for them.[/quote]

Really like what you wrote there. We should start a mutual admiration society. :stuck_out_tongue:

[quote]Oldman Powers wrote:

[quote]punnyguy wrote:
Personally, I’ve finally decided on an approach (when doing the main lifts) of using weights that I can do “anytime”, pausing every rep, and using form in addition to weight and reps as a progression.

I’ve dropped the weight on all my assistance exercises and upped the reps (I think Carter’s thing with high repping was gold in terms of body health). For instance high reps (or time under tension) with shoulder joint stuff while making sure all the body parts are perfectly aligned and stuff is something that’s really been helpful.

Basically I realized lifting for strength, fitness and looks should make you feel better not worse. Lifting as a sport is different -trying for the best that you can be in a sport will lead to injury, unless you’re lucky (and young!).[/quote]

Respect PG. You are a wise man.

I have some goals that may bring some major injuries. I do this for a couple of reasons. I need to set a bar or two for my kids and grandkids. Not that I want them to get hurt, but they should realize that you can continue getting decently strong and fit in your 40’s, 50’s and beyond. They are watching.

I also do it for selfish reasons. I know I’m peaking soon and I since I like to test limits, I’ll keep going until injuries or beating my head against the wall stops me. Its also nice having the strength and endurance to enjoy other things.

I wish I would have done all of this in my 20’s and 30’s. I didn’t start until 46, so I don’t have very high expectations. But I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far and will keep going as long as I can. I’ve gone from a 165lb skinny fat desk jockey that couldn’t press or lift anything over 135 to now. My kids, family and close friends have seen it happen.

There’s a State meet coming up in February and I’m hoping to set a few records, more for the kids than me. They won’t be much by PL standards, but a lot for them.[/quote]

“Ditto”

–Taggart, Blazing Saddles (1974).

[quote]OldGoat wrote:
Nice numbers, sweeeeeeeet PR! [/quote]

Thanks OG mucho appreciated - It was sloowwww but I legit got it!

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:

“Ditto”

–Taggart, Blazing Saddles (1974).

[/quote]
That’s the second Blazing Saddles quote I’ve heard this week. The first was -
“Beer for the horses and whiskey for the men.”

[quote]punnyguy wrote:

Really like what you wrote there. We should start a mutual admiration society. :stuck_out_tongue:
[/quote]

Thanks - I admire everyone grinding it out here.

DE Upper

Foam Roll
Preacher Curls 65x10x3
Overhead DB Press 50x10x3
DE Close Grip Bench 185x3x8
Chins BWx7x3
Pendlay Rows 135x10x3
Cable Rows 75x10x3

The DE Bench was fun. 1 minute between sets, pause and explode. A couple of reps felt weightless at the top. The idea is putting as much force on the bar as possible.

Gym is closed tomorrow through Monday. I’ll have to work on some mobility and core work at home.

Relatives staying with me this week. We are tearing up the Bay Area. Yesterday was Monterey Bay and today is Napa. Good times.

Happy Thanksgiving!

ME Lower

Foam Roll
Mile run warmup

Sumo Deads
Bar x 20
135 x 10
185 x 10
225 x 5
275 x 3
315 x 2
345 x 1
365 x 1
385 x 1

Kettle Bell Swings
20Kg x 15 x 4

Cable Pull Throughs
Hanging Leg Raises
Calves

BW 198 +4 for the holiday!

ME Upper

Rotator Cuff warmup

Incline Bench:
Bar x 20
135 x 10
165 x 5
185 x 5
225 x 3
255 x 1
275 x 1
295 x 0
265 x 1
225 x 8

Weighted Dips supersetted with Chins - 5 sets of 5 to 7.

The 295 was a stretch goal and I stalled about 6 inches up off the chest. Had a good spotter take me through the sticking point and I managed the rest. Probably 5lbs too heavy.
Good pump from the dips and chins.

I like doing 90%+ work twice a week, every week. So far I feel pretty good. DE’s for the rest of the week.

DE Lower

Foam Roll

Cleans:
Bar x 20
135 x 8 x 2
155 x 5 x 2

Pin Squats:
Warmup to 185
185 x 3 x 8 sets

Good Mornings:
135 x 10
155 x 10
185 x 10
205 x 8

Calves - A bunch off the Donkey Calf Machine

Shoulder and elbow rehab with DB overhead presses and curls - very light.

Had the safety bars set about 2 inches below parallel and had someone verify for me. I let the bar rest on the pins for a few seconds and focused on getting my position right, butt back and hard arch.
From the bottom, attempted to explode up and have the bar weightless at the top. A little taxing but felt good.

Just wondering how tall you are? You said you run between 260-275 lbs so you must be a fairly large individual.

[quote]gorillavanilla wrote:
Just wondering how tall you are? You said you run between 260-275 lbs so you must be a fairly large individual.[/quote]

Haha…That would be Pete I think.
I’ve never weighed over 200 and 5’9. I’m mini-Pete.

You’re right. My bad. Late night reading and posting is my excuse.

ME Upper:

Bench Press:
bar x 20
135 x 12
165 x 8
185 x 5
215 x 3
245 x 3
275 x 1
295 x 1
315 x 1 paused at chest
275 x 6

Dips:
BW x 10
+45 x 10
+90 x 6
+45 x 10

Incline Bench
135 x 10 x 3

Face Pulls
Chins 5-8 4 sets

USAPL State championship meet just got posted. Mid-Feb.

[quote]Oldman Powers wrote:

USAPL State championship meet just got posted. Mid-Feb.
[/quote]
You doing it?