Wow this absolutely destroyed me. I’ve crapped on the smith machine, but it did the trick tonight. I especially liked the sumo as it forced me to “squeeze” myself under the bar. Watched YouTube which helped with the conditioning, however Jordan high tops are not made for that. Did notice some strength discrepancies between legs on the single leg stuff which was interesting, maybe something to look at after my meet.
Pretty amped up going into the gym as I got a job offer that I’ve been working on for 4-5 months while I was pulling in the parking lot. Email with the paperwork came through while I was doing the GMs and I decided to leave and take care of it. Conventional looked better today but sticking with sumo through my competition. Feeling better today after 8-9 hours sleep. Elbow is causing me some issues probably take it easy on bench this week and next. It seems to be in the forearm, bicep, and elbow, so I’d guess connective tissue not recovering as fast the muscles. May be benching too frequently.
45.95.115.135X5
Put on elbow sleeves and wrist wraps
175X5
195X5
225X5 TRASH
Setup different for some stupid reason and stability was an issue.
Back to the way I know to do it
235X3X3 much better
Giant Set
BB Row 155X10 2 sets 145X10 2 sets
Tricep band push down 4X25 mini band
Band Face Pulls 4X20 mini band
Very minimal elbow discomfort today, but I scrapped heavy tricep and bicep work in favor of the bands. Put a good amount of blood in the area without overloading the tendons/ligaments. The row was probably the most uncomfortable but I found as I moved my grip wider it was lessened. All in all, I hit my prescribed numbers and didn’t stress my elbow too much so I’d call it a win.
On a personal note, I got my drug screen scheduled for my new job and a conditional start date of 2/8. Hopefully I can still find a way to compete March 13th, but this was an amazing career step for me. Training remains the priority for mental health whether or not I get to compete. This job has a 3-5 year progression that should double my income and provide more time at home simultaneously. The new company is considered to be elite in my industry and that reputation extends to the employees. Crossing my fingers on the background check, as it’s pretty thorough. I explained everything in my criminal past, but it’s not exactly a sterling reputation. In my field it usually doesn’t matter, but you never know. God has brought me to this point, HE will carry me through it.
Congrats on the career move, most problems can’t be solved by money but having more of it generally means less stress around a million different issues. Hope it goes through and you get that meet, as well.
45.135.225X5
270X5
315X5
345X5
385X1
405X2 second rep was scary
405X1
I haven’t missed a squat rep in I couldn’t tell you how long. I almost missed that double at 405. The first rep felt great, went down for the second then pitched forward out of the hole. My upper back flexed back and I was able to drive it up, but it was sketchy.
Prowler
4X30 yards with only a few breaths between each
2X30 same
Legs smoked, off to work for the night. I’ve been drinking half a gallon of milk a day the last 3 days and my appetite has increased exponentially. Maybe I will fill out the 220s by my meet.
Took about an hour and a half since I was in no hurry. This is definitely how I prefer to deadlift…slow. Sumo stance keeps getting wider and more comfortable as I go.
Gym issues tonight- got to my favorite gym in Ohio, realized I had the wrong fob for the door after slamming my preworkout in the parking lot. Ok, fine. Drive to Planet Fitness walked in at 10:27 they closed at 11. So here’s what got done, lol
Bench
50.100.110X5
140X5
180X5
200X5
180X5
The smith machine feels horrible for bench. I feel it in my biceps, which is weird. Can’t seem to figure out grip width or where to even set the bench. Also the weights don’t correlate to free weights so I have no idea what I actually did tonight.
DB Floor Press
50X10
60X10
75X6
Kroc Row
65X10 each
75X10 each
Leave.
So stupid to close the gym at night when it’s literally the definition of social distancing. Now to go back to my trailer and find the stupid fob for the real gym. Supposed to head to my new job this weekend and join the YMCA there. Hopefully they have better hours.
I’m at Planet Fitness, too. You’ll notice the Smith machines’ rails have a slight angle. For bench, turn the bench so the rails angle towards your head. I find that a slightly more natural movement.
The Smith machines at the PFs around here are Hammer Strength brand. They have a sticker that says the empty bar provides 20 pounds o resistance and the bars can be loaded with up to seven, 45-pound plates per side. Look around the Smiths at your gym for a tag; I’ll bet they’re the same or substantially similar.
45.135,185.225X5
285X5
325X5
365X5 fairly certain this is a rep PR and it felt like it
405X1 2 sets
SSB Good Mornings
65.115.155.205X5
225X3
245X3 form was not there.
I good morning squatted the first rep then tightened up, but that’s definitely a max effort set.
5s Pro is getting heavy, so I’m cutting my accessory volume to try and mitigate fatigue. Recovery feels pretty good going with a rest day after every lower body session instead of pushing 3-4 days in a row. I think I’m in for some pretty good numbers if I’m able to compete in March. New job starts Monday and I’m going to start off at a more labor intensive position. Not sure what the gym situation will be or energy levels will be. May deload 1 week right here instead of going to 6 before the next scheduled one. That would leave me 5 weeks out which would work pretty good for a tapered meet prep.
2 weeks at new job and training is obsolete. I just physically work too hard right now to train. So much so that I spent 6 hours in the ER yesterday and was diagnosed with Rhabdo. Highly elevated muscle enzymes, kidney concerns, and to top it off a pinched nerve in my neck that temporarily paralyzed my right arm. I’m pretty defeated right now. Trying to find maybe a 3 day split fir my sanity. However, my company truck won’t be here for a month so I’m stuck borrowing another supervisors truck or using Uber. Also the only reasonable gym offering is planet and I don’t like it at all. There is a YMCA, but it is $9/day. May try 2 days at planet and 1 at the Y, but haven’t picked a program or strategy yet and I’m sitting here going stir crazy. I rolled on a lacrosse ball last night and got some relief for the nerve issue and went back to work today. Urine still yellow after 2 bags of saline and 2 gallons of water so definitely not drinking enough water. Diet has been really good because my job is so strenuous I’m starving. Rant over.
On a positive note my family started at a new church and we’ve been able to share that because I can watch it via app. It’s been on marriage the last 3 weeks and with our distant lifestyle our marriage can always use a boost. Even when we feel we are in a good place.
It’s an oilfield job and in helping build a new company, I agreed to work as a laborer for supervisor salary while I train the newbies. Unfortunately not enough employees leaves me on my feet, pulling and pushing 120 pounds repeatedly for 12 hours at a time. I’m literally falling I to bed every night. And wake up is 3:30 am and I HATE working day shift.
That’s the plan could be 6 weeks, could be 6 months. I’m game if my body holds up. I got a call last night saying we were bringing in some young experienced guys by the end of the week so may be able to dial it back a smidge, lol.
