My Journey to Getting STRONG

[quote]pbclax1 wrote:

[quote]mmatt wrote:
Push your head through on the military presses. [/quote]
Ok, any particularly good examples that you know of?[/quote]

I think a bigger problem is you’re letting the weight get in front of your elbows… look at your forearms as the set wears on: they are beginning to lean forward more and more. So now you have to almost do a hammer curl while trying to press. Try to keep the forearms vertical and elbows under the bar. That will probably give you a few more reps or lbs.

[quote]grettiron wrote:

[quote]pbclax1 wrote:

[quote]mmatt wrote:
Push your head through on the military presses. [/quote]
Ok, any particularly good examples that you know of?[/quote]

I think a bigger problem is you’re letting the weight get in front of your elbows… look at your forearms as the set wears on: they are beginning to lean forward more and more. So now you have to almost do a hammer curl while trying to press. Try to keep the forearms vertical and elbows under the bar. That will probably give you a few more reps or lbs.[/quote]
Thanks grettiron I will work on that for sure!

5/3/1 Cycle 2 Wave 2 Day 2 - Tuesday 10/12/10

Lower body foam roll and mobility warm up

Deadlift
95x1x5
135x1x3
150x1x3
170x1x3
195x1x24 PR

VID: - YouTube
Form critique and tips?

RDL
135x1x6
155x1x6
175x1x6
195x1x4
215x1x6 PR

VID: - YouTube
Form critique and tips? I feel my form sucks…

Devil Rows
135x1x8
160x1x6
185x1x12 PR

VID: - YouTube
H4M, form critique and tips?

Abs
Weighted cable crunch:
80,100,120x1x10
140x1x12
Bench Press Leg Raise Thingy:
Bar, 65, 85x1x10
95x1x12 PR

NOTES: Today was a great session! Deadlifts flew up, felt light. RDLs were tough but good. Devil Rows felt great, focus on form. Ab work was good, awesome burn! Bench on friday, also resetting my deadlift 1RM next friday!! Pumped!

5/3/1 Cycle 2 Wave 2 Day 3 - Friday 10/15/10

Upper body foam roll and mobility warm up

Bench
45x1x10
65x1x5
85x1x5
105x1x3
115x1x3
135x1x3
150x1x9 PR

VID: - YouTube

Inc DB Bench
30x1x8 (FG)
45x1x8 (FG)
60x1x10 PR
40x1x14

HS Row
45psx1x8ps
90psx1x8ps
115psx1x17ps PR
80psx1x15ps (FG) PR

Deadstop Skullcrushers
Barx1x8
30x1x8
50x1x12 PR
35x1x22 PR

Bicep work (DB Curls) (all with FG’s)
20x1x4ps
25x1x4ps
30x1x5ps PR
20x1x10ps PR

NOTES: Not a bad session overall. Kind of disappointed on the bench, goal was to hit 10 and really felt I could, I just keep losing my tightness which blows. Good PRs on everything else though. Need to be more consistent with eating big, been eating like a little bitch lately which could explain the bench.

5/3/1 Cycle 2 Wave 2 Day 4 - Sunday 10/17/10

Lower body foam roll and mobility warm up

Squat
95x1x5
115x1x5
135x1x3
160x1x3
180x1x3
205x1x12 PR

VID: - YouTube
Not the greatest video angle. Sorry about that! Ill get it right for squats eventually, haha.

Front Squat
115x1x5
135x1x5
150x1x3
160x1x3
170x1x5 PR Tough 5th rep but I pushed through.

VID: - YouTube

HS Standing Leg Curls
10psx1x10ps
25psx1x10ps
45psx1x16ps PR
35psx1x21ps PR

Calves
Standing Calf Raise & Seated Calf Raise
70x1x10/70x1x10
90x1x10/90x1x10
110x1x12/110x1x8

NOTES: Intense session overall. Squats both back and front were tough and exhausting but awesome at the same time. Pumped to hit my goal PRs! Leg curls were great as were calves. MP Tuesday!

A little addition here at the end. Did some light DL’s after to work on my form and sitting back instead of squatting down to the bar. Did 2 sets of 135x5. Critique?

1st Set: - YouTube

2nd Set: - YouTube

5/3/1 Cycle 2 Wave 3 Day 1 - Tuesday 10/19/10

Upper body mobility warm up

MP
45x1x5
55x1x5
65x1x3
85x1x5
95x1x3
105x1x6 PR

VID: - YouTube
Sorry for the terrible height judgement. Should have double checked the viewing angle.

CGBP
45x1x6
95x1x6
125x1x6
135x1x6
145x1x8 PR

Weighted chins
BWx3
BW+5x3 PR
Bw+10x3 PR
BW+15x3 PR
BW+20x3 PR
BW+25x3 PR

Cybex OHP
25psx1x8
1ppsx1x8
1pps+25psx1x8+1 What the fuck!
1ppsx1x10

Biceps (seated ez bar curl)
20x1x4
30x1x4
40x1x4
50x1x3
20x1x10 (CG)
20x1x10 (MG)
20x1x10 (WG)

NOTES: MP was good, solid PR. CGBP felt good, +1 rep PR. Used Alpha’s weighted chin progression from his article he wrote on his site. Felt good, surprised with the BW+25 3RM. OHP, I have no idea whats with it. It fluctuates week to week. Biceps I think were fried from chins.

5/3/1 Cycle 2 Wave 3 Day 2 - Friday 10/22/10

Lower body foam roll and mobility warmup

Deadlift
135x1x8
195x1x5
225x1x3
255x1x1
285x1x1 PR
315x1xfail
300x1x1 PR
VID: - YouTube

315x1x1 PR Fuck yeah!
VID: - YouTube

RDL (no straps)
135x1x6
155x1x6
175x1x7 PR
VID: - YouTube

Devil Rows
135x1x8
VID: - YouTube

165x1x6
VID: - YouTube

185x1x10 PR Saying its a PR because i think my form was alot better than previously.
VID: - YouTube

Abs (weighted planks)
BWx1 minute
BW+10x50 sec
BW+25x50 sec
BW+45x35 sec

NOTES: Deads were great once I figured out my grip and gripped the bar hard. Failed 315 first shot, dropped to 300, that pull felt good so that got me pumped and I tried 315 again and smoked it! Fuck yeah! Used no straps on RDLs and focused/improved form ALOT. Same with the Devil Rows on the form, really focused on it. Great training session.

VIDS UP IN A BIT AFTER THEY UPLOAD.

5/3/1 Cycle 2 Wave 3 Day 3 - Sunday 10/24/10

Upper body foam roll and mobility warm up

Bench
45x1x10
65x1x5
85x1x5
100x1x3
125x1x5
140x1x3
155x1x8 PR

VID: - YouTube
Tried a feet out approach instead of tucked under to see if it helped with losing my arch…as you can see it did not.

Inc DB Bench
30x1x8 (FG)
45x1x8 (FG)
60x1x14 PR Hell yeah!
45x1x16 PR Sweet!

HS seated row
45psx1x8ps
90psx1x8ps
125psx1x16ps PR
90psx1x12ps (FG) PR

Deadstop skullcrushers
20x1x8
40x1x8
60x1x10 PR
40x1x24 PR

Weighted chins
BWx3
BW+10x3
BW+15x3
BW+20x3
BW+25x3
BW+30x3 PR

NOTES: Pretty good training session. 155x8 felt good but I feel if I can keep my arch and tightness im capable of more strength wise. Awesome PRs on Inc DB, HS rows, skulls and chins.

Decided in order to be really consistent with eating I need to start logging my food again.

Current stats are 5’9 175lbs and somewhere around 16-18% BF

Food log 10/25/10

Calories: 3569
Fat: 201.1 grams (51%)
Carbs: 131.7 grams (14%)
Protein: 298.6 grams (35%)

5/3/1 Cycle 2 Wave 3 Day 4 - Tuesday 10/26/10

Lower body pvc pipe roll and mobility

Squat
95x1x5
115x1x5
135x1x5
170x1x5
190x1x3
215x1x11 PR

VID: - YouTube

Front Squat
115x1x5
135x1x5
155x1x5
165x1x3
175x1x4 PR

VID: - YouTube

HS Standing Leg Curl
15psx1x10ps
35psx1x10ps
50psx1x17ps PR

Seated Calf Raise
70x1x10
90x1x10
110x1x11 PR

Leg Press Calf Raise
1ppsx1x15
2ppsx1x15
3ppsx1x12
4ppsx1x12 PR
4pps+1platex1x8 PR
2pps+1platex1x20 PR
1pps+1platex1x12 Left Leg PR
1pps+1platex1x12 Right Leg PR

NOTES: Intense session, alot of sweat. Squats were awesome. Front squats I had 5 easy, just got antsy and didnt get a good breath! Good PR on the hammy curls. Went on a bit of a calf rage. Def felt the burn in my calves!

Food Log 10/26/10

High Carb Day

Calories: 3720
Carbs: 285.7g (30%)
Fats: 140.1g (34%)
Protein: 321.8g (36%)

Forgot to post nutrition from yesterday.

Food log 10/27/10

Low Carb Day
Cals: 2324
Fat: 101.6g (40%)
Protein: 296.1g (52%)
Carbs: 46.2g (8%)

Terrible day nutrition wise, need to get in about 1000 more calories.

5/3/1 Cycle 3 Wave 1 Day 1 - Friday 10/29/10

Upper body mobility warm up

MP
45x1x5
60x1x5
70x1x3
75x1x5
85x1x5
100x1x10 PR

VID: - YouTube

BBB FG MP
85x1x10
85x1x8
75x1x8
65x1x6
45x1x10

Was stupid here and started too heavy. The 85 lb sets killed me. Definitely will be starting lighter next MP session.

Weighted Chins
BWx3
BW+10x3
BW+15x3
BW+20x3
BW+25x3
BW+30x3
BW+35x3 PR

NOTES: Great MP session. Doing BBB assistance for this cycle. Need to start lighter and not be stupid about the BBB sets weight. Pressing felt strong though. Weighted chins felt good as well, good weight and good PR with BW+35.

Also, didnt get a chance to log food yesterday or today but I am keeping track of what i am eating. Just do not have the macro breakdown. Yesterday (10/28/10) was a low carb day. Today (10/29/10) was a moderate carb day (75-150g).

5/3/1 Cycle 3 Wave 1 Day 2 - Sunday 10/31/10

Lower body mobility warm up

Deadlift
115x1x5
145x1x5
170x1x3
185x1x5
215x1x5
240x1x12 PR

VID: - YouTube

BBB 3" Deficit Deadlift
155x1x10
155x1x10
145x1x10
135x1x10
135x1x10

VID 1 (155x10 BBB Set 2): - YouTube

VID 2 (135x10 BBB Set 4): - YouTube

Back Raises
BWx3x10 PR

NOTES: Good session. Working on DL form and I can feel it improving. BBB Deficit DL’s were brutal but awesome! Big PR on deads with the 240. Feels good!

WILL UPDATE WITH VIDS LATER WHEN THEY FINISH UPLOADING.

5/3/1 Cycle 3 Wave 1 Day 3 - Tuesday 11/2/10

Upper body mobility warmup

Bench
45x1x10
70x1x5
85x1x5
100x1x3
110x1x5
130x1x5
145x1x14 PR

VID: - YouTube

BBB CGBP
115x1x10
110x1x10
105x1x10
100x1x10
95x1x10

BB Row
Barx1x10
95x1x8
115x1x10
135x1x8
145x1x12 straps PR

Bad vid 135x8: - YouTube

Bad vid 145x12: - YouTube

Shrugs
135x1x10 (ns)
155x1x10 (ns)
185x1x6 (ns)
205x1x10 (s)
225x1x10 (s)
275x1x10 (s) PR
225x1x20 (s) PR
135x1x20 (ns) PR

VID 225x20 straps: - YouTube

Some bicep work

NOTES: Bench felt good and BBB CGBP was even better! BB rows were good, I’m an idiot and shot both videos too low so you cant see shit. I really felt these in the back. Same deal for the shrugs. Good session.

Training looks like it’s really coming along well.
Keep up the good work!

5/3/1 Cycle 3 Wave 1 Day 4 - Thursday 11/4/10

Lower body mobility warmup

Squat
95x1x5
120x1x5
140x1x3
155x1x5
170x1x5
200x1x17 PR

VID:

BBB Front Squat
135x1x10
125x1x10
115x1x10
105x1x10
95x1x10

HS Leg curls
25psx1x10ps
45psx1x10ps
60psx1x12ps

Calves (standing calf raise)
60, 90, 120, 140, 150, 160, 180 x5

NOTES: Dont normally lift on thursdays. No practice due to weather today so I figured Id hit squats so I can MP tomorrow! Its weird how your body knows what day it is. The 200 felt heavy and after rep 13, i was losing it on my back so I had to rack it as you can see in the vid. Overall, things felt heavy but good today. Looking forward to some good PRs on MP tomorrow!

5/3/1 Cycle 3 Wave 1 Day 4 - Thursday 11/4/10

Lower body mobility warmup

Squat
95x1x5
120x1x5
140x1x3
155x1x5
170x1x5
200x1x17 PR

VID: - YouTube

BBB Front Squat
135x1x10
125x1x10
115x1x10
105x1x10
95x1x10

HS Leg curls
25psx1x10ps
45psx1x10ps
60psx1x12ps

Calves (standing calf raise)
60, 90, 120, 140, 150, 160, 180 x5

NOTES: Dont normally lift on thursdays. No practice due to weather today so I figured Id hit squats so I can MP tomorrow! Its weird how your body knows what day it is. The 200 felt heavy and after rep 13, i was losing it on my back so I had to rack it as you can see in the vid. Overall, things felt heavy but good today. Looking forward to some good PRs on MP tomorrow!

5/3/1 Cycle 3 Wave 2 Day 1 - Friday 11/5/10

Upper body mobility and lower body foam roll warmup

MP
45x1x5
60x1x5
70x1x3
80x1x3 (accidentally did 5)
90x1x3
105x1x7 PR

VID: - YouTube

BBB FG MP
75x1x10
65x1x10
55x1x10
55x1x10
45x1x10

Weighted Chins (had to hold DB between feet)
BWx3 (NG)
+15x3 (NG)
+20x3 (NG)
+25x3 (NG)
+30x3 (NG)
+35x3 (NG) PR Smoother than the last BW+35x3
BWx5 (Med Grip approx 18" wide) PR
BWx5 (Med Grip approx 18" wide) PR
BWx5 (Narrow Grip approx 12" wide) PR

BW Dips
BWx10
BWx9
BWx8
BWx7
BWx7

NOTES: Pretty good session. Chins and dips felt great! Working to get to 5x10 BW dips. Chins are progressing, I can feel it! Felt good to get back to basic stuff with dips and chins. Switched my positioning on the dip bars and dips didnt feel funny. Was pumped about this because I love dips!