I suppose it’s time to start a log.
My history in the weight room began as a kid technically. I would use my dad’s garage weights. Old school plastic encased concrete in red, white and blue.
In 7th grade we were moved from general PE to “Athletics” if you played on a school team, and this was my first exposure to a regimented training program. Classic football coach bullshit with 3x10 for everything, progressive overload always.
I stuck with lifting after my athletic “career” ended upon HS graduation, and have used various programs over the years.
I broke a bunch of bones, including a shattered elbow, plus experienced soft tissue damage in a motorcycle accident a few years ago and fell off the horse through the next year or so of therapy, surgeries and pain meds.
I joined a local PL gym to get back at it and started off with a bang on the Westside Conjugate method. My first crack at PL style training.
I’m currently running 5/3/1, with a goal of beating state records (Texas) in the next 1.5 years.
I’m 41, 6ft on the nose, 235 lbs, cutting down to ~210 and then rebuilding to a leaner walking weight of 225, competing at 220.
Current maxes are unfortunately low. I’ve been dieting pretty aggressively and look forward to eating for gains again:
Squat: 445
Bench: 325
Deadlift: 430
Pressing is difficult given pain in the replaced elbow, and it affects deads too as the weight distributes when pulling, but the surgeon assures me it won’t re-injure, so it’s a mind over matter issue. I’m in a supportive gym full of powerlifters, many also training injured.
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