I’m glad IronOne also encourages a weight gain. At 217 what were you lifting?
Way less than now, haha.
I have been gaining weight guys. Just a slow process. I still need to be able to run 1.5 miles in 12 minutes for my job, and putting weight on too quickly doesn’t help.
Would you mind sharing what your job is? Just curious since there’s a physical aptitude portion but I’ve never seen you mention much about it aside from travel. No worries if not!
Ok, a job requirement trumps everything else.
Just seems like with your dedication and a bit more weight on your bones you’d mop any competition’s floor with the other competitors. You probably come close to that now.
Keep up the good work, regardless.
@mr.v3lv3t The current job itself is basically middle management sorta stuff, but we have a great healthcare package that, with it comes a fitness requirement. Basically us holding up our end of the bargain and making sure our provider is getting a good return on investment.
@biker In truth, for my height, I should actually be competing DOWN a weightclass rather than up if I wanted to do as best as I could in the sport.
It’s really not static strength that is holding me back. I actually tend to fair very well in that regard. The primary issue is technique, with footspeed coming second. If I were serious about being the best strongman I could be, I’d hire a coach and get hands on training, but right now strongman is just a hobby for me. My passion is simply being big and strong, and strongman gives me a good competitive outlet for it, but I’m not willing to do the things necessary to be the best strongman, primarily because that would include sacrifices to my family and career that I am unwilling to undertake.
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I 100% agree (although you’re a lot farther along on that bi & strong strength curve than I). It also is why I don’t understand why people get tend to get an earful when they have diverse aspirations within the strength & fitness realm. So what If someone wants to compete in powerlifting & try their luck in a half marathon? This example person disclosed that they are not willing to do what it takes to be the best, but often the ones casting stones are also not willing to do what it takes; their unwillingness simply lies in different areas.
Sorry for the somewhat off-topic mini rant, but you’ve got me thinking lol.
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No apologies necessary; it’s a fine point. We saw all the hate that happened when Crossfit came on the scene, because it seemed abhorrent to want to be Ok at a lot of things rather than great at just 1 or 2, and now it’s become such a cultural phenomenon that you can just became great at Crossfit.
As long as you have the introspective and realize what your limits are, I don’t think there is any shame in it. It’s only the people who want it all that run into issues.
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Ah I see, pretty good idea on their part!
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Me too brother, me too.
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Got the video from the press workout on Monday
I think this is why 531 has grown so much in popularity. It doesn’t promise the biggest total, but it offers a way to become a well-rounded athlete for the average Joe.
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@TX_iron No joke. I feel like Jim just found a way to make “off season” programmable and intelligent. And, of course, that pisses everyone off, haha.
AM WORKOUT
CIRCUIT (8 rounds)
Log viper and press away 165lbs
1x5
Viking squat 198lbs
1x5
Fat gripz NG chins
1x10
Circus dumbbell 110lbs
1x1 (per side)
Log viper and press away 165
1x5
FG NG chins
1x10
Notes: Upped and the weight and, in turn, lost a round. The squats seem to be what is killing me here, and I might end up swapping to SSB/buffalo bar just to make it move a little faster. CDB taking it’s time too, but I’m getting better at it, and that’s my weak area, so it’s a worthwhile trade. Tendinitis in the left knee flaring up again. Feeling pretty beat up in general.
Woke up at 198.0. Appetite is up and I’m being less restrictive. Still making good food choices, just eating more food.
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AM WORKOUT
(2) Texas Deadlift Bar touch and go deadlifts
5x135+chains
5x225+chains
3x315+chains
1x405+chains
13+3+3x495+chains
18x405+chains
Axle bench press
5xAxle
5x136
5x186
5x206
3x231
3x266
10x301
16x231
Standing ab wheel
4x8
Band pull aparts
5x20
Full ROM plate raise 7.5kg
1x60
Axle curls
1x60
NG chins
1x23
1x11
Notes: Unlike last week, I felt really solid today. Got some tendinitis in the right elbow and it’s tender to the touch and left calf has been acting up, but nothing significant. ROM was feeling pretty long on the pulls this week, and I imagine next week will be even more pronounced. I’ve somehow picked up an extra rep on that cooldown set of deads, but I’ll take it.
Woke up at 197.0. Cheat meal yesterday was a 3 item with rice at Panda Express. On the grip training front, I managed to hold a CoC #2 for 45 seconds per hand, followed by 10 reps with the 2 and 30 with the 1.
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How does axle bench compare to a regular barbell? Harder? Easier? Ive never even picked up an axle. Your bench has blown up man!
Thanks man. Been in a bit of a holding pattern with some focus shifting, but I’m holding much stronger than I used to be.
Axle bench is just different. It’s got some harder and easier parts to it. The wider diameter is easier on my elbows, but the lack of rotating collars means it’s a little trickier to handle. However, it has zero flex, which I prefer. I benched with a whippy bar a few months ago and it was awful, haha.
Keg sprints, 4 rounds (first 3 rounds w/weighted vest)
Run 182lb keg 50’
Run back to start
Run back to keg
Run keg 50’
Run back 50’
Run back to keg
Run keg 50’
Max distance carry 182lbs
150’
NG chins between rounds
5x10 (first 3 with weighted vest)
Notes: Had 18lbs in the vest (allegedly. 45lb vest broken into 30 pellet packs, and I had the bottom 12 filled). All new level of suck. Next time, I’ll fill the higher rows, because having the weight over my stomach put the keg out in front of me during the carry, but in general I got the effect I wanted. Think I might swap off between weighted and unweighted rather than stick with exclusively weighted, just to maintain footspeed.
I got a good vest out of a yardsale too. First time using it and I’m pleased.
Threw in the chins between rounds. Really want to get in more assistance work where I can.
No weigh in this morning. I’m looking fuller these days, and with it a little less lean.
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AM WORKOUT
Log viper and press away
5xLog
5x150
5x175
12x195
8x195 (push press)
20x150
(11) Chain suspended buffalo bar squats
5xBar
5x140
5x190
5x230
3x280
1x330
1x370
10x430
5x370 (deadstop)
Axle rows 193
9x8
Dips
4x45
Reverse hyper 180
1x40
Notes: Wasn’t focused on the topset of log; forgot I was supposed to viper and, and just kinda saved it right at the top of the clean. Not a bad showing, but I wanted more. Redeemed myself on the backoff set. Focused on high elbows for the push press, and in doing so noticed my right knee giving out a bit. I’m definitely leaning on the push presses; result of the surgery/imbalance. Squats were solid, but felt some pain around the surgical site for the deadstop sets. Putting my triceps under a lot of stress too holding onto the bar. Dips may be the source of my tendenitis, but they’re moving well otherwise. Threw in the reverse hyper because I’ve been neglecting it, and it completely lit up my back the way I needed.
Woke up at 200.6. More sodium, but also just weight gain coming along with the training. I’m getting back into “strongman shape”, which is a little less lean than I normally walk around at.
Ha, I’d say!
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Hah, thanks man. Always seemed to click well with me.
Got video of the press from this morning.
250+lb sandbag pick up/carries for 10 rounds
20 seconds on, 10 seconds off
Notes: Just because I’m pedantic, I’m not calling this Tabata because it was for more than 8 rounds, but same interval timing. I had 2 failed attempts but not for lack of trying. This is just a special kind of exhausting. On the plus side, first time doing this where I haven’t twinged my knee, so that’s a plus.
Woke up at 199.8.
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