[quote]csulli wrote:
Only just now seeing that you did a 270 log at 218 BW. That is awesome man. Damn I wish I could do that lol.[/quote]
Just keep training with the Log man. Your a stronger presser than me in general and could be pressing that in no time with the right form critiques. But thanks for the kind words Csulli. My overhead may start slightly suffering soon as I am really focusing more on powerlifting and Trainng with Sam so Overhead is starting to take a back seat to Bench work slowly but surely.
[quote]Reed wrote:
Thanks Vinny. How you feeling moving closer to your show?[/quote]
I’m feeling more confident in my abilities, but I’m still pretty beat up. I think my body is begging for a good 2 weeks off the weights. It’s a shame I’m forcing myself to compete! Ah well, I’m a masochist I suppose. Rest will come soon. How are you feeling?
[quote]Reed wrote:
Thanks Vinny. How you feeling moving closer to your show?[/quote]
I’m feeling more confident in my abilities, but I’m still pretty beat up. I think my body is begging for a good 2 weeks off the weights. It’s a shame I’m forcing myself to compete! Ah well, I’m a masochist I suppose. Rest will come soon. How are you feeling?
[/quote]
Good now last 3 weeks had been hell was only averaging 1-2 hours asleep a day and it caught up to me and hot stupid sick and missed a few days of work. So now I’m not sure if I am going to be able to take off for GA Strongest pretty upset about it but, I can’t exactly just quit my job.
Bench Press worked up to 275 for 3 sets of 3. Backed off to 225 for 11 then 185 for 15. The 275 for 3 sets of 3 is a PR.
Hammer Strength Shoulder Press 2 plates per side for 3 sets for 11, 10, and 8 reps. My shoulder didn’t like these much.
Low Cable Rows 1 set of 120 for 20. 1 set of 15 strict/ 12 loose/ 9 just get them reps with 170 rest pause style. Seriously had a intense Lower Lat, Trap and TRICEPS pump no idea why.
Lastly finished off with 5 sets of 15 with 80lbs Tricep Rope Pressdowns with strict form.
Just wanna thank Sam Byrd for more or less taking me under wing so to speak. Has only been about a month and half training with him but all my lifts especially my Squat are almost like a whole other lifter is doing them. Thanks man.
Lonely Deadlift Day at TSF today. Sam could not make it something about a Sand storm in a vagina some where ( Just playin Sam feel better )
Sumo Deadlifts. First day ever exclusively pulling Sumo and won’t lie as much as re strongman in me doesn’t want to I think these powerlifters are on to something. Worked up to 70% of 525 for speed Singles with 365. Was feeling really good and had already boasted a rep PR with 385 so had no choice really and pulled 11 almost 12… pR by 1 and half haha.
Was supposed to do heavy BB Rows but the high rep Deadlift was factored in before that decision so I skipped it.
WIde Pulldowns very strict with 120 for 15, 140 for 12, 160 for 10, 180 for 6\ 3 with body language.
Ab Table Sit Up body weight for 3 sets of 25 going home
Shoulders and Upper Body at the Rush today with Sam.
Started with Seated Shoulder Press with DBs. 65 for 12, 75 for 10, 90 for 6. This is a PR. Really had my right shoulder on fire down in my joint today didn’t feel very good.
3 sets of 20 Push Ups.
Under Hand Cable Rows 5 sets of 15 with 130. Really hard Squeeze at top.
Tricep Press Down with Rope 3 sets of 20 with 70lbs.
Deadlift day at TSF with Sam. We have really been trying to fix our deadlifts as we both seem to always the fail the lift just past our knee caps. So today we pulled for some heavy triples and singles off of a 4in block to really hit the lockout.
Worked up to 585 for a single. Had a small hitch because my hands eubbed my legs and just kinda got stuck but it locked out. Lowered to a 2in block and went back down to 495 for a triple and then to the floor for a single. All with only a chalk.
Finished up with some Wide Strict Pulldowns 170 for 3 sets of 15.
Took easy since we basically maxed out today going home and working on stretching my hips as I have recently become extremely tight there very hard to get into position. I was joking a few weeks ago when I said it but, I strongly believe just being around Sam has diminished my mobility haha.
Worked up to 4 sets of 3 with 275 and called it aday. I needed to go for 3 sets of 4 but was somewhat intimidated with out having a spotter.
Backed down to 185 for 16 immediately after the last 275 sets.
Flat DB Press 60 for 15, 80 for 10, 110 for 5. The 110 was done just because some one else tried it and I had to beat them.
Close Cable Rows 140 for 12, 160 for 12, 18 for 12, 200 for 12, 220, for 10, 240 for 8
Looking Away Pull Downs 100 for 20, 120 for 15, 120 for 15
Started off with Barbell Rows and immediately felt really good on these and knew it was gonna be PR session today.
135 x 20, 185 x 20, 225 for 20, 275 for 18, 315 for 13(previous best 6) and backed off to 225 for 18 immediately after. Performed these with a more upright posture dragging the bar along my thighs into my lower abs. Really lights my traps and mid back on fire.
Supinated Pulldowns 3 sets of 10 with 160 and 1 set of 6 with 200.
Supinating Curls 2 sets of 12 with 35
Seated Hammer Curls 2 sets of 12 with 45
Sunday Funday at TSF with my sexy wife Krist “Mini Freak” Reed and Sam Byrd.
Squat day of course and all was going good every one was feeling strong and all pretty much came to a agreement to go heavy… Maybe heavier than warranted. I was supposed to hit 330 for 2 sets of 5 and a all out set but, Sam was going for a max 5ish so I followed suit.
I worked up to 360 and knocked out 5 no problem so went on 385 and for whatever reason had a horrible set up and just felt really weird and wound up just BARELY squeezing out 4 reps. Still a PR for me so was happy but, was really wanting to see 400 for 3-5… Oh well better luck next time.
2 sets of Pause Squats with 290 for 5 reps.
Front Squat 1 set of 8 with 240 and one set of 8 with 290.
Kristi worked up doing singles just to see what her actual max and just over a month ago she had questionable very shaky 135. Today she smoked 135 and them went on to easy 155 as well. Honetly think she had a easy 10 more pounds but, plenty of time to prove that later.
I’m sure you have seen Sams video and read his write up so no point in bringing it back up… Not Sams best day but, has plenty of time and fight left in him… However he still managed 705 for easy triple if you didn’t see.
Alright day late on write up but, just have been busy with life.
Bench day yesterday at The Rush all by myself both my partners were like " But I gotta go to work" what ever like that’s a excuse haha.
Either way worked up to 275 for 2 sets of 3 and 1 set of 4. Really think and wanted 5 but, I had no spotters and didn’t want to get stuck under a bar at the Rush of all places.
Backed down to 225 for 1 set of 2 Board Press for 10. Did these all with pause and as this is my major sticking point these really smoked me.
Moved on to Seated DB Presses worked up to 2 sets of 70lbs DB for 12.
Close Grip Cable Rows worked up from 120-260 in 20lbs increments for sets of 12-8.
Awesome day today at GA Strongest Man. I placed pretty low in the standings honestly but, every single competitor in my class was top notch National material. This was a local GA Show but, in my opinion was the South Easts Strongest Man.
Went in to the Log Press feeling very good hit a very easy 245 in warm up. Decided to go 235 for opener just to guarantee I got on the board. Cleaned it and passed out almost immediately for what ever reason… Regrouped and nailed it within the time limit. Next was 255 felt pretty easy but was shaky. Decided to attempt 265 and nailed it easily really regret not hitting 275 and claiming a PR for my self.
650 frame I dont even want to talk about really attempted to pick it and as I was picking my right leg went completely numb as always with a Side Handle Deadlift and sure enough could hardly move I may have gotten 3-5 inches advanced. I have got to figure out what the hell is going on with this movement as apparently its gaining popularity and is my biggest weakness due to past injuries.
Keg Press Medley and Load felt great 150 and 175 flew up one motion and loaded like a empty keg. Went back to get the 200 and as I pressed it I got out on my toes and lost it forward so I reset and just strict pressed it as to avoid any possible forward motion and was credit with 3 kegs pressed.
18in Deadlift… Only thing I can say is HELL YES. Memorial Day weekend I pulled 645 for a nasty shitty hitched ungodly rep life time pull. Today I absolutely raped 685 for stupid easy fluid motion single. This was a 40lbs PR. Then went up to 725 as it was the next jump and in my opinion I pulled this weight was locked out and standing with control and as the judge was giving the down signal the bar just slipped from my hands and was not credited but, no offense to Tom I hit that weight… 80lbs PR.
Atlas Stones were horrible won’t even lie the absolute worst I have ever done. The stones were so hot the Tacky was like syrup every stone was just completely slipping and sliding for every competitor. Even the sub 18 second lifters today were well off there mark. I unfortunately only loaded one stone successfully and as I was extending from my lap with 275 it just kept sliding out of my arms as I rose and could just not break the platform.
Simply put I may have not placed high against literally 10 of the best lifters not in GA but the Country but, today was by far my best performance and shattered some PRs and tied a few of my life time bests. I am making progress and want to think the guys who have helped me so much. Scott Helms of course for getting me addicted to this sport, Mark Phillips for giving me hell all in good fun but, giving me motivation to continue coming back stronger and stronger each month, and Sam Byrd for helping me make some of the absolute best strength gains in just a few months that I have in years and taking me under wing literally not knowing a thing about me, and Kristi my beautiful wife for putting up with my shit and some how not only staying with me day after day but helping me push, eat, and not be a pussy when I just want to lay in bed instead of Squat that day. Love all you guys.
PS thanks so much to Mckayla Perry the awesome video and pics taken today and the encouragement.
[quote]Reed wrote:
18in Deadlift… Only thing I can say is HELL YES. Memorial Day weekend I pulled 645 for a nasty shitty hitched ungodly rep life time pull. Today I absolutely raped 685 for stupid easy fluid motion single. This was a 40lbs PR. Then went up to 725 as it was the next jump and in my opinion I pulled this weight was locked out and standing with control and as the judge was giving the down signal the bar just slipped from my hands and was not credited but, no offense to Tom I hit that weight… 80lbs PR.[/quote]
First of all fantastic pull.
Was it a regular bar or thick bar? Were straps allowed? What is the “norm” for the 18in deadlift in your experience? I wanna know how best to train it. And do you even train it or do you just pull from the floor?
Regular Bar and Straps were allowed not a 100% sure what you mean by the norm.
As for training the 18" Deadlift I do train it and slightly lower heights for sure especially since pulling from the floor is a very shitty weakness of mine and I always miss at lockout just passed the knees. Sam Byrd has the same problem and we have recently incorporated Rack Pulls from various heights including 18" to really train the lockout portion on Sundays after our Squats. Then come Wednesday or Thursday depending on heavy Squats and Pulls were we train speed pulls off the floor. We do this for two reasons one speed pulls allow us to continue to work on technique and work on trying to really build enough speed off the floor that we can blast past our sticking and the Rack Pulls to hopefully if we can’t just blast past our sticking point we can just straight up gut check and power through it.
Also a side note I have done nothing but Sumo Pulls for the last month whether from the ground or rack and I strongly accredit these to the massive carry over and PR. Will take a few days off and then continue on my training cycle and in about 6-8 weeks I really want to try a Raw Conventional Pull and see if I can’t blast past my old PR.
[quote]Reed wrote:
Regular Bar and Straps were allowed not a 100% sure what you mean by the norm.
As for training the 18" Deadlift I do train it and slightly lower heights for sure especially since pulling from the floor is a very shitty weakness of mine and I always miss at lockout just passed the knees. Sam Byrd has the same problem and we have recently incorporated Rack Pulls from various heights including 18" to really train the lockout portion on Sundays after our Squats. Then come Wednesday or Thursday depending on heavy Squats and Pulls were we train speed pulls off the floor. We do this for two reasons one speed pulls allow us to continue to work on technique and work on trying to really build enough speed off the floor that we can blast past our sticking and the Rack Pulls to hopefully if we can’t just blast past our sticking point we can just straight up gut check and power through it.
Also a side note I have done nothing but Sumo Pulls for the last month whether from the ground or rack and I strongly accredit these to the massive carry over and PR. Will take a few days off and then continue on my training cycle and in about 6-8 weeks I really want to try a Raw Conventional Pull and see if I can’t blast past my old PR.[/quote]
Nice thanks. I’m the exact same way off the floor, super fast and then I hit a wall past my knees.
By the norm I just meant what you typically see at shows. Like you said this one was regular bar, straps allowed. I was just wondering if it was pretty much always like that at a contest. I may have to start mixing in some sumo pulls lol.
Press Day at the Rush with the Freak that is Kristi. We hit some overhead today since I haven’t in like a month and have to say I’m very freaking pleased with the results.
Barbell Clean once Strict Press Away worked up to 185lbs for 3 sets of 5. Def a volume PR and not quite sure if I ever pressed it strict for 5 standing so, I will confirm with my people and have them get back to you.
Kristi also hit a Pr of 85lbs for almost a double. If Scott Helms puts on the female class he is talking about Drew Shefffield may be in some trouble with the weights Kristi is starting to hit.
Close Nuetral Grip Pulldowns worked up from 100 to 180 all for sets of 10 done very strict.
Progressive Incline DB Flyes started at 45 degree angles working up 4 clicks to 90 degrees. All sets done with 35lbs DB for sets of 10.
Wide Grip Cable Rows working up from 120 to 160 each set performed 15 reps total.
Took pretty easy coming back from GA Strongest reply looking forward to Squatting this weekend hope Sam is feeling up to it.
Had a perfect PR filled day today at TSF with Kristi, Mckayla Perry, and Sam Byrd. Squats and Deadlifts.
Started out with Back Squats obviously worked up to 330lbs for 2 sets of 5 and 1 set of 10. This was a PR and pretty easy if I do say so myself. Kristi worked up to 115lbs for 2 sets of 5 and 1 set of 10. Was very impressed with her performance today she really dug deep and earned the reps. Mckayla had never lifted weights until today and after a few minutes of corrective practice she managed 95lbs for 2 sets of 2.
Moved to Deadlifts from the Ground decided to go heavy with low volume pretty much nothing but singles up to a PR of 530lbs that was fairly easy especially after Squats.
Hit upper back with Barbell Rows 5 sets of 12 with 225lbs.
Finished with Lying Leg Curls 1 set of 15 with 90lbs and 1 set of 13 with 110.
Awesome day for me. Kristi, and Mckayla. Sam as well but he is a big boy and usually does his own write up
Reed, can you give me any tips on setting up reverse bands/band resisted stuff? I tried a reverse band set up with LIGHT bands that barely lets 135 touch the ground, and loses all tension at the top of a squat, and the knot appears to loosen some at times. I also can’t figure out a stable set up that keeps tension in the bottom for squats against bands.