In my opinion - it’s a brain chemistry thing.
All motor action occurs in the brain with the intent and will to perform.
If you’re on fire for the first set possibly too much arousal takes place and depletes whatever chemicals you need to perform subsequent attempts. By the last set, they’ve replenished enough to allow you to hit it again.
Just a theory.
Maybe I just don’t warm up enough but I find my first set is always my worst. When doing sets with the same weight I find my 3rd and 4th sets are usually my strongest.
Off subject, Steely. I just read the thread on set points in the T-Alpha. Very interesting. I wish there was more on the having lost weight side but still some real good info.
Thanks for the responses!
Hel- thanks-- more on the weight loss in what respect? From my perspective or the discussion in general?
10-21-2008 (Tue): Biceps
A: EZ Bar P.Curl: 40x8, x8, 50x8, 60x5, x6, x5, x5
B: 1-Arm DB Hammer P.Curl: 40x4, 35x8, 40x5, 35x8, 40x6 !!! (schizo fatigue pattern)
C: Standing Alt. DB Curl: 35x8, 40x5, 35x8, 40x6
[quote]SteelyD wrote:
Thanks for the responses!
Hel- thanks-- more on the weight loss in what respect? From my perspective or the discussion in general?[/quote]
Both really. Most of the discussion is about gaining weight and becoming use to the new weight before gaining again. So what I’m wondering is if you were heavier and lost weight do you have a tentancy to go back up. I’m taking about fat weight and not muscle weight.
Ah-- well, for me personally, I am a fat-producing machine. This latest attempt to put on some mass has been a real highwire act not to become obese.
I’ve certainly put on some fat, within acceptable personal limits, and I’ve been busting my ass. It’s scary to think how easy it is to balloon right back up if I weren’t moving weight around every day.
I’m comfortable saying my body would have no problem holding on to 240 lbs, and probably more. However, I’ve never held that much weight with low body fat – ie a ‘lean’ 240, which is just huge.
I’m back up to 215, maybe even 220, I haven’t stepped on a scale since summer. I’m still in 33 in jeans (getting tighter, though), and the shirts are tighter in the upper half, so I’m putting on size where I’m supposed to be. I have had to adjust the diet here and there because I get sloppy.
So, I guess if the theory is that it’s just weight (ie scale weight) that is responsible for set point, then if you’ve weighed more, you’re in good shape. If it’s based on muscle percetage (ie how much muscle can you hold at the same weight), then it’s a harder goal-- at least that’s my understanding.
While others might inspire me, ONLY I CAN MOTIVATE ME
i like that and fully agree. feel your pain with the back probs - been there. keep kicking ass.
itz iight
10-22-2008 - Shoulders
A: Mil. Press: 95x8, 115x5, x6, 135x4, x4, x4
B1: Seated S/M Sh. Press: 90 (2 plates)x7 + 2 Partial, " ", x6
B2: DB Lat. Raise: 25x12, 35x8, x7, 30x8
C1: BB Shrug: 185x8 + x10 (straps), 205x8 + x10 (straps), 225x6 + x10 (straps), 315x8 (s), 365x4 (s)
C2: DB Lat. Raise (contd): 35x8, 40x5+1, 40x6 + 30x5, 35x8, X
I was just wondering if your thighs still fit into your slacks? Seems to be a common problem with some of our other T-Nation friends…but that’s not my main point of focus…
I’ve been inspired to Military press. Not push press. As god is my witness I will try standing and seated, and it will be good.
I’m coming for you SteelyD ! I’m coming for your numbers and will not rest until they are mine as well!
HA! Well, they’re getting tighter. The waist is creeping up, too. I’ve made a concious effort to de-emphasize my legs in the past weeks.
I went ice skating yesterday (1st time this season) and my legs are on FIRE! No legs today as scheduled…
I love shoulder pressing. I’ve been frustrated with my MP because it’s coming along slowly. I’m getting a rep or two every time, and I’ve been trying to just add sets.
10/13:
A: Mil Press: 95x8, 115x6, 135x3+2PP, 135x4, 115x6, x5 + 3PP
(3090#)
10/22:
A: Mil. Press: 95x8, 115x5, x6, 135x4, x4, x4
(3645#)
I’d like to see the weight go up as well as the reps. This week I’ll try to get 135 for 5 (strict MP) and add 10#.
10-23-2008 (Thurs) Back
A1: Lat P/D Machine: 160x15, 200x10, 200x9, 200x7
A2: BB Curl: 65x8, 65x10, 70x8, 70x8
B: DB Row: 90x8, 90x10, 100x12, 100x10, 100x9
C: Alt DB Standing Curl: 40x8, 45x5, 45x5, 45x5, 40x7
D: 1 Arm Seated Cable Row: 120x12, 150x12, 170x12 (strap), 195x7
E: EZ Bar P. Curl: 50x9, 70x6, 70x6, 80x2+50x8, 70x5
Overhead pressing is one of those movements that improves with higher frequency of training and changing rep ranges from session to session. Especially the standing press, which requires a lot of training to bring up because the whole body is involved in doing it. CNS activity is high on that one and improvements in technique improve poundage. Technique improves with practice.
Some Russian lifter once said “In order to press a lot you must press, a lot.”
[Punctuation added for clarity?]
195 on 1-arm seated cable row? yikes! good pulling SteelyD.
10-25-2008 (Sat): Chest/Tri
A: Inc. DB Press: 25x20(wu), 30x20(wu), 55x10(wu), 70x10, 80x5, 80x7, 85x5, x5, x7*, 90x2, 85x5
B: DB Floor Press: 70x7, x8, 75x7, x6
C1: 1 Arm Cable X-Over: 40x10, 80x10, 100x10
C2: ^-attachment Cable P/D: 150x12, 170x6, 180x6
D1: Inc. DB Flye (Stretch only): 45x40 sec, " ", 45x40s (flat bench)
D2: (triceps cont’d from C2): 180x6, 170x6, 170x5
I was hang cleanin the dumbbells up until the 85’s. Didn’t quite get them up and tried to get under on the left side. Ended up ‘catching’ it with my ear.
Advice: Don’t catch 85 lb db’s with your ear. It hurts. 
Did some pec stretching a la DC. That shit hurts!
I’ve been trying to add volume to my workouts. I think this workout was pretty good. I like staying in that 4-7 rep range with the presses and feel like I need a lot of sets to get the volume I need. I’m definitely responding to it.
[quote]skidmark wrote:
195 on 1-arm seated cable row? yikes! good pulling SteelyD.[/quote]
Thanks skid.
My ‘gym’ only has a stack that goes to 200 or 220, so I’ve gone past what’s useful with true seated rows. I can get good leverage on the machine and keep my body square for the 1-arm pulls (and maintain good form). I think those early years of rowing crew has helped with ‘muscle endurance’ with my back. I think I’m one of the rare birds that historically has concentrated on legs and back (from rowing/hockey) and less ‘pushing’, which I’m paying for now 
What kills me are the bent over BB rows. I just can’t get the leverage without killing my lower back. Seated rows and DB rows are just fine.
10-27-2008 (Mon) - Back/Bi
A: DB Row: 85x15, 100x9, 100x12, 100x12*, 112.5x9, 112.5x7
B: Inc. DB Row (face down): 50x12, 65x9, 75x7
C: DB Row (High Angle): 85x12, 100x12*, 100x10
D: 1-Arm DB P.Curl: 35x8, x7, 30x9, 35x7
E: BB Shrug: 135x15, 225x12*, 295x9 + 5PS, x7 + 5PS, 275x10 + 5PS, x10, x9
F: P/W Curls: 45x10, x9, 50x8
I know what you mean on the bent over BB rows SteelyD. I really have to decrease the weight in order to keep good form. A wide stance and a slight bend in the knees helps take some of the stress off my lower back. With this exercise, I found it is really more important to work technique rather than worry about the weight.
10-28-2008 (Tue): Chest/Tri
A: Inc. DB Press: 55x10, 70x10, x9, 80x8, x6, x7
B: DB Press (flat): 85x6, x5, x6, x6, x6, 65x10, 70x8
C: DB Scull Crushers (Lying triceps extension?): 30x10 + 10 partial presses, 35x8 + 5PP, 35x6 + 15PP
D: Tate Press: 35x10, x8, 40x7, 30x9
E: 1-Arm Rope P/D: 60x7, 50x7, 50x7, x7 (+8 spot), x5 (+8 spot)
10-29-2008 - Wed - Legs
A: Squat: 135x10 + 10 BW sq., “”, 225x10 + 10 BW sq., “”, 275x5 + 10 BWsq., “”, “”
B: Leg press: 3 Plate per side x 15, 5P per side x 10, x10, 6P per side x 8, x8
C: LP mach. Calf raise: 3P per x20, “”, 4P x 20, x15, x15
D: DB Walking Lunge: (2x55) x8, x8
10-30-2008 - Thurs - Biceps
Yes, a whole workout dedicated to BICEPS
A: DB P. Curls on Bench (standing behind bench): 30x10, x10, x10, x10, x10, x10, x10, x10, 35x4 (+5 spot), x6 (+3 spot), x3 (+5 spot), 30x6 (+1), x4 (+2)
B: EZ Bar P. Curl: 40x10, 50x10, x10, x9, x5, x8, 40x10, x9, x7
C: DB Farmer Walk: (2x75)x280’, (2x80)x280’, (2x85)x140’ + 140’
D: T-Bar Cable Curl: 80x11, x8, x8
Arms have ‘unofficially’ hit 17" (from 14.25 at the start). I measured ‘the pump’ last night for fun-- had all of 1/8" pump Will call it official 17" next week if they hold…