I definitely could never throw, so we might be onto something here.
I had a solid workout today! I first took the remaining dog on a long backpack walk, which was good for both of us. That’s good cardio for me, too.
I’m still upset about the other dog, which is at least giving me some of the whininess to get after it in the gym.
Every time I think I’m done with Meadows’ programs, @davemccright pulls me right back in. I went ahead and kicked off Program X leg day today. I still had the last pull workout of the old program left, but my elbow hurts and I just plain didn’t feel like doing it. So there we go.
Legs!
Started with 10 minutes on the elliptical.
No warmup sets listed (because that’s annoying):
Lying Leg Curls
95/15
110/12
125/9
140/6
DE Box Squats
225 + chains/ 3 x 8
60s between sets
There’s this new series of YouTube videos that keeps popping up for me where Mike Israetel, whom I typically like, is critiquing famous people’s workouts. Invariably he is showing us how someone who is incredibly jacked or a world-class athlete is doing everything wrong.
For me, the very example refutes the claim. I could understand saying something like “this probably won’t get you jacked, but that’s not his goal.” But saying this guy was at MVP level for a quarter century, but everything he did is a scam boggles the mind.
The thought-provoked, though, is this is exactly what’s popular now. Why? Does everyone just want to believe there are gods amongst us and we mortals can’t accomplish anything of significance? What benefit does that line of thinking bring?
It reminds me of how coaches try to ingrain in your head, “you can’t get away with using x technique because you are not (insert famous athlete)”. Like who’s to say that you’re not actually a better athlete than whatever famous person they don’t want you to emulate? A lot of techniques in sports are person specific and they need to find what positions/techniques work best for their own body.
A few great examples are how a lot of traditional football coaches teach QBs to throw over the top and discourage side arm and different arm angles even though all the top guys in today’s game use different arm angles from Mahomes to Allen to Rodgers to Brady himself. And in baseball coaches always tell batters to “keep their elbow up” Which is such an unnecessary cue as batting stances come in so many different styles that are going to vary on the individual for whatever best helps them with timing and keeping their bat in the zone for a long time. Back when I played, I would put my elbow up just for a second to humored my coaches but would have to lower it before I started the “load up” Of my swing.
I gave up Baseball to focus on wrestling during high school and you find lots of areas where coaches try to mold you in certain ways there too. I was told to stop relying on upper body throws and focus on fundamentals such as single legs and double legs. While I had those shots in my arsenal, throws were my greatest weapon, as I was better at them than most people in the state. I was a huge Greco fan. I just had to tune out my high school coaches. Those throws got me to state in Oklahoma, second at Brute Nationals in Missouri and a scholarship to wrestle at Williams Baptist College’s inaugural team in Arkansas.
My point of this long post is simply that I firmly believe that coaches need to let athletes have some room to breathe And experiment with their technique. Let outside the box guys do their unconventional techniques, and if they fail, help them tweak their technique into something that works. Same goes for weightlifting, beginners only doing “The basics” squat, Bench and deadlift are going to be left with a physique with lots of weak points. It’s time to expand our thinking!
I was devastated sore and had family in town, kids’ first day back to school, etc, so I just dog walked (weighted, so I’m awesome) the last two days.
Then I wanted to get my leg day done earlier in the week, so I have more time until Sunday’s game, but I also had to tack on biceps to make it work out (never a problem).
I was still way sore! This one was a grind.
Lying Leg Curls
100/15
115/12
130/9
145/4
Was supposed to be 6 on that last one. Rough start.
DE Box Squats
Chains on all sets again
Worked up and tried 245 (which is what the progression called for) for two sets, but it was slower than syrup so I went back down.
225/3 x 7 (I counted the 245 slow ones as a set)
Finally felt good at the last couple sets
Leg Press
Doubled black bands
5pps/8 x 3
I did nail that progression
Holy poo, this one was heavy. I’m managing this volume fine, but Odin Force was too much for me. Likely the outside life stressors.
Banded Hammer Press
Red Bands
1p+10/8 x 4
Incline Press
I couldn’t get the same bench as last time; this one was more vertical. I had trouble meeting/ beating the same weight, so I just did 3 sets at the top weight.
205/5 x 3