The Dude's Rippetoe Log

Today’s Training

military press
5x95
5x115
5x135
3x155
3x175
3x185 PR

leg press (I know, I know)
6x295
5x335
5x385
10x495

Felt real good today. My shoulders had no problems with the heavy weights, as I have had in the past. The last rep of military was a struggle - I had to lean back and put some pressure on my lower back. LB held up.

Leg press was just to give my legs a work.

I give all my motivational credit to Limp Bizkit and “Break Stuff”. I could probably lift a bus listening to that song.

I’m off of work Thursday and Friday. Most likely will do some yard work and sets of pull-ups/chin-ups to failure. I could also do some concentration curls with my 45 lb dbs.

We now have power. Yeah!

Hey Dude, just checking in to see how thing’s are going for you. Good luck with everything!

Today’s Training

bench press

5x135
3x205
5x255

trap bar deadlift, no belt

5x155
5x195
5x245
5x295
10x345

bw = 248

First workout back after a layoff. Last week was a hectic home and work schedule. Back in full force. I just wanted to ease back into my old weights.

I really like the trap bar deadlifts. I’m not sure how much carryover I get to regular DL’s, but I like them.

I almost can’t wait until I’m done with this round of SS. Looking forward to a change with the Texas Method.

[quote]Tonino wrote:
Hey Dude, just checking in to see how thing’s are going for you. Good luck with everything!

[/quote]

Great! Baby …?

[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:
Tonino wrote:
Hey Dude, just checking in to see how thing’s are going for you. Good luck with everything!

Great! Baby …?[/quote]

Still no baby, lol. I posted an update in my log. Basically we had a false alarm this weekend, but the doctors say anytime this week, it should happen. So we are waiting anxiously!!

Today’s Training

military
3x155
3x175
3x185
15x135 (just for fun)

back squat
3x205
3x275
belt
3x325
3x365 (PR)

pull-ups
eh, maybe later …?
[edit - later]
10xbw PR
7xbw

concentration curls, just for fun
11x40, each arm

bw = 246

This week I really felt like setting some PRs. I will do this next week as well. It’s funny how 135 always feels heavy when I first press it. No matter how much I increase, it is always heavy. I did the last set with 135 just to test my strength. I was happy. I was also surprised at how quickly the weight went up after doing the heavy sets.

Squats felt real good. I might have been able to do two more reps with the 365, but I had little faith in my spotter. Athletic coach - yes, spotter - no. He wasn’t sure of how to even spot me. Sure, anyone can be taught the basics, but I really wasn’t confident in his newly acquired skills.

I will do the pull-ups in a little bit. Back is still sore from Monday’s trap bar deadlift - in a good way.

Today’s Training

bench press
5x135
3x205
1x255
10x205

nothing else
[edit - later that day …]
chin-ups
12xbw
9xbw

concentration curls
3x12x40

bw = 246

I didn’t have a lot of time to spare. Get in and get out. I plan on maxing on bench and deadlift next week. So, I’ll most likely do some push-ups and pull-ups over the weekend.

[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:

Deadlifts were difficult. I think I was pulling more from my back than my glutes/hamstrings. I also finally switched grips to alternating. I pulled the first two reps without slipping. I had to use straps because my calluses were on the verge of tearing. At least that’s what it felt like. I should invest in some chalk.
[/quote]

I got this tip a few days ago (from someone much stronger than me), but when you deadlift, push those hips down (drop your ass down) right before you start to pull. It should put the feeling more in your hams.

I too pulled too much from my back starting at the floor, and now its seemingly fixed itself just by dropping my ass down a bit right before I pull.

good luck!

[quote]boyscout wrote:
I got this tip a few days ago (from someone much stronger than me), but when you deadlift, push those hips down (drop your ass down) right before you start to pull. It should put the feeling more in your hams.

I too pulled too much from my back starting at the floor, and now its seemingly fixed itself just by dropping my ass down a bit right before I pull.

good luck![/quote]

Thanks. I’ll give it a go next week. I’ve gone lower with my butt before and it felt like I was squatting the weight. I have a real problem with glute activation - I sit on my butt all day.

[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:
boyscout wrote:
I got this tip a few days ago (from someone much stronger than me), but when you deadlift, push those hips down (drop your ass down) right before you start to pull. It should put the feeling more in your hams.

I too pulled too much from my back starting at the floor, and now its seemingly fixed itself just by dropping my ass down a bit right before I pull.

good luck!

Thanks. I’ll give it a go next week. I’ve gone lower with my butt before and it felt like I was squatting the weight. I have a real problem with glute activation - I sit on my butt all day.[/quote]

it shouldn’t feel like a squat or anything like that, just a little push down and a pull. It also helps me to think that I’m “falling” backwards pulling the weight up.

If you haven’t read ECs article on mastering the deadlift, its well worth it.

Today’s Training

deadlift: max day, no belt, no straps, mix grip
1x325
1x345
1x365

squat, no belt
6x325
5x325
15x275

The dl’s were less than stellar. I haven’t deadlifted in about three weeks. They felt good. Probably could have gone higher, but I was nursing my strained lower back. I added the squats in for fun, and videotaped the session … just because.

I’m thinking about adding the Coan/Phillipi (?) deadlift routine into the Texas Method starting next week.

6x325 squat

5x325 squat

15x275 (PR) squat

[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:
Today’s Training

deadlift: max day, no belt, no straps, mix grip
1x325
1x345
1x365

squat, no belt
6x325
5x325
15x275

The dl’s were less than stellar. I haven’t deadlifted in about three weeks. They felt good. Probably could have gone higher, but I was nursing my strained lower back. I added the squats in for fun, and videotaped the session … just because.

I’m thinking about adding the Coan/Phillipi (?) deadlift routine into the Texas Method starting next week.[/quote]

if the doc gives me the ok, I’ll be running coan/phillipi too. How exactly are you laying out the rest of your week?

[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:
6x325 squat[/quote]

these looked a bit high, your old frontsquat videos looked good, maybe it’s just the angle. Just make sure for yourself, If i’m wrong, don’t sweat it.

[quote]zephead4747 wrote:
TheDudeAbides wrote:
6x325 squat

these looked a bit high, your old frontsquat videos looked good, maybe it’s just the angle. Just make sure for yourself, If i’m wrong, don’t sweat it.[/quote]

A little high? Those look like crap. I didn’t get a chance to review them until just now. I’m going down as low as I can until my hips lock. I guess some hip mobility is in my near future.

[quote]zephead4747 wrote:

if the doc gives me the ok, I’ll be running coan/phillipi too. How exactly are you laying out the rest of your week?

[/quote]

Week 1
Monday volume, 5x5
squat
military
power clean
weighted dips 3x5
weighted pull-ups 3x5

Wednesday recovery, 3x3 w/ 10% less than Monday
front squat
bench press
power clean

Friday, originally pr/max day

Coan-Phillipi

Week 2
Monday volume, 5x5
squat
bench
power clean
weighted dips 3x5
weighted pull-ups 3x5

Wednesday recovery, 3x3 w/ 10% less than Monday
front squat
military
power clean

Friday, originally pr/max day

Coan-Phillipi


After two weeks, rows replace the cleans. I’m not sure if I will be making that switch quite so early.

The other nice thing is that both programs are 10 weeks long. The Texas Method could go longer, obviously, but it is a good stopping point.