Somewhat sarcastic…
I’ll never compete in PL competitions.
Some argue, why let grip be a limiting factor.
Ohers let it be a limiting factor, as this will improve grip strength.
My traps and grip strength are ok, but I shrug db’s w/o straps.
It occured to me that one reason I use straps, is that in my old gym they REALLY didn’t like dropped weights. This no longer applies, though I think they would, maybe should, frown on dropping 500… Also had troubles with elbow tendons which caused pain, straps really helped this…
On the subject of grip, one of my friends at the gym has been playing with his Christmas present: a pair of rubber wraps. You just put them on dumbbells or barbells and voila, instant thick handles. He says they really work his forearms, the muscles are getting more defined.
Mind you, this guy is already so gifted that the first time he ever saw the Captain of Crush grippers, he closed the #2. Sigh.
Null - to my mind, straps are largely a matter of personal choice. But in my case, where I couldnt’ deadlift or shrug without them AT ALL, it had become te weakest link in the chain by far and was spilling ove rinto other areas of performance. It had to be addressed for me to reach my goals. Very nice thoughts, though.
Bulldog - You win. I bow down to your greatness.
cavalier - I believe the rubber wraps are called Fat Gripz. I got me a pair and am workin with em regularly. With my grip I can now crush lettuce leaves and pieces of paper.
Tuesday
Military press - 5x90, 5x105, 8x120
A1 Side planks - 3x60s
A2 db MP - 3x10x50
B1 chins - 5x5xBW+25
B2 fat bar curls - 5x5x30kg
shrugs - 4x10x225
For some weird reason only the metric weights fit on the gym’s fat bat, which is why it’s the only lift I’m reporting in kilograms.
I’m four weeks out from my virtual PL meet. Thanks to all the great advice from you guys. I’m going to target heavy triples next week, heavy singles the week after, then really light work the last week. Then I’m gonna give 'er shit and see what I can do.
I still think the state cannon-ball hurling champ has this one sewn up, but I will always be the most AWESOME! Perhaps I should do the lifts in the purple speedo and go for style point.
ass-2-grass squats - 5x185, 5x225, 6x250
A1 front squats - 3x10x155
A2 seated calf raise - 3x10x135
B1 Leg Press - 3x5x450
B2 lunges 3x5x135
Bonus work - suitcase carries with 45lb plates - 50s, 40s, 45s, 40s
The B set was supposed to be 5x5 but I was totally gassed. So sets of 3 it is.
Friday
Spin class.
Let me say the Friday spin guy is much less froo-froo than the other spin instructors. We basically sat down and worked out butts off. Much more my style that the “Jewish Mother’s Coffee Club” scene at the other group.
I learned something very cool at Yoga Thursday night. Yeah, that’s right, I went to a drop in yoga class. I’ll try anything that improves my overall health. Anyways, I thought what’s the harm in checking it out?
It was interesting, but from a purely physiological perspective, yoga has nothing to offer me. I’m just as, if not quite a bit more, flexible than the other people in the class… including the somewhat snooty couple who dressed, talked, and acted like they owned the room and were SOOOOOO good at yoga that they might just start levitating under their own mental power. There wasn’t a single pose I couldn’t get into and hold easily. I’m not saying I’m a natural yoga master… far from it. But from a purely physiological standpoint, yoga has nothing to offer me.
Because of weight training I’m strong. Because of mobility drills every day I’m flexible. Because of foam rolling every day I’m supple.
Bulldog - I don’t get weirded out eaily, and I’m pretty much impossible to offend. Although if you make fun of the purple speedo again I’ll probably break down weeping, crank up Celine Dion on the stereo and start chugging bottles of chardonnay. I feel like I can thank squats and deadlifts for the leg development. The wheels ain’t fantastic, but they’re on par with everything else. I do got leg shots but I’m starting to feel like an attention whore. I did see a very small and grainy photograph of yourself looking freakishly jacked somewhere on your log… holy sheepshit!!!
hell those pic don’t count. That was when I was a young pup. No I was just wondering about leg shots. Since I believe you mention about doing a BB comp. But you where concern about the lack of Tested comps. in your neck of the woods.
I’d post a training update for saturday’s deadlifts, but I’m kinda distracted… After spending four hours on the tattoo artist’s couch of pain, grinding my teeth to fine powder, Lamaze breathing, whilst finding my inner fucking Zen space!!! Still, the result was supremely cool.
Deadlift - 5x205, 5x225, 7x265
A1 Deadlift - 3x10x225
A2 far bar db laterals - 3x10x30
db incline bench - 5x6x80
plate pinches w 20lb - 40s, 35s, 30s, 25s
calf raise - 4x18x260
So I’m in the middle of my 10-rep-set of deadlifts. This tends to put me in my “zone”, where I’m concentrating on FINISHING THE DAMNED MOVEMENT BEFORE I DIE and not so much the things going on around me, when a figure in hot pink comes into my peripheral vision. And then right into my personal space probably 18 inches behind me and to my left. Now I’m distracted. Then she starts talking to her boyfriend “he doesn’t even know I’m here” loud enough that I can hear her over Pink shrieking at me to RAISE MY F##KING GLASS through my earphones.
Now she’s a friend of mine. But as much as I like her, what in heaven’s name possesses a person to get inside the swinging distance of the barbell when a guy is grunting and sweating his way through a heavy set!?!?!?
For shame!
Since yesterday I voluntarily submitted myself to four hours of what would qualify under the Geneva Convention as torture if it were done to an enemy combatant on the field of engagement, I’m taking a couple of days off.
Dog, that is not an old picture. It was taken Sunday at 4:30 pm, when the ink and the blood were still fresh.
Saturday
Deadlift - 5x205, 5x225, 7x265
A1 Deadlift - 3x10x225
A2 far bar db laterals - 3x10x30
db incline bench - 5x6x80
plate pinches w 20lb - 40s, 35s, 30s, 25s
calf raise - 4x18x260
So I’m in the middle of my 10-rep-set of deadlifts. This tends to put me in my “zone”, where I’m concentrating on finishing the damned movement before I die and not so much the things going on around me, when a figure in hot pink comes into my peripheral vision. And then right into my personal space probably 18 inches behind me and to my left. Now I’m distracted. Then she starts talking to her boyfriend “he doesn’t even know I’m here” loud enough that I can hear her over Pink shrieking at me to RAISE MY F##KING GLASS through my earphones.
Now she’s a friend of mine. But as much as I like her, what in heaven’s name possesses a person to get inside the swinging distance of the barbell when a guy is grunting and sweating his way through a heavy set!?!?!?
For shame!
Since yesterday I voluntarily submitted myself to four hours of what would qualify under the Geneva Convention as torture if it were done to an enemy combatant on the field of engagement, I’m taking a couple of days off.
Dog, that is a recent photo. Taken at 4:30pm Sunday when the ink and blood were still fresh.
