The Pursuit of Mythical Gains

[MarkKO]

@The_Myth

I have made tremendous progress

Good.

@The_Myth

Going to cut calories and some weight - I was 196 this morning at 15.5 percent body fat. I’m only cutting 500 calories a day so I hope it won’t slow my strength gains.

Try 250 instead. Your abs will reappear when you really need them. Any calorie cut will most probably slowly your strength gains so work in baby cuts to find the sweet spot.

[The_Myth]

Yeah, I’m worried about this, but will experiment and see what happens.

[MarkKO]

@The_Myth

I’m more looking at 1700-3500 a week and trying to cycle carbs.

A week?! I go through 3000+ a day.

Carb cycling is good. I do it and it really seems to help.

[The_Myth]

A reduction of 1700-3500 per week, lol.

[The_Myth]

May 3, 2016
W6D1

SQUATS 3X5@240 RPE 9
BENCH 3X5@187.5 RPE 8.5
CLEANS 5X3@125 RPE 6

[MarkKO]

@The_Myth

So, I hit my reps but felt like the gym smashed me. It is the first workout after returning from vacation, so that may have something to do with it. I am in a mild caloric deficit, that might have something to do with it. I will just go with the flow and see how I feel on Thursday, but I may keep the squat at 240, or I may add five. Auto regulation, right?

Spot on in 20 characters.

[The_Myth]

May 5, 2016
W6D2

SQUATS 3X5@245 RPE 10
OHP 3X5@137.5 RPE 10
DL 1X5@255 RPE 9

[MarkKO]

I can’t magine DL after pressing would be fun. Pressing after DL is bad enough.

[Benanything]

Really? I don’t really find much difference to be honest haha, maybe it’s because I’m still moving some light ass weight.

[The_Myth]

@Benanything

I’m still moving some light ass weight.

60kgs x 2.2 = 132 pounds.

[Benanything]

Well, it’s all relative isn’t it haha? I would very much like to strict press 315 one day so it does seem pretty light in comparison. Besides, you’re the one dealing with the real shit here. Being old(no offense but you’re old enought to be my dad haha) and raising a family etc etc whereas I’m the young buck who just goes to school, chase tail and lift weights.

[MarkKO]

I find it noticeably harder to keep my midsection tight when pressing after deadlifting, and that affects my press. My upper back tends to be tired too, so I also find it harder to lock my scaps down.

[The_Myth]

@Benanything

Besides, you’re the one dealing with the real shit here.

Very kind of you.

[MarkKO]

@The_Myth

more for my back than for increasing pressure, but it’s helpful for both. I do other core exercises to make up for it. Does this make me a dork?

All a belt does is increase pressure. Wearing it to press doesn’t make you a dork but I’d suggest that unless you’re using the belt to increase pressure, don’t wear it and learn how to increase pressure without it when pressing.

[Benanything]

@The_Myth

Very kind of you. I’d love to press three plates as well, but I’d also like to be rich and good looking, which ain’t happening either. You, with the benefit of time, have a shot.

Well, I guess I’m lucky enough to have a shot at all 3(oh wait, I’m already good looking, I kid) even, hahahaha.

@The_Myth

I actually wear my belt when pressing, more for my back than for increasing pressure, but it’s helpful for both.

From my (very limited) experiences in strongman, you might be on to something. However, that being said, you might want to look into using a brace of sorts. Some people swear by the spud deadlift belt(looks like a fancy brace to me) for overhead presses and dynamic strongman events so… Personally, my philosophy with training gear (belts/sleeves/straps/etc) is somewhere along the lines of… They’re your trump card, use them when necessary. I generally spend 80% of my training beltless and to be frank, this has led to me being conformable when I start using belts again. I would consider it a good problem to have. Get used to being comfortable with belts, boom, even heavier weights lifted.

[The_Myth]

@MarkKO

All a belt does is increase pressure.

Somehow this keeps my back more comfortable.

@Benanything

I generally spend 80% of my training beltless

Yeah, I try to.

[MarkKO]

@The_Myth

When I press, it feels like my tailbone raises and it feels as if it creates pressure on my lower back and the belt seems to eliminate this - probably through creating pressure through my core.

A better approach would be to squeeze your glutes hard throughout the press. It sounds like your pelvis tilts anteriorly which will certainly be putting strain on your lower back. A belt.may make you feel better, but won’t do anything to fix the underlying issue.

[The_Myth]

That sounds right.

[The_Myth]

May 7, 2016
W6D3

SQUATS 3X5@250 RPE 9
BENCH 1X5@190, 2X5@185 RPE 10
PC - Um, see below.

[Benanything]

@The_Myth

I watched him squat (didn’t get the number), OHP at 205 for reps, and DL at 380 for reps. I know that isn’t that impressive, but I suspect it was just a regular work out for him and suggests he might now what he is doing.

The ability to coach and the ability to lift is two different things entirely. That being said, I’ve yet to see a 700lbs+ deadlifter who has absolutely no clue as to what he is doing right. Just be open minded and see where this takes you. Best of luck.