ZM Strong like Bull training log (Tactical Barbell training log)

Training Training Logs
1006

Breakfast:
2 eggs
1 pack beef jerky
1 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup protein granola
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 cup milk
----Total: 946 Kcal, 42g fat, 70g carbs, 71g protein

Lunch:
1 turkey cheese sandwich
1 grape juice box
----Total: 472 Kcal, 16g fat, 50g carbs, 29g protein

Snacks:
2/3 orange
1 can tuna
2 spreadable cheese wedges
1 packet protein oatmeal
----Total: 469 Kcal, 9g fat, 41g carbs, 50g protein

978 Kcal and 61g protein remaining.

Today was good. Had our German test, easy, and our AP Euro multiple choice exam, not too hard.

Now start Thanksgiving break. Tomorrow I will be able to finish my testing. Weighted Pullups, Weighted Dips, Weighted Lunge, and Kettlebell swing.

For weighted lunge, is there any variation that might be better than another for this program? Im thinking in terms of dumbbell lunge, barbell lunge, other way of holding (if that effects how the exercise performs significantly?)

Weighted dips should be fun. Never really have done them before. I can do a few with my backpack on me, but that’s all I’ve ever done, like 3, not for a workout, just testing if I can do it or not.

1007

Barbell lunges will make it so that grip isn’t the limiting factor like would happen in a dumbbell lunge.

1 Like
1008

I don’t think grip would be a limiting factor, so I will probably do DB lunges. But, if it happens that my grip gives out, I can switch to barbell for the rest of the sets if needed.

I might do barbell lunge though, Since it probably would be good for core stability, maybe moreso than DB lunge.

Barbell lunge just looks cooler in my opinion, too.

I could do both I guess, and alternate between workouts maybe, Idk.

1009

Would this be a good investment?

I have 700 and some dollars, and I want to buy gym equipment.
Barbell, with weights. I found one that 260lbs (I think not including barbell), For 233.13 (down 133 dollars for Black Friday deal). This seems cheap and would be good for me.

I just need to get a bench rack then, and something to hold it while squatting.

I can get some kettlebells too, then

Of course, I can get more as time goes on.

Would this be a reasonable investment? I can then train over the summer without going to the gym (this guarantees me free weightlifting forever, or until something needs to get replaced) This will offer long-term savings. I think this is a good investment

The only issue is space. I would have to make some space, and I don’t have an issue with that at all.

1010

Space will be an issue for a bit. I was talking to dad, and then thinking about it. We would have to carry all the weights up a flight of steps to my room. Its probably not good for the house too (its on the third floor). So were going to have to make room in the garage.

This might take a little, we just need to get my chemistry stuff out of the way of everything and put shelves in for it. Once we have room its all fine, but we don’t have room

I will have to find some good deals, since we aren’t buying it tonight.

Oh well

1011

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WHAT IS THIS ABOMINATION!?

1012

I love home gyms.

Do you know if this is a standard weight set of an olympic? You’d want the latter.

1 Like
1013

Its an Olympic set (or that’s what it says atleast).

I think I have my goal of what Im really saving up for. A home gym. I good, nice sized home gym. Its one of the greatest investments I would say. I know Il using it basically forever, and as long as I buy stuff that isn’t cheap, my future kids can use it (assuming I find a wife).

I wanted to get chemistry glassware, but, that isn’t much of an investment. If I work in chemistry, the company will have all the stuff at the site, I won’t be needing it.

Weight lifting is more important than chemistry as a hobby.

It will save money for my brother, since he won’t have to keep my membership to the gym payed for. I won’t have to buy a gym membership when I’m older, either.

I was originally saving up money to buy land and build a house, but, I’m not sure if that’s a reasonable goal for myself. Given the current state of the world, I don’t know if the money is going to be worth anything in a decade. Plus, when I get a job over the summer, I will have a reliable inflow of money. I can set a part of that money away for savings for eventually getting a mortgage or whatever.

So I think my priority is to make my own home gym.

November 22 2025, Rest and Retest week Day 6.

Today I will be testing Weighted dips, weighted pullups, weighted lunge, and kettlebell swings. Hard to believe Mass protocol is starting in only 2 days. Crazy.

Will do some more research on getting gym equipment. From what ive seen, I should get adjustable dumbbells that ‘compound’ as much weight as want, and a good quality barbell with weights. I will need a benchpress rack, and a squat rack. I will need kettlebells also. Eventually it would be good to get a few simple machines, and I will probably look for that in the squat rack purchase. A barbell with weights will suffice for most movements, though, so that’s good.

Anything else I should consider getting?

Time for breakfast

1 Like
1014

Breakfast:
3 eggs
5/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup protein granola
Most of a kiwi (dropped a slice)
1 cup milk
----Total: 893 Kcal, 40g fat, 65g carbs, 65g protein

I will be able to do my workout around Noon/1:00 today. That gives me some time to do stuff today. I will do a bit of research on gym equipment, and then work on cleaning the garage some in preparation to make room for adding a gym area.

1015

Gym equipment is EXPENSIVE.

On my list I have an Olympic barbell coming with 260lbs of weights, a power rack (with a latpulldown, weight storage, row, pullups bar, other stuff), and an adjustable incline bench

This costs $578.62 at the moment.

It seems like a really good deal and I think I want to get it. We will just need to get something for the floor. Oh and kettlebells.

1016

Check Facebook market for deals. And if you wait until Feb, a lot of New Year’s regret gets posted online.

Horse stall mats are good to protect floors.

1 Like
1017

Did my testing. The gym didn’t have a weight belt so I had to improvise a little

Dips (using dip machine) 207.5 x 10 (maxed out the machine so I had to go for reps. Will have to calculate. Equiv, to about 45 lbs higher than my bodyweight
Pullups (lat pulldown): 205 x 2 (about 40-45lbs higher than my bodyweight
Lunge: 60lb dumbbells x 4 (might have been able to do more but inner thigh was feeling a little strange in a bad way, so I called it short. I think it was muscular, though, so It needs to be strengthened. Lunges are going to be good
Kettlebell swing: 70lbs x 20 (there werent any 75lb ones. There was an 80lb that I tried after the 20, but back wasn’t happy. I think using the 75lber at school will be good.

Trying barbell lunge, it wasn’t bad, but, I don’t think I will use it. Not used to form really, and I didn’t like how it felt. It didn’t hurt, but i didn’t like it.

The dips surpised me. Didn’t think I would be able to do that much weight.
I don’t think I can. A calculated 1rm is 241lbs, which is 80lbs over my bodyweight. There’s not a chance I can strap a 45 and a 35 on a belt and do dips. No way. I refuse to believe that. It doesn’t even make sense, dips are supposed to be harder than Benchpress, right? Although
 no maybe not. I could do dips at 150 long before I could bench 150. So maybe it is right idk.

Nevermind, apparently the calculator put in a 6. The real number is 276.5LBS UH
 I don’t think so! that’s 110lbs extra to my bodyweight


1018

All the numbers for 1RMs

Bench: 200
Squat: 255
OHP: 100
Deadlift: 285

Tricep ext: 90
BB curl: 95
Weighted Dips +110 (no)
Pullups: +50 (doubtful but maybe)
Lunge: 130 (65 dumbbells)
Kettlebell swing: /Null/ (exception: see below)

Kettlebell swings I will be doing as a rep goal (70 x 20 with room to spare, so Im going to guess 75lbs for 20 reps is a max limit for me). I think this would be more beneficial for me. I plan on adding 5 each week, which would mean on week 12 I will be doing 75lbs for 75 reps. That’s a nice coincedence. I normally don’t believe in coincidences, but THIS is a real one.

1 Like
1019

In my experience, I can dip more than I can bench

1 Like
1020

UGH
We’re never going to be able to make room for the gym in our garage!

The only way to get some room is to put away EVERYTHING in my area and have it all moved to some area other than it, and even then there would not be enough room to have a comfortably sized area.
Nevertheless
 It might work. The power rack has weight plate holders, and I can put a bench in it. It could work. We would HAVE to get everything out of the way though. I might start working on that now. I have a chemistry project going on right now
 ugh I need to retire it or something its useless I don’t need it right now its just making copper acetate. Im going to work on it

1021

I just need to get the one wall cleared out, and move some stuff around, then I could fit a powerrack in the garage

This is doable.

1022

Another option is to move away from a rack and look toward stands

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They tend to be cheaper and a lower footprint, as you can just store them in a corner when you’re done.

You can still set up a bench in them, and if you need a spotter system, you can use saw horses

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(You can also see how this guy did a DIY for the squat stands, making them VERY inexpensive)

And you can still set up a bench in there

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From there, if you want a place to do chins and dips, you could use the money saved to get a power tower

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And really, if you have the power tower, you technically don’t even need a bench: you can do your horizontal pressing with weighted dips.

There are a LOT of low footprint AND low cost gym options out there.

2 Likes
1023

I suppose that would work. Would definitely go the route of buying one, since we don’t have much quality wood. And even if we bought wood, I wouldn’t trust it enough to use it consistently for bench, squat, OHP, etc.

The power rack is something I really want because it included A LOT of stuff. It has a lat pulldown/tricep extension, a weighted row, landmine attachment, pullup bar, dip bars, weight storage, barbell storage, barbell end locks, and other useful stuff. The price seems really good to, and I think I’ve heard of that brand before (it might be the one they use in our school gym)

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I actually have a powertower (similar to the one you showed, just no back rest, arm pads, or verticle handles) already, I got one for my room on my birthday this year

I have a set of free standing dip bars too, so I can use that for stuff.

November 23 Last day of Rest/Retest week. Just resting today.

I get to go fishing again, we are leaving in about an hour so can’t type much more gotta get breakfast and get ready for the day.

1024

Fishing trip wasn’t too great. Caught nothing, was cold, and finally my glove got caught in the two treble hooks on the lure. So I went back to the car until my brother came back to drive (about 15 minutes. I learned how to turn the heat on. Apparently turning the A/C on with the heat does not make it warmer. Then I learned I had to turn the car ALL the way on. Then I finally turned the A/C off and was finally getting warm. We drove home afterwards because there was nothing open I presume (given its a Sunday). I was nodding off for like 30-45 minutes, as my eyes were really heavy feeling. Then he said something, and that stimulated my brain enough to turn on. So then I was awake for the rest of the 30 minutes.

I ate a donut as a snack coming home. Not the best choice but oh well.

1025

Breakfast+Donut
3 eggs
1 pack protein oatmeal
6 raspberries
1 donut
----Total: 706 Kcal, 32g fat, 67g carbs, 34g protein

Need to eat some real food.

I have my measurements for the start of Mass.
164 lbs
Waist: 33 inches
Chest: 40 inches (measured under the armpits)
Biceps: 13.5 inches
Thigh: 23.5 inches
Glute: 37 inches (like a waist measurement but lower down so it incorporates the glutes)

Will be interesting to see how these numbers progress.
Chest size is up from the last time I checked (39 inches). So that’s good (could just be fatter though too, but I don’t know)