Ben's Training Log

[BenE]

Friday, March 30

Press: 2x5x45, 5x75, 3x95, 2x115, 3x3x125, 12x105

Barbell Curl: 3x6x55

Chinups: 3x6

Both lifts went well and with some difficulty, I got all the chins in 3 sets, nice way to end the week. Need to find a new track to run on or a better time because track season has started.

[BenE]

Monday, April 2

Squat: 2x5x45, 5x135, 5x225, 2x275, 2x295, 2x305, 1x315, 4x275, 10x225
These felt ok. Video of all sets from warmup 2x275 through last burn set is here.

RDL: 3x6x185
These felt pretty heavy but the good news is my grip seemed to be ok.

Hill Sprints: 6x60
I wasn't able to go full out because my Achilles is still bugging me. I think I re-tweaked it this weekend playing soccer. I don't really notice it throughout the day but I feel it right away when I start sprinting. I don't try push it because I don't want to hurt it any further.

[BenE]

Tuesday, April 3

Bench: 2x5x45, 5x95, 3x135, 2x185, 1x205, 2x215, 1x225, 3x205, 8x185
205 and 215 warmups felt heavy so I was a little worried about my first attempt at 225. It went up slow but it went up, 225 is a PR.

Tricep Ext: 5x10x65
Last 3 reps of 5th set were slow, the rest were ok.

Push Ups: 4x20
Slow fourth set but overall push ups felt good today.

Rower: 5x100, 15 seconds rest
I like the short intense intervals.

[BenE]

Thursday, April 5

Squat: 2x5x45, 5x135, 3x185, 2x5x225

Deads: 2x5x135, 3x225, 2x275, 1x305, 1x315, 4x1x330
Deadlift felt good today. My first attempt at 330. Video of the 4 at 330 is here.

Barbell Row: 3x8x165

Sprints: 2 laps, sprint straights/jog corners
SPRING BREAK! All that means for me is the track was open. Sprints felt fine, my Achilles only hurt while jogging the corners. I haven't done these in 3 weeks. I was huffing and puffing when I finished.

[BenE]

Friday, April 6

Press: 2x5x45, 5x75, 3x95, 2x115, 3x2x135
Heavy sets went up fast and easy.

Barbell Curl: 3x6x70
I thought the 15 lb. increase from last week would be tough but these were easy too.

Chins: 3x6
Got them all in 3 sets again. I think if my hands weren't so sore I would be able to do more. I'm hoping my grip will eventually adapt to the deadlifts, which I assume is what is causing the most damage.

I had to check the bar several times this week to make sure my weights were right. Everything felt light and easy. I'm sure it had more to do with the lower volume than the weight but this has been a good week.

[BenE]

Monday, April 9

Squat: 2x5x45, 5x135, 5x225, 2x275, 1x295, 5x3x305
8 minute rests between sets. I probably could have rested less but I didn't want to end up like a couple weeks ago and have to do 8 or 9 sets. Video of last two sets is here.

RDL: 3x6x185

Hill Sprints: 6x60 yrds
My Achilles felt fine all day. On the first sprint it tightened up a bit but after that it was good. I probably need to warm it up a bit before starting.

[BenE]

Tuesday, April 10

Bench: 2x5x45, 5x95, 3x135, 2x185, 10x2x205
3 minute rests between heavy sets. These were a little harder than I thought they would be at 205.

Tricep Ext: 5x15x65
These were tough today. Last few reps of sets 4 and 5 were pretty slow.

Rower: 1x100, 1x2000
Did the 2000 in 8:03.

[CFB]

Just watched your squat video. Always good to see others are also fighting with the 5x5s. However, great job on the squat, keep going!

[BenE]

Thursday, April 12

I got my belt yesterday from Best Belts so this was my first chance to try it out.

Squat: 2x5x45, 5x135, 3x185, 2x5x225

Deads: 2x5x135, 5x225, 3x275, 2x315, 5x335, 5x275,10x225
I used the belt on the 2x315 warmup and the 5x335. It felt kind of weird getting set before the lift but once the bar was about to my knees the belt really helped out. The heavy set of 5x335 was tough. My 5th rep at 335 was pretty shaky, I didn't get video today so I'm not sure if I locked it out at the top. After the heavy reps, the burn set at 225 was the real killer, I did fine through about 7 reps but the last 3 were rough.

Barbell Row: 3x6x175
I struggle with the rows after deadlift because my hands are so torn up. I got through them but my back was probably too upright on some of them.

Sprints: 10x40yd, 75% effort
I did a nice slow jog before I started these and that helped warmup my Achilles. Didn't feel it much at all through the 10.

[CFB]

I'm interested in your experience with this new belt. How thick is your belt? I heard a lot of good things about Best Belts. Do they have a Website for ordering?