Brad's SS LP

[bnickelson]

Current stats

Age 39
Height 6'-2"
BW 234

Current work set as of

2016/02/07

Squat 235 3x5
Bench 165 3x5
Deadlift 325 1x5

[bnickelson]

Current work set as of

2016/02/09

Squat 245 3x5
Press 115 3x5
Deadlift 335 1x5

Had some trouble with the squat. I kept wanting to lean forward/weight on front of foot. I was a little nervous squatting at a half rack for the first time versus squatting in the full rack.

I used my chuck's for the first time. Squatting felt a little weird at first, like my foot wanted to "roll out", but I got the hang of it. I really liked them for the deadlifts.

I've been jumping 10 pounds in squats & dead's, but now will only increase 5 pounds at a shot. I'm going to try to work in power cleans (if I'm coordinated enough) so my deadlift frequency will now decrease.

Onwards and upwards....

[pbetros]

Welcome aboard.

I'm about 6mths into power cleans and still suck at them but it's worth persevering...

good luck!

[Tobias Sjösten]

Following! Not bad numbers to start off with. What's your background, coming in to SS?

[bnickelson]

Thanks!

Day 1 was actually 01/23/2016, I need to revise my first post and show the first few workouts.

Background? Causally lifting weights since age 12 or so.

I've followed "big arms" & "big legs" programs in my twenties, but this is the first time for a strength program & the first time squatting since high school. I've got nothing to prove & no one to impress, so I'm going to stick to the program as written, eat clean & enough & see what happens.

I turn 40 in a month & don't want to look like or feel like the other 40+ year olds I work with (tired & weak).

Thanks,
Brad

[carson]

I've always used DoWins for all lifts. However, many argue that a flatter shoe, like the chucks, are good for Deads but not good for Squats. I'm thinking of trying a flatter shoe for DL just to see if it makes any difference.

Keep up the good work.

[bnickelson]

Current work set as of:

2016/02/13

BW 236

Squat 250 3x5
Bench 170 3x5
Deadlift 345 1x5

Practiced power cleans a little after workout. Ackward, but I'll stick with it.

Deadlifts were a grinder, the weak link was my grip on reps 4 & 5.
I won't get back into the gym until Tuesday, so I should be fully recoverd.

[carson]

Current work set as of:

2016/02/13

BW 236

Squat 250 3x5
Bench 170 3x5
Deadlift 345 1x5

Practiced power cleans a little after workout. Ackward, but I'll stick with it.

Deadlifts were a grinder, the weak link was my grip on reps 4 & 5.
I won't get back into the gym until Tuesday, so I should be fully recoverd.

I assume that you use chalk and have tried mixed grip.

[bnickelson]

Yes to the chalk, haven't tried the reverse grip yet. May try it next time. Would grip training help at all? Maybe pinch blocks???

[carson]

The best grip training is to do the DL. I suppose pinch blocks and other things would help. Grip strength takes time to improve. I think I've increased it by fifty pounds over a year but I still do reverse grip for anything nearing my maximum lifts.