Finding Out that the Iron Never Lies

[bustermonkey2]

May 23, 2014

Press @ 200-1. Ok-little tough. I do feel like my press is getting stronger, possibly due to incline press.
Press @ 160 lbs- 4,4,4,4. Little tough.

Chins- 10,11,11. No kipping.

Incline Press @ 195 lbs- 10,10,10. Tough.

Dips w/ 70- lbs- 7,7,7. Tough.

[bustermonkey2]

May 26, 2014

Deadlift @ 495 lbs-1. Tough.

After I did 495, Shawn Frankl happened to be there and he helped me on my deadlift form. Shawn Frankl has set numerous powerlifting records- he has squatted over 1000 lbs(with gear) at bodyweight of 198 lbs and benched over 800 lbs (with gear) at 220 lbs. Shawn works out occasionally at my gym but I probably only see him about 2-3 times a year due to having different schedules. He is very friendly and helpful. Shawn watched me pull a few lighter sets and had me set up with arms a little closer together and hips closer to the bar. He is an advocate of the take a big breath while standing then slowly compress just enough to grip bar like you are compressing a spring and then standing up.

I was able to figure out some form changes and it does feel like a much shorter pull. Hopefully, it will help drive my deadlift higher as I have always felt my deadlift form was the worst.

Deadlift @ 405 lbs- 2,1 Working on form

Deadlift @ 385 lbs- 4,4,4. Tiring.

Deadlift @ 225 lbs-3,2. Working on form.

[bustermonkey2]

May 27, 2014

Bench @ 345 lbs- 1. Little tough.
Bench @ 270 lbs- 4,4,4,4. Ok.

Close grip bench @ 210 lbs- 10,10,10. Little tough.

[Róbert Kovács]

Must have been a great experience!

[bustermonkey2]

Yes- I have never had anyone coach me (other than myself) so it's taken a long time to correct form errors.

[bustermonkey2]

May 30, 2014

Squat @ 445 lbs- 1. Pretty tough.
Squat @ 342 lbs- 4,4,4,4. Little tough.

Squat off pins @ 235 lbs- 5,5,5. Ok but tiring.

Leg Press @ 435 lbs- 5,5,5. Tough and tiring.

Hang. Leg Raises- 7,7,7.

[bustermonkey2]

May 31,2014

Press @ 205-1- Pretty tough.
Press @ 165 lbs- 4,4,4,4. Pretty tough.

Chins-10
Chins w/ 45 lbs- 5,5. Tough.

Incline Press @ 205 lbs- 5,5,7. Tough last set.

Dips w/ 75 lbs- 8,8,10.

[bustermonkey2]

June 3, 2014
Bodyweight @ 226 lbs

Deadlift @ 505 lbs-1. Tough but not terrible. No grinding at all. By taking my breath before I bend over and keeping my hips closer, I do feel like it was a bit easier. I just have to grip and rip it though as I'm pretty lighted if I delay at all after the breath.
Deadlift @ 390 lbs- 4,4,4,4. Pretty tough-tough.

[bustermonkey2]

June 9, 2014
I had to take a few days off due to car being in the shop and family visiting from out of town. I did just receive my new 4" squat and 2.5" deadlift belts from Best Belts. They are super nice and ready for training as I got the athlete.

Squats @ 425 lbs-1. Ok. This is deload squats combined with regular bench day. New belt fits great.
Squats @ 347 lbs- 4,4,4,4. Little tough.

Bench @ 355 lbs-1. Tough. I wasn't very happy about this. It was largely due to using a different bench that was almost too high to rack/unrack the bar. I had to get a liftoff on this set and consequently it was tough to get into a good position. Gym was busy and I used a bench in circuit training area.
Bench @ 275 lbs- 4,4,4,4. Little tough-pretty tough, but most of the issue was the difficulty racking/unracking bar.

Close grip bench @ 215 lbs- 10,10,10. Ok.

[bustermonkey2]

June 9, 2014

I am starting some extra training for strongman comp in mid-July. I'm just going to add in 2-3 days conditioning and 2 days of working with a few implements. They haven't announced the actual events yet so I'm going to just spend some time on sled pulls, sandbag training, farmer's walk and maybe some heavy dumbbell work (they stated they are considering a heavy dumbbell press.) I haven't done any regular conditioning in a long time so it will be an adjustment.

Farmer's walk w/ 185 lbs- 2 runs at 100' (no turn). Pretty tough but not terrible. Definitely need more conditioning work as I felt very fatigued afterward.

Prowler push w/ 135 lbs- 1 run at 70'- ok
Prowler push w/ 230 lbs- 1 run at 70'- Pretty tough and tiring.

June 10, 2014
Press @ 185 lbs-1. Ok. This is a deload week. I do think I feel stronger at press right now- likely due to adding incline press movement.
Press @ 167 lbs- 4,4,4,4. Little tough.

Chins (bodywt)- 10,10,10