Finding Out that the Iron Never Lies

[bustermonkey2]

Dec 18, 2015
Bodywt 225 lbs

Bench, 1st rep paused @ 335 lbs-3
Bench w/ wraps, 1st rep paused @ 335 lbs-3
Bench w/ wraps, 1st rep paused @ 340 lbs-3 RPE 10. This was real close- good thing I had a spotter.
Bench w/ wraps, 1st rep paused @ 335 lbs-3 RPE 9.75

Sumo deadlifts @ 425 lbs-1 RPE 9 When the weight gets heavy the movement still feels artificial on sumo.
Sumo deadlifts @ 375 lbs-4,4,4,4 RPE 8.5

Press @ 160 lbs-6
Press @ 170 lbs-6
Press @ 180 lbs-6 RPE 9.5

[bustermonkey2]

Dec 21, 2015

Bench, 1st rep paused @ 300 lbs-8 My right pec has been hurting pretty consistently in the armpit area. I think I might need to reduce bench from 3 days a week to 2.
Bench, 1st rep paused @ 317 lbs-7 Fail as I wanted 8, but I was really close to hitting last rep.
Bench, 1st rep paused @ 305 lbs-8,7 RPE 9-9.25 I probably got have gotten 8th rep on last set but I didn't have a spotter and it would have been too close for comfort. My right pec is pretty sore- I'm definitely going to move bench to 2 days a week as I think the pec soreness is affecting progress.

Squats @ 420 lbs-3
Squats @ 425 lbs-3
Squats @ 465 lbs-2 PR RPE 9.25. It's possible I may even have had an extra rep here.
Squats @ 435 lbs-3 RPE 9

Chins- 11,12,12

[bustermonkey2]

Dec 23, 2015

Sumo deadlifts @ 470 lbs-1 PR RPE 9.25 Not too bad
Sumo deadlifts @ 385 lbs-4,4,4,4 RPE 9 The only real issue was my thumb on the left side kept digging into my left thigh. I'm not sure why since it's the first time I've noticed it.

Press @ 185 lbs- 3
Press @ 200 lbs-4 PR RPE 9.5
Press @ 190 lbs-3

I'm substituting floor press for regular bench on deadlift days for now because I feel like my right pec soreness is affecting my bench. On the floor press, it seems like there is much less pec involvement and I need work at that bottom point since it's my usual sticking point on bench.

Floor press @ 135 lbs-5
Floor press @ 205 lbs-5
Floor press @ 225 lbs-5 RPE 8.5

[bustermonkey2]

Dec 26, 2015

I went to the gym with 2 of my kids so I was limited in time to about an hour, and also as I was working in with my 16 year old son. I haven't seen him lift in some time and I was surprised about how much stronger he is on squats. Because of time limitations, I didn't do a full session.

Bench, 1st rep paused @ 295 lbs-8
Bench, 1st rep paused @ 305 lbs-8,6 I'm trying a more narrow grip as I suspect that I could get over the sticking point 2 inches above chest with a more narrow grip. The downside is my triceps get tired more quickly then my pecs.

Squats @ 335 lbs-8 Easy
Squats @ 355 lbs-8 RPE 8.5

Chins-15

[bustermonkey2]

Dec 28, 2015

Sumo deadlifts @ 485 lbs-1 PR RPE 9.5. I'm definitely making headway on sumo now, given that 455 was a struggle about 6 weeks ago.
Sumo deadlifts @ 395 lbs-4,4,4,4 PR RPE 9. Not too bad.

Press @ 155 lbs-8
Press @ 160 lbs-8
Press @ 170 lbs-8 RPE 9.5- very lightheaded. Need to make sure I breathe more.

Had to skip floor press because gym was crowded and the one rack I can use on floor press was occupied.

[bustermonkey2]

Dec 30, 2015

Bench, 1st rep paused @ 315 lbs-6. I used the more narrow grip and it is definitely easier to get through my sticking point.
Bench, 1st rep paused @ 320 lbs-6,6,6 RPE 9.5 More narrow grip wears out my triceps quicker but this is improvement over last session with 6's.

Squats @ 405 lbs-6,6
Squats @ 415 lbs-2 My nose started to bleed after 1st rep so I reracked it and waited a few minutes. Damn cold air.
Squats @ 415 lbs-6 PR. Rpe 9.5 Nose opened up immediately. Blood running down face and dripping on to floor through entire set but I was determined to push through it. I bet I was dropping about 9-10 drops of blood on floor with each rep. I wiped up blood with towel and it was about 1/4 covered in blood.
Squats @ 415 lbs-6 RPE 9.5 I waited a good 10 minutes before this set but I had same nosebleed issue. At this point I'm pretty sure several people had noticed so I skipped my chins because it was already getting gross. At least with squats it was mostly going on floor but I didn't see how I could do chins without most of blood getting directly on me.

[bustermonkey2]

1/2/2016

Sumo deadlifts @ 455 lbs-1 RPE 9
Sumo deadlifts @ 405 lbs-4,4,4,4 PR RPE 9 Definitely making progress on these.

Press @ 165 lbs-6
Press @ 175 lbs-6
Press @ 180 lbs-6

I wanted to do floor press but the one rack I need for these was busy. I waited a long time but 2 college bros spent an ungodly amount of time squatting the bar only for 10 sets each, them moving weight up to 55 lbs for about 10 sets each. They were taking several minutes between sets too. I finally gave up and did some dips.

Dips @ bodywt-10
Dips @ 45 lbs-10
Dips @ 90 lbs-10 RPE 9

[idlehands]

why the switch to sumo?

[bustermonkey2]

why the switch to sumo?

My deadlift has been stuck around 530-535 lbs for close to 1.5 years now despite doing different programming and seeing my squats go up about 35-40 lbs during the same time. I decided I would give sumo a few months to see if it makes any difference, since I had never really done it before. I figure 2 months trying it out won't hurt given that I'm totally stagnant on conventional. Plus, I have very short arms that don't go past my groin when I'm standing upright, so I figure I'm a good candidate for sumo. So far, it still feels a little "off" but it does seem to result in less lower back fatigue at the same weights.

Jan 4, 2016
Bodywt 230 lbs- I gained a bit of weight over the holidays.

Bench, 1st rep paused @ 335 lbs-3
Bench w/ wraps, 1st rep paused @ 340 lbs-3,3,3 RPE 9.5 Better than last time on 3's.

Squats @ 426 lbs-3
Squats @ 436 lbs-3
Squats @ 451 lbs-3 PR RE 9.75
Squats @ 436 lbs- 3 RPE 9.75. I was beat by this point.

Chins-12,12,12 RPE 9.5

[idlehands]

Well. Good luck
With the sumo ! Also that bloody squat pr is metal. [emoji869]