Barry's "Get Stronger Until I Can't" Log

[BarryF]

Monday 10/30/2017

Decided to compete on 11/5/2017. Yes, this coming Sunday. It was good timing as I was at the end of a cycle and was planning to test this week anyway.

Squat: Warming up to opener
45x10x2
135x8
225x5
315x1x2
365x1
405x1
435x1. Body feeling really beat up. I'm 6 days out and considered doing a little more work today in order to not detrain, but felt like I needed to take it easier for recovery. Maybe I'll do some really light squats Wednesday??

Deadlift:
315x2
405x1
455x1
495x1
was going to warm up to a single at 525 which should be about 90% but again, feeling really beat up. 495 felt like hell. I usually need around 7-8 days off in order to feel pretty recovered from deadlifts, so I decided to take it easy. Again, hoping I don't detrain before the meet.

I've gained some weight on purpose...had to work really hard to do so. Pigging out all the time, constantly uncomfortably full. Around 210 a.m. weight. I should be around 204 for the meet but honestly, I'm just trying to get as strong as I can right now and not too concerned with which weight class I'm in. I don't want to give up the little ground I've gained and lose strength dropping 5-6 lbs. Really want to see if the weight gain helps my lifts go up, and I had to fight like hell to gain the weight. So I'll probably end up a few pounds over for the weight class that I should be in, and way to light for the next weight class.

Going to try not to make predictions for my lifts. I know what I would like to hit but I'll let my 1st and 2nd attempts determine my 3rds. For 1st and 2nd I'm thinking:

Squat: 425/455/4xx
Bench: 275/295/3xx
Deadlift: 525/550/5xx

[BarryF]

Competed on 11/05/2017 after dirty bulking for 6 -8 weeks, which resulted in, at most, 4-5 lbs of not so lean body weight. Weighed in at 208.6 lbs(I'm 5'8"). The weight gain did not translate well to strength, might just have been an off day.

Went 9/9, chose my attempts well. I didn't leave much, if anything, on the table. Lifted to my ability for the day.
Squat 462
Bench 303
Deadlift 562
Instagram

USAPL sanctioned meet.

Based on this, I decided to drop some body fat, get lean(ish) in order to be able to comfortably gain 15 or so lbs over the course of this year for improved strength gains.

Got busy with life, full time school, working, kids in college etc etc etc, but I've been training.

Current BW 197.

Today's training:

Press:
155x5x3
135x8x2

Some dumbbell curls to ease a little tendinitis/strain in left bicep and give shoulders/triceps a few minutes rest.

Bench:
205x10x4

Dumbell bench: (first time doing this, took it easy)
60,65,70's x 8

Cable pushdowns
60,70,70x14

[BarryF]

Monday 1/22/2018

BW 198

Bench:
285x1
245x5x5

Dumbell Curls 4x8

Press:
135x6x5

Pushdowns 4x15

Competing on 3/18. USAPL event. I'll be light. Focus will be to keep lifts as close to my last meet as possible while coming in about 20 lbs lighter.

[BarryF]

Tuesday 1/23/2018

Squat:
315x5x3. feeling rough. This was supposed to be 4x8

Deadlift:
w/u to 455x1(easy 3x5 weight) felt bad
405x1
called it.

[BarryF]

Thursday 1/25/2018

BW 194.6 (-14.2)

Press:
160x5x2. I think my PR here is 3x5 with this weight. Press has come back pretty quick considering I haven't pressed in a good 6-8 months.
145x5x3

DB Curls 4x8ish

Bench:
225x6x5

Pushdowns:
4x15

[Oldster]

Competed on 11/05/2017 after dirty bulking for 6 -8 weeks, which resulted in, at most, 4-5 lbs of not so lean body weight. Weighed in at 208.6 lbs(I'm 5'8"). The weight gain did not translate well to strength, might just have been an off day.

Went 9/9, chose my attempts well. I didn't leave much, if anything, on the table. Lifted to my ability for the day.
Squat 462
Bench 303
Deadlift 562

Wow, great lifting, Barry!

[skid]

Wow, great lifting, Barry!

Ditto, that's a hell of a total! Must be near or above the record for your state

[BarryF]

Wow, great lifting, Barry!

Ditto, that's a hell of a total! Must be near or above the record for your state

Thanks guys, although last year was a bit discouraging for me as far as the amount of progress I made on my lifts. I think its time to invest in some coaching. Soon.

Tuesday 1/30/2018
BW 193.2 (-15.4 lbs)

Squat:
w/u to 365x1. Unfortunately, didn't feel as light and easy as it should have to didn't ramp up any further
315x5x4

Deadlift:
w/u to 455x1. Again, should have been light and easy. Wasn't
405x5x3

DB Curls
20's-50's and everything in between x 8

[BarryF]

Wednesday 1/31/2018

Bench:
225x6x4, 225x8@8.5

Press:
135x5,6,7,8

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 2/2/2018
Press:
160x5x2
145x5x3

DB Curls:
20's-50's x 8

Bench:
205x8x5

Pushdowns:
60x15
70x15x4

[BarryF]

Sunday 2/4/2018
BW 196

Squat:
365x1
405x1
335x5x4

Deadlift:
405, 455, 500x1
405x5x3