BigA's Log

[BigA]

Press (no belt): 155 x 3
BW Pull-ups: 3, 3, 3
Barbell Curls: 85 x 5, 65 x 10 x 2
Lateral Raises

Real training starts again next week!

[BigA]

Squat (no belt + no wraps): 315 x 1 x 3
Press (no belt): 155 x 3, 155 x 3, 155 x 3
BW Pull-ups: 3, 3, 3

Morning bodyweight: 244

I took a layoff due to school and getting sick. I'm back now and I'm going to keep trudging along. I have noticed that my squat always detrains very quickly during my layoffs. In fact, it is my worst lift in general technique wise and detraining wise. My press is almost the exact same as before, even at a lower bodyweight. It's kind of strange because I have decent levers for squatting although they are not fantastic. The 315 singles were really shaky.

I'm going to change up my press programming to 3 x 3 two times per week. I feel like the volume isn't doing too much for me and pressing heavy in general is a skill in itself. Reps are usually a hit or miss and any slight deviation from the midfoot causes a miss. So i'm going to practice this. I'm also going to try to start incline benching again. My pecs have completely atrophied to a non-trained state, it's a little bit funny looking.

Lastly, i'm going to cut out any bodybuilding work. I tried it but I just don't care enough to do it at the end of my workout. I will keep doing curls since I do them heavy and pull-ups don't provide appreciable stimulation to the biceps. If I eat better and throw in some conditioning, that will be enough.

I'm almost done with school, I just have 3 weeks left plus summer classes. Making those financial stability gains.

[BigA]

SLDL (no belt + hook grip + chalk): 385 x 5
Incline Bench Press: 185 x 5, 185 x 5, 185 x 4

I want to mention one more programming change. I'm going to start doing SLDL's for just 1 set of 5 only week like regular deadlifts and see if I can still make progress. It would be nice if I can get over 500 with just 1 set. The 3 sets of 5 have taken me from 235 to 390 but I am now questioning if it was even necessary.

Since I usually train alone, I'm only going to do the reps on incline if I know I can do them. If there is any doubt in my mind, I'm not going to do that last rep or two. This will lead to slower progress but until I get a rack, I don't want to stuck with the bar on my chest.

Anways, Onwards!

[BigA]

Squat (no belt + no wraps): 315 x 5, 285 x 5 x 2

I have had issues with having a consistent form in the past for squats. However, today I tried breaking from the knees (since I high bar squat) and everything suddenly fell into place. It's like I learned how to squat again. I will keep doing this and see how it works out.

[BigA]

Press (no belt): 157.5 x 2, 157.5 x 2, 157.5 x 2
BW pull-ups: 1, 1, 3, 3, 3
Incline Bench Press: 185 x 3, 185 x 3, 185 x 3
Barbell Curls: 85 x 5, 65 x 10 x 2

I was not fully recovered today from the last upper body workout. I still need time to adapt from the lay-off. Hopefully this happens by Saturday. My triceps are exhausted.

I saw a girl today squatting 230 for 6 sets of 4 to IPF depth. I asked her if she competes and she said she competes in the USAPL. That was pretty cool to see and very uncommon.

[BigA]

SLDL (no belt + hook grip + chalk): 390 x 5

[BigA]

Squat (no belt + no wraps): 325 x 5, 295 x 5 x 2

Morning bodyweight: 246.8

My diet has been better the last week and a half (more protein, less fat) and I have lost several pounds.

[BigA]

Press (no belt): 160 x 2, 160 x 2, 160 x 2 (I forgot my microplates at home)
BW Pull-ups: 4, 3, 2.75
Barbell Curl: 85 x 5, 65 x 10 x 2
Incline Bench Press: 185 x 4, 185 x 4, 185 x 4

Post-workout bodyweight (after drinking 2 bottles of Gatorade): 247.6

[BigA]

Squat (no belt + no wraps): 335 x 5, 305 x 5 x 2

[BigA]

Press (no belt): 160 x 3, 160 x 2, 160 x 2
BW pull-ups: 4, 3, 3
Barbell Curl: 87.5 x 5, 65 x 10 x 2
Incline Bench Press: 185 x 3, 185 x 3, 185 x 3

I wasn't fully recovered today. This and next week are finals weeks for me (I am attending 2 different colleges at once). Also, my healthy eating is causing me to lose some weight.

Morning bodyweight: 245.6