Tokyoadam - Novice Lifter

[Tokyoadam]

46 years old
Male
185cm (6'1")
104kg (230lbs)

I was lifting a while in a gym nearby (March to August) but eventually my long work hours and the early morning starts ended up with me lifting on 4-5 hours sleep, which kind of sucks over the long term. I went out and invested in a home gym, read SS:BBT, and am attending a SS seminar in January.

I finally started back up and am on Day 2 of my attempt to DTFP. I am going to see how strong I can get before I get too old.

Weights are in kg (lbs in brackets).

2016-11-14
Squat: 20x5, 40x5, 45x5, 50x5, 55 (121) x 5 x 3
Press: 20x5, 25x5, 30 (66) x 5 x 3
Deadlift: 60x3, 80x3, 90 (198) x 5 x 3

2016-11-16
Squat: 20x5, 40x5, 50x5, 60 (132) x 5 x 3
Bench: 20x5, 30x5, 40x5, 45x5, 50 (110) x 5 x 3
Deadlift: 70x3, 80x3, 85x3, 95 (209) x 5 x 3

[Tokyoadam]

2016-11-20
Squat: 20x5, 45x5, 55x5, 65 (143) x 5 x 3
Press: 20x5, 25x5, 30x5, 33 (73) x 5 x 3
Deadlift: 70x3, 80x3, 90x3, 100 (220) x 5 x 3

The presses are a real PITA as I have a fair bit of discomfort in the lower part of my upper arm where it meets the inner elbow, as well as an ache that runs up to the shoulder. It is OK for now if I push through it, but I can see it becoming an issue later. Squat and deadlift are fine so far (form is probably not great, but that will come).

[Quit Tomorrow]

Read the section of starting strength that talks about elbow pain from squatting.

What your describing sounds like squatters elbow.

You can also do a search of the forums to hear about some of the solutions other lifters came up with.

[Tokyoadam]

2016-11-22
Squat: 20x5, 40x5, 50x5, 60x5, 70 (154) x 5 x 3
Bench: 20x5, 30x5, 40x5, 53 (117) x 5 x 3
Deadlift: 70x3, 85x3, 95x3, 105 (231) x 5 x 3

No arm pain today, but my right shoulder is tight as f**k. It is usually bearable by the 5x3 sets, but it takes a while to warm up.

[Tokyoadam]

2016-11-25
Squat: 20x5, 45x5, 55x5, 65x5, 75 (165) x 5 x 3
Press: 20x5, 25x5, 30x5, 35 (77) x 5 x 3
Deadlift: 70x3, 85x3, 100x3, 110 (242) x 5 x 3

Arm pain not as bad as last time. Deadlift is getting hard and I think I was rounding my back - need to lower the jump

[Tokyoadam]

2016-12-12
Squat: 20x5, 50x5, 60x5, 70x5, 80 (176) x 5 x 3
Bench: 20x5, 35x5, 45x5, 56 (123) x 5 x 3
Deadlift: 70x3, 85x3, 100x3, 115 (254) x 5 x 3

Today was interesting. I was unable to work out for for a little over two weeks, so I was thinking I might have to roll back or, at the very least, use the same weights I did last time. However, I threw caution to the wind and increased normally. And, wonder of wonders, it was actually relatively easy - easier than the 3xweek increases. I think I need to work in the Power Cleans now as I don't think my aging body can take frequent deadlift increases.

No arm pain, which was nice.

[Tokyoadam]

2016-12-14
Squat: 20x5, 50x5, 60x5, 72x5, 85 (187) x 5 x 3
Press: 20x5, 25x5, 30x5, 38 (84) x 5 x 3
Power Clean: 20x5, 40 (88) x 3 x 5

First time with the power clean. Not an easy movement.

[Tokyoadam]

2016-12-17
Squat: 20x5, 55x5, 65x5, 75x5, 88 (194) x 5 x 3
Bench: 20x5, 40x5, 49x5, 59 (130) x 5 x 3
Deadlift: 70x3, 90x3, 105x3, 120 (265) x 5 x 3

[Tokyoadam]

2016-12-20
Squat: 20x5, 55x5, 65x5, 76x5, 91 (201) x 5 x 3
Press: 20x5, 25x5, 30x5, 35x5, 40 (88) x 5 x 3
Power Clean: 20x5, 20x5, 30x3, 35x2, 40 (88) x 3 x 5

[Tokyoadam]

2016-12-28
Squat: 20x5, 20x5, 40x5, 60x5, 80x5, 94 (207) x 4 x 1
Bench: 20x5, 20x5, 35x5, 45x5, 55x2, 62 (137) x 5 x 3

8 days off due to work and the holidays. I started the squat and felt a sharp twinge in my lower right abdomen, so I stopped the squat reps and did not do deadlift. I figure it is time to get a belt. The twinge is just a light throb a few days later so I may start up again Sunday. No problem with the bench, so I did not stop that.

I am going to a SS seminar shortly so should get a lot of form correction info - after that I may restart, but I will see how things go over the next few weeks.