Lord of the Barnyard's training log

[Lord of the Barnyard]

35 yrs old. Male. 135Lbs. 5'10” tall. Skinny always.
Never lifted in my life. Never seen the inside of a gym before.

First day today.
Gym is a bit daunting for an introvert.

Not quite clear on how/what to report. As newb as newb can be.
Pounds? Kg? Work set weight (includes the bar I assume), reps x sets?

Squat
65 lbs 5x1

Press
45 lbs 5x3

Deadlift
95 lbs 5x1


Deadlift and press made sense generally to my body. I am sure I had some terrible form and will go and re-watch the videos and re-read the book.
Squat – a couple of years ago I wanted to learn to sit comfortably in a squat, so I have been doing that for a long time. It's really easy for me to go TOO deep. But I'm generally UNflexible in pretty much any other way and my arms and shoulders found holding the bar in the squat position to be really painful
Any suggestions for work to do to try and make that easier to do??

[Royce Nichols]

Welcome. Feel free to post to the technique forum or coaches Q&A for feedback on your lifts. Better yet, schedule a session with a coach. Well worth it and shortens the learning curve. Also, read articles on the website. And gain weight!!

[Lord of the Barnyard]

Thanks!
I'll need to figure out quite a bit to be able to tape my form.
As far as I can tell the nearest coach to me is 2 hours away (I'm in mid-ohio).

[Royce Nichols]

2 hours is not bad at all! The closest for me is 6, while some people are much, much farther. I would schedule a session with the nearest one ASAP. You will be glad that you did! Good luck.

[Bill Puckett]

FWIW, I just drove 3 hours each way yesterday for my first coaching session with an SSC (Nick Klemetson). I've been lifting for about a year with some early "coaching" from a local non-SSC personal trainer (though a decent powerlifter). I"ve also watched hours of video, read the books multiple times, etc. So...was it worth the trip? ABSOLUTELY! I got more useful feedback in an hour than I imagined possible. I have lots to work on before I make the next road trip for a session. While there are no guarantees, I would be shocked if you did not find working face-to-face with an SSC to be worth the time, driving distance and money.

[Lord of the Barnyard]

oh man. my wife makes fun of me for my love of "being right" and gurus. she thinks SS is goofy (she hasn't looked into it). I think i makes sense for the right set of goals.
you guys aren't helping. i wasn't seriously considering spending a full day a couple of times to get F2F assistance, but now it'll cross my mind.

[Lord of the Barnyard]

11/6/17

Squat
75 lbs 5x3

Bench Press
85 lbs 5x3

Deadlift
140 lbs 5x1

[Lord of the Barnyard]

11/8/17

Squat
95 lbs 5x3

Press
55 lbs 5x3

Deadlift
155 lbs 5x1

It's amazing, been in the gym 3 times in my life. My wife says, "is my mind messing with me, do you look bigger?" I said "ha must be your mind." but it's not. i am bigger. that's crazy.
bit off a bit more than I could chew this morning. i have to remember I am 35 and good form a little gains consistently will serve me better than larger leaps that can't be done with anything approaching good form.

when you bite off too much - what's the best method to fix the error - recognize it that day and set your sights a little lower? keep that same goal for the next workout?
I'll read up, but if anyone wants to pipe up before then...

[Lord of the Barnyard]

11/10/17

Squat
85 lbs 5x3

Bench Press
90 lbs 5x3

Deadlift
165 lbs 5x1

gyms that don't allow chalk? any solutions?

grip for deadlift? - pad of hand is either squished high or squished low, neither seems to be very comfortable.

[Lord of the Barnyard]

11/13/17

Squat
95 lbs 5x3

Press
60 lbs 5x3

Deadlift
175 lbs 5x1