starting strength gym
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 18 of 18

Thread: J's road to strength

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    28

    Default

    • starting strength seminar april 2024
    • starting strength seminar jume 2024
    • starting strength seminar august 2024
    12/28/2013
    Squat
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    240 x 5 x 2
    240 x 4 x 1

    Bench
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    200 x 5 x 3

    Deadlift
    135 x 5 x 2
    225 x 3 x 1
    275 x 2 x 1
    315 x 4 x 1 (belted)

    So missed another day cause of Christmas. Just went in the gym yesterday and wanted to hit the big 3.

    I'm not going to bother deloading squats just yet. The scheduling with the holidays and my illness has been screwy so I'll attempt 240 one or two more times and hopefully nail it.

    Bench was good. It's really getting heavy. Here's hoping I can power through to 225 with no stalling. At the rate I'm going, I'll hit it in 3 weeks exactly, well ahead of the 12 week schedule.

    I made a big jump in the deadlift but it doesn't seem too cocky. Not the best lifts, but not the worst. Check out the workset here
    Last edited by jsteve08; 12-29-2013 at 10:27 AM.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    28

    Default

    12/30/2013
    Squat
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    205 x 2 x 1
    240 x 5 x 2
    240 x 3 x 1

    OHP
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    125 x 5 x 3

    Power Clean
    95 x 3 x 1
    115 x 3 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    115 x 3 x 1
    95 x 3 x 1

    Ok I've hit the wall. I might need to deload my squats to keep going. With the holidays and whatnot I've just lost all momentum. If I drop back to 225, I'll be back to 240 in a week. Might have to give it a go.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    28

    Default

    Off to a bad start...

    01/01/2013
    Squat
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    225 x 5 x 1
    225 x 3 x 1

    Bench
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    205 x 5 x 2
    205 x 3 x 1

    Deadlift
    135 x 5 x 1
    185 x 5 x 1
    225 x 3 x 1
    275 x 2 x 1
    315 x 3 x 1 (belted)

    Deloaded my squat and couldn't do it. WTF. I was so discouraged I didn't even attempt the last set. My right ankle was giving me some pain, and I drank alcohol the 30th and 31st for the first time in maybe a month. So there's that, plus I haven't been eating nearly enough. Now that I'm back on the regular work schedule, I can hopefully get it together. It's a lot harder to eat 3000+ calories when the day isn't scheduled and structured normally.

    I'm pleased with my bench so far. Considering it was a shitty day and I had already failed at squats, I still managed to move some decent weight on bench. This is the first time failing to complete 3x5 for bench, and I'm really really close to my goal.

    My deadlift didnt feel right for some reason. I think it's all mental. I wasn't feeling 100% confident. I'm worried this will be happening more and more with heavier weights, but just gotta push on. Grip is still the limiting factor I think, although I definitely need to improve my core strength, since it's getting to the point on deadlifts where abs and erectors are getting to be weak links.

    I eliminated all my accessory work from BLSS (way too tired after the big lifts to bother). The only additional work I'm doing is the 7 weeks to 50 pullups program. So a few sets of chins and pullups at the end of the workout. These are a lot of fun and helping to keep me motivated since I've just about plateaued on my normal lifting plan. The biggest thing I need to push through right now is the diet and get back on track eating huge. I've gained about 10-15lbs since I started, probably mainly fat, although there's definitely more muscle (I look a lot better at 205 right now than I did 205 a year or two ago).

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    28

    Default

    01/03/2014

    Squat
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    225 x 5 x 3

    OHP
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    125 x 5 x 3

    Power Clean
    various sets of 3-4 trying to master technique

    Squats are fine, I'm convinced it's all mental at this point. I accidentally did the same weight on OHP, I was filming form check videos and forgot the correct weight to put it at. Oh well. I also filmed some PC videos. With that exercise, I feel like I need to use at least 135 to make the right muscles engage. When trying to practice with lighter weight, it's too easy to pull the bar with the arms instead of using hip/knee extension.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    28

    Default

    01/06/2014

    Squat
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    230 x 5 x 3

    Bench
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    205 x 5 x 3

    Deadlift
    135 x 5 x 2
    185 x 5 x 1
    225 x 3 x 1
    275 x 2 x 1
    315 x 5 x 1 (unbelted)

    Squats felt very very strong and easy. Just further proving mind over matter, I was really in the zone yesterday.

    Bench I almost failed on the last rep, it was very slow going. The bar definitely stopped moving, maybe even started to lower a bit on the last rep although I did manage to lock out. That almost makes me want to wait and revisit this weight until I get it, but I will be stronger next time, might as well progress.

    The gym gave me a different style belt than I'm used to, and when it came time for my heavy deadlift, the belt just popped off (velcro belt and I'm used to the buckled ones, yea I must be an idiot to not know how to wear the velcro I know). So I did the 315 and got all 5 reps unbelted, although my back feels sorta fucked today. I'm going to be cautious with this one and stay at 315.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    28

    Default

    01/08/2014
    Squat
    95 x 5 x 3
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    235 x 5 x 1 (form sucked on last reps)
    235 x 3 x 2

    OHP
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    115 x 3 x 1
    130 x 5 x 3

    Power Cleans
    various sets of 3-4

    So I came upon an occupied squat rack and once again I worked in with someone else to do my warmups. This might have been what caused me to fail, since I did several warmups with 95 instead of 45 as usual. Other than that, it must have been mental. I was definitely not as mentally on fire the way I was on Monday.

    The OHP felt very very DIFFERENT than usual. I really focused on squeezing the bar hard and I just felt a whole new level of shoulder/upper body/core engagement on the press that I have never felt before.

    After posting my form check and getting some tips, I am feeling a massive improvement in my power clean technique. My back was sore today in a way that it hasn't been since I first started deadlifting. I almost have the form down pat and will be moving some heavy weights soon.

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    28

    Default

    01/10/2014
    Squat
    95 x 5 x 3
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    235 x 5 x 2
    235 x 3 x 1

    Bench
    45 x 5 x 2
    95 x 5 x 1
    135 x 3 x 1
    185 x 2 x 1
    210 x 5 x 3 (HARD. HEAVY. DID IT ANYWAY)

    Deadlift
    135 x 5 x 2
    185 x 5 x 1
    225 x 3 x 1
    275 x 2 x 1
    315 x 5 x 1 (unbelted)

    Kind of pussed out on the squats, which surprised me because the first set was very good. One thing I've found is that a bit of a yell/grunt with the concentric contraction adds a good deal of power. Utilizing those primal neural pathways I guess. Feels good man.

    The bench press felt very hard and dangerous on the first set, so I requested a spot for the next two sets. The second set was much easier even though the spotter did not touch the bar. Something about the added safety, combined with the desire to prove myself not to be a wimp. Was also doing a bit of grunting/yelling on these. The very last rep of the last set I had to get a bit of help with, so I think I will do this weight one more time. 225 is so close I can taste it.

    The deadlift. What can I say. It's heavy. It's not going to get any lighter. I'm really concentrating on improving my form based on the feedback from my form checks. I wasn't told to start with my hips higher, but when I apply the tips I was given for the setup, my hips do end up higher to start with. I think this is a good thing?

    Been so amped lately I almost went in and lifted yesterday, but figured in the end it's better to stick with lifting at the same time after work MWF to give my nervous system/brain time to get ready (at about 4pm I start mentally preparing myself). Excited for the press and cleans today. Aw fuck it, excited about squats too. I got this.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    28

    Default

    starting strength coach development program
    Wow, I missed a whole week of recording. Last week I was getting shit for sleep and did awful on all my lifts, except the OHP which I've got a respectable form down for 135. I ended up just buying a new mattress this past weekend. I decided to take it kind of easy in the weight room this week while I catch up on sleep. I'll get back to the program next week.

    My worksets for yesterday:

    S: 225x5x3 (failed on very last rep, purely psychological)
    B: 205x5x3 (failed on very last rep, purely psychological)
    D: 315x5x1 (feels good man. I've really got this heavy deadlift form down pat)

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •