PRs Two Days in a Row

Well I have been really busy trying to move back into Gainesville, so the blog has gone on the back burner for a while. Work has been kicking me in the teeth too. I have people wanting to come back and train with me, but I'm not sure if I have room. I've been trying to find the correct balance of training clients and taking care of both my Personal Training Team and my duties as Education Team Leader. To make it even better, I have a new intern coming in and I need to find time to make sure that I can devote enough time to her so that she can get the most out of the experience. I've got to suck it up, be a big boy and just get it done.

I've still been training and still been working my butt off trying to get everything ready for the upcoming Highland Games "season". I've been forgoing almost all accessory work to fit in time for throwing drills. I have been working mostly on footwork for the 28 and 56lb Weight For Distance throws and the Stone of Strength(like a shot-put). Here is how my past few days have broken down:

Monday: Deadlift
135x a few
225x5
315x5
405x3
455x3(Rep PR in itself)
495x1
525x1(PR)
I almost called it quits after pulling 495 as every other pull felt slow and way too heavy. Hell, 405 felt like it didn't want to budge, but I sucked it up and lifted anyway.

Footwork and Throwing Drills to finish the day


3 Board Press:
Bar x 5 or so
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x1(PR)
295x0 bombed
275 flew up faster than I expected, so I decided to go straight for 295. I flared my elbows too soon and stalled. Oh well, a PR is a PR.

Footwork and Throwing Drills to finish

I am feeling ready for the Central Florida Highland Games and I look forward to throwing a ton of PRs. My double spin is coming along well for the weights for distance and I have been throwing close to 60 feet in practice. I hit over 75 feet in the Hammer which would be a huge PR if I could make it translate to the Games.

Well, wish me luck

Power Press and Stone Trainer

So, I've been contemplating entering Strongman competitions at the beginning of next year. I really need to work on my pressing so I'm gonna suck it up and do it. I hate upper body work, but I gotta start somewhere.

Power Press (behind the neck)
Bar x a few
95x5
135x5
185x3
225x3
275x1
285x0 missed twice

275 flew up fast, but 285 would not budge. My form probably just sucks.

4 board press (Close Grip)
Bar x some
135x5
185x5
225x5
235x5
Felt good today. Tris are definitely feeling it. I'm glad I found board presses because I actually feel like my tris are working, not just getting burn out.

Barbell Bent-Over Rows
Bar x a few
135x10
145x10
145x10

Lat Pulldown(towels for grip)
100x a few
170x8
180x8
190x8

Stone Trainer(42" Box)
190x5
225x5
280x1

Not too bad for my first time. It felt good and I used a belt for the last attempt. I can't wait to start smashing some weights with this thing.

GYM NOTES:
For the love of all that is holy, stop wearing BodyBuilding.com t-shirts if you cannot produce proof of one of the following:
1) You weigh over 200lbs. If you are 6'2" and weigh 175lbs, there is something wrong with a BBer shirt.
2) Your bodyfat % is in the single digits.
3) You have competed in a bodybuilding show in the past. If you have had enough sack to compete, you deserve to wear whatever the hell you want.

I have absolutely no problem with bodybuilders. It takes life-long dedication and a ton of hard work to get contest ready. I feel it is absurd for these clowns to prance around like they are BBers. Its like the same 175lbs guy wearing a World's Strongest Man T-shirt...It is just not right.

3x5 Upper

Had to sneak in training in 45 minutes today, but made it pretty productive.

Incline Bench:
Bar x 15 or so
95x5 with speed
135x5 with speed
175x5 pause and go for 3 sets
Felt good but my shoulder is already tweaking, so I'm going to only bump up 5lbs each week from here on out to ensure I stay healthy

Close Grip 3 board bench press:
Bar x a few
135x5
185x5
205x5
225x5 for three sets

Felt really good, but I could not go as heavy as I wanted because I had no spotter. I tied the board to my chest using Therabands. I got the idea courtesy of Clint Darden.

I had to end it there, but I at least got my Main Lift and Supplementary Lift in. I'll finish some of the Accessory stuff at home tonight.

GYM NOTES:

1. If you are spotting someone on the bench press don't Biceps Curl it up and tell your boyfriend that, "Its all you, Bro". Let go of the bar and let the guy actually lift it...He may actually get stronger as a result (GASP!)

2. Don't ask me what Bench Press Boards are for when I'm in the middle of the lift. I don't ask you what your half squat/goodmorning is for. I'll just wait for the L4 vertabrae to shoot out and draw my own conclusions.