Ok so Christmas is now done. Had a nice couple of days at home with my family, and my girlfriend came with me too which was nice. Got to see all my family who I don't get to see very often so it was great to go home.
Got a few neat presents too, got a new watch from my girlfriend. Love it, its all black and its a big fat black leather strap. looks sick. From my parents I got a new video camera so I'm going to start video recording all my personal sessions, recording the sessions I do with others and start putting myself out there on youtube. Might start video blogging on there too if it starts to go well.
In training news, I've now tested all my stuff for my 5/3/1 programme, and I'm ready to start on monday (New Years Eve). So within 2013 I'm looking to get into the best shape of my life and be stronger than I've ever been. Can't wait either its going to be awesome. Within 3 months of being on 5/3/1 I should be hitting regular personal bests. FANTASTIC!!!
So watch this space for news about my new big lifts
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Deadlift Testing
Today I carried on my testing for my upcoming 5/3/1 cycle and my focus was deadlift today. Once again I was training with Lewis and he pushed me hard. I feel like he is helping me massively with developing my strength.
My previous best before today was 200kg, but today I am pleased to report I hit 210kg. very happy with that. I hadn't deadlifted in around 5-6 weeks before this so I'm very happy that I've made deadlift progress off the back of heavy squatting.
Lewis hit 250kg at only 82kg bodyweight. very impressive. We're hoping to both hit 300kg in the future and he is building nicely towards that, and with my new focus solely on strength development I'm hoping to hit the high 200s by the end of 2013.
Last night work was insane again, full of little kids out for a college/sixth form night out. They're a pain in the arse but I don't care as long as I get paid.
Got a nice night away from Worcester tonight, spending the night (hopefully two) in Chirbury with my girlfriend. Always nice to get away.
Til next time.
My previous best before today was 200kg, but today I am pleased to report I hit 210kg. very happy with that. I hadn't deadlifted in around 5-6 weeks before this so I'm very happy that I've made deadlift progress off the back of heavy squatting.
Lewis hit 250kg at only 82kg bodyweight. very impressive. We're hoping to both hit 300kg in the future and he is building nicely towards that, and with my new focus solely on strength development I'm hoping to hit the high 200s by the end of 2013.
Last night work was insane again, full of little kids out for a college/sixth form night out. They're a pain in the arse but I don't care as long as I get paid.
Got a nice night away from Worcester tonight, spending the night (hopefully two) in Chirbury with my girlfriend. Always nice to get away.
Til next time.
Monday, 17 December 2012
The Cube Method
I totally forgot to mention, my friend recently purchased the Cube Method by Brandon Lilly (blog found at http://blillytraining.blogspot.co.uk/)
I will be reading it over the next few days so will post my feedback.
Have also received the renegade diet too so will read over that and post feedback.
I will be reading it over the next few days so will post my feedback.
Have also received the renegade diet too so will read over that and post feedback.
Christmas Period
Man oh man, work is stressful over the Christmas period. Don't think I've mentioned on here before that I work as a Doorman at two nightclubs (partner clubs) and every year over the weeks leading up to Christmas it gets jam packed full of Holiday Heroes who only ever come out once a year because they feel like they have to to fit in with their work colleagues.
Most of these people are utter arseholes. They come in, forget what normal nightclub ettiquette is and start acting like teenagers. Despite the fact they're normally 40 or 50 years old. Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to say that they shouldn't be allowed out of their office or home. They are. Obviously. They should just be more aware of the people around them are more respectful of people who work in these establishments.
They seem to think that because they are older that they can do what they want and that they have to right to question everything. They moan about prices (HELLOOOOO!!! ITS CALLED INFLATION!!!) and then they moan if they're asked to leave if they've had too much. Pisses me right off. Get the F*CK off your high horse and learn some God damn manners.
Rant Over.
Now then, I tested my 1RM overhead press today and hit 80kg comfortably but I left it at that because I feel 82.5 would have been a struggle and I want my 5/3/1 to be successful so a low start is obviously no problem.
I also tried out Klokov presses today and they felt bad-ass. As well as Krolowski Rows - a king of upright row/shrug movement. They hit the upper traps insanely well. Gonna be a big part of my new programme. I also did lots of neck harness work today. Good fun.
On Saturday I joined a couple of buddies at the gym. The intention was to train strongman events, I particularly wanted to try the 80kg log but for some bizarre reason the gym owner had got rid of all the equipment earlier than he said he would. So we couldn't do events. Instead I kept it quite light and did assistance (with two heavy sets of grip work holding a 200kg dumbell machine, similar to car deadlift movement, off the floor for as long as possible. I got 48.8s)
The other guys got competitive squatting and deadlifting (on the new machine) and we made a little video that can be found on youtube ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-htPtxZEAE
You don't get to see me lift (unfortunately :( ) but I am in the background here. in the citygym shirt.
So yeah its been a good weekend, and I've got a full week of work ahead so that will be fun filled ...
Most of these people are utter arseholes. They come in, forget what normal nightclub ettiquette is and start acting like teenagers. Despite the fact they're normally 40 or 50 years old. Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to say that they shouldn't be allowed out of their office or home. They are. Obviously. They should just be more aware of the people around them are more respectful of people who work in these establishments.
They seem to think that because they are older that they can do what they want and that they have to right to question everything. They moan about prices (HELLOOOOO!!! ITS CALLED INFLATION!!!) and then they moan if they're asked to leave if they've had too much. Pisses me right off. Get the F*CK off your high horse and learn some God damn manners.
Rant Over.
Now then, I tested my 1RM overhead press today and hit 80kg comfortably but I left it at that because I feel 82.5 would have been a struggle and I want my 5/3/1 to be successful so a low start is obviously no problem.
I also tried out Klokov presses today and they felt bad-ass. As well as Krolowski Rows - a king of upright row/shrug movement. They hit the upper traps insanely well. Gonna be a big part of my new programme. I also did lots of neck harness work today. Good fun.
On Saturday I joined a couple of buddies at the gym. The intention was to train strongman events, I particularly wanted to try the 80kg log but for some bizarre reason the gym owner had got rid of all the equipment earlier than he said he would. So we couldn't do events. Instead I kept it quite light and did assistance (with two heavy sets of grip work holding a 200kg dumbell machine, similar to car deadlift movement, off the floor for as long as possible. I got 48.8s)
The other guys got competitive squatting and deadlifting (on the new machine) and we made a little video that can be found on youtube ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-htPtxZEAE
You don't get to see me lift (unfortunately :( ) but I am in the background here. in the citygym shirt.
So yeah its been a good weekend, and I've got a full week of work ahead so that will be fun filled ...
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
12.12.12
Ok,
So everyone today, or at least everyone I know, seems to be going crazy over the fact that its 12.12.12 and its the last time that will happen in however long. But in all honesty, it doesn't change anything today except a few people putting on sales. So whats the big deal? I have no idea.
Anyway back to my normal area of topic. So as I said in my last blog (at least I think I did) I have decided to go with getting strong for my next gym venture. So I have been researching strength programmes and I'm going with one I've thought about doing in the past. Jim Wendler's 5/3/1.
I'm really looking forward to starting it, but I've decided to put it off until after Christmas and New Year because the gym closes for a few days over that period, and I'll be getting Merrily Plump along with all my friends as is due at Christmas time.
So 5/3/1 will be starting in January. I can't wait to see what kind of gains I am going to get from it. One of my mates has said he wants to do it with me, how long that will last should be interesting as he's all about aesthetics (He's a roid-head that wants to look like a bodybuilder).
Until then I'm just going to try have some fun with the gym. I'm going to mess about a bit with some strongman stuff this weekend, and during my normal sessions I'm just gonna do whatever the hell I feel like.
In other news, I got a new job the other day. Only a casual one but its something that will bring in a little bit more money and when in you're in the position I am, that is definitely not a bad thing. Plus I've had 2 extra shifts this week than normal.
Things are looking up and I'm loving life.
So everyone today, or at least everyone I know, seems to be going crazy over the fact that its 12.12.12 and its the last time that will happen in however long. But in all honesty, it doesn't change anything today except a few people putting on sales. So whats the big deal? I have no idea.
Anyway back to my normal area of topic. So as I said in my last blog (at least I think I did) I have decided to go with getting strong for my next gym venture. So I have been researching strength programmes and I'm going with one I've thought about doing in the past. Jim Wendler's 5/3/1.
I'm really looking forward to starting it, but I've decided to put it off until after Christmas and New Year because the gym closes for a few days over that period, and I'll be getting Merrily Plump along with all my friends as is due at Christmas time.
So 5/3/1 will be starting in January. I can't wait to see what kind of gains I am going to get from it. One of my mates has said he wants to do it with me, how long that will last should be interesting as he's all about aesthetics (He's a roid-head that wants to look like a bodybuilder).
Until then I'm just going to try have some fun with the gym. I'm going to mess about a bit with some strongman stuff this weekend, and during my normal sessions I'm just gonna do whatever the hell I feel like.
In other news, I got a new job the other day. Only a casual one but its something that will bring in a little bit more money and when in you're in the position I am, that is definitely not a bad thing. Plus I've had 2 extra shifts this week than normal.
Things are looking up and I'm loving life.
Thursday, 6 December 2012
6.12.12
Ok,
So as I've now started really focusing myself towards strength training, todays session was dedicated to upper body. I mentioned in my last blog that I had met an amateur strongman and that I had done some training with him and I am continuing to train with him as I feel that it is going to help me reach my strength goals.
Today we did barbell overhead press. This is an exercise I used to do however recently I have been favouring the behind-neck push press instead. It was quite challenging getting used to the balance of the movement again, epecially as we were doing it strict with no push or jerk from the legs.
I managed to get out 3 reps 75kg which I was pleased with. I know this really isn't a big amount of weight but I'm only starting out so give me a break here.
We worked up gradually to the 75kg.
After this we did some assistance by dropping the weights and did 5 sets of 10 strict with 40kg.
We then did some chin ups. 30 total.
To finish we did some dumbell shrugs but with the addition of Fat Gripz to help work on our grip strength for pulling exercises.
I enjoyed the session. It was good to challenge my body in a new way.
I also went down to a local sports therapy clinic today to get my lower back looked at. In January I injured it quite badly. They thought it was a slipped disc but in the end it was that the entire of my lower back had gone into spasm causing my pelvis to shift which then created a huge amount of tension around the Sciatic nerve. So I still get sciatica from it and recently it has been getting quite bad.
A good 45 minute lower to mid back massage and glute compressions seems to have sorted it for now and I feel fresh and ready to go. I am now not training until Tuesday probably, apart from possibly some light work tomorrow morning on olympic lifting, as I am home for the weekend to see my family. 4 hour drives are fun ...
Plus monday I have an interview for a new job to start earning a little bit more money. Money = good. Missing weights because of it = ...
So as I've now started really focusing myself towards strength training, todays session was dedicated to upper body. I mentioned in my last blog that I had met an amateur strongman and that I had done some training with him and I am continuing to train with him as I feel that it is going to help me reach my strength goals.
Today we did barbell overhead press. This is an exercise I used to do however recently I have been favouring the behind-neck push press instead. It was quite challenging getting used to the balance of the movement again, epecially as we were doing it strict with no push or jerk from the legs.
I managed to get out 3 reps 75kg which I was pleased with. I know this really isn't a big amount of weight but I'm only starting out so give me a break here.
We worked up gradually to the 75kg.
After this we did some assistance by dropping the weights and did 5 sets of 10 strict with 40kg.
We then did some chin ups. 30 total.
To finish we did some dumbell shrugs but with the addition of Fat Gripz to help work on our grip strength for pulling exercises.
I enjoyed the session. It was good to challenge my body in a new way.
I also went down to a local sports therapy clinic today to get my lower back looked at. In January I injured it quite badly. They thought it was a slipped disc but in the end it was that the entire of my lower back had gone into spasm causing my pelvis to shift which then created a huge amount of tension around the Sciatic nerve. So I still get sciatica from it and recently it has been getting quite bad.
A good 45 minute lower to mid back massage and glute compressions seems to have sorted it for now and I feel fresh and ready to go. I am now not training until Tuesday probably, apart from possibly some light work tomorrow morning on olympic lifting, as I am home for the weekend to see my family. 4 hour drives are fun ...
Plus monday I have an interview for a new job to start earning a little bit more money. Money = good. Missing weights because of it = ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)