Quagmire911 Lifting Journal

[Mad Manic]

Assuming I didn't progress

Which I should have :cuss:

I disagree mate 2.5 kg is a bigger jump than you think here. This was why I was telling you that your 1RM estimations based on what you do for 4-5 reps a while ago was a bit too optimistic tbh. You get big dimishing returns once the weight starts getting heavy. IMO at worst you were the same strength wise as last week, at best a tad stronger, but ultimately you would never know exactly unless you did the same weight as last week and compared the reps. But the BP set of 6 suggests that maybe your endurance was a little off today.

MM

 

[Quagmire911]

I was definitely not 100% today, and their are a whole host of possibilities as to why. I will not stress over it. Indeed the second set of 75kgx6 was under different circumstances than when I did 75kgx8 as the first set was CG today. That in itself could have been an issue. Indeed my sticking point has been a lot higher when using CG for the heaviest set. However I am pretty sure it was just the job which effected my upper body and perhaps I didn't quite have enough to eat. Endurance would definitely be the thing that would be affected by the job if anything.

Thanks for the input anyway, I will go in next week with an open mind.

 

[Being_the_Don]

Monday

Hmmm. Had a bit of a piss day today. I got called in to the ****ty warehouse and did a 6 hour shift and then after that I had to do the equivalent of 25 minutes walking on incline to get to the gym. Today was the first day that I have had to bench whilst doing the labour job and I don't think the two went hand in hand. I have done it twice on lower day and it seemed fine but I think it drains the upper body a bit. My tri's/shoulders were feeling a bit funny. Anyway, here it is:

CG bench 85kgx2-I warmed up to 75kgx1 and it felt heavier than it should have. I struggled with the second rep with 85 near the top as well. I felt kinda drained going into the gym, I don't think I had eaten enough either. Failed on rep 3. So yeh I wasn't pleased at all with this. Considering I got 82.5kgx4 last week I should have at least manged a triple.

Bench 75kgx6-Failed on rep 7. Utter piss. I have done this for 8 before. Won't think too much off it though because of the circumstances I explained above. Didn't bother with speed work.

Chinups-BW+20kgx3x3x2(PR)-Reasonably pleased with this. Perhaps a bit ambitious, maybe should have used 15kg.

Laterals-10kgplatesx7x6-Had to use plates because there were no DB's, probably made it a bit harder. Not sure if this is a PR.

DB skulls-12.5kgx4, 10kg platesx6x8-Just felt like **** by this point. Felt like going home.

Grip work-Did a few sets with the grippers to kill some time. What a **** attitude.

Well there it is. Hardly a stellar performance. I even drank less than usual at the weekend, go figure. I'll be so f***** pissed if my bench isn't up after doing this. Thinking of doing some max work next week and then rotating the lifts, stuff like CG to regular again. I may switch the template on bench again, feel like I may have got the usefulness out of the 1x3-5, 1x8-10. Well that is that. Hopefully will have a good day on Thursday, I have the day off so I should be fresh. I think I may be to aggressive in ramping the weights up though and cutting cycles short.

Anyway, until next time...

Quagmire

We all have our off days, Quagmire. You're doing good, though.

 

[Quagmire911]

We all have our off days, Quagmire. You're doing good, though.

Something we all have to remember.

And thank you.

 

[Quagmire911]

Thursday

Quite a good day today. Here it is:

Bicep curls 32.5kgx8x8 1x8 (15-20s) 1x3-The last set was murder. Nearly didn't get the last rep. Will use this weight next session and try and up the reps.

Front squats 92.5kgx3(PR)-Front squats always seem like the first rep will be the last, then the one after, and the one after. I took a video of this set. Thought my form looked not bad. Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usIvm_LYn7U

100kgx1 (PR)-Pleased with this. Month today since I failed doing this. If I hadn't done the first set 102.5 would probably have been doable. Didn't try though. One issue today which was my left side found it difficult to hold the weight. I think I had it a bit far up and too near the bone.

Rack deadlift (2-3" below the knee)-185kgx1 (407lbs) (PR)- First time lifting 400+; those four plates a side looked sexy . I have a video of this as well. Analysis: Because I was so psyched up to lift I didn't make sure the bar was right up against my legs. As a results it rolls toward me a bit at the start. This also makes me lose my arch-although I am not convinced this wouldn't have happened. Once the weight is off it is pretty plain sailing until lockout where I really had to fight to get it. I wasn't actually sure I had got it until I looked at the video afterwards. I just locked it out and no more and then my grip started to fail. I reckon if I had setup a touch better and my grip had permitted it, I maybe had another 5-10lbs. Lockout would be/is the issue as to whether I'd get it. Anyway, happy about this although I won't celebrate until it is 182.5kgx1 from the floor. I reckon another 4-6 weeks and that is when I intend to hit it. Not sure what the dead would be now. I would think high 170's. Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qgd5XSMr8M

Pullthroughs-60kgx10x10 70kgx12(PR)-Really hit the groove today. Only the second time doing these. I bent my knees a bit more and let the handles go a bit further back until I got a bit of a stretch in the hammies and it felt pretty decent. Will be able to up the weight more next session. My right knee felt a lot better this week and I haven't felt anything in it in a few days. However I didn't attempt GHR's and will hold off for a while and do these instead.

Grip training-Captains of crush No.1-Right hand 1x11 (PR) Left hand 1x7-Not bad after deads. Will need to get this up a bit for deads. Plan on purchasing No.2 soon.

Well that was that. I am going to switch to a rep/set system which I think will be beneficial-I think I have been neglecting that in my training. What I mean by that is I don't think I plan forward far enough and as a result I stall earlier than I should because my body gets to used to the template and/or the intensity gets to high.

Anyway that is all, until next time...

Quagmire

 

[kickureface]

you play a sport bud?

 

[I-tallionStallion]

Videos look great, you def work hard Quag, excellent lifts. Good PRs

As for the deadlift and the arch :nono: but i read your explanation so I'll let it pass haha. You ever do a deadlift like magnusson? For instance, I usually just walk up angerly to the weight and lift immediately, i don't wait too long. I find it ten times easier. But everyone looks at me weird haha. With my 405 lift on my journal, that was how i did it although that part wasn't taped.

overall, just wanted to say...good job

 

[Quagmire911]

Kickureface: Weightlifting is all I am really doing at the moment...Why you ask? Is it a weight thing? Or front squats?

Stallion: Most of the time I lift like Magnusson, lately I have been waiting for a particular part of the son Get your Gunn to come on and I start lifting when it gets to it-psyches me up. And thank you, wait until it is from the floor to give me proper congrats though.... As for the arch, my back didn't bend too much and I have seen evidence that arching isn't the way to go. Still confused on that, so I just lift the weight.

 

[HandyAndy]

How cool, is that your home gym?

 

[Quagmire911]

How cool, is that your home gym?

I wish Unfortunately it is my ****ty local gym.

Apparently it is getting done up in August/September so there might actually be a power rack; I have been harassing the manager trying to get him to get one in. By that time I may have a home gym anyway.

 

[kickureface]

that's a pretty ****ty gym LOL. i thought it was home gym too

i was wondering since it looked like you started out really strong, at a young age. a lot of times that's signs of someone doing intense sports like boxing, etc.

nice lifts!

 

[HandyAndy]

Ohh, i thought those dudes in the back were you friends or something, are you currently setting up your own gym?

 

[Quagmire911]

Kickureface: The gym is really ****. Hence the use of the ****ty step things as a ghetto rack :-(. As for starting out strong I have always been above average strength and very athletic, I did a lot of sports from a young age. I achieved a Junior blackbelt in Karate and did it for 7-8 years and I attribute that to my above average ability. I always did a lot of pressups etc growing up and from 13-14 a lot of chins etc.

Andy:I haven't bought anything yet, but the way things are going I am aiming at having a home setup in 3-6 months if I can afford it and fit it into the garage.

 

[HandyAndy]

Cool, home gyms look fun

 

[Quagmire911]

Monday

Starting a new rep/set template today as detailed here:

http://www.sugdenbarbell.co.uk/index.php/articles/n/Tokars-5x3-System

Here it is:

Bench 80kg 5x3-The first set was a touch heavier than I was expecting but I managed to complete the remaining sets alright. It got progressively harder and the last set was reasonably hard but I wasn't right on failing just had to grind them out. Had a drink the last two nights so I suppose I can't expect to be 100%.

Speed bench 45kg 2x3

Chinups-BW+12.5kg-5x3-Again, it got progressively harder. Pretty close to failure on the last rep but I made it.

Laterals 8kg db's-2x12-Was a bit harder for the left side as most things are. Not sure if this is a PR.

Skullcrushers-10kg platesx8x9x8(PR)-No db's at this weight so I had to use plates which probably makes it a bit harder. I hate my gym.

Grip work:

Smyth machine rack hold-160kg-1x12s, 1x13s-Adjusted position on the second set which made it slightly easier. This only takes into account the bar and plates, not any added weight from the smyth machine. I reckon the actual weight will be around 175-180 but I will use the number above for simplicity.

One arm chin hold-Right hand 1x13s 1x10s
-Left hand 1x13s 1x10s

All in all not a bad day, felt reasonably productive. I am seriously looking into getting a home gym in the next few months. I reckon it will cost around £750 ($1500). That is all for today, until next time...

Quagmire

 

[Rampage1]

Home gym is a good idea, though it will never be as good as the public gyms due to the variety, unless of course you are going to spend a fortune!

Also, I am still not sure why you are aiming to get as strong as possible. It just seems silly, unless accompanied by size or needed for a sport, and don't try to argue that powerlifting. I know that but it just seems pointless!

 

[Quagmire911]

Home gym is a good idea, though it will never be as good as the public gyms due to the variety, unless of course you are going to spend a fortune!

MY GYM DOESN'T HAVE A POWER RACK, HOW IS THAT FOR VARIETY?

Also, I am still not sure why you are aiming to get as strong as possible. It just seems silly, unless accompanied by size or needed for a sport, and don't try to argue that powerlifting. I know that but it just seems pointless!

OK...? SILLY/POINTLESS TO YOU MAYBE...?

See bold above.

 

[Rampage1]

ha, your gym sucks! no better ones in your area?

yes to me indeed. Another point, you didnt use bold, you used capital letters!

 

[JohnnyIrish]

Rampage, You see getting strength from lifting as a means to some end.. where Quagmire sees it AS the end itself. Sure it might not make sense to you.. but it does make sense.

 

[I-tallionStallion]

Rampage1, you sound like my mom.

Getting strong is a lot of fun, its doesn't always has to be about being huge. Being strong has a lot of advantages, and these are a few that come to mind:

-Self-Confidence
-Being the Alpha Male (women love strong men, not weak)
-Opening the pickle jar for your mom
-Gives security to those around you (or fear)
-Emergency situations (never know when youll need to lift/break/twist someone or something)

and thats only a few ideas...

Quag, the new rep system looks to be a good idea for you.