M20 W1 Squat Training

Squat Training
Mesocycle 20 - Week 1

Beginning Thoughts:

Worked out late tonight....I had barely eaten any food all day. Weird.

Workout:

Pull-ups:
BW x 14 reps
BW x 11 reps
BW x 10 reps
BW x 9 reps
Total = 44 reps
Tiring....

Front Squats:
270 lbs x 1 rep @ 95%
230 lbs x 5 reps x 3 sets @ 82.5%
This is Week 9 of Brad Gillingham's cycle. Last week is max-out session of sorts. I paused at the bottom of the 270 lbs. Felt really awesome.

Metabolic Conditioning for 2 rounds:
Lunge with Unilateral Press = 40 lbs x 5 reps
Renegade Rows = 40 lbs x 5 reps
Kettlebell Swings = 60 lbs x 10 reps
Dumbbell Windmills = 30 lbs x 8 reps
Felt gooooood.....I almost threw up after the second round.

Videos:

Pull-ups, Front Squats & Metabolic Conditioning:

Overall Impression:

Decent workout.

M20 W1 Grip Training

Grip Training
Mesocycle 20 - Week 1

Beginning Thoughts:

I hadn't eaten enough so I decided to skip working out today. Decided to do some grip training instead.

Workout:

Walmart Gripper:
5 reps x 2 sets
Set 1 was done slow and Set 2 was done faster. 1.5 minutes rest between sets.

Heavy Gripper 150:
2 reps x 2 sets
No setting for the gripper for this. It felt kinda difficult. Rest Interval was 2 minutes.

Captain of Crush (CoC) #1:
4 Singles
2 Doubles
This was very difficult and took everything I had. Naturally, I used a setting for this because I'm still new at this. I managed a clean close on two of the singles. Everything else was really close. But this is an improvement from last time where I couldn't even close one.

Heavy Gripper 150:
6 reps
With setting and done quick. A good finisher.

Hand Extensions:
2 bands x 20 reps x 3 sets

Videos:

Nothing special.

Overall Impression:

Looking forward to tomorrow's workout....

M20 W1 Deadlift Training

Deadlift Training
Mesocycle 20 - Week 1

Beginning Thoughts:

Just got back from my workout....It's been a LONG day and an even longer week. I really thought that Senior year last semester would be a blast but it's been an awfully painful experience and trying to balance school, diet, gf, friends, working out, etc is very very difficult.

Workout:

Deadlift Singles @ > 90%:
430 lbs @ 90%
455 lbs @ 96%
445 lbs @ 94%
475 lbs @ 100%
430 lbs @ 90%
455 lbs @ 96%
430 lbs @ 90%
This was very tiring. Week 1 of this system has me doing 6-8 singles so I did 7 and called it quits. It's funny that the last set was actually the easiest.

Pistol Squats:
3 + 3 = 6 reps
I've been slacking off on this exercise for too long. I'm gonna get back to doing these regularly now.

Hand Extensions:
2 bands x 20 reps x 3 sets

Videos:

Deadlifts and Pistol Squats:

Overall Impression:

I got accepted into a national Economics society called Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE) which is awesome.

I am gonna rest this weekend. I didn't sleep enough on Spring Break and I need to play catch up.

I hope everyone's having a good week. Thanks for reading! 

M19 W4 Press Training

Press Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 4

Beginning Thoughts:

This is yesterday's training. I had to finish a project and instead of my planned 2 hours it took me 6 and therefore I had to skip dinner. I was going to skip the workout and grab food but I decided to go to the gym and I managed to get a huge meal after I got out past midnight.

Workout:

Pull-ups:
BW x 13 reps
BW x 11 reps
BW x 10 reps
BW x 10 reps
Total = 44 reps
Goal achieved. New goal is to hit 50 reps in 4 sets.

Banded Overhead Press:
135 lbs x 3 reps
145 lbs x 3 reps
155 lbs x 2 reps
165 lbs x 1 rep
This was very difficult.

Dips:
6 + 6 + 6 = 18 reps in 3 minutes

Videos:

Pull-ups and Banded OHP:

Overall Impression:

I hope everyone's having a good week. Thanks for reading! 

M19 W4 Squat Training

Squat Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 4

Beginning Thoughts:

I traveled 5 hours from Dallas to San Antonio. Needless to say...I was beat and working out 30 minutes after this trip wasn't the best idea.

Workout:

Front Squats:
255 lbs x 3 reps @ 90%
285 lbs x 1 rep @ 102%
I was supposed to do another 4 sets with 255 but I couldn't do it...I was way too tired.

Metabolic Conditioning for 2 rounds:
Lunge with Unilateral Dumbbell Press = 40 lbs x 3 reps
Renegade Rows = 45 lbs x 5 reps
Spiderman Walks = BW x 10 reps
Dumbbell Windmills = 30 lbs x 10 reps

Videos:

Front Squats & Metabolic Conditioning:

Overall Impression:

I am beat.

M19 W4 Back Training

Back Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 4

Beginning Thoughts:

This is yesterday's workout. I was very sore from the yard work, tree chopping and log carrying.

Workout:

Dumbbell Rows:
125 lbs x 3 reps
125 lbs x 5 reps
125 lbs x 7 reps

High Cable Rows:
160 lbs x 10 reps x 2 sets
175 lbs x 7 reps

Low Cable Rows:
180 lbs x 8 reps
180 lbs x 12 reps
180 lbs x 16 reps

Facepulls:
85 lbs x 15 reps x 3 sets

Pallof Press:
47.5 lbs x 12 reps x 2 sets
52.5 lbs x 12 reps

Videos:

Rows:

Overall Impression:

Decent workout...

M19 W4 Deadlift Training

Deadlift Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 4

Beginning Thoughts:

Worked out in the morning today...

Workout:

Deadlifts:
455 lbs x 1 rep
475 lbs x 1 rep
495 lbs x FAIL
Next week starts a singles cycle. I am looking forward to the next 4 weeks of singles work.

Grip Training:
Walmart Gripper x 5 reps x 2 sets
HG 150 x 2 reps x 2 sets
CoC #1 x 1 rep x 2 sets

Renegade Rows:
45 lbs x 7 reps x 2 sets

Dumbbell Windmills:
25 lbs x 7 reps x 2 sets

Hand Extensions:
2 bands x 20 reps x 3 sets

Videos:

Deadlifts:

Overall Impression:

I spent the whole day working on chopping down trees and doing heavy duty yardwork. I am sore beyond words!

M19 W3 Full Body Training

Full Body Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 3

Beginning Thoughts:

I just got back from Vegas like an hour ago. No wins no losses. Didn't even gamble. What I did do is see the Cirque du Soleil which is AWESOME. I saw the KA show and it was really out of this world!

This workout took place on Sunday but I was too lazy to post it at the time...

Workout:

Front Squats:
275 lbs x 2 reps @ 97.5%
245 lbs x 3 reps x 5 sets @ 87.5%

Pull-ups:
BW x 5 reps x 3 sets
My shoulders were in a great deal of pain from those ridiculous tricep extensions from the previous workout so I didn't push it here.

Grip Training:
Walmart Gripper x 5 reps x 2 sets
HG 150 x 2 reps x 2 sets
CoC #1 x 1 single x 3 sets
HG 150 x 8 reps
I love grip training!

Videos:

Front Squats:

Overall Impression:

It was a short workout. Didn't feel like pushing it at all. My shoulder was bothering me very much at the time and both shoulders were hurting. Today I am feeling fine and I think the rest has been good. I actually felt fine after the workout itself.

Next workout is tomorrow....

Oh, movie update: I saw this movie last Friday which I forgot to mention: Brooklyn's Finest. AWESOME movie. It BLEW the Departed right out of the water. I loved it.

M19 W3 Back Training

Back Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 3

Beginning Thoughts:

Had a very productive morning 

Workout:

Weighted Pull-ups:
BW + 20 lbs x 3 reps
BW + 30 lbs x 3 reps
BW + 40 lbs x 2 reps
BW + 50 lbs x 2 reps
BW + 40 lbs x 2 reps
BW + 30 lbs x 3 reps
BW + 30 lbs x 3 reps
Total = 18 reps

Hammer Strength Machine Rows:
115 lbs x 6 reps
135 lbs x 6 reps
160 lbs x 5 reps

High Cable Rows:
150 lbs x 9 reps x 3 sets

Facepulls:
80 lbs x 15 reps x 3 sets

Swiss Ball Jackknife Pikes:
BW x 12 reps x 3 sets

Tricep Extensions:
65 lbs x 6 reps
95 lbs x 5 reps
95 lbs x 6 reps

Medicine Ball Throws:
12 lbs x 15 reps x 3 sets

Videos:

Weighted Pull-ups, Machine Rows, Cable Rows, Tricep Extensions and Core Training:

Overall Impression:

I'm gonna go see "Brooklyn's Finest" tonight. Really looking forward to that.

Tomorrow I depart for Dallas.

My next workout will be on Sunday at an LA Fitness.

Cheers and I hope everyone has a good weekend!

M19 W3 Deadlift Training

Deadlift Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 3

Beginning Thoughts:

I had a huge exam today. Got 3 hours of sleep last night plus 1 hour nap during the day. Not a good feeling...

Workout:

Deadlifts:
455 lbs x 4 reps
455 lbs x 1 rep
I wanted 5 reps. Missed it. The second set was the worst form I've executed in a looonngg time.

Weird Ab Exercise:
BW x 9 reps x 3 sets

Hand Extensions:
2 bands x 15 reps x 3 sets

Videos:

Deadlifts & Weird Ab Exercise:

Overall Impression:

Well, good news is that Spring Break has begun finally! 

I am leaving for Dallas on Saturday. I'll be there all week next week but I am going to Las Vegas for 2 nights.

Tomorrow morning will have me doing my Back Training.

I hope everyone's had a good week. Mine has been very stressful. Too much going on in life with graduation literally just around the corner.

Thanks for dropping by! 

M19 W2 Full Body Training

Full Body Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 2

Beginning Thoughts:

Yesterday's workout...

Workout:

Front Squats:
265 lbs x 2 reps @ 95%
240 lbs x 3 reps x 5 sets @ 85%

Pull-ups:
BW x 11 reps
BW x 11 reps
BW x 9 reps
BW x 8 reps
Total = 39 reps

Unilateral Overhead Press:
60 lbs x 5 reps
65 lbs x 5 reps
70 lbs x 5 reps
75 lbs x 5 reps
80 lbs x 2 reps

Side Plank Rows:
27.5 lbs x 30 seconds
27.5 lbs x 30 seconds
32.5 lbs x 30 seconds

Videos:

Front Squats, Pull-ups and Unilateral Overhead Press:

Overall Impression:

Diet has been decent. Time to maintain this good diet.

M19 W2 Back Training

Back Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 2

Beginning Thoughts:

Worked out earlier today..

Workout:

Weighted Pull-ups:
BW + 20 lbs x 3 reps
BW + 30 lbs x 3 reps
BW + 30 lbs x 3 reps
BW + 40 lbs x 3 reps
BW + 35 lbs x 3 reps
BW + 30 lbs x 3 reps
Total = 18 reps

Dumbbell Rows:
110 lbs x 8 reps x 3 sets

High Pulley Rows:
150 lbs x 8 reps x 3 sets

Weird Ab Exercise:
BW x 8 reps x 2 sets
BW x 7 reps

Tricep Skullcrushers:
65 lbs x 6 reps x 2 sets

Hammer Curls:
50 lbs x 6 reps x 2 sets

Videos:

Weighted Pull-ups, Dumbbell Rows and Weird Ab Exercise:

Overall Impression:

I am in the process of successfully catching up on my sleep. Another 10 hours tonight and I am GOOD TO GO!!! 

M19 W2 Deadlift Training

Deadlift Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 2

Beginning Thoughts:

Running on 3 hours of sleep....Needless to say, I wasn't at my 100%.

Workout:

Deadlifts:
455 lbs x 4 reps
455 lbs x 3 reps
I was supposed to do 4 sets of 4 reps with an average minimum of 440 lbs for this workout in order to increase density from last workout which was a wee bit too much to say the least. Given my ****ty diet and terrible sleeping habits of the previous night, that was not going to happen. Being a stickler for details, I figured with the low motivation and focus I had after 455x3, that quitting was a better idea that Deadlifting with zero focus. Therefore, 455x3 was the last set of the day.

Hand Extensions:
2 bands x 15 reps x 3 sets

Videos:

Deadlifts:

Overall Impression:

I wish I could catch up on sleep tonight but thats not going to happen. I got another big exam tomorrow. Today's Accounting Exam was pretty good.

M19 W1 Press Training

Press Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 1

Beginning Thoughts:

Just got back from the gym...

Workout:

Pull-ups:
BW x 11 reps
BW x 11 reps
BW x 9 reps
BW x 7 reps
Total = 38 reps

Incline Close Grip Crazy Bell Bench Press:
185 lbs x 4 reps x 3 sets

Unilateral Overhead Press:
65 lbs x 5 reps x 3 sets

Skullcrushers / JM Presses:
65 lbs x 6 reps x 3 sets

Facepulls:
80 lbs x 15 reps x 3 sets

Pallof Press:
32.5 lbs x 12 reps
42.5 lbs x 12 reps
47.5 lbs x 12 reps

Videos:

Pull-ups, Incline Close Grip Crazy Bell Bench Press, Unilateral Overhead Press and Skullcrushers / JM Presses:

Overall Impression:

Time to rest...

M19 W1 Squat Training

Squat Training
Mesocycle 19 - Week 1

Beginning Thoughts:

Tonight's workout...

Workout:

Front Squats:
260 lbs x 2 reps @ 92.5%
230 lbs x 5 reps x 3 sets @ 82.5%
Decent...

Grip Training:
Walmart Gripper = 5 reps x 2 sets; Set 1 slowly (2 seconds per squeeze) and Set 2 done fast
HG 150 = 2 reps x 2 sets
CoC #1 = 1 rep x 3 sets - Quality Singles
HG 150 = 8 reps
Decent....still having a VERY hard time closing the CoC #1 but with Joe's instructions I will get there soon 

Metabolic Conditioning for 2 rounds:
Kettlebell Swings = 45 lbs x 12 reps
Russian Twists = 10 lbs x 8 reps
Supine Glute Ham Raises = BW x 10 reps
Swiss Ball Jackknife Pikes = BW x 8 reps
Decent work..

Videos:

Front Squats & Metabolic Conditioning:

Overall Impression:

Tomorrow is a Press Day!!!