Behold the latest addition to "John Phung's Gym For Muscles": 2 Ton Axle Stands used as an adjustable height deadlift jack!

2 Ton Axel Stand

Makes taking off plates super easy!

L-Sit Chin Ups

Fat gripz.

  • Body weight (~200 lb): 5

Low Bar Squat

Paused until work sets.

  • 45 lb: 20
  • 140 lb: 10
  • 230 lb: 5
  • 320 lb: 3
  • 410 lb: 1
  • 440 lb: 1
  • 402.5 lb: 3,3,3,3
    • +2.5 lb from last week.
    • 4 sets instead of 3

High Bar Squat

  • 402.5 lb: 3,3
    • +2.5 lb from last week.
    • 2 sets instead of 3

Low Bar Squat

  • 362.5 lb: 5
    • 1 set instead of 0.

High Bar Squat

  • 362.5 lb: 5,5
    • +2.5 lb from last week.
    • 2 sets instead of 3

Face Pulls

  • 70 lb: 10
  • 80 lb: 10

Reverse Grip Bench Press

Going to start doing paused sets of 3, because sets of 5 is getting too hard and to practice pausing my bench for the competition.

I'm dialing back down on the weight to 300 lb, and increasing the number of sets (10 sets of 3 reps).

  • 45 lb: 10
  • 140 lb: 5
  • 230 lb: 3
  • 300 lb: 1
  • 355 lb: X,1
    • Back a little too sweaty, slipped and missed on first set. Changed to tank top after.
    • +5 lb from last week.
  • 300 lb: 3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3

I was planning on 1 PR for this week, but ended up with 4!

Front Squat: 370 lb (1RM)

On Wednesday I got a 370 lb front squat, which is a +20 lb PR from last week. Not too shabby!

For the upcoming weeks, I'm going to fill out the "Front Squat" row in my personal records scoreboard starting with a new 2 rep max (I'm thinking 350'ish), then 3, and maybe 5.

Overhead Press: 240 lb x 2 (2RM)

Did this one on Wednesday. Could have sworn I had overhead pressed 240x2 before, but I couldn't find any record of it.

Low Bar Squat: 440 lb x 5 (5RM)

On Friday I did 440x5, which is a +10 lb PR from February. My form was pretty good for all reps I think. I am satisfied.

High Bar Squat: 440 lb x 5 (5RM)

The next day (Saturday), I managed a high bar squat for 440x5, which is also a +10 lb PR. The last time I got a 5RM was on the same day I did a low bar squat 5RM.

Also, I wanted to get in a training session of squats and deadlifts because I was going to have Chinese buffet for lunch (or in my case, a post-workout meal).

Gymboss Interval Timer Review

Black GymbossI wrote a review for the standalone interval timer known as the Gymboss.

TL;DR: It's a good interval timer.

Buy it if you want something that's compact, simple to use and has a vibration function.

Full review here.

End Of Texas Method

"Using no way as way" & "Having no limitation as limitation"I'm going to stop calling what I'm doing "Texas Method" mainly because what I do now deviates a bit from the program, and I don't want to be confined to a "method" or a "system" if I want to alter my training somehow. (As I write this, I'm reminded of Bruce Lee's saying of, "Using no way as way" & "Having no limitation as limitation").

I've already made many changes. My training now contain some elements of the Texas Method, namely, a higher volume day and a higher intensity day, but sometimes I'll have 2 or 3 PR days per week (Wednesday, which is usually a "recovery day", Friday, and sometimes Saturdays like yesterday). My recovery days are usually "intense" ie. attempting 1 rep maxes, and sometimes they're high in volume. My "intensity days" are sometimes high in volume as well.

I think it's about time to stop calling it the "Texas Method".

In the end, it's just training to get stronger.

Stuff You Should Read

  1. 3 Questions For Better Workouts by Charles Staley
  2. What I Learned To Deadlift 500 Pounds by Greg Nuckols

Pre-buffet workout. Gotta earn my food!

Foam Rolling

L-Sit Chin Ups

With blue Fat Gripz.

  • Body weight (~200 lb): 5

High Bar Squat

  • 45 lb: 20
  • 140 lb: 10
  • 230 lb: 5
  • 320 lb: 3
  • 410 lb: 1
  • 460 lb: 1
  • 440 lb: 5 * PR! (5RM)
    • 5 rep max

Deadlift

Hook grip, touch and go.

  • 140 lb: 5
  • 190 lb: 5
  • 230 lb: 3
  • 320 lb: 3
  • 370 lb: 2
  • 410 lb: 2
  • 460 lb: 1
  • 500 lb: 1
  • 410 lb: 3
    • First time I did 3 reps with a hook grip that I can remember.
    • Thumbs look like they've been run over by a car. Cool!

Foam Rolling

L-Sit Chin Ups

With blue Fat Gripz.

  • Body weight (~200 lb): 5

Low Bar Squat

Paused until 500 lb.

  • 45 lb: 20
  • 140 lb: 10
  • 230 lb: 5
  • 320 lb: 3
  • 410 lb: 1
  • 460 lb: 1
  • 500 lb: 1
    • A bit tough. Maybe I'll stick with sub-500, because this felt like a bit of a grind. We'll see.
  • 440 lb: 5 * PR!

Face Pulls

  • 70 lb: 10
  • 80 lb: 10

Reverse Grip Bench Press

Paused until work sets.

  • 45 lb: 10
  • 140 lb: 5
  • 230 lb: 3
  • 280 lb: 1
  • 340 lb: 1
  • 390 lb: MISSED
    • Originally planning on NOT trying a 1RM. Got greedy as I warmed up.
    • Out of the rack and on the descent it felt smooth. Don't think I got it up half way. I did set it down gently though.
  • 330 lb: 3
    • My right hand rotated slightly out of place on the 2nd rep, which messed me up.
    • Missed on the 4th rep. Wanted 5. Going to call it a day.

Texas method recovery day.

Foam Rolling

L-Sit V-Grip Pull Ups

Hook grip.

  • Body weight (~200 lb): 8

Front Squat

  • 45 lb: 10
  • 100 lb: 10
  • 140 lb: 5
  • 230 lb: 3
  • 280 lb: 1
  • 330 lb: 1
  • 370 lb: 1 * PR!
    • New 1RM...by 20 lb! Not too bad...but still not double body weight.
  • 255 lb: 3,3,3,3,3
    • +5 lb from last week
    • 5 sets instead of 3
    • Started to pause these squats at the 2nd set
    • Beltless starting on the 3rd set

Overhead Press

  • 45 lb: 10
  • 75 lb: 8
  • 100 lb: 5
  • 140 lb: 3
  • 190 lb: 1
  • 210 lb: 1
  • 240 lb: 2 * PR!
    • 2RM! I think. I feel like I've done this weight for 2 reps before, but I cannot find any record of it through a Google search. Time to fill out an empty box in my personal records table!
  • 200 lb: 5,5

Barbell Curl

I think curls would be more fun to do if I had a mirror.

  • 45 lb: 10
  • 70 lb: 12

Reverse Barbell Curl

  • 45 lb: 10