Archives For Texas method

"Using no way as way" & "Having no limitation as limitation"

End of The Texas Method, OHP and Front/High/Low Bar Squat PRs, Interval Timer and Stuff You Should Read

April 28, 2013 — Leave a comment

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
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Training Log: Friday April 26, 2013

April 26, 2013 — Leave a comment

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.
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Training Log: Wednesday April 24, 2013

April 24, 2013 — Leave a comment

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
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Training Log: Monday April 22, 2013

April 22, 2013 — Leave a comment

Texas method volume day.

Foam Rolling

L-Sit Chin Ups

Hook grip. Gotta increase my pain tolerance.

  • Body weight (~200 lb): 6

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
  • 400 lb: 3,3,3
    • +5 lb from last week.

High Bar Squat

  • 400 lb: 3,3,3
    • +5 lb from last week.
  • 360 lb: 5,5,5
    • +2.5 lb from last week.
    • Might have done an extra set...but I'm not 100% sure...dammit. I did another set to make sure I got the 3x5 I wanted.

Face Pulls

  • 70 lb: 10
  • 80 lb: 10

Reverse Grip Bench Press

Changed my shirt because my previous one was pretty sweat from squatting. Also, the shirt that I'm wearing has some printed writing and a logo on the back, so it'll probably stick to the bench a little better and prevent me from sliding.

  • 45 lb: 10
  • 140 lb: 5
  • 230 lb: 3
  • 300 lb: 1
  • 350 lb: 1
  • 315 lb: 5,5,4
    • +2.5 lb from last week.
    • Gah missed on last rep, last set. GRrrr...
    • Grip felt a little off on the third set when I unracked the bar.
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Training Log: Friday April 19, 2013

April 19, 2013 — Leave a comment

Texas method intensity day.

Foam Rolling

L-Sit Chin Ups

With blue Fat Gripz.

  • Body weight (~200 lb): 5

Low Bar Squat

  • 45 lb: 20
  • 140 lb: 10
  • 230 lb: 5
  • 320 lb: 3
  • 410 lb: 1
  • 460 lb: 1
  • 500 lb: 1
    • Not too bad...let's TRY A PR
  • 515 lb: 1 * PR!
    • 1 rep max by 5 lb!
    • Was thinking about 520 at first, but didn't want to miss and regret not trying 515.
    • Half way up, I felt the muscles in the middle of my back kick in. I think the same ones that were sore from front squatting the other day.

High Bar Squat

  • 440 lb: 3
    • Tough, a bit of a grind.

Face Pulls

  • 70 lb: 10
  • 80 lb: 10

Reverse Grip Bench Press

  • 45 lb: 10
  • 140 lb: 5
  • 230 lb: 3
  • 280 lb: 1
  • 330 lb: 3,3,3
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