Archives For Weekly Review

I hung up a 100lbs heavy bag on the rafters in my basement this week, and after a couple of workouts kicking the bag, my shins are quite tender.

It's probably going to take a while to get accustomed to heavy bag work again, especially at my current body weight of 200+lbs. I think the last time I hit a heavy bag was when I was 10lbs lighter, and even then I felt sluggish.

Also, I'm going to have to make some adjustments to my current training. Lately I've been missing a lot of 1RM attempts, so I'm going to dial down and work on 5RM, 3RM and 2RM. I'm also going to start alternating high bar and low bar squat every other workout (the main days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday). This way, I'll finally get some volume work (on Mondays) on low bar squats after months of primarily high bar squatting.

Recovery days I'm planning on doing paused squats, either high bar or low bar depending on the week. And aim for 5RM, 3RM or 2RM on Fridays.

It should look like this:

Week A

  • Monday (Volume): high bar squat 10x3 (10 sets, 3 reps)
    • Maybe switch to 5x5 once I start missing the prescribed sets and reps. Load for Monday is 410lbs.
  • Wednesday (Recovery): paused low bar squat
  • Friday (Intensity): high bar squat 5RM, 3RM or 2RM

Week B

  • Monday (Volume): low bar squat 10x3 (10 sets, 3 reps)
    • I think I'll start off with a lower weight (~370lbs), simply because I haven't done a lot of volume for low bar squats for a long time.
  • Wednesday (Recovery): paused high bar squat
  • Friday (Intensity): low bar squat 5RM, 3RM or 2RM

Reverse grip bench presses will be done twice a week (Mondays and Fridays) and work on OHP Wednesdays.

That's the game plan, so let's see how it works out!

Anyways, here's a few articles you should check out:

  1. The Dependance on Science by Kirksman
  2. All Deadlifts Should Be Touch & Go by Emevas
  3. Round Back Deadlifts by Mike Robertson

Check these out:

  1. Iron Evolution Reflections Part 1 by Dave Tate
  2. Strength & Barbells: The Foundations of Fitness by Michael Wolf
  3. Instinctive Training by Jim Wendler
  4. Why Weightlifting Will Not Grow Without Crossfit by Kirksman

Well, I finally hit that 495lbs high bar squat! I think I missed that weight 2 or 3 weeks in a row. I think a 500lbs high bar squat is just around the corner.

And also nailed a 510lbs low bar squat the next day. Short-medium term goal: 550lbs. Long term goal: 600lbs. Still a long way to go...

Anyways, here's some of my blog posts you might have missed:

  1. Q&A About My Heavy Warmup
  2. Ironmind Neck Harness Review
  3. Cardio Equipment worth $400+ that I scored for $120. Time to burn some fat!

And here are 3 solid articles I came across this week that I think you should check out:

  1. What Differentiates The Chinese? by Kirksman
  2. 3 Press Fixes by Justin Lascek
  3. Reps: Strength Training Pixie Dust by Paul Carter

Some stuff you might have missed this past week:

  1. Hip Drive
  2. Latest batch of supplements from Bodybuilding.com
  3. How I Train My Neck (Video)
  4. Close Grip Bench Press of 340lbs (Video)
  5. 505lbs Low Bar Squat (Video)

And a few articles you should read:

  1. ROM Progression Method Details by Emevas
  2. Why Swings Over Jump Squats And Olympic Lifts by Bret Contreras
  3. Why These Are Your Most Important Shoes...And How They Give You Superpowers By Dr. Phil Wagner, M.D.
  4. Weight Training: The Importance Of Genetics By Matt Brzycki

Well, didn't hit that 495lbs high bar squat I wanted to this week (I got crushed twice), but I did get a 440lbs low bar paused squat and 225lbs clean & press PR.

Not too shabby.

Anyways, here are a few good articles I came across this past week:

  1. Training Tips for the One-Man Wolf Pack by Scott Grant
  2. Secret Weapon For Muscle, And Power: The Push Press by David Wu
  3. 3 Thoughts On Being A Raw Squatter by Greg Robins