This marks the end of Week 5 of this training program, and I’m feeling strong. My strength is definitely going up, and I need to make sure to stay on target with my programming – don’t make concessions just to lift more weight because I want to lift more weight. The key is to follow the program as it’s written, and to not divert from that, so here we go:
- SSB Squats – 275x9reps
- Warm-ups: 65×10, 65×5, 115×5, 155×3, 205×1, 245×1
- Seated OHP/BTN – 50x16reps/5reps
- Warm-ups: 45×10/5
- HB Squats – 235×18/2reps
- Warm-ups: 45×10, 95×5, 135×3, 185×1, 205×1
- My inability to complete the straight 20 reps wasn’t a strength issue today, or at least it didn’t feel like a strength issue. My arms just started going numb from gripping the bar so tightly, plus my wrists were bent back further than usual, so I think that contributed to the numbness too. Anyway, I’m just glad I kept it in my head to finish the 20 rep total with an extra double. Just need to get through all 20 straight next workout is all.
- DLs – 235x10reps
- Warm-ups: 45×15, 135×5, 185×3, 225×1
- Grip strength played a big role in my inability to go beyond the 10 reps. Between the numbness and pump in my forearms from the HB squats, and the fact that I was pulling more deliberately with constant tension throughout the entire set caused my grip to get incredibly taxed. I have the strength to probably hit at least 15 reps with this weight, but I need to bring my grip strength up too. So here we go with slower reps for deadlifts.
I’m pretty happy with where my strength levels are currently at, using the top sets in this workout I’m looking at estimated 1RM’s for SSB Squats, HB Squats and DLs, respectively: 357, 375, 313. My DLs are definitely lagging behind, but I know that the strength is there in the posterior chain, just need to get my forearms up to par.
Ramble on Fitness 