Monday, December 30, 2024

Monday 30th December 2024

Week 1 Day 1
Walk
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squat, Copenhagen 
High bar squat: warmups, 175x5, 190x1
Banded straight arm, banded rear delt, RC flyes
T&G Bench: warmups, 90x10x5 (+5kg next week)
Pulldowns: warmups, 60x15, 70x14, x12, x10
SSB split squat (front elevated): 0x10, 25x20, 35x10
Leg Extension: 25x40, BFR 25x25x3
Pushdowns: 10x30, 15x20, 20x20, 25x20

Notes
First session heading into the new year. Still more hypertrophy related, but getting there.  Doing specific warmups for upper and lower that include adductors and RC work.  Onwards.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Saturday 21st December 2024

Walk loooong
Cable rows: warmups, 100x13
Pulldowns: 60x13, x12, x12, x13
Incline press: warmups, 100x10x2, 100x5
Band Flyes: Ox20, x18, x17, x13
Rear delts: Ox12x3 slow eccentric
Side raise: 10kg plate x12x3
Ezy curl: 28x8, 38x8x3
Lying extension: warmups, 60x12x3

Notes
Hot, hard work, pump, great stuff.  

Thats about it for the more hypertrophy based training.  The next week is off/light work.  Then into a slight 50.50 strength hypertrophy, building into the Nationals training block, once I actually have a date set.  

Friday 20th December 2024

Walk
Warmups, adductor squeeze, RDL, Copenhagen
Deadlifts: warmups, 220x4, 240x1
RDL: 150x8x3
Leg extension paused: 25x30, x25, x25 
Sissy squats: Bx12x3

Notes
Deadlift felt ok with a week off, but man, kicked me.  

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Wednesday 18th December 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 110x10x3, x8, 145x1
Push ups plus: BWx12, Px12x2, Bx12x2
Reverse grip pulldown: 60x12, x15, x20, 70x8
Side raise: Px20, +2.5x20, +5x20
Rear delt: 0x20x3
Curls: 10kg plate x20x2, x12
Pushdowns: 20x20x2, x15

Notes
Good work, the bench wasn't quite failure but was heading down that track.  Made the single harder.  Need to get better.  Two more days of this block, then down week for Christmas, while stepping it back in just around new year with new program.  

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Monday 16th December 2024

Walk
Warmups side lunges up to 20kg
Squats: warmups, 180x5x2, 210x1
High bar squats: 100x8, 120x8, 140x8
Standing leg curls: 10x12, 20x8, 30x8x3, 30x11
Banded paused leg curls: Gx40x2, Gx25

Notes
Squats feel hard all the time.  Tried to be slightly lower bar but don't know how I feel about that.  But, the single wasn't excessively hard, so it might be me being soft around reps.
High bar felt nicer than SSB so will keep that.  Ascending load felt better too.  

Monday, December 16, 2024

Saturday 14th December 2024

Walk
Warmups
Cable Row: 60x12, 70x12, 100x12x2, 100x7
Straight arm pulldown: 10x12, 20x12, 25x12, 30x12
Incline press: warmups, 100x10,100x8
Flyes: Ox20x3
Side raise: Bx20x3
Rear: Ox30x3
Curls: 28x12, 33x8x3
Lying ext: 40x12, 60x12x4
Ab twist: Gx12x3

Notes
Hot day with a lot of work.  Getting closer to failure on things.  Realistically I am not great at grinding through to a real failure on some exercises.  Building the plan for next year.  

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Wednesday 11th December 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 100x9(oops), 100x10x4, 
Comp bench: 130x1
Pushup+:  BWx12x4 
Closegrip pulldowns: 60x12, 70x12, 70x8
Side raise: Px50, x40
Rear delt: Ox20x2
Ezy Curl:  22x20x2
Pushdowns: 30x20, 35x20, 40x20

Notes
Bench was getting harder but still fine.  The single was easy enough but yeah, not a heavy weight.  The bbr work was working towards failure on the last sets.  

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Monday 9th December 2024

Walk
Warmups
Squats: warmups, 180x5x2, 200x1
SSB squat: 125x8x2
Standing leg curl: 20x12, 30x12, 40x8x3
Banded paused leg curl: Gx20x3

Notes
First real session of high protein weeks, felt like shit.  Squat is feeling very weak.  Dont know if thats the week off, or weight loss (which is minimal), or the lack of real progressive loading?

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Saturday 7th December 2024

Walk
Warmups
Cable row: warmups, 85x12, 100x12x4
Pulldowns: 60x12x2, 70x12x2
Incline press: warmups, 90x10x4
Banded flyes: Ox20x3
Rear delts: Ox20x4
Side raise: Px30, x40, x40 (behind back)
Curls: 18x20x4
Pushdowns: 30x20, 35x20x3

Notes
Weee.  Good session.  Incline went nicely, other things were hard work really.  Tipped a 25kg plate onto my foot before I did my curls which sorta hurts.  Doh.  Clumsy week for me.  
Going to 4x week next week, and also trialing swapping out some carb and fat to protein, to get to around that 250g mark.  Thats 2.06g/kg bodymass.  And should be at the top end of the range for lean mass.  

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Wednesday 4th December 2024

Walk: long one with the boy
Warmups
Deadlifts: warmups, 245x1, 220x4
Leg extensions (contract): 25x20x4

Notes
Nice little session.  Still nervous before the deadlifts and the lockout still feels a little out of sorts.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Monday 2nd December 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 90x10x5
Pushup+: BWx12x4
Pulldowns closegrip: 60x12, 70x9x2
Side raise: px50, Bx15x2
Rear delt: Bx20x2
Curls: 28x12, 33x8x2
Lying extension: 40x12, 50x12, 55x12, 60x12
Overhead banded extension: Bx15x2

Notes
Went well.  Bench was feeling pretty comfortable, will add a light weight single next round.  Everything else is just slightly less than I had been targeting, but going to failure earlier.  Including everything after pulldowns.

Wednesday 27th November 2024

Walk
Warmups
Squats: warmups, 210x1, 190x5
leg curls: 25x20x4


Notes
Nice.
Down week.  

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Monday 25th November 2024

Walk
Warmups: banded and RC
Cable Row: warmups, 60x12, 80x12, 100x12x3
Pulldowns: 60x12x3, x18
Incline bench: warmups 80x10x4
Banded flies: Ox20x4
Side raises: Px20x3
Rear delt: Px20x3
Cable curl single: 10x12x4
Tricep pushdown single: 10x20x4

Notes
Legs are absolutely toasted from Saturday (I write this on Wednesday and they are still sore), so likely will have a deload for a week.  Will see how things are going.  Muscle gain seems to be functioning.  Also have a competition to deal with this weekend, at least transporting weights and stuff around, so will take out most of my Saturday.  

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Saturday 23rd November 2024

Warmups
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 240x1, 205x4x2
RDL: 140x8x3
Contraction Leg Extension: 25x30x3, 25x20x2
Sissy squat: -Bx12x4
Curls: 18x20x3
Lying extension: 18x20x3
Copenhagen Adductor: kneex12x3

Notes
Helped load the van for competition next week, then did this.  All moved ok, nothing too terrible.  Cut 3sets of hamstrings out, same will happen with quads next week.  It will become 12-15 set targets, closer to failure for the non-PL movements.  

Wednesday 20th November 2024

Walk
Shoulder warmup, RC band
Bench: warmups, 80x10x5
Pushup plus: BWx12x5
Pulldowns: 50x12, 60x12x4
Shrugs: 60x20, 80x20x3
Side raise: Px20, Ox12x2
Rear delt: Ox15, Ox12x2
Lying ext: 40x12, 50x12, 55x12, 60x12, x8
Cable Curls: 10x12, 20x12, 25x12, x8

Notes
Long session but went well.  Hurt afterwards.  Good hurt not bad hurt.  

Monday, November 18, 2024

Monday 18th November 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 210x1, 180x5x2
SSB: 125x8x3
Stepups: BWx12, 5x12, 10x12
Standing leg curls: warmup, 20x12x3, x16x2
Lying leg curl: 25x30, x20x3
Ezy curl: 18x20x3
Lying ezy extension: 18x20x3

Notes
Ok day, but felt bloated and that made the top set a bit rough.  Everything heavy just feels hard but oh well.  

Saturday 16th November 2024

Walk
Banded warmup shoulders, RC work
Cable Row: 60x12, 80x12, 90x12x3
Pulldowns: 60x12, 70x12x3
Incline press: warmups, 70x10x5
Bb banded rear shrug: Gx30, GBx30x2
Rear delt: Ox20x3
Preacher Ezy Curl: 28x12x2x2, x9x2
Tricep pushdowns" 30x30x3

Notes
Last real piece of the old setup.  It felt pretty good, and bloated.  Will see how the new model works for increasing my work.

Wednesday 13th November 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlift: warmups, 230x1, 200x4x2
RDL: 130x8x3
Standing leg curl: 20x12, 25x12x3, 20x12
Sissy squat: Bx12, Px12x3
Banded leg curl: Gx50x3

Notes
Burn.  Well, after the banded leg curls it hurt.  But the deadlift felt a bit heavy.  Was tired and sore.  Sleep would be better.  Otherwise OK.

Monday, November 4, 2024

Monday 4th November 2024

Walk
Rear banded warmups
Cable row: 35x12, 60x12, 75x12x2, 85x12x3
Pulldowns: 35x12, 60x12x4
Incline press: warmups, 60x10x5
Db curl: 7.5x12, 10x12, 12.5x12x3
Shrug: 60x12, 100x12x3
Rear delt: Px20, Ox20x2, Px20x2
Banded pushdown: Bx20, B+Px20x2

Notes
Felt tired but it all moved ok.  Nice pump all around.  

Saturday 2nd November 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 230x1, 190x4x2
RDL: 130x8x3
Standing leg curl: 20x12, 25x8, 27.5x8x3
Sissy squats: +Bx12x4
Banded leg curls: Bx50x3

Notes
Deadlifts didn't feel good, but once I got some chalk on, it moved better.  

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Wednesday 30th October 2024

Walk long
Banded rear warmups
Banded RC warmup
Bench: warmups, 60x10x5
Pushup plus: BWx12x5
Close grip pulldowns: 50x12x5
Banded flies: 2orangex30x3
Side raises: pinkx20x4
Single arm rope pushdowns: 10x20x3, x14, x10
Single arm rope curl: 10x12x3

Notes
Trained modestly late, but everything went well.  Lots of work and was quite tired by the end of it.  

Monday, October 28, 2024

Monday 28th October 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze:30x3, lateral squat: 10x10x3
Squat: warmups, 190x1, 160x5x2
SSB squat: 120x10x3
BFR leg extension: 25x50, x40, x30, x25, x20
BFR leg curl: 25x30x2, x25, x20
BFR stepup: BWx15
Stepup: BWx15, x20

Notes
Voooomit.  Increased volume this cycle.  Plus added back the squats as the starting movement.  Thats a fair whack of work.  

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Saturday 26th October 2024

Walk
Band pulldowns and rear delt
Band RC fly
Cable Rows: warmups, 90x12x3
Pulldowns: 35x12, 50x12x3
Incline press: warmups, 50x10x5
Shrugs: 70x12x3
Rear delt: redx20, orangex20x3
Rear shrug: Greenx30, Green+purplex30x3
Cable curls: L 10x12x2, x6 drop to 5x9
Cable curls: R 10x12x2, x6 drop to 5x10

Notes
Holy Smokes.  Great work.  Getting harder now.  Closer to failure, not absolute but getting closer.  Bench is feeling semi ok.  No chickens, as it still hurts at other times.  

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Wednesday 23rd October 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
RDL: 70x8x3
Deadlifts: warmups, 210x1
RDL: 120x10x3
BFR Standing leg curl: 10x20, 15x12, 20x12x5
BFR Sissy Squats: purple bandx12x4

Notes
Good session.  Was feeling rather tired and not up for anything.   But everything moved ok.  Deadlift was good enough for the first real lift for a month.  

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Monday 21st October 2024

Walk
Band shoulders warmups
Band RC warmup
Bench: warmups, 50x10x5
Push up plus: BWx10, +redbandx10x2
Overhead press: 20x8x2, 25x8
Close grip pulldowns: warmups, 60x12x3
Lu Raises: 5x20x3
Single arm pushdown: warmup, 15x12x3, 10x13 

Notes
Nice session.  Bench, and shoulder, felt better but not perfect.  Chest actually felt sore the following day.  Will continue to take it as it comes.  I feel like its progressing in the right direction.  No chickens have been counted.  

Monday, October 21, 2024

Saturday 19th October 2024

Long walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
SSB squats: warmups, 187x1, 117x10x3
BFR Leg extension: 20x20+20(each leg),20x20+20(each leg),20x20+20(each leg),20x20+10(each leg)
BFR stepup: BWx10x2, x12, remove cuffs x12

Notes
Bleh.  Hard work but moved well.  The single is getting into the scope for what I was targeting.  

Wednesday 16th October 2024

Walk
Warmups
Rows: warmups to 75x12x3
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Rear delt
Shrug thing
Preacher BFR curls

Notes
Good day, hard work.  

Monday, October 14, 2024

Monday 14th October 2024

Walk short
Adductor squeeze
SSB GM: warmups, 65x10, 95x10x3
BFR standing leg curl: 10x30, 20x40 total reps, 10x30 total reps
Seated band leg curl: blackx50x2
Sissy squat: Gx10x3, Px10

Notes
Good session really.  GM feels weird with the SSB, but the other work was good.  Happy with it.  

Saturday 12th October 2024

Walk
Rear band warmups
RC band warmup
Bench: warmup, 40x10x4
Pushup+ knees: 10x3
Shoulder press (SSB): warmups, +40x10, +60x10x3
Band side raise: redx30x3
Pulldown: 50x12x3
Band rear pull: x30x3
Single arm pushdown: 10x30, x20, x20

Notes
Long day so wasn't really feeling this, but went ok.  Need to be more consistent with stretching.  

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Wednesday 9th October 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squats
SSB Squat: warmups, 170x1, 100x10x3
BFR leg extensions: 20x50, x25, x25, x15, x10 (125)
BFR leg curls: 20x20x3

Notes
Getting the volume up to drive things.  Squats were still hard, but the weight was heavier for the single.  Will get up to 4-5 sets of 10 before increasing loads.  Leg extension load may go up, but adding in more sets/reps to around 200 total is a start.  

Monday, October 7, 2024

Monday 7th October 2024

Walk
Cable Rows: warmups,lots, 45x20x3
Pulldowns: 45x15x2
Incline press: warmups, 30x10x3
Rear delt: red bandx20x3 (with handle)
BFR preacher single arm: red band x20x2, last set did 20 right and 15 left. 

Notes
Weee.  Moved ok.  Nothing too painful.  Weight can be heavier now.  The preacher curls were pumping, should start with the left, to let it dictate the total reps.  

Saturday 5th October 2024

 Walk
Warmups adductor squeeze + GM
SSB GM: warmups, 65x10x2
Standing leg curl: up to 15x20x2
Sissy squat: bandx10x3

Notes
Realistically, this needs to be a bigger session.  I liked the GM but it actually hurts the shoulders, just being there.  But will take it as it comes and see how the feeling is.  Otherwise will try the barbell.  Standing leg curls felt good.  Need lots of sets plus some BFR.  Then the sissy squat was to get some additional quad, and it really felt good.  Need a warmup for the knees, but otherwise.  Get some BFR on there and give it hell.  

Wednesday 2nd October 2024

Walk
Rear bands, RC bands
Bench: 30x10x3
Pushups+ (knee): 10x3
Shoulder press (SSB): up to 40x10x2 (40= 2x20kg plates)
Pulldowns: 20x12x3
Band rear shrug: 2orangex30x2
Band pushdown: greenx30x2

Notes
Session.  Bench was a little eh, but everything moved in the right direction.  Keeping things fluid at this point, rather than pushing it. 

Monday, September 30, 2024

Monday 30th September 2024

Warmups
SSB squats: warmups, 160x1, 100x10
BFR Leg extensions: 20x40, x30, x30
BFR sissy squats: rev band x10
BFR Leg curls: 20x50

Notes
First session.  Squats felt ok, nothing too heavy yet.  

Plan for the next few months

Well.


Its been a long period of time stuck at the same weight.

I need to push down again.  Would like to end at 110, but will adjust as time allows.  I will be suffering, but don't want to suffer too much.


Plan is to increase steps, add in some muscle building exercises.  Then a diet that reduces energy, particularly CHO and Fat.


Will push through to Christmas, and then assess.  My next nationals are in May.  Sometime.  Nothing is set yet.  


Training is largely more bbr focussed, with an emphasis on some singles/heavy work, but largely higher reps lighter loads.  Attempt on some exercise to move closer to failure.  Goal is to grow slightly into Nationals.  This focus is to provide space to gain muscle.  I need to be bigger to be better, and I need to get stronger.  

Goals are to enable recovery of my shoulders.  They are damaged and i need to strengthen all aspects and recover.  Higher reps, more muscle, stronger shoulders, ready for some great gains into 2025.  I need a 750 total.  That requires a 260 squat, 200 bench and 290 deadlift.  
I do not think that is realistically much of a gain on where I ended 2024, but I could not expose those gains because I broke myself.

So, why did I break?  I think my lower back bit the bullet because of excessive loadings.  I was squatting similar to last block.  Twice per week, one high, one low, plus split squats were added in.  Then Deadlifts, Instead of leg curls I did RDLs.  So I added more deadlifts into the mix, while the paused deadlifts were continuing and pendlay rows were there.  So, exposures for lower back went from four per week to six per week.  I dont think I allowed myself enough recovery time.    

Bench.  I did less than ever, but it still broke.  But the shoulders had gotten progressively tighter over time, and my lean from the other injury got worse, until snap.  


So, the next approach is to update my plan.  On-season is focussed towards competition lifts, and getting that.  Accessories on-season are to maintain the special strength or muscle size, and then focus the load for the problem areas to the primary lifts.  


So, RDL off-season to build posterior, GMs, highbar/SSB squats, more quad work, more hamstring work.  Reps, burns.  Take some work from the Swedish and Japanese benchers, reps upon reps, not just heavy, even though it is pretty fun.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

New Zealand Powerlifting Federation National Powerlifting Championships 2024, Sir Don Rowlands Event Centre, Karapiro

Pain. An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.

Ten weeks of work lead to a quite a bit of pain.

But. Didn't let that get in the way of lifting (but I complained about it along the way).
Competed in the 120kg open class. Against a group of seven younger lifters, most of whom have been alive for less time than I have been lifting. (35 years...old).

I was never going to fair well in this group. Last year the winning total was 755 to 715 for third. And healthy, I think I could have been in the fight for the podium with those sort of numbers. But this year was a massive step up with the top four nominations over 800.
Then there is the pain. Likely felt too good and pushed too hard, and the body didn't appretiate it, so it handed in its notice. One lower back/SI issue that started on week 7 of training, and then the right shoulder joining the left shoulder in pain on my last heavy day - leaving not a lot of time to pivot. The shoulder had me more concerned as it also impacted my ability to retract my shoulder in deadlift.

My pre-injury ranges were looking extremely good... my post injury total ending up less than 1% under my best shows it would have achieved close to my expected numbers. Will get healthier and see if I can do something silly at Masters nationals 2025.
Squat I opened light, 215, which was easy, even with a red light on the right hand side (the injury side). Likely I was nervious of pain. Jumped to 232.5, and then 245, both deep and three white lights. A small increase over last year, and a new WCPA M2 Record.

I was most nervous for bench. I did some warmup band exercises and heat rub/massage gun, failed a couple of pushups which gave a lot of pain. I warmed up on bench, and if I did a fast eccentric and accepted it would hurt, the concentric wasnt bad. But significant pain affterwards. Opening at 160 still gave me a bit of nerviousness. Wasn't warrented. I was going to do the fast eccentric on the platform but my brain didn't let me. I just focussed that it was going to hurt - like Lightning McQueen, but instead of "speed" it was "pain". The new Hansu rack felt great, absolutely flawness, the bench height and pin height was indistinquisible from home. Weight was super easy. Jumped 10kg. Easy. So jumped another 10kg. Moved like an opener. So 180 was the same as last year. But faster. Even while in pain. The live stream commentators were highlighting it - made me laugh.

Deadlifts warmup went well. My entire right shoulder was pretty angry, so I was trying to ensure I got into the best position to allow the least loading on it. 250 opener moved ok, not as fast as it should have. Jumped big to 275. Only the second time I have lifted 5 reds in competition. Moved well. I was concerned about the right lockout, as I could feel the shoulder being pulled forward with the weight, still got a white light - the commentators thought I was losing grip but no, it was the shoulder. I took 285 for a small step up on both my National M2 deadlift and total record, which was a little too ambitious. As soon as it got off the ground I could feel the shoulder being pulled out of position so stopped it early.
Thats another 8/9 day. 700 total. Pleased. Since my second return to lifting I have made 90.7% of lifts I attempted. Pleased with that.

Things do not go to plan. Especially when older. Pivot, adapt, move. There will be a bit of pivoting for the next few months. Trying to get the body back to "healthy", to gain a bit more muscle, and get stronger.
Being able to compete in the open class while being a M2 is pretty cool.

Friday, September 13, 2024

Friday 13th September 2024

Walks
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 185x1, 175x2x2
Pulldowns
Pushdowns
Side raises

Notes
Bleh... not content with the left hand side being sore as shit, my right side has joined in.   But felt strong until then.  Was going to do my last squat/deadlift on Sunday, but will do it tomorrow and see if I want to do a bench session, or lay off until Tuesday night for a last session.   Friday next week is the competition time.  

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Wednesday 11th September 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 175x1x3
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 230x1, 250x1

Notes
Things moved well.  Bench was really sore and slow, but its 175 and it wasn't terribly hard.  Shoulder is being a dick but moved.  Need to stabilise and relax.  Three more sessions for bench.  Deadlift moved well.  Didn't record 230 so decided on a 250 as a final step, it moved ok, hard but not impossibly hard.  Certainly no harder than my backdown last year at 255.  So, considering what happened a fortnight ago, pleased.  

Post training the SI is 'hurting' but not bad, just an ache.  One more lighter deadlift/squat day and I am done.  

Monday, September 9, 2024

Monday 9th September 2024 P.M.

Pulldowns: warmups, 50x20x4
Landmine press (both): warmups, 20x20x4
Single Arm Pushdowns: warmups, 12.5x20x4

Notes
Little bit of accessory work.  Just blood flow mainly.  Lower back is 'there' but not feeling too bad.  Happy with the progress made.   Thread the needle.  

Monday 9th September 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 190x1, 220x1, 200x1
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 160x4x3

Notes
Back was tired but not sore before this.  Worked ok, the 220 moved, not as fast as I wanted but it moved.  More room to go.  Bench was ok considering my shoulder feels on the edge, its a Monday and I squatted before.  Could have gone a bit heavier but kept to RIR target a bit better.  

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Saturday 7th September 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 182.5x1, 167.5x3, 170x3
Closegrip pulldowns: 50x12, 70x12x3
Rope pushdown single: 10x12, 15x8x3
Landmine press: single arm some

Notes
Went better than I was expecting.  Should still hurts as does the elbow, but will worry about that later.  Happy with the 182.5.  Didn't plan that high but it moved pretty well.  Next week will be an early morning bench session, so will see how it goes.  

Friday, September 6, 2024

Friday 6th September 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 190x1
Deadlifts: warmups, 190x1
Copenhagen Adductor: 20x3

Notes
Just testing out the body.  I can feel the lower back, but its not a sharp pain.  Will track recovery and see how it goes.

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Wednesday 4th September 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 162.5x2x6
Rev grip pulldowns: 50x12x5
Pushdowns: 10x8, 15x8, 20x8x3

Notes
Ok.  Shoulder feeling a little unstable but it was ok overall.  It doesn't feel as good as it had been feeling.  But it is Wednesday so its not the normal feeling.
I will attempt to squat/deadlift on Friday, so will see how it progresses.  

Monday, September 2, 2024

Monday 2nd September 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench; warmups, 150x5x3
Pulldowns: 50x12, 70x8x3
Side raises: 2.5x12, 5x12x3

Notes
Forgot my pushdowns, but did bench and that.  Lower back still a bit funky so just going to give it to at least Friday before loading it.   Sometimes it feels great, others it hurts.  Still weird.   Its getting better each day though.   I also really need to get less food in my cakehole, as its going to be way too hard to hit weight at this rate.  

Friday, August 30, 2024

Friday 30th August 2024 A. M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 170x4, 157.5x4x2
Wide pulldowns: 50x12x3
Pin press: warmups, 160x3, 165x3


Notes
Back is fooked.  Doh.  Have been stretching it, but will give it a couple of days of nothing to stop stressing it.  Happy with the 170.  Back to where I was.  But the back also impacts it as I lose tension with the sharp pain.  

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Wednesday 28th August 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 152.5x3x6
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, stop.

Notes
Back popped slightly modestly yesterday.  It was still there but much less painful.  This morning felt ok, warmups felt reasonable.  Did 230 as last warmup, felt it, but it moved fast.  Then 262.5 as a low top set.  Easily moved off the floor but pinched as I got it up, so dumped it.  Tried again as I am an idiot.  In competition is one thing, but no use pushing it more out of competition.  Oh well, stretch, mobility, move, rest up until next week and rinse/repeat.   

Monday, August 26, 2024

Monday 26th August 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 222.5x2, 205x4
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 145x7x3

Notes
Bleh.  Sore muscles in lower back left, and now its just a sore lower back.  Hurts. 

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Saturday 24th August 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 165x4, 156x4x3
Rev grip pulldowns: 50x12x4
Pin press: warmups, 160x3x2
Rope pushdowns: 10x8, 15x8x3
Forearm thing, side raises

Notes
Not snappy, but moved.  Bench is feeling a little different.  Less snappy this week, more muscle.  Weird.  Back is settling down, still not the greatest.  

Friday 23rd August 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
High Bar squats: warmups, 170x7
Paused DL: warmups, 150x3, 170x3x2
BFR leg curls: 25x30, x30, x30, x20
Copenhagen leg: 20x3

Notes
Lower back is absolutely decimated from deadlifts.  Muscle lower back, not the spine side of things.  Which is new.  But loading was problematic.  Strength wasn't.  So the squats went ok considering but I was relatively tentative, and decided to call it at one set.  With the assumption that the first set gets 80% of the benefit.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Wednesday 21st August 2024 P. M.

Walk
Warmups
Spoto press: warmups, 140x6x3
RDL: warmups, 100x8x2
Closegrip pulldown: warmups, 60x12x3
Pushdowns: 10x12, 20x8x2

Notes
Tired.  Did not want to do this.  The lowerback is awful.  Oh well, sleep and rest.  

Wednesday 21st August 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 152.5x3x5
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 257.5x4, 240x4, 230x4

Notes
Jesus H Corbet.  12.5kg best, 17.5 up on last nationals.  Harder of course.  Hands are sore, so grip was the thing giving out which always makes things harder. My weight from last year was 240, so that my back-off, lower back is toasted.  Will see about RDL later.  

Monday, August 19, 2024

Monday 19th August 2024 P.M.

Pulldowns: warmups, 60x12x3
SSB Split Squats: warmups, 67x8x3
Landmine press: warmups, 20x20, 30x20, 40x20, 30x15
Single arm pushdowns: 10x20x3

Notes
Enough of that.  Tired.  

Monday 19th August 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 200x5x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 141x7, 144x7x2

Notes
Was still a little stiff from the weekend helping out at meet.  Ended up spotting / loading for the entire day, first session not so bad as the weights were not high, but the second session was everything from 40kg through to 300kg depending on the lifts.  Wen't well. Wasn't decimated like the North Islands, but I guess not having Covid helps with that...  Sore but not destroyed.  The stiffness showed up as slowness.  So the top sets could have been heavier, but slow for me which is not always a good sign.  Second set of squat was way better but called it there.  Bench felt less snappy, but more muscular strong (if that makes sense), I felt more muscle to lock out than my normal benching.  But energy dropped off quick.  Probably shouldn't have gone up but it felt really good.

Friday, August 16, 2024

Friday 16th August 2024 P.M.

Warmups
Bench: warmups, 156x4, 150x4x3
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Pin press: 155x3, 160x3

Notes
Getting it done before tomorrow.  

Friday 16th August 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 165x7x2
BFR leg curls: 25x30, x25, x20, x20
Copenhagen adductor: x15x3

Notes
Weee.  Dropped a set of squats and all deadlifts as my lower back was toast and I help out at a meet tomorrow, so need to function.

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Wednesday 14th August 2024 P.M.

Spoto press: warmups, 142.5x6x3
RDL: warmups, 130x8x3
Closegrip pulldowns: 50x12x3
Single arm pushdowns: 10x8, 15x8, 17.5x8, 20x8

Notes
Not really feeling it and it was hard.  

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Wednesday 14th August 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmup
Bench: warmups, 152.5x3x4
Adductor, rdl
Deadlifts: warmups, 225x4x2

Notes
Hips feeling beat today.  Didn't feel bad yesterday but definitely showed up.  Could have gone heavier on deadlifts but it will do.  Better to fight another day.

Signed up for Nationals yesterday.  Open class.  120kg.  

Wreck on.  

Monday, August 12, 2024

Monday 12th August 2024 P.M.

Walk
Warmups
Pulldowns: 30x20, 50x20x3
SSB split squats: 27x12x3
Landmine press: 20x20, 30x20x3
Single arm pushdown: 10x20x3

Notes
Eh, not really feeling it tonight.  HAaa.  

Monday 12th August 2024 A.M. ish

Trained around lunchtime
Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squat
Squats: warmups, 217.5x5, 200x5x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 140x7x3

Notes
Took way longer than it should have, but bathroom breaks endlessly.  That was a good session.  Likely 220ish the top end for 5.  It was a little wobbly, but I haven't had this on my back for a long time so its all feeling new.  15.5kg up on last years national prep.  So, good.  

Saturday 10th August 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 160x5, 150x5, 152x5x2
Pendlay rows: warmups, 110x8, 120x8, 125x8
Pin press: warmups, 155x3, 162x3
Pushdowns
Forearm thing
Side raises

Notes
Good session. Shoulder was ok, not too apparent, but still there.  Likely could have done 162 or so for five, so RIR 1 ish.  Otherwise, chonkin.  

Friday, August 9, 2024

Friday 9th August 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squat (10-15kg)
High Bar Squats: warmups, 160x7x2
Paused DL: warmups, 187.5x3x3
BFR hamstring curls: 25x30, 30x30, 30x18, 30x14
Copenhagen Move: 15x3

Notes
Weeee.  Lowerback is toast.  It was tired before hand, but squats moved, and deadlifts were not evil, considering.  I could have gone for three sets of squats, but that was enough.  BFR curls was pumped.  Happy, but pretty stuffed.  

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Wednesday 7th August 2024 P.M.

Warmups
Spoto press: warmups, 140x6x2
RDL: warmups, 130x8x3
Rev grip pulldown: 50x12x3
Single arm pushdowns: 10x8, 15x8, 17.5x8, 20x8

Notes
Pretty sore after the morning session, at least lower body.  But it all moved ok.  Kept RDL under control to give my lower back a chance.  Fatigued.  

Wednesday 7th August 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 148x3x3
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 245x4, 222.5x4

Notes
Ouch.  Heavy day.  Things went well but still suffering a little anxiety leading up to the deadlifts.  Then its such fatiguing work that I dropped a set off on the downs.  Its enough.  Thats a solid week 4 deadlift result.  

Monday 5th August 2024 P.M.

Landmine press: warmups, 20x20x2, 25x20
SSB split squats: warmups, 67x6, 87x6, 107x6
Single arm tricep pushdown: 10x12x3

Notes
Tired but the shoulders were good.  Not so much split squats, the left leg felt ok with top end, the right, not so much.  

Monday, August 5, 2024

Monday 5th August 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 197.5x5x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 135x7x3
Pulldowns: warmups, 60x12, 70x12, 80x12
SSB split squats: 27x6, 67x6, 87x6, 107x6

Notes
Weee.  Felt tired and sore.  But things were great.  Squats felt hard but solid.  Bench was fine, shoulder was only modest issue today.  Elbow is pain 7/10, shoulder is 2-3/10.   SSB squats were heavy as hell.  Left leg was better than right leg by a mile.  

Saturday 3rd August 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 156x5, 143x5x3
Pendlay row: warmups, 100x8, 110x8, 120x8
Pin press: warmups, 150x3, 155x3
Rope single arm pushdowns: 10x12, 15x8x3
Forearm, side raises, bicep BFR, etc

Notes
Good session really.  Shoulder felt a bit better, so the load went up.  Recovery from this session was a little worse, but not painful.   Pendlays with higher reps and no belt felt good.

Friday, August 2, 2024

Friday 2nd August 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 155x7x2
Paused DL: warmups, 185x3x2
BFR Leg curls: 25x30, x20, x15x2
Copenhagen Move: 15x3

Notes
Lower back still fatigued / sore, but things moved ok.  Capped deadlifts at two sets just to keep things undamaged.  

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Wednesday 31st July 2024 P.M.

Walk
Warmups
Spoto Press: warmups, 125x6
RDL: warmups, 130x8, 150x8, 170x8
Overhead row: warmups, 70x8x3
Single arm pushdowns: warmups, 15x8, 17.5x8, 18.75x8
Forearm stuff

Notes
Felt exhausted this afternoon but spoto felt easy, really underestimated that one, RDL felt strong, and everything went well.  Even though I have the most food I have had available for maintaining, I would still eat more...  Nice.   

Wednesday 31st July 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 138x3x2
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 220x4x2

Notes
Feeling a bit beaten this morning, but OK session.  Hips, legs, etc.  Bench was feeling ok for warmup with the shoulder still  in there but better for the sets.  Easy work though.  Deadlifts were eh...  I used straps for my top set cos the hands are sore, but the stupid left strap keeps undoing (will buy some new ones). Chalked the second set and it worked better.  

Monday, July 29, 2024

Monday 29th July 2024 P.M.

Pulldowns: warmups, 50x12, 70x8x3
SSB Split Squats: warmups, 27x12, 47x12x2
Landline overheadpress: warmups, 20x20, 30x20, 30x12, 30x8
Single arm pushdowns: 10x20x3

Notes
Ouch.  I dislike the split squats, but its required.  I might split the sets a little, so I do one leg, rest, other leg, rest, back.  Takes longer but will save me dying.  High reps burn.  But nice burn.  Happy.  The overhead was to fatigue, not absolute failure.  

Monday 29th July 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squats 
Squats: warmups, 205x5, 192.5x5x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 130x7x3

Notes
Late again, but good session.  The lower back 'pain' is still there but reduced.  Felt ok during all sets.  Shoulder was slightly better again.  I will keep doing the things that appear to be working.  Have to ensure I am still stretching though.  

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Saturday 27th July 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 146x5, 140x5x2
Pendlay row: warmups, 110x6, 130x6x2
Pin press: warmups, 142.5x3
Rope single arm pushdowns: 10x12, 15x8x3
Forearm
Side raises
Forearm

Notes
Shoulder was a scooch better today, I think the shoulder work is helping but will see where this ends up.  Pendlays were not as nice as last week but heavier.  And added in the pins.  

Friday, July 26, 2024

Friday 26th July 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, weighted lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 150x7x2
Paused DL: warmups, 182.5x3x2
Copenhagen: 15x3

Notes
Lower back still sore, but I had a couple of OK nights for sleep.  Squats were comfortable, deadlifts a little less so.  But not impossible.  Ran out of time for leg curls.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Wednesday 24th July 2024 P.M.

Warmups
RDL: warmups, 110x8, 130x8x2
Rev grip pulldown: warmups, 50x12x3
Single arm pushdowns: warmups, 15x12x3
Forearm curl things: 20x20, 40x20x2, 40x12

Notes
Eh.  Back still has the pain in the side, but overall it survived.  Really would be preferring to push the RDLs more one a down week for deadlifts, than the heaviest week.  Have to strengthen my grip as its a factor.  

Wednesday 24th July 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 230x4, 215x4

Notes
The top set left my back a little sore, right hand side - normal side for pain - and the second set was ok but was ramping it up a little bit so didn't complete the last set.  I likely picked a slightly too heavy load for the first week, but will survive.  The problem was increased by slowly losing my grip across the set, and that meant I had to reset for hte last rep, which felt like I rounded during the movement.  

Monday, July 22, 2024

Monday 22nd July 2024 P.M.

Pulldowns: warmups, 70x8x3
SBB split squats: warmups, 27x8, 47x8, 67x8
Landmine shoulder press: barx20, +20x20x3
BFR pushdown: warmups, 10x20x2, 10x15

Notes
A good bit of work for an afternoon session.  Left me tired/sore.  

Monday 22nd July 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, weighted lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 190x5x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 127x7x2

Notes
Bloated and all that.  Braced well, and moved ok.

Saturday 20th July 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 135x5x2
Pendlay rows: warmups, 100x8x2
Single arm rope Pushdowns: 10x12x3
Side raises: nothingx a bunch, added 2.5kg on the left side to get it working.
Forearm stuff

Notes
Shoulder eh, but everything was fine.  

Friday, July 19, 2024

Friday 19th July 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 142.5x7
Paused DL: warmups, 180x3x2
BFR leg curls: 25x20x4
Copenhagen leg: 15x3

Notes
Everything felt a bit better today, so squats moved well (albeit a little rusty).  Deadlifts were ok considering I did it two days ago, but now I have a couple of days 'off' which hopefully will lead to better Monday sessions.  

Wednesday 17th July 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 212.5x4x2
Rev grip pulldowns: 50x12x3
RDL: warmups, 110x8, 130x8
Single arm pushdowns: 10x12, 15x12x3

Notes
Legs were sore after the squats, but this moved ok.  Adductor was a bit funky but think it was just DOMS.
RDL was ok, but didn't really feel like pushing it hard.  

Monday, July 15, 2024

Monday 15th July 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze,  Lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 195x5, 182.5x5
Bench: warmups, 122.5x7
Pulldowns: warmups, 50x12x3
Landmine shoulder press: single arm: 20x20, 30x20, double arm: 30x20, 40x20x3
SSB split squats: 27x12x3
Single arm pushdowns: 10x20x3

Notes
First session back from Covid and likely overestimated my abilities.  At least the drop off from first to fifth rep.   Doh.  

Felt semi-ok but yeah, first rep was smoke, then dropped off until it was hard at the end.  Even with my fancy knee sleeves.  Bench was off, completely.  Shoulder was eh, but the lack of training means it just felt weird.  Low week for it though.  

Plus. Oceania plans are off, thanks to them changing the venue from New Caledonia, through to Nauru.  It had to be canned, but I had hoped for Australia or NZ to pick it up.  Instead, its Nauru, so the cost to get there went up substantially.  There are no direct flights from NZ, so the transit is awful (~10-15+hrs from home), and through anther country (Aussie or Fiji) so the costs sneak up.  I can afford it, I just don't like spending that much money to go to an Oceania meet.  So.  The plan is Nationals.  Which is instantly compromised.  1.  I have to start training cycle immediately after covid week.  Ewww.  2. I doubt I can enter as a Masters lifter, as I am going to a concert around the time I would be getting to the meet.  I have qualified as an open lifter (15kg above the cutoff), so I can have that flex.  Means I cannot chip M2 records.  Thats ok, have no care.  Plus it means I wont win, which would be nice, but doesn't matter.  So, 120kg Open Class.  Top 5 maybe.  My performance last year would have placed me 4th.  And my goal is to be out-performing the third place getter.  But hes dropped down to 105.  But another 105 has stepped up to 120, and is way ahead.  A 120+ has dropped down to 120 and also way ahead.  Those two will likely fight it out.  I will be lucky to get anywhere near third unless I add 70kg to my total. LOL.  

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Walk
Warmups
Deadlifts: warmups, 240x4, 220x4
Bench: up to 144x3
Closegrip pulldowns: 10x12, 35x12, 60x12x3
RDL: up to 130x8x3

Notes
I felt tired and beat up from lack of sleep.  Dropped bench down to reduce shoulder loading.  

Monday, July 1, 2024

Monday 1st July 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squat: warmups, 195x5x2
Banded L flyes, RC work
Bench: warmups, 130x7x3
SSB Split squats: 27x5, 67x8, 87x8
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Closegrip bench: warmups, 130x6x3

Notes
Shoulder is still a complete pain.  Its interrupting sleep now, which is more annoying than just post training pain.  As long as I can manage the sleeping, the better off I will be.  Squats were eh.  But largely due to the impact of disrupted sleep and the squats on Friday meaning I was still fatigued.

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Saturday 29th June 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 152.5x5, 145.5x5x3
Paused DL: warmups, 180x3x3
Close Grip Pulldowns: 50x12x3
1board: warmups, 160x3, 165x3, 170x3
Single arm pushdowns: 10x20, 15x12x3
Forearm things

Notes
Should still hurts, but the 170 off the board shows a solid base of strength.  

Friday 28th June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
SSB squats: warmups, 147.5x7x3
BFR leg curls: 25x30, x25, x20, x20
Copenhagen Adductor: 12x3

Notes
Nice session.  Typing this after the fact means I feel adductor DOMS for a second week in a row.  Wondering if I am squatting deeper or doing more work on the adductors, but I don't feel like I am.  Its ok though.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Wednesday 26th June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 220x4x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 144x3x4
Rev Grip pulldowns: 50x12x3
RDL: warmups, 150x8x3

Notes
Felt sore and tired before hand, especially lower back, but things moved ok.  Not the heaviest I have done, but not bad.  Next week will be heavy.  

Monday, June 24, 2024

Monday 24th June 2024

Walk
Squat: warmups, 203.5x5, 190x5x2
Bench: warmups, 127x7x3
SSB split squat: warmup, 67x8, 77x8
Wide Grip pulldown: warmups, 50x12x3
Close Grip bench: warmups, 120x6, 130x6

Notes
Hard session.  Felt ok but just didn't want to move.  So didn't do as much on the down set than I would normally.  That moved relatively ok.  

Saturday 22nd June 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 147.5x5, 141x5x2
Paused DL: warmups, 175x3x2
Close Grip pulldown: 30x12, 50x12, 70x8, 80x8x3
1board: warmups, 152.5x3, 160x3
Single arm pushdowns: 10x20, 15x12x3

Notes
Not a bad day.  Sore elbow and sore shoulder.  But ticking over.  Paused DL easy, which was good as the adductors are sore/tired.

Friday, June 21, 2024

Friday 21st June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
SSB squat: warmups, 145x7x2
BFR leg curls: 25x30x4
Copenhagen adductor: 12x3

Notes
Nice little session.  Weights moved well for first set of squats, less so for second but I did not rest much.

Wednesday 19th June 2024 P.M.

Walk
Rev grip Pulldowns: 10x12, 30x12, 50x12, 70x8x3
Adductor squeeze
RDL: warmups, 130x8, 150x8x2

Notes
Didn't feel like it but moved well.  

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Wednesday 19th June 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 230x4, 215x4
Band warmup, Ext Rotator exercise
Bench: warmups, 144x3x3

Notes
Watching the world champs resulted in me going slowly and running out of time so will have to go back later for accessories.  But Jurins tho.  

Monday, June 17, 2024

Monday 17th June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 190x5x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 127x7x3
Pulldowns: 50x12x5
Split squats: warmups, 67x8x2
Closegrip: warmups, 110x6, 120x6

Notes
Squats should have been lighter.  Otherwise ok day.  Shoulders hurting afterwards but will see how we go.  Doing RC stuff during bench warmups too. 

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Saturday 15th June 2024

Walks
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 145x5, 140.5x5
Adductor squeeze
Paused DL: warmups, 170x3x2
Closegrip pulldown: 50x8, 70x8x3
1board: warmups, 150x3
Single arm pushdown: 10x12, 15x12x3

Notes
Nice end to a week.  Shoulder and elbow still hurt, but chugging fowards.

Friday, June 14, 2024

Friday 14th June 2024

Walk
SSB Squats: warmups, 140x7x2
BFR leg curls: 25x20x4
Copenhagen adductor: 12x3

Notes
Out of practice on SSB squats and highbar style, so stumbled in my first set.  Tidied up on second.  Wasn't hard.  

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Wednesday 12th June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 210x4
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 138.5x3x3
Reverse grip pulldowns: 30x12, 50x12, 60x12x3
RDL: warmups, 110x8, 130x8

Notes
Feeling a few aches from deadlifting a few days ago and squatting.  But moved OK.  Bench, the shoulder ranges from sore to annoying, so just need to keep chugging along.

Monday, June 10, 2024

Monday 10th June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 190x5, 182.5x5
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 126x7x2
Pulldowns: 50x12x4
Closegrips: warmups, 110x6
SSB split squats: warmups, 57x8, 67x8

Notes
Nice first real session.  I prefer a top set of reps rather than single.  These felt easier than I expected, especially wearing my old sleeves.  Last real offseason block before competition.  Tidying up bodyweight and then ramping up energy intake.  

Saturday 8th June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 255x1, 190x8

Notes
Last of the block.  Enough of this single garbage.  

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Thursday 6th June 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 170x1, 141.5x5x2
Leg extension: 25x30x3
Leg curl: 25x20x3
Copenhagen adductor: 12x3 just below knee

Notes
Cold and eh.  Should felt a little better but nothing was fast today.
Next week move into a more traditional pre-block before the Oceania training.  The plan is to continue to plan for that.  It may be in NZ/Aussie, thanks to the Coup in New Caledonia.  

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Tuesday 4th June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squat: warmups, 214x1, 156x8x2
Bench: warmups, 133x7x3
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Split squats: warmups, 57x8, 67x8

Notes
First morning session in a few weeks.  Moved ok, didn't feel too bad.  Knee didn't feel bad, which was popping on the last set of last weeks work.  Need to sleep more, but thats normal.  Only two days early wakeup per week is ok.  

Saturday 1st June 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 250x1, 206x5
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 90x8, 99x7, 108x6, 117x5, 126x4, 135x3x2, 144x2x2, 153x1x2, 144x2x2, 135x3x2, 126x4, 117x6, 108x8, 99x10, 90x12
RDL: warmups, 130x8, 150x8, 170x8
Closegrip pulldown: 10x12, 30x8, 50x8, 70x8, 80x8, 90x8, 100x4

Notes
Ok session.  The top set moved better than last week but I was just whacked out on the work sets so did virtually nothing.  Bench was work.  RDLS were nice and pulldowns were ok.  After this my hamstrings were tired, but not excessively.  Lower back was good.  So its weird.  I need much more hamstrings really.  

Thursday 30th May 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 170x1, 137.5x5x2

Notes
Thats it.  Felt exhausted all day, plus a lot of work stress on top of that.  Just did what I could and moved on.

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Tuesday 28th May 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 213x1, 157x8x3
Bench: warmups,128x7x3
Pulldowns: 50x20x3
Split squats: warmups, 47x8, 57x8x2

Notes
This sucks ... doh

Saturday 25th May 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 250x DOH, 250x1, 206x5x2
Bench: warmups, 90.5x5, 108.5x4, 126.5x3x2, 145x2x3, 136x3x2, 126.5x4, 108.5x6, 90.5x8
RDL: warmups, 110x8, 130x8, 150x8
Pulldowns: 30x12, 50x8, 70x8, 80x8x2

Notes
Deadlifts did not feel great.  I failed the first top set with fkn around and not having the belt in the right place early on.  The second was better but not great.  The work sets sucked.   Might not use straps next week to see if that improves the work sets.  I am also contemplating the top set may not be the thing for me.  Will keep this in mind.  

Friday, May 24, 2024

Thursday 23rd May 2024

Warmups
Bench: warmups, 167.5x1, 138x5x3
Pulldowns
Lying leg extensions: 20x20x3
Weird leg curls: 20x20x3
Copenhagen Adductor: 12x3

Notes
Shoulder felt better than it has, but things still not really 'moving'.  Trying to do more leg extension/curls at long muscle length.  

Tuesday 21st May 2024

Warmups
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 210x1, 154x8x3
Bench: warmups, 128x7x3
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Split squats: 27x8, 37x8, 47x8

Notes
Bleh.  Squats felt ok, bench felt rough.  

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Saturday 18th May 2024

Walk
Warmups
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 250x1, 206x5x2
Bench: warmups, 90x6, 108x5, 126x4x2, 135x3x2, 144x2x2, 135x3x2, 126x4, 117x6, 108x8, 90x10
RDL; 100x8, 120x8
Pulldowns: 35x12, 60x8, 70x8, 80x8

Notes
Deadlifts felt ok but slow.  Bench was massive and a little pain.  RDLS moved nicely.

Tired, this left me quite fatigued.   Strangely.  

Thursday 16th May 2024

Warmups
Bench: warmups, 165x1, 135x5x2
Leg curls
Leg extensions
Pulldowns

Notes
A nice quick little session.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Tuesday 14th May 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 205x1, 151x8x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 125x7x2
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Bulgarian squat: 27x12x2
Standing leg curls; 10x12, 20x12x3

Notes
First real session back in the garage.  

Monday, May 13, 2024

Next few months

So...

I have the target to compete in the Oceania Regional Powerlifting & Bench Press  Championships, Noumea, New Caledonia.   7th-14th October 2024.

My training for that block will be starting roughly in the beginning of August.  
So, we have a little of May, then June and July to work with.  So a slightly reduced off-season block to get some work in, and then a pre-block, followed by a full competition cycle.  

This off-season block will be done three days a week, and largely in the evenings, rather than a.m. to give me a break from the early mornings for a bit.  Unfortunately will be getting back into that for the coldest months, but will survive.  

Looking forward to getting back to moving.  Some good work planned, quite low RPE, but still chugging away with some fun.  The bench will have a bench pyramid in the plan, why? because I enjoy the work from them.  I don't think they are optimal, or required, but enjoyment is always a part of it.  

I am also dieting, but mainly to make my prep into competition easy.  I will be dieting until ~1-2kg under the weight class, and eat my way into the meet.  Ok weighing in at 120 on the dot, but eating into the meet is far superior for gains than dieting.  

Thursday 9th May 2024

Warmups
RDL: warmups, 100x8x2
Bench: warmups, 100x8x2

Notes
talking to home, nice little simple workout.  

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Tuesday 7th May 2024

Walk
Warmups
Larson bench: warmups, 100x8x2
Adductor squeeze
Highbar squat: warmups, 100x8x2

Notes
Just getting moving

Wellington and Central Powerlifting Regional Championships 2024, 318 Fitness, Paraparaumu, Kāpiti

Competed as Under 120kg Open lifter

Squat
1st attempt: 200kg
2nd attempt: timed out
3rd attempt: timed out

Bench
1st attempt: 172.5kg
2nd attempt: 180kg
3rd attempt: 185.5kg - WCPA Open under 120 record (+ higher than M1 and M2)

Deadlift
1st attempt: 240kg
2nd attempt: timed out
3rd attempt: timed out

Total: 625.5kg - 3rd place

Notes
This meet was largely just a tune-up, as there is a long break until my next one.  

Three weeks out, injure my shoulder.  Stuck my head down and got into rehab/recovery as fast as possible and did the loads I was capable of on the day.  Self guided, didn't bother with physio as waiting list is pretty long lately.  Training went ok.  Squat/deadlift training were quite good, but squat and dieting do not match.

Dieting was required, as I was heavy.  After Nationals I went overseas and got food poisoning, and the repercussions of that carried on for a month or so, maybe longer.  Then went away to another conference in the South Island, and back home for a bit, then Christmas.  The repercussions of all that was being heavier.  The weekend before the meet was my youngest boys birthday, so cake and food was had, and a bloated 123.6kg was the outcome.  Consistent diet (~2550kcal average), and water loading took me back to 119.5kg on the morning of the meet.   Seven days, 4.1kg.

Helped move some equipment from the lockup into a van for the setup of the meet on Friday.  Got a hire van Saturday morning and mostly relaxed the rest of Saturday (while keeping my steps up).

Drove the van down to the meet, left before 9.20am and arrived around 11am.  Weigh-in was 11.45am, and was again 119.5kg.  Rehydrated with ~1.2L sports drink, a caffeinated version, topped up with more salt.  Taking a hyperhydration approach to retaining fluid.  Some jet plane gummies, and a small can of rice pudding was pre-comp food.  Plus another 1.2L of sugar free sports drink for the remainder of the meet.  

Warmed up for squat, and this felt pretty strong overall.  Walked out, lifted weight up, and it moved as easily as a sub-5rm weight can move.  Timed out for my next two attempts.

Another small can of rice pudding and some more jet planes.  Then pre-workout.  

Bench warmups were fine as well, but the benches in the warmup area were pretty squidgy, and definitely way softer than the Eleiko competition bench.  Opener moved.  The second attempt wasn't as snappy as I hoped, but loaded for the open record that I had targeted.  There was some discussion about the load, probably confused as I was going for all three records, but it was an open record so it really made no difference.  That got me a bit more aggressive, which helped and the 185.5 moved ok.  A tough lockout but 3 whites.  Goal achieved.

Then deadlifts.  Another can of rice, a few more lollies, and did a few warmups.  Went out for 240 which moved OK, and happy considering I just did heavier than that for four on Thursday.  Back felt reasonable.  Then timed out on the next two attempts.

Then packed out, loaded up the van, and got going to home.  Arrived back home just before 9pm.  Then unloaded the van into the lockup the following morning.  That is the bit that tired me out.  

Happy with the meet.  I wanted the bench record.  I wanted to do a lift.  I didn't want to compete in my own age group, as I am the current National record holder and I don't need to rock up to collect medals.  I was happy with the third place (there might have been only three lifters, will check later).  

What is next?

A down week and then a little off-season block.  Wanting to relax a little on bench, and let the shoulder rest up/recover while I hammer the rehab on it.  I do not want this happening later.

I will then have two building blocks before a peaking block into either Oceania Championships (October) if I get selected, or otherwise Nationals (September).  

Then.... dieting.

Onwards.

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Thursday 2nd May 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 152.5x1x2
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 230x1, 242.5x4

Notes
Bench didn't really feel good, but then again this day seldom feels great.  Also bloated from waterloading, as I am fat and have to make weight on Sunday.  Deadlifts were ok.  Grip was off, and gut did not feel great - wearing my lifting onesie is not always a positive - but got a good lift done.  While the 242.5 is just a little above the nationals load, its also only my week 2 of 3 heavier weeks, so its 12.5kg up on that same week before the nationals.  So pleased with how it moved.  Grip is off.  I need to increase my workouts on that, plus maybe a stronger gripper to force some load increase.  

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Tuesday 30th April 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 160x1x3
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 195x5

Notes
Bench felt eh, sore shoulder/out of position, until the last single.  Still having some issues with my squat.  Largely the stupid ankle that doesn't want to move fully into the squat.  Seems to be better when and if it cracks, but then regresses.  I need to stretch a lot beforehand.  Last squat before regional champs, and pretty much where I will be doing my single.   200.  Thats all she wrote.  

Sunday 28th April 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 160x1, 170x1, 180x1, 185.5x1, 170x2
Paused DL: 200x3x3
Reverse grip pulldowns: 35x12, 60x12x2, 70x12x2
Single arm pushdowns: 10x30x3
Forearm stuff

Notes
Shoulder, well and truely, is still not great.  But survivable with the warmups/movements I have been doing.  it was sore after this session/overnight, but will keep working on it.  But, 185 moved, and likely 192.5 could have gone, been hard but.  Deadlifts, once again, couldnt get into position until the last set.  

Thursday 25th April 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 150x3, 155x3, 157.5x3
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 225x4x2, 245x1
Cable rows: 60x12, 80x12x3
Leg curls: 20x20x5

Notes
Eh... felt off, couldn't get into position for deadlift.  

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Tuesday 23rd April 2024 P.M.

Standing pulldown: 10x12, 35x12, 60x12x3
Split squat: BWx12, 27x12x2, 32x12

Notes
Felt ok, pumped the back up really.  Adductors were feeling a little eh, but pumped up the legs nicely.  

Tuesday 23rd April 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups. 130x6, 140x6
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squat
Squats: warmups, 210x5, 192.5x5

Notes
Bleh indeed.  Bench was ok, shoulder semi-ok but not back to normal.  Squats sucked.  Really.  After the first rep I really did not think I had another 4 in me.... oh well, did one drop down set, wasn't up to a second.  

Sunday 21st April 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 160x1, 170x1, 150x3x2
Pulldowns
Triceps

Notes
Good session really.  The shoulder still sucks so it was quite nice getting to the 170.  Improving.  The warmups include Y, T and A things for shoulders.  I also do rotator cuff band thing on the other days.  

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Saturday 20th April 2024

Walk: long
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 145x6, 145x8, 145x7
Standing leg curls: 10x12, 30x8x3
Leg extension: 20x20x3
Copenhagen: 12x3

Notes
Felt fine.  Would be better if I could count.  

Thursday 18th April 2024 P.M.

Cable rows: 60x12x3
Leg curls: 20x12x4

Notes
Bleh

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Thursday 18th April 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups shoulder Y, T, As 
Bench: 120x3, 130x3
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 230x4, 217.5x4

Notes
Still being restrictive on bench, 130 started to feel uncomfortable so called it there.  Adding in more shoulder work means I start feeling my RC more...  one problem at a time.  Resting for the next couple of days then see.  Deadlifts felt great, until the final set where i lost focus, but it still seemed easy on video.

Tuesday 16th April 2024

Walk
Bench: warmups, 100x6
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squats
Squat: warmups, 190x5x2, 215x1

Notes
Shoulder still aches, but doing extreme tightness allowed me to train, didnt hurt during, modest pain afterwards/overnight, but better.  Squats felt reasonable, the top single easy.  

Got stung in the lip by a bee/wasp while out for a walk at lunch, so antihistamine took me down the rest of the day so didnt finish up at night.  

Sunday 14th April 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 181x5x1, 167.5x3, 170x3x2 ouch
Paused DL: warmups, 190x3
Pushdowns
Pulldowns

Notes
Bleh.  Bench was fine, until the last set and I got a pain in the front delt/bicep area.  So either my bicep tendon was a dick, or impingement type injury/rotator cuff.  Dropped the assistance work and rested instead.  Deadlift felt easy for once.  

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Saturday 13th April 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 140x7x2
Standing leg curls: 10x12, 30x8x3
Leg extension: 25x50, x40, x30x2
Copenhagen Adductor: x12x3
Pulldown abs: 35x12x2, 45x12

Notes

Delayed because of garbage sleep (thanks vaccination), but worked into the timing for my competition.  So will be moving all training days across by one day.  Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.  Light enough session today.  Just ticking over.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Wednesday 10th April 2024 P.M.

Cable rows: 35x12x2, 60x12x4
Leg curls: 20x20, BFR: 20x20x6

Notes
Felt better than the morning, but feeling tired.  Also vaccinated tonight, so will see if that kicks me any.  

Wednesday 10th April 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 156x3x6
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 215x4, 235x1

Notes
Feeling modestly beat today, but got it all happening.  Upper body was just sore, which makes things move slowly and it did.  Deadlifts felt a bit off, mainly from being bloated and fat.  First week of cutting down to competition, as I had been sitting a little heavy, and like normal, my weight goes up :|  

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Monday 8th April 2024 P.M.

Warmups
Pin Press: warmups, 145x6, 145x5x2
Pulldowns: 50x12x4
Split squat: warmups, 27x12x2

Notes
Was out at a school dance event for my smallest child, so this happened at 9pm ish... Was certainly not feeling like exercising.  Thought I had 6's to do on pin press but it was 5s.  They were easier, considering everything was sore.  I think I shall do split squats to a higher rep count, but will see how it goes.  It pumped up quickly.  They will be done more often on the offseason post Oceanias.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Monday 8th April 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 152.5x6x4
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squat
Squat: warmups, 200x5, 190x5


Notes
Everything felt stiff and slow today.  First morning off daylight savings, but slept well.  Weights moved, just not fast.  

Saturday 6th April 2024

Walk: 40mins
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 180x1, 165x3, 167.5x3x3
Closegrip pulldowns: 50x12, 55x12, 60x12
Pin press: warmups, 165x3, 170x3x2
Pushdowns: 10x12, 15x12, 20x12x2
Forearm

Notes
Good session, although it all felt hard and sore.  Elbow hurts, but gel took care of it.  Single was nice, aim is to make that my opener.  

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Wednesday 3rd April 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 156x3x6
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 200x6

Notes
Eh.  Have felt better, but it wasn't terribly awful.  Bench dropped off after 4sets but got through all reps, and the deadlifts felt stiff but got done.  Took longer than it should have.  

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Monday 1st April 2024

Week 7 Day 1
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 145x6x4
Squats: warmups, 170x3 no sleeves
Rev grip pulldown: 35x20x3
Pin press: warmups, 140x6x2


Notes
Spent the weekend bent over and building a swing set for my little one, which killed my lower back and hips. Never seemed to recover from squats on Friday which was followed by the bulk of the leaning over... so lets blame that. Had wanted more reps on squats and could have done them, but realistically, I need a break. I have deadlifts on Wednesday and then rest until next week for those two. Bench moved ok considering the general fatigue.

Saturday 30th March 2024

Warmups
Bench: warmups, 172x4, 160x4, 162.5x4x2, 185.5x1, 190x1
Pulldowns: warmups, 60x8x3
Pin press: warmups, 160x3x2

Notes
Feeling yesterdays work, but bench moved really well.   Solid.  

Friday, March 29, 2024

Friday 29th March 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, Lateral squat
High Bar Squat: warmups, 160x7, 170x7, 140x7x2
Standing leg curls: 10x12, 30x8x3
Copenhagen: 12x3 with 6 full range of last two sets

Notes
Feeling toasted from Wednesdays deadlifts.  Sore back, sore legs.  Squats moved ok, so I did the sane thing and did two lighter drops sets.  Leg curls felt good.  Copenhagen is working well.  

Wednesday 27th March 2024 P.M.

Warmups
Cable row: 10x12, 35x12, 60x12x3
Leg curls: 20x20x4

Notes
Feeling pretty toasted.  

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Wednesday 27th March 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 155x3x6
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Block pull: warmups, 230x1, 245x4, 230x4x2

Notes
Weeee.  Trained a touch later than normal, but still with a garbage sleep.  I had visions of 250 for the top set if things moved ok, but felt quads and back, and lower sets felt a little slow so just did the 245.  Probably had 250.  LOlz.  But, next time.  Bench is benching. 

Monday 25th March 2024 P.M.

Walk
1&1/2 bench: warmups, 125x6, 130x6, 132.5x6
BFR Leg extensions: 20x50, x40, x30, x20

Notes
Indeedo.  Sore.  


Monday, March 25, 2024

Monday 25th March 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
Squats: warmups, 200x5x2, 220x1
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 150x7, 152.5x7, 150x6 doh

Notes
Feeling the lower back and sore legs this morning, and the left knee was a little sore.  Felt eh, but moved ok.  Second set was really moving well then just fell off a cliff,  Bench was the same.  Thinking the triceps moves on  Saturday contributed to the drop-off in bench performance.  

Saturday 23 March 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 167.5x4, 157x4, 159x4, 180x1
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Paused deadlifts: warmups, 200x3x3
Pin press: warmups, 165x3x2
Rev grip pulldowns: 50x12x3
Pushdowns: bunch a higher rep stuff
Forearms

Notes
Solid session.  Happy with the speed and progress.  Onwards.  

Friday, March 22, 2024

Friday 22nd March 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats, leg extensions
High bar squats: warmups, 150x7, 160x7
Standing leg curls: 10x20, 20x20x3
Copenhagen: 12x3 including 4 full range each set

Notes
Knees (plural) are feeling better, but I can still "feel" them.  Thats a new set of pain really.  So took it lighter on squats, used Voltaren Emugel on my knees before my knee sleeves went on, and then tried to choke myself to death on a sort chewed gummy airplane.  Doh.  Trying to add in full range copenhagen, with adductor doing the full movement.  Its harder thats for sure, but getting me stronger requires them to be as strong as possible.  

Wednesday 20th March 2024 P.M.

Walk
Cable row: 10x12, 35x12, 60x12x3
Leg curls: 20x12x6

Notes
Knee felt it today, but this was ok, just work.  

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Wednesday 20th March 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 150x3x5
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Block pull: warmups, 230x4x2 (doh), 245x1

Notes
After squats right knee was sore, next day left knee was excessively sore.  Haven't had that one before.  Felt a little better this morning.  But once done walking and into the movements, it felt better.  Felt ok during deadlifts and pushed up weights nicely, but then I got to the top set thinking I had loaded 220 adn did my sets, much harder than expected, and suddenly dawned on me that its actually 10kg heavier.  Doh.  Oh well, good work?  The top single was easy enough.  

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Monday 18th March 2024 P.M.

Walk
Warmups
1&1/2 bench: warmups, 120x6, 125x6, 130x6
Splitsquats/Bulgarians/whatever: 27x8, 67x8x3

Notes
Right knee hurt before this, and now the next day, the left knee hurts...  This certainly finished me, fatigue was high.  

Monday, March 18, 2024

Monday 18th March 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze, lateral squats
Comp Squats: warmups, 216x5, 200x5x2
Bench: warmups, 145x7x3
Pulldowns: 35x12, 60x12x3

Notes
Changing tag over to competition cycle, as I will be competing at the regionals. Will do 3lift but not going hard into squats/deadlifts, as I will be targeting a 185.5kg or above bench.  Regional open bench press record.  Is the goal.  So the tempered benches will be ramping slightly, which means stretching a little more seriously for the next few weeks.  The squats took most of my energy out of me, especially the backdowns.  But did them, and then upped the bench over target.  Smooth.

Saturday 16th March 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 154x5x4, 150x4x3, 165x1
Pendlay row: warmups, 120x5, 130x5, 140x5
Paused pin press: warmups, 160x3, 165x3x2
Pushdowns:10x12, 15x12, 17.5x12x2
Forearm things

Notes
Could feel the fatigue from late session yesterday, legs were just not as recovered.  Not that I was using them, but it was just general fatigued feeling.  

Friday 15th March 2024

Walk
High bar squats: warmups, 171x7x2
Standing leg curls: 10x12, 30x12x3
Copenhagen: 12x3

Notes
Trained late, things were OK but just fatigued.  

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Wednesday 13th March 2023 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 148x3x4
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block deadlifts: warmups, 232x4, 215x4x2

Notes
Nice day.  Bench was slow but chugged along fine.  Deadlift was better than expected, and certainly the best it has been this year.  Especially for early morning lifting.  The backdowns were a little light realistically.  

Monday 11th March P.M.

Warmups
1&1/2 bench: warmups, 122.5x6, 127.5x6
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Leg extensions: 20x50, 20x40x2

Notes
Bench move actually felt better this week.  

Monday, March 11, 2024

Monday 11th March 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
Comp Squat: warmups, 195x5x2, 215x1
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 136.5x7x3

Notes
Feeling slightly stiff from my usual garbage Sunday night sleep and residual stiffness from the spot/loading.  Realistically, the sleep was better than normal, and had a pretty solid sleep on Saturday night.  Squats moved well, possibly could have did the 200 for the same RIR, but progress.  

Saturday 9th March 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 157.5x5, 150x5x2, 170.5x1
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Paused DL: warmups, 190x3x2

Notes
Quick earlier morning session before I headed to Masterton for the first clublift of the year at Wai Weight Gym.  Nice session, moved ok.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Friday 8th March 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squat
High Bar squats: warmups, 167x7x2
Standing leg curls: 10x12, 30x8x3
Copenhagen: 12x3

Notes
Ankle still doesn't appreciate the loading.  What I can do without weight is perfectly fine, but it seems to seize during loading.  So worked with what I had, the actual work was harder than it should have been.

Wednesday 6th March 2024 P.M.

Cable rows: warmup, 60x12x4
Leg curls: 20x20x4

Notes
Eh

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Wednesday 6th March 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 148x3x4
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block pulls (10s): warmups, 210x4, 212.5x4, 242.5x1

Notes
Not a bad little session, weights and structure.  

Monday, March 4, 2024

Monday 4th March 2024 P.M.

Warmups
Bench: warmups, 133.5x7x2
Single arm pulldowns: 20x15x3
Bulgarians: 27x8, 67x8x2
1&1/2 press: warmups, 120x6x2

Notes
Finished up this evening.  Hard work but moved.

Monday 4th March A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
Comp Squat: warmups, 205x5, 190x5x2

Notes
Woops... started late, ended late, will do bench later. 

Saturday 2nd March 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 153.5x5, 145x5x2, 165x1
Pulldowns: 30x12, 50x12x3
Pin press: warmups, 150x3x2

Notes
Ok session.  Felt tired.

Friday 1st March 2024

Warmups
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
High Bar squat: warmups, 163.5x7x2
Standing leg curl:  10x12, 20x8x3
Copenhagen adductor: 12x3

Notes
Ankle still stupid

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Wednesday 28th February 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 148x3x2
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block deadlifts: warmups, 215x4, 202.5x4
Single arm pulldown: 30x12x3

Notes
Ankle still kankling.  Everything moved ok.  Tightened my belt for second deadlift set, which means things are slightly better from a fat guy perspective.  Also off creatine, so will be going back on it once I get down to competition weight.  

Monday, February 26, 2024

Monday 26th February 2024 A.M.

Walk 
Adductor squeeze, lateral squat
Comp squat: warmups, 187.5x5x2, 200x1
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 130x7x2

Notes
Slept like absolute garbage again.  Ankle still not back to normal so even with the comp squat it caused me to twist slightly which put a bit more load on the righthand side, which doesn't help my adductor.  Was also slightly fatigued from the dual day on Saturday. Video showed it move fine.  Bench was easy.  Shoulder is still dicky.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Saturday 24th February 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 147.5x5, 140.5x5, 155x1
Adductor squeeze/Lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 157.5x7
Paused DL: warmups, 180x3
Copenhagen move: 12 inc 2 full range x3

Notes
Drove to Akl and back on thursday night so had no sleep, and didn't really sleep until that night, so gave day three a miss and combined it with day 4.  Bench felt ok considering.  Highbarts sucked, cos my ankle hurts (left) and the rom is decreased which made it hard to get down properly.  Deadlifts actually worked.  The belt position was good for once.  

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Wednesday 21st February 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 138.5x3x2
Adductor squeeze, RDL
Block pulls (10s): warmups, 200x4, 225x1

Notes
Ok Session.  Shoulder felt ok over night and sortof ok through the session.  Weights moved well, nothing really too extreme.  200 moved well.  225 was a little slow but eh, thats ok for first week.

Monday, February 19, 2024

Monday 19th February 2024 P.M.

Walk
Warmups
1.5 bench: warmups, 120x6
SSB split squats: 27x8, 47x8, 57x8

Notes
Shoulder being weird, but eh.  Moved.  

Monday 19th February 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze + lateral squats
Comp Squats: warmups, 190x5, 182.5x5
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 130x7x2
Single arm pulldowns: 30x12x3

Notes
Back again.  Did one day training on Wednesday, with a single at 180 high bar squat, and 140x3, and the bench was 160 with 120x3.  Not much effort.   
Todays work was great.  

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Sunday 11th February 2024

Warmups
Bench: warmups, 160x4, 167.5x4, 170x4, 185.5x1, 190x1
Pulldowns: 35x20, 55x12x4
2board: warmups, 180x3, 190x3
Single arm pushdowns: 10x20x2

Notes
Awake at 4.20 to watch (the) Sheffield, so felt tired, and not overly recovered.  Also drove yesterday which always leaves me a bit stiffer.  But, moved, and got the top set of bench which pumped the triceps a bit.  Followed by two singles which really moved well.  

End of the block.  Taking a down week, and then see where things head.  Back to competition movements for a little bit I think.  

Saturday 10th February 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squat
SSB Squat: warmups, 180x7, 147x7
Standing leg curls: 10x20, 30x8x3
Copenhagen movement: 12x3
Plank: 30sec x3

Notes
Good session, the top set kicked my ass but decided to drop a second much lighter set.  Also felt harder than it should have.   Copenhagen are chugging better, full length lever.  

Thursday 8th February 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 154x3x6
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block Deadlifts: warmups, 215x4, 225x4

Notes
I got out late and this seemed to take forever. so need to plan better for it when getting up.  The deadlifts showed me something.  I don't have many heavy sets of deadlift in me, and ascending deadlifts are a little mentally draining, I just cannot keep pushing the same way I can with squat and especially with bench.   The one-and-done approach I had been using was hard, but it allowed me to just drop a set and go.  
So.. for the next block I will be moving back to the top set for everything.  Another will be a single rather than 

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Tuesday 6th February 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squat
High Bar Squat: warmups, 185x5x2
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 145x7, 152.5x7, 155x7
BFR leg extension: 20x30x3
Pulldowns: 50x12x4

Notes
Felt ok on warmups, but top sets were not the best.  Bench I could feel myself fatiguing with each set.  Rushed the last one to get the reps in.  Oh well, I did it this time, and the second set was solid.  Tired.  Considering its a public holiday and I trained later, I didn't feel great.  No solid food before tho.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Sunday 4th February 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 155x4, 160x4, 165x4, 180x1
Deadlifts: warmups, 205x3

Notes
Quick session.  No assistance moves to keep a track on my shoulder.  Strangely its the opposite side that is hurting.  

Saturday 3rd February 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
LAteral squats
SSB Squats: warmups, 172x7
Standing leg curls: 10x12, 20x12, 25x8, 30x8
Copenhagen: x12x3

Notes
That was enough.  Spent the remainder of the day driving and hanging out in Martinborough.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Thursday 1st February 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 156.5x3x4
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block deadlifts: warmups, 217.5x4

Notes
Gave up after the deadlift.  Just did not feel like repeating the set.  Not enough sleep, normal garbage.  Unimpressed.  Shoulder felt a little better today.  

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Tuesday 30th January 2024 P.M.

Some light leg extensions and some stretching.

Shoulder thing is there, stretch and see how it goes.  

Tuesday 30th January 2024 A.M.

Walk
ADductorr squeeze
LAteral squat
High Bar squat: warmups, 172x5, 182x5, 192x5
Bench: warmups, 140x7, 145x7

Notes
Shoulder is feeling a little underwhelming, so will just keep stretching daily and keeping a track of it.  Squats moved well.  

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Sunday 28th January 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 147.5x4, 152.5x4, 157.5x4
Pendlay row: warmups, 120x5x3
Bench: up to 172.5x1
2board: 187.5x3, 185x3
Chins: BWx6x3
Pushdowns: 30x12, 40x8x2
BFR curl on curly bar: 20x20x3

Notes
Will stretch and move tonight.  Everything was sore and slower today, but still moved ok.  Hit rack on first 2board, so just took it easier on the second set.  

Saturday 27th January 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
SSB Squats: warmups, 167x7x2, 170x7
Standing leg curl: 10x12, 20x8, 30x8x3
Copenhagen move: 12x3 (full length)
Plank: 30sec x3
Pulldown ab: 10x12, 30x12, 40x8x2

Notes
Good day, hard work.  Obliques hurt, or the ribs, something anyway, and on both sides.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Thursday 25th January 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 154.5x3x4
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block pull deadlifts: warmups, 210x4, 222.5x4, 230x4

Notes
Sore quads, quite sore.  Did what I could.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Tuesday 23rd January 2024 P.M.

Walk
Incline press: warmups, 110x6, 120x6x2
BFR Leg extension: 20x30, x20,x20,x20, x20, x10, x10 

Notes
Don't know what I really had done for the leg extensions but I squeezed at the top and kept going until it was really painful.  I shall see if I am crippled tomorrow.

Tuesday 23rd January 2024 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
High Bar Squats: warmups, 175x5x3, 195x1
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 137.5x7x3
Pulldowns: 50x12, 60x8x3

Notes
Wasn't as warm as the later sessions I had done for the last two training days.  But it rained part way through and the humidity took over.  Bleh.   Proper diet week, so kept to RIR as much as possible.  

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Sunday 21st January 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 150x5, 157.5x5, 162x5, 180x1
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Deadlifts: warmups, 200x3x3 all singles... rib hurts
2board: warmups, 180x3, 190x3, 192.5x3 eh

Did these later in the day.  
Pulldowns
Pushdowns

Notes
So stupidly moist.  Good bench, ~5kg up on nationals rep work.  Single was rough, but eh.  The deadlifts sucked.  Just do not feel like its really getting into position, even though the belt is feeling much more comfortable, even a little loose on occasions.  

Saturday 20th January 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squat
SSB squat: warmups, 167x7x2
Standing leg curl: 10x20, 20x8, 25x8, 30x8
Copenhagen move: 12x3 longer lever
Plank: 30sec, +5x30secx2

Notes
Sweaty mess.  SSB was a little heavy, maybe 160, but did it.  

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Thursday 18th January 2024 A.M.

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 150x3x4
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block pull deadlift: warmups, 210x4x2, 240x1

Notes
Feeling quite sore and tired.  Weight was less than last week when it should have been similar but its a.m. and feeling quite sore from the Monday workload.  

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Tuesday 16th January 2024 P.M.

Walk
Warmups
Split squat: 27x8, 47x8, 67x8x2
Incline press: warmups, 100x6, 110x6, 120x6
Single arm pushdown: 10x30x2, 10x20

Notes
Much hotter than the morning, but moved well.  Pushed back a little more on split squats, so ended up moving weight a bit easier.  Also had my band pegs as handles, which worked ok too.  

Tuesday 16th January 2023 A.M.

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 162.5x5, 172.5x5, 182.5x5
Bench: warmups, 136x7x3
Pulldowns: 50x12, 60x12x3

Notes
First AM of the year.  Felt off.  Squats didn't feel smooth but things moved ok realistically.  Endurance is lacking in the morning, really noticed it on bench.  Likely need more feeding prior to lifting.  

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Sunday 14th January 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 145x5, 152x5, 156x5
Pendlay row: warmups, 120x5, 125x5
Bench: warmups, 170x1 (forgot to do it earlier)
2board: 170x3, 185x3
Single arm pushdown: 10x12, 20x10x3
Forearm grip: 60x12, 70x12x2
Banded hammer curl: greenx20x3

Notes
Hot session, but realistically it was pretty good overall.  Sleep was 'ok' perforamnce was good, maybe a little snappier would have been nice, but getting there.  2board moved nicely.  

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Saturday 13th January 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squat
SSB Squat: warmups, 157x7x2
Standing leg curl: 10x12, 20x12, 25x12x2
Copenhagen leg: 12x3 with a longer lever
Plank: 30sec, +5kg 30sec x2

Notes
Didn't feel hot, but definitely ended that way, and way too sweaty.  Weight moved well, things were good.  Plank with weight killed me.

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Thursday 11th January 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: warmups, 152.5x3x3
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block deadlifts: warmups, 195x4, 205x4, 220x4
Cable rows: 50x12, 70x12x3
BFR leg curls: 20x30x4

Notes
Hot, but everything was solid really.   Pushed deadlift harder which is the first for awhile.  Belt felt a little better too, so Christmas bloat slowly dropping down.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Tuesday 9th January 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
High bar squats: warmups, 170x5, 172.5x5
Bench: warmups, 131x7, 138.5x7
Pulldowns: 50x20x3
BFR leg extension: 20x20 each leg, 20x20 EL + 20 both legs, 20BL+20EL+20BL
Incline press: warmups, 90x6, 100x6

Notes
Trained around lunchtime and it was 28deg in the garage which is warm for Palmy.   Also forgot that I was going to add in pushdowns.

Sunday 7th January 2024

Warmups
Bench: warmups, 135x5, 142.5x5, 150x5, 165x1
Deadlifts: warmups, 187.5x3x2
2board press: warmups, 160x3
Rev grip Pulldowns: 50x12, 70x8x3
Single arm pushdowns: 10x12, 15x8, 20x8x2
Banded curls
Forearm exercise

Notes
Ok session but was still quite warm really.  

Saturday 6th January 2024

Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squats
SSB squats: warmups, 150x7
Standing leg curls: 20x15x4
Copenhagen leg: 12x3
Plank: 30sec x3

Notes
Hot.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Thursday 4th January 2024

Walk
Warmups
Bench: 140.5x3x2
Adductor squeeze
RDL
Block pulls: warmups, 202.5x4x2, 232.5x1
BFR leg curls: 20x30, x20, x20, x20
Cable rows: 50x12x3

Notes
Felt better than I did last night, hips and legs were still quite sore.  But felt OK today.  The bench felt sore but fine, the block pulls didn't set anything alight, just movement.  First set which I recorded sorta sucked as I didn't use chalk.  Second set was easier.  

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Tuesday 2nd January 2024

Block 2, Week 1, Day 1
Walk
Adductor squeeze
Lateral squat
High bar squats: warmups, 150x5, 160x5, 170x5 
Bench: warmups, 127.5x7x2
Pulldowns: 50x12x3
Split squat: warmups, 50x12x2

Notes
First of the year, and felt ok, not great.  Almost got me thinking I need to extend the block out another week to allow for a warmup week to the first week, as I undercut the squats due to residual fatigue.  Will think about that for the next round.