big val picks up 405 like it was 315

[big valsalva]

Wednesday, 8/29/12

I got my Elite Economy belt today. I think it's too big. I have no desire to expand my girth, and there's only 3 holes left in the area of contraction. I think I'll probably send it back and exchange it for a 2X. It appears to be a very solid belt though. I'm happy with it otherwise.

Cycle IV Wave 2 Workout 1

Note to self: never squat on enchillada night.

Squat
45x5
120x5
150x5
180x3
195x5
225x5
255x6

Superset
Leg Press
400x16x3
Prone Leg Curl
115x9x2
115x8

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by big valsalva

I think it's too big. I have no desire to expand my girth, and there's only 3 holes left in the area of contraction. I think I'll probably send it back and exchange it for a 2X. It appears to be a very solid belt though. I'm happy with it otherwise.

Sorry to hear that. I fell like I gave you bad mojo.

Note to self: never squat on enchillada night.

Noted. Especially if you're 40 or over.

255x6

[big valsalva]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Sorry to hear that. I fell like I gave you bad mojo.

I don't blame you. I sent it back, because I don't ever plan on needing those 9 extra notches, meaning, if I ever do compete, it won't be at 240 or 275. 220 or less for me, thank you. Even then I've got some weight to lose.

[big valsalva]

Friday, 8/31/12

Cycle IV Wave 2 Workout B

Bench Press (alternated w/chinups)
45x5
75x5
95x5
110x5
120x5
140x5
155x9 - might be a rep PR, I'm not sure.

Chinups (between sets of BP)
1/1/1/1/1

Pendlay Rows
150x8x3

The YMCA is closed until Tuesday for cleaning/maintenance/etc. Aside from that, my heavily subsidized membership through my former employer expires today. Wifey gets a reduced membership through the school district, but it ain't as sweet as my deal was. I may be out of luck. I'll either be gym shopping, or hanging up the jock strap.

[nighttrain]

well you had better get out there and find another gym..... you have come too far to stop now, go get 'em Big Val.....

NT

[big valsalva]

Originally Posted by nighttrain

well you had better get out there and find another gym..... you have come too far to stop now, go get 'em Big Val.....

NT

Good to see you nighttrain!! I hope all is well.

The deal with the YMCA membership is this. My wife has a deal through the insurance company where they will kick back $20.00 per month on our membership if SHE scans her card 12 times per month. She doesn't do it. If she were to do even that much, it would more than offset the differential. Another option would be to drop the family membership, since I'm the only one who uses it.

I'm going to keep lifting there at least long enough to finish off this current 531 cycle, and maybe my upcoming Smolov Jr. bench cycle. Meawhile, I'm going to poke around and try to find something else. When I get back to college, the University fitness center membership is only $200.00/year. What I'm hoping for, since I'm going into exercise science, is to have access to the real training equipment for free.

Reall good to hear from you, my friend. Keep your head down. We've got your six.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by big valsalva

I may be out of luck. I'll either be gym shopping, or hanging up the jock strap.

Well I hope that doesn't happen, but if it does, do the best darn aerobics you can do!

In all seriousness, hope that was a bench PR! Really want to see you get to 200 for reps.

[big valsalva]

Tuesday, 9/4/12

Cycle IV Wave 2 Workout C

Deadlift
145x5
185x5
220x5
230x5
275x5
310x8

DB Rows
80x12 - I just wasn't feeling it, so I quit. 75 pounds felt good last week, meaning I was able to get a good back contraction. Maybe I should have kept it at 75 and tried for more reps...

************

My body is wearing out. I've been at this for a little over 4 months without really missing a session. Anyway, I've been noticing some manifestations of stress. I'm going to take a couple of extra days between sessions for my final wave of this cycle (PR attempts on three lifts), then at least a full week off before Smolov.

[kitarpyar]

Originally Posted by big valsalva

Tuesday, 9/4/12

Cycle IV Wave 2 Workout C

Deadlift
145x5
185x5
220x5
230x5
275x5
310x8

DB Rows
80x12 - I just wasn't feeling it, so I quit. 75 pounds felt good last week, meaning I was able to get a good back contraction. Maybe I should have kept it at 75 and tried for more reps...

************

My body is wearing out. I've been at this for a little over 4 months without really missing a session. Anyway, I've been noticing some manifestations of stress. I'm going to take a couple of extra days between sessions for my final wave of this cycle (PR attempts on three lifts), then at least a full week off before Smolov.

Agree with the week off. Sometimes its amazing how much refreshing a week's rest can be for the body.

[Chillen]

My body is wearing out. I've been at this for a little over 4 months without really missing a session. Anyway, I've been noticing some manifestations of stress. I'm going to take a couple of extra days between sessions for my final wave of this cycle (PR attempts on three lifts), then at least a full week off before Smolov.

Being tired and have a feeling of being worn out, is a proud accomplishment of a champion hard at work. You are the master champion putting your body in a state in which it will recover, build, get stronger, and be much improved over its previous self.

One type of true nobility lies in being superior to your previous self. You see Val, you are in a recovery state where you will be superior than anytime in your previous personal history.

Not many can they say they achieved this noble position in life.

Each day walk proud of your accomplishments, and when you go to bed and accumulate recovery days, each day that goes by is better than your previous self---because you paved the way in the gym.

You see....

Its all in the way you look at things....

Rock on, bud....



Peace and Happiness,


Don