Mike's quest for Abs and 1100

[Hunterace]

Originally Posted by MikeM

Thanks fellas! Bench is always two steps forward, one step back it seems. The bench gods really make you work for it, the bastids!

CRUSHED another squat day! Not sure what's up, but I am so confident with squatting lately. That said, I almost killed myself today. That last set was about the hardest thing I've ever done with a barbell in my life.

JBPP week 7

warmups: leg and hip stuff, mobility and some height jumps (I can almost touch the ceiling, like 4-6 inches better than when I started)

Squat:
3x 275, 295, 305
5x 325 (147.5 Kg)(+15 lb 5 rep PR!! Holy Cow!)

Narrow Squat:
2x 6x 205

Wide Squat:
2x 6x 185 (wides are much harder for me)

5x 325, OOF!:
5x 325 - YouTube
6x 205, if it ever stops processing:
6x 205 - YouTube
6x 185:
6x 185 - YouTube
Why lifting at home can be just as annoying as the gym!

Anyway, good stuff today. Obviously, if you check out my signature, I'd have to fall down dead not to set a huge PR at my next meet. I'm also feeling dead confident I'll be squatting 405 sometime late this summer. That's a huge goal for me. Gotta stay smart and focussed of course, but it's getting a lot closer lately!!

Great workout Mike! Your a PR machine lately, keep hammering them out!!!Congrats!!!

[ravimolasaria]

Originally Posted by MikeM

JBPP week 7

Squat:
3x 275, 295, 305
5x 325 (147.5 Kg)(+15 lb 5 rep PR!! Holy Cow!)

Narrow Squat: 2x 6x 205
Wide Squat: 2x 6x 185 (wides are much harder for me)

Strong squatting Mike ... congrats on that Squat PR ... lots of variation and strong wts ... great progression ... keep rocking Mike ...

[markievicz]

great job Mike,
Squat PR is always welcome

[KD5NFW]

Hard work is paying off Mike!! That's a hoooooge squat PR!!

[J_Byrd]

Why wait till the summer to squat 405? 325x5 is damn close to it right now!!!!!!

[miked96]

Nice squat PR Mike.

[MikeM]

Originally Posted by Squatter

Go figure- JB's plan is working!!

I am thinking your mental barriers are falling wrt squats as well.

I think there's three things that are really working for me making my squat get a lot better pretty quickly.

1. JB's plan. I really like the way his periodization thing is working for me. You sort of sneak up on heavier weights so that all of a sudden you're 10 or 20 pounds ahead of where you were and even those aren't brutally heavy anymore.

2. Confidence and mentality. If a guy squatting a grand tells me I can do more weight kind of matter of factly like he's discussing the weather, I start to think it myself and then it happens just like he said it would.
Also, I began to realize squat days are gonna hurt no matter what, so might as well squeeze out a few extra reps whenever possible. It's pretty much the same beating the next day after 5 reps as it is for 3, so why not go for the 5?
I always sort of dreaded squat day, and I still do a bit, but now I also feel like I am more agressive going after them, rather than letting them get the better of me.

3. LOW BAR. I'm telling you, moving the bar an inch down my back makes a world of difference. Before when it got heavy, I swear I felt like I was squatting with my face on the ground. Standing up with those were just hammering away at me physically and beating me down mentally. Now, my chest is up, so even if I grind, it's not so physically abusive, esp. on my low back.

Anyway, thanks very much for the support, fellas! I'm on a good run at the moment, hope it continues!

No lifting today! Snowed here messed up my whole day, so when kids got home, I said eff it and went out sledding with them! Had a great time.

I'll just combine bench aux and rack pulls tomorrow. It worked great last time, I'm sure it will this time too. I'm feeling good about my deadlifts lately, so hopefully I rip some big ones off the rack tomorrow!!

[Squatter]

Your also a great family man Mike. I'd take the time to spend playing with the kiddies any day over a session.

I also agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. There is something about JB that wants me to work at my best. If a powerlifter of his caliber takes the time to help me, by golly I am going to make every second of his time count. It's a great opportunity to take our lifting to the next level. I want his help and I am so grateful for it. I always will be.

[ravimolasaria]

Counted as Cardio ...

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by MikeM

I think there's three things that are really working for me making my squat get a lot better pretty quickly.

1. JB's plan. I really like the way his periodization thing is working for me. You sort of sneak up on heavier weights so that all of a sudden you're 10 or 20 pounds ahead of where you were and even those aren't brutally heavy anymore.

2. Confidence and mentality. If a guy squatting a grand tells me I can do more weight kind of matter of factly like he's discussing the weather, I start to think it myself and then it happens just like he said it would.
Also, I began to realize squat days are gonna hurt no matter what, so might as well squeeze out a few extra reps whenever possible. It's pretty much the same beating the next day after 5 reps as it is for 3, so why not go for the 5?
I always sort of dreaded squat day, and I still do a bit, but now I also feel like I am more agressive going after them, rather than letting them get the better of me.

3. LOW BAR. I'm telling you, moving the bar an inch down my back makes a world of difference. Before when it got heavy, I swear I felt like I was squatting with my face on the ground. Standing up with those were just hammering away at me physically and beating me down mentally. Now, my chest is up, so even if I grind, it's not so physically abusive, esp. on my low back.

Anyway, thanks very much for the support, fellas! I'm on a good run at the moment, hope it continues!

No lifting today! Snowed here messed up my whole day, so when kids got home, I said eff it and went out sledding with them! Had a great time.

I'll just combine bench aux and rack pulls tomorrow. It worked great last time, I'm sure it will this time too. I'm feeling good about my deadlifts lately, so hopefully I rip some big ones off the rack tomorrow!!

Good thoughts Mike. Your log is always full of win sauce.