Squatter's Journal-The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

[mab54]

Great benching, to bad about the forearms though.

[BendtheBar]

Goblet Squats
I did 4 sets of these using a 35 lb DB, but did not count the reps. Steve wanted me to do these and take a vid. They are a terrific training tool. Hopefully these will help train my body to open up those knees. I will do these as assistance 2X per week.

Jim those look excellent. That natural drop and natural opening is exactly what you want with squats. I would run right out and load the bar on squats and try this, as sudden changes with heavy weight can tweak muscles, but I would keep practicing those goblets.

Your depth was great and that style of squatting is going to be more knee friendly in the long run.

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by Kuytrider

So sorry for your loss Best wishes to you and yours.

Thanks Kuyt. My brother, sister, and I are coping reasonably well. Going to the house today was a toughie tho, as we had to pick out an outfit and search for photos.

Originally Posted by mab54

Great benching, to bad about the forearms though.

Thanks Mab!! Ya, it sucks royally, but with some TLC hopefully will be better soon.

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by LtL

Watch the goblet squats and how you open your knees to hit rock bottom depth. See how fast you drop into the hole. That is good. You're pausing at the bottom which I wouldn't recommend with a loaded barbell at that depth but your form is great. With a barbell you need to think about keeping that speed. Dropping fast into the hole, knees open up naturally and bounce straight back up.

LtL

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Jim those look excellent. That natural drop and natural opening is exactly what you want with squats. I would run right out and load the bar on squats and try this, as sudden changes with heavy weight can tweak muscles, but I would keep practicing those goblets.

Your depth was great and that style of squatting is going to be more knee friendly in the long run.

Thanks so much Big Al & Steve. I think I get it now, and I for sure will keep on doing the goblet squats to really burn it into my brain like a tattoo.

Now I cannot wait to squat again on heavy week 3.

I am once again so grateful to you both for your help. This upcoming meet would not be possible for me to do without you guys in my corner. You have also managed once again to put a big smile on my face when I needed it most.

[Squatter]

DEADLIFT SESSION

Conventional Raw Deadlifts
Squats Warm-Up BW XLots, Bar Xa few, 95 X5, 115 X4, 135 X3
135 X3
225 X2
315 X1
355 X1
385 X1
405 Fail
Straps On
405 X1
405 Fail

Sumo Raw Deadlifts
315 Fail
225 X1

Done. Deads were really a disaster area this morning. I reckon I was not recovered enough from Friday mornings squat session, even though I felt I was ready to lift. My body sure loves tricking me.

After the 405 Fail, things just went from bad to worse. I started to think about my regrets with my mom; you know the "I should have called her more often" type of thing. Now that the funeral arrangements are getting in full swing, it is now starting to hit me that the phone will never ring again from the house I grew up in, and that she will never come for dinner again. She really loved coming to my house for dinner.

Today, I simply was unable to focus my energy positively.

[markievicz]

really sorry to read about your mom passing Jim.

i hope you are doing ok.

[MikeM]

Yeah, my dad died last year. It's funny how sad thoughts can just bubble up out of the blue. It got easier for me over time. Hope it works that way for you too. And by easier, I don't mean that you forget about her, just that dealing with those feelings becomes easier, doesn't overwhelm you as much. Bes tof luck with everything.

Great work as always. And I love goblet squats! Whenever, I fell bad about squatting, I do some for a while and it fixes me right up. I'm sure it will do the same for you. Just to add to what AL said, look at how natural you looked doing them! Obviously, lighter weight, but just saying how comfortable you looked with the motion, etc.

Yeah, the body does fool you sometimes. Get those deads next time.

[mab54]

Still some strong work accomplished jim!

Hope you are Ok.

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by markievicz

really sorry to read about your mom passing Jim.

i hope you are doing ok.

Thanks Mark. Monday was a real tough day as we spent the afternoon at the funeral home making arrangements and picking out the casket.

Originally Posted by MikeM

Yeah, my dad died last year. It's funny how sad thoughts can just bubble up out of the blue. It got easier for me over time. Hope it works that way for you too. And by easier, I don't mean that you forget about her, just that dealing with those feelings becomes easier, doesn't overwhelm you as much. Bes tof luck with everything.

Great work as always. And I love goblet squats! Whenever, I fell bad about squatting, I do some for a while and it fixes me right up. I'm sure it will do the same for you. Just to add to what AL said, look at how natural you looked doing them! Obviously, lighter weight, but just saying how comfortable you looked with the motion, etc.

Yeah, the body does fool you sometimes. Get those deads next time.

Ya, only time will help me understand and heal. I was mom's fave, and I believe we all have a deeper connection with moms because we all came from inside one. My belated condolences about your father.

Form always seems to escape me when I go super heavy, which is actually why I did them, to see where I stand. I am also going to widen my stance a bit. I am positive the goblets will go a long way to getting those stubborn knees out once and for all!!

Originally Posted by mab54

Still some strong work accomplished jim!

Hope you are Ok.

Thanks Mab - ya I'll take it as anytime I can lift at least something is good.

The funeral is next Monday. I'll be OK until then.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Squatter

Today, I simply was unable to focus my energy positively.

Understandable. At least you moved about a bit and released some energy.