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

[BendtheBar]

Benching is the hardest thing I have ever tried to learn - hands down. What a challenge. However, It's also a lot of fun.

You said it all. benching is the hardest lift for me to master. 285 will happen soon enough. I imagine you would have hit 280.

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by Squatter

CREW BENCH SESSION

Bench Press
Bar X10
95 X6
95 X3
135 X3
155 X3
185 X3
205 X3
225 X3
245 X1
265 X1
285 X0
285 X0
185 X9
The 265 was butter with great form, so I was allowed to go for a PR of 285. I have all the confidence in the world I can do it. Just wasn't able to get 'er done today. I think the heavy benching last Tuesday in the JimGym may have had some effect today. Not disappointed at all, because I know I will get it next time. Was a little inconsistent with the tightness today, so I did some more practicing later on. I know exactly how do do it. I just need to practice. Benching is the hardest thing I have ever tried to learn - hands down. What a challenge. However, It's also a lot of fun.

Floor Press
95 X3
135 X3
155 X5
170 X5
185 X7
200 X5 PR!!

Pendlay Rows
135 X3
185 X3
205 X3
225 X3
225 X3
185 X3
185 X3
185 X3

Incline DB Press
60's X8
60's X6
60's X7
60's X8

Bench Press Practice
10 Sets of Triples and 5 sets of 5 @115 lbs

Dips
BW X7
BW X7
BW X7
BW X8
BW X8

I have also lost 5 lbs in September. I now weigh 233 lbs

Here are today's vids, brought to you in glorious HD at no additional charge

Sorry for the shaking at the start of them - those darn tremors.

Squatter285X0BenchPress - YouTube

Squatter225X3Pendlay - YouTube

SquatterBWX7Dip - YouTube

Squatter115X5PracticeBench - YouTube

Bumps To New page

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

You said it all. benching is the hardest lift for me to master. 285 will happen soon enough. I imagine you would have hit 280.

Glad I am not alone!! I know form has been my nemesis in the past as I didn't have any on bench. I used to think you just laid down, unrack, and press.

I think with a proper ramp up I might have had even the 285. My arms were kinda bugging me today for some reason as well. For this reason I stopped doing triples and just thought I'd do singles. I have to chuckle, as I cannot believe I just called 265 easy!! There's progression right there.

[BigJosh]

Jim you are doing some serious work. You continue to keep the progression train rolling. Great job!!.

Having said that, I have to share with you my opinion on your bench press. I think your biggest issue is that you are taking to wide of a grip, taking you out of your most effective power range (is that even a real term/concept? "effective power range").
This is just one man's opinion and I am anything but an expert, but to me, your wide grip really sticks out. It looks to me like your middle finger is on the "ring" of the bar (or whatever it's called).
I am a rather broad man, at 6'1 280 a XXL shirt is usually tight around my shoulders. Not trying to say anything by this, just giving context. I am wide up top. And when I bench my pinky finger is inside of that "ring".
Not that I am some elite bencher or anything, but I just can't help but to think when I compare my grip to yours, yours is significantly wider. Just may be something for you to consider.On the other hand I know everyone is different, i am aware that you know what you are doing under the bar and I very well could be completely off base.
Just trying to help.

Keep up the great work my friend.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Squatter

I have to chuckle, as I cannot believe I just called 265 easy!! There's progression right there.

Looking forward to seeing you hit 300. That 1.5 MW bench won't be long.

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by BigJosh

Jim you are doing some serious work. You continue to keep the progression train rolling. Great job!!.

Having said that, I have to share with you my opinion on your bench press. I think your biggest issue is that you are taking to wide of a grip, taking you out of your most effective power range (is that even a real term/concept? "effective power range").
This is just one man's opinion and I am anything but an expert, but to me, your wide grip really sticks out. It looks to me like your middle finger is on the "ring" of the bar (or whatever it's called).
I am a rather broad man, at 6'1 280 a XXL shirt is usually tight around my shoulders. Not trying to say anything by this, just giving context. I am wide up top. And when I bench my pinky finger is inside of that "ring".
Not that I am some elite bencher or anything, but I just can't help but to think when I compare my grip to yours, yours is significantly wider. Just may be something for you to consider.On the other hand I know everyone is different, i am aware that you know what you are doing under the bar and I very well could be completely off base.
Just trying to help.

Keep up the great work my friend.

I really appreciate that great advice Josh, and I will most certainly try it on Tuesday and with the crew next Saturday. I will place my pinky just inside of the ring like yourself. It sound like we are sort of built similar as well. I have been playing around with different grips lately, but I have not yet tried the one you suggested. It could very well make a huge difference.

Thanks so much!!!!

BTW - I would take advice from you any day of the week.

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Looking forward to seeing you hit 300. That 1.5 MW bench won't be long.

Me too Steve. That will be the next stop after 285 Train hits Beeftown.

[Squatter]

CREW SQUAT SESSION

I was trying to earn a Visitor's Visa for the right to enter Beeftown and collect on Mayor Steve's free steak offer.

Squat
Bar X10
105 X5
145 X5
195 X3
235 X3
285 X1
325 X1
360 X1
395 X1
415 X1
This is sort of a PR. I have done 415 and 420 before to the same depth, but definitely not with as good as form. Brian said I hit depth, but it was too close for comfort with a judge. He should know as he is a certified judge. Thus, he wants me to get it a bit deeper next time. In the video, Brian is the side spotter to my right. Mario is back spotting, and Scott is the other side spotter. They are the strongest guys on the team. Brian is the Federation President as well, whom I met in Vernon.

On a side note, I did not know the bar weighed 55 lbs until after I was finished. After the "what I thought was 405 set" I told Brian " I am sure I got a 415 in me" He laughed and said you just did it.

Deficit Deads
2 Inch Platform
135 X3
225 X3
315 X3 PR
405 X1 PR
415 X1 PR
Now that I think about it, this might have actually been a 425 lift, as I am now not sure what that deadlift bar weighs. I will have to ask next week.

GHR
BW X2
BW X4
BW X7 PR
BW X2
Darn, placed camera pointing a bit too high.

Reverse Hyperextensions
50 X6 PR
50 X10 PR
50 X9
50 X10
I think I did these right. Perhaps I could get legs a bit straighter.

Squatter415X1Squat - YouTube

Squatter415X1Squat - YouTube

Squatter415X1DeficitDeadlift - YouTube

Squatter415X1DeficitDeadlift - YouTube

SquatterBWX7GHR - YouTube

SquatterBWX7GHR - YouTube

Squatter50X10ReverseHyperextension - YouTube

Squatter50X10ReverseHyperextension - YouTube

[Randoja]

Solid day with the crew Jim. Grats on all the PRs.

[Mr.Silverback]

Love it squatter awesome day with the crew!

[ravimolasaria]

Originally Posted by Squatter

CREW SQUAT SESSION
Squat
Bar X10
105 X5
145 X5
195 X3
235 X3
285 X1
325 X1
360 X1
395 X1
415 X1

crazy numbers Jim ... these are very very impressive numbers. I'm glad that you get chance to train with such a crew ... keep smashing wts. buddy ...

On a side note, I did not know the bar weighed 55 lbs until after I was finished. After the "what I thought was 405 set" I told Brian " I am sure I got a 415 in me" He laughed and said you just did it.

This happens to us a lot of times. If you don't count the wt. in your mind, you are capable to lift it. Actually after a certain level, it is more of a mental battle ... I've tried this with my training partners. Whenever they are doing leg presses, I add a plate of 25 / 35 lbs on top of machine which is not visible to them. They do feel that it is a bit heavier, but able to do same no. of reps what they have in their mind.

Deficit Deads
2 Inch Platform
135 X3
225 X3
315 X3 PR
405 X1 PR
415 X1 PR

very very strong DLs ... congrats on PR Jim ... keep rolling the wts. ...

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by Randoja

Solid day with the crew Jim. Grats on all the PRs.

Thanks Rand!! It sure was a grand day!!

Originally Posted by Mr.Silverback

Love it squatter awesome day with the crew!

Thanks Silverback!! It was also alot of fun. I always leave there with a big smile - and sore body.

Originally Posted by ravimolasaria

crazy numbers Jim ... these are very very impressive numbers. I'm glad that you get chance to train with such a crew ... keep smashing wts. buddy ...


This happens to us a lot of times. If you don't count the wt. in your mind, you are capable to lift it. Actually after a certain level, it is more of a mental battle ... I've tried this with my training partners. Whenever they are doing leg presses, I add a plate of 25 / 35 lbs on top of machine which is not visible to them. They do feel that it is a bit heavier, but able to do same no. of reps what they have in their mind.



very very strong DLs ... congrats on PR Jim ... keep rolling the wts. ...

Your so sneaky LOL I have been guilty of focusing too much on the weightload rather than the lift and form point. I certainly do not have that issue when I train with these guys. They just give me so much confidence. If I fail or misss, so be it in the sense it is training and I will get it next time. The last thing I need is to put pressure on myself.