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

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by Hunterace

Great work Super Jim! Little surprised you did go in day two and break the machine with your super strength! Way to push yourself and strong improvement bud! I hope this session didn't kill you as much, but guessing it did . Stay strong Super Jim!

Yep, it killed me Jay, and it showed today on bench

Originally Posted by ravimolasaria

PR(s) here too ... Keep up the good work super Jim ...

Thanks Ravi! I will progress each session as if my life depends on it.

Originally Posted by fenrisulfr

Thats great progression. I'm happy that found a way to work through it. You've come along way since that video you did where you were heartbroken.

Thanks Fen! I have come along way and I cannot wait to see how this transfers to my dead ans squat.

Originally Posted by LtL

Nice progress Jim.

Thanks Al!

Originally Posted by Paradox

So glad to see back progress!

Originally Posted by I WILL

Coming ALONG! Did the war paint smear? If so I need a PICTURE!!!

Thanks Lisa! I did scare away his other patients in the waiting room haha. It also could have been the grunts.

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Crush it!

Unfortunately, that didn't happen today

[Squatter]

JB'S OLD SCHOOL TAKE 2 SEMESTER 2 BENCH ME

Did not have a good day today. It kinda got off on the wrong foot when Mario, one of team mentors, told me "Jim, go over there". He was telling me to use the other bench where the girls were benching. Now, don't get me wrong, normally I love benching with them as they have taught me alot and I like them just as much, but I have been on a roll on the main bench (where the big boys bench) and I really like the bar better they were using. Perhaps some superstition, but it's not crazy if it works. In fact, all my best benching has been done on that bench with that bar. I guess I am also a bit upset at myself for not saying something to the effect to Mario that I wanted to bench there. Nonetheless, I just thought that it was kinda rude and arrogant to tell me to "go over there", especially when I have been benching there for at least a month now. I know why he did so - it's because I am the weakest bencher on the crew and it's likely a pain in the butt removing plates. Too bad tho, as next time I will say something.

I left the gym today unsatisfied, grumpy, growly, snappy, and snarly.

Logically, I should have had 300 today as last week as I did 300 to 1 board without too much difficulty. But, since when is lifting logical. Too many intangibles. The 245 triples felt quite heavy and it shouldn't. The board work did not feel heavy at all - I even slowed it down to normal speed as last week I kinda dive bombed them. Another factor in the miss was likely that I just didn't have enough gas left after Friday's Back Bitch session. That thing really takes everything out of you in under 2 minutes. Body fuel is precious on a cut. However, lower back rehab is the priority right now.

Additionally, I couldn't keep my tightness today. On the 2nd miss (Vid) the bar went forward while on my chest, thus putting me out of my groove and dooming the lift. Grrr.

Bench Press
Warm/Ramp Ups
245 X3
245 X3
Add 3 Board
275 X2
Add 2 Board
275 X1
Full ROM
300 Miss
300 Miss Vid
The crew wanted me to try the 300 again because they knew it was more of a form/tightness issue with the first miss.
Back Off
225 X6
185 AMAP - did not attempt as I was cooked to a crsip
165 AMAP - Ditto

Kaz Press
EZ Curl Bar+20 X10
EZ Curl Bar+40 X10
EZ Curl Bar+50 X10 for 3 Sets

Incline DB Press
Just decided to do these on a whim as I felt guilty about not finishing my back off sets with the BB.
40 X15
50 X15
50 X14
50 X12

DB Skullcrushers
25's X10
25's X10
25's X10

Squatter300BenchPressMiss - YouTube

Squatter300BenchPressMiss - YouTube

[EliteDreams]

You've got the drive,and this was just a speedbump. Good session and better ones to come.

[J_Byrd]

Your elbows were out Jim, got to bring them in some. I am sure that session has everything to do with the back work the previous day.

[LtL]

Originally Posted by J_Byrd

Your elbows were out Jim, got to bring them in some. I am sure that session has everything to do with the back work the previous day.

Agreed. I also thought you should bring the bar out further and then press back not up. Elbows in will help with the second point. You definitely have that press with better technique.

[Hunterace]

Great work Super Jim!

[KD5NFW]

Agree with all the above Jim! Back health is number one priority at this moment
Give all you have on that BB session every week!

[MikeM]

Oh man, that was close Jimbo! I think LtL is exactly right. Only thing I would add is it doesn't look like your legs were very tight on the way down and then you tried to tighten them hard on the way up. It helps me if they are tight all the way through the lift. Maybe you were doing that, but it didn't seem like it.

Regardless, you're going to hit that very soon! Awesome stuff. 300 bench right around the corner.

[I WILL]

I left the gym today unsatisfied, grumpy, growly, snappy, and snarly.
I can loan you my 'grrr' face

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by EliteDreams

You've got the drive,and this was just a speedbump. Good session and better ones to come.

Thanks Ben! Form will improve on 300+. I just need some time.

Originally Posted by J_Byrd

Your elbows were out Jim, got to bring them in some. I am sure that session has everything to do with the back work the previous day.

Originally Posted by LtL

Agreed. I also thought you should bring the bar out further and then press back not up. Elbows in will help with the second point. You definitely have that press with better technique.

Thanks JB & Al! I agree wholeheartedly. There is a perfect groove or position for me - I just wasn't able to find it that day like I did the last few weeks. This was the first time I have ever attempted 300 full ROM (PR is currently 285 and that was on the ugly side). If history is any indication, I will be able to clean up the form and remain tight on 300+ in the coming weeks. I remember the first time attempting 275 and above, as form quickly broke down then too. Good to know it is not a question of strength tho.

I will work on the form points you both have suggested. Your advice is priceless to me.

Originally Posted by Hunterace

Great work Super Jim!

Thanks Jay! It was a tough day at the office, but still got some work done.

Originally Posted by KD5NFW

Agree with all the above Jim! Back health is number one priority at this moment
Give all you have on that BB session every week!

Thanks Rich, and I vow to progress on the BB every session.

Originally Posted by MikeM

Oh man, that was close Jimbo! I think LtL is exactly right. Only thing I would add is it doesn't look like your legs were very tight on the way down and then you tried to tighten them hard on the way up. It helps me if they are tight all the way through the lift. Maybe you were doing that, but it didn't seem like it.

Regardless, you're going to hit that very soon! Awesome stuff. 300 bench right around the corner.

Thanks Mike! I think my feet remained planted. Perhaps my leg drive mad eit look that way? I will definitely make note of your point tho and be more conscious of it next time. Thanks so much for your input.

Originally Posted by I WILL

I left the gym today unsatisfied, grumpy, growly, snappy, and snarly.
I can loan you my 'grrr' face

Ya, haha! I wasn't exactly anyone anybody would have wanted to be around as I left the gym. Thanks so much Lisa - you really made me laugh.