Dog House Training

[BendtheBar]

Chest -39.75 +1.25 - IMHO probably more due to wing growth than actual chest growth. I am progressing toward the V I have wanted.

Congrats, very solid progress.

[bamazav]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Congrats, very solid progress.

I ran the measurement multiple times, I could not believe it. I knew there had been progress in the arms, as my daughter and wife had noticed. The chest measurement was a complete surprise.

[big_swede]

Good progress bama!

[bamazav]

McCallum Hybrid Training
Legs

Quick hit today

WORKING SETS

Leg Curls
3 x 10 x 55#

Squats
8 x 135#
8 x 155#
6 x 185#

RDL's
3 x 10 x 100#

Leg Extensions
3 x 10 x 75#

NOTES
Life got in the way of this session. Had to get the turkey on the smoker for Family Night Supper at the Church, Church stuff, etc... All helped cut this session short. The next few weeks are gonna be "get it in when you can" type weeks, just the way it is this time of year. It is good that for the time being I am focusing more on upper body than on the legs, so I can get away with the occasional "Nancy boy"** session.

Leg Curls - These double as warm up for the rest of the work and to help build the hamstrings and keep my back pain at bay. So far so good.
Squats - After the last few weeks I was hoping to be able to run these for a while. The back is still not 100% and these don't help things. I could lower the weight and do high reps but I prefer to go to Fronts which, IMHO, give me more "bang for the buck." The first two sets felt good. the 185 was just not comfortable from the start. I racked the bar as form broke, me leaning forward and coming up on the toes. Working around one body part is enough, I don't need to add another to the list. Next week I will move to Front Squats.
RDL - wanted to shake things up a bit as I figure out a padding solution for the Hip Thrusters. Slow with a focus on hinging at the hip and not just bending the back. No discomfort and a nice hit on the hamstrings.
Leg Extensions - brief hold at the top. Added 5 lbs. Will add another 5 next time.

[IronWill]

Good going Bama! Gotta get my knees sorted out and get back on the squat train.

[bamazav]

Originally Posted by IronWill

Good going Bama! Gotta get my knees sorted out and get back on the squat train.

That is what I don't want to injure, thus I racked them at 6. I am wondering if I am so focused on the taking care of the back that it is inhibiting my form. The Front Squats will take care of that issue as there is little compression on the spine with those, so I can focus more on proper form as I slowly take the weight up.

[IronWill]

Originally Posted by bamazav

That is what I don't want to injure, thus I racked them at 6. I am wondering if I am so focused on the taking care of the back that it is inhibiting my form. The Front Squats will take care of that issue as there is little compression on the spine with those, so I can focus more on proper form as I slowly take the weight up.

I've got first time Front Squats on the schedule for this evening. See how they feel on the knees.

[bamazav]

Originally Posted by IronWill

I've got first time Front Squats on the schedule for this evening. See how they feel on the knees.

I like them, can't go as heavy as back squats. Start with just the bar and play with your hand placement. I typically do a cross arm grip as the clean grip bothers my wrists.

[IronWill]

Originally Posted by bamazav

I like them, can't go as heavy as back squats. Start with just the bar and play with your hand placement. I typically do a cross arm grip as the clean grip bothers my wrists.

Not trying to pollute your thread...

I'm going to try this thing with using straps to hold the bar. Looks to be great for elbow issues. Prolly would help wrists too.

[bamazav]

Originally Posted by IronWill

Not trying to pollute your thread...

I'm going to try this thing with using straps to hold the bar. Looks to be great for elbow issues. Prolly would help wrists too.

No pollution here, I learn more from the journals than I do in the main rooms, which I why I keep multiple logs.

I use versa grips, no straps, let me know how it goes, I may invest in some straps just for fronts.