Max Lower Body again today, and it is of course my favorite day.
- Reverse band squats
They said that the band assistance was like 15 lbs at the top and 50-60 at the bottom. I have no idea how accurate this is, they were just thin red bands looped around twice. I’m still super unfamiliar with bands.
1 x 5 x 135lb - this felt like nothing, which is why I question what the tension in the bands was.
1 x 3 x 185lb
1 x 1 x 225 - this actually felt pretty heavy on my back and as I was walking it out, but was a relatively easy lift.
1 x 1 x 255 - failed.
1 x 1 x 235 w/ belt - easy
1 x 1 x 245 w/ belt - difficult, but didn’t feel like 100% I think I could have definitely gotten 255 if I had used the belt. I’m not sure why belts make me feel so much stronger, but they do!
Another reason I doubt their estimate on band tension is because if it was 50-60lbs, that means I theoretically should be able to squat 185-195 without them, and I could barely get 185 off a box 2-3 weeks ago.
- 3 x 12 x ~50lb band tension Good Morning superset with 3 x 12 GHR
Oh god, my lower back. It didn’t hurt…I could just really feel it, like there was a brick on the curve of my back. I’m taking it as a good thing.
- 3 x 8 each side x 40lb Bulgarian Split Squat
Have I ever mentioned I HATE these? owwww
- 2 x 10s sprints on TredSled. Yes we have one of these. Yes it’s awesome, though takes a few tries before you don’t feel like you’re going to run right off of it.
Alas no deadlifts
Nadia - I know I feel the same way! Have you ever tried ammonia? The guys I lift with keep telling me it helps with the mental component. Though I have never tried so I’m not sure how that works. I hope my finances work too, keeping my fingers crossed for finding a better job.
MiMD - Thank you! I know plenty of guys who don’t think it’s too much soooo…usually the negative comments come from women. Strange! I’ve never really been lean in my life so I figure I may try and see what that’s like sometime haha.
Kris - I think the depth of my squat came from that fear too. When I was starting out with weightlifting I always read Ass to Grass as a really good thing to strive for - or at least that’s how I interpreted it. Probably also comes from the little bit of Oly lifting I dabble in for fun sometimes. In my head, a deeper squat = a hotter squat!
Cbear - when I lift for heavy singles I never get the near black-out feeling. That happens only when I do 5+ reps on something. I’m not sure why? Maybe I am not pushing as hard as I could!
Alexus - I’ve thought about that too. I figure it’s better to be too warmed up than under though. When I warm up my squat I usually do the bar → 65lb → 95lb x 3 → 135lb x 1. I also warm up with box squats on lower body days and when I warm up I try to really focus recruiting my glutes since if I don’t think about them they tend to just hang out during a lift.