Hey all. Trying to be more accountable with my training and life in general, so I figured I’d start a log.
First, some background: Before beginning lifting, I’d had a mostly athletic background, playing hockey and lacrosse. I’ve been training with weights since… well, the first page in my oldest log is 9.4.04, so we’ll say since then. I’ve only been NOT training like a fucktard for probably since about when I started training strongman. I’ve been training strongman for about 3 years now.
Right now I am, at best, a mediocre strongman, having never finished higher than 3rd (in a field of 6, so still middle of the pack) in any of the 6 shows I’ve competed in. For anyone who’s contemplating giving strongman a shot, I highly recommend it, as it’s allowed me to meet a lot of incredibly excellent people. It’s definitely something I think I’ll continue to compete in until I’m too old and broken to do nothing but host contests. All of that love for the sport and my fellow competitors aside, I’d like to start bringing home some hardware.
I’ve previously competed as an under 200, and recently did a relatively successful gain cycle that saw me jump to right about 230. It’s a much softer 230 than I’d like, especially after A.) Watching Justin Blake compete at the ASC competition in Battle Creek… dude is a BAMF and B.) Beginning training with a new partner who’s a lean 210 and outlifts me like it’s his job.
I’ve had one contest in the new weightclass (Steve Slater’s contest on 5.2.09) and took 7th of 10 in my class, so there’s obviously still some work to be done.
My stats as of right now:
Squat: 455
Bench: 315
Dead: 480
Log: 250
Oly Jerk: 275
Stone: 320 to 48"
BF%: Probably high teens
Goals for end of '09:
Squat: 500
Bench: 350
Dead: 525
10" Log: 275
Oly Jerk: 300
Stone: 320 to 54" or 350 to 48" (ideally both!)
BF%: 12ish
Contest: Win my fucking weightclass for a change
Now, a word or two about my training: My partner (a big,strong cat who I’m lucky to get to train with and learn from) and I have been training using a pair of 4 week cycles for the last couple months, and I’ve seen a lot of gains in strength during that time. The only thing with this is, it all happened while I was putting on about 30 lbs, so I don’t know to attribute it to the program, the gain, or both.
Anyway, the basic idea for the program (It’s a variation on usual Westside methods) I’ve been using is as follows: Pick a ME movement to train for upper body and lower body (I’ve been pairing bench with squat, and deadlift with OH press). For week 1 of the cycle, pick a ME movement that’s related to the main lift, but doesn’t allow you to go as heavy. For example, if my selected movement for the cycle is the squat, then for Week 1 I’d use a front squat. Similar, but I can’t move as much weight. Week 2 uses the selected lift as the ME lift, so I regular squat when I’m basing my cycle on the squat. Week 3 is a supramaximal week, usually with the assistance of bands. For example, in the cycle I just finished, Week 3 was reverse band squat. Week 4 is a nice and simple bodybuilding deload week. So that’s the ME work. On RE days, I do some variation of the lift I’m NOT using for ME work (i.e. deadlift when squatting ME) and just do work.
I think that about sums it up. I’m not currently signed up for any contests. The first one I’m even halfway considering is the Day at the Beach on 8.15.09 in PA, and there’s a contest in IL in Sept that looks like fun. I’ll be beginning a new cycle on Saturday (deadlift and OH press), so I’ll post my numbers once I’m done there.
Feedback/encouragement is most welcome! Happy training.