The Return of the jedi-This is not Sparta. This. Is. Madness.(now incl. Race to 100kg OHP)

No.13


Very impressive jedi! Beastly pb!

Which one? bigHead.smiley
200 for D/L -120 x 15back squat - 100 x front squat
All of the above came Thurs-Fri last week; a clue as to why I spent the weekend feeling as though I'd been bitten by a zombie.

Didn't feel too bad by yesterday and realising that there was the possibility of sneaky early closing at the gym, I phoned up after lunch to check when they were open 'til. To be told the gym had just shut.
One 'o' clock.
One o chuffin clock!
What the f*ck use is that to anyone?
Dis. a. pointed.
I f*kkin HATE Bank Holidays.

Fortunately Mr. Jackman was in touch and was likewise disappointed. To the extent that he extended an invitation to train in his garage fully fitted home gym facility. I was a little disappointed that Castle Jackmanstein was more of a house than something a mad scientist should live in. This disappointment quickly disappeared when it turned out to be the house I had woo-ed my childhood sweetheart in.

Oh Sarah-Jane
You sexy young sophisticate
I'll never forget your Arctic Roll
It was cold but sweet
A frosty treat
....I still like to masticate.

Training was good, starting with incline pressing which is something I often think would be a good idea to start with but never do. Which pretty much sums up guillotine pressing and 'proper' close grip on the Oly bar. Good stuff.

I don't think I've ever trained at someone else's house without said training involving 15 sets of curls on plaggy Argos weight sets. It was an education.
 

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

my gym was open 9-11am or 7-9pm

what the fck?!!

good pb's!

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
 
2012 OFFSEASON JOURNAL - CLICK ME

Incredible Bulk

my gym was open 9-11am or 7-9pm
what the fck?!!

Can't imagine 9-11 had many takers but I wouldnt've minded a 7-9 option yesterday.
You should all have arranged to turn up en masse at about 8.35.
He woulda loved that.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

BacknBis

Chins
21's x2 but needed spotting 5/6/7 of the full reps second set
Plus one set of side to side.  -too hard after the above will switch to 1 x 21's and some full reps next week

High Pulldown
110kg x 12/10/8
+dropset

Closegrip Pulldown
77kg x 12/10/8
+dropset

Seated Row
70 x 12/10/8

EZcurl
40kg x 8/7/6 -down again due to elbow soreness

Incline curls
14kg x 12/10/8

Seated curl
30kg x 12/10/8 (back to 30kg strict =more work in biceps)

15min cardio

Still feeling a bit knackered last night so it was an okay workout. Might have to give Oly bar curls a go or, as there are only two Oly bars, more realistically close grip or heavy cable. The rest of the curls are now spot on for form and getting plenty enough direct bicep work.

Am suffering from some mysterious joint soreness in elbows and knees can't think what's triggered it other than plenty of hard work catching up with me. Bit of a bugger though, not had this for ages.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Shoulders
 
Military Press
50kg 10
60kg 6
50kg 8

front raise hammer grip
16kg x 12/10/8

lateral raise knuckle forward standard style
14kg x 12/10/8

rear raise
12kg x 12/10/8

Arnold press and v-press
24kg + 14kg x 12/10/8

plus some cable laterals and wide-grip upright row.

Dragon Flags

15min cycle

Not too bad for sayiing I felt a bit under the weather. Military press wasn't as bad as the numbers suggest in that both weights felt more comfortable than last week. Have to get that set on 60 to a respectable 8 quick smart though. The isolations were interesting in that we were joined on the bench next door by two lovely young ladies doing a fully formed and properly structured shoulder workout of their own. Was good to see (which sounds less pervy than 'nice to watch'). 'Course this novelty wore off a bit when it came to the pressing superset with the heavier weights as scrunging, gurning, swearing and noises had to be kept to a minimum.
Managed a decent (shoeless) run through my new dragon flag routine. Young Michael doesn't think they look that hard and gives it a go.
He changes his mind.
He did manage a passable attempt though
...that boy's not right.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

sex machine !

as soon as i saw the pics i could feel the force.....







...of my nob against my underpants.

Northern Englands strongest man u90kg  2010
The Midlands strongest man u90kg 2011
Yorkshires strongest man u90kg 2011
uk Open powerlifting champion 90kg 2010
PAGAN humilator since 2009

boar


sex machine !

as soon as i saw the pics i could feel the force.....







...of my nob against my underpants.

qft

SQ:230 BP:160:) DL:250 OHP:120

daKensta

boar


sex machine !
as soon as i saw the pics i could feel the force.....


...of my nob against my underpants.

qft

Boys, whilst this was no doubt exciting for you it is naught but an aperitif to the mind altering thrill of feeling the force

...of my nob in your underpants.

Grooming stage 1 complete.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Off for my powerlifting fix in a sec but feel worn-out, weak and 'a bit poorly'.

Surely the exact scenario PB's are made of.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Powerlifting did not get off to a good start thanks to the quat rack being occupied by

..only without the hat and more of a tw..

Anyhoo, we started with some bench and we worked up via 90 - 125 - 140x
Oh godddddddaammmmmm that was annoying
First time I've really thought I was going to press it.
Jackman went first and shot it off the chest but got so busy celebrating the new PB he actually forgot to lock it out. He will probably not make the same mistake next week. Which puts a bit of pressure on yours truly. I got it further than I ever have though so it is really starting to look do-able. I'd give myself a .59.

Squats and misson for the day was to confirm depth without going too heavy so worked up to 150 then 160 which I am confident went as low as I can physically squat, involving a good deal of time spent at the bottom... very nearly paused reps. Pleased with the 160.

Deadlifts straight after squats was never going to be a massive success and I didn't want to push myself too much anyway. Settled for a 180 that wasn't too bad but then Vic did 5 reps on it

There's a massive geezer up there who curls using the 32kg dumbbells and I've been itching to have a go, so when young Michael brought them down to do some hammer grip deads, I had a sneaky bash. Managed 3 reps each side but noticeably weaker on the left side. Was pleased ...but slightly disappointed that 'pigtails the runner' did not immediately swoon with desire for my extreme manliness.
Might swap the EZ bar for heavy 'bells though.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

...but slightly disappointed that 'pigtails the runner' did not immediately swoon with desire for my extreme manliness

Obviously need a superpump my man!

Journal

Very flat legs session.
There was just nothing in the tank.

Fronts.
60 x 12
80 x 8 x 3
These were a slight disast on the grounds that they were fecking choking me. I don't mean resting slightly uncomfortably on my neck, I mean starting to make noises of strangulated breathing and going purple. Just can't get them resting in a comfortable place. If I try and get it behind my front delt it is very close to my windpipe. If I rest it on my front delt
...it slips off.
Josh2tall arrived just after and a quick conflab concluded why the feck would I cross my hands and press the bar at the point of my windpipe rather than cross them further and press each hand onto a delt.
Felt a bit silly.
Will try it next week.

Back Squat.
Totally poopered everything felt heavy.
60-100-120-
130 x 8
110 x 12/10/8
absolutely spent

Did some leg ext and press but heart wasn't in it was absolutely dunzo.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

I forgot to add..
In other news; thought I'd lost my beloved wristwraps which are quite unique in that they were manufactured by yours truly from a pair of Everlast wrap gloves (surgical removal of sh!tty gloves and added neoprene backing and some thumb-loops). But yesterday one of a group of three brummy lads asked me if I'd got them back yet as he'd handed them in.
I was chuffed and told him so, saying that usually anything left on its own for >5min disappears for good. He admitted that the thought had crossed his mind I added that I was glad he'd decided against it, telling him that they were unique and easily identifiable and that I'd already decided that if I saw anyone up there wearing them they were going to be due an uncomfortable interview. He said that, that thought had also crossed his mind and was a major factor in his handing them in saying that they belonged to 'the big lad...the skinhead'
I am small and bald but Grrrrrrrrrr get me
*so. ma.cho

Can't beat Brummies though -salt of the earth.
He was dead chuffed when I popped back after getting changed with his reward

...well he made out he was

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Hi mate, will have a propper catch up asap.  Looking really good in the pics.

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

RACK


Hi mate, will have a propper catch up asap.  Looking really good in the pics.

Hope you had a really good hols mate. Not looking as sharp as those pics now the diet has been relaxed and my knees have been killing me, so not too much cardio either.
Bye-bye abs

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Holiday was something else.  Find me on facebook if you're on and you'll have a top laugh.

You know the abs will be back in no time after a little rest mate.

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

Had a slight case of the 'I don't like it; I don't wanna'-s before training.
I got myself frozen into a shivering icicle at a BBQ on Saturday night and have felt a bit of a cold coming on ever since. But when it turned out everyone else wasn't going, I felt kind of duty bound to turn up and do their pressing for 'em
Anyway,

so off I poddled.

Bench
Only nervous looking youngsters on spotting standby so I told 'em not to spot just to get me back to base if I got stuck. As it turned out their assistance was not required
100kg x 12/10/8 PB and general high-five ..oh hang on there's no-one here to five me.

Flat Dumbbell pre exhaust
34kg x 15

Incline Fly
24kg x 12/10/8

Chest Dips
15/12/10

Skull/Close Grip
35kg x 8 x 3 felt easy

Some pushdowns/pulldowns but triceps started cramping a bit.

15min cardio perving (her hair isn't blonde it's white...like polar bear fur)

Well, I have to say that was very satisfying. I've been trying for that for a couple of months at least and around Xmas I wouldn't have backed myself to 'make it so'.
Almost as pleased with that as if I'd pressed 140
...almost.
Not quite a Godzilla cry either but damn close. How the chuff I can't press 140 I have no idea. Am starting to wonder whether the Wednesday shoulder marathon might not be something of a suspect. Can't stop the quest for mahoosive delts though.
Reps on 110 next week.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

jedi

100kg x 12/10/8 PB and general high-five ..oh hang on there's no-one here to five me.

GJJM

Reps on 110 next week.

woo woo! bring it on! kick some ass etc.

SQ:230 BP:160:) DL:250 OHP:120

Nice benching mate, out of interest how are you warming up now?  I remember at one point you did quite a bit of work before getting to 100kg.

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

daKensta

jedi

100kg x 12/10/8 PB and general high-five ..oh hang on there's no-one here to five me.

GJJM

Reps on 110 next week.

woo woo! bring it on! kick some ass etc.

Ah should've known I could rely on daKensta for fives but promoting me to jedi-master(?) may be a bit premature
..although if I get the 140 on Thursday

I shall attempt to 'just do it' on the 110 whilst whistling Dixie and eating a burger.
I'm not kicking a donkey though, that seems a bit cruel.
Maybe you're right and I should adopt a bit of British Reserve


"Your gym based exploits are worthy of some merit."

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

RACK


Nice benching mate, out of interest how are you warming up now?  I remember at one point you did quite a bit of work before getting to 100kg.

Just do a few sets on the bar, then a few more on 60kg until it feels easy.
I might have to throw in a few at 80 next week as well otherwise 60 - 110 is going to seem like a bit of a jump.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

BacknBis

Chins
21's x2 but needed spotting 5/6/7 of the full reps second set
Plus 8 full reps

High Pulldown
120kg x 12/10/8 PB
+dropset

Standing Straight Arm Pulldown including free how the ffffff do I do these tutorials (results inconclusive)
Stack -4 x 12/10/8
+dropset

Closegrip Pulldown
77kg x 12/10/8
+dropset

Straight bar Curl
50kg x 7/6
40kg x 8

Incline curls
14kg x 12/10/8

Seated curl
30kg x 12/10/8 (back to 30kg strict =more work in biceps)

15min cardio -cancelled

Decent session. We were joined for the festivities by Josh2Tall who enjoyed himself tremenjous
...particularly on the 21's and dropsets.
Was keen to see how he'd do on the bicep part of the equation but he had other engagements.
The straight-arm pulldowns were fun having not done them for a while and not on that cable machine. I used to quite like them but am now thinking they used to be included at a lower weight and as part of a superset.
Switched to straight bar for curls to see if it hleped my elbows at all. It did
...it just hurt my wrists by an equal amount
Pleased withthe reps at 50 though, they were strict for those 2 sets but decided a third would be pushing it.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

It has been sometime since I graced the pages of Jedi's journal, however, its good to see your still going as strong as ever.

Well done with the chins, a true measure of a man!

I am Ripper... Tearer... Slasher... Gouger. I am the Teeth in the Darkness, the Talons in the Night. Mine is Strength... and Lust... and Power!

Nice looking session there mate.  As above, good chinning

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

Cheers chaps, chins should be compulsory on all back workouts.

Forgot to mention that I managed to pull that 'something' in your chest where it kinda hurts front and back in a place you can't quite reach and in an itfeelslikeImhavinaheartattack kind of way. Thought I'd got away with it this morning but as soon as I set to work it has flared up big style. Probably an intercostal or possibly more than one. Hurts like fkkery but only when I breathe in
...and out.

In better news my new powerlifting sex-belt has arrived.
It arrived before but was too small and the fold over the buckle was on the slant, so I sent it back. They returned it no problem and the new one is 10x better, real quality product 2thick layers and 2 suede to give a full 1cm thick. Best news is that the original was as stiff as a plank and I figured that this was why they were cheap. I was imagining lots of pouring boiling water on it/driving over it in my car/battering it into submission with rubber mallets etc but this one is not too bad at all not totally softened but should wear in easily enough.

£19 delivered

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

I use my old "York Barbell" belt.

I *did* have the money for a APT double prong belt.. Did..  I was politely funded by my fiancee for my birthday, unfortunately, I banked the money and sepnd it on car fuel and a takeaway!

Not my finest moment.

I will try again come christmas perhaps.

I am Ripper... Tearer... Slasher... Gouger. I am the Teeth in the Darkness, the Talons in the Night. Mine is Strength... and Lust... and Power!

I haven't felt as though I needed anything more than a slim belt until the introduction of deadlifts and heavy squats but I can definitely say that the bigger belt does make a difference for those. Could be seen as quite an extravagance for just the odd lift once a week but I figure it should be good for 20years service

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Lower back is very much worthy of investment!

I am Ripper... Tearer... Slasher... Gouger. I am the Teeth in the Darkness, the Talons in the Night. Mine is Strength... and Lust... and Power!

jedi

In better news my new powerlifting sex-belt has arrived.
£19 delivered

pics!
and link

SQ:230 BP:160:) DL:250 OHP:120

daKensta

jedi

In better news my new powerlifting sex-belt has arrived.
£19 delivered

pics!
and link

klikkit

If you meant pics of it sur le corps then they'll have to wait

One thing I would say is that I am now modelling the large and think I'm only a medium at worst so not sure the sizing is 100% correct.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

very similar to mine, if not identical. was it made in Pakistan?
I ordered a L but got sent an XL, which just fits me on the last notch, and I'm not that fat.
I think their sizing is a bit sketchy.
did you get black or buff?
black's cooler of course, but buff has a certain old skool charm to it.

SQ:230 BP:160:) DL:250 OHP:120

daKensta

very similar to mine, if not identical. was it made in Pakistan?

I'm not sure, it doesn't have a 'made in..' label.
There were some lumpy, plasticky, explosivey type things and a string marked 'pull this' as optional extras but I didn't bother.

I went for buff (obs) as I thought at the cheaper end of the market the black might tend to sweat off a bit and leave me looking like I had terminal shingles.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Shoulders

Military Press
50kg 10
60kg 8
60kg 6
50kg x 10

front raise hammer grip
16kg x 12/10/8

lateral raise knuckle forward standard style
14kg x 12/10/8

rear raise
12kg x 12/10/8

Arnold press and v-press
24kg + 14kg x 12/10/8

plus some cable laterals and wide-grip upright row.

Getting slightly better on the standing press, which I probably shouldn't have been doing anyway with this intercostal strain. Eeeejit. If it mucks up my chances at 140 tonight I will be gutted.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

What's the difference with the Hammer grip lat raises mate?

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

RACK

What's the difference with the Hammer grip lat raises mate?

Only doing the front raises hammer grip now. In my opinion it concentrates even more focus on the front delt. Try it in your seat, move your arm up in front of you,; hammer grip (i.e. thumb up palm facing in) and place other hand on your front delt. Notice how the shoulder feels 'tight' and all the work is on the front delt?
Now try the same but with the standard, knuckles forward, palm down, thumb to the side grip. Doing this opens up the shoulder joint with the old greater tuberosity rotating out and this starts to get the lateral delt involved but working in a poor range = chance of tears.
I personally think the same is true of lateral raises and it is better to do them almost as 'viking raises' i.e. with palms facing forward to isolate the lateral delt but my TP doesn't like the movement and at present I'm just going along with it so as not to confuse him too much.

Reading the above you can see how that might happen

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Good work lately Jedi . A good belt is a must haha; guy I trains with had the same belt for close to 20 years.. he'd still be using it now if someone hadn't sold him a newer lever belt haha

Last night's powerlifting

I made a big thing of predicting this would be the day that 140 bench would fall
...it didn't.
I was beyond gutted but more of that later.

First up was squats but not before introducing my new chum to the brotherhood. Massive South African guy called Dean
...or he was called Dean.
I introduce him to Vic (69 years young) and he has a senior moment of the deafened variety.
"Vic - Dean."
"Ding?"
(WTF) "No...DEAN!"
"DING?"
"NO! ....DEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!"
.....
....
....
....
....
"DING????"

Aaaaaargh! I was >< this close to shouting
"Does he look CHI-FKKin-NEEEEEZ?"
But fortunately Jackman turned up and he managed to interpret (bit like Joey Deacon's mate in reverse)

Ding seems like a good nickname...it'll be interesting to see who has the balls to use it.

ANyway on with the squatting, Ding introduces himself to Jackman with the words;
"PLeeeetz? I should fkkin slep you..."
Cue worried bafflement of man warming up with 5kg plates under heels but actually Ding makes the valid point that if you are suffering flexibility issues doing this makes it easier to make depth at the time but does nothing to sort the issue. Whereas if you put the plates under your toes it will stretch the achilles. I'm going to give it a bash on my warmups tonight.

Squat
Ding wants to check form so I do more reps than usual on
60kg then 100
then the fun starts
130 = better than last week
150 = buried n feeling good.
170 = niiiice (below parallel but not buried)
Jackman tries 190 with Ding spotting and makes it so I get all brave and load 180 (gulp)
I also try knee wraps for the first time and apply them badly so my kneecap does a peep-bo as I walk to the rack.
180 x ???? Ding gives an excellent close spot/cuddle swears he didn't help but it is hard to tell. Also he calls the depth and it was a tad high so I can't claim it. I really want to claim it but just don't think I can. I mean it was waaay off a partial or anything. It was very much of the depth that most people seem to make on their youtube vids

Next is bench and I am buzzzzzzing because I really think I can do it.
Jackman first and he gets even more of it than last week but once again can't quite lock out. The bench suffers some abuse as a consequence.
Heeeeeee I feel a chance to rub it in.
No.
Ding spots and puts fingers to the bar a tad early for me as I was only just getting started with the battle. He swears he didn't lift but I can feel the assistance that just steadying the bar makes so I can't claim it. P*ssed off. I am going to have to backtrack to 130 now and try and make 3 on that before trying again as constant fail has become too frustrating. Although.......I will be moving up to 110 on reps day so that might do the trick in providing 'a wee bit more'.

Deadlifts.
100/ 130/ 160 niiice
180 bit more like hard work than I wanted
205 - fail
That's the first time I've managed to start the lift and then fail (bar just above knee).
200 - fail Ggggrrrrreatttt
180 yes I can still do that

So, what next? Looks like I am going to have to do reps on 180 to make some progress even though I know my back will NOT like it and singles would be much better from that point of view. Hmmmm maybe just do 3 singles at 190? Not sure.

Also, wore the new belt and it is comfy. Not as supporting as Vic's which is leather where mine is suede. They probably don't even make them like that any more and if they do they probably cost alorra money. I'll just use mine until I sense PB and then have a sneaky borrow. I suppose I better get some knee wraps and learn how to use them.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

It was very much of the depth that most people seem to make on their youtube vids

*ahem*

I say claim it, or get mr. ding to film it next week.

Journal

jedi
 
(bit like Joey Deacon's mate in reverse)

This made me LOL HARD!!!!
 
Mate, don't be too hard on yourself, sounds to be like you had a very worth while session and strength is very good.

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

RACK

jedi
 
(bit like Joey Deacon's mate in reverse)

This made me LOL HARD!!!!   .......feels guilty....but also
Mate, don't be too hard on yourself, sounds to be like you had a very worth while session and strength is very good.

Nah it was okay but not used to doing that much failing and when you add up a lot of fail it comes to a feeling of not having done very much. I don't want to keep failing on stuff so will have to come up with new strategy.
'Try harder' is what I've got so far

No.13

It was very much of the depth that most people seem to make on their youtube vids

*ahem*
I say claim it, or get mr. ding to film it next week.

I was pointing a finger in general directions
...but if you feel the shoe fits
Actually, most people do seem to go to this 'almost 90degrees' type depth and Ding was also squatting like it and accusing us of going 'too deep'. I am a bit confused about which is correct now although if it is going to kindasortaalmost 90degrees I will have just increased my chances of squatting 200 by an extravagant amount. At that depth I feel plenty strong and solid, it is only really the effort of going below parallel that I find a real struggle, certainly >10kg's worth to make that bit lower. It pretty much doubles the time it takes to squat too.
As for the filming I am thinking of 3 x 160 buried for next week but am also thinking of reps at 140 tonight so might fillum those.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."