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

crying freeman
I see what your saying about definition.

Up until that pic I think I was just focused on adding 'size' and to be honest, it came as a bit of a shock how much of it needed shifting to see for instance; veins in the bicep region, abs, any shoulder definition etc.

daKensta

what height are you doing the pin presses from Jeri?

It must be fairly low as I can't get under the bar without looking like a tw@tmonger.
I'd guess the bar is about 4" off the chest when I'm ready to push. I was going to say arms at 90degree but I think it is a bit lower than that. I know that you should be able to push >PB at this height but these are done after the chest sesh purely for some lockout training.

Team "Show Pony"

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

jedi
I know that you should be able to push >PB at this height but these are done after the chest sesh purely for some lockout training.

I'd say not old chap. 140 from that height is good going.

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

daKensta

jedi
I know that you should be able to push >PB at this height but these are done after the chest sesh purely for some lockout training.

I'd say not old chap. 140 from that height is good going.

I'm glad you told me that as to be honest it fkkin heavy.


Last night.
From the Hamlet:

"I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory"

No, hang on, I do know wherefore I lost it all
...its those fkkin bstrd fkkin deadlift disastabastards.
I fkkin hate 'em.
Honestly, I could weep.

I am now pretty much in the same nasty place my squat was before the summer where I was >< this close to giving up and doing something else. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

210 came off the ground but I....errrr put it down again.
Tip: Do not return bar to floor before you've actually failed the lift
*sigh

Biceps
Oly bar curls
50kg x 11PB
50kg x 7
50kg x 5

Incline Dumbbell
16kg x 12-10-8

Seated Curl
35kg x 12-10-8

Team "Show Pony"

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

Stop being so hard on yourself mate.  Look back, as you mentioned, at your sqauts and how they've come on since summer.  The DL's will come

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

I'd like to think it will turn round but at this point it seems a slim chance.
If I was going to try and clutch at some straws, I am starting to be able to do deadreps for the first time ever (think I did 4 x 170 at one point) and there might be a certain amount of paralysis through analysis in action.
Also, training with the big beasts maybe gives me a false perspective on my sh!tfullness as they are both pretty damn good at the deads.
Jackman hoisted a fairly swift 240 last night virtually guaranteeing he keeps hold of his trophy.

Another slight positive comes from the fact that my sh1t technique is giving me some awesome back depth

Was pleased with the Oly curls.
That 50kg was supposed to be a power effort but is now rapidly working up to a fairly strict 12-10-8. I'm not sure my elbows fancy the idea of more weight but I should probably give 55kg a go.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Am pleased to note that I am not the only personage struggling with DEADS.....as I said to someone quite recently, deads are DEAD to me....until I can convince some loon to go get me versa grips....Grrr!

So you think crap technique can actually DEEPEN the back not just FUBAR it?? Interesting....I should have the back of Jay Cutler by now then....

My competition journal: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/Diamante-Warrior-AmazoniaChoosing-Your-Battles-Wisely-m2398177-p149.aspx

Deadlifting is not something i excell at either... its a bastard of a lift but one of those you know you should keep plugging away at lol.

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I take some small comfort in knowing it's not just me so thanks for that.


Delts.
 Seated Press
34kg x 10-7-6
bit less than last week but not much and these are now deep enough.

Lateral Superset
20kg-18kg-14kg-10kg(I think -I declined the chance to use 22.5's)
6-6-6-10
4-5-5-10

Rear Delt Cable X-over
pin4 x 10-10
pin3 x 12

Arnold Press/V-Press
25kg/16kg
14/10
12/10
10/10
The 25's are the long shape 'bell so it was harder to get them meeting in the middle on the Arnolds and basically meant I had to press them from a lot lower. I didn't enjoy it much at the time but it was awesome for the shoulder pump after. May stick with these but 3sets of 10 on the V-press makes me think a move up to 18's is on the cards. I will get thoses basketball shoulders I've always wanted at this rate.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Master Jedi,

I keep telling you.. The key to a succesfull deadlift session hinges on gawping at my famous "Skeleton does Deadlift" wallpaper.

It has been said that Andy Bolton once become so transfixed on the wallpaper that he didn't leave his PC screen for 3 whole winters! His wife would give him tin cans to chew on to keep him alive...

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!

Powerlifting

My back and hams were very sore and tight after Tuesdays deadlifting so wasn't all that keen on pushing the envelope. Warming up on just the bar for squats didn't really inspire much confidence either. Very hard to make depth when it feels as though you have wooden hips
It slowwwwly got a bit better and we were underway
60-100-130-150
170 Belt n wraps -although wrapped my shins more than my knees
180PB done it before but not to this depth

Bench
Shoulders felt tight after yesterday but my dicky shoulder wasn't hurting as such. Made a slighty average 130 and called it a day.

Sumo Deadlift
Felt fairly comfortable on this but back still shot from Tuesday.
Bailed at 170


Okay, it petered out a bit at the end but that 180 was well worth the trip. I'd class it as my best lift....ever. Made a decent fist of wrapping my knees for a change after the shoddy 170. I did a tread pattern and really felt they helped in the hole whereas normally I do a spiral and they errr keep my knees warm. Anyway, I'd told Jackman to spot as I was taking it to the depth I was looking for and then was going to do almighty battle rather than seking the safety of the catchers. I did a reasonable job of the walkout (for me) down we went and
BOoooooooooommmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just for once everything worked, the timing the strength everything fell into place. It felt great. There wasn't even too much high-fiving or back-slapping more an air of
"What just happened?"
I'm not sure myself, maybe it was a dream.
Head wasn't really in the rest of it but I don't really care.

Did some calves with Jackman which was funny as we finished off with 1min raises on the power plate. He finished his in some agony and jumped off offering up curses and swearwords just as a very meek student came around the corner, he posted this on my facebook by way of illustration

Team "Show Pony"

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

Congrats on the squat bud, I hope you have video to awe us?

Journal

ffs made that look heavy

As long as you keep hitting pbs, who cares

Congrats on the squat Jed!

Nice squatting mate!  180 is fantastic!

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

Cheers chaps, sadly no video and believe me I wish there was as I would like to see if it really did look as good as I thought it did. Plus, I should score extra points as it wasn't 4 normal plates, it was two blues, a yellow and a red. It is clearly harder with the red on last.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Were ladies watching too, y'know... to make it all the more sweeter?

Journal

Ladies turned up afterwards
...story of my life.

Friday Legs
Pre-Exhaust
Leg Ext and Plie Leg Press
4sets high reps each

Front Squat
60-90-110
130x/.79 -I got it back up but didn't make the required depth
100 x 10 PB

Back Squat
60-100
135 x 12PB
135 x 9 I had a forward stagger at rep 7 and fetching it back basically ruined my set.
At this point my back felt more of a problem than my legs, just really pumped t the point that no-one really wanted to do another set. A lad we were training with wanted a bash at 140 for a single and while he was faffing my back eased off a bit. And I mean, it was on the bar so....
140 x 5
Jackman thinks I am, quote, "A tw@t" but he got under it and did 6, he also managed two sets of 12 on the 135. Come to think of it he also made his 130 front.
B@stard.
I'm ot sure why I can't make that 130 front something goes wrong right at the bottom and it feels as though it's falling off or, in keeping it on, I can't make the depth. It's a weird one though as it doesn't really feel that way at 120/125. I think I'll have to take a guidance spot next week, hands on the belt until I make depth and a nudge to get it going in the right direction. Not ideal but its the only thing I can think of.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Strong all round squatting, impressive stuff.

Journal

Not now.
Not another stupid bstard fkkin cold.
Not now. Not when training is going so well.

But yes.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Last night's chestacular.

Flat Bench
60-100
140 x 3 (spotter's fingers)
140 x 3 (spotter's fingers)
110 x 8...9...10...11 Oooooo can I get the twelfth......no. (major upright row spot for 12)
110 x 7 (+4 spotted)

Jackman wants to do paused rep set gets about ten reps at 100 and then dies a very comical death trying to continue on 60 as a strip set. It can't be that bad surely?
Paused Bench
100 x 8 + 60 x 5ic. squealy noises..pathetic ...give it me back I'll do 2 more...more squealy noises
Rise from bench to find Mrs. Ding in audience looking very unimpressed.

Incline Oly Bench
70 x 8
100 x 8
90 x 8

Pin Press
70-100-120
Having made the 120 look very heavy I wasn't too enthusiastic about trying the 140 especially as Jackman went first and had a slight fail. Anyhoo
140
Cue great annoyance to Mr. Jackman as a tiny little old man beats him at pressing.
Cue also, arrival of different female audience.
This is a volatile mix and causes an explosion of hubris as he gets back under the bar for another go............at failing *titter.
I think someone may have mentioned at this stage that I had pressed said amount
...can't think who that was. A strategy for humiliation which backfires when she says she would like to see this mighty feat. Oh dear.
Under I go. Errrr fail/make it look as though I was adjusting the bar and then
140
I think, in fairness I had a slight advantage in that we were using the bent bar and this dome effect meant I was pushing from a bit higher than last week, an effect negated on the big beasts with longer arms and bigger chests.
Anyway, I needn't have bothered making a mighty effort as she seemed more impressed by Ding's shorts

Skulls
3 sets on 40kg

Single arm extensions + pulldown.

I must've angered the gods during my slight gloating and goading of Mr. Jackman and they have struck me down with this bsstrd cold again. I can. not. beeeeelieve it.

Team "Show Pony"

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

*PPPPPPpppppppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrpppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Thaz rite homez Mr. Jedi deadlifted that 210 like a muthafkka. Fokjoo Derek Poundstone."

That's 210 right folks I know it 210 almost doesn't seem possible but I've 210 gone and done it.
With a moderately heavy cold and feeling like sh!t but it is done never-the-less.

I went in with less than great expectations due to feeling ill and the fact that the big beasts were planning reps on 200 which is just way beyond my capabilities but it had been deemed that if I could lift the 200 for several singles in the same session then this would bode well for future 210 attempts. Ding was in charge of proceedings and this meant that we would be lifting from mat and floor (more of that later) and that the scheme before heavy would be minimal. It went;
60 x 12
100 x 8
200 on the bar = gulp
However it went up really nicely and Jackman immediately said "Tonight's the night buddy." and for once I believed him. So 210 was loaded and with genuine fear/adrenaline rush, in I went and hoistamundo up it went .....without too much of a struggle
I think there were a couple of factors involved.
1. the other two like to use resin on deads and it is indeed mighty sticky but I decided to go back to chalk as it seems to cushion my callouses a bit. Whether it may be some kind of magic chalkabol is for the labs to decide.
2. we have to dead in the squat rack supposedly off the bottom pins which raise the weight a fraction off the floor but this is compensated for by the fact that you have to stand on a half inch rubber mat inside the cage so there is no gain. Except I think there actually is a fraction of an inch gain so you are in effect doing a very,very,very low/miniscule 1/4" rack pull. Ding can stand for none of this stuff and nonsense and insists the weights are on the floor. This means you are, as last night, doing a very,very,very miniscule 1/4" platform pull. I would normally dread this scenario like the plague on account of higher the bar the better and I don't find it easy at the best of times. However, last night all the feeling wrong at the setup/thisisnevergoingup just wasn't there. I think this is because I felt slightly over the bar instead of to the side of it. Felt as though I could be really close but still have my knees slightly more over/past the bar which meant I could get more leg drive without feeling too far away.
I will probably want to do them from this position in future.
3. I think another big factor in last night's success is my longstanding love of the deadlift


210 yeah baby.




...not 220 though is it?

Team "Show Pony"

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

hahahahaha, not 220!!!!!

Mate that's some feat lifting 210!!  I think if I tried that my innerds would be outterds!

Massive well done!!!!

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

5plates a side.
It would just be so much tidier

Team "Show Pony"

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

Nice to see your still pushing it hard mate.

210 is some feat, onwards and upwards with your 'LOVE' of deads and your new found confidence you'll be 220 for reps in no time :)

Vision without action is a daydream.

Action with without vision is a nightmare

Dear Diary.....

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

Looks a little bit like a duck
...but ''aint nothin but a peanut.''

Team "Show Pony"

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

exactly.
well done on the 210.

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

Very nice Jedi! Video?

Sounds like all that stressing about your deadlift form is paying off

well done jed!

i agree with the chalk, its seems to stop my callouses ripping off and i get more of a padded effect with it on them

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Incredible Bulk

i agree with the chalk, its seems to stop my callouses ripping off and i get more of a padded effect with it on them

Yeah, I'm definitely switching back. The resin is really grippy but seems to weld your callouses to the bar so that if it does move a tiny bit it peels skin with it. I think the chalk dries everything out for strong gripping but still allows some movement.

daKensta

exactly.
well done on the 210.

I am Champollion jedi
...master of the heiroglyphs.
I can't deadlift your squat

cricket_fire

Very nice Jedi! Video?
Sounds like all that stressing about your deadlift form is paying off

Cheers.
No video, I've gotten a bit lax about the old video which is a shame as I've missed some good stuff. Need to get back into it pronto. Wonder if I can recreate my 180 squat at tonight's powerlifting?
The very thought gives me the fear though.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Shoulders
Not a humungous session. I think everyone was feeling a bit second hand. I also think Mr. Jackman may have been trying to buffer his workout for attempts on 150 bench tonight.

Seated Dumbbell Press
34kg x 11-8-7
Pleased with these considering where I was a few weeks ago; flailing them around in dangerous fashion. Much more controlled deep reps right down to the shoulder.

Seated lateral Raise
14kg x 12-10-8
Better form than the monster superset but nowhere near a much work covered.

Rear Delt X-Over
pin4 x 11-9
pin3 x 12

Arnold Press/V-Press
24kg/16kg
12/12...but only just
12/10
brief hiatus to discuss the boiling properties of water
12/10
I died a bit of a death on these compared to recent weeks, not sure why.

Calves + abs
Am really trying to murder the calves up to speed with moderate results so far.
Abs have been a bit neglected but managed some 'wipers' and have also nearly perfected a full front lever like this;

...only errr not quite that good

Team "Show Pony"

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

Late as per usual

I would like to bestow upon you the Valhalla "Ullaaaaahhhh" of approval in your recent feats of deadlifting prowess!

Im thinking the true secret lay not with the use of chalk, but with the all powerful "Skeleton does Deadlift" wallpaper...  You secret is safe with me my friend.



Thunderchild, the silent gray ironclad lay in ruin..     The world now belongs to Jedi.

"UUUUUULLLAAAHHHHHH........"

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!

Cheers Val, I liked the thought of the world belonging to jedi
..until I also realised I have a cold at the minute.
Considering what happens at the end of the story I am now a bit worried


Powerlifting Thursday
I basically bullied Jackman into going and then when I got there I found I was running on empty with an added dash of ache and pain. He was right. It probably would've been time better spent sitting at home.
I convinced myself it was worth trying the 180 squat again just to make the trip worthwhile. The result is in the vid below. Not my finest moment form wise but the weight goes down and more importantly up again. I could've done with taking my time a bit more and the depth doesn't look great on the vid. It looks a bit better on the frame grab ...if you squint at it. I'll try for a better rep next week or maybe a 185. I had a dart at the 190 last night and to be honest it frightened me less than I thought it might and I engaged it in a brief skirmish out of the hole before hoisting the white flag and taking it back to the catchers. I reckon I will probably line up the 185 for a do-able PB next week and end for Xmas on a high.
Although....
I have some better/longer wraps waiting in the wings, would they give me the edge on that 190?





Also a bit of gymnastic abs

Want to work these up to a proper lifted front lever rather than a swing up with a boost from the arms as they are now. Ideally would hold the top position as well.
The 'wipers' aren't too bad though contrary to FABBA members who reckon that boys can't do 'em. Although they may have meant boys can't do 'em without looking just ever so slightly ghey.
In which case they are probably right

Team "Show Pony"

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

Great vids mate, that ab workout looks awesome.

My Journal

Cheers James.
The front lever is supposed to look like this;

Now that really is awesome.

Gymanastic abs are the future though, give 'em a go there's loads of stuff to do and it is all a feck sight more interesting than situps and crunches.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Very impressive.

Been hammering the crunches but as you say they're boring!

My Journal

Great squat Jedi!

Journal

Well done mate them front lever things look awesome. I'll have to get something bolted to the roof of my garage to have a go with lol.

Oh and good going on the squat!

Vision without action is a daydream.

Action with without vision is a nightmare

Dear Diary.....

crying freeman

Well done mate them front lever things look awesome. I'll have to get something bolted to the roof of my garage to have a go with lol.
Oh and good going on the squat!

Cheers.
There are some really great moves you can do for abs on high bar or parallel bars. See Hannibal for King on youtube. Now that is truly awesome stuff.

No.13

Great squat Jedi!

Cheers mate, did you go straight to 'great squat' or did you check the vid and frame grab for a certain amount of time before deciding? It definitely could have been deeper and, as I said, it wasn't the best rep I've ever done for timing/form etc. I am of the "I don't like it...I want a better one." mindset.
Although in total contradiction of myself I would be delighted to manage 190 with exactly the same form

Some squats last night.
Front Squat
50-80-120
130PB
Took some detailed technical advice which helped.
jedi: Not sure about 130. It feels as though I am going to drop it coming out of the hole
Ding: It will do
Jackman: Just don't.
Nearly pulled my lats off trying to keep my arms up and the blasted thing onboard
...but up she went.
80kg x 15

Back Squat
80-120-160
130 x 12/10/6

Team "Show Pony"

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

Heh heh, I watched the video before the screen grab and immediately decided it was a good, solid squat I'm struggling once again to find where parallel is and keep going ridiculously deep, which, for the 'functional' police out there is great, but I'd much rather be able to go at the neccessary depth and add another 10kg on my back.

As for wanting something better, absolutely nothing wrong with that progression in any form; reps/weight/sets/form is still progression and you'd be in the wrong game if you didn't want to constantly better yourself.

So yeah... great squat

Journal

It is end of term week at Loughborough Leisure Centre.
No need to wear your uniform and bring you toys and games
...especially your "A-Game."

So, everybody being for the most part somewhat broken, we are just having a PB-tastic focus on the fun week.

Bench.
60-60-100-100
142.5 x
Didn't get it off the chest as well as I'd have liked so had to recruit some mighty tricep prowess from a looooong way down. All those pin presses have paid off though as slooooowly it started moving in the right direction. Sadly it was also heading back toward the uprights at a rate of knots and Jackman had to step in and place fingers against the bar to stop it. So I sort of did it but not happy.
Jackman meanwhile gets 85% of a 150 it stalls so high/close to home that it defies belief he can't lock it out. It is no doubt a lot harder when you are the one underneath 150kilos. Ding then does exactly the same on a 130. Our triceps seem to be purely for show apparently. I am not to be denied though, I want a PB
142.5 ?
Technically it brushed Jackman's fingers on the way up but fkk it. It didn't aid the lift and it was the merest graze against sides of fingers, mainly due to my idiosyncratic pressing style which involves waving the bar around in a kind of circuit. It is poised to take the world of powerlifting by storm. Probably. (Not).
Actually, I think it is all down to the problem in my dicky shoulder which, even when it doesn't feel as though it is bothering me, still has some bearing on proceedings. I think I am 'guarding' it and therefore not balancing the bar all that well.
Still not sure whether to claim it or not.
Which isn't what I said last night

130 pausedPB
More circular pressing but this time the bar took such a bizarre route that Jackman couldn't get his sticky fingers on it, although he tried mighty hard

120 x 5PB
These were easily my best reps of the night.

Team "Show Pony"

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