Donati's Log Of Steel Bending, Grip And Powerlifting

[Buccos1]

Thur (5/28)

Grippers - MMS

(1x3) #1

(1x3) RB 210N

(1x1) GHP5

(2x0) #2.5 (131lbs.)

1" V-Bar

(1x1) 60

(1x1) 105

(1x1) 175

(1x1) 200

(1x1) 225

Ironmind Pinch Block

(1x1) 52.5

(1x1) 57.5

(1x1) 60

(1x0) 62.5

Blob 35 - Holds

10 seconds

DU - IMPs

Yellow Nail

1/4 x 6.5" Grade 5

DU - BBW

1/4 x 7" Grade 8 - (35 deg.)

My first attempt at the 131lb. #2.5 was about 3mm from closing (one of my best attempts). I waited a minute and tried again. The second time, my set was a lot better, and I had the handles super-close … maybe 1mm! It's just a matter of time now for this gripper. I'm going to start attempting to video easier closes, as the few I have attempted, the angles have been pretty bad.

On the DU grade 8, I had a weak first hit, which stalled around 10 degrees. I hit it a few more times and stalled out at 35 degrees. As I was doing this, I strained something in my neck. For a few hours afterwards, I couldn't turn my head to the left. It's somewhat better now; hopefully, this heals up quick.

[Buccos1]

Sat (5/30)

Grippers - MMS

(1x3) #1

(1x3) RB 210N

(1x1) GHP5

(1x0) #2.5 (131lbs.)

(1x1) #2.5 (123lbs.)

Grippers - Strap Hold (5lbs.)

GHP5 - 5 seconds

GHP5 - 8 seconds

Ironmind Hub

(1x1) 50

(1x1) 60

(1x0) 65

Little Bighorn

(1x1) 77.5

(1x1) 102.5

(1x1) 112.5

My neck is still a little messed-up from bending the other day. I couldn't even turn my head to the left Thursday night, it was so painful. But, taking some time off these past few days has helped a lot. I wanted to do something, in lieu of the pain, and decided to squeeze some grippers. I tried my 131lb. 2.5 again, not expecting anything huge, especially after having done grippers two days ago. I got the handles to about 4-5mm from closing. I decided to try strap holds with a belt. This was the first time trying these, and it took several attempts before I was able to get it to work. These really hit my hand hard! The GHP5 seems like a good gripper for this too.

[Buccos1]

Sun (5/31)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

add briefs

(1x1) 405

(1x1) 425

(1x1) 455

I planned on an easy session today, while adding weight as long as the pain was OK in my neck. As the weight went up, it actually started to feel better, which let me get a decent workout in.

[Buccos1]

Mon (6/1)

Bench Press

(1x8) 135

(1x3) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x1) 260

(1x1) 315

(1x1) 335

(1x17) 225

Board Press - 2 board

(1x1) 335

(1x1) 350

(1x1) 365

Shrugs

(1x5) 135

(1x5) 225

(2x5) 315

Rope Pushdowns

(2x15) 50

Bench Press felt pretty good today. I was mainly on my toes for my set-up, which turned out pretty solid. I'm still going to keep playing around with things the next few weeks. As good as bench felt, shrugs felt completely off. They were really aggravating my neck, and prohibited me from going over 315. I'm going to start working in board-work: raw and shirted. I think I went a little too heavy with these today, and might start adding reps at a lighter weight.

[Buccos1]

Tue (6/2)

Grippers - MMS

(1x10) T

(1x3) #1.5

(1x1) GHP5

(1x0) #2.5 (131lbs.)

Silver Bullet Hold

#3 -- 2 sec.

#3 -- 1 sec.

Close-grip Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(1x5) 155

(1x5) 205

(1x3) 240

Rolling Thunder

(1x1) 87.5

(1x1) 112.5

(1x1) 122.5

(1x0) 125

Ironmind Pinch Block

(1x1) 52.5

(1x1) 55

(1x1) 60

Angled Kettlebell Pushups

(1x20)

I tried videoing a few gripper closes. I filmed the 2.5 attempt and was a few mm off I think. (I'll try to upload the video tomorrow.) I need to practice filming gripper attempts a lot, as I have virtually no experience with this, and tend to turn down when closing.

[Buccos1]

Wed (6/3)

Bench Press - 2 board

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 275

(1x3) 315

Reverse-band Bench Press

(1x2) 365

(1x2) 385

(1x1) 405

Speed Bench Press

(1x3) 135

(1x3) 155

(3x3) 155 - add chains

As I've written here before, I train alone--aside from the occasional liftoff from the soon-to-be-wife. With the boards, I've been tying them to my chest with my knee wraps. As one would imagine, this isn't exactly a sure-bet for a smooth rep. So, I ended up ordering the Benchblock, which attach directly to the bar. I'm anxious to try this out when I get it soon, and will post my thoughts on it, and its usefulness.

[Shoggoth]

Interested in hearing your thoughts on it after some use.

[Buccos1]

Fri (6/5)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

add briefs

(1x2) 405

(1x1) 440

(1x1) 455

Grippers - MMS

(1x10) T

(1x3) #1.5

(1x3) #2

(1x3) #2.5 (123lbs.)

(2x0) #2.5 (131lbs.)

I bought some new knee sleeves, which I'm going to start wearing more, as opposed to knee wraps. I was expecting a little drop off, but squats actually felt stronger today with the knee sleeves! Today wasn't a scheduled day for grippers, but … . I ended up hitting a rep PR with the 123lb. #2.5. I was going to call it a day, but ended up trying the 131lb. again. Both of my attempts were so close, but still 1 mm away. I wonder what would have happened if I would of went right for that gripper instead of doing the easier #2.5.

[Buccos1]

Sat (6/6)

Deadlifts

(1x3) 135

(1x2) 225

(1x2) 315

add briefs

(1x1) 405

(1x1) 425

(1x1) 455

Ironmind Pinchblock

(1x1) 32.5

(1x1) 37.5

(1x1) 57.5

Silver Bullet Hold

5 sec. -- RB240N

2 sec. -- #3

This was my first deadlift session since the meet. I wasn't sure what to expect with my neck, as my last go with shrugs made me stop half-way through. I didn't feel that strong on pulls today, but my neck felt OK … just some tightness on the last 1/3 of the pull. I'm going to see my old chiropractor on Monday, who I haven't been to in almost two years. He helped me out a ton a few years back with a back issue and some forearm/elbow problems, so I'm hoping he can expedite the healing process.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Buccos1

[Buccos1]

Sun (6/7)

DO - IMPs

Yellow Nail

5/16 x 7" Grade 2

Red Nail

DU - IMPs

Yellow Nail

1/4 x 6.5" Grade 5

Adjustable Thickbar

(1x1) 97.5

(1x1) 132.5

(1x1) 167.5

(1x1) 200

(1x0) 210

Blob 35

(3x1)

My neck has been feeling a little better each day, and I decided to test it with the Yellow, and proceed from there. Everything felt OK, so I tried a the tough Big Grade 2 and then a Red. Everything was still good after this, so I decided to try some DU, which is what hurt my neck originally. I was pretty happy the way things were feeling after the grade 5, but decided not to push it too much, just yet and stopped after that, without any pain.

[Buccos1]

Mon (6/8)

Bench Press

(1x8) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 260

(1x2) 295

(1x1) 325

Bench Press - 2 board

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 325

(1x1) 335

Bench Press - Sling Shot

(1x2) 340

(1x2) 350

Lying Dumbell Extensions

(1x8) 30

(1x5) 30

Today was the first time using the Benchblockz. For the first few reps, it didn't feel "right." But, I think that had more to do with the block being right on the bar, and it partially obstructing the view, which made it a little weird with the bar over head. But, each rep seemed to be a little better, and more confident. The block itself is very solid and has zero give.

[Buccos1]

Tue (6/9)

Axle Deadlift - Double Overhand

(1x3) 115

(1x3) 165

(1x1) 205

(1x1) 235

(1x1) 250

1" V-bar

(1x1) 102.5

(1x1) 147.5

(1x1) 192.5

(1x0) 220

(1x1) 202.5

Blob 35

(3x1)

Stub

(1x1) 25

(1x1) 30

(1x0) 35

I haven't done axle in awhile and wasn't sure what to expect. But, it felt solid … 250 was a decent rep and I held it at the top a few seconds. I'd be pretty happy if my baseline was around 260, which would give me a shot (I think) with some dedicated training to finally get close to, and hit 300.

[Buccos1]

Wed (6/10)

Bench Press - 3 board

(1x5) 135

(1x5) 205

(1x3) 245

(1x2) 295

(1x2) 335

(1x2) 355

Speed Bench Press

(1x3) 135

(1x3) 155

(5x3) 155 - add chains

Shrugs

(1x5) 135

(1x5) 225

(1x5) 315

(1x5) 405

(1x5) 455

Shrugs felt OK today … knock-on-wood! The more time I spend with this Benchblockz, the more I am liking it. Definitely takes a little getting used to, but is a lot better than tying the boards to my body with rope or knee wraps. LOL

[EricMilfeld]

I might have to buy one. A friend of mine had one at my last powerlifting contest as a warm up aid with a tight shirt. For me it would be a fun factor of seeing how much I could bench with limited ROM.

[Buccos1]

I might have to buy one. A friend of mine had one at my last powerlifting contest as a warm up aid with a tight shirt. For me it would be a fun factor of seeing how much I could bench with limited ROM.

I think it's a great device, but a little overpriced for what it actually is. That is going to be my strategy with this--to work all portions of the movement, to try and improve raw and shirted. Another great aspect of this is getting accustomed to handling heavier weights too, with the added challenge of the "board," and not having the dead stop of pins or the rack.

[Buccos1]

Thur (6/11)

Deadlift - 1.5" mats

(1x3) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

add suit/straps down

(1x1) 405

(1x1) 455

straps up

(1x1) 495

(1x1) 525

Grippers - MMS

(1x3) T

(1x1) #1.5

(1x1) RB 210N

(1x1) #2

(1x?) #2.5 (131lbs.)

(1x1) SM (126lbs.)

(1x1) #2.5 (123lbs.)

I think I got the 131lb, #2.5 today. If I did, it was a weak close, and quick. If I didn't, it was less than 1mm. I did not film it because I've been letting that get into my head, and want to shut it officially first before I start messing around with the camera. Close-or-not, I am right there with this thing and am going to start working on my 133lb. RB 280N.

I am going to try to incorporate another deadlift day in my routine. (I usually pull once every 10-14 days.) The plan is to pull off the floor every other week, and off of varying mats the other session. Today, I pulled off of 1.5-inch mats, which I think made the lift harder for me, as I wasn't getting much of anything from the suit on the set-up. The 495 felt rough and I almost called it a day, but got pissed a little and went for the 525. It was 80+ today in the garage, which made it kind of a rush too.

525 Deadlift -- 1.5"

[barbe705]

that didn't really look like a hard pull at all.

a 131 gripper is getting pretty legit. you should start thinking about NAGS C next year. another year and some block sets and you'll be well on your way. a little diet/water and you could make the 185 class. something to think about....

[Buccos1]

that didn't really look like a hard pull at all.

a 131 gripper is getting pretty legit. you should start thinking about NAGS C next year. another year and some block sets and you'll be well on your way. a little diet/water and you could make the 185 class. something to think about....

Thanks man. My grip has always been sub-par, even after 20+ years of strength-training (now 30), which had very little carryover. For the past 8 years, when I got into bending and grippers (etc), I saw some improvements, but not anything to write home about. It wasn't until this past year that things have finally started to click, and I've gotten some decent progress. One of the biggest things that has helped has being on this board and seeing/thinking about grippers daily, which has served as a continuous stream of motivation, which doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon!

If I can qualify again, I might look to do it next year.

[Buccos1]

I tried the 131lb. #2.5 again today and closed it. The handles didn't "click," but they touched. It is so hard to tell when it is under 1mm … at least when I've been doing my hardest grippers these past few months. I definitely want to get to the point where I can slam this shut!

[jvance]

There ya go man, getting near 3 territory keep on crushin!

[Buccos1]

Sat (6/13)

Squats

(1x3) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

add briefs

(1x2) 405

(1x1) 440

(1x1) 455

(1x1) 470

Grippers - MMS

(1x5) T

(1x3) #1.5

(1x1) RB 210N

(1x1) #2

(1x0) RB 280N (133lbs.)

(1x1) #2.5 (131lbs.)

My attempt at the 133lb. 280N was pretty close … probably to within a few mm's. Surprisingly, after this attempt, I had another solid attempt/close at my 131lb. #2.5 (vid above). As mentioned, it wasn't a 100% sure close, but I believe the handles touched (not loud enough to click). Usually, after a max-attempt, I'm done and can't even come close to another comparable gripper for a subsequent attempt. But both 130s attempts were pretty solid. I also just got a 133lb. Super Master from CPW. This is the perfect gripper for me right now and I am really happy I got it!

[Buccos1]

Sun (6/14)

Bench Press

(1x8) 135

(1x3) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x1) 255

(1x1) 295

Bench Press (2 board) - F6

(2x1) 365

(1x1) 385

(1x1) 405

[JHenze646]

405 to a 2-board. Nice!

You have to be closing in on that 365 raw.

Edited June 15, 2015 by JHenze646

[Buccos1]

405 to a 2-board. Nice!

You have to be closing in on that 365 raw.

Thanks! It's getting close. I'm probably around 350 touch-and-go. This was in my loosest shirt (could touch 135 in it!). After my meet next month, I'm going to go back to 100% focus on raw bench and make the attack on 365 … and then, ultimately (lifetime goal) 405.

[Buccos1]

Mon (6/15)

DO - IMPs

Yellow Nail

5/16 x 7" Grade 2

Red Nail

DU - BBW

Yellow Nail

5/16 x 7" Grade 2

1/4 x 7" Grade 8

Blob 35 - Holds

5 sec.

5 sec.

Inverted Hex 40

(2x1)