Donati's Log Of Steel Bending, Grip And Powerlifting

[Buccos1]

Tue (1/14)

Axle Deadlift - DO

(1x3) 115

(1x3) 185

(1x2) 235

(2x0) 260

(1x1) 250

1-arm Dumbell Rows

(1x8) 75

(1x8) 100

Axle Curls

(1x5) 95

(1x5) 105

GripTopz HorneTop

(1x1) 75

(1x1) 100

Lying Dumbell Extensions

(2x10) 30

[barbe705]

I was working up on the Euro today, with a hope at making an attempt at 150, but my thumb tore again. I did file down the edges a lot better, but this tear was just after the old one "healed" up. So, I might have to wait a little longer on this thumb pad. I was planning on topping out today at 475, but decided to take a jab at 500, which I haven't done in months. It felt OK, and actually a little better than the 475 rep.

where are you getting cut at? most guys make an effort to calk up the thumb web pretty good to help with this. if it isn't completely healing up you an try pinching in gloves for a while. just cheapo cotton hardware gloves. changes things up and can let let the skin heal while it's still toughening.

[Buccos1]

Right between the thumb and pointer finger. I filed the edges a little better, so it's not happening as quickly now. I'll pick up some gloves. Been using a bandaid over it too.

[Buccos1]

Wed (1/15)

Bamboo Bar Bench

(1x10) 75

(1x10) 125

(1x10) 145

Dead Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 265

(1x2) 295

Wide-grip Bench Press

(1x8) 225

(1x8) 250

DO - IMPs

1/4 x 6" CRS

1/4 x 6" Grade 5

Red Nail

[Tom Scibelli]

Wow Carl, you're going up in weight with the bamboo bar, are you getting use to it, do you feel like it's making you stronger or has carryover to pressing movements?

[Buccos1]

Wow Carl, you're going up in weight with the bamboo bar, are you getting use to it, do you feel like it's making you stronger or has carryover to pressing movements?

Yeah, the weight's definitely improved of late. It's still tough to say. Especially with my forearms being in a perpetual state of "soreness," which has hurt me some on my heaviest bench reps. But, my 3-rep max has continued to improve, so the bamboo bar is helping me control the bar better, I think. It's also a fun way to train ... something different.

[Buccos1]

Fri (1/17)

Deadlifts

(2x3) 135

(2x3) 225

(2x2) 315

(2x2) 405

(1x1) 475 - add suit/straps down

(1x1) 525 - straps up

DU - IMPs

Blue Nail

1/4 x 6" Grade 5

[Buccos1]

Sat (1/18)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 405 - add briefs

(1x1) 445

(1x1) 475

Ironmind Hub

(1x1) 40

(1x1) 50

(1x1) 55

(1x1) 62.5

[Buccos1]

Sun (1/19)

Bench Press

(1x8) 135

(1x5) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 245

(1x3) 295

(1x2) 335

Bench Press - F6

(1x3) 365 - 2 board

(1x2) 385 - 2 board

(1x1) 405 - 1 board

I think I would have had a shot at 335 x 3 raw if I would have cut down my warmup attempts. Today was my first time in a shirt since around summer time. The 405 felt easy, which was a surprise, especially because I was wearing my loose single-ply F6 (off-and-on in less than 10 seconds!). And last summer, the 405 was more of a grinder in the tighter shirt.

[Buccos1]

Tue (1/21)

Axle Deadlift - DO

(1x3) 115

(1x3) 205

(1x1) 225

(1x1) 255

(1x0) 265

Europinch - 2 hand

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 115

(1x1) 135

(1x0) 145

Lying Dumbell Extensions

(3x12) 30

1-arm Dumbell Rows

(1x10) 75

(2x10) 105

Lying Barbell Extensions

(2x8) 95

The 135 was solid on the Euro and then I tore up my thumbpad again on the 145, which didn't move at all. On the axle, the 255 felt great, and was a solid lift. I was debating about whether to try 265 (255 is my top # with the axle so far), but decided to try it. I got it about halfway up, but couldn't hold on.

[Buccos1]

Wed (1/22)

Floor Press

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 275

(1x1) 305

Speed Bench - mini bands

(1x3) 135

(7x3) 155

Dumbell Press

(1x20) 55

(1x15) 75

Bamboo Bar Press

(1x15) 75

(3x5) 145

Grippers

(1x5) #1

(1x5) #1.5

(1x5) #2

[Buccos1]

Fri (1/24)

Adjustable Thick Bar

(1x1) 75

(1x1) 145

(1x1) 180

(1x1) 205

Shrugs

(1x8) 225

(1x8) 315

(1x8) 405

(1x8) 455

Axle Curls

(1x8) 75

(1x8) 95

(1x8) 105

Bamboo Bar Bench

(1x12) 75

(3x12) 115

Side Raises

(2x10) 30

[Buccos1]

Sat (1/25)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 405 - add briefs

(1x1) 455

(1x1) 475

2-hand Euro

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 115

(1x0) 145

I was able to get the 145 to break ground, which was the most I've moved on 2-hand pinch to-date. And my hands didn't get torn up as bad this time either, which was nice for a change!

[Buccos1]

Sun (1/26)

Bench Press

(1x8) 135

(1x5) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 250

(1x3) 295

(1x1) 335

Bench Press - Slingshot

(1x2) 385

(1x2) 405

[Buccos1]

Tue (1/28)

Deadlift

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 405 - add suit/straps down

(1x1) 455

(1x1) 500 - straps up

Axle Deadlift

(1x1) 205

(1x1) 235

(1x1) 265

GripTopz HorneTop

(1x1) 75

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 105

(1x0) 115

[Buccos1]

Thur (1/30)

Dumbell Press

(1x12) 75

(1x8) 105

Wide-grip Bench Press

(1x5) 225

(2x5) 250

Bamboo Bar Press

(2x20) 75

(1x20) 125

1-arm Dumbell Rows

(2x8) 105

2-hand Euro Pinch

(2x1) 95

(1x1) 115

(1x1) 140

(1x0) 150

Grippers - 30mm block

(1x5) #1

(1x3) #1.5

(1x1) #2

[Buccos1]

Fri (1/31)

DO - IMPs

Blue Nail

1/4 x 6" Grade 5

Red Nail

DU - IMPs

Blue Nail

1/4 x 6" Grade 5

7mm x 7" O1 (355lbs.)

Horseshoe - 1.2" suede

Diamond Bronco PL000 - 170 degrees

Today was my first all-bending day in a long time. I haven't been specializing in double overhand-style since early last year (and before), so these past few months of overhand bending have taken their toll and been tougher than what I've become used to. I've been bending about one Red Nail (in IMPs) per week, every week, for the past few years. One reason I've done this is that I don't want to let up, as I always wanted to keep this as a baseline, at a minimum.

Without the push with DO, these past few Reds have become full-body workouts and more of a battle for me. They've also been testing my pain tolerance, especially with the reduced volume. The PL000 felt strong. Just ran out of room on the crush before it locked up.

[Buccos1]

Sat (2/1)

Shrugs

(1x8) 135

(1x8) 225

(1x8) 315

(1x8) 405

(1x5) 475

Axle Curls

(1x5) 85

(1x5) 95

(1x5) 105

Horseshoes - 1.2" Suede

SCF Lite Rim #2

[Buccos1]

Sun (2/2)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 405 - add briefs

(1x1) 455

(1x1) 480

(1x2) 405

[Buccos1]

Mon (2/3)

Axle Deadlift - Double Overhand

(1x3) 115

(1x1) 205

(1x1) 255

(1x0) 270

Adjustable Thickbar

(1x1) 110

(1x1) 145

(1x1) 170

(1x1) 195

(1x0) 215

(1x1) 215

Kettlebell Extensions

(1x10) 20

(1x10) 35

It was my first time trying 270 on the axle today. Got about 1/3 of the way up on the attempt. Even though I'm probably average (or below) on the axle, it has become one of my favorite training implements. I plan on hitting this thing hard until I can pull 300 with it. Just missed 215 on the ATB but had a strong second attempt PR with it.

[Buccos1]

Wed (2/5)

Wide-grip Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(1x5) 185

(1x5) 225

(1x5) 250

Speed Bench

(1x5) 135

(2x3) 135 - add chains

(6x3) 155

Bamboo Bar Bench

(1x20) 75

(2x8) 145

(1x25) 75

2-hand Euro Pinch - 50mm

(1x3) 95

(1x3) 115

(1x1) 135

(1x0) 150

The 135 felt very solid today on the Euro. I tried 150 again and was able to get it off the ground about 2-3 inches. The last two times I attempted 145/150, it didn't move. Progress is slow, but it's starting to move!

[Buccos1]

Fri (2/7)

Axle Deadlift - Double Overhand

(1x5) 115

(1x3) 205

(1x1) 245

(1x0) 275

(2x1) 255

DO - IMPs

1/4 x 7" CRS

1/4 x 6" Grade 5

Golden Bastard

Horseshoes - 1.25" Suede

Diamond Bronco PL000

The axle felt heavy during my warmups (long day) but I still wanted to make an attempt at 275. I got up about 1/3 of the way, and lost it. I noticed myself trying to get a better position with my left hand, and ended up getting a cramp in my thumb. I have to work on setting up quicker for the heavier attempts.

The PL000 died a painful death tonight. I've been bending shoes in really old, loose suede wraps the past few weeks, and wrapped this one up in nearly new wraps, which made a world of difference, especially on the kink! Bent it to about 200 degrees.

[Buccos1]

Sat (2/8)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 405 - add briefs

(1x1) 440

(1x1) 475

[Buccos1]

Sun (2/9)

Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(1x5) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 275

(1x3) 300

Dumbell Press

(1x12) 90

(1x7) 110

Lying Dumbell Extensions

(1x8) 35

(1x8) 30

Tricep Pushdowns

(2x10)

[Buccos1]

Wed (2/12)

Deadlifts

(2x3) 135

(2x3) 225

(2x2) 315

(1x2) 405

(1x2) 425 - add suit/straps down

(1x1) 475

(1x1) 525 - straps up

Axle Deadlift - Double Overhand

(1x3) 205

(1x0) 275

Ironmind Hub

(1x1) 40

(1x1) 50

(1x1) 60

(1x0) 65

Grippers

(1x5) #1

(2x3) #2

(1x0) #2.5