Donati's Log Of Steel Bending, Grip And Powerlifting

[Buccos1]

Thur (2/13)

Floor Press

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 250

(1x1) 300

Wide-grip Bench Press

(1x5) 185

(1x5) 225

(1x5) 250

Speed Bench

(1x5) 135

(2x3) 185

(6x3) 185 - add chains

Bamboo Bar Bench Press

(1x25) 75

GripTopz HorneTop

(1x1) 75

(1x1) 100

(1x1) 110

Hex Dumbell Inverted Pinch

(3x1) 40

GripTopz Stub

(1x1) 15

(1x1) 20

(1x1) 25

(1x1) 30

[Buccos1]

Mon (2/17)

1-arm Deadlift

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 135

(1x1) 185

(2x1) 205

2-hand Euro Pinch

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 125

(2x0) 145

GripTopz Stub

(1x1) 25

(1x1) 30

(1x1) 32.5

Axle Curls

(2x8) 95

I attempted 200+ for the first time on one-handed deads. Both attempts were pretty solid. The one thing I did different with these from before was lifting with the bar out front, instead of between the legs, like on the axle. This might be my best chance to get the third qualifier for Nationals. I am also going to start working on 2 35s, which I think I could get with some serious work.

I was messing around with different widths on the Euro (46-52), and just did some experimentation lifts. I got the first 145 a few inches off the ground with the 50mm width, then tried at 46 but got nothing. But when I dropped it back down to 125 with the 46, it felt stronger than the first rep.

[barbe705]

carl,

if there's anything you want to try as far as a qual lift goes, let me know. we can arrange a date to get together or I can bring some stuff into the gym. I think I have everything that's a specialized piece of equipment and pretty decent examples of things that aren't(ie, 35's).

let me know. I deloaded a bit right now but, will be starting sundays up again this weekend.

[climber511]

Mon (2/17)

1-arm Deadlift

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 135

(1x1) 185

(2x1) 205

2-hand Euro Pinch

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 125

(2x0) 145

GripTopz Stub

(1x1) 25

(1x1) 30

(1x1) 32.5

Axle Curls

(2x8) 95

I attempted 200+ for the first time on one-handed deads. Both attempts were pretty solid. The one thing I did different with these from before was lifting with the bar out front, instead of between the legs, like on the axle. This might be my best chance to get the third qualifier for Nationals. I am also going to start working on 2 35s, which I think I could get with some serious work.

I was messing around with different widths on the Euro (46-52), and just did some experimentation lifts. I got the first 145 a few inches off the ground with the 50mm width, then tried at 46 but got nothing. But when I dropped it back down to 125 with the 46, it felt stronger than the first rep.

Carl - how a certain width 2HP lift "feels" is important but in the end - it is what width allows you to lift the most weight that matters.

[Buccos1]

carl,

if there's anything you want to try as far as a qual lift goes, let me know. we can arrange a date to get together or I can bring some stuff into the gym. I think I have everything that's a specialized piece of equipment and pretty decent examples of things that aren't(ie, 35's).

let me know. I deloaded a bit right now but, will be starting sundays up again this weekend.

Thanks for the offer! I am hoping to get 225 up 1-handed soon (video). But, I'd like to try 2 35s maybe after I put some more work on mine, and get a little better. I have thicker Cap plates, which I haven't been too successful with. I might have gotten them 1-2mm off the ground ... probably closer to 0mm. LOL

I think Ray is going in on Saturday, so I might meet those guys on Saturday this week. But, after that, it'll be Sundays. Do you ever bring your 2-hand pinch set-up into the gym?

[Buccos1]

Carl - how a certain width 2HP lift "feels" is important but in the end - it is what width allows you to lift the most weight that matters.

I hear ya on that! LOL I think I am overanalyzing my attempts at 150. (I know that is a weak # but it was the first "goal" I set on the 2-hand pinch, and might be making me waste too much energy messing around on the set-up.) But, I still have a ton of experimenting to do, and have been taking notes on a few different widths so far. Most of my work 2-handed has been at 51-52, which has started to feel OK. I need to put in more time a little lower and higher. I may start putting up some videos of my higher-weight attempts (for advice), and/or hopefully get some work in with Brent too. My thumb pads are finally starting to toughen up and not tear after every attempt.

[climber511]

Carl - how a certain width 2HP lift "feels" is important but in the end - it is what width allows you to lift the most weight that matters.

I hear ya on that! LOL I think I am overanalyzing my attempts at 150. (I know that is a weak # but it was the first "goal" I set on the 2-hand pinch, and might be making me waste too much energy messing around on the set-up.) But, I still have a ton of experimenting to do, and have been taking notes on a few different widths so far. Most of my work 2-handed has been at 51-52, which has started to feel OK. I need to put in more time a little lower and higher. I may start putting up some videos of my higher-weight attempts (for advice), and/or hopefully get some work in with Brent too. My thumb pads are finally starting to toughen up and not tear after every attempt.

Round the edges more - maybe a lot more even. You can't train enough to make progress if you are always cut or torn.

[Buccos1]

Tue (2/18)

Dead Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 265

(1x1) 305

Speed Bench - mini bands

(2x3) 135

(6x3) 155

Lying Kettlebell Extensions

(1x10) 35

(1x7) 35

DO - IMPs

1/4 x 7" CRS

1/4 x 5.5" Grade 5

Red Nail

DU - IMPs

Blue Nail

1/4 x 6" Grade 5

J x 7" (340lbs.)

[Buccos1]

Thur (2/20)

Bamboo Bar Bench Press

(1x25) 75

(1x12) 125

Ironmind Hub

(1x1) 50

(1x1) 60

(1x1) 65 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lP5EWgqVKQ

1-handed Deadlifts

(1x1) 135

(1x1) 185

(1x1) 210

GripTopz Stub

(1x1) 25

(1x1) 30

(1x0) 35

I was super-happy to get the 65 on the Ironmind Hub! I've been working the Hub pretty good for the past year and have made a ton of attempts at 65, with the best being an inch-or-two off the ground. I was able to get it with both hands today. I got 60 back in the fall, so it took about 4 months to go from 60 to 65. Now onward to 70!

[Buccos1]

Sat (2/22)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 405 - add briefs

(1x2) 440

(1x1) 475

GripTopz HorneTop

(1x3) 75

(1x1) 100

(1x0) 115

Grippers - 20mm block

(1x5) #1

(1x3) #1.5

(1x2) #2

(1x1) GHP5 - MMS

[Buccos1]

Sun (2/23)

Bench Press

(1x8) 135

(1x5) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 265

(1x3) 315

(1x2) 325

Close-grip Bench Press

(2x10) 225

Wide-grip Bench Press

(2x5) 205

[Buccos1]

Tue (2/25)

1-arm Deadlift

(1x3) 135

(1x1) 185

(1x1) 220

Axle Deadlift - Double Overhand

(1x3) 205

(1x1) 245

(2x0) 270

Barbell Curls

(2x5) 115

(2x5) 125

GripTopz Stub

(1x1) 25

(1x0) 35

(1x1) 30

DU - IMPs

1/4 x 6" CRS

1/4 x 6.5" Grade 5

DU - BBW

1/4 x 6.75" Grade 8

I was able to just get the knees locked out on the 1-hand DL ... not able to balance the weight at the top for more than a second. The 270 axle was close both times, just losing the grip right before lockout.

[Buccos1]

Wed (2/26)

2-hand Pinch - 46/52mm

(2x3) 95

(1x3) 115

(1x3) 125

(1x1) 135

(1x0) 145

Speed Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(4x3) 185

(4x3) 185 - add chains

Bench Press

(1x18) 225

Bamboo Bar Bench Press

(1x15) 70

(2x8) 145

Horseshoes - 1.25" suede

Diamond Bronco PL000

I did some experimenting with different widths on the Euro. The 46 felt a little better today and I was able to break the ground with the 145, but my hands were starting to get beat up by this point. I started messing around with hand wraps to make a web protector, for when doing reps. I bent the PL000 in track pants, which made a shoe that normally hurts, hurt bad! The kink was tough too, as it was difficult to keep pinned.

I'm happy with the recent horseshoe bending, especially with the PL000s. At one point, this shoe would routinely stop me at 140-150 degrees, but today's was the fourth-or-fifth in-a-row taken down.

[Buccos1]

Fri (2/28)

Shrugs

(1x8) 225

(1x8) 315

(1x8) 405

1-arm Deadlift

(1x3) 135

(1x2) 185

(1x1) 205

Lying Dumbell Extensions

(2x10) 30

DO - IMPs

1/4 x 7" Grade 2

1/4 x 6" Grade 8

Red Nail

[Buccos1]

Sat (3/1)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 405 - add briefs

(1x1) 440

(1x1) 455

2-hand Pinch - 46 mm

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 115

(1x1) 135

(1x0) 150

GripTopz HorneTop

(1x1) 50

(1x1) 95

(1x1) 105

Inverted Hex Dumbell Pinch

(2x1) 40

Grippers

(1x3) #1

(1x3) #1.5

(1x3) #2

(1x0) #2.5

(1x5) RB 210N

I wasn't scheduled to do 2-hand pinch today, but was eager to try a few things I've been thinking about, from watching videos and reading up on it more. (My thumbpads are still torn, which made every rep painful, so not a 100% effort.) When I filed the edges before, I used a very small bastard file. Before that, not having done this before, I used gritty sandpaper (steel), which did almost nothing, and made my first few sessions with the Euro very painful. I ended up getting a much larger file yesterday and spent a few minutes on the edges, which seemed to make a difference in getting it a little smoother. When my hands heal up a little more, I will try to post a video for some technique advice, hopefully getting 150 too!

[Buccos1]

Sun (3/2)

Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(1x5) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 265

(1x3) 330

Dumbell Press

(2x8) 100

Close-grip Bench Press

(2x8) 225

The 330 x 3 was a PR today. The last rep was a grinder but I was able to get it back up ... barely!

[Buccos1]

Here is my 330 x 3 bench press from yesterday. Wasn't the best-ever in form but still a PR. Bodyweight was 199.

[Buccos1]

Wed (3/5)

Speed Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(2x3) 135 - add minis

(3x3) 155

(3x3) 155 - add chains

Bench Press

(1x20) 225

Bamboo Bar Bench Press

(2x20) 75

2-hand Pinch - 46mm

(1x3) 95

(1x3) 115

(1x1) 135

(1x0) 150

1-hand Deadlift

(1x3) 135

(1x1) 185

(1x0) 225

(1x1) 220

The 135 felt OK on the 2-hand pinch, but the 150 felt pretty bad. Felt like I couldn't even get a grip. (I videod the 135, so will try to post it later today.)

[Buccos1]

Thur (3/6)

Adjustable Thickbar

(1x1) 75

(1x1) 110

(1x1) 145

(1x1) 180

(1x1) 205

(1x0) 225

Axle Deadlift - Double Overhand

(1x3) 115

(1x2) 205

(1x1) 245

(1x0) 270

GripTopz Stub

(1x1) 25

(1x1) 30

(1x0) 35

Horseshoe - 1.25" Suede

SCF Lite Plain #000

Barbell Curls

(1x8) 95

(1x5) 115

(1x5) 125

Lying Dumbell Extensions

(1x10) 30

(1x8) 30

The 225 was my heaviest-ever attempt on the ATB ... not too much happened. I was able to get the 270 axle up halfway, before losing my grip. The 35 on the Stub got a little air for the first time!

[Buccos1]

Here is the LP000 from yesterday ... just a training bend (no extensive documentation). I've bent a lot of these in the past and they are tough, little shoes!

Here is my 1-hand DL attempt from the other day. I've gotten this a couple of times now ... and keep getting closer with it to qualify for NAGS Championships. Right before this, I missed 225, so might have been able to get this better if it was my top attempt.

[Buccos1]

Sat (3/8)

Squats

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 315

(1x2) 405 - add briefs

(1x1) 445

(1x1) 475

DO - IMPs

1/4 x 7" HRS

1/4 x 6" Grade 5

Red Nail

[Buccos1]

Sun (3/9)

Dead Bench Press

(1x5) 135

(1x3) 185

(1x3) 225

(1x2) 275

(1x1) 300

Floor Press

(1x3) 225

(1x3) 275

(1x1) 315

DU - IMPs

1/4 x 5.5" CRS

1/4 x 6.5" Grade 5

I've been fighting a cold for a few days, so haven't felt 100%. But, I hit a floor press 1RM PR, so I'll take it!

[Buccos1]

I FINALLY got 150lbs. on the 2-hand pinch! I made an attempt today (camera on) and got nothing ... zero movement. Then, about a minute after (after shutting camera off in disgust), I tried again and stood up with it ... actually controlling it on the way down too. So, I turned the camera back on for one more attempt and was able to get it up some (link below). I am putting up another link too to see my set-up with a lighter weight, hoping for some insight/tips/critique.

150 partial lift http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUR6fmYm5zQ

Set-up Advice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FOQ6roWDsU

Two of the things I did differently from the 125 to 150 attempts was with the 150, I stood a little further in front of the plates, and tilted it back a little more. I think this might have been the difference, but need to try these things again.

[anwnate]

I FINALLY got 150lbs. on the 2-hand pinch! I made an attempt today (camera on) and got nothing ... zero movement. Then, about a minute after (after shutting camera off in disgust), I tried again and stood up with it ... actually controlling it on the way down too. So, I turned the camera back on for one more attempt and was able to get it up some (link below). I am putting up another link too to see my set-up with a lighter weight, hoping for some insight/tips/critique.

150 partial lift http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUR6fmYm5zQ

Set-up Advice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FOQ6roWDsU

Two of the things I did differently from the 125 to 150 attempts was with the 150, I stood a little further in front of the plates, and tilted it back a little more. I think this might have been the difference, but need to try these things again.

Congrats on the PR!

[Buccos1]

Thanks Nathaniel!