My Journey To The Pro Circuit

[Clay Edgin]

AZ Strongman rundown

260 log - 5 reps (5th place)

285 farmers for 100ft - 17 secs (1st)

690 yoke/750 tire medley - yoke completed, 4 flips on tire (3rd)

Axle deadlift - 485, 565 (1st)

Stones 240-370 - 5 out of 6 (3rd)

3rd overall. After the comp, I loaded the 370 to 61" which is a nice PR.

[Clay Edgin]

I had intended to press yesterday but my legs are wrecked from squatting. Today wasn't as bad as yesterday and I imagine tomorrow should feel better. Still, good pressing tonight.

3 board press:

135x10, 185x10, 225x5, 275x5, 315x3, 335x1, 355x0x0x1 (PR)

It sucks to miss a board press because then you have to roll the bar off the boards and let it hit the pins. Ended up tearing my shirt a bit where the bar pinned me. But I was pretty stoked to hit this weight since it buried me not too long ago.

Push press:

135x10 strict, 185x5 strict, 225x3, 315x0 (8 times)

I am so pissed about missing 315. On one attempt I had it past the sticking point but just quit on it because I misjudged where the bar was. My wrists were getting destroyed having 315 crashing down on them so I had to stop at 8 attempts.

Standing tricep extensions:

95x15, 115x15, 115x10, 115x10 (PRs)

I'm hesitant to call any weight done as accessory work a PR but I felt good about this weight so I'll take the PR. I can't get too hung up on rewarding myself for little things like this though.

Bodyweight is around 330 today and on its way back down. I expect some strength losses to occur but in the long run I'll be stronger for it. Been religiously taking my taurine, ZMA, and protein and definitely feeling a difference.

[Clay Edgin]

Return of the living deadlift!

Log cleans:

225x2x2, 275x2x2, 325x2, 345x0

Having a gut doesn't make cleaning the log any easier when you're wearing a belt.

18" deadlifts:

245x2, 335x2, 425x2, 515x2, 605x1, 665x1 (PR)

Pulls at this height are just what I need to kickstart my deadlifts.

Deadlifts:

610x1 (PR)

Ho-lee-crap. I had some serious ASS POWER off the floor. God bless box squats.

Finished out the day by one hand pinching 2 45lb plates for the first time with either hand.

[underdawg]

Great job on some huge PR's big man!

[BigT]

Return of the living deadlift!

Log cleans:

225x2x2, 275x2x2, 325x2, 345x0

Having a gut doesn't make cleaning the log any easier when you're wearing a belt.

18" deadlifts:

245x2, 335x2, 425x2, 515x2, 605x1, 665x1 (PR)

Pulls at this height are just what I need to kickstart my deadlifts.

Deadlifts:

610x1 (PR)

Ho-lee-crap. I had some serious ASS POWER off the floor. God bless box squats.

Finished out the day by one hand pinching 2 45lb plates for the first time with either hand.

Great Pr's on the deads and pinching the 2 45's for the first time Your still the man Clay

[supermagnamon]

Return of the living deadlift!

Log cleans:

225x2x2, 275x2x2, 325x2, 345x0

Having a gut doesn't make cleaning the log any easier when you're wearing a belt.

18" deadlifts:

245x2, 335x2, 425x2, 515x2, 605x1, 665x1 (PR)

Pulls at this height are just what I need to kickstart my deadlifts.

Deadlifts:

610x1 (PR)

Ho-lee-crap. I had some serious ASS POWER off the floor. God bless box squats.

Finished out the day by one hand pinching 2 45lb plates for the first time with either hand.

Good job man. TG for Box Squats.

[Clay Edgin]

Good night of squatting in the gear.

Squats:

135x10, 225x5, 275x5, 315x2, 365x2, 405x2, 445x1, 495x1 (sb), 545x1 (sb), 600x1 (s) (PR), 635x1 (s) (PR), 650x0 (s + wraps)

(s) = suit and belt, straps up

(sb) = suit bottoms and belt

I am feeling better about my squats with gear. 635 was still a few inches high of parallel but truthfully that is as far down as I could go. With 650 I felt I could have been only an inch or two high but I unwisely let go of some air I was holding in order to release some of the pressure on my head. Yeah, not a good idea. That pretty much dumped me forward. 635 came up real fast though and I'm sure I would have had 650 and more.

Lots of good learning going on tonight. My goal for the meet in April was to hit 650 but it looks like unless I go wider in my stance that I won't be able to hit depth with that kind of weight. I think that with some more work in the suit I could have 680-700 by meet time. Shit, wouldn't that be wonderful. If I hit 700 in a meet I would get wood. With the suit, belt, wraps and the pressure of a meet, 700 is a possibility.

[Clay Edgin]

Not good. I don't like to make excuses but I think the heavy squatting two days ago really fried my legs and the push presses just weren't happening. Very frustrating. But you have to have bad workouts in order to appreciate the good ones.

3 board bench:

135x10, 185x8, 225x5, 275x3, 315x2

Strict press:

135x5, 185x3, 225x2 (first was leg driven, second was strict)

Push press:

225x2 more, 275x1, 315x12 failed attempts

Seated presses in rack

135x5 (24" ROM), 185x5 (18" ROM), 195x3 (18" ROM)

By this point I was thoroughly disgusted and all out of bad words to say I hit the showers.

Crap.

[Clay Edgin]

Oh yeah!

3 board press:

135x10, 185x8, 225x5, 315x2

Oh man, this felt easy

Push press:

135x10 (strict), 225x2 (strict), 275x2, 315x1 (PR), 320x1 (PR!), 275x3, 275x2

OH YEAH. I had 315 so fast that it locked out and unlocked before I knew what was going on!

Seated pin presses:

135x5 (24" ROM), 185x5 (18" ROM), 185x5 (12" ROM), 225x5 (12" ROM)

Standing tricep extensions:

115x10 x 3 sets

OH man, that 320 felt awesome. Right through the sticking point and into the sky!

[BigT]

Oh yeah!

3 board press:

135x10, 185x8, 225x5, 315x2

Oh man, this felt easy

Push press:

135x10 (strict), 225x2 (strict), 275x2, 315x1 (PR), 320x1 (PR!), 275x3, 275x2

OH YEAH. I had 315 so fast that it locked out and unlocked before I knew what was going on!

Seated pin presses:

135x5 (24" ROM), 185x5 (18" ROM), 185x5 (12" ROM), 225x5 (12" ROM)

Standing tricep extensions:

115x10 x 3 sets

OH man, that 320 felt awesome. Right through the sticking point and into the sky!

great job on the push press

[supermagnamon]

Oh yeah!

3 board press:

135x10, 185x8, 225x5, 315x2

Oh man, this felt easy

Push press:

135x10 (strict), 225x2 (strict), 275x2, 315x1 (PR), 320x1 (PR!), 275x3, 275x2

OH YEAH. I had 315 so fast that it locked out and unlocked before I knew what was going on!

Seated pin presses:

135x5 (24" ROM), 185x5 (18" ROM), 185x5 (12" ROM), 225x5 (12" ROM)

Standing tricep extensions:

115x10 x 3 sets

OH man, that 320 felt awesome. Right through the sticking point and into the sky!

Great job on that PR push press. I think I saw the vid on the 315 push press.

[Clay Edgin]

Travis came down from Farmington to train today which was pretty cool. Got some good work done.

Farmers for 50ft:

Me: 160x2, 210x2, 250, 300, 400 (PR)

Travis: 160x2, 210x2, 250, 300 (PR)

Two PR's to start the day off was pretty damn sweet. No drops on ANYTHING.

Yoke for 50ft:

Me: 350, 430, 610

Travis: 350, 430, 610

Ugh, tough! No drops but the previous farmers stuff was killing my stability.

800lb tire:

Both: 4 sets of 3 flips uphill and downhill

Stones to 63":

Me: 160x2, 230x3

Travis: 160x2, 230x1

Chalk only on these since it was way too cold to use tacky. I stepped out of the house this morning and it was 6 degrees. It warmed up to 30 or so by the time we were lifting but that's still pretty damn cold.

Then LOTS of phonebook ripping.

[chrisof4]

Travis came down from Farmington to train today which was pretty cool. Got some good work done.

Farmers for 50ft:

Me: 160x2, 210x2, 250, 300, 400 (PR)

Travis: 160x2, 210x2, 250, 300 (PR)

Two PR's to start the day off was pretty damn sweet. No drops on ANYTHING.

Yoke for 50ft:

Me: 350, 430, 610

Travis: 350, 430, 610

Ugh, tough! No drops but the previous farmers stuff was killing my stability.

800lb tire:

Both: 4 sets of 3 flips uphill and downhill

Stones to 63":

Me: 160x2, 230x3

Travis: 160x2, 230x1

Chalk only on these since it was way too cold to use tacky. I stepped out of the house this morning and it was 6 degrees. It warmed up to 30 or so by the time we were lifting but that's still pretty damn cold.

Then LOTS of phonebook ripping.

6 degrees in Rio Rancho!?!?!? Dang, that is a major cold snap. I used to live in Albuquerque, and a half inch of snow would shut down the whole city. Here in Kansas City, 6 degress is not that uncommon, but it still sucks. Nice job to both of you on the strong man feats. Sounds like a great workout! =)

Chris

[Clay Edgin]

I met up tonight again with some local powerlifters and tweaked my squat form. There are about a million things to remember but I felt like it was a good night of work.

Squats:

45x5, 135x5, 225x5, x5, 275x3, x3, 315x3, x3, 365x3, x3, 405x3, 455x2, 495x2, 545x2, 585x2

I started with the suit bottoms on 405 and of course could not hit anything near depth. By 585 I had worked into the suit a little more and Mike said I was within a couple inches of parallel. Still did not squat with the straps up or with knee wraps. Not that they provide a big boost, but it is a boost nonetheless.

GHR:

3 sets of 10

Lots of good form work tonight and I feel really good about my chances to hit some bigger weights soon.

Got some guys coming over Sunday to hit the events and then deadlifting Monday.

[Rick Walker]

Good to see you learning the gear Clay! It will take time, but it will come. I know you were talking about doing a powerlifting meet? If you are, what is your goal squat at that meet? It is my belief that you should not be able to hit depth with anything but your opener and up!

Still did not squat with the straps up or with knee wraps. Not that they provide a big boost, but it is a boost nonetheless.

Gotta learn how to use them and then you will see a huge jump. I get at least 50-75 pounds more with the straps up as they cause the suit to lock in as I sit back into the squat. Quality knee wraps wrapped right will give another 50 or so pounds. Believe it.

I enjoy reading this log Clay and good luck with your goals.

-Rick

[Tom of Iowa2]

Congrats on that 400# per side farmers walk for 50 ft.

Great Job!

Keep up the good work and the entertaining and interesting log.

You'll be 'there'...someday.

[Clay Edgin]

Thanks a lot guys. Rick, my goal for the meet is a 650 squat but I will certainly take anything more than that. I want a 1750 total and feel that I am on my way to hitting it by this meet in late April. If I miss it, it won't be by much.

Event day

Having squatted heavy on Friday and with my upcoming Monday deadlift session in mind, we hit a few events today. It was a nice 65 degrees today and there were four of us out there moving weights. I had a good time and really believe that the extra power work I've been doing in the gym is making a big difference on my event training.

Tire flip:

500x5, x5, 800x5, x3

These were good, quick flips. With the exception of 2, all the flips on the 800 were done in one motion. I wore some tennis shoes today for the first time and think that the extra heel thickness allowed me to apply more force through my feet and onto the tire instead of just being up on the balls of my toes completely.

Farmers walk for 80ft:

160, 160, 210, 250

It was a bit awkward at first walking in these shoes with the weights because it felt like it wanted to push me forward due to the thicker heel. But I had quick feet and was happy with my performance. I am feeling a lot more comfortable without a belt on during the farmers stuff.

Stones to 48":

160, 160, 230, 230, 280, 320, 375

The 375 came off the ground faster than I can ever remember.

Sled backwards for 100ft:

100, 100, 200, 200

Hooboy, this was the first time I've done a sled drag since 12/10 and I was sucking wind. What a great event to train though. I missed that feeling in my legs like they were engorged with blood and were going to burst at any moment.

Right now I'm slamming a big protein shake, a couple different vitamins/mineral pills, and will go eat a big fat lunch. Deadlifting tomorrow will be hard but so be it.

[Clay Edgin]

Last day in the gym on the free week pass.

Stiff legged deads with 35's instead of 45's

185x8, 235x8, 285x8, 335x8

Sumo deads:

275x5, 325x6 singles

With proper coaching, the sumo pulls are easier, but still pretty difficult because it is so slow off the ground. And because I am a Weaky McPussenstein.

GM's using neck strap on reverse hyper:

100x8, 150x8, 200x8, 250x8

This smoked my back pretty good.

Hip belt squats to below parallel:

70x8, 140x8

This was hard to balance because of the weight swinging between my legs. I was only able to manage a couple reps with 140 without touching the uprights of the rack to stablize myself.

Now for my next feat of strength, I will not lift anything for 3 days. Watch me go!

[Clay Edgin]

Good night on the bench. I lost my wrist wraps for the first half of the workout and found them after a while finally. I would hate to have to buy another pair just because I lost them. Not that I was attached to them; I'm just really cheap.

3 board press:

135x10, 185x10, 225x5, 275x5, 315x5

Shirted bench:

365x0 (couldn't touch chest, but it flew up), 405x1 (PR)

This was a pretty cool PR. I just tried to stay tight and drive with my legs and the bar just came up. I just barely got the bar to touch my chest too. My shirt is loose enough that I can put it on myself. I gotta keep getting used to the groove of the shirt. Son of a bitch though, my low back is really torqued and hurt on those first few sets of board presses from arching. I should start rocking some light GM's beforehand to loosen things up.

6" lockouts, dead stop each rep:

405x5 (wide grip), x5, (med grip), x5 (narrow grip)

Strict press:

135x10, x10, 185x3

So now my best efforts in the big three are 635-405-610 for a total of 1650, which is 100lbs off the total I want to hit at the meet in April. Granted, these are training PR's and didn't happen in the same workout so we'll have to see what April 22nd brings. 100lbs on 3 lifts in 2 months is probably impossible, but with a little better understanding of how the gear works I bet I can get quite a bit closer. Besides, something as far off as 1750 will keep me motivated to get out there some more and get more work in the gear.

I've also got to put on the squat suit and see what I can pull sumo with it. I haven't really found a max with the suit and belt while pulling conventional because I can't grab the bar without feeling like I'm going to pass out.

[bencrush]

Great lifts Clay! 1650 is badass.

[Clay Edgin]

Good day of event training. Weather topped 60 again and Tom came back out to try some more events.

Axle C&P:

120x8, 160x5, 210x4 strict, x5 strict and push presses

180lb 12" log:

x5, x5, x5, x5, x5

When I do this correctly, it feels like it weighs nothing.

Keg clean and press:

115x3, 175x3 singles

Keg loading:

175 to 63" x 3, 290 to 63" x 3, 290 to 48" x 3, other miscellaneous keg lifts

Farmers for 50ft:

160, 210, 250, 300

Light as a featha'

Yoke for 50ft:

285, 385, 465, 565

Pretty good foot speed. Those tennis shoes make my steps feel squishy but I like how that feels.

Sled forward in harness for 100ft:

180x1, 225x1

Sled backwards for 100ft:

225x1, 180x1

SMOKED my legs on these. Both Tom and I sat on the cold garage floor for 15 minutes and commiserated.

I think I'll hit the squat and deadlift on Tuesday, bench on Friday, then really kill some heavy events on Sunday. Tom did pretty well today.

[Clay Edgin]

Some pretty good pulls for me. 3 lifts, 3 PR's.

Sumo deadlifts:

135x5, 225x3, 315x3, 365x1 (PR), 405x1 (PR), 445x0, 495x1 w/suit (PR), 585x0

I thought I had 445 in me with the sumo tonight but it just wouldn't come more than a few inches off the ground before getting away from me. 585 with the suit and a belt felt stupid hard. 495 with the belt and suit was easy.

Conventional pulls:

495x1, 585x1, 625x1 (PR)

Ahem, excuse for me a second....YEAH! I'm now convinced that sumo deads are bringing up my conventional deadlift, which is what everyone has been telling me but my own experience confirms it. My goal for the meet is to pull 650, so I have 8 more weeks to see if I can tack on another 25lbs to a max pull. Should be close.

Rack pulls from 24":

405x2, 495x1, 585x1, 635x1, 675x1, 725x1, 750x1 (PR)

Wish I had more 45's at this point. Duh, I just remembered I have 2-100's I could have used. Next time. 750 felt good. Maybe good for 25-30 more.

[supermagnamon]

Nice pulls, Clay.

[Rick Walker]

Get it done Clay!

Nice pullin'. One thing I forgot to add in my PM response is to maybe add some conventional pulls off a box to get a little more speed off the ground. I would put them in right after the sumos, reps and sets are up to you.

-Rick

[Clay Edgin]

You know Rick, with all the sumo pulls and wide squats I've been doing, my hip flexibility is improving enough to where I can get lower in a conventional stance and try to keep a flatter back. I think pulls off blocks would be even better.

Thanks!

Tonight wasn't a stellar night on the bench but when you're benching alone in a shirt it takes longer to do things.

3 board bench w/narrow grip:

135x10, x10, x10, 185x8, 225x5, 315x2

Shirted bench:

Denim open back - 315x0 (no touch), 365x1, 385x1

Fury - 385x1, 405x1, 415x0

The denim felt more solid until I got under the bar and then it just wasn't as supportive as the poly. I have a problem with the shirts riding up on me as I lay down on the bench. I'm using a belt to try to hold the shirt in place but it doesn't always work. Gotta experiment more.

Strict press:

135x10, 185x5, 225x5 (push press)

Felt real shaky on these. I might be fried still from the deadlifts or the previous bench stuff.

Band pushdowns:

3 sets of 15 with blue woody band (equivalent of green jumpstretch I think)

This is actually a pretty cool exercise. I doubt I invented it because it's so simple, but it's pretty hard to do with your hands apart and pushing down independently.

I also fooled around with off-center pressing. I put a 45 on one side of the bar and left the other side empty then pressed it overhead. Pretty tough to stablize.