Grip, Weightlifting, & Bw Stuff For Bjj/wrestling

[God-man]

I'm back!!! I went off for a week to California for a Bible training. It was glorious. I'll be posting my workouts again soon.

[God-man]

Monday:

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Close-grip Dumbbell Bench Press

10 x 35lb dumbbells

10 x 50lb dumbbells

8 x 60lb dumbbells

8 x 70lb dumbbells

I went ahead and stopped here. I'll get the 80's and 85's next week.

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Squats (Bum-bum to grass)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

8 x 135lbs

6 x 155lbs

4 x 175lbs

This is the first time I've tried to do squats going all the way down. It felt very good. I think I am going to keep going down all the way and get a good full range of motion.

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Bent-Over Rows

10 x 135lbs

6 x 185lbs

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Skull-Crushers

8 x 80lbs

7 x 90lbs

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Since this was my first time back at the gym in a while, I figured I wouldn't go all out ... just ease back into it. I've got bjj tomorrow.

[God-man]

Friday:

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Weighted Pull-ups (bodyweight + 65lbs)

1 set of 7 reps

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Rolling Thunder singles (up to 166lbs)

I got 166lbs with my right hands once, and 151lbs with my left hand once.

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Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

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Dumbbells Push-Press

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

6 x 115lbs

3 x 135lbs

Well, this is the first time I've tried push-press, and I like it. I remember I used to do military press with 135lbs before, but that was when I was doing that "only go half-way down" rubbish. Now I'm doing full range of motion and my shoulder is fine.

*************************************************************************

Squats (Bum-bum to grass)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

8 x 135lbs

8 x 155lbs

I wanted to go heavier but I left for a couple of minutes to go to the bathroom, and these 4 goats took the squat rack, doing their typical quarter-squats.

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Skull-Crushers

8 x 80lbs

8 x 90lbs

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Dumbbell Hammer Curls

8 x 40lb dumbbells

8 x 45lb dumbbells

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[God-man]

Monday:

*************************************************************************

Rolling Thunder singles (up to 166lbs)

Got 166lbs w/ right hand once, and 156lbs with left once.

*************************************************************************

Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

*************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Bench Press

10 x 35lb dumbbells

10 x 55lb dumbbells

8 x 60lb dumbbells

6 x 80lb dumbbells

6 x 85lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Squats (below parallel)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

8 x 135lbs

8 x 155lbs

6 x 185lbs

*************************************************************************

Skull-Crushers

8 x 80lbs

7 x 90lbs

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Barbell Bent-Over Rows

10 x 135lbs

6 x 185lbs

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[God-man]

Tuesday:

*************************************************************************

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class/practice

I went to bjj class from 7:00pm to 8:45pm. Coach Yousef was out of town on a cruise with his family, so we had another black belt and a brown belt teach the class. We actually spent like a full 25 minutes "warming up", doing various drills that make you dizzy, work your abs/core, and make every part in your body burn ... y'know, fun stuff .... Anyway, after our "warm-up", we went over a couple of cool sweeps and a gi-choke.

Then we had live matches/rolling. We started from various positions:

The first live match I had was with Joseph, a 150lb one-stripe white belt who also does muy tai and wrestling. I was able to submit him with a keylock (while I was on bottom!), and a toehold. I almost had him in an armbar but he is real slippery and is a fighter, but it was mostly my fault. Looking back, I didn't have my knees squeezed together, which let his other arm through, and I didn't take the necessary steps to finish the armbar, so I kinda freaked and he reversed me, but that was when I somehow got him in the keylock on bottom. He was not able to submit me.

The second live match was with Jason, a 170lb one-stripe whitebelt who has been doing this for about the same amount of time I have. We started out both time actually with him in side control, me on the bottom ... but both times I was able to reverse him ... and both times ... I don't remember how, but like, I lifted him up in the air and he had hang time each time I reversed him ... I wish I remember how I did it. I'm pretty sure that I was using a lot of my own natural strength to pull it off. Anyway, I was able to submit him with a kimura and a triangle choke. Jason was not able to submit me.

I also went up against this like 13 yr old named Emmanuel (I think) for a couple of minutes to work with him and showed him a couple of things and let him get me in some submissions to practice.

Then class was over and we hung out for like half an hour talking and what not, meeting some new people. My cardio felt GOOD. I am getting back in good shape!

Edited July 26, 2006 by God-man

[God-man]

Thursday:

*************************************************************************

Weighted Pull-ups (bodyweight + 65lbs)

1 set of 5 reps (almost got 6 full reps ... almost)

*************************************************************************

Rolling Thunder singles (up to 171lbs)

I got 166lbs with my right hand, and it felt good, but I couldn't lock out with 171lbs ... I got it up of the ground a couple of inches. I also got 156lbs with my left again, and went for 161lbs, but failed on all attempts.

*************************************************************************

Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

sets w/ 1 35lb plate and 1 25lb plate (60lbs)

I got 60lbs a couple of times with my right, but couldn't lock out with left hand.

*************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Military Press

10 x 35lb dumbbells

10 x 40lb dumbbells

8 x 50lb dumbbells

6 x 55lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Squats (below parallel)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

10 x 135lbs

6 x 185lbs

6 x 205lbs

I barely got the last rep with that set of 205lbs.

*************************************************************************

Dumbbell Hammer Curls

8 x 40lb dumbbells

8 x 45lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Skull-Crushers

8 x 80lbs

8 x 90lbs

1 x 100lbs (+ some negatives afterwards)

*************************************************************************

[God-man]

Monday:

*************************************************************************

2.5" FBBC Crusher singles (up to 116lbs)

116lbs almost with right, 106lbs almost w/ left.

*************************************************************************

Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

sets w/ 1 35lb plate and 1 25lb plate (60lbs)

*************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Bench Press

10 x 35lb dumbbells

10 x 55lb dumbbells

8 x 60lb dumbbells

6 x 80lb dumbbells

4 x 85lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Squats (below parallel)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

10 x 135lbs

6 x 185lbs

6 x 205lbs

*************************************************************************

Barbell Bent-Over Rows

10 x 135lbs

4 x 185lbs

4 x 185lbs

*************************************************************************

Ran for 1 mile afterwards.

[God-man]

Thursday:

*************************************************************************

Weighted Pull-ups (bodyweight + 65lbs)

1 set of 5 reps

*************************************************************************

Rolling Thunder singles (up to 171lbs)

I got 166lbs with my right hand, and it felt good, but I couldn't lock out with 171lbs ... I got it up of the ground a couple of inches. I also got 151lbs with my left again, and went for 156lbs, but failed on all attempts.

*************************************************************************

Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

*************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Military Press

10 x 35lb dumbbells

10 x 40lb dumbbells

8 x 50lb dumbbells

6 x 60lb dumbbells

3 x 65lb dumbbells (almost got 4 reps)

This is the highest I've ever gone on close-grip dumbbell military press doing a full range of motion. Felt good.

*************************************************************************

Dumbbell Hammer Curls

8 x 40lb dumbbells

7 x 45lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Skull-Crushers

8 x 85lbs

5 x 105lbs NEW PR!!!

*************************************************************************

I went for a 2 1/2 mile run afterwards. I was going to run the first mile for time on the track, but 3/4'ths of the way into it, the football team of that high school started using the track, so I just got off and ran through the neighborhood nearby.

[God-man]

Sunday:

*************************************************************************

2.5" FBBC Crusher singles (up to 120lbs)

120lbs almost with right, 115lbs almost w/ left.

*************************************************************************

Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

sets w/ 1 35lb plate and 1 25lb plate (60lbs)

sets w/ 2 35lb plates (70lbs) (failed on all attempts)

*************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Military Press

10 x 30lb dumbbells

10 x 40lb dumbbells

8 x 50lb dumbbells

6 x 60lb dumbbells

5 x 65lb dumbbells NEW PR!!!

*************************************************************************

Squats (below parallel)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

8 x 135lbs

6 x 185lbs

4 x 205lbs

4 x 205lbs

*************************************************************************

Barbell Bent-Over Rows

10 x 135lbs

6 x 185lbs

*************************************************************************

Skull Crushers

10 x 35lbs

8 x 85lbs

8 x 105lbs NEW PR!!!

0 x 115lbs (did negatives)

*************************************************************************

Dumbbell Hammer Curls

8 x 40lb dumbbells

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Monday:

*************************************************************************

Ran 1.5 miles today as fast as I could and then did some neck resistance exercises.

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[God-man]

Tuesday:

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class/practice

We went over taking somebody's back, getting your hooks in with your feet/legs, and getting the 'seatbelt' with your arms ... then setting up the rear-naked choke. After practicing that, we went for transitions to several gi-chokes if someone is defending the rear-naked choke well. The gi chokes we used was when you use your own gi and get it under their arm, then grab the gi with you opposite hand as you move to the side switching one leg over their body and one leg under, and then lean back and pull. Then there were other variations to go further with that choke if someone is defending that.

Then we played 'king of the mountain', where a higher belt starts out on bottom with you in guard, and you have to try and pass his guard, and he can either reverse/sweep you or submit you ... but you can't try to submit the guy starting on bottom, you can only try to pass his guard.

I went against a purple belt and gave him some trouble for a while, getting into his half-guard, but I couldn't fully pass his guard, and he eventually sweeped me. I later went against another purple belt and the exact same thing happened, was able to get in his halfguard but couldn't completely pass his guard, and then he eventually sweeped me. Then I went against a 4-stripe whitebelt, Rich, a big guy, he sweeped me, but before he could mount, I did a wrestlers bridge and exploded off the ground and reversed him, mounting him ... to his credit, he was really tired. So I was king and went against Aaron, a tall whitebelt with my level of experience, I was trying to get him in a triangle, only to realize later I didn't have it on right - *doh*!!! He wasn't able to pass my guard, but I wasn't able to sweep him, either, so ....

Then we had live matches:

First one I went against Joseph, a 145lb whitebelt who is a real nice guy. I submitted him with a gi-choke, which is nearly impossible with Joseph 'cause he is so hard to choke ... he just is, even coach has a hard time choking him, so that was an accomplishment in itself. Other than that, we really weren't going that hard and were just kind of goofing around.

Second one, I went against a two-stripe whitebelt who is from Oklahoma, about the same size as me, forgot his name. Anyway, I was able to submit him with a keylock, but that's it. He wasn't able to submit me. Most of the match was pretty much me on top and him defending, so not much went on. I was able to reverse him several times when starting off on bottom, so positionally I was doing ok. I was having trouble mounting him and getting out of his half-guard. Need to try knee on stomach more.

After that we did sprints and pushups and situps and squats. I was pooped. ha Then Joseph and I worked on some wrestling takedown set-ups and moves. Had some fun.

I need to start working on timed holds with the Rolling Thunder. My grip was fried during matches and stuff, so I think that working on timed holds will really help my grip stamina.

Edited August 9, 2006 by God-man

[God-man]

Thursday:

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Weighted Pull-ups (bodyweight + 70lbs)

1 set of 6 reps

I weighed the chain that I have attached to my weightbelt, and it weighs nearly 5lbs. I bought it at Home Depot and it is a big, thick, heavy-duty 5ft chain. ... sooo ... I am including that in the weight now ... is that bad?

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Close-grip Dumbbell Bench Press

10 x 30lb dumbbells

10 x 40lb dumbbells

10 x 50lb dumbbells

8 x 60lb dumbbells

6 x 80lb dumbbells

4 x 85lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Lat-Pulldown machine

6 x 140lbs (warm-up)

6 x 200lbs

6 x 220lbs

I haven't done these in a while. I think it is still safe to say that weighted pullups are harder.

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Skull-Crushers

8 x 85lbs

5 x 105lbs

I think my triceps were not only fried from the little rest I had in between sets on close-grip db bench press, but also I believe I felt a little weaker because of BJJ on Tuesday. Pressing on people and getting out of their guard can give those triceps quite a workout!

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Dumbbell Hammer Curls

8 x 40lb dumbbells

6 x 45lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

[JasonL]

I am including that in the weight now ... is that bad?

why would that be bad?

[God-man]

I am including that in the weight now ... is that bad?

why would that be bad?

Haha, I don't know, I just didn't know if that was silly to add the weight of the chain along with it ... but that five lbs can make a difference!

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practice/class

Worked on reversals. Then we played the king of the mountain passing guard game, in which I got whooped by the purple belts, ouch! *wha-pish*

Then I had a 15 minute live match with Brandon, a 185-190lb whitebelt who also trains muy tai ... nice guy. I submitted him with a very, very nice rear-naked choke within the first minute, then also submitted him with a toe-hold. He was not able to submit me. Most of the match consisted of us reversing each other, though, haha.

Then we did a bunch of grueling drills with our partner on our back ... legs felt like jello.

*************************************************************************

Edited August 14, 2006 by God-man

[God-man]

Sunday:

*************************************************************************

2.5" FBBC Crusher singles (up to 125lbs)

125lbs failed with right, 110lbs failed w/ left.

*************************************************************************

Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

sets w/ 1 35lb plate and 1 25lb plate (60lbs) (failed with left hand, got it with right hand)

*************************************************************************

Rolling Thunder timed holds (up to 131lbs)

Held 131lbs for almost 10 seconds with right, almost 6 seconds with left. I had many attempts on the timed holds.

*************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Military Press

10 x 30lb dumbbells

10 x 40lb dumbbells

8 x 50lb dumbbells

6 x 60lb dumbbells

4 x 65lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Squats (below parallel)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

8 x 135lbs

6 x 185lbs

4 x 205lbs

Then later on I did:

20 x 135lbs (first time trying 20 rep set on squats)

Then did some lunges and bodyweight ATG squats, along with some neck bridges.

*************************************************************************

Cable Rows

10 x 140lbs

6 x 170lbs

6 x 180lbs

6 x 190lbs

*************************************************************************

Skull Crushers

10 x 35lbs

8 x 85lbs

7 x 105lbs

*************************************************************************

Rolling Thunder Curls

6 x 31lbs

6 x 36lbs

These are definitely harder than normal dumbbel curls.

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Run

1 mile on treadmill at 7.5 speed, then at 9.5 speed at the end.

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[God-man]

Tuesday:

*************************************************************************

Ran for 2.5 miles outside @ 4:30pm. The high for Tuesday was 104. yeah. The heat was brutal, but it was satisfying to run hard and endure the heat, going against the elements. I wanted to run a little more, but was in a rush for time to make it to Richardson before traffic gets real bad, so I headed back home at the 2.5 mile mark so I could shower up and get going.

I also did some situps and 1 set of 60 ATG bodyweight squat reps real fast right before I showered.

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Edited August 16, 2006 by God-man

[God-man]

Wednesday:

*************************************************************************

Weighted Pull-ups (bodyweight + 70lbs)

1 set of 5 reps

*************************************************************************

Rolling Thunder singles (up to 166lbs)

I got 166lbs with my right hand, and it felt good. I went for 156lbs with my left hand, but failed on all attempts to fully lock out with it.

*************************************************************************

Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

*************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Bench Press

10 x 30lb dumbbells

10 x 40lb dumbbells

10 x 50lb dumbbells

8 x 60lb dumbbells

6 x 80lb dumbbells

5 x 85lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Lat-Pulldown machine

6 x 220lbs

4 x 230lbs

*************************************************************************

Rolling Thunder Curls (each arm seperately)

6 x 31lbs

6 x 36lbs

3 x 41lbs (only got 2 reps with left hand)

*************************************************************************

Skull-Crushers

8 x 85lbs

8 x 105lbs

*************************************************************************

Thursday:

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class/practice

Class had only 7 people today, but a lot of them were very good bjj guys, 3 white belts, 2 blue belts, 1 purple, and 1 brown. We went over a roll-under reversal, and then the transition the the armbar right after you get side control after the reversal. We also worked on butterfly guard some, which is always awesome, and we worked some reversals and armbars from there.

Before instructions, we had warm-up matches, and I went against Ali, a 210lb 2-stripe whitebelt from Iran, and Zain, a 270lb 1-stripe whitebelt who is also from Iran. Ali ended up getting side control and mount on me, but couldn't submit me. He definitely had me positionally. Then I went against Zain and was able to submit him with a gi-choke and an armbar from topside.

Later on we had live matches.

The first one I went against Sinah, the 185lb blackbelt Judo guy from Iran (I think), who is also a 2-stripe purple belt in BJJ. I think he ended up armbarring me like 2 or 3 times. Ouch! haha I actually got mount on him once, and also got his back once, which I have never done before! I couldn't finish him, but still.

Then I went against Lenny, who is a 175lb bluebelt. He ended up getting my back eventually, but couldn't finish me. I think he eventually went for like an armbar or something and I jerked out of it and ended back in nuetral position with him, but by that time, time was up.

Then I had to go against Jula, from Hungary, the ridiculously good blue belt who just won the last competition in town. He is about 180 - 190lbs I think. He reversed me a few times and got me in a triangle choke once. He kept going for armbars, but I think my fighting spirit and short arms saved me from getting armbarred, haha.

Last, I went against Zain, or Zane, however you spell it, the 270lb 1-stripe whitebelt from Iran. I only went a minute with him, but I was able to submit him with a keylock. He wasn't able to submit me. Then that was it.

Whew! I think it is safe to say that for the most-part, I got my bumbum kicked today!

[God-man]

Tuesday:

*************************************************************************

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class/practice

We went over half-guard sweeps/reversals today, and I learned a lot. Class went real well, and after technique instruction, we played the 'king of the mountain' game. I went against Sherrif (or however you spell his name), one of the purple belts, and I eventually got swept by him. I actually was able to get into his half-guard, but couldn't fully pass his guard. next time .... Then I went against Chris, a 235lb whitebelt and I passed his guard and somehow got his back ... he went for like an armbar or something and I just ripped out of it and took his back. Then I went against Mud, starting in my guard, and I was able to kinda-sort sweep him ... only he didn't fall on his back, but I was able to get on top of him.

Then we had live matches. I went against Donny, a 205lb whitebelt who is real muscular and strong. He is like in his late 30's, but he is a beast. He's my height and still weighs about 205 with very little fat on him. Anyway, I showed him a few submissions and different techniques rather than just roll real hard with him. Then we worked on escaping side control, with him ontop. I escaped the first time, then we did it again, but time ran out before I could fully escape his side control again ... he is definitely strong and has a good base.

Then coach Yousef made us run and do pushups, situps, and squats.

*************************************************************************

Wednesday:

*************************************************************************

2.5" FBBC Crusher singles (up to 120lbs)

I got 115lbs with my right, almost got 120lbs, then I got 110lbs with my left, almost got 115lbs.

*************************************************************************

Rolling Thunder timed holds (w/ 121lbs)

I did 6 sets of 10 second holds with each hand. I'll move the weight up next week.

*************************************************************************

Pinch Grip

sets w/ 2 25lb plates (50lbs)

*************************************************************************

Squats (little below parallel)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

10 x 135lbs

6 x 185lbs

4 x 205lbs

************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Bench Press

10 x 30lb dumbbells

10 x 40lb dumbbells

10 x 50lb dumbbells

8 x 60lb dumbbells

6 x 80lb dumbbells

6 x 80lb dumbbells

*************************************************************************

Lat-Row machine

6 x 190lbs

6 x 190lbs

*************************************************************************

Skull-Crushers

8 x 85lbs

5 x 105lbs

Whew, my joints were getting sore with these. I think the BJJ is wearin' me out a little!

*************************************************************************

[God-man]

Edit: Oops, double post.

Edited August 24, 2006 by God-man

[lifesnotfair]

I'm sorry, but how can you "close-grip" a dumbell?? I don't understand what you're doing....

[God-man]

I'm sorry, but how can you "close-grip" a dumbell?? I don't understand what you're doing....

I'm doing basically a normal dumbbell bench press, except I am keeping my elbows tucked in close, right next to my sides (rather than having my elbows flared out to the outside like most people do), and I keep my hands only about 8 to 10 inches apart at all times during the movement, making it a "close-grip" bench press. I also hold the two dumbbells to where they are parallel with my body rather then perpendicular with my body (where the ends would be facing out towards the sides of my body).

I really like doing everything with my elbows tucked close toward my sides because it seems to be a lot safer on my rotator cuffs, which I injured when I was 18 like 3 years ago. I saw that nearly all of the powerlifters and olympic lifters always had their elbows tucked in by their sides, rather than flared out like a lot of bodybuilders and other people do. Anyway, I haven't had any probelms with my shoulders anymore. I also like to keep the habit of keeping my elbows in close to my sides because in any kind of grappling like wrestling or brazilian jiu-jitsu, not having your elbows close to your side and flared out can leave you open for a lot of throws and submissions.

Hope this made sense ...

[God-man]

Saturday:

*************************************************************************

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class/practice

Class was fun. We are doing no-gi for the next couple of weeks, which I like. We worked on the shoulder lock sweep and the arm-trap/neck-crank choke sweep. We also worked a little on finishing the shoulder lock, too.

Then we had live matches:

The first live match I had was with Davis, a 35yr old black guy who was a former pro bodybuilder. He is actually only about 145lbs, but he is very strong. Him and I rolled for about 5 - 10 minutes. I was able to submit him with a triangle choke and a straight arm-lock. Davis did not submit me. He has a real good base, is strong and is aggressive, so it was a real rush to roll with him, haha.

Then I went for a few minutes with Aaron, a 6'1", 195lb, middle-age whitebelt. I was able to submit him with a triangle choke and a keylock. Aaron did not submit me. I was about to also submit him with a toe-hold, but my coach stopped me and told me to go for something else because I think that toe-holds are illegal in the next competition coming up or something like that.

Coach then made us start running, but then picked Joseph, a 145lb whitebelt to still roll with me. So while everyone else was running, Joseph and I went at it until one of us got a submission. I won, getting Joseph in MY FIRST ARMBAR FROM GUARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was pretty pumped about that. It's not that I was bad at getting armbars from guard, it's just that I would usually go for a triangle choke because I started getting those pretty easily from the start, so I never really tried that many armbars from the guard. YAY.

Then coach made me roll with Davis again, and I eventually submitted him with a keylock.

After all of that, we did a bunch of pushups, situps, and ... stuff.

Edited August 27, 2006 by God-man

[God-man]

Monday:

*************************************************************************

Weighted Pull-ups (bodyweight + 75lbs)

1 set of reps

I was surprised that I got 6 reps w/ the 75lbs tied onto my belt. I'll still work with this weight a little more before I move up to 80lbs tied onto me.

*************************************************************************

Squats (little below parallel)

10 x 45lbs

10 x 95lbs

10 x 135lbs

4 x 205lbs

I don't know why I stopped at 4 reps. I could have done more, guess I was being lazy.

************************************************************************

Close-grip Dumbbell Bench Press

10 x 30lb dumbbells

10 x 40lb dumbbells

10 x 50lb dumbbells

8 x 60lb dumbbells

4 x 85lb dumbbells

4 x 85lb dumbbells

I think that as soon as I can finish 2 sets of at least 6 reps with the 85lb dumbbells, I'll move up to the 90's.

*************************************************************************

[The Chuck]

Nice job on the weighted pullups! That's half your bodyweight.....I'd have to pull with 100lbs to match that, well done! Most I've done is a double with 70lbs.....

[God-man]

Nice job on the weighted pullups! That's half your bodyweight.....I'd have to pull with 100lbs to match that, well done! Most I've done is a double with 70lbs.....

Thanks, Chuck! Nice job on the double! Doing pullups with 70lbs when you are 200lb man is great! Hopefully I'll be getting back up to using 90lbs + in a few months with the weighted pullups ... but I really only do 1 real heavy set of them a week ... because doing more heavy sets like that seems to really take a toll on my joints while also training BJJ and wrestling takedowns. Doing just one set of those weighted pullups once a week is hard enough on me as it is, ha.

[God-man]

Tuesday:

*************************************************************************

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class/practice

We went over armbars, armbar set-ups and finishes and also transitioning to a kimura from one of the armbar set-ups.

During the warm-ups I went up against Joseph, the crazy oriental one-stripe whitebelt. He wanted to go full-speed, so we did. I ended up submitting Joseph with a rear-naked choke ... it was ugly in the sense that my forearm wasn't FULLY under his chin, but I finished him with it.

After the instruction and drills we played the king of the mountain guard passing game. I went up against a 210lb whitebelt and ended up getting reversed, and later went up against Sherrif, the purple belt ... and actually he didn't reverse me, but he was getting the upper-hand later in the game.

Then we had live matches:

The first one I had was against Nate, a 6'1", 155lb 2-stripe whitebelt. He is pretty good and is pretty aggressive, so going against him is always kinda fun yet a challenge. We were kinda even for a while, going back n' forth at each other, but I ended up submitting Nate with a guillotine choke that I had to pull HARD on for atleast 15 seconds in order to finish him. Nate did not submit me.

Then I went up against Randy, who has only been to BJJ twice. He is a collegiate wrestler, so he had a good base and some good strength and endurance. Anyway, I ended up submitting him with a keylock, a triangle choke, and a kimura. Randy did not submit me.

Then later I went against Jason, a 170lb one-stripe whitebelt. We started with him in sidemount, me on bottom, so he could try to work a submission and I could try to work a reversal. I ended up escaping and we got into neutral position, but by that time, time ran out .... we only went for a couple of minutes, though.

Then coach Yousef made us run and do pushups, situps, and squats.

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Wednesday:

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Today I played one hour of tennis. I am taking tennis as a 1 hr elective at UTA, along with my other classes. I figure that if I am going to do cardio, I might as well get an hour credit for it, too. It was hot today, and I got a lot of sun. It was nice to start playing tennis again.

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