acorn Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 I'm gonna try to start logging here again. I'm sporadic about even writing down workouts so maybe this will help. Chasing a 400+ Bench again and probably not terribly far away at the moment. Started Benching again in December. Hoping to exceed that number at least one more time before I am too old and broken to do it. Last time was before my back injury in 97' which followed with 9yrs off from all lifting after that. Though I have worked up to 385 or so a few times in the last decade but change of focus and and / or injuries followed by months or more not benching always set me back to square 1. On the grip side Grippers are not terribly high at the moment and I need to start training Euro and crusher for the next comp in 6 weeks. Last time I touched a euro was at Nats last yr in June. Took about 6 months off from training after Nationals. So hopefully having a public log may get me back on track. Last gym workout. 3/7/208 8min bike warmup Bench 10x 135 (CG, feet on bench), 3x 135 (CG, feet on bench) 3x 225 (CG, feet on Bench) 3x 275 3x 315 4x 325 Standing OHP 8x 135 9x 175 Pullups 285# BW 4x w/ 35# Bumper between knees 9x 8" wide grip overhand Hammer curls w/ 35# KB (gripping side upright portion of handle with bell in front) LH 8x RH 14x DB wrist curls 65# DB LH 12x RH 20x Later, Grippers #1.5 x 8 LH #2 x 3, #2.5x 3 (20mm), #2.5x 3 (20mm), #2.5 OC (8sec) RH #2.5x 3, 149# x 3 (20mm), 149# x 3 (20mm), 149# OC 9sec 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 22 minutes ago, Tommy J. said: Loving it brotherrrr!! Cant wait to follow this log and see it happen! oh hey look out.. there is gonna be quite a few here who will go on to elaborate how rare 400 is. Lol! Eric gave me a link not long ago of the top 220lb bench presses in just the raw (not geared) powerlifting. And from the cold hard truth laid out in that list, just to be in the top 100 (in the raw and un geared category no less) a 220lb guy needs to be benching 400. Not even gonna mention how high the bench numbers get in geared meets. And your bw is well above 220. So before anyone tries to build a mental barrier for you by talking about what they see happen in shiny commercial lunk alarm gyms, 400 aint all that grand of a happening as far as world strength goes. And i can estimate that not only will you easily hit 400, you will also exceed it! so plow on brother! Im one here that will not only be rooting for you and encouraging you, but will also be one of the first to say “told ya!” to the bench racers who claimed to have seen it all as they stood in an apparent bubble thier whole life. No mental barriers here. I am one of those rare mutants. I benched 305 as a freshman in HS at 190#, 405 as a Junior in HS at 220# and 550 at my peak before my back injury. Hell I seated overhead pressed 405 at my peak for that matter. That was over 20yrs ago though and I've done my best to beat the hell out of this body both before and in the meantime. My biggest challenge is not getting side tracked or injured. So taking it slow and easy. I suspect I'll be ready in a month or 2 as the 325 x 4 felt like I had a rep or 2 in the tank as I am trying to do these days to not beat up my CNS too much. I don't need much volume to be plenty sore for days and do best with about a week to 10 days between workouts. I'm 44 now so recovery is a hell of a lot tougher than in my 20's. Anyhow, thanks for the comment and encouragement. Good luck to you as well. I am watching. - Aaron 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Gaisser Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 37 minutes ago, acorn said: No mental barriers here. I am one of those rare mutants. I benched 305 as a freshman in HS at 190#, 405 as a Junior in HS at 220# and 550 at my peak before my back injury. Hell I seated overhead pressed 405 at my peak for that matter. That was over 20yrs ago though and I've done my best to beat the hell out of this body both before and in the meantime. My biggest challenge is not getting side tracked or injured. So taking it slow and easy. I suspect I'll be ready in a month or 2 as the 325 x 4 felt like I had a rep or 2 in the tank as I am trying to do these days to not beat up my CNS too much. I don't need much volume to be plenty sore for days and do best with about a week to 10 days between workouts. I'm 44 now so recovery is a hell of a lot tougher than in my 20's. Anyhow, thanks for the comment and encouragement. Good luck to you as well. I am watching. - Aaron 550??? and 405 seated press!!! You must have a little silverback in you Aaron!!! Lol. I feel you on the age aspect. I'll be 41 next month and just starting back after 8 years off has got in my head. Heck I have to strain to the point of getting winded just to fart now! I'm determined not to get old and week though. My goals are to be in the best shape of my life in the next couple years if I can stay healthy. I thought about starting a log as well until I got started back and realized I'd just be embarrassing myself. Lol I may once I get my strength built up some. Best of luck on your goals! You got this!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 I look forward to watching your progress, Aaron! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 16 minutes ago, Tommy J. said: Lol! I have no quams about posting my embarrassing lifts for the time being. I say go for it brother! Start that log! and not to come off as an Aaron fanboy, but Aaron has the baddest verified DO bend still to this day imo. The 5/16”x6” stainless square. Regardless of whats happening these days in bending in regards to thin wraps and long bars, The crush on Aarons stainless square bend still out does anything ive seen yet. That said, am not surprised to see that he has been a very strong presser in the past. Thank you sir. I did the 5/16 x 6 CRS square but 6.5 x 5/16 square SS. Never got around to trying that in 6" before I stopped bending. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Gaisser Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 5 minutes ago, Tommy J. said: Lol! I have no quams about posting my embarrassing lifts for the time being. I say go for it brother! Start that log! and not to come off as an Aaron fanboy, but Aaron has the baddest verified DO bend still to this day imo. The 5/16”x6” stainless square. Regardless of whats happening these days in bending in regards to thin wraps and long bars, The crush on Aarons stainless square bend still out does anything ive seen yet. That said, am not surprised to see that he has been a very strong presser in the past. I totally agree. I know there are some hard bends being done these days and huge props to those guys but all the really impressive bends in my opinion were done years ago. And all the guys that did them are no longer bending or at least nowhere near the level they once were. I'm sure age, injuries and just maybe getting burnt out on it are the reasons but it would sure be awesome to see some of the old greats get back into it. I want to see more crazy short bars bent and some big DU and reverse bends. Those were my favorites even though I can't DU or reverse for crap. Lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 28 minutes ago, Martin Gaisser said: 550??? and 405 seated press!!! You must have a little silverback in you Aaron!!! Lol. I feel you on the age aspect. I'll be 41 next month and just starting back after 8 years off has got in my head. Heck I have to strain to the point of getting winded just to fart now! I'm determined not to get old and week though. My goals are to be in the best shape of my life in the next couple years if I can stay healthy. I thought about starting a log as well until I got started back and realized I'd just be embarrassing myself. Lol I may once I get my strength built up some. Best of luck on your goals! You got this!!! Little bit. I was a competitive thrower in HS and College track and field. High percentage of fast twitch muscle. I hear you on the getting winded easy. Start a log buddy it will help keep you honest and on track to your goals. Thanks! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Little training last night to start getting into the groove for next comp events. 3/12 Grippers 5x #1.5 LH 5 x #2, #2.5 x 1 (20mm) RH 5x #2.5, 1x 165# adj BBE (20mm) Saxon Bar Pinch DL (CTS 2"x5") 3x135, 3x135, 3x175, 3x3x218# 2" Crusher DL LH 1x 50Kg, 3x 75Kg RH 1x 50Kg, 3x 75Kg, 8x 75Kg Thumb work (CTS thumb tool) LH 3x 10# with 3 bands Negs RH 3x 12.5# with 3 bands Negs BH 10x 12.5# with 3 bands full range reps 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 15, 2018 Author Share Posted March 15, 2018 Was home with sick kiddo today but had a chance to do some grippers. Pushups 20x KB Swings 16kg, 20x per arm Grippers MMS LH #T x 10, #1.5 x 7, #2 x 3, #2.5 (134#) x 3, 138# #3 x 3, 142# BBGM x 3, 149# to a hair, 134# #2.5 OC 7sec, #2 OC 12sec RH #T x 10, #1.5 x 7, #2.5 x 3, 149# #3 x 3, 160# BBE x 3, 165# BBE x 3, 169# #3.5 x 1, 149# #3 OC 13sec 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 Made it over to Tucson Strength Gym where we are going to have the next comp today at lunch. Got a workout in and discussed comp details with Steve who will be primary promoter for this one while I help, he is a Trainer there so that was about the only way we could meetup lol. Got a good set on bench though the last rep was a grinder. Felt heavy today. 3/16/2018 Jumping Jacks Bench 8x 135, 3x 135, 3x 225, 3x 275, 3x 315, 3x 345# Standing OHP - 8x 135, 8x 175 Pullups - BW 288# - 5 x + 25# Pinch block banded holds - a bunch Blue Therabar Tennis Elbow prehab exercise - 12x RH, 10x LH 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 10 minutes ago, acorn said: 3x 345# dam strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Chez said: dam strong! Gracias sir. Missed my planned training date by a few days and think it had been like 9 or 10 days from last time I benched. Edited March 16, 2018 by acorn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boulderbrew Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 1 hour ago, acorn said: Bench 8x 135, 3x 135, 3x 225, 3x 275, 3x 315, 3x 345# Dang Aaron! Strong pressing. Wish I was able to make it out to the comp this year. I was eating Ethiopian food the other day and thought about how you mentioned that your strongest bending sessions came after a tasty Ethiopian dinner. I had to give it a try myself 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 47 minutes ago, Boulderbrew said: Dang Aaron! Strong pressing. Wish I was able to make it out to the comp this year. I was eating Ethiopian food the other day and thought about how you mentioned that your strongest bending sessions came after a tasty Ethiopian dinner. I had to give it a try myself We'll miss you man! Love the ethiopian food pre-workout plan. - Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 19, 2018 Author Share Posted March 19, 2018 Worked in the garden a bunch over the weekend trying to get my tomatoes transplanted before I am overrun with them. Sore now. Only grip work was farmers walking bags of soil, compost and manure from my truck to the garden. Pinch style one in each hand. Probably over 100' each trip. 10 trips. Thumb muscles sore now. - Aaron 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 20, 2018 Author Share Posted March 20, 2018 (edited) Last night squeezed in a little crusher work before bed. 3/19/2018 2" Crusher LH 0x 75kg, 0x 75Kg (stopped due to knuckle hurting) RH 3x75KG, 3x80Kg, 3x 1r x 80kg (45sec between each) Edited March 20, 2018 by acorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 23, 2018 Author Share Posted March 23, 2018 Trained at the gym today. Left shoulder was bugging me a little so I brought the hands in some and took it easy. 3/23 Bike warmup 7min Bench 8x135, 3x135, 3x225, 3x275, 3x295, 3x315 (brief pauses), 10x 225 Standing Behind the neck press 8x135 Standing tricep ext Bar (45#) x 15 Grippers #T x a bunch, #1.5 x 8 LH - #2x 5, #2.5 x 5, #2 x 17 (20mm block set) RH - #2.5 x 3, 149# #3 x 3, 160# x 3, 165# x 3, 169# #3.5 x 2 almost 3 (last to 1/8"), 160# - OC 8sec, #2.5 x 6 (20mm bs) TheraBar tennis elbow prehab/rehab exercise Stretching shoulders and chest with jump stretch band - Aaron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 26, 2018 Author Share Posted March 26, 2018 Not lifting related but sore as hell from this weekend. Planted out a bunch of tomatoes that are just getting way too big for 1gal pots. Still have a few to do. That and spent about 12 or more hours replacing the motor and transaxle mounts in my wifes Matrix. That dam rear motor mount took about 8 hours and buying a 2nd one that still didn't have studs lining up and needed modifying. Gravel / dirt driveway + car not high enough for creeper + studs not lining up + clearance issues + Major pain to get in and out of position = major suck. Must have scootched under car and out 40 times. Sore everywhere and major respect to those to do this crap on a daily basis. Been a good while since I dug in this deeply to car repair, hahaha. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoggoth Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 1 minute ago, acorn said: Not lifting related but sore as hell from this weekend. Planted out a bunch of tomatoes that are just getting way too big for 1gal pots. Still have a few to do. That and spent about 12 or more hours replacing the motor and transaxle mounts in my wifes Matrix. That dam rear motor mount took about 8 hours and buying a 2nd one that still didn't have studs lining up and needed modifying. Gravel / dirt driveway + car not high enough for creeper + studs not lining up + clearance issues + Major pain to get in and out of position = major suck. Must have scootched under car and out 40 times. Sore everywhere and major respect to those to do this crap on a daily basis. Been a good while since I dug in this deeply to car repair, hahaha. I think I’ve stopped doing stuff like that for at least 20 years. I’d rather pay a guy that suffer through it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 26, 2018 Author Share Posted March 26, 2018 1 minute ago, Shoggoth said: I think I’ve stopped doing stuff like that for at least 20 years. I’d rather pay a guy that suffer through it. Normally we would too anymore but our mechanic wanted a grand to do it and we just could not stomach that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted March 27, 2018 Author Share Posted March 27, 2018 Did a little 2" crusher before bed last night. All I had time for. RH 80kg x 1 ~ 10sec 80kg x 1 ~ 6sec 80Kg x 1 ~ 6sec 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted April 5, 2018 Author Share Posted April 5, 2018 I've been a slacker lately. Too busy with work, kids, machining and spring garden. Last training I did was on Saturday 3/30 at a group training / coaching session held at the gym where the next comp will happen. Grippers up to 169 #3.5 x 2 20mm block set. Euro 48mm - 1HP 110 Euro 54mm - Up to 225 x 2 almost 3 2" Crusher - did something a little different as the other folks were using the loading pin and horn. Loaded 4 plates on end of oly bar and did reps and holds with bottom of crusher just hooked on end of oly bar. Pullups 5x, 1x with 2 finger, index and middle finger only of each hand. Anvil horn sled pulls, cant remember the weight, whatever was on there. KB snatches 3x per hand - 48Kg. - Aaron 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 Apparently I haven't trained in 2 weeks. Spent all last week in Houston for work at one of our remote offices so that didn't help. Wow almost a month since I benched last. Trained today at lunch BW: 290ish 10min recumbent bike Bench CG 8x 135, 3x 225, 3x 225 Bench Regular 3x 275, 6x 275 Grippers #1x8 LH - #1.5x8, #2x5, #2.5 x 1 (X26) Tempo (Con - ISO - Ecc), #2.5 x 1 (X36), #2.5 x 1 (X26) RH #2x8, #2.5 x 5, 165# x 1 (x26), 165# x 1 (X35), 165# x 1 (X46) Standing Behind Neck Press - 135x11, 135x8 Pullups - dead hang - x 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted April 30, 2018 Author Share Posted April 30, 2018 (edited) Did the comp on Saturday 4/28. Not really any training after last entry before the comp except moving equipment to the gym the evening before which included moving the 10kg plates 2 at a time per hand with longish farmers walks and maybe 3 days before comp doing a couple gripper closes up to #2.5 RH. Not terribly well prepared or trained up for this comp but still did ok though well below my normal numbers on all the lifts. Day of contest did 8x pullups @ 280 BW Grippers up to 169# #3.5 w/ 20mm block set RH 2HP final lift was 111.06Kg or 244.84# 2" Crusher was up to 95kg Ironmind little big horn was up to 75Kg, miss at 80Kg - Aaron Edit: went back and checked and this was first contest below 250 on the Euro pinch for me since 2015. Edited April 30, 2018 by acorn addition 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acorn Posted May 15, 2018 Author Share Posted May 15, 2018 Haven't trained at all since the comp. Been busy as hell and not feeling up for it lately. This is just a check in to remind myself that I need to get back to work. - Aaron 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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