In case you missed it, I had an article published on EliteFTS this week on how I added 100 pounds to my deadlift in only 10 months. Check it out here: “How I Added 100 Pounds to my Deadlift in 10 Months”

Now, here’s a quick training log update:

2/13/12

Incline Bench – Worked up to 250×5 (Was shooting for 10, but something didn’t feel right in my left pec on the 5^th rep, so I shut the set down)

SS Bench Press – Worked up to 280×12 – PR

Pull Ups/Neutral Grip Chins/Chin Ups – 54 total

Face Pulls – 80x15x3

Close Grip Push Ups – 48 total

Alternating Dumbbell Curls – 30x12x2, 35x8x1

Hanging Leg Raises – BWx8x3

2/15/12

Clean Grip Hang Snatch – 95×3, 115×3, 135×3

Back Squat – Worked up to 380×10 – PR

RDLs – 230×8, 265×8, 305×6

Kettlebell Swings – 50x15x2

Palloff Press – Bandx10x2

Get Better Every Day

2/11/12

Log Clean & Press – Worked up to 265×6 – PR, Followed by 290×1

Yoke Walk – Worked up to 580x50ft. – 8.21 seconds – PR

Farmers – 80 ft. total – 40 ft. each way. No turn, re-pick. – 255’s x 2 runs

Glute Ham Raises – 2×15

Rollouts – 2×20

Kettlebell Chin Ups – Not Easy

After a nice week off from training last week and plenty of recovery I was ready to hit it hard this week. I actually was about to go crazy by Thursday of last week from not training. I was ready to get back at it.

I recently ordered a SlingShot to try out for a while. The main reason for this may not be what you’d guess though. I’m actually planning to use it to increase my overhead press. While analyzing video of my push press/jerk I can see my weakness is right before lockout and obviously my triceps. By using the slingshot I’ll actually be overloading my triceps in a new way with more weight than before. In return, I expect to see some carryover to my push press/jerk and log press. Only time will tell, but I expect some bigger numbers.

2/6/12

Military Press – Worked up to 200×6

SS Bench Press – Worked up to 300×10 – PR

Chin ups/Neutral grip chins/Kettlebell Chin ups (Alternated with all pressing) – 3×6, 3×6, 3×6 (54 total reps)

Chest Supported Row – 195x18x2

Dips – 25x15x2, BWx12

Cable Curls – 80×15, 90×15, 100×12

Straight Leg Sit Ups – 10x10x3

2/7/12

Power Clean – Worked up to 210×3

Deadlifts – Worked up to 495×6 (raw), followed by 550×1, 585×1 (singles were suited)

Front Squats – 220×8, 260×8, 295×6

Reverse Hypers – 3×10

Suitcase Carries – 75x30ft.x2

 Get Better Every Day

For those of you who follow my training log you know that I’m taking this week completely off from training. I normally deload every 7^th week, but I’m giving myself a full week off for a change.  I’m not just sitting around and doing nothing this week though. I’ve actually got a plan of “recovery” mapped out:

Monday – Foam roll full body + mobility work

Tuesday – 30 Minute Epsom Salt bath

Wednesday – 1 hour deep tissue massage

Thursday – Foam roll full body + mobility work

Friday – A few bourbons or possibly some rum.

Saturday – Foam roll full body + mobility work, 30 Minute Epsom Salt bath, nap

Sunday – Nap, Mentally prepare to “kill it” for the next 6 weeks

On top of the things above I’ll continue to eat well and get plenty of sleep.

And the Randomness:

We are hosting a strongman competition here in Paducah, KY as a benefit fundraiser for a good friend and strongman training partners of ours. He’s going through treatment for stage IV cancer, and while he has insurance, the bills will still be astronomical. We just want to do our part to help out. So if you live fairly close and are fairly strong (or really strong) come out and give it a try!

Click here for more information:

Strongman Entry

Strongman Event Weights and Message Board Info  

Gym owner and up-and-coming strength coach Mike Spagnola interviewed me a few weeks ago on strongman training for non-athletes, nutrition, overtraining and much more. It can be found here: Interview with Mike Spagnola

Speaking of interviews my boy Nic Peterson, owner of Relentless Performance and fellow strongman competitor, interviewed me a few months back and I don’t think I ever posted it on my blog. We talk training, nutrition and other badass things. It can be found here: Interview with Nic Peterson

I also have some exciting news in regards to speaking engagements for the upcoming year. I’m for sure speaking at Denison University at the “Central Ohio Strength and Conditioning Conference” this May. I’ve also been asked to be part of a Strongman seminar in the near future in New York. Nothing is for sure on this yet, but some things are definitely in the works and I’m super excited about it.

Any questions or comments? Let me know in the comments section.

Get Better Every Day

Next week will be a deload week. I’m actually planning to take the whole week completely off from training. I normally deload every 7th week, but I’m going to try something new out for a while. And that’s taking a complete week off. So there will be no training log updates. Training will resume the following week.  

1/28/12

Speed Deadlifts – 330x1x6

Axle Clean & Press – Worked up to 240×1

Axle Press Out of Rack – Worked up to 325×1 – PR

Tire Flip/Farmers Walk Medley – 550 Tire/220 Farmers – 7 flips (50 ft.), 50 ft. farmers – 34.9 secs – PR

Farmes Walk – 220′s x 50 ft.

Get Better Every Day