Byrd: Big Benches and Squats

Finally broke the 2,500 total mark at the Arnold, but like any lifter I feel there is more left in the tank. Currently training for the RPS South Florida Conquest on September 3rd. I will be lifting in the 275 class against several other solid lifters. I will need to have a solid meet, but I have high expectations of a good PR total!

[wa-wps]

Well bench day last week was a shit show. No way to dance around it, my head was up my ass, I missed lifts, it was ugly. Cant blame it on anything or anyone but me. It finally took for my last set for me to get things right. What a lot of people dont understand is that equipped lifting has such a small margin of error, and if things are not right, it can get ugly. I really appreciate the support of my team for spotting and saving my beautiful face just a few times last week!

Raw work:
worked up to 410
shirt on
1×2@550 4board
1×2@650 3board
1×1@720 2board
1×1@750 2board miss
switched shirts
1×1@650 2board
1×1@720 1board (approx opener)

Squat day:
Walking around I have no real pain in my hip or quad tendon, but for some reason it has showed up again squatting. As the weights got heavier I moved my stance out and was in less pain. Perfect time for a deload, so I will get some therapy and be ready for squats again in 14 days. I will not get under a bar to squat at all this coming week, its about what you do on the platform, not in the gym!

Top sets were


900 last warm up


1020 top set

FullSizeRender (12)

Things seem to be on track. The heat was a killer! I ended up showering outside with a water hose after it was all said and done. It was much needed to cool down. Reminded me of the brutal summer football sessions!

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Jonathan Byrd

Jonathan Byrd is a competitive powerlifter, with over 16 years of training experience. Byrd has been ranked nationally for the past 6 years under multiple categories. His total has ranked as high as second nationally in the 275 class. He currently has a best total of 2500lbs. Best individual lifts include a 1040lb squat, a 750lb bench press, and 735lb deadlift. His 1040lb squat ranks him 26th all-time squats at the 308 class. Jonathan currently trains out of Team Samson Gym in Jacksonville, FL. Before powerlifting Jonathan was a college athlete at Methodist University as both an all-conference football player and track athlete. Following graduation he played four years of arena football in various leagues.
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