9.7.19 Saturday’s Deload  Squat/DL session:

Normal 10/20/Life Warm-up

• Suitcase carry
• McGill big 3
• Cervical/Thoracic Mobility 
• Lock pull-down 
• Shoulder big 3
• Goblet squat

Training:

• Squat with Strong, Average and light bands: top set of 3 – 325×3 RPE 7 – then added Knee wraps for 435×1 – RPE 10
• Deadlift from the floor: 500×3, 550×1 – no belt.
• Belt squat Pause style: 4×5
• Sled drags: 5x50yd (adding a little weight each time)

Coming off the deload, I felt fresh. I was a bit more bloated than I have been over the last couple of sessions due to Dorian snacks and such.

For another challenge, we added the light bands to the mix which according to the elitefts.com band chart, is 405-425lbs at the top of tension for all three bands.

I worked up to my triple for the day, matching my triple of the previous mini-cycle but with the added band. Then, matched my best single. Good news is I’m working my mid-range and top end and learning how to grind. When I get back in gear, this will really really payoff and I’m looking forward to it.

Deadlifts are feeling good. I’m going to stay training without a belt for a few more weeks, and working on my wedge. I worked hook grip until 500, where I switched over to mixed. I will work up the best I can over the next few weeks, inching up in weight as I can, without tearing my thumbs. We are using a brand new texas DL bar, so it’s not easiest bar to start hook with.

Danny Bellmore joined us as we worked on dialing in his squat and deadlift. He went over 600 in the squat in briefs, and 500 for reps raw on the deadlift. This is one strong 60yr old! Proud of this guy, even in his old age.

Blue put a 2.5 (chip on each side) on my squat, so I obliged on the deadlift. It’s going to be fun pushing over the next few months as we grow in training intensity and as a size as a team in numbers here training in North Jax.

Everyone is on the same page, and everyone is getting stronger. Blue’s squat and bench are putting mine to shame, so I have to get what I can on the deadlift.

I predict that Steve, our 198er squats 700 in his next raw meet. Hes not far behind Blue and I, as he is wearing his Inzer Power pants for the first time to save his hips.

I’m going to be training raw exclusively for the next 6 weeks, then will transition into a more traditional, straight weight approach as I do a short meet prep in the near future. I’m looking at early Decemeber possibly, that way I have enough time to get this meet out of the way, then have down time, then ramp up for the Arnold in late December, Jan and Feb.