I’ve been able to string a few decent sessions in a row. My squats were very high, so that’s going to be a focus next week. I now have a few things I need to work on in the bench, which I’ll get to below. But, all in all, a good session.

Week 7, Day 2 Monday Bench

Normal 10/20/Life Warm-up

• Suitcase carry
• McGill big 3
• Cervical/Thoracic Mobility 
• Lock pull-down 
• Shoulder big 3
• DB press

Training:

• Bench with Bulldog bar: 325×1, 415×1, 485×1 off the 3board then tossed on the SDP: 555×1 – 5board, 635×1 – 4board, 685×1 – 3board, 735×1 – 2board, 805×1 – 1board, 755-1bd
• Incline DB press: 3×10
• Triceps press-down: 3×10
• Ring triceps extensions: 3×10
• Grip work/plate pinches

Productive session. Feeling a little beat down right now but honestly not that bad. My R forearm extensor is wrecked. I forget how hard the end of a training cycle can be. I’m literally sitting here laughing as I’ve been trying to figure out why the hell I’ve been so tired lately. DUH. 4 weeks of pretty heavy training for the first time in a year. I’ve been taking naps every day and having a hard time getting out of bed.

As for this bench session: I need to keep my belly up, not flatten out, and make sure NOT to raise my head. I was a little heavier this week, 307, so the size 60 SDP fits a little bit tighter. We are still working on the 3-man handoff and coordinating it, but all the handoffs felt pretty good on Monday.

I have one more equipped session this weekend; then I will be doing only raw stuff for the last couple of weeks. 805 felt pretty good in my hands, and for only being ‘back at it’ for about 2.5 months, it’s all coming back. As for the deadlift, I’ll find out Saturday how I’ll pull at the meet (sumo or conv) because I have no idea. It’s a little bit fun flying by the seat of my pants for this one.

I’ll probably take last warm-ups on all 3 lifts this weekend and then I’m done with the gear until the meet. This won’t be easy for me, but I’ll get through it. Next update I have will be a short article I’ll be writing this weekend. Thanks to the team for the handoffs, the support and helping me get through this cycle. I’m very thankful for you all.