25 Aug Brian Carroll Precontest training: Week 2, day 1

I’m currently training for the RPS Meet in FT Lauderdale, Oct 25. I’m at about 10 weeks out. My bodyweight is hovering around 264 in the AM, and I will slowly move toward 260 over the next couple of months, where I want it to stay.

I’m going to compete at 242, as I feel better there, overall.

For the full story of why I decided to go 242, read this: A Look in the Mirror, Part 1

Warm-up:
Mcgill Big 3
Push-ups
Band fly

Todays goal was to work all 3 lifts and break in my new gear. It was a hot week for sure, and it played a huge role in how my training went.
I work inside my house all day, and go out to walk usually mid day and then when I go to train, let the dogs out etc but I had no idea how bad the heat was all week.

Here’s Saturday’s training:
Squat:
Briefs
650×2
Suit bottoms on
750×2
Straps up 840×1 – back cramped as I was about to do a double – first sign of things getting weird.
930×1 – felt good. Didn’t wrap for this one, still getting a feel for the suit
1000×1 – felt good. Shy on depth, but feeling it out

Bench:
700×1 – 1bd – was totally gassed after 2 sets of bench.
Mcgill big 3, lots of ice on head and drinking.

Ok, good training session, but even with air conditioning and insulation etc, it was borderline ridiculous hot. I don’t know what we would have done without it on this day. I’m guessing some bodies would have been buried in the preserve.

Squats feel GOOD. Suit fits like a glove and has just the amount of wiggle room for me. And it felt good on my back. I love it so far. 4

The back cramping in my upper erector was sign of dehydration, but it was not apparent to me at the time. Weird as hell, but aside from it being sore, it was fine. Sticking to singles was my best bet at that point.

When it was time to bench, I was totally drained and dizzy. I pushed through it, but was out of gas when it was time to stay tight and drive some weight. Cut my losses. I thought I was going to go down.

I ended up shutting it down after the 700×1 1bd, and had to pretty much call the rest of the day a wash and drink and eat in the air conditioning.

I also ate a whole half gallon of ice cream. I don’t need this stuff in my house, but cookies and crème is my weakness.

So, on Sunday, I decided that I’m going to bench on Monday and make up for it. I’ll also be working in my smaller shirt. My training partner was kind of enough to start breaking it in for me so I have some work to do (Monday). It’s a TINY TINY shirt, but I’ll get it on.

Will update tomorrow about the bench!
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Brian Carroll

Owner and Founder at PowerRackStrength.com

Brian is a retired world-class powerlifter with over two decades of world-class powerlifting. From 1999 to 2020, Brian Carroll was a competitive powerlifter, one of the most accomplished lifters in the sport's history. Brian started off competing in bench press competitions 'raw,' then, shortly into the journey, he gravitated toward equipped lifting as there were no "raw" categories then. You only had to choose from single-ply (USPF) and Multi-ply (APF/WPC). Brian went on to total 2730 at 275 and 2651 at 242 with more than ten times his body weight in three different classes (220, 242, 275), and both bench pressed and deadlifted over 800 pounds in two other weight classes. He's totaled 2600 over 20 times in 2 different weight classes in his career. With 60 squats of 1000lbs or more officially, this is the most in powerlifting history, regardless of weight class or federation, by anyone not named David Hoff. Brian realized many ups and downs during his 20+ years competing. After ten years of high-level powerlifting competition and an all-time World Record squat at 220 with 1030, in 2009, Brian was competing for a Police academy scholarship. On a hot and humid July morning, Brian, hurdling over a barricade at 275lbs, landed on, fell, and hurt his back. After years of back pain and failed therapy, Brian met with world-renowned back specialist Prof McGill in 2013, which changed his trajectory more than he could have imagined. In 2017, Brian Carroll and Prof McGill authored the best-selling book about Brian's triumphant comeback to powerlifting in Gift of Injury. Most recently (10.3.20) -Brian set the highest squat of all time (regardless of weight class) with 1306 lbs – being the first man to break the 1300lb squat barrier at a bodyweight of 303 lbs.

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