10 Jun Lab Rat – Pre Contest Openers

After running a couple blocks of PowerBuilding I decided to compete at the APF Equipped Nationals June 16-18 in my backyard, Jacksonville, FL.  Even though the meet title says equipped I’ll be lifting raw with wraps.

For this contest prep I’ll be running a modified 10/20/Life Pre Contest influenced by the upcoming PowerBuilding book.  Aside from improving my total my other goals include a slight weight loss and better overall health.  Current body weight is sitting around 260lbs.

My previous training log explained just how crazy this pre contest cycle was.  To ensure the mold wasn’t broken one of the final weeks in the cycle turned out to be just as challenging as the previous weeks.  I departed London the moring of June 2nd a Friday.  I knew I had to squat and deadlift the following morning which would be challenging due to sitting all those hours however that was the card I was dealt.  To be honest, I was looking forward to it cause this meant I wouldn’t have to do all three in the same training session.  I also thought if openers moved easy in these circumstances nothing the meet could throw at me would be an issue.

I walked into the gym Saturday morning a little more tired than expected but nothing I haven’t dealt with before.  After several sets of the McGill Big 3 some KB swings and the empty bar for a few sets I was ready to start adding plates.  Plate jumps were made up to 420 in knee sleeves.  510 was my last warm up in a light knee wrap then I took my opener which was 570.  Everything moved easy.

After getting some fluids, food and a little down time I was ready to start pulling.  Since I was already warm I started pulling at 315.  After my set with 315 I took 405 for a double and 495 for a single.  545 was loaded on the bar and it was an easy pull.  Two of the three lifts done.

By the time benching rolled around Monday evening I was adjusted to being in the States, well rested and ready.  My bench warm-up doesn’t change so I’ll save you the boring details this time.  I worked up to 320 for a double followed by a single with 350 then two singles at 390.  All openers are now in the books.

Openers are done, time to rest up. 570, 390, 545 #1020life #teamprs #teamsamsom #powerrackstrength #powerbuilding #powerlifting #precontest #squat #bench #deadlift #inzer #crossfit #wod #bodybuilding #fitfam

A post shared by Jason Kowalewski (@jasonkowalewski) on Jun 6, 2017 at 2:41pm PDT

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Jason Kowalewski

Jason Kowalewski is an up and coming raw powerlifter residing in Jacksonville, Florida where he trains with Team Samson. In his younger years he was a “gear head” who built his first drag car before obtaining a driver’s license. Within the last 6 years his primary focus has shifted from motorsports to powerlifting. Jason began training under Brian’s tutelage in February 2013. He was actually one of the initial test subjects, hence the name Lab Rat. Since then he has seen significant improvements on all lifts with his commitment to Brian and the 10/20/Life methodology. To date his best total is 1653.4lbs via 633.8lb squat, 435.4lb bench and 584.9lb deadlift at 242lbs.

Latest posts by Jason Kowalewski (see all)

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