I won’t lie and honestly during these logs I don’t think I ever have… well maybe I’ve embellished how awesome I am but it’s my diary ok?!? I wish I could tell you I approached my first push press and split jerk with an iron gut. It wasn’t necessarily fear that struck only a heightened sense of things (guess the movie). I didn’t feel that emptiness you feel when you’re way to high on a building, instead, I felt that joyful anxiety you get before Christmas morning. I felt cautious but I knew the only way I would get any benefit out of the jerk would be to approach it without hesitation. After some great weeks of pressing I was looking forward to testing what I had left of my speed as well as the health of my bicep.

Thank you Inzer for the Black Beauty wrist wraps and the support (literally)

The Log and the Jerk

I am traditionally a push presser. In strongman the implements are never your friend and they tend to want to commit more harm to you than anything else. For these simple reasons I have always approached the press with my most secure technique, the push press. Pressing was traditionally never my strength but over time my static strength really aloud my push press to come into its own but a one trick pony in strongman does not last very long. With the help of my friend and lifter Bobby, as well as other close confidants, I became rather proficient in the split jerk. Although few and far between, Strongman has some really great split jerkers . Strongman like Clayton and Kearney have pressed some amazing numbers with this technique. But why would I want to this you might ask? A strongman strengths comes from his or hers versatility and ability to adapt and it always helps to have more tools in the shed. That being said, the way my back works is during a very heavy push press I sometimes get caught in that sassy extension lock out causing a long grind up. Although hyper extension is very common in strongman, my L2-L3 no longer have the same durability they once had and the ability to get under the log quickly and without too much time using the split jerk is something I would like to develop it further.   

The Press Complex

I decided to approach the reps and sets as I would any of my current training. When working technique on my Strongman press I get good benefit from press complexes. I decided to do 10 sets of doubles where my first press was a push press and my second rep an explosive split jerk. This sassy little duo keeps my strong technique honest and my weaker technique improving. Lots of sets and low reps was the name of the game with very small weight increments until I hit my last 4 sets with 150 pounds. Again, nothing to write home about as far as weight but I was pressing for speed with no pain mother fuckers! I wish could further describe the feeling of having that freedom over my body again. On a very hot Miami afternoon, with sweat, stank and rage all in the gym… I was able to get a little of my press groove back. The goal of the day was to accomplish 4 sets at the expected weight without pain, with perfect execution and relatively good form. Of course I had rust, of course I checked my bicep after every set, and of course I filmed everything to send out to helpful eyes but you know what else happened? I was sore, I was tired, I was hot, sweaty and more importantly… I was happy. The happiness a man feels when he thought he lost something forever and he was finally dancing with it again. The back and forth, the ebb and flow, the give and take of the iron.. all dancing around a sore and happy body. Never take these things for granted…never.

Warm Up:

• McGill Big 3
• Band Flies 1×30
• Band Push down 1×30
• Band Face Pull 1×30
• Band Curls 1×30
• D Bell Shoulder Press 3×15
• Pray to Odin

Work Load:

• Log Press Complex 10×2 (1 push press, 1 split jerk)
• D Bell incline 4×25
• D Bell Shoulder Press 4×20
• Lat Pull Downs 5×20 (first time in 4 months!!)
• D bell Lat Raises 4×20
• Band Push Down 4×25
• Band Curls 4×25
• Suit Case Carry 3×100/100ft
• Stir the Pot 1×100/100
• Grip Work D Bell head holds

Never Stray from The Way

MDLP