Reactive Training Systems

Holy crap, Brady! That's some awesome work you're putting in.
You need to give me a call again. Or maybe I'll just email you.

Thanks a lot guys. I am getting really fired up for Worlds and really want to kick ass. I saw the preliminary nominations for placing at worlds. All I have to say is that the other countries will have their hands full with me.

Thursday - Bench / Shoulders
Paused Wide Grip BP w/mcm
390 x1 @8
415 x1 @8.5
435 x1 @10 ...probably good for 450 in this movement
405 x1 @9
405 x1 @9

A little weak on these this week.

Machine Military Press 140 x10
Kettlebell Military Press 60s x12
DB Military Press 65s x10


Friday - Bench / Deadlift / Squat
Close Grip Reverse Band Press
500 x1 @7.5
530 x1 @8
565 x2 @10 ...roughly a 3lb PR.
565 x1 @9.5
500 x2 @8

Raw Deadlift - no belt
495 x3 @7.5
555 x3 @8-8.5 ...comeback PR...back feels great!

Manta Ray Squat
225 x5 @6
315 x5 @7
405 x5 @8 ...easy PR in this movement, but I never push these too hard.

Really good session today. A journalist from Scott AFB came out and shot some pictures at the BWC. I think he got some really good ones.

I can't believe how well the deadlifts are going. Unfortunately I won't be going over 90% in a while. I want to make sure that my body is fresh for benching something HUGE. I am feeling something BIG.

Mike Tuchscherer wrote:

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How does the Manta Ray feel compared to an ordinary high bar position?

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It feels alright.  When I went and seen my doctor about my back over the summer, he recommended that I limit the amount of exercises that have the bar on my back in my normal low bar squat position.  (What is cool about him is that he has competed before, so he knows what we go through.)  So we decided that it would be a good idea to do high bar, manta ray, or safety bar squats outside of regular squatting to help eliminate the 'pinch' in the nerve in my back.  I don't have to squeeze my back as hard with the manta ray.  Its really not all that comfortable, but it gets the job done.  I really like them.  I think that it does place the bar higher on the back, but at the expense of the manta ray shifting (to the front) on you when you are in the whole.  It really teaches me to stay tight in that low position.  I will be using them for a while I think...that is until I have enough money for a safety squat bar.

 

It is a little higher. It does feel different because the manta ray can shift on you a little during the lift. I personally have one and do like it. Especially since it is much cheaper than buying a specialty bar so I can do a different kind of squat.

Here are some videos of the EQ Reverse Band Press

700 x1 @10, after nationals in the fall:


700 x3 @9, just last week:

Tuesday - Bench / Squat / Deadlift
Paused Close Grip Bench Press
330 x3 @7
355 x3 @7
375 x5 @8
375 x3 @7.5
330 x3 @7

Raw Box Squat - no belt
345 x6 @7
375 x6 @7
400 x6 @7
375 x6 @7

SLDL - no belt
315 x6 @7
405 x6 @8

Friday - Bench / Dead / Squat

Close Grip Reverse Band Press - 2 hole
460 x3 @7
495 x3 @7
530 x5 @8
530 x3 @8
460 x3 @7

Raw Deadlift - no belt
405 x6 @7
495 x6 @8 - 8.5
455 x6 @7

Manta Ray Squat
135 x6 @6
225 x6 @6.5
315 x8 @7.5