Since posts apparently have a maximum length, I won't bother cutting and pasting Sunday's meal plan. Basically it looks just like a lifting day, only the meals are switched around since I lift in the morning. I also get 2 "Meals of choice" that replace my regular taco salad meals. Typically steak, sweet potatoes, and sugar snap peas are on the menu, although this weekend I went home for fathers day and had ribs, watermelon, and vegetables. If you see waxy maize shakes, it means that I'm lifting during that time.
One arm chest supported rows 3 plates & a dime for 3 sets of 10 reps
Various grip chin ups bw + 10lbs for 3 sets of 10 reps
Cable push downs 60 for 3 sets of 10 reps
Dips bw + 20lbs for 3 sets of 12 reps
Band pull aparts light band for 3 sets of 20 reps
Rolling Thunder 100 for 3 sets of 10 seconds
Wrist rotation with olympic DB handles 1 set of 20 reps
Wrist roller 35 for 1 set
Decline Abs 3 sets of 10 with 25lb plate on head
When I was finishing up, Mike came in to do some solo deadlifting. He worked up to a scant 740 pounds. I told him to start posting in his log more often, but he says that everything he's doing is "top secret". Nevertheless, I think I've broken his code. It's called lift like a goddamn maniac every time you're in the gym.
Mike made a good point while I was deadlifting. He confirmed what I allready know, which is that I use my back and not my glutes to finish the lift. I can rip weights off the floor, but can't lock out grinders because my glutes don't fire. I've been doing pull throughs, glute hams, and reverse hypers with no translation to my deadlift glute problem. The only thing left I can think of is to mentally focus on using them to lockout my deadlift while deadlifting.
Front squat 155 for 3 sets of 10 reps
Mike let me use his Adistars for my last set. Beats the hell out of doing olympic squats with chucks on.
Reverse hyper 6 plates for 3 sets of 10 reps
Band Pull throughs Average band for 3 sets of 15 reps
Incline rows with cambered bar 155 for 3 sets of 10 reps
Chin ups bw + 15 for 3 sets of 8
Skull crushers 85 for 3 sets of 10
Dips bw for 3 sets of 25
Rear delt flies 30 for 3 sets of 10
Decline sit ups bw for 2 sets of 25
Had to do the chins hanging from the crossbeam of the cable machine because Mike and Wade were squatting today. Mike worked up to an easy double with 775. In all fairness they were doing reverse band with the monster minis, which took off about 5 pounds at the bottom. Some big weight being moved around at Jump Stretch these days. Time to get some better bars before Mike ruins them all.
If you're finishing lifts with your back, you might want to check your bottom position.
For conventional pulling, if you start with your hips down and chest up, the hardest part is off the floor. If you start butt high and rounded over, the lockout will suck. Gotta find that happy medium!
The deadlift is more technical than people give it credit for!
Thanks Mike. You're definately right on that one. I've always regarded the deadlift as a caveman lift with a simple grip and rip mentality. I really need to start focusing on my form and flexability. Either that, or I can ask Konstantinov what his gameplan is.