Monday 17th November 2014 – Saturday 29th November 2014
Took a week off after the World’s and have been easing back in since. I’m going to change from conventional squats and deadlifts to wide stance/sumo as recommended by my coach in order to increase weight lifted, which means dropping the weight down and practicing over and over!! I’m also throwing in a back workout every other session and reducing Bench sessions as it helps my shoulder and you can’t go wrong by increasing back size/strength!
17th Nov – 22nd Nov
Back session – DB Pullovers, Pulldowns (V Grip and wide), T Bar Rows, Straight Arm Pulldowns, Single Arm Lever Rows and Rack Pulls up to 140kg x10
Squats – Wide practice with Pembrokeshire Powerlifters up to 140kg for 5 sets of 3 – Gorila chins and Captains Chair knee Raises
Back session – As above, Rack Pulls 160kg for 3 sets of 8
Deadlifts – Sumo practice up to 140kg for 3 sets of 5, biceps (DeFrancos 3-6-12 routine) & ab slings
23rd Nov – 29th Nov
Back session – As above, Rack Pulls up to 180kg for 3 sets of 3, biceps (3-6-12)
Squats – Wide practice up to 140kg x8 with loose wraps, Leg Press & Ab Wheel
Back session – As above with Rack Pulls up to 180kg for 3 sets of 5, biceps (3-6-12)
Bench/Deadlifts with Pembs Powerlifters – Bench up to 150kg, Sumo Deadlifts up to 180kg, Ab work
Vids:
Squat 140kg x3, Squat 140kg x8, Rack Pull 180kg x5, Bench 150kg, Sumo Deadlift 180kg
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Sunday 19th October – Saturday 25th October 2014
3 Weeks to the World’s
Week 6 – Back to normal now and looking to get as much quality workouts in this week as I can, they will be my last heavy sessions before the meet. Weight is holding nicely at around 83kg so I will not need to cut this time which should hopefully translate to some better numbers on the platform. Just finalising all the details this week and looking forward to getting out there 🙂
Deadlift – Did some speed work with sets of 2 @ 157.5kg and minimal rest, assistance was some Defecit Deadlifts, Rack Pulls, Pulldowns, Barbell Shrugs, Farmers Walks and Chin-ups
Bench – Up to 125kg x2, then singles at 130kg and 135kg. Put on bench shirt and hit 150kg, 160kg and 165kg (?) chased it up with Pulldowns, DB Rear Raises & Chin-ups
Back/Shoulder Session – Pullovers, Viking Press, Chest Supported Plate Lever Rows, Wide Grip Pulldowns and Cable Reverse Flyes
Squat – Working out our openers and attempts. I worked up to 220kg again, much more comfortable in my suit now. I’ll be opening at 195kg, then 215kg, then 220kg+ depending how the last 2 felt!
Bench I’ll open at 155kg, then 160kg, then 165kg+ and Deadlift 190kg, 202.5kg and then 210kg+ – It’s only really my openers that will remain constant. The succeeding lifts will depend on how I’m feeling on the day but I’m hoping to get 9/9 lifts this time 😉
Vids:
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Saturday 4th October – Saturday 11th October 2014
5 Weeks to the Worlds!
Week 4 – Rather than deload with only 4 weeks of training left, I’m going to revert to the Mendelson routine I followed leading to the UK’s and whatever coach puts me through when we meet up! I wouldn’t normally advocate changing routines especially leading up to a meet, however it was successful for me and I need to work at certain parts of my lifts (i.e. lockout strength), which were included in this.
Deadlift – Worked up to 170kg x5, assistance was some Defecit Deadlifts, Rack Pulls, Pulldowns, Farmers Walks and Chin-ups.
Bench – Up to 110kg x8, then Close-Grip Bench, Pause Bench, Pulldowns, Lat Raises and Chin-ups
Squat – Up to 142.5kg x5, then a single at 150kg, 160kg and 170kg, then Front Squats, Pause Squats, Leg Press and Captains Chair Knee Raises
Back Session – Pullovers, V Grip Pulldowns, T Bar Rows, Wide Grip Pulldowns, Straight Arm Pulldowns, Power Cleans and DB Rows
A hard week this time, kids have been ill from early in the week so not slept as much as I’d like! Struggled a little on the heavy squats, although blasted the assistance work. It was also my weekend to work so couldn’t meet up with the Pembrokeshire Powerlifters for usual Saturday session so did a back session after work instead. Fell ill myself on Sunday so will see how I fare this week, it’s getting far too close to take time off!
Vids:
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Friday 29th August 2014
Bench (speed)
Bench 110kg x2x2x2x2x2 (30-60s rest)
Close Grip Bench 100kg x5x5x4 (30-60s)
Pause Bench (1″) 100kg x6x6 (30-60s)
Pulldowns (10) x12, (9) x11, (8) x10, (7) x10 (superset with Lat Raise) (90s)
DB Lat Raise 12.5kg x10, 10kg x10x10 (superset with Pulldowns)
Chins x7x7x6 (60s)
Bit of a crappy session, didn’t get a great nights sleep and the dieting is starting to catch up with me! Starting the water cut method this weekend as still not made weight. Just need to ensure I get enough food to recover and don’t reduce too much!
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Wednesday 27th August 2014
Deadlift (reps)
Deadlift 162.5kg x4x3, (belt) x5 (60-90s rest)
Rack Pull (below knee) 197.5kg x1x1 (belt) (60-90s)
Defecit Deadlift (2″) 152.5kg x5, (belt)x3x2 (60-90s)
Pulldowns (10) x15x15x11, (9) x11 (60s)
Shrugs 140kg x10x10x10 (60s)
Week 9 – current weight 84kg
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Friday 22nd August 2014
Bench (Max)
Bench Press 127.5kg x2, 130kg x1, 135kg x1+1 RP (90s rest)
Bench Press 115kg x5 (back off set)
Lat Pulldowns (V Grip) (10) x15x12 (9) x11x9 (superset with lat raise)
DB Lat Raise 12.5kg x10, 10kg x10x10 (superset)
Chins x8x7x6 (60s)
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Wednesday 20th August 2014
Deadlift (speed)
Deadlift 142.5kg x2x2x2x2 (belted) x2 (raw) – (30-60s rest)
Rack Pull 177.5kg x4x3x2 (30-60s)
2″ Defecit Deadlift 135kg x6 (raw) x5 (belted) (30-60s)
Lat Pulldowns (10) x15x15 (9) x12x10 (60s)
BB Shrugs 130kg x10x10x10
DB Farmers Walk 45kg x25secs, 40kg x25s x25s
Week 8 – Current weight 84.3kg
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Friday 15th August 2014
Bench (reps)
Bench Press 122.5kg x5x5x5 (2 mins rest)
Close-Grip Bench 110kg x2x2 (90s)
Pause Bench (1″ off chest) 115kg x4x4x3 (2 mins)
Lat Pulldowns (10) x15, (9) x13, (8) x12x11 (90s)
DB Lat Raise 12.5kg x10, 10kg x10x10 (superset with pulldowns)
Chins x7x6x6 (60s)
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Wednesday 13th August 2014
A little over 3 weeks to go, had a little time off recently due to illness but now all OK and starting to pyramid down training towards the meet.
Deadlift (max)
Deadlift 170kg x2 (2mins rest), 175kg x1, (2 mins), 180kg x2 (2 mins), 152.5kg x8
Lat Pulldowns (9) x15x15x15x11 (60s)
Shrugs 120kg x10x10x10 (60s)
DB Farmers Walk 40kg x35 secs x32 secs x 21 secs
Chins x12x9x7
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Saturday 9th August 2014
Deadlift (Speed)
Deadlift 135kg x2x2x2x2x2x2 (30-60s rest)
Rack Pull 165kg x5x5 (30-60s)
2″ Defecit Deadlift 125kg x6x5 (60s)
Lat Pulldown 70kg x15x11, 60kg x11x10 (60s)
DB Shrugs 50kg x8x6x5 (60s)
DB Farmers Walk (34kg) x30s x30s x30s (60s)
Chins x8x6x5 (60s)
Week 6 – Current Weight 85kg
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Wednesday 6th August 2014
Bench (Reps)
Competition Bench (Wide Grip) 115kg x6x5x4 (90s rest)
Close Grip Bench 105kg x3x3x3 (90s)
Pause Bench (1″ off chest) 107.5kg x6x4 (90s)
Pulldowns (9) x15x15x13x12 (superset with lat raise)
DB Lat Raise 10kg x12x12x12 (superset with pulldowns)
Chin-ups x7x6x5 (60s)
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Monday 4th August 2014
Deadlift (Max)
Deadlift 162.5kg x2x2x2 (2 mins rest)
Rack Pull (Beltless, from just below knee) 197.5kg x2x2 (2 mins rest)
2″ Defecit Deadlift 152.5kg x4x5 (2 mins)
Lat Pulldown (9) x15x15x12x11 (60s rest)
BB Shrug 100kg x10x10x10 (60s)
DB Farmers Walk 40kg x35secs x35s x30s (60s)
Chin-ups x12x8x7 (60s)
Week 5 – Current weight 85.3kg
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Tuesday 29th July 2014
Took a week off for holiday, so repeated last session:
Bench (Speed)
Competition Bench (wide grip) 92.5kg x3x3x3x3x3x3x3x3 (60-90s rest)
Close Grip Bench 85kg x5x5 (60s)
Pause Bench (1″ off chest) 85kg x8x8x8 (60s)
Pulldowns (9) x15x14, (8) x10x9 (superset with lat raise)
DB Lat Raise 12.5kg x10x10, 10kg x10 (superset with pulldowns)
Chin-ups x7x7x5 (60s)
Struggled a bit with assistance work but happy overall, weight still coming down slowly as planned and so far strength doesn’t seem to have taken a hit 😉
Week 4 – Current weight 85.8kg
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Monday 21st July 2014
Bench (Speed)
Competition Bench (wide grip) 92.5kg x3x3x3x3x3x3x3x3 (60-90s rest)
Close Grip Bench 85kg x5x5 (60s)
Pause Bench (1″ off chest) 85kg x8x8x7 (60s)
Pulldowns (9) x15x15x14, (8) x12 (superset with lat raise)
DB Lat Raise 12.5kg x10x10, 10kg x10 (superset with pulldowns)
Chin-ups x10x8x8 (60s)
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Saturday 19th July 2014
Deadlift (Reps)
Deadlift 132.5kg x10 (no belt)x8 (belt) x7 (belt) (90 secs rest)
Rack Pull (Belt, from just below knee) 180kg x3x2 (90s rest)
2″ Defecit Deadlift 125kg x10x7x7 (90s)
Lat Pulldown 70kg x15x12 60kg x11, 50kg x12 (60s rest)
BB Shrug (straps) 130kg x10, 120kgx10x10 (60s)
DB Farmers Walk 34kg x30secs x30s x25s
Chin-ups x11x9x7 (60s)
Disappointed with todays session, bar felt really heavy and struggled with the Rack Pull – More sleep and more food needed!
Week 3 – Current weight 87.2kg
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Monday 14th July 2014
Bench (Max)
Competition Bench (wide grip) 115kg x2x2x2x2x5 (2 mins rest)
Close Grip Bench 105kg x5x6x6 (2 mins)
Pause Bench (1″ off chest) 107.5kg x5x4 (2 mins)
Pulldowns (9) x15x15x13, (8) x13 (superset with lat raise)
DB Lat Raise 12kg x10, 10kg x10x10 (superset with pulldowns)
Chin-ups x11x7x6 (60s)
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Saturday 12th July 2014
Deadlift (Speed)
Deadlift 125kg x3x3x3x3x3x3x3x3 (60-90s rest)
Rack Pull (Belt, from just below knee) 175kg x5x5 (2 mins rest)
2″ Defecit Deadlift 115kg x8x8x8 (90s)
Lat Pulldown 70kg x15, 60kg x15x14, 50kg x15 (60s rest)
DB Shrug (straps) 50kg x10x10x10 (60s)
DB Farmers Walk 42kg x20secs, 38kg x20s, 34kg x20s
Chin-ups x11x8x7 (60s)
Week 2 – Current weight 88.4kg
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Monday 7th July 2014
Bench (Reps)
Competition Bench (wide grip) 100kg x10x8x8 (90s rest)
Close Grip Bench 107.5kg x5x4x5 (90s)
Pause Bench (1″ off chest) 92.5kg x8x8x6 (2 mins)
Pulldowns (9) x15x15x12, (8) x11 (superset with lat raise)
DB Lat Raise 10kg x10x10x10 (superset with pulldowns)
Chin-ups x10x8x7 (60s)
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Friday 4th July 2014
Started a new wave of training to lead me up to the meet in September as advised by my coach – World Champion Paul Murphy – He has also advised I enter at 82.5kg instead of 90kg so going to have to drop a bit of weight! The program has hints of Westside training about it, with max, speed and reps days. It starts with Deadlift:
Deadlift (max)
Deadlift 160kg x2x2x2x2x5 (approx 2 mins rest)
Rack Pull (from knee) 187.5kg x3x3 (2 mins)
2″ Defecit Deadlift 127.5kg x6x6 (2 mins)
Lat Pulldown (10) x15, (9) x13, (8) x14x11 (60s rest)
BB Shrug 140kg x9, 130kg x10x10 (60s)
Chin-ups x10x9x8 (60s)
Bit of a change to what I’m used to! A lot more volume so found the assistance harder than usual but overall felt good! Bench next session 🙂
Week 1 – Current weight 90.4kg
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Saturday 22nd March 2014
DB Bench 38kg x10x8x6x5 (60s rest)
Bent Over Row 60kg x12x12x12x12x12x12 (60s)
Cable Flyes 12.5kg x12x10x9x9 (60s)
Wide Grip Pulldown 60kg x12x10x7x7 (60s)
EZ Cable Curl 25kg x10x10, 20kg x10x10 – superset with Pushdowns 35kg x10x10x9, 30kg x7 (30s between supersets)
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Saturday 15th March 2014
Bench 110kg x8x6x5, 100kgx6+2+2 RP (90 secs rest) – Dropped to 100kg on last set, wanted to keep reps up
Cable Row 70kg x12x10x9x7 (90s)
DB Incline Flye 12.5kg x12x11x8x6 (60s)
Straight Arm Lat Pulldown (4) x12x12x11x10 (60s)
45 Degree Leg Press 120kg x10, 160kg x8, 200kg x4, 240kg x4, 280kg x4, 320kg x2, 360kg x8
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Monday 12th August 2013
Standing Cable Straight Arm Pulldown 40kg x12x12 (2 mins rest)
Wide Grip Pulldown 75kg x9, 65kg x12 (2 mins)
‘V’ Grip Cable Row 72kg x15x15x15 (60s)
Smith Rack Pull 165kg x7
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Friday 9th August 2013
Standing Cable Straight Arm Pulldown 40kg x11x10 (2 mins rest)
V Grip Pulldown 90kg x10, 75kg x12 (2 mins)
Cable Row 70kg x15x15x15 (90s)
Smith Rack Pull 162.5kg x7
SPIN
Seated Leg Curl 65kg x14x11x9 (90s)
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Wednesday 10th July 2013
DB Pullover 46kg x11x9 (2 mins rest) – Repeated weight from last session, but slowed the eccentric (lowering), focusing on using the Lats as much as possible to avoid it becoming a tricep extension.
Wide-Grip Pulldown 70kg x8, 60kg x10 (2 mins rest) – same as above, slower eccentric.
DB Row To Hip 30kg x12x12 (90s rest) – Technique a bit sloppy on left arm so starting on that side and matching the reps on my right.
– After each set of the above 3 exercises, did oblique hanging knee raises x10 alternating sides to total 30 on each side
Smith Rack Pull 150kg x6 – Went back to doing these heavy, again focus on technique. Still locking out with lower back instead of hips, but getting better!
Prone Rear DB Flye 7kg x15x15x15 (60s rest)
Standing Cable Twist (obliques) 10kg x15x15x15 – alternating sides, no rest, one side straight to another.
BE HENCH 