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that is some pretty good weights that u r pushing, i dont know if i ever want to lift that heavy. maybe 10 years ago.|
so u r the one that told katt about the rack pulls. thanks, r u trying to kill me
that is some pretty good weights that u r pushing, i dont know if i ever want to lift that heavy. maybe 10 years ago.good luck!!!!! |
. What's wrong with rack pulls?? They are fun
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Incline bench press
135 x 8 185 x 3 225 x 3 275 x 2 315 x 1 325 x 1 295 x 1 295 x 1 295 x 1 |
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Good job Stewart. I think I am more impressed with incline pressing strength then with flat bench. Because of the odd angle you are forced to control the weight.|
Just when I get feelin' good about my incline press, I see this crap
. Good job Stewart. I think I am more impressed with incline pressing strength then with flat bench. Because of the odd angle you are forced to control the weight.You WILL hit that 405 my friend |
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so u r the one that told katt about the rack pulls. thanks, r u trying to kill me
that is some pretty good weights that u r pushing, i dont know if i ever want to lift that heavy. maybe 10 years from now. |
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I don't like the fixed incline bench in my gym. I use an adjustable incline bench at about 25-30 degrees and do them in the benching cage.
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guess I have to join the marines to get that shit.... But he was juicing.
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Damn your last max numbers are close to mine.
Why the fuck does someone always start a max strength journal when I start a cutting journal. ![]() I always wanted 405. I figured if I lifted that much weight naturally, I am about above the "above average" gym rat. Think about it...anyone whos lifted for years and has put on size is around the 275-315lb bench mark. So anyone that does 405 has gone even farther and thus makes EVERYONE envious. When I saw my friend Jason bench 405, I was thinkg guess I have to join the marines to get that shit.... But he was juicing. ![]() |
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I imagine you are using at least a 45 degree bench, so give yourself some credit, that makes things harder, I don't think I could've hit 325 on a 45 degree bench.
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but seriously, are you that impressed by a 450 squat or a 500 deadlift? Obviously, those are nice numbers and unattainable by the majority of gym goers, but out of all the people who lift, maybe 10% can squat and deadlift those numbers, but maybe only 5% or less can bench 405, and those are all the powerlifters and people on juice....
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If done by a 300 lb person, then no, it wouldn't be all that impressive. But if someone weighing 225 nailed a 450 squat, and I mean a full squat, not one of those quarters that 90% of the gym crowd does, then yeah, I'd be impressed. Or maybe it's just because at the time that I train, there's no one touching those numbers. Not even close.
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If done by a 300 lb person, then no, it wouldn't be all that impressive. But if someone weighing 225 nailed a 450 squat, and I mean a full squat, not one of those quarters that 90% of the gym crowd does, then yeah, I'd be impressed. Or maybe it's just because at the time that I train, there's no one touching those numbers. Not even close.
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I guess I should reconsider my statement. When you are on weight training boards and surrounded by people who train, a double bodyweight squat doesn't seem as impressive because you come across a lot of people who can do it. But I guess if we have never seen it in person, maybe it is relatively rare and should be considered something impressive.
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Check M.J.H.s current journal. Perfect form too!
Even on here you hardly see those numbers. camarosoup or whatever his name is did some outlandish weight. Other than that, most of the stronger people around here are still around the 350 range that are legitamite. Even still, here there are so many people from around the world, so it wouldnt surprise me of how many big lifters there are, but in a quiet town? You might be the strongest one. |
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Holy shit, I just noticed your bench numbers on your entry is for a incline bench and not a flat bench. Thats pretty impressive, I dont think Ive ever touched anything over 300lbs on a incline.
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I think I did a 315 incline press one time last year during a westside stint, but 325 is a personal best.
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I remember I was doing 245lb close grip bench presses and it was the first time I was told by my friend Eric (hardgainer) that I had to be juicing. Nothing could convince him otherwise. Now I have a hard time with 185lbs...
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July 22
DE Squat/DL DE Squats (done as full squats) 155 x 2 (10 sets) *Estimated my 1RM FULL squat as 315. SLDL 275 x 6 275 x 6 275 x 6 Pullups with V-Handle BW x 10 BW x 10 BW x 10 Leverage Squats 320 x 8 320 x 8 Hypers BW+50 x 10 BW+50 x 10 |
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thats the ticket...I am gonna move to a small town so I can call myself the "town's strongest man" !!
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I wonder ho wmuch Id have to lose ot meet my goal...Im down to 213.
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There are only guesstimations.|
Easily someone who can bench 405 is much more rare! What would be super impressive would be someone who benches 405 and a 6 pack!
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thats what i will do....when i get there, i will bench 405 AND a 6 pack, and then proceed to drink the 6 pack when I am done. There, that is good.
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thanks guys, but I've got a ways to go before I catch DD and Archie on the squats. Maybe with benching you can get away with beast ,but not on the leg stuff
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..oh my short term goal...if you are interested..is to have all major lifts back up to 3 plates.
I can already dead it...squat isn't too far off...and bench..well..that will take a little while...but I WILL get there..and be able to do at least sets of 5 w/ that weight....mil press...be happy when I can press 2 plates... |
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okie dokie S420.... (just trying it on for size..)
now....you know lifting is 90% mental...<insert joke of choice here> now...if you go in thinking that...guess what...you get out what you put in. If you DON'T expect it...then you are right...you WON'T get it. So...EXPECT to get at LEAST 375. You've been my friend and told me to lock it up and just do it...well mi amigo...it's my turn. just fuqqin DO IT. (that will be the lifter's version of the Nike slogan) ![]() |
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no..I want you to just fuqqin do it!
Get your head into the game, brotha! as the saying goes: whether you think you can or can't...you are right. |
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I was just using it as an example, not a means to an end. I meant to give yourself credit if your first max, your baseline, increases even 20lbs, you gotta pat yourself on the back.
Ive never gone through a strict bench program, so i really really want to see how effective those westside workouts are. |

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July 27
Max Bench Test Day Bench Press 135 x 8 225 x 5 275 x 2 315 x 1 375 x miss 370 x miss 365 x miss Done---FUCK!! I am really pissed off... ![]() Well, I learned a very valuable lesson today. My sticking point is 3-4 inches off my chest. Lockout shouldn't be an issue. So, lots more low end work and I think it might be time to reintroduce speed work for all my lifts, so I can work on driving through the sticking point. FUCK!!! Wide grip bench press (index finger on rings) 225 x 6 245 x 6 265 x 6 close grip bench press 275 x 4 275 x 4 Chest supported rows 180 x 6 180 x 6 180 x 6 180 x 6 |
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MMMMmmm. I am a bit surprised you jumped from 315 to 375 right from the start. Thats 60lbs. I know why you did it though, but now we still dont know your max. Is it above 315? Yeah, Id say so, but we dont know.
When I looked for my max, I did about 10 sets. I got to 315 and I did 2 reps, then I continued up in 10lb, 1 rep intervals. I stopped at 360 cuz 365 wasnt going anywhere, but that may have been cuz of fatigue. You going right for the gold avoids fatigue, yes, but its still 60lbs. Its up to you and your confidence, but Id say to try this again when you feel up to it. Cuz of right now, 315 is your max? Puh-lease. Cant have that shit. You do it again and get a max of 340-360, then at least it will be a better peace of mind and a more realistic 405 goal. |
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Keep your chin up and heart light Brother 20, that was your first attempt and I have NO doubt that the next time you will HIT it!!! Your sticking point is exactly where mine is, no problem in lockout here either!!! What I did was use DB's and go w/a parallel grip, go wide at the bottom and really squeeze and explode up!!! Don't really know much but it worked for me!!! Best Wishes and enjoy the weekend, hope your child gets better soon!!!
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I come to your journal just to get a jolt- I am just blown away by what you are attempting. I can't even fathom lifting this heavy.
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in two weeks when I max on the bench again, I GUARANTEE at least 365 or else I am just going to quit working out for good and take up gardening
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I'm not believing that one.
You're like me. You'll quit lifting when they have to pry that barbell from your cold dead fingers.
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Gardening?
I'm not believing that one. You're like me. You'll quit lifting when they have to pry that barbell from your cold dead fingers. ![]() |
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July 31
Speed bench day Speed Bench (Done with bench press grip) 225 x 3 (8 sets) |
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I figured you gave up on speed bench. I am still on the fence about them since I don't 'feel' any benefit and they hurt my elbows, but I think I was lowering the bar way too quick. DE Bench is my next workout so I guess I better make up my mind. hahaha
Good looking workout. Nice video too btw. |
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Neutral Grip DB Press 125 x 6 125 x 5 125 x 5 |
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Holy mother of god, I cant believe how huge those DBs are. Those are the kind of DBs you attach weight to, yes?
When you were sitting upright, I thought...jesus, does this guy have a neck? ...Of course, after my recent broadcast, I shouldnt even dare to make fun of a midget benching a Dachsun, much less anyones vid. ![]() |

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Aug 1
Volume is killing me lately, gonna go low volume for a while.... Stick to the basic exercises ala starr 5x5, however, I will only be doing one set of 5 heavy, as opposed to the whole 5x5, which by the way still sucks my ass ![]() Squats 4 ramping up sets 255 x 5 Bench Press 4 ramping sets 285 x 5 Chest Supported Rows 4 ramping sets 185 x 5 Pullups 10, 10 |
. The jury is still out for me. Funny how Westside, a program that is known for singles, really has quite a bit of volume to it. |
it's just 4 progressively heavier sets before the target set, you can consider them part warmup, part extra workload.
Instead of doing 5 sets of 5 with the same weight, which is what killed me on that program the last time, you just essentially do the ramp up method each day, so you are limiting total volume, while still getting a nice, heavy set of 5 in each day |
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it's just 4 progressively heavier sets before the target set, you can consider them part warmup, part extra workload.
Instead of doing 5 sets of 5 with the same weight, which is what killed me on that program the last time, you just essentially do the ramp up method each day, so you are limiting total volume, while still getting a nice, heavy set of 5 in each day |
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yeah, I think I need something 3 times a week. 4 times is just too much right now, especially since I want to TRY to incorporate some other activities into my days such as bike riding, or even jogging with my jogging stroller with my son, and when you work out with weights 4 times a week, it really limits your chances to do this stuff. I mean, between working all day, not sleeping that great cause of the baby, it definitely makes doing any form of cardio on a weight day impossible.
I am contemplating trying to do something 3 times a week varying the rep ranges each day, so that one day would be a 5x5 scheme, the next day would be something like 8x3 and the third say would be 4x6, staying in that 25 total rep range area. |
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Hmm...still looks like a warm up.
I dont know...I am thinking of CowPimps sticky while I look at your definition and it disputes that its a warm up..thats for sure. I mean, doing all that weight could cause fatigue, BUT now I see how its part of the workout. I think how I got confused was that you didnt include what you did in your journal entry, so I figured it was just light shit. I cant see people caring about my warm ups too much.. In fact, in my warm up section I never put the volume or intensity, cuz...well, who cares. |
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yeah, I would love to but I would probably have a heart attack from it. I can't even drink caffeinated soda that much anymore cause I get palpitations now and then from stimulants. It sucks cause I can't even really drink my beloved green tea so much anymore
I remember back in the day when Hydroxycut was the rage with the ephedra in it. That stuff was just plain wicked to me. I remember taking it before working out and not being able to rest between sets, I just wanted to keep going without stopping....of course, the racing heart for like 3 hours post workout wasn't a good thing, but man, that stuff is just plain evil |
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Oh wow. Well then thats that. I forgot to put my usual disclaimer in there...
So no Capt. & Cokes for you huh. |
Those are my downfall...the only alcoholic beverage that I will drink...(well, drink a lot of that is)|
Keep your chin up and heart light Brother 20, that was your first attempt and I have NO doubt that the next time you will HIT it!!! Your sticking point is exactly where mine is, no problem in lockout here either!!! What I did was use DB's and go w/a parallel grip, go wide at the bottom and really squeeze and explode up!!! Don't really know much but it worked for me!!! Best Wishes and enjoy the weekend, hope your child gets better soon!!!
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I'm loving your workouts Stewart. I decided today I'm dropping westside style wo's and going with more what you are doing. I seem better suited to that, and r/p sets.
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yeah, I don't look forward to the dreaded squats but they have to be done. Three times a week though? You're a better man than I.
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I am just sick of being the guy who benches more than he can squat
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remember: PAIN....is weakness leaving the body.
Did that piece of motivational inspiration help? |
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Hey Stew! I just breezed thru your blog! September is coming, Mr. Mom!
that wsa a great looking workout! plans for the weekend? |
Very scary thing I am doing, I hope it works out money wise and mental health wise for me! It's gonna be very interesting, I know it's gonna be a big pain in the ass, but it's also gonna be awesome, I mean how many fathers get to spend that kind of time with their sons? My dad came home at like 6-7 o'clock every night and I only had weekends with him, well at least until I was 7 and he moved out and divorced my mom, so I look at this as an amazing opportunity for little Ryan. Plus, mom is a teacher, so she will be home with him quite often too.
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Aug 10
Rack Pulls warm ups 405 x 5 405 x 5 405 x 5 405 x 5 Ouch--substituted these for regular deads, hopefully this will help my lower back out a bit. Standing DB press 75 x 5 75 x 5 75 x 5 75 x 5 Pullups BW+40 x 5 BW+40 x 5 BW+40 x 5 BW+40 x 5 Decline Crunches BW+25 x 10 BW+25 x 10 |
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I want to see a vid of the rack pulls! I really dont know where to start them...(knees, shins?)
Oh and if you get sick of saying "chest supported rows," put down Spider Rows. Theyre the same thing. T-bar rows are a different. |
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