| --> |
|
Yeah, I can do chins better,,, but I need the width in my lat area, so I've been just concentrating on the pull-ups.. any advise you can give me on that?
|
|
plus the weights are jumping up too high too quickly, so this will slow that down a bit.
|

|
I feel your pain, Stewart. Wait...no I don't. You suck.
![]() Solid workout! ![]() |

|
Looks good so far................
Are you keeping all RIs at 90 secs ? |
| 3 eight rep sets for an exercise |
I like 4x6 when I need a break from singles and triples.
|
Another change? I don't believe it.
I like 4x6 when I need a break from singles and triples. |


|
Let's see you do BW+120 tough guy
![]() ![]() Remember, I got the bad elbows, gotta be smart or else |

Just trying to give you some motivation |
Been there (BW +135 actually)
![]() I hear ya on the injury front.............. Just trying to give you some motivation |
|
Nov. 28
Had a workout on the 26th, highlights were deadlifts of 355x5 and the "discovery" of trap bar overhead presses. Today's workout: Full Squats ATG 135 x 5 155 x 5 185 x 5 215 x 5 255 x 3 185 x 8 Bench Press 140 x 5 175 x 5 210 x 5 245 x 5 287.5 x 3 210 x 8 Chest Supported Rows 90 x 5 105 x 5 125 x 5 145 x 5 170 x 3 125 x 8 |
|
Good volume scheme, but let me ask you, do you get winded after doing that much? I mean, I know you can lift heavier, but I was just curious cuz its a full body regime and youve got 6 or so sets.
In other words, do you walk out of the workout feeling like you worked out..? |

|
ATG Squat 267.5 x 5
Bench Press 302.5 x 5 Chest Supported Rows 180 x 5 (I made these weights very conservative, since I wanted to really focus on the form on these, instead of just slinging the weights up, I wanted to really feel the contraction in my back, so I started light) Trap bar overhead press 160 x 5 Deadlifts 380 x 5 Pullups BW+32.5 x 5 (remember I suck at pullups, much better at chins) I'm not really doing a weekly program, I am doing one on one off, and that allows me built in extra days off whenever I need them, since the program calls for 2 off days after the third workout day. So if I am busy on a day I was gonna workout, I can just skip it, take the 2 days off and then carry on, I won't really lose any days that way. I doubt I would ever need more than 2 days off in a row for anything other than an emergency. |
|
Trap bar OH Press? How do you get it down ? That sounds awesome. I was thinking of doing an Alernating Periodization as well. 1 week all out, next week moderate. |




|
Even with the lower weight day in the middle, that would really beat me up..
![]() Then again,, maybe I should try it... ![]() I think I may have missed it earlier, but is this an 8 week program? |
| The real question is will I actually MAKE it through 8 weeks of this program |


|
Wow, everything went up this time - those chest supported rows really went up!?!.. You'll make it through the eight weeks, I have no doubt.
![]() |


Why yes, it does seem that word has made its way in here.
I guess chasing around after the little one isn't enough --- yet.
Why yes, it does seem that word has made its way in here. I guess chasing around after the little one isn't enough --- yet. I haven't checked in lately. Are you doing some form of 5x5 routine? |

|
I am doing that madcow intermediate 5x5 routine. I have actually made it to week 4, can you believe it???
![]() |
|
It is a bit of a surprise given your previous track record, but I've been following along and the workouts are consistent.
![]() |
|
Hey stew! looks like things are going well in here for ya!
How's the family? |
.|
Wheres this bench at now big boy?
And hows the trainers job coming along? |
|
...and THAT is where he does his cardio...chasing kids all day.
|
|
Bench is suffering buddy...bench is suffering....I think it's a combination of losing some weight and focusing on these 5x5 full body workouts for a while, where the other lifts have progressed at the expense of my bench. Oh well, I guess it's a good thing since I will be more balanced in the end...hopefully.
The trainers job is on hold for a while. Anyone who is a stay at home parent can attest to the fact that taking care of a one year old all day and then having energy to work at night is an almost impossible task. Luckily at the moment, we are OK financially for me to not have to work at night, but I know that if need be, I can walk into a gym and get something, cause I did that over the summer and was offered jobs in 3 gyms, and I only interviewed at maybe 4 total, so I am confident I can land something in an emergency. Hopefully I will still keep up the passion for training and when the kiddies go to school, maybe I can look into doing something then since I won't be so drained from taking care of them all day. |
|
...and THAT is where he does his cardio...chasing kids all day.
|
To build up endurance. 
|
Which is why he needs a second one.
To build up endurance. ![]() |


|
Which is why he needs a second one.
To build up endurance. ![]() ![]() |
|
Dec 23
Squats Warmups 255 x 5 255 x 5 255 x 5 255 x 5 255 x 5 Bench Press 155 x 5 185 x 5 215 x 5 245 x 5 275 x 5 Chest Supported Rows 90 x 5 110 x 5 130 x 5 145 x 5 165 x 5 |

|
So you did your 5 sets of chins.... weather must have been tolerable??
|
I am due for some kind of intensity like within the week.
|
290 Bench Press was hard for 5?
I am due for some kind of intensity like within the week. |


|
Stewart, how are your shoulders doing after that last push day? I'd keep an eye on them as that seems to be an awful lot of volume on shoulders for a single day, with the OH Press, DB Shoulder Press, and Dips all directly hitting them, and the 2 bench movements hitting as well. I'm assuming with this new split that you'll only be doing "push" days once per week? If so, that will help ease the concern.
Also, you put "too heavy" next to the 315x3 bench press, but did you finish those 3 reps? If so, and you can safely do them if you fail (spotted or in a power rack), I'd start there again next week and see if you can get to 1 or 2 complete sets. |
|
did you maybe pinch something when you were pushing up the weight? a nerve or something?
|
|
Your statements sound very familiar to the last time I did 5x5 for a period of time. It was just too much volume for me at the weights I was using. So it could be that you're still feeling the burn-out from the 5x5 while you're adjusting to the new splits. Personally, I also find that I need either a deload or a full week off after a couple of continuous months. I didn't read through your whole log to see if you've taken one of these recently.
|
|
Nice pullin' Stewart. I guess that 455 felt pretty good since you threw another 20 on. 500 is right around the corner.
|
Congrats on the rack DL PR. |
Hi Stew, still trying to find the perfect workout?
Congrats on the rack DL PR. |

|
Speed Bench
215 x 3 (3 sets) Middle finger on rings 215 x 3 (3 sets) Pinky on rings 215 x 3 (3 sets) extra wide grip |
| YouTube Video | |
|
It wasn't until I started my current routine that I could truly appreciate just how tough switching up the hand placement is.
Great job, Stewart! |
| are box squats supposed to be harder? |

|
No - they are supposed to easier
![]() ...... J/K - they are harder to do ![]() |
I have to find out if I am doing them right. When I hit the box, I kind of sit my hips back a bit and relax while on the box, pausing for about a second or so, and then I try to push myself back up, operative word is "try", cause that 355 pretty much stapled me down to the box, it was a miracle I got up....gutted that one out big time |
Eh, I would have believed you either way
I have to find out if I am doing them right. When I hit the box, I kind of sit my hips back a bit and relax while on the box, pausing for about a second or so, and then I try to push myself back up, operative word is "try", cause that 355 pretty much stapled me down to the box, it was a miracle I got up....gutted that one out big time |
|
A box squat at or below parallel is typically going to be a lower weight than a max box-less squat. This is mainly because you're breaking the momentum by pausing on the box, particularly if you're breaking your hips which is the correct Westside method. I don't do many high box squats, but these are typically easier and would be closer in weight to a normal squat.
|
|
A box squat at or below parallel is typically going to be a lower weight than a max box-less squat. This is mainly because you're breaking the momentum by pausing on the box, particularly if you're breaking your hips which is the correct Westside method. I don't do many high box squats, but these are typically easier and would be closer in weight to a normal squat.
|
interesting.. the only way I've seen them done in our gym is people just going down to the bench and immediately going back up again.. no pause. It's definitely not below parallel... it's at.. which is the way we did them.
interesting.. the only way I've seen them done in our gym is people just going down to the bench and immediately going back up again.. no pause. It's definitely not below parallel... it's at.. which is the way we did them. |
|
you really mean it when you say you do your "meat and potatoes" and hit the road. how long does a workout like that take you?
|
But of course, everything was fine WHILE I was working out, it's always the AFTER that you have to worry about.
|
yeah, if my lower back holds up, feels kinda funky right now
But of course, everything was fine WHILE I was working out, it's always the AFTER that you have to worry about. |
Excellent! Are we going for 485 next week?
|
Just checked out your journal Stewart, your putting up some MAJOR numbers in here, training looks superb. Good stuff.
|
|
At first thought, I might want to, but I want to alternate a squat ME and a deadlift ME exercise weekly, so I don't have to wreck my back two weeks in a row.
|
|
Just how badly do you wreck your back? I did heavy DLs yesterday (granted, not too many) and I can't even tell today.
|
|
Great job on the numbers. I think youre ahead of me on everything Ive ever done.
|
|
I appreciate it, however, things are going to be changing a little bit around here. No more one rep maxes for a while, something funky happened to my back after those deadlifts the other day, and right now, my thinking is that it isn't really worth it. A one rep max should be and only should be for powerlifters who want to win a competition. I need to get the greedy thoughts out of my head about big numbers, because really, who gives a shit if I can bench 405, it's not like anyone is ever gonna see it, I work out in my basement, it isn't even like I could impress the people in the gym, lol. Oh, so I can say I can do it? SO what. I actually think doing 3 and 5 rep maxes instead might be more beneficial, and I think they are actually a lot harder to do.
|
I guess its the principle that drives me.
|
I appreciate it, however, things are going to be changing a little bit around here. No more one rep maxes for a while, something funky happened to my back after those deadlifts the other day, and right now, my thinking is that it isn't really worth it. A one rep max should be and only should be for powerl |