Blonde will make you STRONG

[the sicilian]

All the motivation I need

[iRaise]

All the motivation I need

One of my friends just sent me a 'time hop' photo of me at uni. Absolute state.

[iRaise]

Suuuucha frustrating bench day today. 3x3-5 100kg the aim. got a 4/3/3. But the first two reps on every set felt like 60. Then boom. Hits me. Rather annoying as on every set I thought I would fly to 5.

Front squats 3x5 90kg

DB RDL 40kg 15/12/10
DB OAR 40kg 10/10/8

A tester on the grip for that one!

[Marky147]

Some beard, that fella.

[EvilPie]

Suuuucha frustrating bench day today. 3x3-5 100kg the aim. got a 4/3/3. But the first two reps on every set felt like 60. Then boom. Hits me. Rather annoying as on every set I thought I would fly to 5.

Front squats 3x5 90kg

DB RDL 40kg 15/12/10
DB OAR 40kg 10/10/8

A tester on the grip for that one!

I actually find this quite encouraging as your bench problem is similar to my deadlift problem, any form of reasonable weight and I'm struggling to get more than 2 or 3 before I'm screwed. I guess the problem is that with deadlift you can always muscle through it so risk injury, at least with bench once you're toast. you're toast and that's it.

I guess some exercises just suit each individual differently with regard to not only absolute max but also volume in the 50% to 80% range. I wonder if it's something that can be trained or if we just have to accept it and adapt.

[EvilPie]

Big bench day today ahead of next weeks PR attempt.

It was low volume but all in the 85% to 90% range for 3 doubles and then 3 singles with the slingshot

Target was 120kg for the doubles and 130kg for the slingshot singles but managed 120kg, 125kg & 127.5kg doubles and then 132.5kg, 140kg and 145kg with the slingshot.

Everything felt solid apart from the 145kg slingshot single which slowed down at my usual sticking point although I managed to push through it pretty easily. It was a good confidence boost as I'd normally expect to just fail if I slowed down at that point so really pleased to feel that weight and have it move. At my sticking point the slingshot is pretty much done with its assistance so it bodes well for next week when I'll be trying similar weight but without the same volume prior.

When I got my last PR in August my doubles were all at 125kg and the slingshot singles were 135, 140 and 145kg although there was no pausing.

I'm confident that I'm stronger so just got to get this shit done and hit the PR that really should be in the bank. No excuses now.

[Marky147]

Good luck tomorrow, Matt!

Look forward to reading about new PBs on Monday 

[EvilPie]

Good luck tomorrow, Matt!

Look forward to reading about new PBs on Monday 

Sorry mate it's next Saturday.

[EvilPie]

I've finally got sick of constant aches and pains and decided to get on the CBD bandwagon. Quite a few friends have used it and claim good results so I'm now on it having started yesterday.

I think I'm a pretty good test subject as I can't remember the last time I had zero joint or muscle pain. It's never really anything terrible just annoying so hopefully this will help.

My main hope is that it eases the pain enough that I have free movement and stop compensating in various ways. That should lead to the joints moving properly and becoming stronger again and you have a vicious circle but this time in a good way.

Just on a low dose for now, zero side affects but seemed to sleep really well last night. Maybe coincidence but who knows.....

[Marky147]

Interested to see how you go on the oils, Matt. Lots of UFC fighters using them nowadays, it appears.

Hope the benching went well today, too.


Only trained twice this week, but weighed in at a low 207 today. Only 2 weeks to go until holiday, so unless I do a 5 day juice, unlikely I'll be under 200 before the holiday. Not too worried, as I don't normally put weight on when I'm away, and can crack on when I get home.

Should get 8 sessions in over the next fortnight, which will leave me with a couple weeks left with the trainer when I get home.

[EvilPie]

It's tomorrow

Early CBD signs are very positive. My arm, wrist and elbow especially are noticeably different to how they would normally feel so that's good.

I've had a steady week in prep for tomorrow so that may also be a contributory factor in the reduced pain but I haven't changed anything dramatically. I missed Monday completely, had a steadier than normal chest session Tuesday, did steady deadlifts last night and am now missing tonight to hopefully be fully rested for tomorrow.

Got to say I feel really good and have no excuses if I don't make a PB tomorrow. It actually adds to the pressure knowing that I really should do it especially as I was confident last time but failed. I genuinely feel stronger on the bench than ever before and combined with the training programme hopefully it'll see me break past 145kg.

[Marky147]

Racing on today had me thinking it was Saturday

Good news with the CBD, and I'll be trying it later this month when I get out there.

I've had a steady week, but have cards tomorrow night, so hopefully it won't wreck me too badly for Monday and Tuesday!

Sounds like you're set for a big session, so fingers crossed all goes well. Good luck, mate!

[EvilPie]

Completely missed the PB attempt unfortunately. Didn't even hit my 140kg warm up although to be fair I could've made that if I'd really pushed but chose to bail out and try to conserve a bit of energy for another rep.

Pretty  disappointed but when I got home I had a weigh in and I'm down to 102kg so I'm going to put the miss down to lack of calories and carbs.

130kg warm up move pretty well but I felt really fatigued after and I can only imagine that's because I've not been eating enough. It really shouldn't have been that hard.

It's possible that the CBD has had a negative affect on strength as well. Making a change as big as that 6 days before a PB attempt is probably not the best idea.

All in all pretty disappointing but despite missing the PB I feel genuinely stronger than ever on bench so I won't dwell on it too much.

Looking to have a deload for 2 weeks then set up a new 12 week programme leading in to another shot at 147.5kg

Might have to stick with the diet for 7 or 8 weeks then eat my face off for 4 or 5 weeks in the lead up to the PB to see what that achieves. Also given that I've lost quite a bit I could comfortably throw my high carb Friday back in to the mix to help with the big Saturday session.

Tough game this.

[EvilPie]

On the positive side my training partner hit a new PB at 165kg and only just missed 167.5kg

I had to give him the tiniest spot through a sticking point and it looked as though if he'd gone straight in at 167.5 he'd have most likely hit it. 165 moved really well for him.

Strong guy!!

[Marky147]

Damn, sounds like a frustrating afternoon.

I feel your pain, as I've been down a couple reps on most exercises the last few weeks. No weight off the bar, but struggling with the last reps etc.

Will be fun bulking up for the next attempt, though

Congrats to your training partner!