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Post by Ryan on May 7, 2014 6:52:04 GMT -5
Good work on the squat. No worries as far as bench goes. My bench is in the crapper too I'm at about 335 right now but that's up from about 305 same time last year. What helped me more than anything was tightening up my form figuratively and literally. If I can make a suggestion Mike, you might want to try to video some of your bench sessions and upload them to this forum. There are a lot of strong benchers on this forum across different weight classes some who are bench only and others who are full meet lifters. They'll all be more than willing to have a look at your Videos I'm sure and critique Thanks mate, yeah Im not sure where Im going wrong, i don't unfortunately have the means to make a video though that would be helpful. I know however I have been a late bloomer with bicep strength due to issues with tendonitis in the past, both arms. The tendonitis has slowly dissipated and bicep strength has slowly grown and with it my bench somewhat, but not to any great degree. I notice some of the guys at the gym who do nothing but biceps seem to do pretty good on the press just using upper body push without powerlifting form, although the endurance isnt as long lasting they seem to be able to handle the weight for a quick short burst. This is the same burst I need in mine. Today is a gym day but my lower back is so tight that standing is painful, so Im gonna rest up with some anti inflams do some stretching and hopefully have a good workout tomorrow, its starting to seem to me over the past year that since all the plaguing problems with back and bicep that deadlift though I enjoy the movement may not be on the cards for me, Im going to have to concentrate very hard on my squat, this maybe be my only saving grace. im thinking of changing deadlift to rows to maintain strength but not put my back through extremes it obviously can not handle. ...well its just a thought at this stage but if stopping the deadlift means I can still squat or loose both if i keep going then the deadlift has to go. Hopefully it's just some sort of form issue that's making the back pain flare. It's possible you might want to do some strength building on the posterior chain (hamstrings, glutes, etc). I'm thinking pause squats and various hamstring exercises. Also, if you haven't tried dead lifting sumo, you may want to give it a shot. Much more leg drive than lower back strain, for me at least. Hope this helps on some level. Others with more knowledge can certainly chime in.
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tuna
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Post by tuna on May 9, 2014 8:41:13 GMT -5
Went to docs about back and got xrays done now I have to wait till monday to see what he says, He reckons it might be a alignment platelet thing. So I havent been to the gym since the 7th and I probably shouldn't go until I hear what he says.
Isnt it funny how just when things finally start looking up, something like this happens. I will lift no matter what thats a given even if I have to do it from a wheel chair.
However I have brought this to the Lord in prayer, this among other more pressing issues, somthing I should have done in the first place. All I can do now is press on.
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Post by Ryan on May 9, 2014 10:17:01 GMT -5
Went to docs about back and got xrays done now I have to wait till monday to see what he says, He reckons it might be a alignment platelet thing. So I havent been to the gym since the 7th and I probably shouldn't go until I hear what he says. Isnt it funny how just when things finally start looking up, something like this happens. I will lift no matter what thats a given even if I have to do it from a wheel chair. However I have brought this to the Lord in prayer, this among other more pressing issues, somthing I should have done in the first place. All I can do now is press on. Flesh and bone are fixable. You have the right mindset. Things will be fine, just maybe will require a bit more perserverance and more work, possibly mixed in with more rest!
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tuna
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Post by tuna on May 10, 2014 8:11:16 GMT -5
True brother true.
So anyway i was going out of my mind and there was nothing good on TV as usual so I thought, screw it, Im going to the gym. the squat rack was calling to me but I had to be strong,I decided to do leg press instead of squat.......BORING!!!!, and I think I hurt my back even more, I could put enough weight on the thing and it still didnt feel the same, I would have been better off with a lite weight doing some movement work. I did some seated row..........yawn.....BORING!!! I did some bench press,.....yes finally, was strong didnt irritate my back, I actually found a wider grip on the bar gave me some extra drive, now I cant tell if that was because of all the rest Ive had or if maybe I had been using a close grip unnecessarily. so im going to try this again next time, didnt irritate the tendonitis either. Hit some curls and tricep work.
It may have been a dumb thing to do, and Im certainly not telling the missus I went, but what else am i supposed to do?? If I cant lift??
Anyway.
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Post by 3speed on May 10, 2014 10:11:30 GMT -5
Just a thought... Mike, I broke my lower back years ago and spent several years in considerable pain until I found a good chiropractor. The difference was almost unnoticeable at first, but was life changing after a few weeks. If you find a good chiro, the benefits can be life changing. However, a bad one can ruin you.
I totally understand the desire to move iron and how it can make you crazy. It's almost like a psychological obsession at times. I have twice suffered injuries that were severe enough that doctors told me I wouldn't be able to lift again. I proved them wrong both times. I have even gotten to where I no longer train around injuries. I train through them with light weight and high reps forcing them to heal while being used. I'm not suggesting that you do any of this. I'm just telling you that I completely understand where you are right now. It is frustrating and aggravating, but with the right attitude and hard work, you will prevail.
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Post by Ryan on May 10, 2014 10:33:25 GMT -5
Just a thought... Mike, I broke my lower back years ago and spent several years in considerable pain until I found a good chiropractor. The difference was almost unnoticeable at first, but was life changing after a few weeks. If you find a good chiro, the benefits can be life changing. However, a bad one can ruin you. I totally understand the desire to move iron and how it can make you crazy. It's almost like a psychological obsession at times. I have twice suffered injuries that were severe enough that doctors told me I wouldn't be able to lift again. I proved them wrong both times. I have even gotten to where I no longer train around injuries. I train through them with light weight and high reps forcing them to heal while being used. I'm not suggesting that you do any of this. I'm just telling you that I completely understand where you are right now. It is frustrating and aggravating, but with the right attitude and hard work, you will prevail. I second the chiro. I have 4 herniated C discs and feel like a new man since chiro. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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tuna
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Post by tuna on May 10, 2014 10:59:18 GMT -5
Just a thought... Mike, I broke my lower back years ago and spent several years in considerable pain until I found a good chiropractor. The difference was almost unnoticeable at first, but was life changing after a few weeks. If you find a good chiro, the benefits can be life changing. However, a bad one can ruin you. I totally understand the desire to move iron and how it can make you crazy. It's almost like a psychological obsession at times. I have twice suffered injuries that were severe enough that doctors told me I wouldn't be able to lift again. I proved them wrong both times. I have even gotten to where I no longer train around injuries. I train through them with light weight and high reps forcing them to heal while being used. I'm not suggesting that you do any of this. I'm just telling you that I completely understand where you are right now. It is frustrating and aggravating, but with the right attitude and hard work, you will prevail. Thanks mate, I really appreciate what you are saying and thank you for sharing your story. About six months ago I tore my bicep distal tendon and was told by doctors to stop lifting or it will snap completely, the pain in my back is not all that surprising as I have been working through sciatica now for years, I kinda knew it was just a matter of time. But like you said, we work through these things. We have all suffered in some way. for me I have hurt both shoulders, both arms riddled with tendonitis, my right wrist swollen in pain, I even burst open my finger once dropping a weight on it. I have ankle problems and both knees have tendon issues, it seems that new a thing pops up every couple of weeks. I still remember the orthopedic surgeon when I asked him how long it will be till I can lift again. he was a smart arse nonchalant type who could careless for weightlifters, I could see his attitude was that we deserve the injuries we get, just by the way he was speaking to me. I had just finished telling him I had been lifting 10 years and how much i enjoy my sport that I want to start preparing for comps, his answer was "well, you will just have to find a new hobby, wont you" he actually said to me that it was a shame that it didn't snap completely because they make sport of reattaching the tendon, he then told to go back to the gym snap it off totally and then come back and see him. Just like that, this little english prick half my age in a pinstriped shirt that cost more than my car and everything I was wearing diminishes what was to me a the worst thing that could have happened to nothing more than oh well too bad you didnt snap it off completely, go find something else to do. I was back at the gym that afternoon with my arm all bandaged up doing everything I could except 'pull' exercises, know my arm pulls more more weight then it ever did before and even the tendonitis has cleared up in it. I would love to go back into his swank little office, pick him up by his neck with that arm and say "sorry mate, I did as you said, but it doesn't matter how hard I try, the fuggen thing just wont snap" Anyway
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tuna
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Post by tuna on May 12, 2014 18:15:36 GMT -5
Had x-rays done, nothing wrong with spine, so hes sending me for CT scan to see if its a bulging disc. Back not feeling bad today so I think I might do some light squat tonight and see what happens.
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tuna
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Post by tuna on May 13, 2014 8:05:09 GMT -5
13/05/14
Squat warm ups 2 x 5 x 140kg 2 x 4 x 180kg 1 x 2 x 200kg 1 x 1 x 210kg
Bench 4 x 5 x 100kg 4 x 5 x 120kg
Seated row several set, medium weight
Squat was strong, no irritation to my back. left out deadlift for that reason and military press, seated row sucks balls. really want to go back to my military press because thats a great movement for strength. tried some seated DB press but just wasnt the same, felt like I was wasting my time.
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tuna
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Post by tuna on May 15, 2014 8:50:57 GMT -5
15/05/14
Bench 2 x 5 x 100kg 2 x 5 x 110kg 3 x 5 x 120kg 1 x 4 x 130kg
Military press 4 x 5 x 60kg
Tris/bi's etc
Off for CT scan on my lumbar tomorrow, back was good tonight no deadlift though and didn't go to heavy with the militarys. Bench was a bit average, a little ping in my shoulder had me holding back, didnt want another injury. otherwise i cant complain.
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Post by Ryan on May 15, 2014 9:02:48 GMT -5
15/05/14 Bench 2 x 5 x 100kg 2 x 5 x 110kg 3 x 5 x 120kg 1 x 4 x 130kg Military press 4 x 5 x 60kg Tris/bi's etc Off for CT scan on my lumbar tomorrow, back was good tonight no deadlift though and didn't go to heavy with the militarys. Bench was a bit average, a little ping in my shoulder had me holding back, didnt want another injury. otherwise i cant complain. Assuming this is written "sets X reps"?
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tuna
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Post by tuna on May 15, 2014 11:34:25 GMT -5
15/05/14 Bench 2 x 5 x 100kg 2 x 5 x 110kg 3 x 5 x 120kg 1 x 4 x 130kg Military press 4 x 5 x 60kg Tris/bi's etc Off for CT scan on my lumbar tomorrow, back was good tonight no deadlift though and didn't go to heavy with the militarys. Bench was a bit average, a little ping in my shoulder had me holding back, didnt want another injury. otherwise i cant complain. Assuming this is written "sets X reps"? yeah sorry bud, just getting a bit lazy hee hee. (didnt think anyone was actually reading it LOL)
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tuna
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Posts: 69
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Post by tuna on May 20, 2014 9:57:15 GMT -5
Squat sets/reps/kg
2 x 5 x 60kg 1 x 5 x 100kg 2 x 5 x 140kg 2 x 5 x 180kg 1 x 3 x 200kg 2 x 1 x 210kg Max 2 x 1 x 215kg max 1 x 2 x 200kg 2 x 5 x 140kg
Back seated row lat pull down Tried a few 60kg sumo deads and then went and stretched out my hammys and lumbar region (see what effect that has over the next couple of days)
Ok so I got the results back from the CT and it says all clear, which is great, but doesn't explain the incredibly tight lower back muscles so I will be taking those results to the quacks tomorrow to see what he reckons.
Its all very frustrating, I want to strengthen my back to increase my squat, can anyone in the know help with any suggested back movements with out relying to much on lower back at this stage. when i was squatting 215kg I could fell my upper middle back buckling under the weight. Thanks guys
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tuna
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Post by tuna on May 21, 2014 9:02:12 GMT -5
21/05/2014
My Birthday today
Bench sets/reps/kg 2 x 5 x 100kg 2 x 5 x 110kg 3 x 5 x 120kg 1 x 3 x 130kg - crap
Military press 8 x 5 x 60kg
Chest was weak, but felt good to hit the military press, back will probably hate me tomorrow. Didnt go to the docs, ended up sleeping for work tonight, will have to rebook an appointment.
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Post by Ryan on May 21, 2014 9:38:10 GMT -5
Happy bday!!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by dbunch on May 21, 2014 17:55:04 GMT -5
Happy Birthday!
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tuna
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Posts: 69
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Post by tuna on May 22, 2014 3:30:52 GMT -5
Ha Ha thanks guys
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tuna
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Posts: 69
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Post by tuna on May 24, 2014 8:15:24 GMT -5
24/05/2014
sets/reps/kg
Heavy Squat
warm ups 60kg, 100kg 3 x 3 x 180kg 2 x 1 x 210kg 2 x 1 x 220kg 485lb New best 2 x 1 x 200kg 2 x 7 x 140kg
Mix bench and other parts nothing major.
Well I decided to not muck around so much gradually building the weight up as i usually do, I decided to try a different approach and warm up with good stretching and a couple of light sets until I felt pretty ok.
I found it pretty hard going hitting 180kg after just 100kg but I feel I had left myself with a little more energy in the end enough to stay heavy for longer then usual. of course i dropped it down at the end for a workout try to pump up the legs a little.
Im not sure if this is a good approach but it was worth a try.
I ran out of time to do anything else, actually to be honest I am starting to loose interest in maxing heavy bench, that happened as soon as the deadlift went out the window hurting my back. maybe its just a phase, it happens.
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tuna
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Posts: 69
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Post by tuna on Jul 23, 2015 2:34:34 GMT -5
Hi guys I apologize that its been quite a while. I missed hanging out with you fellas but I had too much of a headf**k going on when I tore my bicep tendon almost completely and my deadlift died, I felt like all of my ambition died with it, as part of my deflated ambition I just couldnt even talk about it anymore, I hope you guys can forgive me and I completely understand if you dont. I never stopped lifting though and have been powering on I havent missed a single day in the gym. In fact I took some of your advice and stepped up my game. I now pay for proper coaching at a popular Brisbane powerlifting club and my coach is and APF Judge. He has me on a program and has completely rebuilt all my lifts building me up from base strength. I make videos of most of my trainning to watch my progress and I have a lift date set up for this December. Here is my old Squat, you will all see the flaws in it www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJoqZTzmfqgHere is my squat now after coach, not as much weight but much stronger www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQXCQgYr6AgMy deadlift has been rebuilt and I feel much stronger in that too, of which I will provide videos for including my bench at the bottom of this post. I know that Im not throwing around big numbers at the moment. but the work coach is doing with me has been paying off very quickly and I can see now that by this December I will have something even better then i would have had prior to my injury to take with me to my first comp which I look forward to with drive and anticipation. I have been browsing all your journals and I have a lot of respect and awe for what I am seeing, I humble myself before you as someone who should have stayed in touch but in pride left instead of staying in touch like I should have. Thanks guys Mike Heres some training vids www.youtube.com/watch?v=gERmjVtE-LM www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lgHeyODUMU
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Post by Cormac on Jul 23, 2015 7:44:34 GMT -5
Nice Squats Tuna. Welcome back looking forward to seeing your progress. I'm also pretty excited that you post in kilo's , we use kg in Ireland too.
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Post by 3speed on Jul 23, 2015 11:02:30 GMT -5
Mike, First, I'm glad you are still hanging around here and still in the gym. Sometimes, just hanging around and going through the motions can seem pointless, but at least it keeps you in the game and that can be the difference between quitting and reaching your long term goals.
Second, your current approach is very smart. It will definitely pay dividends over the long haul. I routinely have people ask me for advice in the gym. I used to try to help them with their problem until I finally realized that most of them were just looking for a quick fix. They weren't interested in breaking down the problem and actually doing the work to move forward.
I now ask people 2 questions when they ask for training advice: Are you willing to leave your ego at the door? and Are you willing to do it my way? For every single lifter who has said yes, we break the weight way down and begin work on setup and technique. Once that is good, we start to work on execution and build the base. Only once I am satisfied with that do we start to move forward. A few will quit before this point because their ego gets the best of them but most of those who stay surprise themselves by already being past where they started with me.
I tell you this not to make myself sound good but to try to illustrate why your coach is doing what he's doing and reinforce to you that it is a smart move on your part.
Good luck going forward and don't be a stranger.
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tuna
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by tuna on Jul 23, 2015 14:35:21 GMT -5
Nice Squats Tuna. Welcome back looking forward to seeing your progress. I'm also pretty excited that you post in kilo's , we use kg in Ireland too. Lol yeah Im getting to the point that I no longer have to google the weight converter as much these days but I still get a shock sometimes when I read a persons totals. Its like relax relax its in pounds not kilos your still good...for now.
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tuna
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Posts: 69
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Post by tuna on Jul 23, 2015 14:41:08 GMT -5
Mike, First, I'm glad you are still hanging around here and still in the gym. Sometimes, just hanging around and going through the motions can seem pointless, but at least it keeps you in the game and that can be the difference between quitting and reaching your long term goals. Second, your current approach is very smart. It will definitely pay dividends over the long haul. I routinely have people ask me for advice in the gym. I used to try to help them with their problem until I finally realized that most of them were just looking for a quick fix. They weren't interested in breaking down the problem and actually doing the work to move forward. I now ask people 2 questions when they ask for training advice: Are you willing to leave your ego at the door? and Are you willing to do it my way? For every single lifter who has said yes, we break the weight way down and begin work on setup and technique. Once that is good, we start to work on execution and build the base. Only once I am satisfied with that do we start to move forward. A few will quit before this point because their ego gets the best of them but most of those who stay surprise themselves by already being past where they started with me. I tell you this not to make myself sound good but to try to illustrate why your coach is doing what he's doing and reinforce to you that it is a smart move on your part. Good luck going forward and don't be a stranger. Thanks man your absolutely right, I guess too as I move in toward my 40's I realize I dont think I care as much about my already beaten ego. I just want to do it right these days I only have myself and those who love me to show that I can. Thanks for having me back Speedy muchly appreciated as are your words as always.
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Post by Ryan on Jul 24, 2015 8:50:48 GMT -5
Welcome back buddy.
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tuna
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by tuna on Jul 24, 2015 23:57:40 GMT -5
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