Time Crunch + Forearm Pain Week 1. Day A.

 sRPE @6.5

BW  - 227   

SSB -

-    up to 300X1 @9

-    250X3 @8

Reverse SSB Box Squats - 210X3, 3, 3 @~7.5

Circuit -

-    Leg Curls - X9, 8, 8 @8

-    Hypers - BW+25 behind head X8, 8, 7 @8

-    Leg Extensions - X12, 10, 10 @8/9

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes    

Schedule is all over the place this month and next, plus I think I need to just back off anything that puts much stress on grip for a while.

Not letting perfect be the enemy of good, I'll just go in when I can and try to hit some stuff, and maybe a plan will emerge.

S/B/D/R+ Week 4. Day A.

BW - 225

Squats - 

-    up to 355X1 @9.5

-    290X3 @~7

BB Rows w/Straps -

-    200X5 @8

-    200X3, 3 @7

Leg Curls - X8, 8, 7, 6 @8

super-set with

Leg Extensions - X10, 9, 9. 9 @8

Rear Delt Flyes - X8, 8, 8, 7, 7 @7.5/9

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Only training session from last week.  Got hit by a combination of schedule crunch and a cold. 

S/B/D/R+ Week 3. Day C.

sRPE @8.5

BW - 227

Deadlift w/Straps -

-    up to 355X1 @8

-    315X3, 3, 3, 3, 3 @7/7.5

DB Bench - 60sX9, 7, 7, 6 @~8

Pull-Downs w/Straps - X10, 9, 8 @8/9

Cable Curls - X10, 9, 8, 8, 8 @~8

super-set with

Machine Knee Raise - X7, 7, 7, 7 @~8

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Tough session.  Not sure if it was general end of the week fatigue, the added volume from this week catching up with me, or just normal ups-and-downs of training.  Looking forward to a couple of days off.

S/B/D/R+ Week 3. Day B.

sRPE @8

BW - 223

Bench - 

-    up to 225X1 @9

-    185X3, 3, 3, 3, 3 @7/7.5

FFE BSS - BWX11, 10, 8, 6 @8/9

NG Cable Rows - X10, 10, 8 @~8

super-set with

Bent Knee GHR Sit-Ups - BWX8, 8, 6 @~8

Machine Standing Calf Raises - X8, 7, 7, 6 @8/9

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Felt good coming in today, but Bench was flaaaaaat.  Everything else seemed fine.

S/B/D/R+ Week 3. Day A.

sRPE @7.5

BW - 225

Squats - 

-    up to 350X1 @8.5

-    295X3, 3, 3, 3, 3 @6/7

BB Rows w/Straps - 

-    up to 200X5 @8

-    200X3, 3, 3 @~7.5

GHR - BWX10, 9, 8, 8 @~8

super-set with

Machine Laterals - X12, 9, 9, 8, 8 @8/9

Cable Rear Delt Flyes - X9, 9, 7, 6, 6 @8/9.5

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Weather was great, and focus was strong.  Feels good to be able to handle this volume right now

S/B/D/R+ Week 2. Day C.

sRPE @ 8

BW - 225

Deadlift - 

-    up to 355X1 @8

-    315X3, 3, 3, 3 @~7

DB Bench - 60sX9, 7, 7, 7 @8

Pull-Downs - X10, 9, 8 @8

Cable Curls - X11, 11, 10, 10 @~8

super-set with

GHR Sit-Ups BWX9, 7, 6, 6 @~8

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Had to work out Saturday morning instead of Friday afternoon, and I felt the difference.  DL top set was awful, but the back-offs were ok.

Tried Cable Curls instead of BB Curls as I'm still waiting for this elbow issue to resolve.  It feels fine most of the time now, but after workouts and in the AM it can be really tight, and still makes me second guess how I'm going to pick things up, etc. in the everyday b/c sometimes it hurts when I do.

S/B/D/R+ Week 2. Day B.

sRPE @7.5

BW - 220

Bench - 

-    up to 225X1 @8

-    195X3, 3, 3, 3 @7.5/8.5

FFE BSS - BWX11, 10, 9, 8 @8

Cable Rows - X11, 10, 9 @8

super-set with

GHR Sit-Ups - BWX9, 8, 6 @8

Machine Standing Calves - X8, 7, 8, 7 @~8

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Solid session.  I've been taking a bit more time on my warm-up singles this week trying to feel out where my top set should be.  On both Squat and Bench, I re-took my last warm-up single and both times found the 2nd set easier allowing me to go for something higher on the top set.  Patience, I guess.

S/B/D/R Week 1. Day C.

sRPE @8

BW - 228

Deadlift - 

-    up to 365X1 @7

-    325X3, 3, 3 @~7

DB Bench - 60sX8, 8, 7 @8

Pull-Downs - X8, 8, 7 @8/10

BB Curls - 60X9, 8, 7 @8

super-set with

GHR Sit-Ups - BWX8, 7, 6 @8/8.5

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

I was already dragging much ass coming into a hot and humid gym today, so the workout was a slog.

Nevertheless, DL was better than expected.

S/B/D/R Week 1. Day B.

sRPE @7

BW - 223

Bench - 

-    up to 215X1 @7.5

-    190X3, 3, 3 @7.5/8.5

FFE BSS - BWX12, 10, 10 @8/9.5

Cable Rows - X11, 9, 9 @8

super-set with

GHR Sit-Ups - BWX11, 8, 7 @8

Machine Standing Calves - X7, 7, 7, 7 27.5/10

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

I've been low-key a coward about putting Front Foot Elevated Bulgarian Split Squats into my program regularly, and yes:  they suck.  Time to get good at them!

Fun session.

S/B/D/R Week 1. Day A.

sRPE @6.5

BW - 224

Squats - 

-    up to 325X1 @7.5

-    285X3, 3, 3 @6/8

BB Rows w/Straps - 

-    up to 185X6 @8

-    185X3, 3, 3 @4.5/8

GHR - BWX10, 9, 8 @8/9

super-set with

Machine Laterals - X10, 8, 8 @~8

Cable Rear Delt Flyes - X8, 8, 7 @7.5/9

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Really enjoyed this program layout prior to the Rows specialization block so going back to it for a few weeks.  This was a fun session.

Forearms didn't like the 'D' attachment on the rear delt flyes, but a buddy had mentioned using the single rope attachments.  I tried those and they felt GREAT.  

Reap What You Row Week 3. Day C.

sRPE @7

BB Rows w/Straps - 170X5, 5, 5 @5.5/7.5

1-Arm DB Rows w/Straps - 90X11, 9, 7, 6 @~8

Swiss Bar Bench -

-    up to 160X1 @6

-    150X3, 3 @8

super-set with 

Seated Leg Curls - X8, 7, 7 @8

1-Arm Cable Wrist Extensions - X8, 7, 7 @9/8

super-set with

Rope Pushdowns - X12, 10, 8 @8

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Subbed in NG Bench to keep stress off elbows and wrists.  Things are maybe feeling a bit better in those areas.

Reap What You Row Week 3. Day B.

sRPE @7.5

BW - 223

BB Rows w/Straps - 170X3, 3, 3 @~5

SSB Squat - 

-    up to 250@1 @7

-    220X3, 3 @7

Cable Rear Delt Flyes - X10, 8, 8 @8

super-set with

Cable Flyes - X12, 10, 10 @8

Machine Standing Calves - X10, 8, 8, 7 @8

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 14 minutes

Switched to SSB to take more stress of wrists and elbows.

Reap What You Row Week 3. Day A.

sRPE @8.5

BW - 223

BB Rows - 

-    up to 200X3 @7

-    add straps - 170X8, 8, 8, 8 @7/9.5

Pulldowns w/Straps - X8, 8, 8 @~8

GHR - BWX10, 10, 8 @8

super-set with

Bench Dips - BWX14, 10, 9 @8

BB Curls - 65X8, 7, 6, @~8

super-set with

1-Arm Cable Wrist Extensions - X10, 8, 8 @8/9

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 8 rounds

If adding straps, adding wrist extension work, and subbing bike for rower doesn't yield any real relief by EOW, I'll have to make more drastic changes to programming.  Issues are effecting me outside the gym too much. 

Reap What You Row Week 2. Day B.

sRPE @6.5

BW - 229

BB Rows - 165X3, 3, 3 @~5

Deadlift - 

-    up to 335X1 @5.5

-    315X3, 3 @5

Cable Rear Delt Flyes - X6, 6, 5 X8/9

super-set with

Cable Flyes - X9, 8, 9 @~8

Machine Standing Calf Raises - X10, 8, 8, 7 @~8

Stationary Bike - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 7 rounds

Solid session. 

Reap What You Row Week 2. Day A.

sRPE @7.5

BW - 224

BB Rows - 

-    195X3 @7

-    165X8, (add straps) 8, 8 @~8

Pulldowns - X8, 8, 9 @8/9

Hack Squats - 100X8, 7, 7 @~8

super-set with

Lever Incline Press - 70X8, 7, 7 @8

BB Curls - 65X8, 7, 6, 6 @~8

Rower - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 10 rounds

Was able to increase volume again on this session.  However, elbow pain is fading over the weekends, and then peaking following training sessions.  I tried adding straps part way through back-off rows to see if that would help, and it maybe did a little.

I think I need to switch to stationary bike for my HIIT for a while and see if laying off the rower makes a difference.  Just got up to 20 minutes on the rower, but may have to back off that initially when switching movements.  

Reap What You Row Week 1. Day C.

sRPE @7

BW - 226

BB Rows - 160X5, 5 @~6

1-Arm DB Rows w/Straps - 90X9, 8, 8, 7 @7/8

Bench - 

-    up to 205X1 @7

-    185X3, 3 @~7

super-set with

Seated Leg Curls - X9, 7, 7 @8

Bayesian Curls - X7, 8, 10, 8 @7/8

Rower - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 10 rounds

Solid session.  Tried using a higher pulley position on the Bayesian Curls (as everyone seems to recommend), but it made it feel more awkward and I didn't feel as much tension on my biceps in the stretch position, so I'll probably just go back to a low pulley with an off-set stance.

Reap What You Row Week 1. Day B.

sRPE @6.5

BW - 228

BB Rows - 160X3, 3 @easy

Squats - 

-    up to 295X1 @~5

-    275X3, 3 @~6

Cable Rear Laterals - X6, 4, 5 @8/9

super-set with

Cable Flies - X9, 9, 8 @8

Machine Standing Calves - X7, 7, 7, 7 @8/9

Rower - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 10 rounds

Solid session.  Elbow discomfort seems to be retreating.

Reap What You Row Week 1. Day A.

sRPE @ 6.5

BW - 226

Beltless BB Rows - 

-    up to 185X3 @6

-    160X8 @8.5

Pull-Downs - X9, 8, 8 @8/9

Hypers - 25# behind head X7, 7 @8

super-set with

Bench Dips - BWX14, 10 @8

BB Curls - 65X8, 6, 6, 6 @8/9

Rower - HIIT; 0:20/1:40; 10 rounds

Decided to go ahead and start my Row specialization block with the new week.  I've started recent specialization blocks with much lower volume, but I used this last pivot block to really drive up sub-maximal work capacity.  So I'm coming into this block having everything but BB Rows already at max anticipated volume, and this is still less volume than I was doing the last few weeks.

I would have probably gone for more sets on Rows as well, but I've some nagging issue on the outside of my right elbow that I'm working around.

Also upped HIIT to 10 rounds.

Pivot. Week 4. Day A.

sRPE @8

BW - 224

Squats -

-    up to 325X1 @7

-    290X3, 3, 3, 3, 3 @~7

BB Rows - 

-    195X5 @8

-    195X3, 3, 3 @~7

GHR - BWX11, 8, 7, 8 @8.5/9

supe-set with

Machine Laterals - X8, 8, 8, 7 @8

Incline DB Rear Delt Laterals - 15sX10, 10, 8, 8, 8 @7.5/9

Rower - HIIT; 7 rounds

Humidity was bad in the gym, but I was more mentally prepared for it.  Made myself stay focused during rest breaks on Squats and Rows, and took my time with all the hypertrophy work instead of pushing pace.

I also head my wrist sweat bands today, so that may have made a difference.  And head bands showed up in the mail so everybody better look out.

Pivot. Week 3. Day C.

sRPE @8.5

BW - 224

Deadlift - 

-    up to 360X1 @7.5

-    315X3, 3, 3, 3 @6/7

DB Bench - 65sX9, 7, 6, 6 @8

Cable Rows - X12, 9, 8 @8

BB Curls - 70X7, 6, 6, 6 @8

super-set with

GHR Sit-Ups - BWX8, 7, 6, 5 @~8

Rower - HIIT, 7 rounds

Basement of the building was full of water again, and the humidity in the gym was pretty rough.  DLs felt weak out of the gate, and it's hard to tell if that was environmental or other.  Everything else was fairly flat compared to recent sessions, but overall session RPE was definitely elevated by the atmosphere.