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.

Son of a Bench Week 7. Day B.

sRPE @6

BW - 224

Bench - 185X1, 1 @6.5

Machine Knee Raise - X11, 11 @10

Machine Flyes - X11, 9 @10

super-set with

DB Curls - 35sX8, 6 @10

Pushdowns - X17, 12 @10

super-set with

Machine SL Calf Press - X12, 10 @10

Rower - HIIT, 5 rounds

Just got in and got some work in between weeks off.

Inter-Holiday Session

sRPE @5.5

BW - 227

Press (beltless) - up to 145X1(PR) @9.5

CS Rows - 135X10, 10 @8/9

Hanging Flexed Knee-to-Chest w/straps - BWX12(PR), 9, 7 @8.5/10

Pivot-y kind of session before I start a Press-focused block next week.  

I haven't done a ton of beltless Pressing, but I'm pretty sure that is a PR.  

Lockout on this an all of the singles working up to it felt different than they did recently when I was going after the Press.  I'd been hitting a pretty hard sticking point about 2/3 of the way up, and I'd tried attacking it with Pin Presses and Push Presses, with little success.  These sets hit that sticking point and slowed a little, but still smoothly pushed through to lockout.

If that feel holds through the beginning of the block, I'd be tempted to chalk it up to all of the triceps work I did on my Dips mini-block. 

I'm also pretty sure 12 reps at this BW is a Rep PR on Hanging Flexed-Knee-to-Chest, but I haven't done that variation too often.  Had to use straps on these because left forearm discomfort continues (and may become a confounder in my Pressing; fingers crossed).

Reload Day

sRPE @6.5

BW - 227

ATG Pause Squat - 225X3 @6

MG Cambered Bench - 155X3 @7

SLDL - 275X3 @6.5

Chin-Ups - BW+25X3 @10

Hanging Flexed Knee-to-Chest - BWX3 @6.5

DB OH Extensions - 55X10 @10

DB Curls - 40sX9 @10

Holiday week got away from me and so I didn't train for over a week.  Swept into the gym yesterday and just hit a little bit of everything so that I can start my new training block on Monday not completely de-trained. 

Chins, Hips, Curls

sRPE @7

BW - 223

Chins w/ Straps - BWX6, 5, 4, 3 @10

Hanging Knees-to-Chest w/ Straps - BWX8, 5 @9.5/8

BB Curls - 80X11(PR), 7, 7(PR) @~10

Chin strength rebounded slightly this week.  Still using straps because of bandage on finger.

Bandage kept trying to come off during K2C no matter how much electrical tape I kept wrapping it in.  Stopped after 2 sets.

Nice to hit Rep and Volume PRs on straight bar Curls.  Haven't done them since May.

Dips, Hips, Curls, Shoulders

sRPE @7

BW - 225

Bench Dips - BWX18, 15, 16, 13 @8.5/10

Machine Knee Raise - X13, 12, 10 @10

Incline DB Curls - 40X12, 30X13, 13 @10

super-set with

Incline DB 45-degree Raise - 40X9, 30X10, 8 @10

Training and Recovery were both disrupted around the 4th of July holiday.  I was able to get into the gym on Sunday, but didn't feel up to Deadlifting.  Decided to go ahead and start my new block of training instead.  Will be focused on Vertical Pressing (Dips, and Overheads), and Upper Back Pulling.

Deficit DL, Hips, Dips

sRPE @7.5

BW - 225

Deficit DL - 

-    up to 395X1 @9.5

-    370X3(PR) @9

-    315X3, 3 @~6

Big Hipper Supersets - 

-    Machine Knee Raise - X13, 12, 11 @10

-    Hypers - BWX13, 13, 13 @~10

-    Adductor Machine - X13, 14, 15 @10

Machine Dips - 135X15, 13, 10 @9/10

This time around with Deficits, it's been a challenge getting into good starting position and maintaining it below the knees.  Managed to go a bit heavier this week and also pull a PR triple, but it's the most challenging of the 3 main lift variations this wave.

Built up a lot of fatigue on DLs, so did the lowest fatigue movements on hip supersets.

Forgot to do curls dagnabbit. 

Deficit DL, Hips, Dips, Curls

sRPE @8

BW - 225

Deficit Deadlift - 

-    up to 385X1 @9

-    315X3, 3, 3 @~7

"Big Hipper" Supersets -

-    Hanging Hip and Flexed Knee Raise - BWX8, 7, 6 @8.5/10

-    GHR - BWX15, 13, 11 @7/10

-    Copenhagen Planks - BWX15, 13, 14 @7/10

Dips - BWX7, 7, 7 @~9

super-set with

Lying DB Curls - 15sX12, 10, 10 @9/10

Deficit DLs always take some getting acclimated to when I haven't done them for a while.  Figuring out belt placement for reasonable comfort, getting the starting position right, etc.  Back-off sets are helpful for this.

Still felt fresh enough afterwards to do some of the bigger "Big Hipper" movements.  Also gym was empty enough that I could use the benches by the Belt Squat for Copenhagens which is my preferred spot.

Dips were weak.  Late in the session, so ok, but weak.  

Sumo DL, Upper Back, Hips

sRPE @9

BW - 223

Sumo DL - 

-    up to 385X1(PR) @9.5

-    w/ Straps 315X6, 6, 4 @7/10*

Upper Back Attack - 

-    Inverted Rear Deal Rows - BWX12, 12 @~10

-    Inverted Rows - BWX12, 10 @~9

-    Inverted Scapula Shrugs - BWX12, 11 @10

Big Hipper Supersets -

-    VKR Bent Knee Raise - X11, 10, 10 @10

-    Glute Hypers - X12, 10, 10 @9/10

-    Adductor Machine - X14, 12, 9 @10

Pushdowns - X14, 12, 9 @~10

365 moved so well that I thought I would get 405, but still got a PR.  *I had a back spasm on the 3rd back-off set so I cut it there.  No lingering pain from that.

Similar to the Seal Row, the Inverted Row feels ok on Rear Delt and regular rows, but on the Scap Retractions I'm really missing the ability to take my thoracic spine through a good ROM.  I think CS and Cable Rows are just superior in this regard.  I might try this with 1-arm DB rows if I'm feeling really good one day and have plenty of time.

Discovered I could basically due a full concentric rep on hypers just by contracting my glutes.  Fun!  I then tried contracting my glutes on the concentric, but then relaxing them at the top and letting my erectors handle the eccentric.  Kind of a lot to focus on, but ok.

Sumo DL, Upper Back, Hips

sRPE @8

BW - 224

Sumo DL - 

up to 365X1 (PR) @9.5

add straps 315X6 (PR), 6, 6 @~8

Upper Back Attack -

-    CS Rear Delt Rows - 55X20, 17 @9/10

-    CS Rows - 100X10, 8 @9/10

-    CS Scap Retractions - 100X12, 10 @~10

"Little Hipper" supersets -

-    Hanging Bent Knee Raise - BWX11, 12 @7/9

-    Adductor Machine - X15, 13 @10

I don't think I've ever actually pulled Sumo mixed-grip before.  Supinated hand swung way out on the top set.

Back-off sets were harder than I expected at this weight.  Felt like my eye was gonna pop out.

Because of the Sumo, etc. decided to not do any hip extension on the "Hipper" super-sets. I did mess around with trying to keep my knees bent back throughout the knee raises with the idea of keeping the RF more lengthened.

Upper Back, Hips, Triceps

sRPE @8

BW - 225

Upper Back Attack -

-    Seal Rear Delt Rows - 80X10, 9, 10 @9.5/10

-    Seal Rows

    -    130X8 @9.5

    -    100X9, 8 @10

-    Seal Scapular Retractions - 100X11, 10, 9 @~10

Big Hipper Giant-Sets -

-    Double-Crunch Machine Knee Raise - BWX10, 12, 10 @8/10

-    Hypers - BWX14, 12, 11 @8/10

-    Adductor Machine - X16, 15, 14 @~10

Pushdowns - X14, 10, 10 @~10

Firs time using the Seal Row bench.  I liked it for the Rear Delt Rows, but didn't like it for the other two movements.

Big Hipper felt good.

Pivot Block. Cycle 2. Session C.

 BW - 230

Waist - 44"

X-2-3-3 Tempo Chins - BWX9, 8, 7 @8/9

Bench Dips - BWX20, 20, 20 @6/8.5

Knee Raises (above parallel) - BWX9, 8, 7 @~8

DB Full Raise - 12sX12, 12 @6

super-set with

Hammer Curls - 12sX12, 12, @~7

Pivot Block. Cycle 1. Session C.

 BW - 230

Waist - 43.75"

X-2-3-3 Tempo Chins - BWX8, 8, 8 @7/9

Bench Dips - BWX20, 20, 20 @6/9.5

Knee Raises (above parallel) - BWX8, 8, 8 @6/9

DB Full Raise - 12sX12, 12 @6

super-set with

Hammer Curls - 12sX12, 12, @6

Pivot Block. Cycle 2. Session C.; Cycle 3. Session A.

BW: 228; 232

Waist: 43; ?

2C:

1-Arm DB Rows - 60'sX12, 12, 12 @5.5/8.5

Leg Raises on Knee Raise bench - BWX12, 9, 6 @7.5/8.5

Floor Rolling DB Extensions - 45sX10, 10 @~8

Straight-Arm Pushdowns - 10, 10 @8/10

3A:

X-2-3-3 Tempo Chins - BWX7, 6, 5 @7.8/8

3-2-0 Tempo Squat - 235X5, 5, 5 @ ~6

3-2-0 Tempo Bench - 150X5, 5, 5 @~6

1-Arm Pull-Downs - X10, 10, 10 @7/9

Pivot Block. Cycle 1. Session C.

BW - 288

1-Arm DB Rows - 60'sX10, 10 @ ~6

Leg Raises on Knee Raise bench - BWX10, 10 @~6

Floor Rolling DB Extensions - 40sX10@7

Straight-Arm Pushdowns - 10 @~9.5

Pivot Block. Cycle 1. Session B.

BW - 226

Waist - 42.75"

sRPE @ 7

3-2-0 Tempo Bench -
130X7 @7
135X7 @7.5

DB Press (350 Method) - 25sX25, 17, 15 (57 total)

Inverted Row (Myo-Reps; 30 sec. rests) - BWX16, 5, 5, 5, 5, 7 @8.5/9

Flexed-Arm Knee-to-Bar - BWX6, 4, 5 @8.5/10

I'll have a bit more focus on Press next block vs. Bench, and so I've reduced the total Bench variation sets for the pivot, and upped the total reps on the Press variation.  Press used Paul Carter's 350 method (3 AMRAP sets until you can get 50 reps, then  up the weight next session).  Blew past 50 here, so I'm going to up it to the 35s next week.  That's a bigger jump than I would take in a developmental block, but with only a 2 week pivot and such high reps, I feel comfortable ramping intensity quickly here.

All the chin-up volume in the last block seems to have done wonders for the ol' flexed-hang knee raise.  I've always done these as a partial curl-up, but I had no problem going knee to bar on these sets, and reps/set were comparable to past pivot blocks despite the longer ROM.

Pivot Block. Cycle 2. Session B.

BW - 223

Waist - 43.25"

5-3-0 Tempo Bench - 130X5, 5, 5 @~7.5

Standing DB Press - 45sX7, 7 @~7

Machine Pullovers - X10, 10, 10, 10 @6.5/8.5

Flexed Arm Hanging Curl Ups - BWX5, 4, 5 @~9

Conditioning - LISS; 25 minutes walking

Pivot Block. Cycle 1. Session A and B.

BW - 225

Session A:

5-3-0 Tempo Squat - 215X6, 6, 6 @~7

Single-Leg Horizontal Leg Press - 135X8, 8, 8 @~7

Single-Arm Chest Supported Row - 25X5, 5, 5 @7

DB Curls - 

20sX12 @~7

25sX12 @~8

Session B:

5-3-0 Tempo Bench - 125X5, 5, 5 @7/8.5

Standing DB Press - 40sX7, 7 @7, 8

Machine Pullovers - 65X10, 9 @9

Flexed Arm Hanging Curl Ups - BWX4, 4 @~9

LISS - 25 minute brisk walk home

Missed two weeks of training due to a variety of health issues.  Doctor's orders not to go to heavy pending my next specialist consultation.  So a two week pivot to prepare for what will hopefully be my next dev block. 

This was all fine, although (and I've noticed this before) it seems like after a complete layoff, RPE increase much more drastically between work sets.

Pivot Block. Session B.

BW - 226

Waist - 42.75"

5-3-0 Tempo Bench - 135X4, 4, 4, 4 @~6

Split Squat w/ Chains - 55+35X6, 6, 6, 6 @6

Trap Bar High Handle Split RDL - 135X6, 6, 6 @6

Flexed Arm Knee-to-Chest - BWX5, 5 @~8

BB Curls - 60X10, 10 @~8

Conditioning - Rower; HIIT; 20 seconds; 7 rounds

Solid little session.

As always with pivot blocks, one of my objectives it to find ways to "practice" or otherwise prep for anything rather novel that may be happening in the following block.  Give me the opportunity to sort of grease the groove on different grips, ROMs, etc.  Squatting with chains is one of those novel things, so I took this opportunity to start seeing what setting them up is like.  I've seen it done often enough both live and on video, that I had a good idea  of how to do it.  I think it went pretty well, and will feel confident setting them up for regular squats next week. 

Trap Bar Split RDL are just another way to find single-leg Deadlift assistance.  Weren't quite as awkward as I expected, but....weren't NOT awkward either, lol.

Took video of the last set of each of those movements.