Monday, May 4, 2026

RTS Block 4. Week 5. Day 3.

sRPE @9
BW - 228

High Bar Squat - 
-    255X6 @4.5
-    275X6(PR) @6.5
-    290X6(PR) @7.5

Bench - 
-    230X1 @9.5
-    195X4 @8
-    180X4, 4, 4 @7

Deadlift Paused below knee -
-    350X4(PR) @8.5
-    325X5 @7.5
-    310X5, 5 @~7

DB Bench - 
-    65sX14, 9 @10
-    55sX8 @10
-    45sX12 @10

Face Pulls - X18, 15, 14 @10

Really tough session, but I got PRs on High Bar Squats and Paused Deads, and matched a 14 Rep DB Bench PR.  Pretty good for week 1, and hopefully I'll acclimate.  It's basically the same volume of SBD for Day 3 as last block so I should.

Thursday, April 30, 2026

RTS Block 4. Week 5. Day 2.

sRPE @7
BW - 227

Squat - 400X1 @8

Marrs Bar Squat - 
-    310X4 @6
-    295X4, 4 @5

Spoto Bench - 
-    185X2 @6
-    190X2 @7
-    197.5X2 @7.5
-    205X2 @8.5

PBN - 
-    75X8, 8 @6
-    80X8 @7.5

CS Rows - 115X14, 11, 10 @~10

Pull-Downs - X9, 11, 10 @10

First time squatting 400+ since late May 2018.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

RTS Block 4. Week 5. Day 1.

sRPE @7.5
BW - 227

Pause Squats - 
-    305X3 @5
-    315X3 @5.5
-    335X3(PR) @7

Larsen Bench - 
-    155X5 @5.5
-    175X5 @7
-    190X5(PR) @9

Deadlift - 
-    410X1 @9
-    345X3, 3, 3 @7/7.5

Incline Bench - 130X12, 11, 11 @8/10

GHR - BWX16, 13 @~9

Solid session to start the block.  PRs on Pause Squats and Larsens.  DL was a bigger stepback to start the block than I'd hoped, but hopefully it charges forward from here.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

RTS Pivot Block 5. Week 1. Day 3.

sRPE @6
BW - 228

003 (tempo to knee) Beltless Deadlift -
-    295X2 @6
-    310X2 @7
-    320X2 @7.5

TnG Bench - 
-    150X10 @5.5
-    160X10 @7.5
-    165X10 @9

Hammer Rows against light band -
-    70X8 @6
-    90X8 @7
-    100X9 @8

BB Curls - 60X12, 11, 9 @~9
super-set with
1-Arm Cable Laterals - X13, 13, 12 @9/10

Totally forgot to do conditioning afterwards.

Thursday, April 23, 2026

RTS Pivot Block 5. Week 1. Day 2.

sRPE @6.5
BW - 228

320 Kitless Squat - 
-    245X2 @6
-    255X2 @7.5
-    260X2 @8

Sumo Beltless RDL w/ Straps - 225X9 @7.5

1-1/4 Rep Bench - 
-    162.5X4, 4 @8/8.5
-    155X4, 4 @7.5/8

Beltless Press - 
-    110X6 @8
-    105X5, 5 @~7
super-set with
WG CS Rows - 
-    115X11, 8 @9.5/7
-    90X10 @7

Stationary Bike - SIT; 0:20/1:40; 10 minutes

Pause squats feel way different now without sleeves.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

RTS Pivot Block 5. Week 1. Day 1.

sRPE @5.5
BW - 228

600 Tempo Belt Squat - 140X8, 6, 6 @7/8
super-set with
Pin Bench - 
-    170X5 @7
-    185X3 @6.5
-    210X1 @7.5

Pull-Downs - X9, 10, 8 @~9
super-set with
1-Arm Cable Pushdowns - X16, 9 @8

Stationary Bike - SIT; 0:20/1:40; 10 minutes

Nice and quick.  I decided to add in super-setting movements, and worked up a nice, light sweat.  Also added in some spring intervals at the end which has become my habit in pivots.

Saturday, April 18, 2026

RTS Block 4. Week 4. Day 3.

sRPE @8.5
BW - 228

SBS - 285X7(PR), 6, 7 @~7

Bench -
-    207.5X3 @8
-    235X1 @9
-    185X5, 5, 5 @6/7

Deadlift Paused below knee -
-    360X3 @8
-    340X4(PR) @8
-    315X4, 4 @6

DB Bench - 70sX12(PR), 8, 9 @~10

Tough session to end the block, but 3 Rep PRs on supplemental lifts.

Went 395X3, 235X1, and 405X3 on SBD this week.  On weight alone, that's a 1035 total.  That's 65 lbs. over my meet PR, and only 80 lbs. away from my lifetime PRs.  Those lifetime PRs include questionable depth on squats, and TnG on Bench with butt coming off the bench.  It will feel good to pass those strict.

Next block is a "Tier 1" peaking block that will end in a mock meet.  I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to beat my lifetime heaviest Squat of 410 if things go at least moderately well.  Beating 255 on Bench and 450 on DL seem fairly unlikely in just one more block.

I'm still looking for a meet in the fall to try and sweep my lifetime PRs in an actual meet, but we'll see.

Also need to work on strategies to mitigate heavy squats beating up my arms.  That'll be agenda item #1 for my live call with my coach next week.