To Infinity.... and Beyond!

[Hyde]

That’s what I miss about having a lifting partner. Went w same guy for 2 yrs. He was a little older and way stronger. But knew when to step in and when to let me grind it out
We actually started lifting together from him saying “hey junior, I saw you trying to hurt yourself yesterday, why don’t you come lift with me”. Never swapped numbers, we both just worked u til 4 and got to gym same time every day and would agree on 10am for saturdays. Gym ran a killer $225 for 2 yrs special that we both jumped on and 3 months later showing up to an empty gym w doors locked. Haven’t seen him since.

Damn, sad ending to that one

I love my lifting buddies for the heavy lifts but the problem is they lack conditioning or drive for the extra work.
I love the big lifts, for sure, but I really enjoy the "pop tart" accessories that I let myself do after I finished "the work". They're good for a squat session, pull, or press session. but once I move into triceps, shoulders, biceps, etc they tap out.

Except my son. won't back squat, but loves to leg press 400lb+, leg curl/extend the whole machine etc hahaha

This is pretty normal, ultimately. To do the big lifting together, then split up for piddly stuff. Plus people generally need different accessories, or like different movements, or need to do things differently for injuries and such eventually.

 

[Segansational]

That’s what I miss about having a lifting partner. Went w same guy for 2 yrs. He was a little older and way stronger. But knew when to step in and when to let me grind it out
We actually started lifting together from him saying “hey junior, I saw you trying to hurt yourself yesterday, why don’t you come lift with me”. Never swapped numbers, we both just worked u til 4 and got to gym same time every day and would agree on 10am for saturdays. Gym ran a killer $225 for 2 yrs special that we both jumped on and 3 months later showing up to an empty gym w doors locked. Haven’t seen him since.

What a bummer! Both the money outlay and losing a good spotter.

 

[PolishHamm3r77]

What a bummer! Both the money outlay and losing a good spotter.

I could almost hear the music from the end of Incredible Hulk as I walked back to my car…

 

[Dustin07]

This is pretty normal, ultimately. To do the big lifting together, then split up for piddly stuff. Plus people generally need different accessories, or like different movements, or need to do things differently for injuries and such eventually.

for sure, but in my scenario it's one guy who wants to put in work, and another who has petered out or lazy, but unfortunately the one who has petered out drove with the guy who's putting in the work. so his option is to keep going or pretend to die under the barbell for a half hour.

 

[Hyde]

for sure, but in my scenario it's one guy who wants to put in work, and another who has petered out or lazy, but unfortunately the one who has petered out drove with the guy who's putting in the work. so his option is to keep going or pretend to die under the barbell for a half hour.

Your gym partner is playing opossum!

 

[Dustin07]

Squats
10 x 95
5 x 135, 185
3 x 225, 255

Rack pulls mid shin
5 x 225, 275
1 x 315, 365, 405, 455

Power cleans
10 x 95
5 x 135, 155, 175, 195

Power snatch
10 x 95
1 x 135

Hammer strength twist machine thingy
3 x 12

Superset ez bar curls
3 x 12

Seated incline DB curls
2 x 10

Everything firing slow today, but got some work in.

 

[BennyMagoo79]

Nice rack pulls mate!

 

[Electrake]

I have the same gym bag

I'm listening to Dr. Mike Israetel talk about rack pulls, seeing your post about rack pulls, I guess I need to work in some rack pulls.

 

[Dustin07]

Some people don't believe in them but I have not put enough time into ROM lately so the rack pulls are letting me feel some heavier weight in my hands while I work back up.. had great glute and hammy engagement though!

My buddy went up to 495 today but I felt like 455 was enough of a grind for me today.

 

[Dustin07]

I have the same gym bag

I'm listening to Dr. Mike Israetel talk about rack pulls, seeing your post about rack pulls, I guess I need to work in some rack pulls.

The green one is my buddy's with the phat squat, the grey one is mine lol. Wife got it for me years ago and somehow it's still holding up. Sorta....

 

[Electrake]

The green one is my buddy's with the phat squat, the grey one is mine lol. Wife got it for me years ago and somehow it's still holding up. Sorta....

Yup, the grey one I got probably 8-10 years ago, amazon special, and somehow it's still alive lol.

 

[Dustin07]

Yup, the grey one I got probably 8-10 years ago, amazon special, and somehow it's still alive lol.

you got that waterproof pocket sewn into one side? I used that side for years, especially when I was xfitting, for sweaty gear. now days it is torn on the inside so if I'm not careful with my knee sleeves they'll destroy everything in my bag before I even get home lol

 

[Electrake]

you got that waterproof pocket sewn into one side? I used that side for years, especially when I was xfitting, for sweaty gear. now days it is torn on the inside so if I'm not careful with my knee sleeves they'll destroy everything in my bag before I even get home lol

Yup! I don't really use it often however. It was nice when I'd lift before classes for sweaty undies, but now my chalk lives there, or beard stuff if I need to go somewhere after training lol.

 

[Dustin07]

Yup! I don't really use it often however. It was nice when I'd lift before classes for sweaty undies, but now my chalk lives there, or beard stuff if I need to go somewhere after training lol.

dude in my gym bag, from memory right now:

1. earbuds
2. emergency earbuds
3. green, orange, and red bands
4. wrist wraps
5. chalk
6. salts <-- which should be replaced
7. one wrist strap, cause I lost one
8. liquid chalk
9. sling shot
10. extra socks, 2 shirts, shorts, shoes
11. a key that I'm not sure what it goes to
12. gymnastics grips
13. extra wrist wraps (wrap style, not velcro style)
14. and probably some other crap lol

 

[Electrake]

dude in my gym bag, from memory right now:

1. earbuds
2. emergency earbuds
3. green, orange, and red bands
4. wrist wraps
5. chalk
6. salts <-- which should be replaced
7. one wrist strap, cause I lost one
8. liquid chalk
9. sling shot
10. extra socks, 2 shirts, shorts, shoes
11. a key that I'm not sure what it goes to
12. gymnastics grips
13. extra wrist wraps (wrap style, not velcro style)
14. and probably some other crap lol

Lmao this should be a thread, gym bag list.
1. Headphones
2. wrist wraps
4. Thicker wrist wraps
5. 70cm figure 8s
6. 80cm figure 8s
7. Arm occlusion band
8. Leg occlusion bands
9. Liquid chalk
10. Climbing chalk
11. KT tape
12. Squat shoes
13. Lever belt
14. Lighter velcro belt
15. Loading pin
16. 3" rolling handle
17. Fat gripz
18. Wet wipes
19. Whatever else I throw in for the day

I'm lucky I can just go after my 1130 meeting and come back home though, no extra/sweaty clothes or anything.

 

[Dustin07]

I forgot deodorant is on my list as well lol

7. Arm occlusion band
8. Leg occlusion bands

I never got into them, do you like using occlusion bands?

12. Squat shoes
13. Lever belt

so in the back cargo area of my car I keep 3 pairs of shoes and my inzer belt permanently, lol. On squat/pull days, I grab the flats and inzer. on press or cardio days, the sauconys. I used to keep my ristos in my bag but it was getting cumbersome and I was using them less and less.

14. Lighter velcro belt

I finally stopped using a velcro belt entirely but loved my old valeo when I was oly lifting.

oh yeah one other item... dip belt.

 

[Electrake]

I never got into them, do you like using occlusion bands?

I like them for arms and calves on a hypertrophy specific day, which I don't do very often anymore since moving to strength training. Layne Norton got me into it a few years back, and the science behind it is very intriguing, however it can be done wrong very easily (too tight, too loose). It's humbling though, I max out cables for tricep extensions and have to work tempo, but with bands I can bust it down to 25-30lb and bang out 20 reps and feel like my arms are going to pop.

 

[Resolve10]

See the real key is just to own the gym so the entire space is your gym bag.

Occlusion work is great when done right. I know I’ve posted about it in various threads before, for lots of people it’s maybe not worth the expense, but we use Saga cuffs at my gym.

 

[Electrake]

See the real key is just to own the gym so the entire space is your gym bag.

Occlusion work is great when done right. I know I’ve posted about it in various threads before, for lots of people it’s maybe not worth the expense, but we use Saga cuffs at my gym.

That is the dream lol. I want a brewery, gym, and a restaurant all attached. Restaurants name is "Only Eggs." Guess what they serve.

 

[SkRaw85]

you got that waterproof pocket sewn into one side? I used that side for years, especially when I was xfitting, for sweaty gear. now days it is torn on the inside so if I'm not careful with my knee sleeves they'll destroy everything in my bag before I even get home lol

Yup! I don't really use it often however. It was nice when I'd lift before classes for sweaty undies, but now my chalk lives there, or beard stuff if I need to go somewhere after training lol.

A lot of people don’t know this, but you can put your weed in there!

 

[SkRaw85]

That is the dream lol. I want a brewery, gym, and a restaurant all attached. Restaurants name is "Only Eggs." Guess what they serve.

Ha! I have the same dream. Greenhouses, restaurant, training empire, bar/lounge.
My business model is fool proof, send funding please.

 

[Electrake]

Ha! I have the same dream. Greenhouses, restaurant, training empire, bar/lounge.
My business model is fool proof, send funding please.

My grow op is in Virginia about an hour away, all hypothetical of course. Nothing but the best for my patrons.

 

[Dustin07]

Layne Norton got me into it a few years back, and the science behind it is very intriguing,

funny enough, it was Layne that got me interested in them too lol

See the real key is just to own the gym so the entire space is your gym bag.

ha been there done that, not going down that road again
I definitely grew to appreciate "showing up" to other peoples gyms when it was no longer my responsibility to top of the toilet paper or fix the bikes etc

 

[Dustin07]

Bench
2 x 12 x 95
3 x 135, 185, 205, 225, 245, 265
1 x 275

Slingshot
1 x 295, 305, 305
4 x 275

+Greenbands
5 x 135
EMOTM
10 x 3 x 145

Raw
25 x 135 wide grip

EZ bar lying Skull crushers
12 x 50, 60, 70

Superset with rear delt swings
3 x 15 x 22.5lbs

Rope pushdowns
1 x 20

Battle ropes
3 rounds at like 20 - 30 seconds each for fun

Weight 195

 

[Resolve10]

Ya Layne did a decent bit of talking about it when it started to get more popular with Jeremy Loeneke's hyping and studies of it awhile back. Use it more in the rehab space, but think it still has some cool potential as at the very least a nice change up even in healthy individuals.

 

[Dustin07]

that was a decent session even though I would have liked another half hour of training.
It was nice to steamroll my buddy today since he rack pulled 495 yesterday and I smoked him on bench lol. #balance
the battle ropes... I hate that I enjoyed playing with them.

I get to where I really crave that cardio kick to clean out the chest. feels good, makes me feel healthier.

 

[Segansational]

That is the dream lol. I want a brewery, gym, and a restaurant all attached. Restaurants name is "Only Eggs." Guess what they serve.

Ha! I have the same dream. Greenhouses, restaurant, training empire, bar/lounge.
My business model is fool proof, send funding please.

Count me in. A brewery / gym combo sounds pretty sweet. I mean, after all beer muscles are a thing! But for real, I could see running/owning/working in a brewery...

 

[Dustin07]

Deadlifts
4 sets very light

DB curls
3 x 15

Superset with EZ bar curls
3 sets

Leg press
10 x +90, +180, +270
5 x +330, +360

Battle ropes
7 rounds of 20 seconds
Sorta Tabata style


Talked my boy into a rare lower day so we went super light on deads to teach him the movement. Otherwise was all accessory day.

I was shocked he was up for battle ropes

 

[Hyde]

Deadlifts
4 sets very light

DB curls
3 x 15

Superset with EZ bar curls
3 sets

Leg press
10 x +90, +180, +270
5 x +330, +360

Battle ropes
7 rounds of 20 seconds
Sorta Tabata style


Talked my boy into a rare lower day so we went super light on deads to teach him the movement. Otherwise was all accessory day.

I was shocked he was up for battle ropes

Did you guys trade the ropes back and forth, 20 seconds on, 20 rest while the other goes?

 

[Dustin07]

Did you guys trade the ropes back and forth, 20 seconds on, 20 rest while the other goes?

I set the Tabata timer on my wod app (20on 10 off) and we rotated rounds so it was like 20 seconds of work, 20-30 seconds break. Not true Tabata but enough to work into it....

 

[Dustin07]

Bench
20 x bar
10 x 95
5 x 135, 185
1 x 225, 250, 270, 290

Slingshot
1 x 305, 315
6 x 275 (reps PR)

Raw
8 x 225

Tricep cable push downs
3 sets

Machine dips
3 sets

Pec deck
3 sets

Machine Incline press
5 sets

Battle ropes
7 x 20 sec on, 40 sec off

LISS (Duolingo time)
25 min


Notes
Sunday bro sesh with my boy. First 290/315 since January I think and both felt awesome. Had 320 in the tank easy but wanted to end strong.

I think maybe 225 x 10 too but I went straight from the 275 x 6 into raw without break.

 

[akboom87]

Heck yeah some nice bench work! Looks like a great session

 

[Electrake]

Man.. maybe I should try out the slingshot. Literally never have.

 

[Dustin07]

Yeah that was a killer session. Just finished four full weeks of my Epiandro run and I think between that and the extra banded work I'm starting to see some progress again. I grabbed that 185 for a single on my warm up progression but it flew so I knocked out 5 and knew it was gonna be a killer day.

 

[kjscatch]

Yeah that was a killer session. Just finished four full weeks of my Epiandro run and I think between that and the extra banded work I'm starting to see some progress again. I grabbed that 185 for a single on my warm up progression but it flew so I knocked out 5 and knew it was gonna be a killer day.

That did look like a solid session. I can’t get the slingshot out of my mind! Haha and now rack pulls. I was also planning on an epiandro run as well from Oct-Dec to try to hit my goals.

 

[Dustin07]

That did look like a solid session. I can’t get the slingshot out of my mind! Haha and now rack pulls. I was also planning on an epiandro run as well from Oct-Dec to try to hit my goals.

what's the reasoning for pushing out till fall? Bulking season?

 

[Hyde]

Nice work! Glad it’s clicking for you again.

 

[Dustin07]

Nice work! Glad it’s clicking for you again.

thanks man, things are definitely feeling better and 300 is feeling within striking distance again.
I figured I'd run this epi until about May 15th which would be 6 weeks (and coincidentally my wedding anniversary). I think my TD ultra epi will last about that long and I'm stacking it with epiandrolean caps (usually 2 a day) so I'm getting heavily dosed. I would love to run it much longer but in the past few days started noticing the hair shedding again which is always my key side unfortunately.

 

[SkRaw85]

Bench
20 x bar
10 x 95
5 x 135, 185
1 x 225, 250, 270, 290

Slingshot
1 x 305, 315
6 x 275 (reps PR)

Raw
8 x 225

Tricep cable push downs
3 sets

Machine dips
3 sets

Pec deck
3 sets

Machine Incline press
5 sets

Battle ropes
7 x 20 sec on, 40 sec off

LISS (Duolingo time)
25 min


Notes
Sunday bro sesh with my boy. First 290/315 since January I think and both felt awesome. Had 320 in the tank easy but wanted to end strong.

I think maybe 225 x 10 too but I went straight from the 275 x 6 into raw without break.

Nice rep pr
How’s the kiddo after deads the other day?

 

[Dustin07]

Nice rep pr
How’s the kiddo after deads the other day?

his only soreness complaint the next day was biceps from the 2 x 20 db curl sets he ran lol.
I was super setting 3x db curls with 3x ez bar... couldn't muster enough motivation in him for that. He said since his sets were 20 reps he had done just as many

 

[Dustin07]

But he did agree that the deadlift is king, so I think his interest is piqued.

 

[Hyde]

Mine will be the 18th! It’s coming up fast.

But he did agree that the deadlift is king, so I think his interest is piqued.

It really is a great show of overall body strength. Yes there are those with particularly advantaged leverages certainly, but it is a good test for the average guy and especially the shorter-armed! If you have someone with a stout bench or press also making strong pulls, you really have a strong person. This is why push-pull total is such a good metric of overall might.

Squatting is an awesome developmental movement, but it is more technical. It is my favorite lift to PR & it will build more stones than almost anything, so I love it & powerlifting (as in, the 3-lift total as a competitive endeavor). But just adding up your current bench & deadlift is a great indicator of practical gym strength.

 

[Dustin07]

Power cleans
5 x 95, 135, 165, 185
3 x 205, 225

Wanted 235 but form was going

Deficit deads 2"
3 x 225, 275, 315, 365, 385

RDLs
5 x 315
5 x 225

+ Green band
EMOTM
6 x 5 x 225

Front squats
EMOTM
5 x 95, 115, 135, 155
10 x 95

Rear delt swings
3 sets

Superset with EZ bar curls
3 sets

Leg ext
3 sets

Battle ropes
15 sec on 15 sec off
8 rounds

That's a rough 4 minutes


Notes
Was feeling good today!!
Those RDLs at 315 did throw me off though. I thought for sure that would be 8 raw and sets with bands but it was much heavier than I expected after the earlier work


Something about high rep 225lb deads just grows the chest hair and makes your dick hard.

I am absolutely drenched in sweat.
My golf coach ain't gonna be happy about this tonight, lol

 

[Dustin07]

Mine will be the 18th! It’s coming up fast.

congrats man, I hope it's a really great and meaningful day for you. as I get older and more grateful for life, I find my marriage is more and more important to me. I had a conversation with myself while driving the other day and I was asking me what I do for fun, what my hobbies are. I responded; "My wife, lifting, golf, and travel".

Squatting is an awesome developmental movement, but it is more technical. It is my favorite lift to PR & it will build more stones than almost anything, so I love it & powerlifting (as in, the 3-lift total as a competitive endeavor). But just adding up your current bench & deadlift is a great indicator of practical gym strength.

Agreed on all accounts.
I'm grateful my desire to squat is actually starting come back lately. I'm loving bringing cleans back because the sense of explosive power is great, but my 14yr old is about 1" shorter than me and I swear to God his legs are 50% thicker. Ever leg press set I did, he did, and he would usually double my reps. I force him to slow down and I track his knees and watch him carefully because I'm concerned with his strength he could easily fuk himself up simply because he doesn't know how his mechanics are supposed to work. He is taking weight lifting next year (sophomore year high school). If he takes to squats and dead lifts I have no doubt he could chase his high schools squat records (same school my mom and I went to, she had swimming records that lasted until after I graduated. My records were far less prestigious. )

 

[SkRaw85]

You’re going to be a wobbly noodle after that session. Good luck on the greens!

 

[Dustin07]

wobbly noodle after that session. Good luck on the greens!

for real. luckily it's just a range day, but the last one of this 5 session package my wife got me for Christmas and then my next session with him will be playing a 9 hole game with him. It's wild watching a legit PGA pro tee off beside you. absolutely insanely creative and aggressive shots from anywhere. most of us are trying to make bogie or better and his only thought every hole is BIRDIE BIRDIE BIRDIE lol.

it really takes the game from a bunch of fat dudes on saturday, to a legit competitive sport

 

[kjscatch]

what's the reasoning for pushing out till fall? Bulking season?

my plan is to drop my weight first. Try to keep as much strength as possible. Then bulk up and hopefully regain the strength back. Highly doubt I will reach my all my goals but it is giving me something to reach for. Goals before turning 40: Goal 1: Weigh 199lbs Goal 2: Deadlift 500. Goal 3: Start and finish my masters.

Just been a slow drop in weight to build my strength back up to decent numbers. Last year I got down to 216 at this time. Back up to 240. I hate feeling weak so I always quit the diet. It’s been a viscous life cycle haha

 

[PolishHamm3r77]

my plan is to drop my weight first. Try to keep as much strength as possible. Then bulk up and hopefully regain the strength back. Highly doubt I will reach my all my goals but it is giving me something to reach for. Goals before turning 40: Goal 1: Weigh 199lbs Goal 2: Deadlift 500. Goal 3: Start and finish my masters.

Just been a slow drop in weight to build my strength back up to decent numbers. Last year I got down to 216 at this time. Back up to 240. I hate feeling weak so I always quit the diet. It’s been a viscous life cycle haha

I am with you! Drop some weight and look a little better and I get more focused on the cut, as soon as I drop strength, I panic and wanna pull the plug on cutting.

 

[kjscatch]

Power cleans
5 x 95, 135, 165, 185
3 x 205, 225

Wanted 235 but form was going

Deficit deads 2"
3 x 225, 275, 315, 365, 385

RDLs
5 x 315
5 x 225

+ Green band
EMOTM
6 x 5 x 225

Front squats
EMOTM
5 x 95, 115, 135, 155
10 x 95

Rear delt swings
3 sets

Superset with EZ bar curls
3 sets

Leg ext
3 sets

Battle ropes
15 sec on 15 sec off
8 rounds

That's a rough 4 minutes


Notes
Was feeling good today!!
Those RDLs at 315 did throw me off though. I thought for sure that would be 8 raw and sets with bands but it was much heavier than I expected after the earlier work


Something about high rep 225lb deads just grows the chest hair and makes your dick hard.

RDL at 315 dang that’s nuts.

I agree about high rep deadlifts. You just feel tougher afterwards. I think it was an article from Tnation but I did Deadlifted EMOTM for 30 minutes at 275x1. It wasn’t super hard at the time but it dragged on and got heavy. May have to go back and try to find the article and do it again.

Think deficit deadlifts help a lot? I need to supplement my deadlift with something to help increase it. All I do now is deadlift once a week.

Battle ropes are fun for a change of pace but I always read where they destroy your shoulders so I don’t do them very often.

 

[Dustin07]

RDL at 315 dang that’s nuts.

I agree about high rep deadlifts. You just feel tougher afterwards. I think it was an article from Tnation but I did Deadlifted EMOTM for 30 minutes at 275x1. It wasn’t super hard at the time but it dragged on and got heavy. May have to go back and try to find the article and do it again.

Think deficit deadlifts help a lot? I need to supplement my deadlift with something to help increase it. All I do now is deadlift once a week.

Battle ropes are fun for a change of pace but I always read where they destroy your shoulders so I don’t do them very often.

I could definitely see a potential for shoulder risk there. Right now I'm craving some HIIT wod style stuff and they fit in easy without throwing barbells all over..

The deficits are hard work for me. They really challenge my ROM but they yield rewards, for me... Same with banded bench. I don't necessarily love either, but they really seem to have substantial carryover and when I use these lifts I see my conventional numbers go up.

I think rack pulls and slingshot do as well, for me. Knowing I have held a 500lb rack pull helps me substantially mentally with ground pulls.