A Top 40 Weightlifting Blog

Friday, December 31, 2021

New Year's Resolution and Squats

Squat training today. My adductor still is problematic and I don't feel comfortable pushing squats. Just a little improvement.

Stationary Bike - 10 minutes.

Leg Swings and Stretches.

Squats - 3 sets/6 reps/bar, 3 sets/6 reps/95lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/185lbs, 225lbs/6 reps.

Seated Band Both Leg Curls - 4 sets/12,16,16,16,16 reps/Grey Band. 

I'm not sure if my adductor was acting up or if it's the psychology of a past injury. My mobility is much better. I'll continue to make small improvements with each training day.


What an insane year. Things haven't got any better. Covid 19 is still running rampant. Delta variant and Omicron have made conditions worse. Closer to home we are following recommendations. We haven't caught it so my family is healthy. However, constantly laying low and isolating isn't a whole lot of fun.

Early 2021 my Grandfather died. I loved him very much and it was difficult letting him go. During the summer my mother suffered a stroke. I went to my parent's home for a month to help my Dad while Mom was in the hospital and help my Mom when she got home. Everything turned out as good as can be hoped for. Mom made a full recovery and was almost back to normal before I returned home. Other than this the entire year was all about living with Covid 19.

Here's what my forecast was for 2021.

"Here are some plans for 2021.
There is lots more work to do around the house. Being home fulltime allows me the time to work on the house.
My primary focus is my family. My fulltime job is looking after my family and home. It's amazing to work for what you love.
Powerlifting and training continues to roll along. I am learning my about myself as I get older. I don't plan on competing until 2022 when I turn 50. Master 2.
Something I've noticed every year is my years never turn out as I forecast. Let's see what 2021 brings. Hopefully not at all like 2020 on a global scale."

Lots of work got done around the house. Our garage, my garage gym was completely emptied out into a storage pod. Contractors insulated, improved electrical, installed 220v 5000w forced air electric heater, replaced the garage door and window and finished the garage interior with OSB. Today it's -30 degC and it's nicely +15 degC in the garage. I'm very peased. The exterior of the house was also painted and the garden doors were replaced. The house looks great! Along with all the upgrades we also made several dump runs and cleared out lots of garbage.

My family is doing great! My oldest is moving out January 1st. She's moving into an home. Rent is shared four ways with her friends. She also has a boyfriend that she will be living with. There's no stopping it. Kids will grow up. My Son graduated high school this year. He's waiting to hear back from the Military. Hopefully he'll hear something positive in January. My other two are working through school. It's tough because lessons are done mostly online. My wife continues to work. She spent a good amount of time working from home this year. It was wonderful hanging out with her every day.

Training is tough. My left adductor is still causing me grief. I've changed up training by focusing on mobility and flexibility. Hip flexor mobility is the main focus. I'm feeling pretty good lately. Strength is lacking but my form and execution are the best ever. My weight is still a problem. Having the garage insulated and heated is giving me the space I need while all commercial gyms have reduced capacity and are closing.

Here are some ideas I've had for 2022.

I will be a Master2 in 2022, 50 y/o. I want to compete again. Many records are available to me as long as I stay healthy and strong.

I am working only a couple shifts a month but have been an important to my place of employment. I'll continue to work but not too much.

My time with my family is the best. I've been able to be there for my family which wasn't the case in the past while I was working.

2022 will be an important year for my family. My two oldest may be both moved out. My two youngest children will be in high school. One a freshman, one a senior. The nest is starting to empty.

Snowdaddy

 

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Bench Press

Training is still screwed up because of my adductor. Bench Press is the perfect medicine for today. Oh Yeah! I also added some disco lights.

Leg Swings and Stretches. 

Rotator Laterals and Band Work. 

Bench Press - 3 sets/12 reps/bar, 3 sets/6 reps/95lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/185lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/225lbs, 275lbs/6 reps, 315lbs/4 reps, 2 sets/2 reps/335lbs.


OH Plate Ext - 4 sets/12 reps/45lbs.

NG High Cable Rows - 2 sets/12 reps/50kg, 2 sets/12 reps/55kg, 2 sets/12 reps/60kg.

Seated Concentration Curls - 3 sets/10 reps per side/35lbs.

Feeling good. Having fun.

Snowdaddy 


Sunday, December 26, 2021

Boxing Day SSB

Lucky me! I got a Bells Of Steel Safety Squat Bar for Christmas! I've wanted one for a while now. Today I tried it out.




Stationary Bike - 10 minutes. 

Vibration Table - 5 minutes.

Leg Swings and Stretches. 

Slam Ball Core Work - 5 sets/15,15,15,20,20 reps/3kg.

Squats - 3 sets/6 reps/bar.

SSB Squats - 3 sets/6 reps/bar (48lbs), 3 sets/6 reps/98lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/138lbs, 2 sets/6 reps/6 reps/188lbs.


Vibration Table - 5 minutes. 

I stopped at two sets of 188lbs. My adductor seemed a little stressed. I didn't injure anything further which is good. I did get a good training day in which is even better. 

Snowdaddy 




Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Stretches and Core

Nothing fancy but still doing a little bit. 

Leg Swings and Stretches 

Laying Leg Raises With Slam Ball - 4 sets/15,15,15,20 reps/3kg.

Core is getting stronger. Mobility is getting better. Hopefully I stay together on my next squat day. 

Snowdaddy 

Monday, December 20, 2021

Bench Press Company

Today I had the pleasure of playing host to my good friend and National Bench Press record holder. 

Stationary Bike - 15 minutes. 

Leg Swings and Stretches. 

Rotator Laterals and Band Work.

Bench Press - bar/6 reps, 95lbs/6 reps, 135lbs/6 reps, 185lbs/6 reps, 225lbs/6 reps, 275lbs/6 reps, 4 sets/3 reps/315lbs.

No other work today. I spent too much time chatting. Still, those are good numbers. 

Snowdaddy. 

Sunday, December 19, 2021

More Recovery Training

Tomorrow a friend is supposed to come over for some Bench Press training. This works and pushes my squats back to Wednesday. A little more recovery time won't hurt at all. Today I ran through the motions of more recovery training. 

Hip Rotation Forward - 12 each side.
Hip Rotation Reverse - 12 each side.

Stationary Bike - 10 minutes. 

Vibration Table - 3 minutes. 

Leg Swings Front - 12 each side.
Leg Swings Side - 12 each side.

Stretches. 

Slam Ball Leg Raises - 3 sets/15,15,20 reps/3kg.

Feeling good. Eager to Squat and Deadlift again. 

Snowdaddy 

Friday, December 17, 2021

Still Being Smart

I know, eh? I'm just as surprised as you are. My adductor isn't bothering me but that doesn't mean I can get right back into training. No Deadlifts today. Instead I did the following. 

Stationary Bike - 15 minutes. 

Leg Swings and Stretches. 

Slam Ball Core Work - 4 sets/12 reps/3kg.

The Stretches are as follows, 

Kneeling Hamstrings,
Kneeling Quads and Hip Flexors,
Kneeling Adductor, 
Seated Hamstring, 
Seated Adductor, 

I don't hold the Stretches for any length of time. I keep it somewhat dynamic and move. Stretch, release, stretch, release...

Next week I'll try some light Squats. Lots of sets and lots of reps.

Snowdaddy 

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Bench Press

Armed with some new knowledge and a ratified training plan I hit the bench today.

Stationary Bike - 10 minutes. 
Vibration Table - 3 minutes. 

Leg Swings and Stretches. 

Rotator Laterals and Band Work. 

Bench Press - 3 sets/6 reps/bar, 6 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/185lbs, 2 sets/6 reps/225lbs, 255lbs/6 reps, 2 sets/6 reps/295lbs, 305lbs/5+1 reps.


Alternate the Following 

Seated Dumbbell Concentration Curls - 4 sets/10 reps per side/35lbs.
Seated Band Triceps Ext - 4 sets/14 reps/Orange Band. 
WG High Cable Rows - 4 sets/12 reps/55,60,65,70kg.
OH Plate Ext - 3 sets/12 reps/45lbs.

Vibration Table - 3 minutes. 

Wonderful workout. Now if I could only get my adductor to cooperate and I could train squats and deadlifts. 



Snowdaddy 

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Smarter Approach

Okay, Okay. I know my past approach has been less than impressive. Time for a smarter approach towards training. 

Yesterday

Stationary Bike - 10 minutes. 

Leg Swings Front - 12 per side.
Leg Swings Side - 12 per side.

Dynamic Hamstring Stretches. 
Dynamic Quad / Hip Flexors Stretches. 
Dynamic Adductor Stretches. 
Seated V Leg Stretches. 

Stability Ball Core Work - 3 sets/10 reps.

Today I put a finer point on yesterday's work.

Stationary Bike - 20 minutes (level 5).

Leg Swings Front - 2 sets/12 per side.
Leg Swings Side - 2 sets/12 per side.

Dynamic Hamstring Stretches. 
Dynamic Quad / Hip Flexors Stretches. 
Dynamic Adductor Stretches. 
Seated V Leg Stretches. 
Ankle Stretches. 

Slam Ball Core Work - 3 sets/12 reps/3kg Ball.

I'll rest my Adductor this week and try something light next week.

Snowdaddy 

Friday, December 10, 2021

Dumb Deadlifts

Feeling good going into today's training. Leaving is a different story. 

Stationary Bike - 20 minutes. 

Deadlifts - 3 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/225lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/295lbs, 2 sets/6 reps/365lbs, 375lbs/6 reps.


On the fourth rep of the final set I felt a strain in my left adductor. Just when everything is feeling good it goes again. It's obviously my fault. If you notice at the top of my post I didn't say anything about stretches. That's because I was stupid and didn't do any. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB!!! Rest for the weekend and hopefully it will be better on Monday. 

Snowdaddy 

Thursday, December 09, 2021

Keeping Busy

Not a lot today. I kept myself busy. 

Stationary Bike - 20 minutes. 

Leg Swings and Stretches. 

In the afternoon I helped a friend move some of their gym equipment to their new home. Moving plates had gotta count for something. 

Snowdaddy 

Wednesday, December 08, 2021

Bench Press

As per the program this week is a little tougher than last week and next week will be more so. Fun and games.

Stationary Bike - 10 minutes. 

Leg Swings and Stretches. 

Rotator Laterals and Band Work.

Bench Press - 3 sets/6 reps/bar, 3 sets/6 reps/95lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/185lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/235lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/285lbs.


Alternate the following. 

WG High Cable Rows - 4 sets/12 reps/50,55,60,65kg.
Seated Band Triceps Ext - 4 sets/12 reps per side/Orange Band,
Seated Concentration Curls - 4 sets/10 reps per side/35lbs.

My warm ups and Stretches are getting more complex as time goes. Feeling much better for it. Listening to some epic tunes has helped me get through this marathon. 



Snowdaddy 

Monday, December 06, 2021

Squats

It's a cold one today. -24°C and with the windchill It's down around -31°C. The garage is alright. +14°C. With long sleeves and sweat pants It's OK.

Stationary Bike - 12 minutes. 

Leg Swings and Stretches. 

Squats - 3 sets/6 reps/bar, 3 sets/6 reps/95lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/185lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/245lbs, 2 sets/6 reps/295lbs, 305lbs/6 reps.



Seated Band Hamstring Curls - 3 sets/12 reps per side/Orange Band. 

That was a tough one. Not much else to say except I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow. 



Snowdaddy 

Saturday, December 04, 2021

Bike and Stretches

Pretty much the same as Thursday. I'm working this afternoon so there will be about an hour long walk. Right now I just finished the following. 

Stationary Bike - 15 minutes. 

Stretches. 

Just a note, I'm still doing well with intermittent fasting. My diet is crap but I don't eat until after 1200hrs. Eventhough I'm eating a lot of junk my weight hasn't gone up and my energy levels feel fine.

Snowdaddy 

Friday, December 03, 2021

Deadlifts

No tires today. No belt and no straps.  Feeling good. 

Light Stretches. 

Deadlifts - 3 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/225lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/335lbs.


Because Deadlifts suck so much I'm going to keep deadlift days simple. A good first week of training with the new program. 

Snowdaddy 

Thursday, December 02, 2021

Stretches

Today is a day off training but I was called into work for tonight. Along with my regular housework chores I also did a little something. 

Stationary Bike - 15 minutes/level 5.

Stretches. 

Tonight at work I will also be walking about 3km. Not bad for a rest day. Tomorrow is Deadlifts. 

Snowdaddy 

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

Bench Press

Back on schedule. Wednesdays are Bench Press days. Mondays are Squats and Fridays are Deadlifts. The weekends are rest days.

Stationary Bike - 12 minutes. 

Snowblower - 30 minutes. 

Stretches. 

Bench Press - 3 sets/6 reps/bar, 3 sets/6 reps/95lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/135lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/185lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/225lbs, 3 sets/6 reps/275lbs.


NG High Cable Rows - 3 sets/12 reps/50,55,60kg.


Seated Band Triceps Ext - 3 sets/12,14,14 reps/Orange Band. 

Seated Concentration Curls - 3 sets/ 8,10,10 reps/35lbs..

Feeling good so far. Let's keep at er'.



Snowdaddy 

New Program

As far as programming goes I've been kinda lost lately. I've been training but not really following a set training program. I tried the Hepburn B program again but nagging injuries and my age are making it difficult to follow. I feel the following will be easier to follow but still give good gains.


Warm ups are more gradual as bar, 95lbs, 135lbs, 185lbs, 225lbs, etc... for three sets of six reps of each weight. This makes for lots of volume. So far so good.

Snowdaddy