60 Day Lifting Challenge – Week 2 Day 1

I’m doing the 60 Day Lifting Challenge from Columbus Weightlifting.

I definitely needed a rest day yesterday when I saw what was programmed for the start of week 2 and I’m glad I took it even though I’m now a day behind in the program due to the CrossFit competition on Saturday. Oh well. I went out in the garage by myself today around 4pm.

Warm-up

  • 45# Snatch Positions

Didn’t feel like spending a lot of time warming up since I could do that with the muscle moves.

Muscle Snatch

  • 5×65#
  • 3x3x85#
  • 2x3x95#

Muscle Clean

  • 5×95#
  • 5x2x125#

Snatch

  • 2×95#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×135#
  • 1×145#
  • 1×155#
  • 1×165#
  • 3x1x170#

Clean & Jerk

  • 2×125#
  • 2×150#
  • 2×175#
  • 1×190#
  • 1×200#
  • 1×215#
  • 3x1x225#

Back Squat

  • 2×205#
  • 2×240#
  • 2×270#
  • 2×290#
  • 2x2x305#

Felt good to redeem myself after not being able to get 290# up once on Sunday with the whole squat fiasco. The second rep on each set with 305# was a fight.

I sure am not used to doing all 3 of those lifts with multiple reps at 90%. I think I’ll be feeling this for a few days, but I hope not because I have to do the same thing on day 3!

60 Day Lifting Challenge – Week 1 Day 5

I’m doing the 60 Day Lifting Challenge from Columbus Weightlifting.

Today is supposed to be a rest day before starting week 2 tomorrow, but the throwdown yesterday forced some reshuffling. I’ll skip the CrossFit stuff they programmed for today since I some metcon work in the competition.

Feeling a little beat up from yesterday. My ass, hamstrings, low back, and shoulders are sore and fatigued.

Warm-up

2:00 Air Dyne

Jerk Balances (Demo Video)

  • 4×75#
  • 4×95#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×125#
  • 2×135#
  • 2×145#
  • 2×155#

Cleans from Below the knee (Demo Video)

  • 2×115#
  • 2×155#
  • 2×195#
  • 6x2x215#

Damn! Those doubles were tough.

Split Jerks

  • 2×125#
  • 2×150#
  • 2×175#
  • 1×190#
  • 1×200#
  • 4x1x215#

Tough too, but got through it.

The Rogue jerk blocks worked great. Solid. No movement so you really have to be careful the bar doesn’t mess up your hands when it lands.

Back Squats

  • 2×205#
  • 2×240#
  • 2×270#
  • LOL @ 290# (see below)
  • 5x2x255#

The 270# reps weren’t very easy so I figured I’d put some blocks under me for 290#. Got it in my head I was going to hit them, so I pretty much stopped at the bottom anticipating it, then couldn’t get moving up with the weight. Took the weights off, got it back on the rack, and went again. Went to bounce out of the hole and hit the blocks this time. Fuck! So I took off the tops (2.25 inches shorter) and then couldn’t stand up the weight on the next try. So I dropped the weight and did a 5×2 instead of the programmed 3x2x290#.

A 5×5 of good mornings were programmed, but I skipped them. I got plenty of low back work in the competition yesterday and the above took plenty long enough. I’m not really sure how I got through everything and made all of the lifts before the squats.

Week 1 is in the books I really liked the programming and can feel some improvements in my lifts. Looking forward to week 2.

Great Lakes Bay Region Throwdown (GLBRT) 5

Today was the 5th area throwdown. I’ve been on the winning team for the 3rd and 4th running, but this one was a little different. It was gym based where each would count their top two teams (each team was made up of 2 men and 2 women) in each event towards their score. Teams could be changed for each event.

We still ended up coming out on top to bring the belt back to Survival Fitness. I was able to compete in each event.

Event 1

6 Rounds

  • 10m Human Wheelbarrows for both pairs on the team
  • 20 Reps (95#, OHS for men, Front squats for women)

Casey and I each did 20 unbroken reps each and then 10/10 in the last round. The gals did 10/10 in the opposite rounds.

Event 2

21-15-9

  • Snatches (115/75)
  • Thrusters (115/75)
  • Cleans (115/75)
  • Deadlifts (115/75)
  • HSPU
  • T2B
  • Burpees
  • Air Squats

I did the deadlifts and HSPU each round.

Bonus:
1:00 for each movement, which subtracts from the workout time.

  • Unbroken set of DU
  • Pistols
  • Wall Ball 2-for-1s
  • MU

I was on MU duty and only managed 3. It’s been months since I last did a MU and my shoulders were shot from the HSPU.

Event 3

It was 4 different maxes for the team. I was put on deadlift. Warmed up with 5×135#, 3×225, 2×315, and 1×405. Knocked out a safe 475# right away and waited until the end of my 3 minutes to go for a PR of 525#. I had it moving no problem, but lost my grip on the left hand and had to let go. Oh well. I realized I forgot to chalk up for those deadlifts, which is the only time I ever use chalk. Probably would have been able to hold on!

My back was pretty lit up after that last deadlift attempt. For some reason after getting out of the shower, my legs are on fire.

60 Day Lifting Challenge – Week 1 Day 4

I’m doing the 60 Day Lifting Challenge from Columbus Weightlifting. Lighter volume today. Went out to the garage by myself around 11am. Took me about an hour to finish.

Warm-up

  • 3:00 Air Dyne
  • 3 Rounds
    • Max Effort L-Sit on parallettes
    • 5 Shoulder Press 45#
  • 5 Shoulder Press 95#

Split Press (Demo Video)

  • 4×115#
  • 4×120#
  • 4×125#
  • 4×130#
  • 4×135#

Could probably try 140# next time. The balance from the split is a little weird, especially since was the first time I’ve done them.

Power Clean from below the knee (Demo Video)

  • 45# Positions Warm-up
  • 2×95#
  • 2×125#
  • 2×150#
  • 2×175#
  • 1×190#
  • 5x1x200#

No blocks for these, as you can see in the demo video and some of my lifts.

Snatch Deadlifts

  • 5x2x185#

Trying to work these a little faster and get a little more violent with the hip action. Only got the first 3 sets on video.

As I was finishing up my lifts, UPS Freight came with my jerk blocks and the rack/cage. Just in time for jerk balances and jerks on Sunday! I’ll be waiting until doing some work on the garage before setting up the rack, but I’m excited!

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60 Day Lifting Challenge – Week 1 Day 3

I’m doing the 60 Day Lifting Challenge from Columbus Weightlifting. Yesterday was a rest day. Went oven to Kevin’s garage after 6pm to lift tonight.

Warm-up

  • Jumping Jacks
  • PVC work
  • 15# Snatch Positions

Muscle Snatches

  • 4×45#
  • 2×75#
  • 3x2x85#
  • 2x2x95#
  • 2×105#

Muscle Cleans

  • 3×75#
  • 3×105#
  • 3x3x125#
  • 3×135#
  • 3×145#

I think these muscle movements are really helping my turnover. Bumped the weights up a couple notches from the other day and still felt good on these.

Snatches

  • 2×95#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×135#
  • 1×145#
  • 1×155#
  • 4x1x160#

I was going to do the last 4 singles with 165#, but 155# felt bad, so I stuck to 160#. Stopped thinking in the last couple of reps and was much better. The last rep felt the best of the day.

Back Squats

  • 2×205#
  • 2×240#
  • 2×270#
  • 3x2x290#

First set at 290# was ugly, especially the 2nd rep. Second set too! Stopped thinking and nailed the 3rd set.

Seated Good Mornings

  • 5×155#
  • 5×175#
  • 5×185#
  • 2x5x195#

Have never done this much volume with them. Will probably be feeling them tomorrow.

60 Day Lifting Challenge – Week 1 Day 2

I’m doing the 60 Day Lifting Challenge from Columbus Weightlifting. In the garage before noon by myself for lifting.

Warm-up

  • 2:00 Air Dyne
  • 5:00 Handstand Practice

I tried to do some free-standing handstands, which was not happening, so I did some handstand holds with my back towards the wall. After watching it on video, the attempts were pretty pathetic.

Power Snatch to Mats (Demo Video)

  • 2×45#
  • 2×75#
  • 2×95#
  • 4x2x115#

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I cut up some luan and duct taped the edges. Worked pretty well. I have never had a problem moving my feet out, so I don’t think this drill really does much for me except give me more practice with the lifts.

Power Clean to Mats (Demo Video)

  • 2×115#
  • 2×135#
  • 2×155#
  • 4x2x175#

Cleans

  • 2×125#
  • 2×150#
  • 2×175#
  • 1×190#
  • 5x1x200#

Clean Deadlifts (Demo Video)

  • 5x3x230#

They are programming 2 optional CrossFit pieces per week, on the day before you take a rest day. That’s what the handstand work was for in the warm-up. I had some stuff to get done for work, so I rested and went to Survival Fitness at 8pm for open gym. Brent did the workout with me.

Conditioning

  • 100 DU Buy-in
  • 10 Rounds
    • 200m Row
    • 1:1 Rest
  • 100 DU Cash-out

Cranked off 74 DU to start. I kind of ran into the wall in the middle rounds and couldn’t breathe. An hour after finishing I realized I was probably trying to keep it too close to my :30/:30 row pace, especially after the 100 DU buy-in. Didn’t think I could lose my conditioning that fast in just a week! I’m not sure how it calculated some of my rest periods as 45 seconds because they definitely were not that.

Earlier today I was questioning the need for a rest day tomorrow, but now I’m glad to have it. 🙂

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60 Day Lifting Challenge – Week 1 Day 1

I’m doing the 60 Day Lifting Challenge from Columbus Weightlifting. In to Survival Fitness at 10am. Took about 2 hours total with my warm-up.

Warm-up

  • 2:00 Air Dyne
  • PVC Pass-thrus
  • Banded OH Stretch (purple bands)

Wow, I was out of breath after the AD. Being sick really fucks up training.

Muscle Snatches

From 2 positions for each rep, above knee and below knee (Demo).

  • Warmed up with 2×45# and 2x2x75#
  • 2x3x95#
  • 3x3x85#

95# didn’t feel terrible, but it was a bit much and losing the technique aspect, so I dropped down.

Muscle Cleans

From 2 positions for each rep, above knee and below knee (Demo).

  • Warmed up with 2×75#, 2x2x105#
  • 5x2x125#

125# was pretty ideal here.

Turned out both of these muscle movements were supposed to be from the floor, not according to the demo videos they sent. I was thinking it was turning out to be a shit load of reps!

Snatches

  • 2×95#
  • 2×115#
  • 2×135#
  • 1×145#
  • 1×150#
  • 4x1x160#

Made every lift and felt pretty good.

Front Squats

  • 2×95#
  • 2×215#
  • 2×250#
  • 3x2x265#

This was a new way of doing squats for me. Big jump and not much warm-up! Felt really heavy after not squatting since Tuesday.

Had Been Sick Since Tuesday

I felt exhausted and sore all over after Tuesday’s workout. Didn’t add up and later in the day I realized I was getting sick. Finally started feeling better today and was able to lift again. Did a session out in the garage with Kevin.

Warm-up

  • 3:00 Air Dyne
  • Various Snatch Warm-up Exercises

OLY

Snatches

  • 2 @ 75#
  • 2 @ 95#
  • 2 @ 115#
  • 2 @ 135#
  • 2 @ 145#
  • 2 @ 155#
  • 2 @ 135#
  • 2 @ 145#
  • 2 @ 155# (missed the first one)
  • 2 @ 135#
  • 2 @ 145#
  • 2 @ 155#

Some of the early sets of 135 and up felt a little slow and weird. Figured out it was because I was thinking too much, causing things to slow down. When I just went for the lift and took my mind out of it, everything felt much faster.

Snatch Deadlifts

  • 2 @ 155#
  • 2 @ 175#
  • 2 @ 195#
  • 2 @ 205#

I’m able to keep a good knees out position with these. Sooner or later it has to start transferring to the snatch, where I still dive in the knees on the rebend.

Strength

Bench Press

  • 10 @ 45#
  • 5 @ 135#
  • 5 @ 155#
  • 5 @ 165#
  • 5 @ 175#
  • 5 @ 185#
  • 5 @ 195#
  • 5 @ 205#
  • 5 @ 210#
  • 5 @ 215#
  • 5 @ 220#

I started using the slingshot with the 165# set I think.

3 Rounds NFT

  • 5 GHR
  • 5 Hip Extensions (10# plate)
  • 1 Back Extension

First time doing the slow back extension. Really lit up the back.

Tomorrow I’ll be starting the 60 Day Lifting Challenge from Columbus Weightlifting. It’ll be weird to give up control of my programming.

Behind The Neck Work

Nasty freezing rain last night. In at 10am with Kevin and Michelle.

Warm-up

  • 3:00 Jump Rope (unbroken)
  • 45# Clean Positions Warm-up

OLY

  • 2 Clean Pulls
  • 1 Power Clean
  • 1 Front Squat

It wasn’t exactly that each time, but always at least those reps.

95-115-135-155-175-185-185-185-185

Strength

Behind the neck Split Jerks

  • 3 @ 95#
  • 3 @ 115#
  • 3 @ 135#
  • 3 @ 155#
  • 4 @ 155#
  • 3 @ 155#

Behind the neck Push Presses

  • 3 @ 155#
  • 3 @ 165#
  • 3 @ 175#
  • 3 @ 185#
  • 2 @ 195#
  • 2 @ 205#

I’m still really hesitant bringing heavy loads down to my back, but got more comfortable today due to the number of reps between the jerks and push presses. Felt pretty good about the weight, so decided to shoot for a front rack push press PR.

Push Press

  • 225# (PR)
  • F @ 235#
  • 230# (PR)

Beats my old 215# PR. I missed 235# because it was too far out front. Concentrated on a big leg drink and getting the bar back as fast as possible with 230#.

Gymnastics

After an hour of OH work, why not burn the shoulders some more, right? Did 3 handstand holds facing the wall with a wall walk to get in place. The goal was 1:00, but had to drop after 40 seconds on the second one. Held on for it on the 3rd though. We rested 2:00 between each one.

Short Week

In to Survival at 10am. A few folks were there for a bit working on things, but had about 90 minutes to myself. Will be heading north on Wednesday for a few days, so short week of training.

Warm-up

  • 3:00 Air Dyne
  • 45# Snatch Positions

Snatch Work

  • 95# Position work & some snatches
  • 115# Position work & some snatches
  • 5 x 2 @ 135#

Strength

RDLs

  • 5 @ 135#
  • 5 @ 185#
  • 3 x 5 @ 205#
  • 5 @ 225#

Used a rack and straps.

Barbell Curls

  • 5 @ 75#
  • 4 x 5 @ 85#

So weak!

Front Squats

  • 20 @ 45#
  • 5 @ 95#
  • 5 @ 115#

1 1/2 Front Squats

Did a wave type of format…

  • 135-155-185
  • 155-185-205
  • 185-205-225
  • 205-225-235
  • 225-245-255

First time doing those. Different.

Front Squats

  • 3 x 5 @ 185#

Conditioning

Tabata Row

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