Tag: Air squat

Time to Squat Heavy Again

Got to the gym at about 9am and knocked out 100 walking lunges to warm-up.

Back Squat

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 3×225#
  • 3×265#
  • 3×295#
  • 3×320#
  • 3×340#
  • 3×345# (PR match)

My first rep with 340 was ugly from not concentrating and it through off the entire set. Made me scared then. I was going to hit the same weight again, but added 5# at the last minute and glad I did. Felt better with more focus. Really wanted to hit 350 or 355 but today wasn’t that day. Felt good to be back under a heavy barbell!

Accessory

5 Super Sets

  • 12 Incline DB Bench Press (60° – 40# DBs each set)
  • 12 JM Press (45-55-60-65-70#)

Since there weren’t heavier dumbbells to increase to and I didn’t want to use kettlebells, I tried to be explosive on my incline reps. The JM presses actually felt pretty good today, even being second with that fatigue. Must be working. My bench sets sure seem to agree.

Snatch

  • 2x20kg
  • 2x40kg
  • 2x60kg
  • 2x70kg
  • 2x75kg
  • 2x80kg

Other than a rep with 60 being forward that I had to pull in, the lifts felt solid today. Don’t think I’ve done a double with that much before.

Conditioning

  • Partner A: Run 200m
  • Partner B: Work on 20 rounds of
    • 5 Burpees
    • 10 American KBS (53#)
    • 15 Air Squats

Paired up with Bryan and everyone did the work outside in the sun. We basically just did a round per run and paced it out that way. So essentially we each did 10 rounds. Finished in 21:50.

Played some half-court basketball and shot around for about 90 minutes.

Run Every Day

Didn’t feel like it at all, but laced up the shoes and ran a mile before the Belmont came on.

2015 Murph

After dropping to an orange HRV of 89 yesterday I’m back in the green at 98 this morning. The low intensity workout did it’s job. Out in the garage at 7:30 and warmed up with 5:00 Air Dyne (2.25 km).

Coffee Squats

Back Squats

  • 15×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×185#
  • 4x5x225#

Can’t break the streak, even with 300 squats today for the hero WOD. Kept it light to save my legs. Wore Nanos today too, which felt odd. Tried to be explosive on the reps since it wasn’t heavy. After 7 days of some type of squat PRs probably good to have a “rest” day. A lot of PRs are planned for this final week.

I don’t really like to warm-up much for something like this since the first mile loosens me up and no need to waste energy when I’ll need it all. Did a bit of bottom squat holding, but that’s about it.

Murph

“Murph”

* Partition the pull-ups, push-ups, and squats any way you like.

  • 1 Mile Run
  • 100 Pull-ups
  • 200 Push-ups
  • 300 Air Squats
  • 1 Mile Run

Last year I went with 25 rounds of 4-8-12 to save on the push-ups. It did it’s job in that way, but I think all of the extra transitions cost me from setting a PR. I was about 36 seconds slower than the previous year. This year back to doing it like “Cindy” with 20 rounds of 5-10-15 since it worked well for me in the recent PR doing her.

Time to beat was 39:41 from 2013. Ran the first mile in about 8 minutes which is exactly what I wanted. Started out with less than a minute per round and slowed in the second half, but averaged right at that minute/round pace I figured would be good. Pretty slow on the first half of the second mile and picked up the pace on the way in. Wanted to break 38 and did it with ease. Big PR with 37:18 for a PR of 2:23.

2015-murph-cfi

Came across a picture of me running last year in Timehop. I’ve put on a lot of muscle since then.

2014-to-2015-murph

Keep it Solid

Thursday is not my favorite morning of the week. At least not until squats are over because it’s Super Squats day. Warmed up with 5:00 Air Dyne (2.28 km).

Coffee Squats

Back Squat

  • 20×45#
  • 10×135#
  • 5×185#
  • 5×225#
  • 20×245#

Went up 20# from last week. My drive up and back positioning felt really good. I’m the most excited about being about to keep that solid back through all of the reps. 25 days in the books.

Over to CFi for the 9am.

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • 10 Air Squats
  • 2x 15/15 Band Side Steps
  • 15 Toe Touches (last 7 reach up too)

Strength

Romanian Deadlift

  • 8×45#
  • 4×135#
  • 4×205#
  • 4×255#
  • 4×285#
  • 4×305#

I felt something pull on the left side of my middle back on the first rep with 305#. WTF! Tightened up and was able to do the other 3 reps. Better just be a little muscle tweak or I’ll be so pissed at myself. I’ve been working so hard to be smart with all of the squats and it couldn’t be going any better. If a stupid RDL messes me up…grrrr.

Conditioning

  • Run 1 Mile

Nice and easy. Did it in 9:13. When did I get so bad at running?

  • 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 Burpees
  • 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 Air Squats
  • 30 DU

Steady pace. Had 2 misses on dubs, after 7s and after 3s. Finished in 9:10. Did Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap and got out of there.

Two Wheel Super

Tired this morning. Probably because I knew what was coming. Thursday is not my favorite morning. Warmed up with 3:00 Air Dyne (1.48km).

Coffee Squats

Back Squat

  • 20×45#
  • 10×135#
  • 5×165#
  • 5×195#
  • 20×225#

Wore the belt. Wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, but it’s always a fight no matter what is on the bar. I thought I was taking a video, but evidently I set the GoPro for pictures instead of video so didn’t get anything. Did all the work in about 20 minutes this morning since I got a late start.

I was regretting those Super Squats after Kevin posted the CrossFit Intuition WOD.

cfi-04-30-2015-wod

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • 10 Air Squats
  • Hamstring Stretching

Strength

Deadlift

  • 10×45# (slow reps)
  • 5×155#
  • 5×245#
  • 4x5x295#
  • AMRAP 295# (15)

Nice back bump and started to feel a burn in my hamstrings with that max rep set.

Skill

Everyone else rushed through the strength work, so I only did 2 sets of dubs, getting 95 and 43.

Conditioning

“Cindy”
20:00 AMRAP

  • 5 Pull-ups
  • 10 Push-ups
  • 15 Air Squats

Yeah…was not looking forward to all the squats after super squatting this morning. I haven’t done a full Cindy in 2.5 years. Had a nice steady pace, making sure not to go out too hot and red line in the first 5 minutes. Push-ups were solid until the last 4-5 rounds when I had to pause once in each set. The air squats actually felt pretty good, but did start to burn pretty bad at the end. I set a PR by almost 2 full rounds and I’m 20+ pounds heavier now. Got through 22 rounds plus 5 pull-ups. Should have dropped for a few push-ups but I had enough.

Walked 200m and then did Crossover Symmetry Plyometric.

Pressing Combo

Did a bunch of yard work yesterday and was feeling pretty beat up from the workout. My body isn’t used to those heavy clean and jerks. Got to bed early for a good night of sleep. My HRV is way down to 93 this morning, but only orange not red. Tomorrow is going to be my “rest” day this week because of plans I have today. Will take it a bit easy in the 9am class today. Out in the garage at 7:30 in the morning. Warmed up with 3:00 Air Dyne (1.42km).

Coffee Squats

Front Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×175#
  • 5×205#
  • 5×225#
  • 5×245#
  • 5×265#

Had to fight a little and concentrate on positions. Not so much that I felt compromised though. Wore a belt for the last 2 sets.

Body lies so much. Last rep felt much tougher than the video shows. Happy to be keeping pretty good positions throughout the set.

In for the 9am class…

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • PVC Pass-thrus

Accessory

5 Rounds

  • 30s Air Squats
  • 30s Rest

I got 24-26-27-28-29 for a total of 134. Burned, but pretty good.

Strength

2 Shoulder Press + 2 Push Press + 2 Push Jerk

  • 45#
  • 75#
  • 95#
  • 115#
  • 125#
  • 130#
  • 135#
  • 140#
  • 145#
  • 150#

Fun complex to get in extra work with the weight.

Conditioning

7:00 AMRAP

  • 7 Deadlifts (135#)
  • 14 Wall Balls (20#, 10′)

Didn’t step on the gas and kept the load light. Did 6 rounds plus 7 deadlifts and 4 wall balls. 8+ is doable.

Did Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap and the back/leg stretches before taking off. I’m interested to see what my HRV will end up being tomorrow. The front squats weren’t actually too far off the most I’ve done for a set of 5 and the pressing complex was pretty heavy, but I only went about 80% at the metcon.

Closing in on a Power 200

My HRV recovered back up to 109 this morning and my resting heart rate was down 10 beats to 43. When the HRV was in the orange on Thursday morning, I should have probably held back a little in the workout that day. Active recovery to the rescue! I was up earlier than normal so chilled with my coffee before hitting the garage. Warmed up with 3 minutes on the Ski Erg (616 meters).

Coffee Squats

Pause Back Squats (5s in the hole)

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×155#
  • 3×175#
  • 3×195#
  • 3×215#
  • 3×235#
  • 3×255#

I only planned on hitting 235#, but it was feeling so good I had to go another set. I first put 245# on the bar, but bumped changed my mind before going and was glad I did. Felt good!

Then to CFi for the 10am class.

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • PVC Pass-thrus
  • 5 Hang Muscle Snatch (45#)
  • 5 Snatch Press (45#)

Power Snatch

  • 3×95#
  • 3×115#
  • 3×135#
  • 2×155#
  • 1×165#
  • 1×175#
  • 1×185#
  • 1×195# (PR)

Knew I wanted to go for that PR today when I saw snatch work on the board. Felt solid.

Conditioning

14 Rounds (Partner)

  • 12 Burpees
  • 12 Air Squats
  • 12 Pull-ups

Killed it with Bryan by going 6-6-12-6-6 every round. We picked up the pace in the last 2 rounds to finish at 13:51. Great workout and was nice to be able to knock out quick air squats.

Midline

2x with a partner (20#)

  • 10 Chest MB Passes
  • 10 OH MB Passes
  • 10/10 Side MB Passes
  • 10 Up MB Passes

Before heading home I did Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap for those shoulders.

You Got It, Chief

Still feeling some soreness from the pull-ups, but shoulders seem fine after all that pressing volume last night. Maybe the DOMS hasn’t kicked in yet. I hit the quad with the TENS unit before going to the 9am class. It was a packed house this morning.

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • Jumping Jacks
  • 10 Air Squats
  • 10 Lunges
  • 10 Air Squats

Strength

Back Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 6×135#
  • 6×165#
  • 6×195#
  • 6×215#
  • 6×235#
  • 6×255#

Got to relax at home this morning since it’s squat day in class. Used a belt for the last set. Felt solid.

Conditioning

“The Chief”
5 Cycles

  • 3:00 AMRAP
    • 3 Power Cleans (135#)
    • 6 Push-ups
    • 9 Air Squats
  • 1:00 Rest

* Restart the AMRAP for each cycle

I did 5+1, 4+16, 4+16, 4+9, and 4+9 (23+15 total). Did the majority of the cleans going straight back to the floor instead of coming back to the thighs. My air squats are soooo slow. Need to bump up the volume on them so I can handle quicker reps and be ready to crush “Murph” this year.

The only other time I’ve done this was in November of 2012 and I’m pretty sure we didn’t restart every cycle. I managed 21+12 total then with 115#.

Midline

4:00 Plank (hands)

Class was doing Tabata, so I went for a hold the entire time. Had big puddles of sweat under my hands when it was over. Didn’t think I’d make it through today, especially at the halfway point.

Accessory

4 Sets

  • 15 Reverse Hyper (210-260-300-320#)
  • 10 Weighted GHD Sit-ups (20-20-25-25#)

Got this done after class and took my time. Did Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap before heading home.

Pork Gainz

Wasn’t feeling as motivated to get out of bed for the squat rack this morning, but I made it. I bet the beers I had last night have something to do with that. 🙂 My legs are still pretty sore from the week. Warmed up with 3:00 Air Dyne (1.4km).

1-1/4 Front Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 3×125#
  • 3×135#
  • 3×145#
  • 3×165#
  • 3×185#
  • 3×205#

Might have felt something in that right quad doing these. Will need to keep an eye on it. That makes 5 days in-a-row at the squat rack. Nothing heavy, but greasing the groove.

Went to the 9am class.

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • PVC Pass-thrus
  • Air Squats
  • PVC OHS

Weightlifting

Hang Muscle Snatch

  • 5×45#
  • 5×75#
  • 5×95#

Gotta be careful bringing them down. Felt some pinching in my left shoulder if I got sloppy.

Snatch

  • 3×115#
  • 3×135#
  • 2×145#
  • 1×155#
  • 1×165#
  • 1×175#
  • 1×185#

Second rep of 145# and the 185# were power snatches. All the others I rode down. No misses. I haven’t attempted any weight in well over a month. That 185# power snatch was the easiest, by far, that I’ve ever done one.

Accessory

4 Rounds

  • 8/8 Kroc Rows (70#)
  • 5 Weighted Push-ups (sandbag – 40#?)

It’s nice to have my 70# kettlebell at the gym now. I’d never used it once at home so figured I’d get more use out of it at CFi.

Conditioning

4 Rounds

  • 5 Burpees
  • 10 Plate Snatches (55#)
  • 15 Air Squats
  • 200m Run

I tried to keep my pace up on the runs. Finished in 8:54. Walked a 200 after.

Accessory 2

Reverse Hyper

  • 10×210#
  • 10×260#
  • 10×300#
  • 10×320#

Knocked out Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap and then 15 minutes of stretches. Picked up some gainz from the Makin’ Bacon Truck on the way home.

bacon-truck-pig

One Open WOD Left

My sartorius muscles are feeling better today. Should be back to normal tomorrow. I did the back stretching in the morning, then chiropractor before going to the 5:30 class.

Warm-up

  • CSA
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • Dead Hang
  • Arm Circles
  • 2 Rounds
    • 4 Push-ups
    • 10 Air Squats

The arm circles did not feel good on my left shoulder so I limited them. I did about 6 muscle-ups trying to help Bryan out with the transition to string reps together.

Class was benching and we do it between classes on Wednesday, so I did my own thing during the XWOD.

3 Rounds

  • 15 Reverse Hypers (210#)
  • 30s Hollow Hold
  • 30s Rest
  • 30s Hollow Hold

Conditioning

3 Rounds

  • 1:00 Row (cal)
  • 1:00 DU
  • 1:00 Sumo Deadlift High Pull (70# KB)
  • 1:00 Ball Slams (20#)
  • 1:00 Rest

I did 20 calories on the row each time, dubs got worse, I hate the SDHP movement, and tried to hold on during the ball slams. My reps per round were 138, 125, and 108. Numbers went down mostly due to double unders getting bad. Wasn’t feeling it today. :-/

Bench Press

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 3×165#
  • 3×195#
  • 3×210#
  • 3x3x225#

That’s week 6 of the No B.S. bench program. Was supposed to be 20-25# over my base number, but it felt so good last week I went with +30 and had no problem. Gainz bitches!

Forgot to hit CS before leaving, so I knocked out Crossover Symmetry Plyometric when I got home. Can’t wait for my official bands to come in later this week. Will do a little recovery tomorrow and be ready to hit 15.5 on Friday. Then it’s 2 weeks of healing time.

What Next Back?

Went to the 5:30 class since it’s bench night

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • 2 Rounds
    • 5 Strict C2B Pull-ups
    • 10 Push-ups
    • 15 Air Squats

I pretty much always do my strict pull-ups chest-to-bar now. Why stop with just the chin over the bar if it’s a manageable number of reps?

Strength

Was supposed to be an alternating EMOM of bench press and Pendlay rows. Since we bench after class I wasn’t going to do more in class. I figured I’d hit some taller box jumps I warmed up with 5 jumps at 24″ and 10×45#, 5×135#, and 2×185# for Pendlay rows. I made it through a round of 5×185# rows and 10 box jumps at 30″. After 2 reps on the 2nd round of rows my back tweaked hard. WTF! Would never have expected to do anything with this movement since the back is pretty much just holding a stable position. Guess I wasn’t doing those movements anymore today, so I switched over to the RH.

4 Sets

  • 10 Reverse Hyper (210#)

Conditioning

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

  • Wall Balls (20#, 10′)
  • Pull-ups
  • Ball Slams (25#)

Had a goal to go unbroken the whole way and did. Finished in 7:08.

Midline

Class did a tabata plank hold, so I made it a goal to not rest at all. Made it through the entire 4 minutes to beat my PR old 2:57 hold on the elbows.

No B.S. Bench Press

Week 5 of the program. Shoulders and upper body were already warm from the workout, so didn’t need much to get going.

  • 5×135#
  • 5×185#
  • 4x4x215#

It felt like my right arm was lagging behind a hair on some reps, but other than that it was solid and with good speed on the bar.