Tag: Front Squat

Lunge Sandwich

Squat day 17. Here we go. Warmed up with 100 walking lunges that took 3:58.

Coffee Squats

Front Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×185#
  • 6:00 EMOM
    • 2x5x225#
    • 2x3x255#
    • 2x2x275#

That was a good one. Originally I was going to use 285# for the doubles at the end but the triples were feeling rough with 255 and I wanted to be able to keep good positioning.

Strapped on the 20# weight vest and did 200 more walking lunges at a relaxed pace. Took me 9:14 but still got me sweating.

Wednesday night, so off to CFi in the evening. Warmed up with Crossover Symmetry Activation and then did this little number…

3 Rounds NFT

  • 75 DU
  • 10 Reverse Hypers (260#)
  • 5 Back Extensions (15#, 51X3 tempo)

Did the first two rounds of dubs unbroken and then got 49 in the last round. Those tempo back extensions create such a pump in my low back.

No B.S. Bench Press

Starting a second cycle of the program. Alex and Bryan are joining us this time around.

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×185#
  • 5x5x205#
  • AMRAP 205# (12)

Starting up 10# over the base number from the previous cycle. It the AMRAP that’s 2 reps more than I got with the 195# last cycle. Excited to see how the extra accessory work I’m adding on Sundays helps out.

Weightlifting

Snatch Balance

  • 5x20kg
  • 2x3x40kg
  • 2x3x50kg

Bringing the weight back down doesn’t feel very good on my shoulders so probably won’t be doing that for snatch work again anytime soon.

Clean Pull + Clean + Push Jerk + Split Jerk

  • 60kg
  • 70kg
  • 80kg
  • 90kg
  • 3×1 100kg

The push jerk was an interesting twist in this complex and so was bringing it back down to the rack for the split jerk. No misses.

Finished up with Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap.

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.

2 Weeks of Squatting Every Day

I keep getting up earlier than usual and I’m not too happy about it. My upper body seems a little tight this morning from the 84 pull-ups. Didn’t rush out to the garage this morning since I have a lot more time to work with on Sunday mornings.

Switched it up with 100 Walking Lunges (20# vest) for my warm-up. It took me 4:30 to do them.

Coffee Squats

2 Front + 5 Back

  • 45#
  • 135#
  • 175#
  • 205#
  • 225#
  • 245#
  • 265#

Up 30 pounds over what I did last Sunday for this complex. This is the most weight I’ve had on the bar yet and it’s still well below the 295# I’ve done for this combo before.

That completes 14 days in a row at the squat rack. I’ll keep slowly increasing the weights and over the next two weeks I’ll hopefully be back to typical squatting loads. I’ve really been enjoying the morning squats as a way to kick off my day. Haven’t noticed any additional fatigue from them and don’t think they’ve been affecting my other training negatively. If anything they are probably helping. Don’t think I’ve mentioned the stretching routine recently, but I’ve been continuing to do it at least once a day, except when I do the 90 minute yoga workout.

Accessory

4 Sets

  • 10 Incline DB Bench Press (45°, 40-45-50-50# DBs)
  • 10 JM Press (45-65-65-65#)

Going to try adding in some bench press accessory work on the weekends to see if it’ll help getting to 300#. Holy Shit! The JM Press is no fucking joke. There are a couple of variations out there. I used what looked to be the hardest one and I’m pretty sure I got that right. Wow!

I hope that didn’t smoke me too much for today’s workout. Super Sunday at noon…

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • 1,500m Row (6:36)
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • C&J
    • 4×45#
    • 2×95#
    • 2×135#

Weightlifting

E2M 20:00

  • 2 C&J

Started with 155# and went up 10# each time, finishing at 245#. I think I wore the belt starting at 215#. Took my time with that last round, to make both reps. I squatted most of the reps but powered a few of the early ones when I wasn’t thinking. Last few rounds got rough. The cleans aren’t really a big deal for me, but I’m pumped to have made all of the jerks. We took about 5-10 minutes plus before starting the next part.

Conditioning

With a running clock, @ 0:00…
5:00 AMRAP

  • 5 MU
  • 10 Cleans (155#)

This is event 1 of the 2015 Masters Qualifier. Wanted to do some muscle-ups this weekend and this looked like a fun one to try. Was scared how this would go after all those heavy cleans, but it was just fine. I broke the MU into 3-2 every round and did relaxed singles for the cleans. Finished 2 rounds plus 5 muscle-ups and 2 cleans. It was fun doing some MU in a workout again.

I called on the group for some movements to make up the next two parts and then I came up with the rep schemes and how to split up the 4 movements.

@ 10:00…

  • 30 Wall Balls (20#, 10′)
  • 30 Push-ups
  • 30 Russian KBS (70#)

Wall balls and kettlebell swings were unbroken. I did the push-ups in 3 sets of 10. Finished in 2:50.

@ 20:00…

  • 150m Walking Lunges

I was excited when someone picked lunges and knew I had to put them solo. Finish the workout with a little Lunge University. 🙂 We went outside since it was a nice afternoon. I programmed it as 100 walking lunges, but after about 50 steps I went to chase Michelle down for extra credit since she was doing a lap. I don’t usually do them stepping through, but did to catch up and it’s so much faster doing them like that, but so much extra burn too. Finished in 4:03. I stopped counting the reps after deciding to go for the lap distance instead, but should have been about 150.

Midline

  • 60 Quarter Get-ups

Used a 53# KB and split this up into 10 reps per side at a time.

Knocked out Crossover Symmetry Plyometric before heading home. Kind of wanted to skip it, but was already feeling my shoulders smoked so I knew I should do it.

An hour or so later at home I am wrecked!

In the Red

I’ve been checking my HRV almost every morning with ithlete for over 3 weeks. This is the first day I’ve had a red number and the first day my resting heart rate has been above 48; it was 53 this morning.

Today was already planned as a recovery day. My low back was feeling a little tight the rest of the day yesterday after pulling the deadlifts. Don’t really notice it this morning.

Warmed up with an easy 1,000m on the Ski Erg (4:57.5).

Coffee Squats

Front Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×165#
  • 3×195#
  • 3×215#
  • 3×235#
  • 3×255#

Day 12 at the squat rack is in the books. Felt really solid. It’s hard not to keep adding weight and push it, but I’m going to keep it slow. No need to rush things and get hurt again.

Before lunch, I took the sled for a walk. Loaded 90# on for a 115# total and went 1.35 miles in 27:50. The pavement wasn’t nearly as bad as I remember it being last year or maybe I’m just that much fitter. It did start to hurt around 3/4 of a mile. Never stopped though.

How Much Ya Bench?

Okay, this morning I can feel a little fatigue in my shoulders from that shoulder press work I did Monday night. Crawled out of bed by 7am today. Might as well get in those squats early. Warmed up with a quick 3:00 on the Air Dyne (1.47km).

Coffee Squats

Pause Front Squats (3s in the hole)

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×155#
  • 5×175#
  • 5×185#
  • 5×195#
  • 5×205#

Those last two sets sucked! I couldn’t hold a breath in the hole after the first two reps. Wore a belt for the last 3 sets to help keep tight. That’s the 10 day of squatting. Didn’t feel the quad at all in this session, but I did feel something odd on the inside of my right knee as I descended on some of the reps. Did 15 minutes of stretching after I was done.

Got to CFi at about 6pm. Did Crossover Symmetry Activation and then a little warm-up workout.

2 Rounds

  • 500m Row
  • 50 DU

Got a new coated cable for my RPM rope so replaced the frayed bare wire one before heading to the gym. Wanted to try it out so came up with this. I didn’t attack the rower at all; just under a 2:00/500m pace I think. Finished in 5:29. Was a little worried the coated cable would be too slow for me but it felt pretty good. Had one miss in each set and it was after 48 in the second round.

No B.S. Bench Press

Test Day!

  • 10×45#
  • 8×115#
  • 5×155#
  • 3×185#
  • 1×215#
  • 1×240#
  • 1×260# (PR)
  • 1×265# (PR)
  • F @ 270#

Damn, I thought I had that last one. Got it pretty far up and thought for sure I was going to fight through it before stalling out. That’s a 15# PR though, probably 10 of which can be directly attributed to the 9 week program. My estimated max was 255# from a set not too long before we started. New cycle starts next week. 🙂

Weightlifting Wednesday

The plan is to make 7pm class on hump day all about weightlifting. Should be fun.

  • 5 Hang Muscle Snatch (45#)
  • 5 Snatch Press (45#)
  • 5 OHS (45#)
  • 2 Snatch High Pulls, 1 Snatch
    • 3 sets @ 75#
    • 3 sets @ 95#
    • 2 sets @ 115#
  • Snatch
    • 2×135#
    • 2×145#
    • 2×155#
    • 1×165#
    • 1×175#
    • 3x1x185#

I missed one at 145# before hitting it a second time. Catches were kind of shaky with some of the heavier weights, but the final one was locked in the best of them all. I think the Crossover Symmetry has really helped with my shoulder stability because I was able to manipulate the weight overhead for some good saves.

Sprint

Felt like a quick row so went for 500m. Was killing it and then hit a wall with under 200m to go. Was able to hold on for a 0.3 second PR – 1:24.8!
500m-row

The last two times I’d done 500 meter time trial it’s been an afterthought on the way out of the gym after a long session. Maybe I should try it fresh some time. 🙂

Return to Super Sunday

My lats are sore from the pull-ups yesterday. Chest is a little sore too. Out in the garage early again. Warmed up with 5:00 Air Dyne (2.38km).

Coffee Squats

2 Front + 5 Back

  • 45#
  • 95#
  • 135#
  • 155#
  • 175#
  • 195#
  • 215#
  • 235#

Far cry from the most I’ve done for this squat complex, but it’s the most weight I’ve had on the bar in over 2 months. Coming back slow and steady.

After missing the last couple of Sundays, I was glad to be back.

Warm-up

  • 1,000m Row (4:20)
  • CS Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • Shoulder mobility with band

Helen

3 Rounds

  • 400m Run
  • 21 American KBS (53#)
  • 12 Pull-ups

pumpsFirst run was about 1:35 so I knew I was on a solid pace. Was able to do each set of kettlebell swings and pull-ups unbroken though I had to dig deep to stay on the bar for the last 4. Got slower on the runs, but held on ok. Finished in 8:53, which is a 37 second PR and probably the most legit 400m runs I’d done with Helen as far as distance. Must have been the Pumps, which I wore for the first time. Have had running in a workout the last 3 days and it has felt decent, which is a nice surprise. Walked 200m to cool down.

4x NFT

  • 50m Sled Pull between legs (145-190-220-235#)
  • 5 Strict Deficit HSPU (2″)

The sled pull was done walking forward bent over with the straps coming through your legs.

5 Rounds

  • 10 V-ups
  • 20 Push-ups
  • 30 Plyo Lunges

I split up the push-ups into 10-10 every round and did the v-ups and lunges unbroken. Every round of lunges was a deep burn, but the last two rounds were a fight to keep going. Finished in 8:42. Walked another 200m to try to flush out the legs some. My ass is going to be sore tomorrow!

Did Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap before leaving and will do some stretching tonight. Need to get outside and do some raking if the rain holds off.

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

Legs – Oww

Legs are so sore! Don’t take 2 months off from the squat rack. Went in for the 9am class.

Warm-up

Didn’t really do much. Some bottom squat holds but that’s about it.

Strength

Pause Front Squats (2s in the hole)

  • 10×45#
  • 5×95#
  • 5×125#
  • 5×145#
  • 5×175#
  • 5×195#

Didn’t really feel the soreness once I got moving. Didn’t notice any pain in my quad either, which is the real test. Decided to do pauses since I wasn’t going heavy. Still felt plenty heavy though.

Conditioning

10:00 EMOM

  • 5 Box Jumps (30″)
  • 3 C&J (115#)

Went high on the box since it wasn’t many reps and I was going to go light on the clean and jerks. Didn’t rebound any of the jumps, but cycled pretty fast. Was able to fly through the C&J by bringing straight to the ground. Took about 20 second each round once I got the rhythm of the TnG working. Was good to pick up a bar!

5 Rounds

  • 25m Prowler Sprint – High (90# sled + 90#)
  • 25m Prowler Sprint – Low (90# sled + 90#)

Yuck! Walked 200m after and then did Crossover Symmetry Plyometric.

Accessory

Reverse Hyper

  • 15×210#
  • 15×260#
  • 15×300#

Stuck around and did a round of back/hip stretches too after having done so much leg work.

In the afternoon, I went out to the garage and did 250 walking lunges in 9:20. I did laps around the garage today, which was 16 per lap. I’ll do another round of stretches tonight.

Bear Struggles

In for the 10am class.

Warm-up

Dynamic for 11 rounds of 15s I think. Combination of jumping jacks, mountain climbers, plank, push-ups, and squat jumps.

Gymnastics

Front squats were on the board, but I’m deloading squats this week, so did my own thing here. I was planning to stay after class and do these, so worked out even better.

E2M 16:00

  • 4 Muscle-ups

I missed the final rep on the 8th set! Then I missed a single 2 more times and called it quits before I tore up a shoulder. Was feeling good, so was kind of surprised I missed, but when I hit that point it’s just done. Most sets of 4s I’ve ever done though.

Conditioning

11:00 AMRAP of 1-2-3-4… Ladder

  • Bear Complex (115#)
  • Burpee

Paced myself right away. Not the kind of day where I want to kill myself going into Super Sunday. I dropped the bar after every bear complex and took a few breaths. Ended up completing the round of 7 and then 1 bear complex of the 8s. Glad I didn’t go with 135#. Using 95# would have been interesting.

Midline

3x with a partner

  • 6 Chest MB Passes
  • 6 OH MB Passes
  • 6/6 Side MB Passes
  • 6 Up MB Passes

Each person goes all the way through before switching out. Used a 20# ball. Those side passes were not bad at all compared to when we do 10 reps.

Plans Change

My hips were feeling pretty rough all night in bed. So I decided to switch up my plan for the week and get on the Air Dyne for 40 minutes before doing anything else. Went 19.4km. Felt pretty good through the day after that.

Back to the garage later in the day…

Warm-up

1,500m on the Ski Erg in 6:54.4.

XWOD

  • 10 Front Squats (45#)
  • 2 Kneeling Jumps
  • 5 Front Squats (95#)
  • 2 Kneeling Jumps (1.5″)
  • 5 Front Squats (135#)
  • 2 Kneeling Jumps (5.25″)
  • 5 Front Squats (175#)
  • 2 Kneeling Jumps (11.5″)
  • 5 Front Squats (205#)
  • 1 Kneeling Jump (12.75″)
  • 5 Front Squats (225#)
  • 2 Kneeling Jumps (11.5″)
  • 5 Front Squats (245#)
  • 1 Kneeling Jump (13.75″)
  • 5 Front Squats (255#)
  • 2 Kneeling Jumps (11.5″)
  • 5 Front Squats (265#)
  • 1 Kneeling Jump (13.75″)
  • 5 Front Squats (275# – PR)
  • 2 Kneeling Jumps (11.5″)

Front squats felt heavy. Looked back at my logs in between sets and found out I’d done 265# for 5 before, so set my goal at 275#. I guess it felt heavy because it was! Was really getting out of breath in those last few sets. The 10# PR was a good stopping point. Not the greatest doing the kneeling jumps in lifting shoes, but it worked out. Definitely had to take the belt off after missing one at 11.5″ trying to keep it on. I did miss my 13.75″ the last time, but went again and made it with more focus.

Accessory

  • 15 MU Ring Pulldowns (blue, 7’3″ bar, 5.5″ seat)
  • 20 Back Extensions (20# vest)
  • 15 MU Ring Pulldowns
  • 20 Back Extensions
  • 15 MU Ring Pulldowns
  • 20 Back Extensions

Bumped up to 15 reps from the 10 the other day. Fast-fast-fast was the focus and getting into that deep ring dip position. My upper back cramped up after the first set of back extensions. I thought it might have been something with the vest so I did the next set without it. Nope, happened again, so I didn’t do a third set. May have been a result of the front squats.