Huge +1. I pretty much attack lifting the same way as poker. Read a bunch of stuff and then take bits and pieces from the stuff I like and put it together to something that I think is fun. I will probably never be able to something like 5/3/1 or TM exactly as written since I always feel the need to change things. Same thing with poker, probably played more LAG than optimal (for me at least) but that was more fun than TAGing it up so I kept playing a bit more LAG than I probably should.

Best thing for me would probably be to have someone scream "shut up and lift" when I started talking about changing things but that wont happen

Do you guys think there is much added benefit of having more upper body mass in general for bench press? I mean like for added stability against the bench. Can't shoot a cannon out of a canoe etc

More body mass in general is advantageous for all pressing.

You should write a book on pressing

What G4S said. My bench has gone up a good amount recently (245 in July to 265 in November), and while I gained a bit of weight (only 5 pounds), I think the biggest reason for this was adding a ****load of lat + upper back work.

I try to do 100 pull-aparts every day I'm not in the gym and typically do 100 face pulls throughout any training session (split up through warm-ups + a few sets after I'm done with everything).

Another 'cheap' way to get in extra lat volume is to do what Wendler prescribes, and do a set of Chins in between every pressing set. You could even do this in between every Squat set.

A few weeks of this and you'll notice a pretty big difference in your back which will help a lot with your pressing.

Collaborate?

Big chest = less rom obv

I really only know push pressing and I think my thoughts on it would take up several volumes.

Would have to agree with this. In 5/3/1 JW mentions that one of the reasons why he loves kroc rows so much is because it a) helped his DL lockout and b) caused his back to get bigger which improved his bench press.

I don't know if my weak little stick arms can handle much more volume after/during my SS workout.

Guess ill have to add things slowly.

January 25, 2012

Squat
1x10x45
1x5x135
1x3x225
1x2x275
3x5x300

Starting to get heavy. I'll keep going though, just maybe take a bit longer to rest between sets.

Bench Press
1x10x45
1x5x95
1x3x115
1x2x135
3x5x155 (SS)

Got a video of set 2. I look like a baby power lifter! :P Looks like my arch is collapsing a bit, especially on the first rep. Also my bar path is still a little wonky, with regards to keeping the bar vertically over my elbow.



Deadlift
1x5x155
1x3x243
1x5x298

Need to set my back better before pulling. This was not too hard though.

Kroc Row
Right:
1x10x45
1x15x105
1x12x105
Left:
1x10x45
1x12x105
1x10x105

You know you're doing kroc rows when you move the bench instead of the dumbbell when switching arms.

Face Pulls
3x10x20

idk

Haha, this. Though I just lift the bottom half of the bench up and roll the DB under it.

Does anyone think I should take a wider grip on the bench? I was considering it.

Try it? Grip looks close.

January 27, 2012

Squat
1x10x45
1x5x135
1x3x225
1x2x275
3x5x305

Keeping my chest up and looking forward, not down, helps.

Press
1x10x45
1x5x65
1x3x85
1x2x100
3x5x110

Switched back to normal grip, from the thumbless grip. Weight felt fine, but I think I will begin micro-loading anyway.

Power Clean
1x10x44
1x3x88
1x2x110
1x1x132
5x3x148.5

Ameritard notation ldo. In other news, this **** really tires me out. 70kg will be a chore. Does it make sense to do 1kg jumps after that?

Chin-Ups
3x10x0