Did you watch the video after 230 or only later? That looked pretty tough to me.

so are you just a sumo slappy now?

230 looked pretty smooth to me . . .

230 didnt look easy, but it was pretty nice form. I'd like to see you looking up a little more, but that was not bad.

If you want to try for 240 again soon, just do a single with 200, and skip 230. Go something like 200x1, 220x1, 240x1.

20th March:

Bench Press
120x1
127.5x1
130x1
120x1
120x1
120x1

Facepull
12
12
12

So this was about where I thought I was given the slingshot work. 130 was pretty grindy and also dodgy whether I manage to keep my butt down. Short pause too. Did some additional reps at 120 for practice.

130: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USMkBzZuXGc
127.5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ubeJ9ZBww8
120: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48sa9YyUF2w ("opener")
120 #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV5khpedh0s (practice rep)

The basic bottom line is, a surprise to none: if you don't train you don't actually get results. It's a borderline miracle I'm still in this spot, even more so when you account for bodyweight drop. That said, it's annoying when the 83s are looking like a close race and if I was somewhere near the numbers I hit last year I'd be in with a chance. C'est la vie.

Yeah, I didnt think it was too bad, and also didnt feel too bad. Not like nothing left in the tank bad.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I like sumo because I never really get low back DOMS or feel like my low back is doing too much work. If I fail, it's because my legs weren't strong enough. But at the end of the day the sport is about total, and I didnt miraculously add 20kg by switching to sumo. I might pull 220kg conventional this week and see how it feels by comparison, though a late switch does not seem wise.



Yeah, I really don't have much of a handle on how to plan my attempts for this meet. I think I'll open quite light, and see if one of my to main competitors ****s up early. If not I'll just make sure I lock up a qualifying total and crawl off to cry by myself.

13 Days Until Aucklands

Bench - you could run into problems with your butt coming off the bench. The problem is that you're a little loose. I suggest doing everything similar to how you did on the 130 video, then turning your heels out at the end of your setup before you take the handoff. If you do this right, you will feel a lot of tension on the side of your hips and there will be absolutely no way your butt will move off the bench. Not only will that eliminate potential red lights, the added tightness will allow you to press more. Its very uncomfortable when you do this right though.

Thanks, I'll give that a go

22nd March:

Squat
195x1
210x1
220x1

Fairly happy to hit this, given how crappy 195 felt. Still not great technique-wise, but I'll take it for now. Ran out of time to bench press, will squeeze it in tomorrow night.



210kg.

11 Days Until Aucklands

Getting close to four real plates is impressive!

Not sure if miscount or srs

I'm pretty sure you're sure

yep, yep

i did

I warm up with four plates, so nah, I'm not.

Sure you do, killer. Sure you do.

i am also confused by monte's post. 180 = 4 fake plates, 220 = 4 real plates.

Assuming I was doing anything but trolling our upside frand is a mistake

but it's not even a troll... not your best work monte.

Definitely a throwing batteries at Santa level of troll

24th March:

Bench Press:
120x1
127.5x1
127.5x1

Followed with a bunch of reps at 110 and 100 really trying to figure out different foot positions - think i figured it out by the end but just feeling run down. Slack pauses too so I'll definitely aim low for the competition - open at 117.5 - 125 - 130 I think.

25th March:

Deadlift
200x1
220x1
230x1

Just brutal. 230 was even slower, too, but camera crapped out. Oh well, guess that's just where my strength is at at the moment. Openers for squat/bench tomorrow then deload.

Probable attempts:
195 - 210 - 220
117.5 - 125 - 130
205 - 220 - 235




8 Days Until Aucklands

25th March:

Bench Press
110x1
120x1

Squat
180x1
195x1

Worked up to squat and bench openers.

7 Days Until Aucklands

Auckland Regionals:

Squat: 195-210-222.5 (comp PR)
Bench Press: 117.5-125-132.5 (comp PR)
Deadlift: 210-225-232.2
Total: 587.5kg (tied PR at lower BW)
Wilks: 398.62 (PR)
Bodyweight: 80.8kg

Good for second place (lost by 20kg, 20kg ahead of 3rd).

Pretty impressive stuff given your long break from lifting.

Is the plan now to train hardcore until nationals?

nice job!

Next step, > 400 Wilks.