Gosh, I feel for you not knowing for sure what's going on but suspecting it's something simple and unavoidable.

Good job working on the bench. Video next time

Good luck climbing tonight. It'd be awesome to see video of that, too!

9/12

OHP

140x6, 150x3, 160x1, 165xf, 2x8x125

Nice. Damn Idk how I missed than 165 watching the video. Gotta be there fresh. Getting it over my head seems like triceps are weak link there?

Hell yeah nice PR. One day I will become as strong as N1

Inc DB

5x8x65

T. Cable kickbacks

2x + 2x2 ds

Just need to push your hips back/head forward a bit sooner. Once your head is under the bar there's only one way for the bar to move. Nice lifts!

Will work on that thanks

You got any climbing trips planned?

165 missed due to lack of getting mad at it. May also try resting longer between singles. Push press or dead stop pin presses around the same position both good for that.

I don't actually. Maybe Red River Gorge, or Horseshoe Canyon Arkansas? Will likely go back to Virginia highlands or Boone. But I like doing last minute stuff (like Moab) so no telling!

What about you??

Haha yeah I fought it for a bit but lost it. I love push presses I should add them back. Always fun to do a variant that lets you lift more right?



-----------------------------------------


BN

4x5x215, 2x245, 3x1x250.

R. OH. T. EXT ss Side shoulder raises

3x

Lying barbell T. Ext. ss Front shoulder raises

3x

Let me know if you want to start sport climbing! I'd love to rope up 1x or so a week this season.

dude, eff those low rent places, go hit up some world class spots like Hueco or Bishop!

I havet climbed in almost 10 months, my back is all ****ed up

Does RRG only have sport Climbing? What’s the place I’m thinking of in Kentucky with boulders?

I keep saying I will haha but idk I’m spooked by it. Just need to commit to learning.

I am sure there are some boulders down in there somewhere. It is a sport climbing mecca, so I don't know how much bouldering is done though.

Nervousness is pretty normal. I'll be right there with you since I haven't been on a rope since like January. The only way to adapt to a stimulus is through exposure. It is like moving up stakes. At first you are jittery and nervous. As you play more you settle in to a groove and it becomes the new normal.

I think you will dig it. Let's get out next week. We'll stick to easy terrain and start building the technical skills/lead head/aerobic base. It will be a good active recovery day in between harder bouldering sessions. Plus, it's a hell of a lot more fun than just doing volume in the gym.

yeah, you are plenty strong enough that you can get on a rope on some fun stuff thats well below anything you actually will fall on which makes it a lot easier mentally, which is the hard part about being on a rope. Especially if you are just top roping or seconding.

9/15

Lat PD

5x

Seated lean back curls,

5x

Pend rows

4x12x135 I have been cautious with doing rows so to not anger back.

Machine pulls

5x

Tension cable curls

5x

Ahhh I was thinking of Obed.

Yeah that would be helpful to build up a better aerobic base.

You know one thing that kinda scared me was when I was doing some leading in the gym with Joe and he's like "oh you're clipping the wrong direction." I'm like huh? That never crossed my mind that the rope could come back over the carabiner. It's like well how many other details like that do I need to learn to make sure I'm not putting myself in danger.




I definitely do want to hit up Hueco and Bishop at some point. They both seem pretty remote though. Have you ever been to either? In Hueco you have to have a guide right? Bishop what % aren't scary high balls lol?

Depends on how pumpy it is haha

Ive spent several weeks at both. You need a guide if you arent on North Mountain at Hueco, and they only let 70 (I think, i cant remember its been a while) people on North at a time, so you need reservations and if its a busy part of the season you need them many months in advance. It's a giant pain in the ass, but it's the most famous bouldering spot on the planet for a reason.

I actually prefer Bishop, the climbing is not quite as good, but its really close and there is a lot more variety, because there is actually a couple entirely different areas with completely different rock. Camping or accommodations are a lot easier (El Paso is a ****hole), and you don't have to deal with all the restrictions of Hueco. There are tons of non scary high balls, so you don't have to worry about not having anything to climb.

Also, outside of Vegas has some really good bouldering too, if you and the lady like to do Vegas at all.

When you went to Hueco did you just drive or fly in and rent a car? If you flew did you check your pads?

It is like an 20r drive from Chatty, so I have never made it out. I am a bit hesitant to leave the South during the season since it is short and the bouldering is A+ here. Everyone that I know that has been to Hueco tells me it is amazing and totally worth dealing with the red tape and such though.

I live close enough (6 hours) that I've always driven.

Its definitely worth going tho, so you should make the pilgrimage at some point

9/17

BN

7x10x190, first set @ RPE6 last at RPE9. 14 reps at 190 gives me e1rm of 279, interesting, I'm prob at least 15-20lbs off that.

Dips

5x10xBW

Flys 4x (2sets of extra ds) ss T. EXT 4x (4 sets of extra ds)

9/18

Seated cable pulls

5x

Chest supp. Rows

5x

Ez bar curls

5x

1 arm Lat PDs

5x

Hammer curls

5x

I did some variations and subtle changes to these ^ that I picked up from Mountain Dog. I.e finishing the curl higher up to get a little more contraction out of the small head. I really did feel it. It's been fun adding little tweaks and just trying out new movements. I love his content/youtube videos. Aka John Meadows.


Cottonseed showed me some of the basics for rope climbing today. We'll try to get out soon, probably next week.

9/19

OHP

7x5x135, RPE7.. 9. 10

DB Inc

5x8x65s

T. Cable Kickbacks

5x

I have gained a lot weight since starting TRT. Prob up 10lbs or so. Weighing around 187/188 in the mornings.

And my core actually looks leaner than at high 170s. I think I was staying the same weight then but losing muscle mass. Prob mostly in my legs since I stopped working them out, but they have filled back in.




Chest: 43.5

Waist: 32

L Leg/Quad: 22.5/18 R Leg/Quad: 22.5/17.5

L arm relaxed/Flex: 14/15 R arm relaxed/flex: 14/15

neck: 16

calf: 15

L forearm: 12.25 R forearm: 12.75

Have also put an inch on my arms.

Bad face picture, double chinning.

9/19

Straight bar lat Pushdown

4x10

Lat PD

5x8

Biceps 21s Mtn Dog style

4x goddamn these are brutal

Pend Rows

5x10x155

Single arm rested curls

5x

In b4 200lb 10% bf

Haha cya in 3 years if ever! But that'd be sick. Would need to start training legs again to have a shot

9/21

BN

6x235, 2x5x235, 3x245, 1x250, 3x1x255

That's a pretty big PR!

Side lateral raises 4x8x25s ss R. T. OH. EXT. 4x

T. Pushdowns

5x

This was the 2nd to last set of 255. Moved good. Feel like 265 should be there all things considered.

EVCPT = gainz, although benching with your shirt off is a move I'm not nearly advanced enough to pull off myself.

Nice PR!