Time to CONQU3R with Olympus Labs!

Off-day tonight.

Starting the Cube Boss up Monday, which begins with a heavy pulling day (my favorite!), so just gonna relax this weekend. Prob do a higher intensity accessory day tomorrow to try to prepare for the increase in volume this program will bring. My general physical preparedness is kinda lousy right now.
 
Hyde said:
]

Note how they stand up on their own. That would be bananas for squatting/pulling sumo!
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That kind of takes the fun out of the movement, no?
 
RegisterJr said:
That kind of takes the fun out of the movement, no?
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Well, yes & no - like I mentioned the first time I got in the suit, the first thing that becomes very apparent is that although you'll end up lifting more if you can take advantage of the gear's momentum, you still get ALL of the weight at the top. That 465 was still crushing to me when I unracked it.

It's like reverse bands, really, best thing I can relate it to. Except it's extremely supportive, so your hips & everything feel much safer/healthier.
 
Totally unrelated to OL or my training, but I thought this was really interesting, as I really like Trader Joe's and some good nutrition tips from the man are always appreciated:

[video=youtube;FmTSCmhI5g0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmTSCmhI5g0[/video]

[video=youtube;oqj5DwlDP0Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqj5DwlDP0Q[/video]​

Who'd have thought that it was his favorite grocery store too?? Went there today actually - took the gf out for crepes in the hoity-toity district this morning & then we hit the grocery store. Lot of fresh, super-affordable 'bro' foods, as well as all kinds of goodies made from more wholesome ingredients. If you ever get to shop there, try it! *Warning: you might run into some hippies*
 
Day 39

Off-day

Last night was what Brandon Lilly calls, "Bodybuilding Day," Brian Carroll calls "Fluff n' Buff," and I call "Free Day" :)

Incline Bench 45x10, 95x10, 135x10, 185x9, 8, 7, 6
Upright Bb Rows 65x15, 135x12, 185x8, 8, 8, 165x10
Decline JM Press 60x20, 90x15, 110x10, 9
ss w/ Ezbar Curls 60x12, 15, 13, 12
Calf Raises on Legpress 2pps x15x5 sets
Leg Extensions 100x20, 130x15, 15, 20 *restpause* 10
ss w/ Db Farmer's Walks 95s til failure x3

Just some fun touchup work to keep blood moving, sweat pouring and help muscularity & athleticism. I was wobbling pretty funny on the last set of Farmer's Walks since my quads were starting to get pumped from the supersetted Extensions :pat:

Finally hitting the bottom of my tub of Conqu3r - bet there's only a wk left for sure :(
 
Hey, me and the wife are definitely going to be in Springfield October 9 (Thursday night until Sunday afternoon) so were good to chill!
 
tyga tyga said:
Hey, me and the wife are definitely going to be in Springfield October 9 (Thursday night until Sunday afternoon) so were good to chill!
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Alright awesome! I still have to get a hotel, but waiting to see if the gf is gonna be able to come or not.
 
Wish we had a trader joes or something similar here. Sure we have organic grocery, etc but you need to re-finance your home to shop there lol.
 
wasme said:
Wish we had a trader joes or something similar here. Sure we have organic grocery, etc but you need to re-finance your home to shop there lol.
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True story. I just grabbed a couple beers, 2 to be exact, at the "Watering Hole" in the local Whole Foods for 20 bucks, ugh.

Trader Joe's produce is SO cheap
 
wasme said:
Wish we had a trader joes or something similar here. Sure we have organic grocery, etc but you need to re-finance your home to shop there lol.
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It's just really cool. Like Meadows says, it feels like money well spent. I love all the fresh flowers & green crap as you walk in. All homo.

Spaniard said:
True story. I just grabbed a couple beers, 2 to be exact, at the "Watering Hole" in the local Whole Foods for 20 bucks, ugh.

Trader Joe's produce is SO cheap
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I actually tried the asparagus/red onion/mushroom saute blend today from that video for the first time - I always thought I hated asparagus, but turns out I just needed to learn how to cook. So good, & so much cheaper than whole foods it's insane.
 
Hyde said:
I was wobbling pretty funny on the last set of Farmer's Walks since my quads were starting to get pumped from the supersetted Extensions
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I bet that was quite a site! Lol ;) Great workout!
 
Hyde said:
I actually tried the asparagus/red onion/mushroom saute blend today from that video for the first time - I always thought I hated asparagus, but turns out I just needed to learn how to cook. So good, & so much cheaper than whole foods it's insane.
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nice - yeah asparagus is awesome, so long as you cook it correctly
 
That combo pack did look good indeed. With you on that snags. Grilling asparagus seems to always workout well for me.
 
Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies! My kids eat it like crazy too! I like to blanch in and then grill or pan toss them with a little evoo!
 
Day 41

Off-day. Yesterday officially kicked off the Cube Kingpin program. 10wks out. Let's do this!

Yesterday
Wk1, Heavy Dead

Deadlift 135x10, 10, 225x6, 315x6, 405x2x5 sets (beltless)
4" Blockpulls 430x3x2 sets
2" Deficit Deads 380x6, 7
Widegrip Pulldowns 150x15, 140x12, 120x15, 15, 15
Thickbar Shrugs 225x10, 275x10, 10
Db Farmer's Walk 95s x 30 seconds x3
Pullups 8, 5
McGill Pullups 6

I only used my belt for the deficit pulls (I have a tendency to round getting down so low over reps) & for the first set of blockpulls, but I just flatout didn't need it. I used to be scared to pull 405 beltless, but I used to be scared that I'd never ride in a car without pain either - my back has come a LONG way.
 
wasme said:
Really like the look of this workout Hyde.. strong all the way around.
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It felt really cohesive, & enjoyable. By the time I was done, my lats, traps & erectors were pumped, my hands hurt, & my forearms were sore & vascular as ever. I felt like everything I did will contribute to handling a heavier barbell.
 
Straight up beastly workout man!
 
Strong pulls Hyde.

I too get a little uncomfortable when you're belt-less.
 
RegisterJr said:
Strong pulls Hyde. I too get a little uncomfortable when you're belt-less.
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I haven't gotten comfortable with a belt yet! But yet again- I can't squat like you guys! Lol
 
Thanks all - I liked it a lot!

love2liftkat said:
I haven't gotten comfortable with a belt yet! But yet again- I can't squat like you guys! Lol
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Honestly if you don't like it you probably don't need it. It needs to be tight, but not so tight you can't breath - the real goal of the belt is to let you take air into your belly (breath like you're singing) & push your core out against the belt. This activation gives you a ton of support if you get it right; it will feel like ring of iron just inflated 360* around you. The extra trunk rigidity lets you transfer power better & helps to keep the back from rounding. It will thus increase absolute strength on all forms of squats, pulls, & overhead presses. Belts during benchpress are only worn by guys in benchshirts to keep the shirt down tight.

I don't recommend it for moderate weight training, like general bodybuilding. I try to only rely on it for my heaviest work, or if I feel I need it comfort-wise.
 
Day 42

Tonight was good. Loving the Cube Kingpin thus far. Added a non-stop 100-rep set of pressdowns after my benching - had to dig for it, but I felt like I got a lot of work with a really small investment of time.

Wk 1, Repetition Bench

Benchpress 49x10, 99x10, 139x10, 189x13, 11, 11 (no pause)
CGBP 199x6, 7 (brief pause)
Bench w/ 1" Pause off Chest 174x10, 10, 8 (went all the way down, then paused 1" up after reversing. Ouch.)
Tri Pressdown 10-30x100 nonstop
Widegrip Pulldowns 140x15, 120x15x3 sets
Side Raises 25s x12, 35x9, 30x9
Neutral Grip Pullups 9, 8, 7
 
I bet those push downs burned like hell.

Pausing after touching chest and on the way up sounds interesting: like there was a little more squeeze in the pecs.
 
what is this belt you ppl speak of? :think:

Hyde said:
I don't recommend it for moderate weight training, like general bodybuilding. I try to only rely on it for my heaviest work, or if I feel I need it comfort-wise.
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this :yup:

I never use a belt - but then I'm not big into straps/wraps/or anything else aside from my gloves (don't need more callouses y'know..)
not saying there isn't a point to needing one, just saying a lot of ppl think this is a gym-wear accessory or some such nonsense - picture the guy standing in the squat rack tightening up his belt as he prepares to knock out those 3 sets of 15 reps with 20# DBs ....

:rolleyes:
 
snagencyV2.0 said:
what is this belt you ppl speak of? :think:

this :yup:

I never use a belt - but then I'm not big into straps/wraps/or anything else aside from my gloves (don't need more callouses y'know..)

:rolleyes:
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Did I just read that right? :pat:


j/king man.











Well maybe...... ;)
 
Thank you Hyde! I did like the support and the fact I felt stronger with it...just feel like an idiot until weight gets higher. I can see pl's wearing them- makes since when you're moving 2-3 x's your bw! Makes me feel like a whimp though! Lol
 
I can feel the rounding of my my back, or at least some lower back tension, without a belt >200. But, I've also been doing leg curls prior to squats and they also put tension on my back.
 
snagencyV2.0 said:
what is this belt you ppl speak of? :think:

this :yup:

I never use a belt - but then I'm not big into straps/wraps/or anything else aside from my gloves (don't need more callouses y'know..)
not saying there isn't a point to needing one, just saying a lot of ppl think this is a gym-wear accessory or some such nonsense - picture the guy standing in the squat rack tightening up his belt as he prepares to knock out those 3 sets of 15 reps with 20# DBs ....

:rolleyes:
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Lol exactly! Don't be the guy who has to get into his IronMan costume just to do some lateral raises. Guys using straps on everything they put in their hands "so they can work the muscle to absolute failure". Gimme a break. Are meaty forearms no longer valued on stage, or a powerful grip not useful in life in general?? There is absolutely a place for straps & smashing the muscles past your grips failure, but not for everything every workout. Do the things you hate, the things you suck at or are uncomfortable. That's how you improve.

love2liftkat said:
Thank you Hyde! I did like the support and the fact I felt stronger with it...just feel like an idiot until weight gets higher. I can see pl's wearing them- makes since when you're moving 2-3 x's your bw! Makes me feel like a whimp though! Lol
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Again, unless you're getting as heavy as 5-rep maximum sets, I don't think they're a good thing. But if you are managing extremely heavy loads for yourself, a belt can cover for some of your weaknesses.
 
So the creator of the Cube, Brandon Lilly, fell during a squat at competition early this year & split both his knees apart. Had to undergo immediate major reconstructive surgery. People were wondering if he'd even be able to walk right again.

[video=youtube;H5MUY16xg5E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5MUY16xg5E&list=UUDCJ7sBu4Ri9nXLlnqIXpfg[/video]​

He's already pulling over 700lbs again, & this past week he squat 418 to depth & 507 afterward but it was high. There are people who accept limits, & those that will do whatever they can to overcome.
 
Hyde said:
So the creator of the Cube, Brandon Lilly, fell during a squat at competition early this year & split both his knees apart. Had to undergo immediate major reconstructive surgery. People were wondering if he'd even be able to walk right again. Invalid Link Removed He's already pulling over 700lbs again, & this past week he squat 418 to depth & 507 afterward but it was high. There are people who accept limits, & those that will do whatever they can to overcome.
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He was at 430 a few weeks ago. Huge jump!
 
Wow!!! Such an inspiration!!
 
Early this year as in 2014???? Wow, that's badazz.
 
Day 44

Tonight got a little bogged down in the gym - never wanted to go at all tonight, & diet was crappy today & I felt it, but I forced myself to dig in & put the work in. Just took a little longer than I feel it should have.

Wk1, Explosive Squat

Comp Stance Squat 45x5, 135x5, 225x5, 285x3x8 sets (30-60 sec rests)
Front Squats 225x1, 275x5, 305x2, restpause x2
Pause Squat, Beltless 265x8, 8
Db Farmers' Walk 100s x3 sets
Lying Leg Curl 100x15x3 sets
Back Extensions BWx12, 12, +25x12, 12
Widegrip Pullups 8, 8, 5

Also, bit weaker on front squats than I wanted to be - was hoping for a set of 5. Oh well, all the more reason to get after them.
 
I'd take 305 front squats any day.
 
You're a beast Hyde! Be proud!!
 
Driven2lift said:
This.
I have to keep rechecking your stats page to remind myself you have some size on me and I shouldn't feel so bad for lifting less lol
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I suppose it's all relative. I just think my physique is less balanced than I'd like. I can squat well over 400, yet I doubt I can front 350. I am going sub-parallel on the fronts, but still.

I really want to get bigger & heavier. I don't want to get fatter, but I'm not sure there's much way around it without huge amounts of drugs that I'm not really interested in dealing with right now. No way I'm getting to 250 from 208 currently without continuing to get sloppier. I suppose I can always recomp once I get there, but in general I think the best thing for me is not rush it too fast & take my time getting there.
 
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