Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

07/08/20 - Day 66, Wk3 Squat & Bench
BW 265.0

Agile 8
DB Hammercurls ss w/ Rear Lateral Raise
20 2x30 / 2x15
Distance Jumps 2x3

Squat, Texas Squatbar
55x3
145,235,325,415x1
+belt & sleeves
465,480,500x1
345 3x3

Bench, Ohio Powerbar
45x10,5
135,185x3
225,255,285,305,325x1
225 2x5

GHR
2x12

BB Skullcrushers
45,75x12
100 2x12

10 days out. Took last squat warmup and bench opener with commands. Everything felt really strong and easy. Time to rest up; the work is done. Will touch everything at 50% Monday and that’s it til the meet on the 18th.
 
07/13/20 - Day 71, Last Practice
BW 261.6

Agile 8
Explosive Paused Push-ups

Squat
45x5
135,225x3
315 5x2

Bench
45x10
135x5
185 5x3

DOH BB Holds
345x2

Took the fam to Destin, FL for a friend’s first strongman show last Wednesday & got home Sunday night. ‘Rona is only as prevalent there as it is here (cases/thousand of population), so we’ll see if anything develops. Lost 3.5lbs from all the activity but also haven’t had any creatine - will try like hell to get some weight back on this week for the meet Saturday afternoon. Took my final shot of the cycle this morning instead of last night.

Last time touching a barbell is in the books - from here it’s eating, visualization, and staying loose.

Invalid Link Removed
 
SkRaw85 said:
A question, why not one last stab closer to game time?
Click to expand...

Ester half-lives.

Enanthate & Cypionate estered hormones are still about 2/3 levels in the blood 6 days after injection of the peak at day 2. But neurological strength from increased androgen levels isn’t exactly immediate. You don’t take Superdrol in the morning and become stronger by evening; even that takes a few days to show up, and to leave after cessation. You typically retain most of the temporary strength for the week after everything is out of your system even, in my experience. This is why game day hormones are really about how you feel. They’re more akin to wearing lucky underwear than actually becoming instantly stronger via 50mg of X.

Josh Bryant recommends dropping shots a week out from the meet with his athletes. Full strength at the meet but faster turnaround into the cruise or PCT.
 
Hyde said:
Ester half-lives.

Enanthate & Cypionate estered hormones are still about 2/3 levels in the blood 6 days after injection of the peak at day 2. But neurological strength from increased androgen levels isn’t exactly immediate. You don’t take Superdrol in the morning and become stronger by evening; even that takes a few days to show up, and to leave after cessation. You typically retain most of the temporary strength for the week after everything is out of your system even, in my experience. This is why game day hormones are really about how you feel. They’re more akin to wearing lucky underwear than actually becoming instantly stronger via 50mg of X.

Josh Bryant recommends dropping shots a week out from the meet with his athletes. Full strength at the meet but faster turnaround into the cruise or PCT.
Click to expand...

Great post! I would have figured a guy would want as much carryover as possible post meet as their will be some serious recovery needed and it would help. Makes sense though.
 
SkRaw85 said:
Great post! I would have figured a guy would want as much carryover as possible post meet as their will be some serious recovery needed and it would help. Makes sense though.
Click to expand...

If you are cruising and can stand the extra time with bad bloodwork it’s not a big deal. But you could always switch to fast esters the last week or two, or add in orals. And you really don’t need recovery post meet because that is the time you are most vulnerable to injuries - you shouldn’t be going right back into training without at least a week off real work.

Dave Tate recommends a month off of even touching a barbell. I have gotten hurt a couple times training hard too fast after a meet, including tearing my QL 2 weeks after.
 
Hyde said:
If you are cruising and can stand the extra time with bad bloodwork it’s not a big deal. But you could always switch to fast esters the last week or two, or add in orals. And you really don’t need recovery post meet because that is the time you are most vulnerable to injuries - you shouldn’t be going right back into training without at least a week off real work.

Dave Tate recommends a month off of even touching a barbell. I have gotten hurt a couple times training hard too fast after a meet, including tearing my QL 2 weeks after.
Click to expand...

For sure. I meant the added test to aid recovery from the meet specifically. After a heavy sbd day a guy better be nice to himself for a good while at least lol.
 
SkRaw85 said:
For sure. I meant the added test to aid recovery from the meet specifically. After a heavy sbd day a guy better be nice to himself for a good while at least lol.
Click to expand...

Right, but that’s actually not ideal or necessary is what I mean - the time off alone will handle muscle recovery, and extra testosterone in supraphysiological doses actually works against joint health/recovery. The best thing you could do would be to consume a protein-rich lower carb diet with plenty of antioxidants in conjunction with light exercise to lower inflammation and let muscles recover, maybe adding some things for cortisol & inflammation reduction like phosphatidylserine and curcumin.

SkRaw85 said:
What’s next on the docket? Planning to do strongman events again or keep training for power meets?
Click to expand...

Good question. I don’t know. I need to come off and improve my health. I want to lean out some as well as do some more general strength training for a bit; kinda retool my base and bring up some things I’ve been neglecting. Some higher volume lighter hypertrophy work, grip, light event work focusing on conditioning and movement perhaps like we were doing before we went to Norway. I wouldn’t be opposed to a local strongman show without much prep, but COVID19 likely will mess up a lot of things still for a while to come.

I definitely eventually want to bench 400+ and total Elite in sleeves (1,701@242 or 1,751@275), but those are not immediate plans - I will do better to build a wider base and begin again methodically.
 
Hyde said:
Right, but that’s actually not ideal or necessary is what I mean - the time off alone will handle muscle recovery, and extra testosterone in supraphysiological doses actually works against joint health/recovery. The best thing you could do would be to consume a protein-rich lower carb diet with plenty of antioxidants in conjunction with light exercise to lower inflammation and let muscles recover, maybe adding some things for cortisol & inflammation reduction like phosphatidylserine and curcumin.



Good question. I don’t know. I need to come off and improve my health. I want to lean out some as well as do some more general strength training for a bit; kinda retool my base and bring up some things I’ve been neglecting. Some higher volume lighter hypertrophy work, grip, light event work focusing on conditioning and movement perhaps like we were doing before we went to Norway. I wouldn’t be opposed to a local strongman show without much prep, but COVID19 likely will mess up a lot of things still for a while to come.

I definitely eventually want to bench 400+ and total Elite in sleeves (1,701@242 or 1,751@275), but those are not immediate plans - I will do better to build a wider base and begin again methodically.
Click to expand...

Sounds like very attainable goals! 400 bench is right around the corner for you.
I’be abandoned the idea of competing this year with the “new flu” shutting everything down again. Prob be back to total shutdown here again in 2 weeks max. Just gonna get thicker and attack weaknesses.
 
I’m here to tell you, not much feels better than finally benching 400. You definitely shouldn’t have a problem getting there.
 
So I mentioned coming home from FL only weighing 260.4 Monday morning. I have consumed at least 4k calories every day and still only waking up at 260.6, even beginning to load creatine and extra sodium. It’s like that 200mg/wk of DHB is just soaking up the nutrients like mad. That and/or the M1A. I seriously cannot gain weight to save my life and am in a constant state of wanting to puke from all of the food.

Stopping my AI and hoping to put a few lbs of bloat on for the meet. At least I feel pretty strong!
 
Get those chicken shakes going! 🤮
 
jswain34 said:
Get those chicken shakes going! 🤮
Click to expand...

You don’t even know. Literally nothing I am consuming isn’t processed, but if you have never experienced how orals crush appetite it’s like how when you’re sick - you don’t even want to drink.

Today is the last big day of force feeding, pre-meet. Weighing ~262.0. Warmups tomorrow will be around noon unless the tested meet runs longer.

Ready to do this!
 
Hyde said:
You don’t even know. Literally nothing I am consuming isn’t processed, but if you have never experienced how orals crush appetite it’s like how when you’re sick - you don’t even want to drink.

Today is the last big day of force feeding, pre-meet. Weighing ~262.0. Warmups tomorrow will be around noon unless the tested meet runs longer.

Ready to do this!
Click to expand...

That sounds miserable. Kill it tomorrow dude. You’re more than prepared, now just go execute.
 
Thanks gents. At the hotel, definitely have had a good 4k calories already today. We closed on our new house at 2pm today before we hit the road and since that point I have been feeling a lot better. The food is going down easier and I feel ready and excited for tomorrow honestly. I know it’s gonna be a great day.

Gonna put down some more Gatorade, ramen, mac n cheese before bed and a hopefully a decent breakfast after morning weighin around 7:30-8.

Catch you all on the flip side!
 
Hyde said:
Thanks gents. At the hotel, definitely have had a good 4k calories already today. We closed on our new house at 2pm today before we hit the road and since that point I have been feeling a lot better. The food is going down easier and I feel ready and excited for tomorrow honestly. I know it’s gonna be a great day.

Gonna put down some more Gatorade, ramen, mac n cheese before bed and a hopefully a decent breakfast after morning weighin around 7:30-8.

Catch you all on the flip side!
Click to expand...

Awesome, congrats on the house.

Anxiously awaiting updates tomorrow.
 
Thatta boyyyyyy! Big milestone there buddy. Congrats!

All 3rds? Howd the grip hold up on pulls?
 
Weighed in at 120.1kg/265lbs at 7:40am. Afternoon meet began at 1pm, ended at 3:30pm - only 2.5 hours start to finish, 97-100* heat index, 1 fan in the gym (pointed on the platform), 7 lifters total in my flight & meet, the strictest judging I’ve ever seen besides an IPF World’s livestream. I earned every single pound today.

Squat 540/584/617
Benched 325/347/369
Pulled 567/617/failed 650


Hydration was a massive battle as fast as they pushed us and how hot it was. We literally finished our 3rds then started warming up for the next lift. The Ohio Deadlift bar they used this time was bare steel & sharp AF, which tore my right hand open after 617 (which was easy as hell and grip way stronger than peaking thanks to dedicated grip work this month). I packed it with chalk & 6 minutes later was back on the platform for 650. It came off the ground easily, but the right callus totally tore open quickly, causing the bar to slide and tear my left calluses, which put a bloody end to that.

I was 253 before beginning my watercut for last meet in December. I was 260 all this week. For 7lb bodyweight gain, I added a full 100lbs to my total in 7 months & broke the 1,600 barrier.

To say this prep was easy or fun would be a flat lie. There were so many times I wanted to quit. So very often I felt so miserable trying so hard to be this size against my body’s will. I doubted that I could ramp my peak strength up so quickly, or that I would even be able to execute in meet conditions like this. But every step of the way, just one after the next, I kept to the path and didn’t stray. Not only was this my finest performance ever (1,603 & 495 Wilks), but the hardest earned.

And for that, I am grateful.
 
07/23/20 - Recovery Micro, Bench
BW 257.6

Bench
45 2x20
95x5
135 3x5

CG 2Board
135 2x15

Side Raises ss w/ Rear Raises
15 2x10/12

Feeling pretty good. Test is fading from system though and I can tell my energy is lower. Took my last shot of HCG last night. Using 40mg DMZ, 25mg Proviron, and random amounts of some old liquid S23 I found in the cabinet (heated it up since it was crashed but it’s not fully gone back into solution so dosing is best effort - maybe 30-45mg daily?). PCT will probably be able to start mid next week.

Eating less, getting a little more protein, backing off sugar and fast food. Trying to drop a few lbs while my anabolism & muscle-preservation is still high before I come off. We move into our new house Sunday, so been doing a lot of packing, cleaning, & running around.
 
07/24/20 - Recovery Micro, Squat
BW 257.8

Agile 8

Box Jumps
3x5

Squat
45,135x5
225 3x5

SSB Boxsquat
242 3x8

Standing Calf Raises
152 2x15

Back Extensions
3x20

TRX Fatman Rows
3x15


Invalid Link Removed

“You can break my body, but you can’t keep the soul of a man down”
 
Hyde said:
Weighed in at 120.1kg/265lbs at 7:40am. Afternoon meet began at 1pm, ended at 3:30pm - only 2.5 hours start to finish, 97-100* heat index, 1 fan in the gym (pointed on the platform), 7 lifters total in my flight & meet, the strictest judging I’ve ever seen besides an IPF World’s livestream. I earned every single pound today.

Squat 540/584/617
Benched 325/347/369
Pulled 567/617/failed 650


Hydration was a massive battle as fast as they pushed us and how hot it was. We literally finished our 3rds then started warming up for the next lift. The Ohio Deadlift bar they used this time was bare steel & sharp AF, which tore my right hand open after 617 (which was easy as hell and grip way stronger than peaking thanks to dedicated grip work this month). I packed it with chalk & 6 minutes later was back on the platform for 650. It came off the ground easily, but the right callus totally tore open quickly, causing the bar to slide and tear my left calluses, which put a bloody end to that.

I was 253 before beginning my watercut for last meet in December. I was 260 all this week. For 7lb bodyweight gain, I added a full 100lbs to my total in 7 months & broke the 1,600 barrier.

To say this prep was easy or fun would be a flat lie. There were so many times I wanted to quit. So very often I felt so miserable trying so hard to be this size against my body’s will. I doubted that I could ramp my peak strength up so quickly, or that I would even be able to execute in meet conditions like this. But every step of the way, just one after the next, I kept to the path and didn’t stray. Not only was this my finest performance ever (1,603 & 495 Wilks), but the hardest earned.

And for that, I am grateful.
Click to expand...
Awesome dude!!!! Congratulations!
 
Successfully moved into our first house today. Hotter than the hubs of Hades but we had a great crew and really smashed it out like a team! Still getting everything in order but should be able to lift in the garage now. Need to look into finding a used power rack and perhaps some better bars beyond the beater I’ve been using.

Got the new (used) super-heavy duty adjustable bench from our gym owner and also transported our atlas stones and loading wall and platforms with the Uhaul as well today.
 
Hyde said:
Thanks Benny! Felt really good to break the 600 barrier on squats and 1600 on total! I think 727kg.
Click to expand...
That's awesome! my all time gym bests only total 1293. And that's not all at the same time either. I got some work to do I guess
 
Hyde said:
Thanks Benny! Felt really good to break the 600 barrier on squats and 1600 on total! I think 727kg.
Click to expand...
That's awesome! my all time gym bests only total 1293. And that's not all at the same time either. I got some work to do I guess
 
Smont said:
That's awesome! my all time gym bests only total 1293. And that's not all at the same time either. I got some work to do I guess
Click to expand...

Yeah doing it in the gym in your ideal setting/timing/music people around you (or alone if you hate pressure) is very different from putting up a total in the same day in less than ideal conditions like sharing different warmup equipment than what your attempts will be on, being told exactly when to lift, no control over temperatures, being in front of a crowd, lifting to commands and being judged is a big one.

It’s very common for the total of your gym bests to exceed your best successful total.

Swanson52 said:
Congrats on the house buddy. It’s gotta feel good.
Click to expand...

Definitely a new adventure. Feels like I did a full strongman event day yesterday! And this is supposed to be a recovery microcycle lol. Next thing to happen this week is buying a mower and cutting grass for the first time since I was probably 13. Should be good mandatory light cardio at least.
 
Hyde said:
Yeah doing it in the gym in your ideal setting/timing/music people around you (or alone if you hate pressure) is very different from putting up a total in the same day in less than ideal conditions like sharing different warmup equipment than what your attempts will be on, being told exactly when to lift, no control over temperatures, being in front of a crowd, lifting to commands and being judged is a big one.

It’s very common for the total of your gym bests to exceed your best successful total.

I'm sure it's much harder doing it all in the same day, i personally don't know what ideal conditions would be for me. I definitely would need ppl watching me so I feel like I need to do it, probably no music because I'm use to listening to podcasts while I lift lol.

I wish I had a group of powerlifters around me so I could dedicate a training period specifically to the big 3. I've never really done that since my first year or 2 lifting. I've looked hi and low and there's no powerlifting gyms or groups in my area. I'm still bouncing between my basement gym and a planet fitness right now unfortunately. Anywho, congrats on the numbers and the house, I'm in the process of gutting and remodeling a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom right now, then gotta paint the whole place and put floors in hopefully all before October 1st and move in. It's a nightmare lol
Click to expand...
 
I was extremely anal about my grass and it’s care from about ages 27-40. Now I just pay someone to cut/trim/fertilize/aerate. I don’t have the time or want-to.
 
Swanson52 said:
I was extremely anal about my grass and it’s care from about ages 27-40. Now I just pay someone to cut/trim/fertilize/aerate. I don’t have the time or want-to.
Click to expand...
I did it myself for like the first year or two, but it got real old real fast and now I just pay a guy to come biweekly
 
7/27/20 - Recovery Micro, OHP
BW 252.6

Organized and swept garage for 2 hours

Band Tri Pressdowns, Rows, Hammercurls, Facepulls x3

BB Strictpress
45x15
65x10
95x5
120 3x5

ss w/ DB Curls
15 2x20
20x20, 15, 15

Push-ups
25

I soaked through my shirt getting the garage gym cleaned up and useable, so I kept cramping during all the little accessories.

This is only version 1, and you can’t see the atlas stones or loading wall, but this is the current space:

Invalid Link Removed

Barbell, axle, trapbar, farmers, yoke, bands, chains, at least 500lbs in plate weight, heavy duty adjustable bench, light adjustable bench, deadlift/pressing platform, Husafell stone, drop pads, drop tires, 4” heavy duty blocks, a couple baby dbs and an adjustable one, loadable women’s stone and circus db, atlas stones from about 105-285. Our kegs, sandbags & logs will be staying at the gym for now.

Still need to get safety arms for the yoke or a power rack, a couple 100lb or 50kg plates, a GHR/reverse hyper combo, some kind of upper/lower pulley system, a deadlift bar, ideally a squat bar and SSB/transformer, and eventually bar storage.
 
Space is looking great so far. You already have a ton of stuff, but i feel you on pretty much everything on your need list. Although for me its more of a “want” list. Let me know if you see the rogue safety arms come back in stock as those and a sturdy bench are my priorities currently. Well, and potentially a power bar.
 
jswain34 said:
Space is looking great so far. You already have a ton of stuff, but i feel you on pretty much everything on your need list. Although for me its more of a “want” list. Let me know if you see the rogue safety arms come back in stock as those and a sturdy bench are my priorities currently. Well, and potentially a power bar.
Click to expand...

Will do!

Both Rogue and GetRx’d make very sturdy non-adjustable benches IMO, if you can find them in stock. That’s what I was looking for initially before I had the chance to pop for this old behemoth Nautilus adjustable. It’s heavy to move, but let’s me get away with one bench for everything safely as well as being strong enough to probably boxsquat any weight to it.

EliteFTS has their Iron Cowboy Powerbar in stock for $300 with free shipping. Texaspowerbars has the (you guessed it) Texas Powerbar in stock bare steel shipped for $295, or $325 for black zinc coated with chrome sleeves. If you were considering buying new. Kabuki’s is like $420.
 
Hyde said:
Will do!

Both Rogue and GetRx’d make very sturdy non-adjustable benches IMO, if you can find them in stock. That’s what I was looking for initially before I had the chance to pop for this old behemoth Nautilus adjustable. It’s heavy to move, but let’s me get away with one bench for everything safely as well as being strong enough to probably boxsquat any weight to it.

EliteFTS has their Iron Cowboy Powerbar in stock for $300 with free shipping. Texaspowerbars has the (you guessed it) Texas Powerbar in stock bare steel shipped for $295, or $325 for black zinc coated with chrome sleeves. If you were considering buying new. Kabuki’s is like $420.
Click to expand...

Definitely wanting to get a bench with a 12” pad at minimum. Ideally the 14” fat pad is what I’d get but ill settle for 12” if the price difference is significant. One of the two powerbars you mentioned will be the one that I get if I need to, I cant justify the price for Kabuki’s power bar. I’d rather put the difference between the kabuki bar and one of the other, but still high quality bars, towards a squatmax or GHR.

What verdict did you arrive at regarding the reverse hyper?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top