Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

[Hyde]

Sounds like a great trip and your wife did great! Hopefully it wasn’t to miserably hot during the meet.

Thankfully with her going at 9am it was excellent. By noon it had heated up quite a bit with clear sunny skies, so we got sunburnt when we came back after lunch, but the work was done.

Your wife looks great man! And I mean no disrespect at all!

She should still be proud of herself as I know you are of her!

None taken, thank you! I prefer her heavy, but I know she feels much better about her body when she’s lean like this so I’m just happy that she’s happy. Same as she prefers me leaner, but she knows I want to be the big strong guy, not the ripped guy, so she supports me

 

[sammpedd88]

Thankfully with her going at 9am it was excellent. By noon it had heated up quite a bit with clear sunny skies, so we got sunburnt when we came back after lunch, but the work was done.



None taken, thank you! I prefer her heavy, but I know she feels much better about her body when she’s lean like this so I’m just happy that she’s happy. Same as she prefers me leaner, but she knows I want to be the big strong guy, not the ripped guy, so she supports me

It’s so awesome you both have common goals as far as fitness. That goes so far to help strengthen a relationship on so many other aspects. My wife and I work out together, but not as much as we used to due to our work schedules. Congrats to you both for your hard work and having a great relationship!

 

[Hyde]

It’s so awesome you both have common goals as far as fitness. That goes so far to help strengthen a relationship on so many other aspects. My wife and I work out together, but not as much as we used to due to our work schedules. Congrats to you both for your hard work and having a great relationship!

We almost never get to train together now that I have a son unfortunately, and honestly that has caused some distance - simply from how busy we are with our own training, taking care of our son, our jobs. We used to always get to spend training time together, but now that time in the week has doubled since one of us has to be home with my son, yet we get to spend none of it together.

So I don’t want to paint some fake glamorous picture that it’s all roses. But we do greatly value our relationship & family, and we have actually recently been discussing how we can be more proactive to strengthen our marriage. Scheduling date nights & such to make sure we get a little time alone to nurture us. We love our son so much, but that can’t replace the effort necessary to actually grow as a couple.

 

[gphagan1]

We almost never get to train together now that I have a son unfortunately, and honestly that has caused some distance - simply from how busy we are with our own training, taking care of our son, our jobs. We used to always get to spend training time together, but now that time in the week has doubled since one of us has to be home with my son, yet we get to spend none of it together.

So I don’t want to paint some fake glamorous picture that it’s all roses. But we do greatly value our relationship & family, and we have actually recently been discussing how we can be more proactive to strengthen our marriage. Scheduling date nights & such to make sure we get a little time alone to nurture us. We love our son so much, but that can’t replace the effort necessary to actually grow as a couple.

Yeah, as you start raising children it really does change the quality time you get to spend as a couple, but of course the reward and joy of raising the little ones is all worth it. But my wife and I found out years ago that we just had to schedule us, so date nights are great, but ever so often try to just schedule a weekend trip for just you and her, even if it’s just a couple of hours away to a lake, the mountains, or beach, it really helps so much in the relationship, and you’re always refreshed and ready to get back to the little ones afterwards. And hey you can get your freak on, because no little guys to interrupt.

 

[Dustin07]

None taken, thank you! I prefer her heavy, but I know she feels much better about her body when she’s lean like this so I’m just happy that she’s happy. Same as she prefers me leaner, but she knows I want to be the big strong guy, not the ripped guy, so she supports me

the conundrums of life!
I spent years sub 10% thinking chicks were into that, I was like 8% when I met my wife so spent the following years killing myself to stay there, and this past 1 year adding 15lbs+ my wife likes it more lololol. Although I have no doubt if I showed up to the bedroom with the old ripped abs again she'd all the sudden like that again too. I sorta think we tend to like whatever our spouse is when the relationship is good. My wife puts on a few, I think she's hot. it's all T&A anyways. She cuts a few, I think she's hot again. it's like being married to a new person every 6 months

Scheduling date nights & such to make sure we get a little time alone to nurture us. We love our son so much, but that can’t replace the effort necessary to actually grow as a couple.

You are actually, honestly, quite wise before your time. You have an impressive focus on the important things at an age where many people are starting to F it up.

 

[sammpedd88]

Yeah, as you start raising children it really does change the quality time you get to spend as a couple, but of course the reward and joy of raising the little ones is all worth it. But my wife and I found out years ago that we just had to schedule us, so date nights are great, but ever so often try to just schedule a weekend trip for just you and her, even if it’s just a couple of hours away to a lake, the mountains, or beach, it really helps so much in the relationship, and you’re always refreshed and ready to get back to the little ones afterwards. And hey you can get your freak on, because no little guys to interrupt.

Totally agree! That mommy daddy alone time is so valuable for a relationship. No matter if it’s just a movie and dinner or a weekend getaway, you’ve got to make time for it! Things get a little easier as kids get older so that will be a big help too.

 

[MrKleen73]

But we do greatly value our relationship & family, and we have actually recently been discussing how we can be more proactive to strengthen our marriage. Scheduling date nights & such to make sure we get a little time alone to nurture us. We love our son so much, but that can’t replace the effort necessary to actually grow as a couple.

This is so true, and doing what you are doing is exactly how you join the 20+ years married club!

Yeah, as you start raising children it really does change the quality time you get to spend as a couple, but of course the reward and joy of raising the little ones is all worth it. But my wife and I found out years ago that we just had to schedule us, so date nights are great, but ever so often try to just schedule a weekend trip for just you and her, even if it’s just a couple of hours away to a lake, the mountains, or beach, it really helps so much in the relationship, and you’re always refreshed and ready to get back to the little ones afterwards. And hey you can get your freak on, because no little guys to interrupt.

The wife and I have always made sure we went out a minimum of once a month, then we have our concerts, and we try to take a weekend trip 2-3 times a year. Other than that the trick to longevity is grab ass. Lots and lots of playing grab ass! I am always flirting with my wife, touching her, rubbing her, loving on her and of course... grabbing, patting, or swatting that booty every chance I get. My wife knows she is adored and always feels wanted and or appreciated. That is just how it is done!

 

[Hyde]

I appreciate everyone’s feedback! I’m glad to hear about the things you’ve found beneficial for your marriage.

 

[Dustin07]

Other than that the trick to longevity is grab ass.

Its true. Even if she acts annoyed at times, the very second you stop smackin' dat ass she feels like somethings up.

 

[gphagan1]

This is so true, and doing what you are doing is exactly how you join the 20+ years married club!

The wife and I have always made sure we went out a minimum of once a month, then we have our concerts, and we try to take a weekend trip 2-3 times a year. Other than that the trick to longevity is grab ass. Lots and lots of playing grab ass! I am always flirting with my wife, touching her, rubbing her, loving on her and of course... grabbing, patting, or swatting that booty every chance I get. My wife knows she is adored and always feels wanted and or appreciated. That is just how it is done!

I do agree with that flirting, grabbing, and love tap on the booty. My wife loves that attention too, but I thought of how strong Hyde’s wife is and I couldn’t help but make this meme.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[jimbuick]

Divorce was the best thing I did for my marriage tbh

 

[MrKleen73]

Divorce was the best thing I did for my marriage tbh

Was the best thing I did for my first marriage too! I had to get that practice game out of the way to get ready for the real deal!

 

[jimbuick]

Was the best thing I did for my first marriage too! I had to get that practice game out of the way to get ready for the real deal!

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Dustin07]

Hyde, you have mentioned a few times that extra weight has a very obvious and strong carry over to bench but less correlation to deads. Or at least as I understood it if bench picked up say a 1:1 increase for weight gained, that there was a point of diminishing returns for deads/squats at some point. I've been thinking about that a lot and wondered if you could elaborate some. This past 2 weeks since recommitting myself I'm up about 5-6lbs again and obviously bench is responding incredibly well. I would like to get myself trimmed up a bit once I hit my bench goal but I'm concerned about the potentially negative side effect that will bring to my pulls.

 

[SweetLou321]

Hyde, you have mentioned a few times that extra weight has a very obvious and strong carry over to bench but less correlation to deads. Or at least as I understood it if bench picked up say a 1:1 increase for weight gained, that there was a point of diminishing returns for deads/squats at some point. I've been thinking about that a lot and wondered if you could elaborate some. This past 2 weeks since recommitting myself I'm up about 5-6lbs again and obviously bench is responding incredibly well. I would like to get myself trimmed up a bit once I hit my bench goal but I'm concerned about the potentially negative side effect that will bring to my pulls.

I am not Hyde, but gaining weight (both muscle and fat) can help all three lifts progress to a point.

For bench, this is because your become thicker so the bar may travel less distance. As your tissues (both muscle and fat) around the elbow and lats increase, this can create a tissue on tissue compression helping to move the load out of the bottom. Another factor is that you are now heavier, so your center of gravity is altered in relation to the load on the bar, this can help with bar control and stability. It is common to see heavier guys with a more flat back approach and legs out front, you would think a less condensed, tight, and arched set up would result in less weight being moved, but it is not usually the case due to them being heavier. On the flip side, smaller guys tend to lean towards feet back and arching to condense their weight and provide more stability and bar control.

For squat, the same tissue and on tissue effects can happen with the knees and stomach into the thighs. Also a thicket waist can provide a lower center of gravity giving more bar control and overall stability to the load on the shoulders and during the squat.

For the deadlift, the same tissue on tissue effect can happen as well with the stomach into the thighs, but if this is pushed to the point where now the bar is out in front of you to work around your bigger size, the leverage you once had is decreased thus making the lift harder. This is usually the inflection point where gaining weight can make one's deadlifts worse, when it impacts your starting position negatively. In theory, gaining way too much weight can negatively impact all three lifts, but the margin for this tends to be much lower on deadlifts to where one could be gaining and still getting stronger as a result of that on bench and squat but their deadlift can start to be impacted negatively.

 

[Hyde]

I am not Hyde, but gaining weight (both muscle and fat) can help all three lifts progress to a point.

For bench, this is because your become thicker so the bar may travel less distance. As your tissues (both muscle and fat) around the elbow and lats increase, this can create a tissue on tissue compression helping to move the load out of the bottom. Another factor is that you are now heavier, so your center of gravity is altered in relation to the load on the bar, this can help with bar control and stability. It is common to see heavier guys with a more flat back approach and legs out front, you would think a less condensed, tight, and arched set up would result in less weight being moved, but it is not usually the case due to them being heavier. On the flip side, smaller guys tend to lean towards feet back and arching to condense their weight and provide more stability and bar control.

For squat, the same tissue and on tissue effects can happen with the knees and stomach into the thighs. Also a thicket waist can provide a lower center of gravity giving more bar control and overall stability to the load on the shoulders and during the squat.

For the deadlift, the same tissue on tissue effect can happen as well with the stomach into the thighs, but if this is pushed to the point where now the bar is out in front of you to work around your bigger size, the leverage you once had is decreased thus making the lift harder. This is usually the inflection point where gaining weight can make one's deadlifts worse, when it impacts your starting position negatively. In theory, gaining way too much weight can negatively impact all three lifts, but the margin for this tends to be much lower on deadlifts to where one could be gaining and still getting stronger as a result of that on bench and squat but their deadlift can start to be impacted negatively.

Very well said.

If you get fat enough that it hinders your deadlift, pull it back a little. Unless you are making so much more in squat and bench that it’s a net increase still to your total. You see that trade more commonly in geared lifting, but in raw your deadlift is going to be worth more pounds easier than raising your bench will yield.

 

[gphagan1]

I am not Hyde, but gaining weight (both muscle and fat) can help all three lifts progress to a point.

For bench, this is because your become thicker so the bar may travel less distance. As your tissues (both muscle and fat) around the elbow and lats increase, this can create a tissue on tissue compression helping to move the load out of the bottom. Another factor is that you are now heavier, so your center of gravity is altered in relation to the load on the bar, this can help with bar control and stability. It is common to see heavier guys with a more flat back approach and legs out front, you would think a less condensed, tight, and arched set up would result in less weight being moved, but it is not usually the case due to them being heavier. On the flip side, smaller guys tend to lean towards feet back and arching to condense their weight and provide more stability and bar control.

For squat, the same tissue and on tissue effects can happen with the knees and stomach into the thighs. Also a thicket waist can provide a lower center of gravity giving more bar control and overall stability to the load on the shoulders and during the squat.

For the deadlift, the same tissue on tissue effect can happen as well with the stomach into the thighs, but if this is pushed to the point where now the bar is out in front of you to work around your bigger size, the leverage you once had is decreased thus making the lift harder. This is usually the inflection point where gaining weight can make one's deadlifts worse, when it impacts your starting position negatively. In theory, gaining way too much weight can negatively impact all three lifts, but the margin for this tends to be much lower on deadlifts to where one could be gaining and still getting stronger as a result of that on bench and squat but their deadlift can start to be impacted negatively.

That’s a good logical explanation.

 

[Hyde]

8/23/23
BW 256.6

5 min walk

GHR
2x15

KB Suitcase Carries
KB One-leg Deadlift

Deadlift, stiffbar
135x5
225x2
315,405x1
+belt
475,525x1
485 4x4 (2 mixed, 2 straps)

This was tough; I was completely gassed by the end of the heavy 4x4, & I wanted to get home to tuck my son into bed. I was losing so much sweat that I couldn’t rehydrate as fast as I was losing it. Any other attempted work would have been bs.

Pretty happy with the total volume at this intensity; I think it ties some of my best volume at this weight. I haven’t pulled in 2.5 weeks due to family stuff & I am definitely working through a little bug, so I will take it.

From here on, I’ll be transitioning to a deadlift bar.

 

[Dustin07]

I am not Hyde, but gaining weight (both muscle and fat) can help all three lifts progress to a point.

For bench, this is because your become thicker so the bar may travel less distance. As your tissues (both muscle and fat) around the elbow and lats increase, this can create a tissue on tissue compression helping to move the load out of the bottom. Another factor is that you are now heavier, so your center of gravity is altered in relation to the load on the bar, this can help with bar control and stability. It is common to see heavier guys with a more flat back approach and legs out front, you would think a less condensed, tight, and arched set up would result in less weight being moved, but it is not usually the case due to them being heavier. On the flip side, smaller guys tend to lean towards feet back and arching to condense their weight and provide more stability and bar control.

For squat, the same tissue and on tissue effects can happen with the knees and stomach into the thighs. Also a thicket waist can provide a lower center of gravity giving more bar control and overall stability to the load on the shoulders and during the squat.

For the deadlift, the same tissue on tissue effect can happen as well with the stomach into the thighs, but if this is pushed to the point where now the bar is out in front of you to work around your bigger size, the leverage you once had is decreased thus making the lift harder. This is usually the inflection point where gaining weight can make one's deadlifts worse, when it impacts your starting position negatively. In theory, gaining way too much weight can negatively impact all three lifts, but the margin for this tends to be much lower on deadlifts to where one could be gaining and still getting stronger as a result of that on bench and squat but their deadlift can start to be impacted negatively.

Very well said.

If you get fat enough that it hinders your deadlift, pull it back a little. Unless you are making so much more in squat and bench that it’s a net increase still to your total. You see that trade more commonly in geared lifting, but in raw your deadlift is going to be worth more pounds easier than raising your bench will yield.

great feedback, thanks gents-
I may need to commit to yet another 10lbs then on the pulls. Bench I think is there.

 

[gphagan1]

8/23/23
BW 256.6

5 min walk

GHR
2x15

KB Suitcase Carries
KB One-leg Deadlift

Deadlift, stiffbar
135x5
225x2
315,405x1
+belt
475,525x1
485 4x4 (2 mixed, 2 straps)

This was tough; I was completely gassed by the end of the heavy 4x4, & I wanted to get home to tuck my son into bed. I was losing so much sweat that I couldn’t rehydrate as fast as I was losing it. Any other attempted work would have been bs.

Pretty happy with the total volume at this intensity; I think it ties some of my best volume at this weight. I haven’t pulled in 2.5 weeks due to family stuff & I am definitely working through a little bug, so I will take it.

From here on, I’ll be transitioning to a deadlift bar.

Man, that is some huge total weight volume, with the 485 4x4 after those heavy singles. No wonder you were drained.

 

[Jeremyk1]

Man, that is some huge total weight volume, with the 485 4x4 after those heavy singles. No wonder you were drained.

My old weightlifting coach in high school once told us it was pickup truck day. I’m like “what the hell?” It was 4x4!

 

[Hyde]

My son has had a runny nose since Sunday during the trip, bit of a cough from the drainage periodically. They had another kid in his daycare with confirmed strep throat, and 2 kids in an older room, so we just took him to get tested at prompt care.

He has strep.

My stepdaughter also has a sore throat, and I started feeling bad yesterday afternoon and been dead all day, but no sore throat yet. But my pulse was 75 today! Usually 55-62. It also felt very high driving to the gym yesterday despite feeling very fatigued, so now I understand why things felt heavy Tuesday & last night.

I’ll go get tested tomorrow & probably start antibiotics. Bleh.

 

[gphagan1]

My son has had a runny nose since Sunday during the trip, bit of a cough from the drainage periodically. They had another kid in his daycare with confirmed strep throat, and 2 kids in an older room, so we just took him to get tested at prompt care.

He has strep.

My stepdaughter also has a sore throat, and I started feeling bad yesterday afternoon and been dead all day, but no sore throat yet. But my pulse was 75 today! Usually 55-62. It also felt very high driving to the gym yesterday despite feeling very fatigued, so now I understand why things felt heavy Tuesday & last night.

I’ll go get tested tomorrow & probably start antibiotics. Bleh.

Oh crap man, strep throat is no fun at all, especially if it brings on a fever. Get you some zinc lozenges and elderberry if you don’t have any. That zinc usually helps the throat and natural antiviral and elderberry helps the immune system overall when sick.

 

[Hyde]

Oh crap man, strep throat is no fun at all, especially if it brings on a fever. Get you some zinc lozenges and elderberry if you don’t have any. That zinc usually helps the throat and natural antiviral and elderberry helps the immune system overall when sick.

Well, the reason we took him is that strep is bacterial, not viral - it actually needs antibiotics to kill it, and if left untreated can lead to more serious conditions.

 

[MrKleen73]

Sorry to hear about the strep but nice pulling especially for while fighting it off.

 

[gphagan1]

Well, the reason we took him is that strep is bacterial, not viral - it actually needs antibiotics to kill it, and if left untreated can lead to more serious conditions.

Oh I meant the zinc and elderberry for you not your son. They both help bacterial infections as well, but definitely antibiotics for your son.

 

[Dustin07]

Oh I meant the zinc and elderberry for you not your son. They both help bacterial infections as well, but definitely antibiotics for your son.

yeah I wouldn't hesitate to get on the antibiotics for strep, I had a case of it that lasted 2 months when I was 17 (brutal on high school homework) and led to getting tonsils removed as they couldn't be salvaged but I 100% would double down on the natural immune boosters simultaneously

 

[Hyde]

Went to bed early and did not train today. Got 10 hours of sleep but I feel more sinus pressure & throat seems off. Definitely going to prompt care later.

Started Trest at 10mg daily on Tuesday. Pulled weekly test down to 300 and shifted mast up to 400 to better accommodate. DHB will stay at 120 til the end.

BP and pulse were very high for me yesterday, 140/82 & 75 pulse (previously 124/72 & 58). Part of this could be sickness, also later morning on coffee, but 19-Nors simply raise my bp, and it’s too high, so I started 80mg Telmisartan yesterday. With the meet 6 weeks from Sunday, it’s crunch time.

 

[gphagan1]

Went to bed early and did not train today. Got 10 hours of sleep but I feel more sinus pressure & throat seems off. Definitely going to prompt care later.

Started Trest at 10mg daily on Tuesday. Pulled weekly test down to 300 and shifted mast up to 400 to better accommodate. DHB will stay at 120 til the end.

BP and pulse were very high for me yesterday, 140/82 & 75 pulse (previously 124/72 & 58). Part of this could be sickness, also later morning on coffee, but 19-Nors simply raise my bp, and it’s too high, so I started 80mg Telmisartan yesterday. With the meet 6 weeks from Sunday, it’s crunch time.

Man 6 weeks out, it’s coming up on you fast. That’s probably the main side I have to watch with Trest as well is blood pressure, but it works so well even at low doses, and Telmisartan always seems to do the trick. Cool, that means you’re getting ready to go into Beastmode, and go kill it.

 

[Hyde]

Rapid strep test was negative, but they wrote me a script for a z-pack anyway I can start tomorrow if symptoms do worsen. They sent it off for a culture test but will only call in a couple days if that is positive.

 

[gphagan1]

Rapid strep test was negative, but they wrote me a script for a z-pack anyway I can start tomorrow if symptoms do worsen. They sent it off for a culture test but will only call in a couple days if that is positive.

Good thing with Z-pack it’s a short duration and effective against a lot because it’s broad spectrum.

 

[Hyde]

8/26/23
BW 260.0

Monsterminiband Pullaparts ss w/ Push-ups
2x25 each

Low Incline Bench
+elbow sleeves
45,95,135x10
185x2
+2board
185,215,235x8
255x6
280x5 PR

Monsterminiband Pullaparts
2x25

If you only get to do one thing, do it well.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[gphagan1]

Congrats on another PR…. Looks like your weight is dialed in about where you want it 6 weeks out.

 

[BennyMagoo79]

We almost never get to train together now that I have a son unfortunately, and honestly that has caused some distance - simply from how busy we are with our own training, taking care of our son, our jobs. We used to always get to spend training time together, but now that time in the week has doubled since one of us has to be home with my son, yet we get to spend none of it together.

So I don’t want to paint some fake glamorous picture that it’s all roses. But we do greatly value our relationship & family, and we have actually recently been discussing how we can be more proactive to strengthen our marriage. Scheduling date nights & such to make sure we get a little time alone to nurture us. We love our son so much, but that can’t replace the effort necessary to actually grow as a couple.

You already know what it took me 7 years to learn.

 

[Hyde]

Congrats on another PR…. Looks like your weight is dialed in about where you want it 6 weeks out.

Finally, Lord knows I’ve been putting in the time at the table. Took a touch of trestolone to break the barrier but I just needed some more water weight.

You already know what it took me 7 years to learn.

We had plans to go out finally Thursday, but that’s when the school suddenly advised us to test my son for strep & he had it But we will keep working at it!

 

[Hyde]

8/27/23

Reverse Hyper
225 2x20

alt w/ Beltsquat
110 2x20

Squat, buffalo bar
55 3x3
165 2x3
275,319,363x3
+belt
407,429,451,473x3

Deadlift, Tex deadlift bar
155x5
155,265x1
+belt
375 12x1 - 30 sec rests

Great day of practice. I tried something different and put my hands all the way out to the collars since I was walking out of the monolift (that’s what the meet will have). I can’t take the bar quite as low with the wide grip, but it totally eliminated the horrendous elbow pain I was getting trying to fit inside the jcups/mono arms at their widest (which should also help preserve my bench potential at the meet). Kept it light, low 70s % for squats and 60s for deadlift, but this still took plenty of effort & felt extremely worthwhile.

First time on a deadlift bar and it was garbage until it suddenly clicked on rep 7 - every single pull from 7-12 was money.

6 weeks out.

 

[Dustin07]

can’t take the bar quite as low with the wide grip,

would you compete like this, or go lower/narrower for the comp?
that was the biggy for me, I love the super tight thumb wrapped narrow and low bar grip but it F's with the elbows so much worse.

 

[Hyde]

would you compete like this, or go lower/narrower for the comp?
that was the biggy for me, I love the super tight thumb wrapped narrow and low bar grip but it F's with the elbows so much worse.

I will see how it goes on a straight bar - I will take it as low and close as I can do so comfortably while keeping good control/confidence in the bar position. But that was not very low at all here, solidly on the traps.

 

[Hyde]

8/29/23

Circuit:
Band Pullaparts Monstermini 2x25
Cable Pressdown 40 2x25
HS CSR 45/side 2x25
Incline DB Bench 40,45x25

Bench
45 3x5
135x5
225x3
275,315,345,375x1
385x1 - red ss
395x1 - yellow ss
325 5x3

Biggest raw bench I’ve hit since my elbow surgery. Lifetime best is 391, so things are on track. This may not look like a lot on paper, but today was almost 6,700lbs of volume at 315+.

 

[Dustin07]

the 325 5x3 seems like solid work to me

 

[gphagan1]

Nice, good bench workout….like Dustin said finishing with 325 5x3 added to that good weight volume.

 

[Hyde]

the 325 5x3 seems like solid work to me

Nice, good bench workout….like Dustin said finishing with 325 5x3 added to that good weight volume.

Yeah I’ve never done this amount of work with that weight. I also got 10 sets with 315+ to practice with out of it as well.

 

[Dustin07]

I also got 10 sets with 315+ to practice with out of it as well.

What weight do you have to have the bar now before it starts to feel "new" or require that extra level of focus and tightness? Not sure if I'm articulating that right but for example in June anything over 275 felt unstable for me, but now 315 (with slingshot of course) feels comfortable. are you feeling fairly stable at that 385 with the SS on?

 

[Hyde]

What weight do you have to have the bar now before it starts to feel "new" or require that extra level of focus and tightness? Not sure if I'm articulating that right but for example in June anything over 275 felt unstable for me, but now 315 (with slingshot of course) feels comfortable. are you feeling fairly stable at that 385 with the SS on?

Yeah anything in the slanger feels stable. I don’t know if anything feels unstable, but 345 felt easy and 375 was heavy.

Anything 315 and up feels heavy really unless I dial in and get a liftoff.

 

[dapack]

Looks like you are rolling into the final stretch of your prep on some positive notes. PR are always good down the home stretch.

 

[gphagan1]

Yeah I’ve never done this amount of work with that weight. I also got 10 sets with 315+ to practice with out of it as well.

Looks like you could already hit 405 on bench.

 

[Hyde]

Looks like you could already hit 405 on bench.

I definitely could not have today, but I don’t need to yet! I have about 3 weeks before I’ll need to take my biggest bench.

 

[MrKleen73]

Great benching session! Definitely getting excited for you!

 

[Hyde]

Today at lunch I finally got in for a first appointment with a local chiro that specializes in ART. A bodybuilder I’ve known for years at the commercial gym here swears by him, & after a 10 week waiting period for a new client assessment I got to see why.

This guy was gold. Most productive 30 minutes I can remember since my wedding ceremony Gave me some ways to help prevent re-tearing my adductor after an assessment, and then we got onto my arm.

I think he made a very obvious difference in a remarkably fast period using only his hands, no scraping or oil. Outside our sessions, he is changing the way I do pullaparts, gave me a pec stretch he wants me doing after pressing to help keep shoulders looser, and a way to do very light curls to stretch my bicep tendon up by the shoulder by drawing my arm back when at full extension - the bicep being shortened now is causing my tricep to be overactive, which promotes all the tissue adhesions I have.

Going back Thursday so he can keep some momentum on my arm!

 

[SkRaw85]

Looking stronk! What are you planning for openers this coming meet? I see a 405 bench as a possible attempt yes?????

Totally get the degrees of separation that can come betwixt a couple when family, life, work, and all the peripheral BS that can get in a guy’s way. That hit me hard these past few months, but confronting it is the only way to best it and revise.