Hyde’s Strength Odyssey
- Thread starter Hyde
- Start date
Hyde
Legend
Thanks gang; it’s going to be a rumble and we’re not exactly expecting the finals, but it should be a blast hopefully. We got her up to 152.4lbs earlier and she’s had a good deal more since then, so she’s definitely refed & rebounded perfectly. I pushed more sodium for her than ever, same as I did myself last week, and it’s working awesome.
gphagan1
Legend
you guys have the weigh in process dialed!
SHORSE
Well-known member
1,603 is pretty bad ass!
Hyde
Legend
Hope she has a great meet, and everything goes perfect.
Thank you! It was a great weekend & performance.
What a wild swingyou guys have the weigh in process dialed!
Got her up to 155.6 before bedtime. Weighed in at 140.6lbs/63.9kg (since it’s a 64kg class technically) at 9am, so up 15lbs from reload.
Turns out some bruising did show up finally by Saturday, just took time to leak down from the quad. Still probably only a grade 1 tear.
Thanks! I’ve done 1,603, 1,609, 1,653 in the 275 class. So this is my 4th total at 1,600+, but by far the lightest bodyweight to do it.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
That’s about the exact spot I tore mine in May of last year.
Hyde
Legend
I’d say the big purple bruise is probably 3-4” under where I suspect strained, if you sat me on my hamstring perpendicular to the ground. And it just leaked down when I’ve been laying/sitting, and to a lesser degree down the leg when standing.
Dustin07
Legend
how is mobility/pain coming along?
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Gotcha. Yeah yours took a while to bruise up. Mine took about two days. I’m glad it’s still feeling good. Keep rehabbing!
Hyde
Legend
Wife took 8th out of 23 in the Open 64kg Women’s class at the Arnold Strongman Pro/Am World Championship this weekend!
She pulled 355 on the max axle 13” deadlift (her worst event) for a big tie at the bottom of the pack on that first event. Took a shot at 375 for her third attempt, but it was glued to the floor. The winner did 465, but 375 would have beaten a lot of women.
Next up was her best event, the Circus DB/Logpress medley. She pressed an 80lb db, 155 log, then the 110lb Inch db (even fatter grip than a regular oversized CDB) in a blistering 28 seconds. She wasn’t able to muster the 175lb log at the end after these, but as only two women could her time earned her a 3rd place here.
Then she ran a 400lb frame 40ft down & back in 14.6 seconds, good for top half of the pack here with an 11th place.
Finally, the arm-over-arm sled pull (which is a bit like a leg press & back extension that also tests the grip, biceps & lats) was done in 20 seconds, netting her a 6th place finish in the event.
This put her in 8th after day 1, and they only take the top 6 to the finals on day 2. Her points were so high though, that if she had pulled the 375 she’d have made the finals! After watching those, I believe if she’d made it she would have probably earned 4th or 5th overall as the final 3 events were very strong for her. There’s no way she would have won, but if she can build up her deadlift weakness it will eventually be the difference between being a strong competitor vs a true threat to the podium. She is very well-rounded besides her deadlift, but you can’t win with any glaring weaknesses in a 4-event show. You need to be decent at everything plus a couple great events.
This was a great contest for my wife, both because it was very fun for her & also proved to herself that she is still very competitive in the open ranks. I think after a poor performance at America’s Strongest Woman last year (2nd to last) there were self-doubts. But this weekend, she beat some of those same pro women who had taken her lunch money at America’s (which she had still been recovering from her tspine herniation from the prior World’s prep). In fact, the woman who won this very show last year, the 2025 Arnold pro/am champion, only made 11th this year! This showing was a great reminder to my wife that being over 40 doesn’t suddenly make you weaker! Strong is strong
She pulled 355 on the max axle 13” deadlift (her worst event) for a big tie at the bottom of the pack on that first event. Took a shot at 375 for her third attempt, but it was glued to the floor. The winner did 465, but 375 would have beaten a lot of women.
Next up was her best event, the Circus DB/Logpress medley. She pressed an 80lb db, 155 log, then the 110lb Inch db (even fatter grip than a regular oversized CDB) in a blistering 28 seconds. She wasn’t able to muster the 175lb log at the end after these, but as only two women could her time earned her a 3rd place here.
Then she ran a 400lb frame 40ft down & back in 14.6 seconds, good for top half of the pack here with an 11th place.
Finally, the arm-over-arm sled pull (which is a bit like a leg press & back extension that also tests the grip, biceps & lats) was done in 20 seconds, netting her a 6th place finish in the event.
This put her in 8th after day 1, and they only take the top 6 to the finals on day 2. Her points were so high though, that if she had pulled the 375 she’d have made the finals! After watching those, I believe if she’d made it she would have probably earned 4th or 5th overall as the final 3 events were very strong for her. There’s no way she would have won, but if she can build up her deadlift weakness it will eventually be the difference between being a strong competitor vs a true threat to the podium. She is very well-rounded besides her deadlift, but you can’t win with any glaring weaknesses in a 4-event show. You need to be decent at everything plus a couple great events.
This was a great contest for my wife, both because it was very fun for her & also proved to herself that she is still very competitive in the open ranks. I think after a poor performance at America’s Strongest Woman last year (2nd to last) there were self-doubts. But this weekend, she beat some of those same pro women who had taken her lunch money at America’s (which she had still been recovering from her tspine herniation from the prior World’s prep). In fact, the woman who won this very show last year, the 2025 Arnold pro/am champion, only made 11th this year! This showing was a great reminder to my wife that being over 40 doesn’t suddenly make you weaker! Strong is strong
Hyde
Legend
I have full mobility since after my ART appointment, and pain has gotten very low. After all the expo walking this weekend, it’s improved a lot from all the passive bloodflow. I have been throwing in a tiny bit of bodyweight squats every day to maintain and build mobility. I also tried out the Rogue C4 camber/bow bar at their booth this weekend, so squatting 65lbs to depth was painless at the time. Had a little pain in the evening last night after that’s about gone today.
Dustin07
Legend
Yeah I bet all that walking worked out to be pretty good active recovery actually.
Its kinda crazy to me that the deadlift is her "weak" point because it seems like she has a phenomenal deadlift in her class, especially for a woman, she's still sitting around 2.5x depending on which "weight" you count lol.
I totally see why she gravitates towards this sport, just reading your breakdown it sounds like a freaking blast. It's like all the best parts of my old xfit life without any of the tedious aspects of doing 7 million situps and 6 gazillion wall-balls in an event. just pick up some heavy **** and get on it with it!
Big time congrats to her, making upper half in a show like this is phenomenal!!!
Last note: It's really awesome to see how the two of you both love the sport and can do it together. Glad you guys are lifters and health enthusasists anyways, but being able to share it is such a great marriage hack!
Its kinda crazy to me that the deadlift is her "weak" point because it seems like she has a phenomenal deadlift in her class, especially for a woman, she's still sitting around 2.5x depending on which "weight" you count lol.
I totally see why she gravitates towards this sport, just reading your breakdown it sounds like a freaking blast. It's like all the best parts of my old xfit life without any of the tedious aspects of doing 7 million situps and 6 gazillion wall-balls in an event. just pick up some heavy **** and get on it with it!
Big time congrats to her, making upper half in a show like this is phenomenal!!!
Last note: It's really awesome to see how the two of you both love the sport and can do it together. Glad you guys are lifters and health enthusasists anyways, but being able to share it is such a great marriage hack!
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Man congrats to her!! 110lbs circus dumbbell is impressive AF!! I hate she missed her deadlift but hey finishing 8th is a huge improvement over the last comp. Age is just a number bro!Wife took 8th out of 23 in the Open 64kg Women’s class at the Arnold Strongman Pro/Am World Championship this weekend!
She pulled 355 on the max axle 13” deadlift (her worst event) for a big tie at the bottom of the pack on that first event. Took a shot at 375 for her third attempt, but it was glued to the floor. The winner did 465, but 375 would have beaten a lot of women.
Next up was her best event, the Circus DB/Logpress medley. She pressed an 80lb db, 155 log, then the 110lb Inch db (even fatter grip than a regular oversized CDB) in a blistering 28 seconds. She wasn’t able to muster the 175lb log at the end after these, but as only two women could her time earned her a 3rd place here.
Then she ran a 400lb frame 40ft down & back in 14.6 seconds, good for top half of the pack here with an 11th place.
Finally, the arm-over-arm sled pull (which is a bit like a leg press & back extension that also tests the grip, biceps & lats) was done in 20 seconds, netting her a 6th place finish in the event.
This put her in 8th after day 1, and they only take the top 6 to the finals on day 2. Her points were so high though, that if she had pulled the 375 she’d have made the finals! After watching those, I believe if she’d made it she would have probably earned 4th or 5th overall as the final 3 events were very strong for her. There’s no way she would have won, but if she can build up her deadlift weakness it will eventually be the difference between being a strong competitor vs a true threat to the podium. She is very well-rounded besides her deadlift, but you can’t win with any glaring weaknesses in a 4-event show. You need to be decent at everything plus a couple great events.
This was a great contest for my wife, both because it was very fun for her & also proved to herself that she is still very competitive in the open ranks. I think after a poor performance at America’s Strongest Woman last year (2nd to last) there were self-doubts. But this weekend, she beat some of those same pro women who had taken her lunch money at America’s (which she had still been recovering from her tspine herniation from the prior World’s prep). In fact, the woman who won this very show last year, the 2025 Arnold pro/am champion, only made 11th this year! This showing was a great reminder to my wife that being over 40 doesn’t suddenly make you weaker! Strong is strong
akboom87
Well-known member
Wow awesome job for her! Sounds like it was a great time and restored her confidence!Wife took 8th out of 23 in the Open 64kg Women’s class at the Arnold Strongman Pro/Am World Championship this weekend!
She pulled 355 on the max axle 13” deadlift (her worst event) for a big tie at the bottom of the pack on that first event. Took a shot at 375 for her third attempt, but it was glued to the floor. The winner did 465, but 375 would have beaten a lot of women.
Next up was her best event, the Circus DB/Logpress medley. She pressed an 80lb db, 155 log, then the 110lb Inch db (even fatter grip than a regular oversized CDB) in a blistering 28 seconds. She wasn’t able to muster the 175lb log at the end after these, but as only two women could her time earned her a 3rd place here.
Then she ran a 400lb frame 40ft down & back in 14.6 seconds, good for top half of the pack here with an 11th place.
Finally, the arm-over-arm sled pull (which is a bit like a leg press & back extension that also tests the grip, biceps & lats) was done in 20 seconds, netting her a 6th place finish in the event.
This put her in 8th after day 1, and they only take the top 6 to the finals on day 2. Her points were so high though, that if she had pulled the 375 she’d have made the finals! After watching those, I believe if she’d made it she would have probably earned 4th or 5th overall as the final 3 events were very strong for her. There’s no way she would have won, but if she can build up her deadlift weakness it will eventually be the difference between being a strong competitor vs a true threat to the podium. She is very well-rounded besides her deadlift, but you can’t win with any glaring weaknesses in a 4-event show. You need to be decent at everything plus a couple great events.
This was a great contest for my wife, both because it was very fun for her & also proved to herself that she is still very competitive in the open ranks. I think after a poor performance at America’s Strongest Woman last year (2nd to last) there were self-doubts. But this weekend, she beat some of those same pro women who had taken her lunch money at America’s (which she had still been recovering from her tspine herniation from the prior World’s prep). In fact, the woman who won this very show last year, the 2025 Arnold pro/am champion, only made 11th this year! This showing was a great reminder to my wife that being over 40 doesn’t suddenly make you weaker! Strong is strong
Score any good freebies?
Hyde
Legend
Besides the usual samples and energy drinks, nothing special free. But my wife did get me a great Barbell Voodoo shirt, plus I bought a sick pair of F8 Powerlifting deadlift shoes for benching. Jimmy Kolb’s wife was telling me they’re what he benches in too. I will play with them for squats & pulls too, but the old Xero light trail boots I bench in currently are getting on their last leg. So I wanted another hi top with wide toebox and grippy bottom to replace them.
Also, the Animal Cage was really good this year, the bits I got to watch. They’re adding more & more strongman lifters to it each year. Got to catch Phil Herndon (242 ATWR holder in the squat) smash 942 in sleeves like a boss, deep & clean. There was also a kid there by himself, his first Arnold, who told me he really wanted to meet one of the lifters there but thought he wouldn’t be able to. I called them over & asked them to come out of the cage, then introduced them to this random kid. The lifter didn’t know me, but this kid was never going to have the balls to ask, so I made it happen & he was stoked. That’s what I love about the Arnold, the way it lets people connect with the lifters they look up to in a down-to-earth fashion. You get to see they’re just people who like the same things as you do.
gphagan1
Legend
It really is cool how approachable everyone is at those events….it truly is a brotherhood from the top on down. I’m sure that kid will never forget that….really cool you stepped up to bat for him.
Segansational
Well-known member
This is very cool. Congrats to her even though it may not have been there outcome she wanted. You are both truly a power couple and to see you both continue to push, push and support each other, and be part of this community is really awesome!
Dustin07
Legend
I didn't even know this was a thing, but now I'm going to have to check out this barbell voodoo lol
Golden Curls
Golden Curls
Kids gonna be hooked for life and remember that forever now
MrKleen73
Legend
Sounds like an awesome event! Congrats to your wife for an awesome showing. I mean this is the Arnolds, it's a big deal and has super high caliber competitors. Getting 8th out of 23 in a world class group of lifters is a serious win in my book. Definitely considering her last outing having been less than satisfying for her, I hope she is proud and enjoyed the whole process.
Hyde
Legend
3/10/26
BW 243.0 yesterday
3 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Band Warmup
Bench, powerbar
45x10,6
135x6
225,265x3
295 4x2, 1x8+1 assisted
CG Shouldersaver
205 2x15
DB Side Raises
25,30x10
DB Rear Delt Flyes
30,35x12
First day back to real weight training after a week off & benching felt great. Groove was good, elbow was happy, unracks felt consistent and everything just seemed strong. Barbell club owner got a single-ply F8 band insert/slanger at the Arnold so we trained together this morning. He wants to bench 500, so this is hopefully the beginning of that journey - he needs something to chase & motivate him that doesn’t hurt. Went up to 365 today, and while there’s definitely a lot more in the slanger, we want to go slow to let his connective tissue adjust (and build his ability to hold the weights).
I was worried I’d be weak on bench for some reason, but turns out it takes longer than a deload week to fall off! Imagine that.
New F8 shoes felt awesome. Super happy with that purchase.
BW 243.0 yesterday
3 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Band Warmup
Bench, powerbar
45x10,6
135x6
225,265x3
295 4x2, 1x8+1 assisted
CG Shouldersaver
205 2x15
DB Side Raises
25,30x10
DB Rear Delt Flyes
30,35x12
First day back to real weight training after a week off & benching felt great. Groove was good, elbow was happy, unracks felt consistent and everything just seemed strong. Barbell club owner got a single-ply F8 band insert/slanger at the Arnold so we trained together this morning. He wants to bench 500, so this is hopefully the beginning of that journey - he needs something to chase & motivate him that doesn’t hurt. Went up to 365 today, and while there’s definitely a lot more in the slanger, we want to go slow to let his connective tissue adjust (and build his ability to hold the weights).
I was worried I’d be weak on bench for some reason, but turns out it takes longer than a deload week to fall off! Imagine that.
New F8 shoes felt awesome. Super happy with that purchase.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
I’ve looked at their hi top shoe and was curious how it would perform in a full power meet. I usually wear Chuck Taylor’s but would like something better. Let me know how they do on deads and squats.
Hyde
Legend
Oh man, I wore them for some bodyweight squats and can already tell you they’d be totally superior to Chuck Taylors. Those shoes are made terribly anymore; they don’t last for anything. I had to replace Chucks basically every other year, while I’ve gotten FIVE (5) years of squats & pulls out of my Bearfoot Ursus now that I’m finally looking to possibly replace. Which only cost the price of 2 pairs of Chucks essentially, while also having a functional toebox that lets you actually root your feet powerfully while having more floorgrip AND shortening your pull. The shoe game has improved so much the last 5 years.
Notorious Lift makes some very affordable lifting shoes that a lot of people I know like, if budget is tighter.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Yeah Chuck’s wear out like cheap underwear. I’ve had a few pair but since I haven’t worn a good pair of powerlifting shoes, Chucks still feel good since I know no difference lol. Dude I’m game of paying whatever for a good pair that I can wear for all three lifts. I have a good pair of lifters for squats that I’ve just never been able to get used to so I’ve trained myself over the past two years to adapt to the Chucks. So the ones you wore for body weight squats were the high tops?
Hyde
Legend
Yes sir. I should have a better idea of how they feel over the next week.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Keep me posted on the pros and cons and I’ll decide on getting them or not. I don’t mind the price tag as long as it’s good gear. Buy once, cry once!
akboom87
Well-known member
Are they the high top ones or low ones, if you said I missed it.
Hyde
Legend
I got high top. I just think they look better than low, and where they actually lace further down doesn’t interfere with the amount of ankle flexion I use on my squats.
Dustin07
Legend
man I still have a 13 yr old pair of these my ex got me at a discount store for like 1/2 price back in the day
and my bad ass Ristos for oly that I've taken to the cobbler twice for repairs since around 2012 ish
I wouldn't do any form of cardio in the Reeboks, but I love them for deadlifts and have grown to like them for squats.
and my bad ass Ristos for oly that I've taken to the cobbler twice for repairs since around 2012 ish
I wouldn't do any form of cardio in the Reeboks, but I love them for deadlifts and have grown to like them for squats.
Hyde
Legend
The Reeboks were absolutely an upgrade over Chucks at the time. I would say these days No Bull pretty much has you covered if you want that style hi top with a more closed toebox, if you needed a replacement. But their Returns/CS are abysmal, so make sure you try to order right the first time lol.
I definitely feel better with a wider toebox, especially having wide feet.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
I’ve got Fred Flintstone feet also, so that wide toe box would be nice on the F8’s. Now hurry to the gym and knockout a quick squat and dead session to see how they feel
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Dustin07
Legend
I always loved those no bulls but could never get myself to drop the coinage on them. Everyone I knew that picked them up loved them though.
Hyde
Legend
They’re still just an overpriced higher quality Chuck. Would not recommend from an ergonomic standpoint, and like I said foul CS. My wife uses the Tyr Trainers for most event work, Tyr L1 when she needs lifters for overhead, and she deadlifts in some Xero shoes, I think Prios.
Xero Prios are a very decent all-around flat, wide toe minimalist gym shoe, but I find they don’t stay under my feet well once I’m squatting any kind of training weights, 400+. But a friend of ours has no issue squatting 5s in them routinely, so could be my weird foot dynamics with my bad ankle. But my feet kind of roll over the outside when I try to squat in them, since I have a lot of outward pressure. I do wear Prios out in Public all the time though, or for general gym stuff. I like them as a minimal shoe. But I have grown to like a bit more support for benchpress. And my Ursus are a thinner sole for deads.
I think I’m going to try the bar, maybe add 25s tonight on squats. Bodyweight feels painfree after the first rep or two of the day when I’m getting mobile still. With the latent bruising showing up, quad is worse than my ART guy thought, so gotta be careful. Pulling for real Sunday.I’ve got Fred Flintstone feet also, so that wide toe box would be nice on the F8’s. Now hurry to the gym and knockout a quick squat and dead session to see how they feel
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Take it easy with it and you’ll be back to 100% before you know it. Have you heard of the Avancus powerlifting shoe? I’ve heard good stuff about them but don’t know anyone that has them.
Hyde
Legend
Never heard of them but looking at the website looks like a very solid design and price point. You’re probably not going to go wrong with them. 0 drop, wide toe, grippy, built with lateral stability in mind as well so you can push out if needed.
Hyde
Legend
3/11/26
BW 241.4
3 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
BW Squats
RFE Split Squat
BWx8,12
Squat, Duffalobar
55,105x10
SSB 16” Boxsquat
65,115,165x12
Plate-loaded Leg Extensions
25 2x15 w/ 1 Sec Pause at Top
Calf Raises on Hack
90x10
140 2x10
BB Rows
45,95,135x10
185,205x8
Seated Wide NG Cable Row
60,100,150,170x8
BB Shrugs
135,225x5
+straps
315,335x15
First leg day since the meet & quad pull 10 days ago. I was able to bike, squat & splitsquat bodyweight without pain, but there was a little down in the hole with the 55lb bar & more noticeable at 105, so left it there with 50 total reps to full depth. Cutting depth to 2” above parallel with the box was painless at 65, but similarly began feeling a little at 115 & 165. The paused leg extensions were painless.
Also trained upper back more seriously after, and while all the leg work prior was very light, this made for a good bit of total work nonetheless. Lots of good bloodflow tonight!
BW 241.4
3 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
BW Squats
RFE Split Squat
BWx8,12
Squat, Duffalobar
55,105x10
SSB 16” Boxsquat
65,115,165x12
Plate-loaded Leg Extensions
25 2x15 w/ 1 Sec Pause at Top
Calf Raises on Hack
90x10
140 2x10
BB Rows
45,95,135x10
185,205x8
Seated Wide NG Cable Row
60,100,150,170x8
BB Shrugs
135,225x5
+straps
315,335x15
First leg day since the meet & quad pull 10 days ago. I was able to bike, squat & splitsquat bodyweight without pain, but there was a little down in the hole with the 55lb bar & more noticeable at 105, so left it there with 50 total reps to full depth. Cutting depth to 2” above parallel with the box was painless at 65, but similarly began feeling a little at 115 & 165. The paused leg extensions were painless.
Also trained upper back more seriously after, and while all the leg work prior was very light, this made for a good bit of total work nonetheless. Lots of good bloodflow tonight!
Resolve10
Member
This is my current training shoe (low top) and they seem to do a good job for a flat shoe.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
good to know. I appreciate it. I’m going to wait on @Hyde to post more updates on the F8 shoe and decide from there which one to go with. I hate not being able to hold both shoes in my hands and try them on before buying, but the CS is good I can always return what I don’t like.
Hyde
Legend
So I wore them for all the squatting last night, and I feel confident in saying they’ll be a decided improvement from a Chuck for you. But so would those Avancus or a pair of Notorious Lift, both decidedly cheaper. They are truly handsome, if you like what you see in pics online. Great grip and comfy, toes have room.
I definitely like them for bench. But I will probably need a few weeks to start getting any real weight on the squat bar, so I can’t say yet for that. There is a removable insert, which the F8 team told me to remove for squats & pulls. At size 11, I wonder if they might be too loose with the insert out for squats (but need more testing, as I had them in last night). I go between size 10.5 & 11 depending on shoe, typically 11 now. These might be a shoe where you may need to round down half a size for squats without the insert, not sure yet.
I’ll pull without the inserts this Sunday to get a better idea.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
We’re close in shoe size. I was wondering if they were true to size or ran small/bigger. Go to know about the insert. I’m curious as to how much that insert helps on bench, like could I just never use the insert at all. That would make it even easier fit wise. I really appreciate the updates….keep em coming!
Segansational
Well-known member
You know, all this shoe talk makes me want to get some new kicks as well. My Rock UA trainers are 6 years old now and the stitching is coming apart at the top. But they were never really the right shoe for the type of lifting I do anyways.
And the Nobull shoes I ended up getting, while I like them, ended up becoming my every day wear shoes outside of the gym. So I'm about due!
So really interested in everyone's feedback on any brands you purchase.
And the Nobull shoes I ended up getting, while I like them, ended up becoming my every day wear shoes outside of the gym. So I'm about due!
So really interested in everyone's feedback on any brands you purchase.
Dustin07
Legend
Thats exactly what I do, when my trainers need to be replaced for the gym, I relegate them to yard shoes (mowing, garden, etc). My gym shoes pretty much stay in the gymbag or car so they never really see pavement or dirt this way and last a bit longer.
Hyde
Legend
This was big for me, realizing true gym shoes should be carried into the gym. It extends the life so dramatically of something you already decided works for you.
Hyde
Legend
3/13/26
BW 241.0 yesterday
5 min Assault Bike
Band Warmup
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Low Incline Shouldersaver Bench
45 2x10
95,135,165,185x3
205 2x8
EZBar Rolling Skulls
65x8
115 2x12
Bar Cable Tri Pressdown
40,80,110x3
120 2x8
Band Pullaparts
Mini 3x35
Forgot I wanted to throw a set of incline DB in as well, but it’s week 1 back at it so probably just as well to start easy. My 2nd pressing day is always a bit of a rotating experiment, but I think I’m going to be able to get away with the incline work at the angle and ROM I’m at. Probably 35* bench, my comp bench grip (ring on ring), and shoulder saver touching just a bit low of ideal while set up in a fairly good arch. If that sounds like a short press, understand it still represents the greatest ROM exposure at this level of incline in a long time for me, so I should get a good unique stimulus on novelty alone.
It was definitely pushing my shoulder mobility, but nothing was hurting there & the forearm pain I get when tissue begins locking up was very minimal. So IF my elbow doesn’t worsen from this exposure, I should be able to progress it.
BW 241.0 yesterday
5 min Assault Bike
Band Warmup
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Low Incline Shouldersaver Bench
45 2x10
95,135,165,185x3
205 2x8
EZBar Rolling Skulls
65x8
115 2x12
Bar Cable Tri Pressdown
40,80,110x3
120 2x8
Band Pullaparts
Mini 3x35
Forgot I wanted to throw a set of incline DB in as well, but it’s week 1 back at it so probably just as well to start easy. My 2nd pressing day is always a bit of a rotating experiment, but I think I’m going to be able to get away with the incline work at the angle and ROM I’m at. Probably 35* bench, my comp bench grip (ring on ring), and shoulder saver touching just a bit low of ideal while set up in a fairly good arch. If that sounds like a short press, understand it still represents the greatest ROM exposure at this level of incline in a long time for me, so I should get a good unique stimulus on novelty alone.
It was definitely pushing my shoulder mobility, but nothing was hurting there & the forearm pain I get when tissue begins locking up was very minimal. So IF my elbow doesn’t worsen from this exposure, I should be able to progress it.
Dustin07
Legend
same! I truly don't see a lot of hobbies in my 2026 schedule. If you look at the back of my car at any given time I typically have at least 3 pairs of shoes lined up nicely. My flats, my trainers, and my ristos. It used to include 1 or 2 pairs of golf shoes as well but last night I when I was thinking "why am I so busy that I can never fit in golf?" I realized, well, I lose probably 1-2hrs a day at the gym, but its the greater priority to me. which is clear by the fact that A. I have 3 pairs of shoes, a jump rope, my lifting belt, my dip belt, extra wraps, chalk, towel, and multiple hats always loaded in there like a gymrat version of a bugout car, and B. I really only have gym clothes and nice work clothes. I often struggle to know how to dress for a casual friday or saturday night!! ha
I've been meaning to ask you about this as I'd love advice. Ideally, do you feel there is a substantial difference between grip on flat vs grip on incline? After really working it hard the past 12-18 months I feel like my default grip on incline is now about the same as my flat. (ring on ring, or even ringfinger 1 finger width wider than ring on ring). but I often times go back and forth. When I hit my 185lb x 10 reps PR last week I believe I may have switched to suicide grip and gone narrower. As much as I hate suicide grip, mentally I sometimes change the grip for the set I have next based upon whatever placebo effect I think its giving me so I am really a.d.d. on this.
it took me many years of work to get my shoulders and bicep to be truly happy with incline so it seems like I have good mobility finally at the age of 43 and I just haven't figured out what I want from the lift yet lol