Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

Traps are SORE after shrugs! Never train them, so I probably should again. I don’t generally deadlift at the volume I did a decade ago, so unless I start doing that I will probably get stronger just from tossing these in some.

Andy Bolton and John Kuc both were big on tossing in heavy shrugs, and those guys could pull 800 raw any day of the week. John also did it long before it was fashionable, before any supportive gear, or before people were using drugs at the level they are today.
 
Hyde it is amazing how much thought you put into everything you do!
 
I do appreciate the kind words fellas! I’m glad if I ever helped make someone better or reach their goals in any way.
 
4/30/23

Rope Cable Facepulls ss w/ Tri Pressdown
33 2x25

Pushpress
45x10,5
95,125x8
135,155x6
165 2x6

Seated DB Military
40x25
45x20,24

EZBar Curls
40,60,70x10
80 3x8

Lying Leg Curls
48,78,108x10

Trapbar Rows
155,205,225,245x8

Trapbar Deadlift
245,335x3
+belt
425,475,515x3

Trapbar Farmers Walk
155,205,255,275,295,325 ~40ft down & back

Rowing with the Trapbar felt good! Made it easy to get some quick lat work in before deadlift, which also felt easier after them. Haven’t done farmers runs in a couple years, so kept them very light to work technique & ease my tendons into it.
 
Hyde said:
I do appreciate the kind words fellas! I’m glad if I ever helped make someone better or reach their goals in any way.
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Ever Helped ? You have helped me so many times I can't count, and I think it is safe to say you have had a positive impact on most every member here! Thank You!!
 
Hyde said:
4/30/23

Rope Cable Facepulls ss w/ Tri Pressdown
33 2x25

Pushpress
45x10,5
95,125x8
135,155x6
165 2x6

Seated DB Military
40x25
45x20,24

EZBar Curls
40,60,70x10
80 3x8

Lying Leg Curls
48,78,108x10

Trapbar Rows
155,205,225,245x8

Trapbar Deadlift
245,335x3
+belt
425,475,515x3

Trapbar Farmers Walk
155,205,255,275,295,325 ~40ft down & back

Rowing with the Trapbar felt good! Made it easy to get some quick lat work in before deadlift, which also felt easier after them. Haven’t done farmers runs in a couple years, so kept them very light to work technique & ease my tendons into it.
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My Trapbar was a lifesaver for me…..about 5 years ago I had to just give up on Standard Deadlifts as they just were causing too much lower back pain, so I purchased my Tapbar. Just that slight adjustment was all I needed to be able to add Deadlifts back in my workouts.
Just to add to what these guys have been saying, you are definitely beyond your age in knowledge and wisdom, and just in the time I’ve been on Anabolic Minds I have gained more knowledge on some things I had not thought of, but now see the importance in, from you more than anyone on here. And I’m truly grateful that you take the time and share the knowledge that you pick up along your journey.👍
 
Ditto!
 
5/2/23

Bench
45x10,5,5
135,185x5
225x3
255,275,295,315x1
+reactive slanger
330,345x1
360 MISS
-gear
270 4x6

CGBP
235 4x6

V-Grip Chin-ups
BWx10
+25 3x6

Reverse Pec Deck
120x15
140x11
180x6 -> 140x5 -> 110x6

Tricep Pressdown
28x30,20

Bummed that 360 didn’t go up, but everything was perfect going into it, from recovery & food pre-training to liftoff & my technical execution during, so nothing to complain about. Felt strong today, just not strong enough! Made good progress on my raw work.

Next week I’ll either skip all the geared work to deload slightly, or if I feel strong switch from the Amazon slanger to a proper Slingshot.
 
You will get it, I have faith!!!
 
Monday was my last day of SNS Anabolic XT. I think that I felt it increased my libido, appetite, and acne. Whenever I took a few days off it the times I fasted, acne regressed, and as soon as I resumed new acne would appear. Diet has been a lot of “cleaner” food. I did read that Cistsnche is a phyto SARM and displaces testosterone from the AR, causing elevated test levels, so it makes sense more would get aromatized or converted to DHT. Performance was solid while using this product, and I’m very surprised I maintained my musculature so well with just 150mg test e weekly (5x30mg shots). I also barely took any GH after the first week or two, and discontinued it due to all the fasting & sporadic use. I can definitely say AXT caused some effects, and may be a good option for someone natural or not looking to increase their TRT that is trying to promote size & strength. I would not use this in a deficit as the hunger was subtle but real.
 
You and I talked about AXT a few weeks ago and both felt it was quite subtle initially and now it's interesting to see you giving the same report as me whereas the benefits of AXT seem actually quite obvious. I must be an outlier in regards to the hunger issue, or perhaps my current nutrition is so tight with the ADF I'm just simply not aware. Maybe if I was eating more freely. Come to think of it Sunday I did have a KILLER gym session with AXT, and woke up a few lbs heavier than I wanted after a week of fasting... maybe I didn't realize it spiked hunger.

Hyde said:
I did read that Cistsnche is a phyto SARM and displaces testosterone from the AR, causing elevated test levels, so it makes sense more would get aromatized or converted to DHT.
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I'm not finding direct correlation to an rise in estrogen from the cistanche but I think that's what you're postulating here in a round about way? There was a point when I cut both the AXT and UH for a moment because it felt like the two side by side did want to cause some gyno on me. Now I can't say I was getting gyno because my symptoms don't match traditional checks I keep reading about like lumps, rubbery sensation etc but I did have the severe itching and my nip was shapped different some days vs others. Steve and I both think it was the andro in the UH. All I know is that lately I've only been using the AXT and all nipple issues have gone away entirely to the point that I'm not a little nervous every time I take my shirt off to check in the mirror. In the next few days I have his oral epi coming so I'll be able to throw that in and sorta compare the results to the epi + andro combo that is in UH.

there was one day when I had bag balm on my nipples and found fluid stains on my shirt. I washed it off changed shirts and had more. I spent the next half hour googling about lactation until I quite self diagnosing. It never happened again and it might have been just sweaty bag balm but it did freak me out for an hour lol
 
Dustin07 said:
You and I talked about AXT a few weeks ago and both felt it was quite subtle initially and now it's interesting to see you giving the same report as me whereas the benefits of AXT seem actually quite obvious. I must be an outlier in regards to the hunger issue, or perhaps my current nutrition is so tight with the ADF I'm just simply not aware. Maybe if I was eating more freely. Come to think of it Sunday I did have a KILLER gym session with AXT, and woke up a few lbs heavier than I wanted after a week of fasting... maybe I didn't realize it spiked hunger.



I'm not finding direct correlation to an rise in estrogen from the cistanche but I think that's what you're postulating here in a round about way? There was a point when I cut both the AXT and UH for a moment because it felt like the two side by side did want to cause some gyno on me. Now I can't say I was getting gyno because my symptoms don't match traditional checks I keep reading about like lumps, rubbery sensation etc but I did have the severe itching and my nip was shapped different some days vs others. Steve and I both think it was the andro in the UH. All I know is that lately I've only been using the AXT and all nipple issues have gone away entirely to the point that I'm not a little nervous every time I take my shirt off to check in the mirror. In the next few days I have his oral epi coming so I'll be able to throw that in and sorta compare the results to the epi + andro combo that is in UH.

there was one day when I had bag balm on my nipples and found fluid stains on my shirt. I washed it off changed shirts and had more. I spent the next half hour googling about lactation until I quite self diagnosing. It never happened again and it might have been just sweaty bag balm but it did freak me out for an hour lol
Click to expand...

Cistanche does raise test by outcompeting test for the AR, but what your body will do with that elevated test is person specific. In my case, it’s one theory as to how I might have noticed more acne, nothing more. There are many other ingredients in AXT, and in general many more things in my life that could be the culprit even unrelated to AXT entirely. Purely speculation, but I can say acne has increased lately.
 
Hyde said:
There are many other ingredients in AXT, and in general many more things in my life that could be the culprit even unrelated to AXT entirely. Purely speculation, but I can say acne has increased lately.
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makes sense, first acne I got in ages was on dermacrine lol
 
This thread is a gold mine. I’m a whole 699 pages late to the party but the after party is always better! You’re a beast bro
 
Airmaniac said:
This thread is a gold mine. I’m a whole 699 pages late to the party but the after party is always better! You’re a beast bro
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Thank you; I appreciate that! I hope you got something out of this living memoir, be it ideas, inspiration, tips, or at least some entertainment!
 
5/3/23
BW 227.4

5 min walk

GHR
2x12

KB Suitcase Carries
KB One-leg Deadlift

Squat, Buffalo bar
60,150x5
240,330x3
375 3x3
+belt
375x3,12

SSB 15” Boxsquat
60,150x6
260 3x12

Reverse Hypers
210,245,278,300x12

5th Set method tonight in the garage. 60 work reps of squats ought to be good for some comp-specific hypertrophy. Things were grooving absolutely perfectly tonight from the very first rep of the empty bar, and 375x12 was probably only RPE 7.5. Took some noopept afterwards and meditated on my technique during a hot shower to some zen music to bed the practice in & wind down.

This was one where I know I got better.
 
Hyde said:
Cistanche does raise test by outcompeting test for the AR, but what your body will do with that elevated test is person specific. In my case, it’s one theory as to how I might have noticed more acne, nothing more. There are many other ingredients in AXT, and in general many more things in my life that could be the culprit even unrelated to AXT entirely. Purely speculation, but I can say acne has increased lately.
Click to expand...

AXT also has a substantial dose of Eucommia Ulmoides, which should increase steroid hormone signaling. So any effect you can get from increased test or even estrogen can be amplified from that. The problem with physiology is it’s dang complicated!
 
The level of knowledge here is awesome !!
 
Du
Hyde said:
Total Fast: 112 hours (4 days, 16 hours)
BW: 218.0lbs (-9lbs, new low)

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This is the second longest fast I’ve done (7 days is PR), and by far the easiest extended one. Getting 3 grams of sodium in with about a gallon of total fluid daily is key. Water, green tea, black coffee. By the third morning I was in full keto, and that’s when things became much easier. Today & yesterday have been almost like normal days; easily could have kept going but I don’t want to skew my bloods tomorrow morning & really want to get back to training tomorrow evening.

For anyone interested in trying to drop a couple lbs of visceral fat & improve your metabolic health as fast as possible, I encourage you to try a 60 hour run. Finish eating 8pm Friday, spend the weekend laying around reading/resting/walking outside (don’t plan any chores/physical activities), and you can have breakfast at 8am Monday to be ready for the demands of work.
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Dude you look fucken awesome!
 
5/4/23

6 min walk

DB Laterals
15x30
20x20
25x15
30,32.5x12

ss w/ Seated Calves
45x20
70x15
95 3x10

BB Shrugs
225x15
315x10
+straps
335x15

BB Rows
135x8
205x10
235x12 nose bleed

Plate-loaded CSR
45,80,105x8
115x10

Hammercurls
30x20
35x16
40,45x12

BB Wristcurls
50x20

Really enjoyed hitting accessories this morning at the commercial gym. It’s crazy how much easier it is without doing any real lifting prior! Shot a random nosebleed on last rep of barbell rows. BP has been great, 117/73 last week, so I’m assuming it’s a supplement like naringin/hesperidin etc thinning blood to much.

Wore a tank top - multiple people told me I was looking a lot bigger 🥹
 
Also, I grilled up a bunch of marinated chicken breast for dinner with the family before last night’s training.

When I went to put the grill cover on later, my son shouted “Chi-ckennn!” and was anxious about me putting the grill away. He loved the food and was worried it would go away with the grill 🤣
 
Hyde said:
Really enjoyed hitting accessories this morning at the commercial gym. It’s crazy how much easier it is without doing any real lifting prior! Shot a random nosebleed on last rep of barbell rows. BP has been great, 117/73 last week, so I’m assuming it’s a supplement like naringin/hesperidin etc thinning blood to much.
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You ever feel like a bodybuilding / accessory day is almost like a fun active rest day compared to normal training? I love days like these. I sometimes call them vanity days. hit all the fun stuff to failure and just enjoy the pump.
 
Dustin07 said:
You ever feel like a bodybuilding / accessory day is almost like a fun active rest day compared to normal training? I love days like these. I sometimes call them vanity days. hit all the fun stuff to failure and just enjoy the pump.
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That’s exactly what it is. Keeps you in better shape, lets you eat more, fills in some physique gaps and helps shore up weak links.

Tomorrow on lunch in the garage I will hit my secondary bench. But instead of cramming that in this morning only 48 hours after heavy bench, I get more recovery for it, make the session short enough to do during a work day, & get to do some this accessory better than if it was performed after real training.
 
Hyde said:
5/4/23

6 min walk

DB Laterals
15x30
20x20
25x15
30,32.5x12

ss w/ Seated Calves
45x20
70x15
95 3x10

BB Shrugs
225x15
315x10
+straps
335x15

BB Rows
135x8
205x10
235x12 nose bleed

Plate-loaded CSR
45,80,105x8
115x10

Hammercurls
30x20
35x16
40,45x12

BB Wristcurls
50x20

Really enjoyed hitting accessories this morning at the commercial gym. It’s crazy how much easier it is without doing any real lifting prior! Shot a random nosebleed on last rep of barbell rows. BP has been great, 117/73 last week, so I’m assuming it’s a supplement like naringin/hesperidin etc thinning blood to much.

Wore a tank top - multiple people told me I was looking a lot bigger 🥹
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Those rows!! Makes my nose bleed thinking of it 😂 always nice to get compliments!!
 
Hyde said:
Also, I grilled up a bunch of marinated chicken breast for dinner with the family before last night’s training.

When I went to put the grill cover on later, my son shouted “Chi-ckennn!” and was anxious about me putting the grill away. He loved the food and was worried it would go away with the grill 🤣
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One of the many joys of fatherhood comes when your kids love something you cooked for them!
 
Yeah, I expect you are looking a little juicy at the moment being leaner and muscles filled out. Great session as usual!
 
BennyMagoo79 said:
One of the many joys of fatherhood comes when your kids love something you cooked for them!
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I'll never forget the first time I made pancakes for my grand kids, my grand daughter said Thank you for pancakes pop. I was touched !!
 
Hyde said:
5/3/23
BW 227.4

5 min walk

GHR
2x12

KB Suitcase Carries
KB One-leg Deadlift

Squat, Buffalo bar
60,150x5
240,330x3
375 3x3
+belt
375x3,12

SSB 15” Boxsquat
60,150x6
260 3x12

Reverse Hypers
210,245,278,300x12

5th Set method tonight in the garage. 60 work reps of squats ought to be good for some comp-specific hypertrophy. Things were grooving absolutely perfectly tonight from the very first rep of the empty bar, and 375x12 was probably only RPE 7.5. Took some noopept afterwards and meditated on my technique during a hot shower to some zen music to bed the practice in & wind down.

This was one where I know I got better.
Click to expand...
60 work reps on those squats with some nice heavy volume at that….I bet you had some sore legs today. As usual putting in some good work, and looking beastly.💪
 
gphagan1 said:
60 work reps on those squats with some nice heavy volume at that….I bet you had some sore legs today. As usual putting in some good work, and looking beastly.
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Yeah I was very surprised - hoping to just get at least 7 reps on 375, yet 12 was not the true limit! Definitely sore, yesterday mainly glutes & hams and today especially quads Rep calculation that works for me puts me at 500+ for 1RM (it doesn’t go over 10-rep conversion because high reps can become a separate skill).
 
5/5/23
BW 229.8

5 min walk

Widegrip Bench
45,45,135,185x10
235 6x6

ss w/ DB Rear Raises
20 5x20

Incline Bench
45,135,165,185x10

CG Incline
135x12

Lunch hour of power in the garage! Adding 10lbs to widegrips felt just as easy as last week, so I’ll add another 10 next time. Raised rear delt volume as well.
 
akboom87 said:
Those rows!! Makes my nose bleed thinking of it always nice to get compliments!!
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Honestly, one of my favorites, we went to a graduation party, and this guy who apparently was autistic, walked over and kinda poked my arm and was like “why are your arms so big?”
 
Jeremyk1 said:
Honestly, one of my favorites, we went to a graduation party, and this guy who apparently was autistic, walked over and kinda poked my arm and was like “why are your arms so big?”
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That had to make you fell good !!
 
5/6/23
BW 232.2

5 min walk

Back Extensions
KB Suitcase Carries
KB One-leg Deadlift

Deadlift, stiffbar
155,245,315,365,385x6
405 6x1 w/ 10 second rests

Lat Pulldown
100,120x15
150x21
170x14 with assistance

Chin-ups, various grips
8,7,6

CS Tbar Row
90x12
125x9,7 with assistance

EZBar Curls
40,60x10

Cable Curls
40,80x10
120x12,10 with assistance
90x14 with assistance

Rope Cable Curls
90,70x9-12 with assistance

Drove up to Chicagoland yesterday to meet up with @jtmass while he is doing some international traveling for work. Found a very cool gym loaded with equipment nearby and got to work on some high intensity back & biceps.

After a quick warm up, we got into a little deadlifting to get our nervous systems fired up properly! Then it was onto lat work, with the two of us trading sets setting a perfect pace for some serious effort without wasting any time. When those finals reps got difficult to complete, the other person would lend a hand to make sure the most brutal reps were taken all the way. This was especially helpful for me on curls for the very top with my left elbow, and I have a great earned soreness in them today.

Once we’d managed to change our sweat-soaked tees in the street out front for all the world to admire our sick pumps, it was off for a nice sushi dinner to reload before finally getting back on the road home that evening. I also got to try a bunch of awesome confections brought all the way from India with care! This was a really terrific AM Meetup experience, with great training, food, & people, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity - this is the good stuff in life.

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It was an absolute pleasure, Hyde.. I am grateful that you drove 200 miles to meet with me, man. Thank you! Meeting with you will be the highest point in this trip for me.

Don’t forget the Indian guy who said ‘you guys look like you need more space to sit’ and he offered his seating when he was leaving.. lol

Hyde and I was looking pumped and huge. I couldn’t have asked for more.

Hope your wife liked the sweets.
 
That's awesome man! This is what I love about the forums so much, those online connections become real connections. Sounds like you had a great time! And I'm jealous of those sweets!!
 
Awesome that you got to meet Justin in person. @jtmass and I have become friends over the years but have never meet. He is a stand up guy and a very good body builder!
 
Awesome that you got to train together guys. I can't believe you all didn't get a pic snapped of you all together.
 
Segansational said:
That's awesome man! This is what I love about the forums so much, those online connections become real connections. Sounds like you had a great time! And I'm jealous of those sweets!!
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They are very good, and being milk-based so unique from anything really in America! One was the consistency of cookie dough, one like a tres leche flavored coffee cake, another almost like a sweet cheese, for example.

I got to share them with my family last night after dinner. My son does not get added sugars on a daily basis - he was so excited for “India cake!” and loved trying them with me

Rocket3015 said:
Awesome that you got to meet Justin in person. @jtmass and I have become friends over the years but have never meet. He is a stand up guy and a very good body builder!
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Every bit as friendly, intelligent, & motivated a man as he comes across here - and let me assure you, the muscles you see in his competition photos are very real too! Even in the middle of a long offseason with a hectic work schedule, he maintains a powerful build with proper training ethic. I have no doubt that when he gets finished with his busy season for work, he will be able to produce greater muscle size than ever before.

Rocket3015 said:
@Hyde @jtmass Do you have any training pic's ?
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No, even his girlfriend said the same thing, how did you not get videos We were just too busy getting after it! I really wish we could train together all the time, because having a partner who understands how to push you like that is something very special & hard to find.

I have learned a very valuable exercise for myself I believe in the cable curl he showed me. I despise unilateral/double bicep pose style cable curls and so previously wrote off all cable curls, but doing them like a barbell from the bottom was very good for activating my biceps at the lagging top, unlike a barbell that is moving into the greatest leverage position.
 
Hyde said:
I have learned a very valuable exercise for myself I believe in the cable curl he showed me. I despise unilateral/double bicep pose style cable curls and so previously wrote off all cable curls, but doing them like a barbell from the bottom was very good for activating my biceps at the lagging top, unlike a barbell that is moving into the greatest leverage position.
Click to expand...
Agreed, I think cable curls are superior to free weights for that very reason. I just get a far better stimulation from them. Direct tension from the bottom of the movement all the way to fighting to hold the flex in the top of the contraction. Honestly, I think my ideal home gym would be a nice rack, and one of those Free Motion Functional trainers with the arms that both go up and down as well as rotate out at different angles. To really top it off would be a combo leg press / hack squat machine. I could build all the muscle I wanted easily at home with that set up. I would probably go to a commercial gym far less with that set up.
 
Segansational said:
That's awesome man! This is what I love about the forums so much, those online connections become real connections. Sounds like you had a great time! And I'm jealous of those sweets!!
Absolutely. I really wish I could meet you as well man. I know we talked about this. But, next time, hopefully.
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Rocket3015 said:
Awesome that you got to meet Justin in person. @jtmass and I have become friends over the years but have never meet. He is a stand up guy and a very good body builder!
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Thank you, Rick.. You were the second person I wanted to meet. But, I know how busy your schedule is and I spoke to Hyde about this as well. Next time, I am going to get a rental car to meet with a few folks here. I am crippled here without a car.
dapack said:
Sessions are looking long/ grueling. Great job!!!
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Honestly, except for the deadlift, we just moved really quickly between sets and reps. It was awesome though. Thanks man.
MrKleen73 said:
Awesome that you got to train together guys. I can't believe you all didn't get a pic snapped of you all together.
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I think I should hit myself for not taking a picture with Hyde. We just got into training and conversations.. completely forgot.
Rocket3015 said:
@Hyde @jtmass Do you have any training pic's ?
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:(
 
jtmass said:
Thank you, Rick.. You were the second person I wanted to meet. But, I know how busy your schedule is and I spoke to Hyde about this as well. Next time, I am going to get a rental car to meet with a few folks here. I am crippled here without a car.

Honestly, except for the deadlift, we just moved really quickly between sets and reps. It was awesome though. Thanks man.

I think I should hit myself for not taking a picture with Hyde. We just got into training and conversations.. completely forgot.

:(
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Training would have been cool or you all sitting in front of a bunch of sushi rolls about to tear it up!
 
I can see me lifting with these guys in my current state, I see you guys have 315 on the bar, could you please drop that down to 15 for me !!! :ROFLMAO:
 
5/8/23

Band Pullaparts, Tri Ext, Press

Bench
45x10,5,5
135,185x3
225x3
255,285,305,320x1
+yellow slingshot
340,350,360x1
-gear
275 4x6

CGBP
240 4x6

Pull-ups
3x10, 2x8

alt w/ HS Incline Press
45x20,20,15

This day is always a grinder. Probably the one I care about the most currently, but it is a brutal, methodical pounding. Longer rests with heavy hard efforts - my elbow is always blasted by the end of both of the 4x6s.

5 more lbs on the raw & slanger singles, as well as the comp and closegrip tempo volume ☠️
 
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