Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

[Hyde]

11/23/25

5 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Glute Bridges
KB Suitcase Carries
KB One-leg Deadlift

Deadlift, stiffbar
135,225x3 RDL
315,385x3
+belt
425,455x3
485x2,9

GHR
BWx3,10
+10x5->BWx3

Nautilus Lying Leg Curl
Warmups
180x11+4+3

Lat Pulldown
99x12
121,165x3
209x12
220x9

Nautilus CSR
90x5
180x3
235x8,8->180x5

Got this one in at a commercial gym down in Arlington; pushed the session back until Sunday morning to recover from the travel and zero sleep Wednesday night. Had an awesome lift - 485x9 either ties or beats my PR with that weight, so things continue to cook!

Probably didn’t hurt that I loaded warmups for 2 flights of lifters the day prior; that was a good reminded of what you can be capable of with mindset. It probably took some out of my low back, all the bending over & constant weight changes, but the amount of adrenaline being surrounded by gassed up lifters all psyching up for competition is awesome. I was like a line-order cook, calling out orders, directing the flow, serving up whatever iron was ordered as fast as possible - it’s a rush.

 

[gphagan1]

Heading home from Worlds. Competition started Friday; wife rolled her ankle in her last event training session 1 week out on the turf during her sandbag medley. So she was on crutches with a wrapped foot while we went to my Dad’s memorial service last week & she had to get all her work shifts covered to rest it. We brought in some MK, BPC 2x daily, 5mg Var nightly & put 10mg of TB500 through it over 5 days - we made massive progress fast and she was off crutches in 3 days, painfully walking. Then at the tournament we had the Strongman Doc, a longtime friend, adjust it & her whole body before they kinesio taped it up. Instantly after adjustment, her lymphatic system was lined up again and any inflammation was removed immediately. Roadmap vascularity, and it now felt great (we had already administered 800mg ibuprofen that morning).

So she was able to compete, basically to her full ability, except we took care to slow down transitions and focus on smooth safe executions. She did a 165 log for 4 reps cleaning every rep (a personal best), carried the 400lb super-wide frame with no knurling ~60ft, deadlift 365lbs (biggest pull in like 10 years), and ran & loaded the 4 sandbags (150-175lbs) each 50ft in 44 seconds. Most importantly, she didn’t reinjure anything - didn’t even need follow-up ibuprofen after the 2 days. Her class was 23 women deep & stacked, as for Masters 40+ age there was simply under 160lbs bodyweight or Open weight. She was in 10th place after day 1, but dropped to 15 from day 2 since her deadlift was bottom of the pack, and they only take the top 10 onto the Finals on Day 3. Sadly those are great events for her that she didn’t get to do, but we were so happy she didn’t get hurt while still getting to compete after all her hard work. She had a blast, and we really got to enjoy watching Sunday: there were truly some awesome feats of strength seen! Plus, this was the first trip we’ve gotten to take just the two of us in ages, which was so fun getting to actually hang out together as a couple again without having to parent. It was really great for us! Just a blast of a weekend, lots of adrenaline, some good food, time with friends, and memories made.

We will be home today in time to pick my son up from school, and I’ve taken this holiday week off work, so things are good.

Man I’m glad to hear you were able to get her injury taken care of before competing, and no re-injuries. All of those lifts are super impressive, and especially considering she battled through an injury all the way up to the event. Even though she didn’t make the finals, she is still an elite athlete, and I know you guys are very proud.
And glad you were able to enjoy the weekend as a couple, without the little man. Those little breaks alone together, periodically, are so important to get a little recharge.

 

[gphagan1]

11/23/25

5 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Glute Bridges
KB Suitcase Carries
KB One-leg Deadlift

Deadlift, stiffbar
135,225x3 RDL
315,385x3
+belt
425,455x3
485x2,9

GHR
BWx3,10
+10x5->BWx3

Nautilus Lying Leg Curl
Warmups
180x11+4+3

Lat Pulldown
99x12
121,165x3
209x12
220x9

Nautilus CSR
90x5
180x3
235x8,8->180x5

Got this one in at a commercial gym down in Arlington; pushed the session back until Sunday morning to recover from the travel and zero sleep Wednesday night. Had an awesome lift - 485x9 either ties or beats my PR with that weight, so things continue to cook!

Probably didn’t hurt that I loaded warmups for 2 flights of lifters the day prior; that was a good reminded of what you can be capable of with mindset. It probably took some out of my low back, all the bending over & constant weight changes, but the amount of adrenaline being surrounded by gassed up lifters all psyching up for competition is awesome. I was like a line-order cook, calling out orders, directing the flow, serving up whatever iron was ordered as fast as possible - it’s a rush.

That’s a great workout, and that 485 x 9 should calculate to your max being like in that 620 to 630 range….impressive.

 

[Dustin07]

thats wild man. I've seen the looks guys who don't know me give me when they see me warming up with singles then pounding out a big man set in that 365-385 range but I dont' think I've ever seen anyone just sit there and pound out a rhino set of 9 at nearly 500lbs. Known you for a while but tbh that would be a fun thing to see.

 

[Hyde]

thats wild man. I've seen the looks guys who don't know me give me when they see me warming up with singles then pounding out a big man set in that 365-385 range but I dont' think I've ever seen anyone just sit there and pound out a rhino set of 9 at nearly 500lbs. Known you for a while but tbh that would be a fun thing to see.

I was tucked back in the corner of the gym and didn’t think people could see me very well, but later in the workout a guy came up and told me how impressed he was. Which is funny because I never even saw him at any point prior, but I think when you start moving some pounds some people end up paying attention whether they show it or not. I was trying to set the bumpers down modestly, but there’s only so quiet you can make them on a high-rep set.

 

[Hyde]

11/25/25

2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Band Warmup
Serratus Activations

Widegrip Bench, Texas powerbar
45x20
95,135x15
165x10
195,200x25

Swissbar JM Press
35,85,135x5
165 2x8

Swissbar Skullcrushers
85x15

Vbar Cable Tri Pressdown
100x5
110 2x10

Band Pullaparts
Mini 3x35

Swissbar OHP
55 2x15

Got home yesterday afternoon. Fell asleep on the couch for a bit, we were all dead and ordered some pizza. Tried to get rehydrated, had a bad headache. Getting back to it this morning and had a good session; widegrips are starting to get back to decent numbers for me and feeling stronger weekly.

The next few sessions will be deloads since it’s been 5 micros & I want to stay ahead of any issues, which works out well with the holiday and coming off traveling.

 

[Dustin07]

25 reps lol what a dickhead
might have to get me some of that power pizza

I was trying to set the bumpers down modestly, but there’s only so quiet you can make them on a high-rep set.

man its true. the couple times I forgot my headphones or didn't have them lifting with a buddy I became very aware of how loud my deads can get.

 

[sammpedd88]

Heading home from Worlds. Competition started Friday; wife rolled her ankle in her last event training session 1 week out on the turf during her sandbag medley. So she was on crutches with a wrapped foot while we went to my Dad’s memorial service last week & she had to get all her work shifts covered to rest it. We brought in some MK, BPC 2x daily, 5mg Var nightly & put 10mg of TB500 through it over 5 days - we made massive progress fast and she was off crutches in 3 days, painfully walking. Then at the tournament we had the Strongman Doc, a longtime friend, adjust it & her whole body before they kinesio taped it up. Instantly after adjustment, her lymphatic system was lined up again and any inflammation was removed immediately. Roadmap vascularity, and it now felt great (we had already administered 800mg ibuprofen that morning).

So she was able to compete, basically to her full ability, except we took care to slow down transitions and focus on smooth safe executions. She did a 165 log for 4 reps cleaning every rep (a personal best), carried the 400lb super-wide frame with no knurling ~60ft, deadlift 365lbs (biggest pull in like 10 years), and ran & loaded the 4 sandbags (150-175lbs) each 50ft in 44 seconds. Most importantly, she didn’t reinjure anything - didn’t even need follow-up ibuprofen after the 2 days. Her class was 23 women deep & stacked, as for Masters 40+ age there was simply under 160lbs bodyweight or Open weight. She was in 10th place after day 1, but dropped to 15 from day 2 since her deadlift was bottom of the pack, and they only take the top 10 onto the Finals on Day 3. Sadly those are great events for her that she didn’t get to do, but we were so happy she didn’t get hurt while still getting to compete after all her hard work. She had a blast, and we really got to enjoy watching Sunday: there were truly some awesome feats of strength seen! Plus, this was the first trip we’ve gotten to take just the two of us in ages, which was so fun getting to actually hang out together as a couple again without having to parent. It was really great for us! Just a blast of a weekend, lots of adrenaline, some good food, time with friends, and memories made.

We will be home today in time to pick my son up from school, and I’ve taken this holiday week off work, so things are good.

11/25/25

2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Band Warmup
Serratus Activations

Widegrip Bench, Texas powerbar
45x20
95,135x15
165x10
195,200x25

Swissbar JM Press
35,85,135x5
165 2x8

Swissbar Skullcrushers
85x15

Vbar Cable Tri Pressdown
100x5
110 2x10

Band Pullaparts
Mini 3x35

Swissbar OHP
55 2x15

Got home yesterday afternoon. Fell asleep on the couch for a bit, we were all dead and ordered some pizza. Tried to get rehydrated, had a bad headache. Getting back to it this morning and had a good session; widegrips are starting to get back to decent numbers for me and feeling stronger weekly.

The next few sessions will be deloads since it’s been 5 micros & I want to stay ahead of any issues, which works out well with the holiday and coming off traveling.

First off, congrats to your wife for a good showing and working through her injury. I’m glad you guys had a great time together. It’s always nice to have some mom and dad time together without the kids.

So we started the second bench day last week and I’ve never been cursed at as bad as I got it that day! 25 reps sucks but I really like it. Good work as always!

 

[Segansational]

Wow, that's some seriously impressive work in general - and on a bad ankle even more so! I'm really impressed that the regimen you used was able to get her back on her feet (literally) that quickly.

 

[Hyde]

First off, congrats to your wife for a good showing and working through her injury. I’m glad you guys had a great time together. It’s always nice to have some mom and dad time together without the kids.

So we started the second bench day last week and I’ve never been cursed at as bad as I got it that day! 25 reps sucks but I really like it. Good work as always!

You know every time I do the high rep widegrips, it generally seems to A. Go well, B. Seems helpful and C. Doesn’t mess up my primary bench day or aggravate my elbow. These last 5 weeks it’s been building up well, and I believe the trick is to indeed start very light per Swede’s recommendation - you need to get used to enduring that much time in a set, then the strength can follow. The same principle as you train for the NFL combine: start with a weight you can lift for the full duration & slowly add load over time. You don’t start with 225 to train it if you can’t already get at least 20+ reps on that routinely.

Wow, that's some seriously impressive work in general - and on a bad ankle even more so! I'm really impressed that the regimen you used was able to get her back on her feet (literally) that quickly.

Thank you!

A really important part of it is NOT using any NSAIDs the first few days, so healing is not disrupted for the sake of pain prevention. This is the first thing you’ll see on a quick search for a rolled ankle, and if you want things healed ASAP you are going to suffer more.

We only used Curcumin transdermal on it for pain management, besides a little ice and lots of elevation (and some compression wrap when appropriate, like the first day and when beginning returning to loading). The shots twice a day are also not fun, especially into an area that’s already hurting. But the peptides do speed the process. Follow the POLICE acronym (protect, optimal loading, ice, compression, elevation). Then the day before comp we introduced ibuprofen to clear remaining inflammation and make it feel better than it has significantly, plus the adjustment & taping day of with more ibuprofen.

 

[gphagan1]

You know every time I do the high rep widegrips, it generally seems to A. Go well, B. Seems helpful and C. Doesn’t mess up my primary bench day or aggravate my elbow. These last 5 weeks it’s been building up well, and I believe the trick is to indeed start very light per Swede’s recommendation - you need to get used to enduring that much time in a set, then the strength can follow. The same principle as you train for the NFL combine: start with a weight you can lift for the full duration & slowly add load over time. You don’t start with 225 to train it if you can’t already get at least 20+ reps on that routinely.


Thank you!

A really important part of it is NOT using any NSAIDs the first few days, so healing is not disrupted for the sake of pain prevention. This is the first thing you’ll see on a quick search for a rolled ankle, and if you want things healed ASAP you are going to suffer more.

We only used Curcumin transdermal on it for pain management, besides a little ice and lots of elevation (and some compression wrap when appropriate, like the first day and when beginning returning to loading). The shots twice a day are also not fun, especially into an area that’s already hurting. But the peptides do speed the process. Follow the POLICE acronym (protect, optimal loading, ice, compression, elevation). Then the day before comp we introduced ibuprofen to clear remaining inflammation and make it feel better than it has significantly, plus the adjustment & taping day of with more ibuprofen.

I meant to add when I commented on her comp before that what you did was a great protocol to speed the healing, but I let it slip my mind….so I’ll say it now, that was a great protocol to speed healing, and intelligently thought out and very well executed.

 

[gphagan1]

Hyde have you read Brian Carroll’s book the gift of injury? About him coming back from a broke back and breaking the Squat World Record at 1306 lbs. I was checking out his Power Rack Strength website and thought about checking out his book. I figured if anyone on AM has read it, that it would be you.

 

[sammpedd88]

You know every time I do the high rep widegrips, it generally seems to A. Go well, B. Seems helpful and C. Doesn’t mess up my primary bench day or aggravate my elbow. These last 5 weeks it’s been building up well, and I believe the trick is to indeed start very light per Swede’s recommendation - you need to get used to enduring that much time in a set, then the strength can follow. The same principle as you train for the NFL combine: start with a weight you can lift for the full duration & slowly add load over time. You don’t start with 225 to train it if you can’t already get at least 20+ reps on that routinely

It’s a bitch of two sets and anyone looking at it on paper is probably going to think it’s not that bad. The last 5 reps on the second set tends to have you rethinking life lol! But like you said I haven’t had any bad results from it from doing in the past. I’ve benefitted from it in more ways than I can count, honestly. We’re starting a new schedule after new years to prep for the USPA Ultra Nationals in CA, so until then, on the “second bench day we’re planning on rotating the 2 sets of 25 and floor presses just for some variation. Tuesday is the heavy bench day.

 

[dapack]

Congrats to your wife. Sounds like a fun time. Killing the weights!!

 

[Hyde]

Hyde have you read Brian Carroll’s book the gift of injury? About him coming back from a broke back and breaking the Squat World Record at 1306 lbs. I was checking out his Power Rack Strength website and thought about checking out his book. I figured if anyone on AM has read it, that it would be you.

Yes I own it and it’s a great book; easily worth the price. I even got good value out of it, and I have more experience with all this stuff than most (back rehab, powerlifting), so I am confident many would find something useful. It’s also an interesting read, a good look into what he did and decisions made to adjust training as Brian recovered.

It’s a bitch of two sets and anyone looking at it on paper is probably going to think it’s not that bad. The last 5 reps on the second set tends to have you rethinking life lol! But like you said I haven’t had any bad results from it from doing in the past. I’ve benefitted from it in more ways than I can count, honestly. We’re starting a new schedule after new years to prep for the USPA Ultra Nationals in CA, so until then, on the “second bench day we’re planning on rotating the 2 sets of 25 and floor presses just for some variation. Tuesday is the heavy bench day.

Sounds like fun! Keep me posted. Our gym has a bunch of lifters going to the Kentucky state championship meet the weekend after this one, so I wonder if some of them will be going to USPA Nationals next year.

 

[sammpedd88]

Yes I own it and it’s a great book; easily worth the price. I even got good value out of it, and I have more experience with all this stuff than most (back rehab, powerlifting), so I am confident many would find something useful. It’s also an interesting read, a good look into what he did and decisions made to adjust training as Brian recovered.


Sounds like fun! Keep me posted. Our gym has a bunch of lifters going to the Kentucky state championship meet the weekend after this one, so I wonder if some of them will be going to USPA Nationals next year.

Yeah I’m pretty excited about it. Next year will be the first year USPA has done tested and non-tested nationals at the same time. They usually have them at separate locations and times, so it should be a cool time.

 

[Hyde]

Yeah I’m pretty excited about it. Next year will be the first year USPA has done tested and non-tested nationals at the same time. They usually have them at separate locations and times, so it should be a cool time.

If you haven’t gotten your membership yet, they’re selling USPA memberships at 15% off this week for the holiday until December 1st. Got an email today in case you know anyone who wants to do a meet with you soon.

 

[sammpedd88]

If you haven’t gotten your membership yet, they’re selling USPA memberships at 15% off this week for the holiday until December 1st. Got an email today in case you know anyone who wants to do a meet with you soon.

Damn I just renewed mine before the meet I did a few weeks ago! My luck!

 

[Hyde]

11/26/25
BW 241.8

2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Planks
Side-Plank Activations
Foam Roll IT Bands, Quads & Adductor
Reverse Arm Circles
Glute Bridges
RFE SS

Squat, EFS SSB
155,245x3
335 4x3
+belt
385x2
425x1

Hacksquat
+heels & deadlift belt
180,270x3
320 2x8

Plate-loaded Leg Extensions
45x15
90,115x3
140x14

DB Walking Lunges
BWx8
40s 2x8

Deload squat; went pretty well but I’m definitely glad I planned this. Just needed a break from squatting the heavier weights; even the hacksquat felt heavy at only 80% of last week’s weights. No preWO, just a cup of coffee, used the hardest bar, weakest knee sleeves, no Amentoflavone or extra stims, didn’t listen music. 4 plates on the safety bar moved surprisingly fast (very fast); I felt like I could do way more than the last time I used it months ago if I had to.

 

[sammpedd88]

11/26/25
BW 241.8

2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Planks
Side-Plank Activations
Foam Roll IT Bands, Quads & Adductor
Reverse Arm Circles
Glute Bridges
RFE SS

Squat, EFS SSB
155,245x3
335 4x3
+belt
385x2
425x1

Hacksquat
+heels & deadlift belt
180,270x3
320 2x8

Plate-loaded Leg Extensions
45x15
90,115x3
140x14

DB Walking Lunges
BWx8
40s 2x8

Deload squat; went pretty well but I’m definitely glad I planned this. Just needed a break from squatting the heavier weights; even the hacksquat felt heavy at only 80% of last week’s weights. No preWO, just a cup of coffee, used the hardest bar, weakest knee sleeves, no Amentoflavone or extra stims, didn’t listen music. 4 plates on the safety bar moved surprisingly fast (very fast); I felt like I could do way more than the last time I used it months ago if I had to.

Sometimes it’s nice to just grind through a workout, even a deload, without any stims or nootropics. Good way to give the CNS a break at different angles. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[gphagan1]

11/26/25
BW 241.8

2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Planks
Side-Plank Activations
Foam Roll IT Bands, Quads & Adductor
Reverse Arm Circles
Glute Bridges
RFE SS

Squat, EFS SSB
155,245x3
335 4x3
+belt
385x2
425x1

Hacksquat
+heels & deadlift belt
180,270x3
320 2x8

Plate-loaded Leg Extensions
45x15
90,115x3
140x14

DB Walking Lunges
BWx8
40s 2x8

Deload squat; went pretty well but I’m definitely glad I planned this. Just needed a break from squatting the heavier weights; even the hacksquat felt heavy at only 80% of last week’s weights. No preWO, just a cup of coffee, used the hardest bar, weakest knee sleeves, no Amentoflavone or extra stims, didn’t listen music. 4 plates on the safety bar moved surprisingly fast (very fast); I felt like I could do way more than the last time I used it months ago if I had to.

That’s a good workout considering it was your deload, and went straight up hardcore with just a cup of coffee. I do the same thing sometimes just coffee with maybe some creatine and no other pre-workout or supplements. Kind of a deload all the way around. And I can believe you felt like you could do more compared to months ago, because your numbers have consistently been increasing. Looks like you’re heading down the path of more PRs.

 

[Hyde]

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for all of you, and our collective opportunity to lift weights

Sometimes it’s nice to just grind through a workout, even a deload, without any stims or nootropics. Good way to give the CNS a break at different angles. Happy Thanksgiving!

That’s a good workout considering it was your deload, and went straight up hardcore with just a cup of coffee. I do the same thing sometimes just coffee with maybe some creatine and no other pre-workout or supplements. Kind of a deload all the way around. And I can believe you felt like you could do more compared to months ago, because your numbers have consistently been increasing. Looks like you’re heading down the path of more PRs.

Yes agreed; it’s good to sometimes just go in not trying to squeeze every last drop of performance in, but rather just punch the clock and let everything breath for a moment - you know, deload! Turn down the weights, turn down the stress & intensity, and let the connective tissue catch up while getting a little practice in still.

 

[Hyde]

11/28/25

Hip Stretches
3 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Band Warmup

Bench, Texas powerbar
45 3x10
111x5
155,199x3
221 5x3

3-Board
265x5

2-Board
265x5

Low Incline DB Press
70,80x20

Felt pretty weak this morning & couldn’t really get my elbow to feel good, so I’m glad it was a deload. Travel yesterday, plus less sleep never help either, so I got the practice in & bounced.

Gotta try to summon the energy to rake up 10,000 leaves now today before we get smashed by snow tomorrow for the winter. It doesn’t really melt here so I have to get them off the lawn or they’ll be pinned under snow ‘til spring likely. Worlds and Dad dying ate up the usual fall weekends we’d get the yard in order.

 

[Segansational]

I hear you on the leaves. We did one last pass the other afternoon. Still a decent bit along our fence line, but that's going to stay now until next year!

 

[Hyde]

I hear you on the leaves. We did one last pass the other afternoon. Still a decent bit along our fence line, but that's going to stay now until next year!

We have 4 titanic oaks/maples behind our fence since we live at the perimeter of the neighborhood. Fortunately the power company trims the far side from us because it’s along the right of way, but we still get a crazy amount. Most of the neighbors have these modest piles set out on the street for pickup, but our pile is 3ft high and runs 9ft on either side of the driveway like a castle wall!

Took nearly 5 hours & 10 dumpster trashcans full to transport everything on the back deck and yard to the street, but I got it done. It was freezing temps all day & worked through sunset. Wore my Cerberus soft belt under my flannel, which really seemed to help prevent a back tweak - I often get one most years raking.

Felt like I’d done a strongman event day too when I was through; my appetite was insane last night from the cold so I tried to eat as much as possible. Big plates of pasta, potatoes, ground turkey, corn, then lots of Halloween candy, poptarts, soda. Still woke up half a pound light

 

[Hyde]

Yesterday we were having a big snowstorm come through and supposed to go to my in-laws for our Thanksgiving, so we got up early to get on the road before too much snow had accumulated and stayed the night. The other family coming had to cancel due to the storm (we got nearly 10” snow!), but this gave us the opportunity to spend the day together with Grandma & Grandpa and my wife’s sister. Everyone helped out cooking, we had the fireplace going all day, played Mario Kart, went out in the snow, watched football, and had Thanksgiving dinner (both a turkey & ham) before sleeping over under the snow.

It was a really relaxing fun family day - everyone had a terrific time. The best part was when my son & I were coming in from playing in the snow together - we had been battling Ice Trolls & Dragons after leaving our snow fort to get Powerups, naturally. He told me, “Dad, this was the most fun day I ever had!”.

Came home today, shoveled snow & got the tree up. Back to work finally tomorrow!

 

[gphagan1]

Yesterday we were having a big snowstorm come through and supposed to go to my in-laws for our Thanksgiving, so we got up early to get on the road before too much snow had accumulated and stayed the night. The other family coming had to cancel due to the storm (we got nearly 10” snow!), but this gave us the opportunity to spend the day together with Grandma & Grandpa and my wife’s sister. Everyone helped out cooking, we had the fireplace going all day, played Mario Kart, went out in the snow, watched football, and had Thanksgiving dinner (both a turkey & ham) before sleeping over under the snow.

It was a really relaxing fun family day - everyone had a terrific time. The best part was when my son & I were coming in from playing in the snow together - we had been battling Ice Trolls & Dragons after leaving our snow fort to get Powerups, naturally. He told me, “Dad, this was the most fun day I ever had!”.

Came home today, shoveled snow & got the tree up. Back to work finally tomorrow!

Man that sounds like y’all had an awesome day, especially battling Ice Trolls and Dragons. And you can’t beat a compliment like Dad this was the most fun day I ever had.

 

[Segansational]

Seriously, that's a core memory for him unlocked! He'll remember that day forever.

 

[akboom87]

Sounds like a awesome day and lots of memories!

 

[Dustin07]

that sounds awesome, I know you guys get sick of snow eventually, especially when it starts this early, but a brief 10" snowfall would be pretty awesome in the short term!

 

[Hyde]

that sounds awesome, I know you guys get sick of snow eventually, especially when it starts this early, but a brief 10" snowfall would be pretty awesome in the short term!

We got 3-4” more last night which sucked, but Saturday was definitely magical!

 

[Hyde]

12/2/25
BW 240.8 yesterday

Clean snow off my car
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Hip Stretches
PsoaRite
KB Suitcase Carries
SL Glute Bridges
SL KB Deadlift

Deadlift, Texas powerbar
45,155x6 RDL
265,331x3
+softbelt
375 4x3
+powerbelt
442,497x1

RDL
+deadlift belt & straps
331,353x8

Plate-loaded Lying Leg Curl
45x5
90,115x3
125x8

Last deload session in. Still went up to a training weight that I’d normally touch after speed work, but did it for a single instead of ~10 total reps like I’d normally accumulate. This also let me get an extended hold in for grip. Also tested out switching to RDLs from GMs for the next block, which was an easy transition if ever there was.

I’ll be training at EliteFTS the weekend after this one, plus I’d like to pull 600 by end of year without peaking or disrupting actual training progress too much, so trying to set things up in a way that lets what I do in the short term also benefit the big picture.

 

[gphagan1]

12/2/25
BW 240.8 yesterday

Clean snow off my car
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Hip Stretches
PsoaRite
KB Suitcase Carries
SL Glute Bridges
SL KB Deadlift

Deadlift, Texas powerbar
45,155x6 RDL
265,331x3
+softbelt
375 4x3
+powerbelt
442,497x1

RDL
+deadlift belt & straps
331,353x8

Plate-loaded Lying Leg Curl
45x5
90,115x3
125x8

Last deload session in. Still went up to a training weight that I’d normally touch after speed work, but did it for a single instead of ~10 total reps like I’d normally accumulate. This also let me get an extended hold in for grip. Also tested out switching to RDLs from GMs for the next block, which was an easy transition if ever there was.

I’ll be training at EliteFTS the weekend after this one, plus I’d like to pull 600 by end of year without peaking or disrupting actual training progress too much, so trying to set things up in a way that lets what I do in the short term also benefit the big picture.

With some of the numbers you’ve been putting up lately on your DL, I bet you could probably already pull 600, but definitely by the end of the month. Interested in how your EliteFTS training goes.

 

[sammpedd88]

12/2/25
BW 240.8 yesterday

Clean snow off my car
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Hip Stretches
PsoaRite
KB Suitcase Carries
SL Glute Bridges
SL KB Deadlift

Deadlift, Texas powerbar
45,155x6 RDL
265,331x3
+softbelt
375 4x3
+powerbelt
442,497x1

RDL
+deadlift belt & straps
331,353x8

Plate-loaded Lying Leg Curl
45x5
90,115x3
125x8

Last deload session in. Still went up to a training weight that I’d normally touch after speed work, but did it for a single instead of ~10 total reps like I’d normally accumulate. This also let me get an extended hold in for grip. Also tested out switching to RDLs from GMs for the next block, which was an easy transition if ever there was.

I’ll be training at EliteFTS the weekend after this one, plus I’d like to pull 600 by end of year without peaking or disrupting actual training progress too much, so trying to set things up in a way that lets what I do in the short term also benefit the big picture.

12/2/25
BW 240.8 yesterday

Clean snow off my car
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Hip Stretches
PsoaRite
KB Suitcase Carries
SL Glute Bridges
SL KB Deadlift

Deadlift, Texas powerbar
45,155x6 RDL
265,331x3
+softbelt
375 4x3
+powerbelt
442,497x1

RDL
+deadlift belt & straps
331,353x8

Plate-loaded Lying Leg Curl
45x5
90,115x3
125x8

Last deload session in. Still went up to a training weight that I’d normally touch after speed work, but did it for a single instead of ~10 total reps like I’d normally accumulate. This also let me get an extended hold in for grip. Also tested out switching to RDLs from GMs for the next block, which was an easy transition if ever there was.

I’ll be training at EliteFTS the weekend after this one, plus I’d like to pull 600 by end of year without peaking or disrupting actual training progress too much, so trying to set things up in a way that lets what I do in the short term also benefit the big picture.

Can’t wait to get the report when you come back from the Dave Tate compound.

 

[akboom87]

12/2/25
BW 240.8 yesterday

Clean snow off my car
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Hip Stretches
PsoaRite
KB Suitcase Carries
SL Glute Bridges
SL KB Deadlift

Deadlift, Texas powerbar
45,155x6 RDL
265,331x3
+softbelt
375 4x3
+powerbelt
442,497x1

RDL
+deadlift belt & straps
331,353x8

Plate-loaded Lying Leg Curl
45x5
90,115x3
125x8

Last deload session in. Still went up to a training weight that I’d normally touch after speed work, but did it for a single instead of ~10 total reps like I’d normally accumulate. This also let me get an extended hold in for grip. Also tested out switching to RDLs from GMs for the next block, which was an easy transition if ever there was.

I’ll be training at EliteFTS the weekend after this one, plus I’d like to pull 600 by end of year without peaking or disrupting actual training progress too much, so trying to set things up in a way that lets what I do in the short term also benefit the big picture.

looking forward to hearing about the weekend at the compound!

 

[Hyde]

looking forward to hearing about the weekend at the compound!

Yeah I was actually thinking yesterday to myself, ‘What do I need to do to get my home in order to be able to leave for the whole weekend?’. My wife is great, so probably not much, but I don’t want things to be tougher on her than they need to be for me to go to the Training Retreat. My son is getting to be so strong and independent, it’s getting much easier to leave for short trips.

I have a week to figure it out!

 

[Hyde]

12/3/25

Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Band Warmup

Widegrip Bench, Texas powerbar
45 2x15
95,135x15
175x10
205x23,25

Swissbar JM Press
35x8
125x5
175x6 too heavy, half reps
125x8,12 way better

alt w/ Lat Pulldowns
80,130x12
180x3
200 2x13

Vbar Cable Tri Pressdown
60,90x3
120x8,9

HS CSR
180,270x3
340 2x10

Swissbar Strictpress
35x10
60,65x15

Great second pressing day last night. Messed up pausing to try to regain energy to finish the first set, but you cannot do that with 25 reps - you must NOT stop! Do not hold lockouts, pause, or stop for even a moment; you have to just keep cranking like a piston until you persevere or fail. It’s about time to lactic threshold, similar to the combine.

Got my deadlift rows/pulldowns in to complete the day prior as well; only missed out on Pullaparts but I simply ran out of time. Worked right up to the buzzer to get out on time to go watch my son’s new gymnastics class. Same place he’s been going for years, but they’re moving him up a little early to the 5-7 year old boys-only crew since a new session/block is beginning and he’s close enough. It’s going to be later & on Wednesdays now, so I’ll have to adjust my training somewhat.

His new coach is awesome & my son absolutely loved the class! He went from being the biggest preschooler in a coed class to the smallest/least-skilled in a tight group of boys, so he will inevitably rise to compete with them over time. They did a lot more muscle work & spent much longer working specific drills/patterns, so I expect him to get a lot more development out of this now. He told us he wishes he could do this every night

 

[gphagan1]

12/3/25

Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Band Warmup

Widegrip Bench, Texas powerbar
45 2x15
95,135x15
175x10
205x23,25

Swissbar JM Press
35x8
125x5
175x6 too heavy, half reps
125x8,12 way better

alt w/ Lat Pulldowns
80,130x12
180x3
200 2x13

Vbar Cable Tri Pressdown
60,90x3
120x8,9

HS CSR
180,270x3
340 2x10

Swissbar Strictpress
35x10
60,65x15

Great second pressing day last night. Messed up pausing to try to regain energy to finish the first set, but you cannot do that with 25 reps - you must NOT stop! Do not hold lockouts, pause, or stop for even a moment; you have to just keep cranking like a piston until you persevere or fail. It’s about time to lactic threshold, similar to the combine.

Got my deadlift rows/pulldowns in to complete the day prior as well; only missed out on Pullaparts but I simply ran out of time. Worked right up to the buzzer to get out on time to go watch my son’s new gymnastics class. Same place he’s been going for years, but they’re moving him up a little early to the 5-7 year old boys-only crew since a new session/block is beginning and he’s close enough. It’s going to be later & on Wednesdays now, so I’ll have to adjust my training somewhat.

His new coach is awesome & my son absolutely loved the class! He went from being the biggest preschooler in a coed class to the smallest/least-skilled in a tight group of boys, so he will inevitably rise to compete with them over time. They did a lot more muscle work & spent much longer working specific drills/patterns, so I expect him to get a lot more development out of this now. He told us he wishes he could do this every night

That’s great….sounds like he loves it. I know you have a blast watching him. Being in gymnastics at such a young age is going to do so much for his athleticism as he grows, and he will be in fantastic shape.

 

[Dustin07]

but you cannot do that with 25 reps - you must NOT stop! Do not hold lockouts, pause, or stop for even a moment; you have to just keep cranking like a piston until you persevere or fail.

or puke or have a heart attack is my experience lol. any time I push for a 20+ rep set it feels like a cardio sprint. admittedly as I near the finish line I start pep talking myself and counting backwards.

lock out at 18 (come on man, 2 more you got this!!)
19.... (ok one more)
20!! (you pussy, do 25!)

 

[sammpedd88]

12/3/25

Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Band Warmup

Widegrip Bench, Texas powerbar
45 2x15
95,135x15
175x10
205x23,25

Swissbar JM Press
35x8
125x5
175x6 too heavy, half reps
125x8,12 way better

alt w/ Lat Pulldowns
80,130x12
180x3
200 2x13

Vbar Cable Tri Pressdown
60,90x3
120x8,9

HS CSR
180,270x3
340 2x10

Swissbar Strictpress
35x10
60,65x15

Great second pressing day last night. Messed up pausing to try to regain energy to finish the first set, but you cannot do that with 25 reps - you must NOT stop! Do not hold lockouts, pause, or stop for even a moment; you have to just keep cranking like a piston until you persevere or fail. It’s about time to lactic threshold, similar to the combine.

Got my deadlift rows/pulldowns in to complete the day prior as well; only missed out on Pullaparts but I simply ran out of time. Worked right up to the buzzer to get out on time to go watch my son’s new gymnastics class. Same place he’s been going for years, but they’re moving him up a little early to the 5-7 year old boys-only crew since a new session/block is beginning and he’s close enough. It’s going to be later & on Wednesdays now, so I’ll have to adjust my training somewhat.

His new coach is awesome & my son absolutely loved the class! He went from being the biggest preschooler in a coed class to the smallest/least-skilled in a tight group of boys, so he will inevitably rise to compete with them over time. They did a lot more muscle work & spent much longer working specific drills/patterns, so I expect him to get a lot more development out of this now. He told us he wishes he could do this every night

I bet those JM presses did feel rough on the “too heavy set” after hitting 205 for the two sets of 205! Great work as always!

 

[akboom87]

12/3/25

Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Band Warmup

Widegrip Bench, Texas powerbar
45 2x15
95,135x15
175x10
205x23,25

Swissbar JM Press
35x8
125x5
175x6 too heavy, half reps
125x8,12 way better

alt w/ Lat Pulldowns
80,130x12
180x3
200 2x13

Vbar Cable Tri Pressdown
60,90x3
120x8,9

HS CSR
180,270x3
340 2x10

Swissbar Strictpress
35x10
60,65x15

Great second pressing day last night. Messed up pausing to try to regain energy to finish the first set, but you cannot do that with 25 reps - you must NOT stop! Do not hold lockouts, pause, or stop for even a moment; you have to just keep cranking like a piston until you persevere or fail. It’s about time to lactic threshold, similar to the combine.

Got my deadlift rows/pulldowns in to complete the day prior as well; only missed out on Pullaparts but I simply ran out of time. Worked right up to the buzzer to get out on time to go watch my son’s new gymnastics class. Same place he’s been going for years, but they’re moving him up a little early to the 5-7 year old boys-only crew since a new session/block is beginning and he’s close enough. It’s going to be later & on Wednesdays now, so I’ll have to adjust my training somewhat.

His new coach is awesome & my son absolutely loved the class! He went from being the biggest preschooler in a coed class to the smallest/least-skilled in a tight group of boys, so he will inevitably rise to compete with them over time. They did a lot more muscle work & spent much longer working specific drills/patterns, so I expect him to get a lot more development out of this now. He told us he wishes he could do this every night

Looks like a great session!

How old was your son when you got him started?

Another question- kinda off the wall.
Been planning out some stuff I want to build when we move next year and I’m back to having a shop and unlimited room. Want to make either a yoke carry, or make farmers walk handles.

Having no real experience with either, wondering does one trump the other or more beneficial to have both options.

 

[Hyde]

I bet those JM presses did feel rough on the “too heavy set” after hitting 205 for the two sets of 205! Great work as always!

I just realized it was too heavy for me to even do the lift properly; it’s different than a barbell and certainly from an SSB (which is more of a pad touch then rollback). The JM Press is open to a lot of interpretation, but when I tried to use that much weight with the Swissbar I simply wasn’t strong enough to lift it the way I wanted to get what I needed out of it. Once I dropped down lighter, I was able to hit the ROM and bar path I believe will actually make gains for me. I actually really like doing it with the Swissbar; it feels like the neutral grip lets me feel it more in the tris than my elbows. Or maybe getting more out of less weight is just easier on the elbows?

Looks like a great session!

How old was your son when you got him started?

Another question- kinda off the wall.
Been planning out some stuff I want to build when we move next year and I’m back to having a shop and unlimited room. Want to make either a yoke carry, or make farmers walk handles.

Having no real experience with either, wondering does one trump the other or more beneficial to have both options.

Thanks!

He was 16 months. The first year was parent-tot stuff where you’re on the floor with them helping them go through various stations and drills (crawl through a tunnel, try to walk a little balance beam, hop from spot to spot, hold onto rings etc). Then by preschool age the parents are just spectating, and the kids begin to do a lot better listening to only the instructor.

Farmers Walk, no question - this is a movement that benefits every single person through gen pop, as we all carry things in our hands. It is an extremely natural movement, and even light farmers carries will improve robustness in joints like the knees as well as build forearms, obliques, traps, and grip strength. It’s a low learning curve with high payout for the effort.

Yoke on the other hand is a terrible lift that exacts a very high recovery toll all across the body, definitely more than it gives. Worse than deadlifting in my opinion. Every fiber of the body can be challenged to failure on a heavy enough yoke, but very little gets trained that other carries like farmers or front carries couldn’t also yield safer with faster recovery times & lighter loads. This is seen by all manner of injuries occurring in competitions - blown out knees, Achilles, hips, any part of the spine (like my wife’s herniated tspine), torn quads, traps, abs, even biceps can come off (like yours truly). It always stirred up my plantar fasciitis like clockwork. It can be fun, but it’s brutal. A yoke can also be used for front carries, as well as a bar to load sandbags over. But a barbell you already own can also do those things just as well.

The yoke carry is a lift you must compete in if you wish to be a strongman. The farmers carry will make anyone a stronger man.

 

[sammpedd88]

I just realized it was too heavy for me to even do the lift properly; it’s different than a barbell and certainly from an SSB (which is more of a pad touch then rollback). The JM Press is open to a lot of interpretation, but when I tried to use that much weight with the Swissbar I simply wasn’t strong enough to lift it the way I wanted to get what I needed out of it. Once I dropped down lighter, I was able to hit the ROM and bar path I believe will actually make gains for me. I actually really like doing it with the Swissbar; it feels like the neutral grip lets me feel it more in the tris than my elbows. Or maybe getting more out of less weight is just easier on the elbows?


Thanks!

He was 16 months. The first year was parent-tot stuff where you’re on the floor with them helping them go through various stations and drills (crawl through a tunnel, try to walk a little balance beam, hop from spot to spot, hold onto rings etc). Then by preschool age the parents are just spectating, and the kids begin to do a lot better listening to only the instructor.

Farmers Walk, no question - this is a movement that benefits every single person through gen pop, as we all carry things in our hands. It is an extremely natural movement, and even light farmers carries will improve robustness in joints like the knees as well as build forearms, obliques, traps, and grip strength. It’s a low learning curve with high payout for the effort.

Yoke on the other hand is a terrible lift that exacts a very high recovery toll all across the body, definitely more than it gives. Worse than deadlifting in my opinion. Every fiber of the body can be challenged to failure on a heavy enough yoke, but very little gets trained that other carries like farmers or front carries couldn’t also yield safer with faster recovery times & lighter loads. This is seen by all manner of injuries occurring in competitions - blown out knees, Achilles, hips, any part of the spine (like my wife’s herniated tspine), torn quads, traps, abs, even biceps can come off (like yours truly). It always stirred up my plantar fasciitis like clockwork. It can be fun, but it’s brutal. A yoke can also be used for front carries, as well as a bar to load sandbags over. But a barbell you already own can also do those things just as well.

The yoke carry is a lift you must compete in if you wish to be a strongman. The farmers carry will make anyone a stronger man.

I’m with you on the less weight and targeting the tris more. I have really strong tris and can push some good weight with targeted exercises but when my elbow started giving me issues I had to cut the weight back and use certain exercises that would take the elbow stress away but still be able to work my tris. I want to try JM presses but will more than likely have to feel the weight out when I do them just to protect my elbow. I’ll have to use a standard bar too since I don’t have access to a Swiss bar. I can see how the Swiss bar would be a huge added benefit in the movement.

 

[Dustin07]

I like the suggestion on the farmers walk/carries. we used to incorporate 400m farmers carries with 53 or 70lb kb's and they're pretty intense. if you carried it say 300m and set it down for a second your grip was shot lol. was better to do shorter distances or finish it out. traps and forearms would light on fire, but legs get stimulation too. I've been trying to be more intentional with plate pinches, whenever I'm loading/unloading the barbell, carrying those 45s back pinched just to incorporate the idea since I don't do farmers carries anymore. (I probably could, just haven't really sought the idea of walking around box gym that way)

 

[Hyde]

I like the suggestion on the farmers walk/carries. we used to incorporate 400m farmers carries with 53 or 70lb kb's and they're pretty intense. if you carried it say 300m and set it down for a second your grip was shot lol. was better to do shorter distances or finish it out. traps and forearms would light on fire, but legs get stimulation too. I've been trying to be more intentional with plate pinches, whenever I'm loading/unloading the barbell, carrying those 45s back pinched just to incorporate the idea since I don't do farmers carries anymore. (I probably could, just haven't really sought the idea of walking around box gym that way)

For the record, I’d never recommend them that far or light for anyone looking to get stronger, unless you had some odd specific task where you somehow have to carry light objects a 1/4 mile but don’t have access to a wheelbarrow or vehicle for it? I mean that’s very CrossFit, but not that helpful in real life even.

In strongman, you are generally going to be expected to carry at least your bodyweight per hand at the local/amateur level for something like 60ft, or maybe 50ft down & back (stopping to set them down, turn, and re-pick for the trip back). So most lifters new to it are probably going to want to start with handles loaded to around 1/2 bodyweight, carried for a bit further and build up grip & speed as you let your knees accommodate. The stronger your deadlift already is, the lighter you should start if you aren’t used to walking with weights.

 

[Hyde]

12/5/25
BW 234.4 yesterday

5 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Reverse Arm Circles
Bird Dogs
Plank
Side-Plank Activations
Band Rear Delts
SL Glute Bridges
RFE SS

Squat, Duffalobar
55,165x5
275,363x3
+Belt & doubleply sleeves
407,435,457x3
479,501x1
452x8

SSB Squat
175,285,395x2
440x4+1 cheater

DB Walking Lunges
BWx8
40s x11,13

Calf Raises on Hacksquat
320,340x11

Plate-loaded Leg Extensions
45,55x25

New mesocycle, and things are heating up. This is week 2 on 400 test/wk now, along with the 200 eq. Hacksquats are dropped in lieu of one brutal set of squats on the SSB, starting around a 5RM…this is after the actual squat AMRAP btw. 395 surprised me how light it felt, so I overshot it going up to 440 - put my hands on my thighs to keep from folding on the 5th rep. I will go down a little next week so I can execute with better quality.

Squats before that went great; got some good work in, touched 500 and hit a juicy set of 8 with 452. This is a solid place to head into this new block - probably time soon to think about finding a meet in 10-12 weeks.

 

[gphagan1]

12/5/25
BW 234.4 yesterday

5 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Reverse Arm Circles
Bird Dogs
Plank
Side-Plank Activations
Band Rear Delts
SL Glute Bridges
RFE SS

Squat, Duffalobar
55,165x5
275,363x3
+Belt & doubleply sleeves
407,435,457x3
479,501x1
452x8

SSB Squat
175,285,395x2
440x4+1 cheater

DB Walking Lunges
BWx8
40s x11,13

Calf Raises on Hacksquat
320,340x11

Plate-loaded Leg Extensions
45,55x25

New mesocycle, and things are heating up. This is week 2 on 400 test/wk now, along with the 200 eq. Hacksquats are dropped in lieu of one brutal set of squats on the SSB, starting around a 5RM…this is after the actual squat AMRAP btw. 395 surprised me how light it felt, so I overshot it going up to 440 - put my hands on my thighs to keep from folding on the 5th rep. I will go down a little next week so I can execute with better quality.

Squats before that went great; got some good work in, touched 500 and hit a juicy set of 8 with 452. This is a solid place to head into this new block - probably time soon to think about finding a meet in 10-12 weeks.

That’s a really good heavy leg day there…cranking up the power.

 

[Dustin07]

For the record, I’d never recommend them that far or light for anyone looking to get stronger, unless you had some odd specific task where you somehow have to carry light objects a 1/4 mile but don’t have access to a wheelbarrow or vehicle for it? I mean that’s very CrossFit, but not that helpful in real life even.

LOL to be fair I think most WODs were like a 50ft carry. That was an extreme example. One year in competition we did have to do a 135lb overhead carry (down a football field) stopping every 10 yards to do bar over burpees though, then either clean or snatch the bar back overhead 10 more yards.

but your wheelbarrow example made me briefly contemplate how much I could load into my own wheelbarrow then do the length of my driveway and back

for shits and giggles I pulled up google earth and measured, my normal farmers carry at home would be 83 meters from shed to garden so I suppose my training distance should be sets at probably that lol

Squat, Duffalobar
55,165x5
275,363x3
+Belt & doubleply sleeves
407,435,457x3
479,501x1
452x8

New mesocycle, and things are heating up. This is week 2 on 400 test/wk now, along with the 200 eq. Hacksquats are dropped in lieu of one brutal set of squats on the SSB, starting around a 5RM…this is after the actual squat AMRAP btw

Dude you are really looking like you're in the sweet spot right now

 

[akboom87]

I just realized it was too heavy for me to even do the lift properly; it’s different than a barbell and certainly from an SSB (which is more of a pad touch then rollback). The JM Press is open to a lot of interpretation, but when I tried to use that much weight with the Swissbar I simply wasn’t strong enough to lift it the way I wanted to get what I needed out of it. Once I dropped down lighter, I was able to hit the ROM and bar path I believe will actually make gains for me. I actually really like doing it with the Swissbar; it feels like the neutral grip lets me feel it more in the tris than my elbows. Or maybe getting more out of less weight is just easier on the elbows?


Thanks!

He was 16 months. The first year was parent-tot stuff where you’re on the floor with them helping them go through various stations and drills (crawl through a tunnel, try to walk a little balance beam, hop from spot to spot, hold onto rings etc). Then by preschool age the parents are just spectating, and the kids begin to do a lot better listening to only the instructor.

Farmers Walk, no question - this is a movement that benefits every single person through gen pop, as we all carry things in our hands. It is an extremely natural movement, and even light farmers carries will improve robustness in joints like the knees as well as build forearms, obliques, traps, and grip strength. It’s a low learning curve with high payout for the effort.

Yoke on the other hand is a terrible lift that exacts a very high recovery toll all across the body, definitely more than it gives. Worse than deadlifting in my opinion. Every fiber of the body can be challenged to failure on a heavy enough yoke, but very little gets trained that other carries like farmers or front carries couldn’t also yield safer with faster recovery times & lighter loads. This is seen by all manner of injuries occurring in competitions - blown out knees, Achilles, hips, any part of the spine (like my wife’s herniated tspine), torn quads, traps, abs, even biceps can come off (like yours truly). It always stirred up my plantar fasciitis like clockwork. It can be fun, but it’s brutal. A yoke can also be used for front carries, as well as a bar to load sandbags over. But a barbell you already own can also do those things just as well.

The yoke carry is a lift you must compete in if you wish to be a strongman. The farmers carry will make anyone a stronger man.

Awesome that’s the direction I was looking for, thanks for the in depth info!

 

[Hyde]

LOL to be fair I think most WODs were like a 50ft carry. That was an extreme example. One year in competition we did have to do a 135lb overhead carry (down a football field) stopping every 10 yards to do bar over burpees though, then either clean or snatch the bar back overhead 10 more yards.

but your wheelbarrow example made me briefly contemplate how much I could load into my own wheelbarrow then do the length of my driveway and back

for shits and giggles I pulled up google earth and measured, my normal farmers carry at home would be 83 meters from shed to garden so I suppose my training distance should be sets at probably that lol



Dude you are really looking like you're in the sweet spot right now

There are some people who fabricate heavy duty wheelbarrows designed to be loaded either with weight plates on pegs or deep to hold sandbags, chains & such. Seems like basically only a hardcore gym purchase thing, but they’re out there! Definitely a fun way to do conditioning.