Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

Hyde said:
Yessir - hoping to break my 275 total PR at a lighter class, God willing ☝️
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Go get ‘em big man…. I know you’re getting in the zone….with what you’ve been doing in training I think you’re gonna break that PR total. Man, you’ve been setting so many PRs this year, I figured your New Year’s resolution was PR, PR, PR, the year of PRs. Actually it is pretty amazing the PRs you’ve been putting up, because of how long you’ve trained….that new muscle is paying off.💪🏆
 
Thinking about you bro!

images (26).webp
 
Thanks everyone! Woke up at 244.4, so went to the commercial gym to hit the sauna. Did 3 rounds over a ~45 min window to knock me down to 242. Except I forgot to account for my soaking gym shorts, so I left home at 241.0! Weighed in 239 at 2pm.

I’ve drank 216oz at this point (13.5 pints), 9 grams of sodium, and calories are over 3k at this point at 9pm. Need to get cals over 4k and a few more pints in for sure, but it’s going well overall.

I’ll probably catch you all on the other side - should be a great day!
 
Hyde said:
Thanks everyone! Woke up at 244.4, so went to the commercial gym to hit the sauna. Did 3 rounds over a ~45 min window to knock me down to 242. Except I forgot to account for my soaking gym shorts, so I left home at 241.0! Weighed in 239 at 2pm.

I’ve drank 216oz at this point (13.5 pints), 9 grams of sodium, and calories are over 3k at this point at 9pm. Need to get cals over 4k and a few more pints in for sure, but it’s going well overall.

I’ll probably catch you all on the other side - should be a great day!
Click to expand...
Awesome! Kill it tomorrow!
 
Hyde said:
Thanks everyone! Woke up at 244.4, so went to the commercial gym to hit the sauna. Did 3 rounds over a ~45 min window to knock me down to 242. Except I forgot to account for my soaking gym shorts, so I left home at 241.0! Weighed in 239 at 2pm.

I’ve drank 216oz at this point (13.5 pints), 9 grams of sodium, and calories are over 3k at this point at 9pm. Need to get cals over 4k and a few more pints in for sure, but it’s going well overall.

I’ll probably catch you all on the other side - should be a great day!
Click to expand...
Good luck tmrw bro! I’ll pray it goes well
 
Hyde said:
Thanks everyone! Woke up at 244.4, so went to the commercial gym to hit the sauna. Did 3 rounds over a ~45 min window to knock me down to 242. Except I forgot to account for my soaking gym shorts, so I left home at 241.0! Weighed in 239 at 2pm.

I’ve drank 216oz at this point (13.5 pints), 9 grams of sodium, and calories are over 3k at this point at 9pm. Need to get cals over 4k and a few more pints in for sure, but it’s going well overall.

I’ll probably catch you all on the other side - should be a great day!
Click to expand...
Haha that's wildan, great work there. Your spirits seem high, can't wait to see the results!
 
3/1/26

MEET RESULTS
Squat 584/628/672 MISS
Bench 331/353/369
Deadlift 501/534/606
Total 1,603 @239.2lbs for a 432 DOTS score

Pulled my left quad as soon as I reversed out of the bottom with my 3rd squat: I felt the muscle belly tearing down the top of my thigh and immediately told them to take it. I was unbelievably strong after this peak. My last warmup of 540 felt like nothing, 584 was really still a warmup, & 628 was so fast people were surprised it wasn’t a first attempt. 628 was the first 600lb squat I’ve ever accomplished in a 242 class, and a 50lb weightclass PR at that (did 578 in August). 672 even felt light on the walkout & descent, and I’m totally confident I’d have made it if the quad didn’t strain, which was both disappointing & satisfying. The groove and descent were perfect.

Everything was still attached fine with just the tiniest little bruise, but this left my leg limping & painful to bend. With a lifetime PR total off the table, I decided to try to warm up on bench to see if I could chip my 242 PR. It hurt getting into position of course, but I could make it happen - I just had to avoid any real leg drive. As mentioned, I was peaked exceptionally, so I basically just drove it up with raw upper body strength. 369 is a number that has eluded me at this size for a long time, so I was really happy to make it official on the books.

I didn’t know what I could even do with deadlift, but I needed to pull something to finish the meet if I wanted my 242 PRs recorded (you must pull one successful attempt of something to register a total). It hurt to bend over at all, but I could reach the bar. Pulled 135 stifflegged alright, so as soon as Flight A left the warmup area to begin their attempts I grabbed a loaded bar & immediately stripped it to 2 reds (265). Pulled that, 375, and 485 belted back-to-back-to-back stiffleg before anyone could start warming up. I wasn’t sure how much more I could do like that, but I felt 501 was a sure safe thing. Went to the scoring table and lowered my opener from 573 to that, then just walked around for 25 minutes to stay loose. I wasn’t going to waste any more energy practicing what I knew how to do.

Took my token 501 easy, then jumped to 534 because it would chip my 242 total PR (previously 1,526). I told my wife & the barbell club owner that it wasn’t hurting during the pull as long as I kept my hips high & unwedged out of position, so if this went fine I was going to make a big jump. 534 stiffleg was even easier as my adrenaline rose to chip the PR, and then the competitor came out: I went to the score table & called a 72lb jump to 606. This would break 1600 at 242, which had been my initial goal for the meet. I took a good whiff of ammonia & a back slap, my chosen song for the final deadlift came blasting over the speakers, and I grit my teeth as I ripped 606 off the floor with the strength of my back to a smooth lockout. This wasn’t a PR pull, but I was extremely proud of it given the circumstances. There was a lot of cheering from the crowd afterwards who’d watched me get hurt earlier.

So I finished with a 50lb squat, 5lb bench, and 77lb total PR in the 242 class - plus the big jump on my last pull vaulted me up to 3rd place in my class! And as it turns out, this is the best total I’ve ever done based on coefficient (1,653 at 268 was only a 428 DOTS). Despite not displaying my full potential, I took lemons & made lemonade - it was a really great meet & had a lot of fun with friends. I expect a pretty fast recovery on the quad, 4-6 weeks I’m guessing since it’s a minor strain.
 
Hyde said:
and then the competitor came out
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I freaking love this dude! You kept everything lit and under control for training and even though I'm sorry to hear about the injury, the fact that you were able to keep yourselft together until the day of, and then STILL muster out 6 more great lifts is AWESOME!!

Really glad to hear it sounds minor, by your first description it, sounded way worse. Am I crazy or is that third squat attempt exactly ~7% jump like you've always told me to do?? at first I was like WTF, that looks like a BIG jump! but then I mathed it and realized you stayed under the max 7% you always told me to watch for on big 1RM efforts. solid show!!
 
Hyde said:
3/1/26

MEET RESULTS
Squat 584/628/672 MISS
Bench 331/353/369
Deadlift 501/534/606
Total 1,603 @239.2lbs for a 432 DOTS score

Pulled my left quad as soon as I reversed out of the bottom with my 3rd squat: I felt the muscle belly tearing down the top of my thigh and immediately told them to take it. I was unbelievably strong after this peak. My last warmup of 540 felt like nothing, 584 was really still a warmup, & 628 was so fast people were surprised it wasn’t a first attempt. 628 was the first 600lb squat I’ve ever accomplished in a 242 class, and a 50lb weightclass PR at that (did 578 in August). 672 even felt light on the walkout & descent, and I’m totally confident I’d have made it if the quad didn’t strain, which was both disappointing & satisfying. The groove and descent were perfect.

Everything was still attached fine with just the tiniest little bruise, but this left my leg limping & painful to bend. With a lifetime PR total off the table, I decided to try to warm up on bench to see if I could chip my 242 PR. It hurt getting into position of course, but I could make it happen - I just had to avoid any real leg drive. As mentioned, I was peaked exceptionally, so I basically just drove it up with raw upper body strength. 369 is a number that has eluded me at this size for a long time, so I was really happy to make it official on the books.

I didn’t know what I could even do with deadlift, but I needed to pull something to finish the meet if I wanted my 242 PRs recorded (you must pull one successful attempt of something to register a total). It hurt to bend over at all, but I could reach the bar. Pulled 135 stifflegged alright, so as soon as Flight A left the warmup area to begin their attempts I grabbed a loaded bar & immediately stripped it to 2 reds (265). Pulled that, 375, and 485 belted back-to-back-to-back stiffleg before anyone could start warming up. I wasn’t sure how much more I could do like that, but I felt 501 was a sure safe thing. Went to the scoring table and lowered my opener from 573 to that, then just walked around for 25 minutes to stay loose. I wasn’t going to waste any more energy practicing what I knew how to do.

Took my token 501 easy, then jumped to 534 because it would chip my 242 total PR (previously 1,526). I told my wife & the barbell club owner that it wasn’t hurting during the pull as long as I kept my hips high & unwedged out of position, so if this went fine I was going to make a big jump. 534 stiffleg was even easier as my adrenaline rose to chip the PR, and then the competitor came out: I went to the score table & called a 72lb jump to 606. This would break 1600 at 242, which had been my initial goal for the meet. I took a good whiff of ammonia & a back slap, my chosen song for the final deadlift came blasting over the speakers, and I grit my teeth as I ripped 606 off the floor with the strength of my back to a smooth lockout. This wasn’t a PR pull, but I was extremely proud of it given the circumstances. There was a lot of cheering from the crowd afterwards who’d watched me get hurt earlier.

So I finished with a 50lb squat, 5lb bench, and 77lb total PR in the 242 class - plus the big jump on my last pull vaulted me up to 3rd place in my class! And as it turns out, this is the best total I’ve ever done based on coefficient (1,653 at 268 was only a 428 DOTS). Despite not displaying my full potential, I took lemons & made lemonade - it was a really great meet & had a lot of fun with friends. I expect a pretty fast recovery on the quad, 4-6 weeks I’m guessing since it’s a minor strain.
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Congratulations on all the PRs, especially the PR total at that body weight. The Warrior came out in you after that injury. Those squats are super impressive, and so is the 606 pull after the tear( the warrior kicked in there). Hope that injury heals quickly, because I think this is going to be a great year for you.💪😎🏆
 
Sounds like overall had an amazing meet considering everything after squats. Got a few PRs in the process. Hopefully next meet goes better with no strains/ pulls happening. Congrats!!!!
 
Hyde said:
3/1/26

MEET RESULTS
Squat 584/628/672 MISS
Bench 331/353/369
Deadlift 501/534/606
Total 1,603 @239.2lbs for a 432 DOTS score

Pulled my left quad as soon as I reversed out of the bottom with my 3rd squat: I felt the muscle belly tearing down the top of my thigh and immediately told them to take it. I was unbelievably strong after this peak. My last warmup of 540 felt like nothing, 584 was really still a warmup, & 628 was so fast people were surprised it wasn’t a first attempt. 628 was the first 600lb squat I’ve ever accomplished in a 242 class, and a 50lb weightclass PR at that (did 578 in August). 672 even felt light on the walkout & descent, and I’m totally confident I’d have made it if the quad didn’t strain, which was both disappointing & satisfying. The groove and descent were perfect.

Everything was still attached fine with just the tiniest little bruise, but this left my leg limping & painful to bend. With a lifetime PR total off the table, I decided to try to warm up on bench to see if I could chip my 242 PR. It hurt getting into position of course, but I could make it happen - I just had to avoid any real leg drive. As mentioned, I was peaked exceptionally, so I basically just drove it up with raw upper body strength. 369 is a number that has eluded me at this size for a long time, so I was really happy to make it official on the books.

I didn’t know what I could even do with deadlift, but I needed to pull something to finish the meet if I wanted my 242 PRs recorded (you must pull one successful attempt of something to register a total). It hurt to bend over at all, but I could reach the bar. Pulled 135 stifflegged alright, so as soon as Flight A left the warmup area to begin their attempts I grabbed a loaded bar & immediately stripped it to 2 reds (265). Pulled that, 375, and 485 belted back-to-back-to-back stiffleg before anyone could start warming up. I wasn’t sure how much more I could do like that, but I felt 501 was a sure safe thing. Went to the scoring table and lowered my opener from 573 to that, then just walked around for 25 minutes to stay loose. I wasn’t going to waste any more energy practicing what I knew how to do.

Took my token 501 easy, then jumped to 534 because it would chip my 242 total PR (previously 1,526). I told my wife & the barbell club owner that it wasn’t hurting during the pull as long as I kept my hips high & unwedged out of position, so if this went fine I was going to make a big jump. 534 stiffleg was even easier as my adrenaline rose to chip the PR, and then the competitor came out: I went to the score table & called a 72lb jump to 606. This would break 1600 at 242, which had been my initial goal for the meet. I took a good whiff of ammonia & a back slap, my chosen song for the final deadlift came blasting over the speakers, and I grit my teeth as I ripped 606 off the floor with the strength of my back to a smooth lockout. This wasn’t a PR pull, but I was extremely proud of it given the circumstances. There was a lot of cheering from the crowd afterwards who’d watched me get hurt earlier.

So I finished with a 50lb squat, 5lb bench, and 77lb total PR in the 242 class - plus the big jump on my last pull vaulted me up to 3rd place in my class! And as it turns out, this is the best total I’ve ever done based on coefficient (1,653 at 268 was only a 428 DOTS). Despite not displaying my full potential, I took lemons & made lemonade - it was a really great meet & had a lot of fun with friends. I expect a pretty fast recovery on the quad, 4-6 weeks I’m guessing since it’s a minor strain.
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Congrats man!! Strong finish with the injury. Just goes to show how not only your strength training but your training in how to overcome and adapt and still pull 3rd and a lifetime PR at 242.

Awesome on so many levels!
 
Hyde said:
3/1/26

MEET RESULTS
Squat 584/628/672 MISS
Bench 331/353/369
Deadlift 501/534/606
Total 1,603 @239.2lbs for a 432 DOTS score

Pulled my left quad as soon as I reversed out of the bottom with my 3rd squat: I felt the muscle belly tearing down the top of my thigh and immediately told them to take it. I was unbelievably strong after this peak. My last warmup of 540 felt like nothing, 584 was really still a warmup, & 628 was so fast people were surprised it wasn’t a first attempt. 628 was the first 600lb squat I’ve ever accomplished in a 242 class, and a 50lb weightclass PR at that (did 578 in August). 672 even felt light on the walkout & descent, and I’m totally confident I’d have made it if the quad didn’t strain, which was both disappointing & satisfying. The groove and descent were perfect.

Everything was still attached fine with just the tiniest little bruise, but this left my leg limping & painful to bend. With a lifetime PR total off the table, I decided to try to warm up on bench to see if I could chip my 242 PR. It hurt getting into position of course, but I could make it happen - I just had to avoid any real leg drive. As mentioned, I was peaked exceptionally, so I basically just drove it up with raw upper body strength. 369 is a number that has eluded me at this size for a long time, so I was really happy to make it official on the books.

I didn’t know what I could even do with deadlift, but I needed to pull something to finish the meet if I wanted my 242 PRs recorded (you must pull one successful attempt of something to register a total). It hurt to bend over at all, but I could reach the bar. Pulled 135 stifflegged alright, so as soon as Flight A left the warmup area to begin their attempts I grabbed a loaded bar & immediately stripped it to 2 reds (265). Pulled that, 375, and 485 belted back-to-back-to-back stiffleg before anyone could start warming up. I wasn’t sure how much more I could do like that, but I felt 501 was a sure safe thing. Went to the scoring table and lowered my opener from 573 to that, then just walked around for 25 minutes to stay loose. I wasn’t going to waste any more energy practicing what I knew how to do.

Took my token 501 easy, then jumped to 534 because it would chip my 242 total PR (previously 1,526). I told my wife & the barbell club owner that it wasn’t hurting during the pull as long as I kept my hips high & unwedged out of position, so if this went fine I was going to make a big jump. 534 stiffleg was even easier as my adrenaline rose to chip the PR, and then the competitor came out: I went to the score table & called a 72lb jump to 606. This would break 1600 at 242, which had been my initial goal for the meet. I took a good whiff of ammonia & a back slap, my chosen song for the final deadlift came blasting over the speakers, and I grit my teeth as I ripped 606 off the floor with the strength of my back to a smooth lockout. This wasn’t a PR pull, but I was extremely proud of it given the circumstances. There was a lot of cheering from the crowd afterwards who’d watched me get hurt earlier.

So I finished with a 50lb squat, 5lb bench, and 77lb total PR in the 242 class - plus the big jump on my last pull vaulted me up to 3rd place in my class! And as it turns out, this is the best total I’ve ever done based on coefficient (1,653 at 268 was only a 428 DOTS). Despite not displaying my full potential, I took lemons & made lemonade - it was a really great meet & had a lot of fun with friends. I expect a pretty fast recovery on the quad, 4-6 weeks I’m guessing since it’s a minor strain.
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First off, congrats on beating your total in the 242 class. You’ve worked your ass off and peaked perfectly for this meet. Now to echo your exact words you gave me after I tore my quad at my first meet, sometimes injuries happen no matter how hard we prepare or how cautious we are. But you still battled through and finished! That’s f-ing heart right there! Now rehab that quad and get back to the drawing board for another meet!
 
Congratulations @Hyde! And the fortitude to be able to pull off the rest of the meet and with that total after an early injury speaks volumes to your competitive drive and knowing your body well.
 
Hyde said:
3/1/26

MEET RESULTS
Squat 584/628/672 MISS
Bench 331/353/369
Deadlift 501/534/606
Total 1,603 @239.2lbs for a 432 DOTS score

Pulled my left quad as soon as I reversed out of the bottom with my 3rd squat: I felt the muscle belly tearing down the top of my thigh and immediately told them to take it. I was unbelievably strong after this peak. My last warmup of 540 felt like nothing, 584 was really still a warmup, & 628 was so fast people were surprised it wasn’t a first attempt. 628 was the first 600lb squat I’ve ever accomplished in a 242 class, and a 50lb weightclass PR at that (did 578 in August). 672 even felt light on the walkout & descent, and I’m totally confident I’d have made it if the quad didn’t strain, which was both disappointing & satisfying. The groove and descent were perfect.

Everything was still attached fine with just the tiniest little bruise, but this left my leg limping & painful to bend. With a lifetime PR total off the table, I decided to try to warm up on bench to see if I could chip my 242 PR. It hurt getting into position of course, but I could make it happen - I just had to avoid any real leg drive. As mentioned, I was peaked exceptionally, so I basically just drove it up with raw upper body strength. 369 is a number that has eluded me at this size for a long time, so I was really happy to make it official on the books.

I didn’t know what I could even do with deadlift, but I needed to pull something to finish the meet if I wanted my 242 PRs recorded (you must pull one successful attempt of something to register a total). It hurt to bend over at all, but I could reach the bar. Pulled 135 stifflegged alright, so as soon as Flight A left the warmup area to begin their attempts I grabbed a loaded bar & immediately stripped it to 2 reds (265). Pulled that, 375, and 485 belted back-to-back-to-back stiffleg before anyone could start warming up. I wasn’t sure how much more I could do like that, but I felt 501 was a sure safe thing. Went to the scoring table and lowered my opener from 573 to that, then just walked around for 25 minutes to stay loose. I wasn’t going to waste any more energy practicing what I knew how to do.

Took my token 501 easy, then jumped to 534 because it would chip my 242 total PR (previously 1,526). I told my wife & the barbell club owner that it wasn’t hurting during the pull as long as I kept my hips high & unwedged out of position, so if this went fine I was going to make a big jump. 534 stiffleg was even easier as my adrenaline rose to chip the PR, and then the competitor came out: I went to the score table & called a 72lb jump to 606. This would break 1600 at 242, which had been my initial goal for the meet. I took a good whiff of ammonia & a back slap, my chosen song for the final deadlift came blasting over the speakers, and I grit my teeth as I ripped 606 off the floor with the strength of my back to a smooth lockout. This wasn’t a PR pull, but I was extremely proud of it given the circumstances. There was a lot of cheering from the crowd afterwards who’d watched me get hurt earlier.

So I finished with a 50lb squat, 5lb bench, and 77lb total PR in the 242 class - plus the big jump on my last pull vaulted me up to 3rd place in my class! And as it turns out, this is the best total I’ve ever done based on coefficient (1,653 at 268 was only a 428 DOTS). Despite not displaying my full potential, I took lemons & made lemonade - it was a really great meet & had a lot of fun with friends. I expect a pretty fast recovery on the quad, 4-6 weeks I’m guessing since it’s a minor strain.
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You are a true wild man!!! Pressing on after the initial injury takes guts and testicular fortitude!!!
Over 1600lbs combined at 242 is some
“MAN SH!T”
Beyond impressive Sir!!!
Way to work!!!
God speed w the recovery
 
That’s a serious total, and getting through the day while avoiding any major injury setbacks is a win a hundred percent of the time.
 
Thank you everyone, truly. While I totaled 100 less pounds than my peak goal, I’m really pleased with all of my preparations, effort, & even the outcome. If I hadn’t been hurt, I believe I would have taken the squat & bench I needed to break 1700. It’s impossible to say regarding deadlift for sure, but I was definitely the strongest powerlifter I’ve ever been last Sunday and was well-prepared to pull for victory.

Dustin07 said:
Really glad to hear it sounds minor, by your first description it, sounded way worse. Am I crazy or is that third squat attempt exactly ~7% jump like you've always told me to do?? at first I was like WTF, that looks like a BIG jump! but then I mathed it and realized you stayed under the max 7% you always told me to watch for on big 1RM efforts. solid show!!
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The sensation is a lot like ripping fabric, or someone violently undoing a zipper down your muscle belly. You know something bad is happening immediately!

Yep, 7% percent jumps to reach that 100% attempt (which is 4% higher than what I squat in testing).

gphagan1 said:
Hope that injury heals quickly, because I think this is going to be a great year for you.💪😎🏆
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I really think it will be too. It’s already off to a fantastic start honestly with this last month of peaking/testing.

Today is 2 days post, and I’ve gotten a lot of mobility back already. I can get my leg up to get my shoe on too. Pain is less than yesterday, and I can already stand without pain basically. It even hurts less to get up.
 
Congrats on a great meet. Sorry you got hurt, but it sounds like you are already on the mend. Happy you were able to get some very impressive PR's. You should be proud of yourself for sure!
 
gphagan1 said:
I’m telling you man, it wouldn’t take much for your abs to be popping.😎👍
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You know I’ve managed to build so much lower body strength a good 10lbs lighter than previously, I can’t help but think losing another 10lbs of fat over lots of time shouldn’t be much issue as far as hurting strength. Now that’s not going to get me lean, but it would be LEANER and easier to eat healthier for probably.

MrKleen73 said:
Congrats on a great meet. Sorry you got hurt, but it sounds like you are already on the mend. Happy you were able to get some very impressive PR's. You should be proud of yourself for sure!
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Thank you sir; I am truly - and that’s what it’s really about at the end of it all, being pleased with the work you’ve done.

Dustin07 said:
you should just cut all your shirts to look like that going forward.
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This made me bust out laughing. The super-crop!
 
You know I’ve managed to build so much lower body strength a good 10lbs lighter than previously, I can’t help but think losing another 10lbs of fat over lots of time shouldn’t be much issue as far as hurting strength. Now that’s not going to get me lean, but it would be LEANER and easier to eat healthier for probably.



Thank you sir; I am truly - and that’s what it’s really about at the end of it all, being pleased with the work you’ve done.


This made me bust out laughing. The super-crop!
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**** it, next comp at 220.
 
Jimbabwe said:
**** it, next comp at 220.
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Bro I did that in 2023; I was weak AF. Yes I will be stronger than ever at 220, but at some point you do have to remember this is about lifting your biggest weights! And me being 5’10”, there wasn’t a lot of meat on that bone 🍖

By powerlifting standards I mean. Not to say there aren’t VERY jacked 220s at 5’10” or so, just that I wasn’t lol
 
Hyde said:
Bro I did that in 2023; I was weak AF. Yes I will be stronger than ever at 220, but at some point you do have to remember this is about lifting your biggest weights! And me being 5’10”, there wasn’t a lot of meat on that bone

By powerlifting standards I mean. Not to say there aren’t VERY jacked 220s at 5’10” or so, just that I wasn’t lol
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Seems like you could drop ten pounds of fluff and walk around at a lean 235 and water cut into 220 and perform well.
 
But I’m also walking around sub-fifteen percent and was unhappy enough with that to do an aggressive mini-cut so I could try walking around at ten percent instead lol

So maybe my opinion not that valuable for powerlifting these days.
 
Jimbabwe said:
Seems like you could drop ten pounds of fluff and walk around at a lean 235 and water cut into 220 and perform well.
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Definitely could make it, you’re right. But then I’d be in the same watercutting boat as now but lifting less. By statistic, at my height 242 is the class I should be able to make the most competitive total. Like you can be 260lbs jacked to the gills and make a cut to 242, so there’s never a reason I couldn’t fit in it if I was bent on it.
 
3/4/26
BW 250.0

5 min Assault Bike
Mace Swings
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel

Low Incline DB Press
20,30,40x15
45 2x30

DB Rolling Tris
40 2x10

Cable Tri Extension
30 2x25 overhand
30 2x25 underhand

Band Pullaparts
3x35

BW Squats

DB Side Raises
20 2x15

First deload session back; feeling good. Just getting some blood into things to get back into the structure of training. Looking to get some deadlifts & back in tomorrow morning before we head to the Arnold in the evening while the wife is making weight.

Saw my ART guy and he doesn’t even believe anything is torn based on total lack of bruising or grittiness - he thinks it was a muscle contracture, basically a super cramp. Which is especially common between the IT band and quad where mine is, and in insufficiently hydrated tissue like I could have been. We don’t talk about my gear use, but this seems especially likely in the context of me thinking there was too much Anadrol on meet day, which can make things twitchy/crampy.

He said it’s literally the best possible scenario and how fast I’ve been improving it completely jives. He did a ton of work on my leg and it was insane all the stuff he was able to loosen up. Had me doing full depth bodyweight squats successfully before I left the office! It hurts, but I really think things will progress fast from here as my function is so restored. I carried laundry up and downstairs without any functional issue after. Says all the walking at the Arnold should be perfect for it and wants me doing lots of bodyweight squats. Said I could compete safely in 8 weeks probably if I needed to.
 
Hyde said:
Saw my ART guy and he doesn’t even believe anything is torn based on total lack of bruising or grittiness - he thinks it was a muscle contracture, basically a super cramp. Which is especially common between the IT band and quad where mine is, and in insufficiently hydrated tissue like I could have been. We don’t talk about my gear use, but this seems especially likely in the context of me thinking there was too much Anadrol on meet day, which can make things twitchy/crampy.

Says all the walking at the Arnold should be perfect for it and wants me doing lots of bodyweight squats. Said I could compete safely in 8 weeks probably if I needed to.
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Well, you had to cut water to drop for weigh ins too, right? How much did you have to drop and how aggressively before filling back out? Dehydration sounds very possible.

Going to the Arnold again? Super jealous! And did you say your wife is competing again?
 
Hyde said:
3/4/26
BW 250.0

5 min Assault Bike
Mace Swings
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel

Low Incline DB Press
20,30,40x15
45 2x30

DB Rolling Tris
40 2x10

Cable Tri Extension
30 2x25 overhand
30 2x25 underhand

Band Pullaparts
3x35

BW Squats

DB Side Raises
20 2x15

First deload session back; feeling good. Just getting some blood into things to get back into the structure of training. Looking to get some deadlifts & back in tomorrow morning before we head to the Arnold in the evening while the wife is making weight.

Saw my ART guy and he doesn’t even believe anything is torn based on total lack of bruising or grittiness - he thinks it was a muscle contracture, basically a super cramp. Which is especially common between the IT band and quad where mine is, and in insufficiently hydrated tissue like I could have been. We don’t talk about my gear use, but this seems especially likely in the context of me thinking there was too much Anadrol on meet day, which can make things twitchy/crampy.

He said it’s literally the best possible scenario and how fast I’ve been improving it completely jives. He did a ton of work on my leg and it was insane all the stuff he was able to loosen up. Had me doing full depth bodyweight squats successfully before I left the office! It hurts, but I really think things will progress fast from here as my function is so restored. I carried laundry up and downstairs without any functional issue after. Says all the walking at the Arnold should be perfect for it and wants me doing lots of bodyweight squats. Said I could compete safely in 8 weeks probably if I needed to.
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Man that is great news….a good ART guy is worth their weight in gold. Hope your wife has a good meet, and you guys have a blast at the Arnold.💪😎👍🏆
 
couldn't you just add like $10k/month in gear, raw liver, cut 10yrs off your lifespan, and go in at like 6% BF for the 220 class stronger?

for real though I used to be crazy impressed by how freaking lean Dan Greene and Klokov always looked in their prime when hitting big weights. fast forward 10 years later and I think about those videos and I'm probably more in awe now than I was back then. I don't even understand it.

Hyde said:
Bro I did that in 2023; I was weak AF. Yes I will be stronger than ever at 220, but at some point you do have to remember this is about lifting your biggest weights! And me being 5’10”, there wasn’t a lot of meat on that bone 🍖

By powerlifting standards I mean. Not to say there aren’t VERY jacked 220s at 5’10” or so, just that I wasn’t lol
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I totally forgot about that. I dont' remember the details but I think watching that cut is one of the things that spurred me to give the fasting a real try, didn't you end up dropping from like 235-242 down to around a low of 217 for that or something?
 
couldn't you just add like $10k/month in gear, raw liver, cut 10yrs off your lifespan, and go in at like 6% BF for the 220 class stronger?

for real though I used to be crazy impressed by how freaking lean Dan Greene and Klokov always looked in their prime when hitting big weights. fast forward 10 years later and I think about those videos and I'm probably more in awe now than I was back then. I don't even understand it.



I totally forgot about that. I dont' remember the details but I think watching that cut is one of the things that spurred me to give the fasting a real try, didn't you end up dropping from like 235-242 down to around a low of 217 for that or something?
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Living a long time is overrated.
 
Segansational said:
Well, you had to cut water to drop for weigh ins too, right? How much did you have to drop and how aggressively before filling back out? Dehydration sounds very possible.

Going to the Arnold again? Super jealous! And did you say your wife is competing again?
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Yeah to be clear the watercut/reload is as likely a culprit as a bit too much gameday gas - and realistically the 2 would likely be compounding variables.

The cut was particularly easy this time for 12lbs, and I also did get my weight back up awesome. I believe I was competing around 255-256, and like I said felt incredibly strong - which is usually the #1 indicator if you’re rehydrated well. Did you get your weight back AND how do you feel/perform?

There’s also the element of things just failing sometimes - it was a very heavy squat and that leg clearly had some serious adhesion going on between ITB & quad, so things tend to fail under the highest stress.

Yessir, heading out tonight so she can weighin tomorrow at 9am ET. She is competing Sat & Sun and training has been going pretty well! Hoping for a great fun weekend.

gphagan1 said:
Man that is great news….a good ART guy is worth their weight in gold. Hope your wife has a good meet, and you guys have a blast at the Arnold.💪😎👍🏆
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He really is a wizard! Thank you sir.

Dustin07 said:
couldn't you just add like $10k/month in gear, raw liver, cut 10yrs off your lifespan, and go in at like 6% BF for the 220 class stronger?

for real though I used to be crazy impressed by how freaking lean Dan Greene and Klokov always looked in their prime when hitting big weights. fast forward 10 years later and I think about those videos and I'm probably more in awe now than I was back then. I don't even understand it.



I totally forgot about that. I dont' remember the details but I think watching that cut is one of the things that spurred me to give the fasting a real try, didn't you end up dropping from like 235-242 down to around a low of 217 for that or something?
Click to expand...

When Dan broke the 220 record, in addition to being so lean, he was still cutting like 25lbs. And he’s only around 5’8”. When I met him last Arnold he is just impossibly thick & jacked (and a great guy).

I got down to 223-224 before weighing in close to that I believe.

Also, I swear everyone who doesn’t take gear thinks it’s so expensive. It’s like $45 for a vial of test, deca, tren or eq. If you have a terrible source you might pay double that tops. If you get mast or primo it’s more like 70 or 120/bottle respectively. Orals are often $1/tab. My DHB is $55. So a guy could get 250 or 300mg/ml testosterone and take a bottle a week (2500-3000mg) for $45/wk. Which is less than one dinner with your woman, or a trip to the movies with popcorn & soda. The only thing that costs some real money is if you want to take bodybuilder doses of HGH. A 10iu generic UGL vial is often $20. So $20-60/day. And Serostim pharm pins will set you back a lot. But GH does nothing for strength, and 2iu daily is plenty for joint & recovery support. So $20 per week.
 
3/5/26
BW 250.0

Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
DB Kickstand DL
BW Boxsauts
Hang from pullup bar

Deadlift, powerbar
135x8 RDL
225 3x5 DOH

RDL
275 2x8 DOH

Plate-loaded Lying Leg Curl
45x12
90x12,10

Lat Pulldown
80,120x12
160 2x12

GHD Sit-ups
BW 2x15

Easy deadlift post-meet recovery session; kinda cool to be back on the powerbar. Felt pretty hard to 225 today, but I swear the powerbar makes your base stronger - definitely builds more grip, plus it’s a longer pull than the deadlift bar, so it feels easy when you switch close to a meet.

Anyway, off work today so got to train with a buddy in his garage gym I’ve never seen. Very slick setup; the REP selectorized cable pulldown is smoother than any commercial piece.

Time to pack for the Arnold! Should be a great show 😄
 
Dustin07 said:
Have fun at the show ! yeah that power bar would be a sick training tool.


I never met him, but always got that vibe from his videos



Tough call!
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Well not saying you shouldn’t have dinner with your woman, moreso that if you can’t afford $45 you have no business using steroids. You need to seek a better source of income!
 
Hyde said:
Yeah to be clear the watercut/reload is as likely a culprit as a bit too much gameday gas - and realistically the 2 would likely be compounding variables.

The cut was particularly easy this time for 12lbs, and I also did get my weight back up awesome. I believe I was competing around 255-256, and like I said felt incredibly strong - which is usually the #1 indicator if you’re rehydrated well. Did you get your weight back AND how do you feel/perform?

There’s also the element of things just failing sometimes - it was a very heavy squat and that leg clearly had some serious adhesion going on between ITB & quad, so things tend to fail under the highest stress.

Yessir, heading out tonight so she can weighin tomorrow at 9am ET. She is competing Sat & Sun and training has been going pretty well! Hoping for a great fun weekend.



He really is a wizard! Thank you sir.



When Dan broke the 220 record, in addition to being so lean, he was still cutting like 25lbs. And he’s only around 5’8”. When I met him last Arnold he is just impossibly thick & jacked (and a great guy).

I got down to 223-224 before weighing in close to that I believe.

Also, I swear everyone who doesn’t take gear thinks it’s so expensive. It’s like $45 for a vial of test, deca, tren or eq. If you have a terrible source you might pay double that tops. If you get mast or primo it’s more like 70 or 120/bottle respectively. Orals are often $1/tab. My DHB is $55. So a guy could get 250 or 300mg/ml testosterone and take a bottle a week (2500-3000mg) for $45/wk. Which is less than one dinner with your woman, or a trip to the movies with popcorn & soda. The only thing that costs some real money is if you want to take bodybuilder doses of HGH. A 10iu generic UGL vial is often $20. So $20-60/day. And Serostim pharm pins will set you back a lot. But GH does nothing for strength, and 2iu daily is plenty for joint & recovery support. So $20 per week.
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I need your plug
Lol
DHB from what I’m reading/watching is very potent/anabolic per mg and way more cost effective than Mast if your liver can handle it.
 
PolishHamm3r77 said:
I need your plug
Lol
DHB from what I’m reading/watching is very potent/anabolic per mg and way more cost effective than Mast if your liver can handle it.
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I saw zero liver value adulteration on bloods drawn the deload week of contest on 200mg DHB/wk for 10 weeks before the last meet I did in August. My HsCRP was also nil. I did see Cystatin C worsen, which is disconcerting, but it often can some for me on blast.

DHB doesn’t hurt the liver or cause inflammation. Shitty brewers using too much or aggressive solvents is the culprit. I’m not sure on kidneys yet; I’ll test more the next time I use it.

That being said, it’s not really like Mast, and you probably shouldn’t exceed 200mg if you don’t want to start experiencing neurological sides. It has a way of overclocking your brain & nervous system that is very valuable for faster thinking and strength. Hence the use in Chess, gaming, power sports . But at some point it gets you feeling locked in overdrive, like a bomb ready to explode, or like your brain is spun a bit too fast. It’s just a pure dry anabolic that makes you stronger, smarter and more insulin sensitive. It’s entirely estrogen neutral. I really like it, but I was still using a bit of Mast last blast to synergize with my testosterone dose as well.

TLDR - You probably should use it, BUT it’s not a Mast replacement lol. And you can get a lot out of 100mg.
 
Wife is in the middle of her second and what should be final hot epsom salt bath. She was within a couple pounds when we started 40 minutes ago. So I’m just hanging out in a hotel bathroom watching her sweat lol.

She will weigh in about 4 hours, so we have enough time without her having to suffer much longer. She got a few hours of sleep on the late drive into Columbus which helped a lot.
 
Hyde said:
Wife is in the middle of her second and what should be final hot epsom salt bath. She was within a couple pounds when we started 40 minutes ago. So I’m just hanging out in a hotel bathroom watching her sweat lol.

She will weigh in about 4 hours, so we have enough time without her having to suffer much longer. She got a few hours of sleep on the late drive into Columbus which helped a lot.
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Good luck to your wife!
 
Weighins went great; 63.9kg. She’s had over a gallon and lots of ideal nutrition and looking filled out well. Onto dinner now before rules!
 
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