Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

[Hyde]

I've been meaning to ask you about this as I'd love advice. Ideally, do you feel there is a substantial difference between grip on flat vs grip on incline? After really working it hard the past 12-18 months I feel like my default grip on incline is now about the same as my flat. (ring on ring, or even ringfinger 1 finger width wider than ring on ring). but I often times go back and forth. When I hit my 185lb x 10 reps PR last week I believe I may have switched to suicide grip and gone narrower. As much as I hate suicide grip, mentally I sometimes change the grip for the set I have next based upon whatever placebo effect I think its giving me so I am really a.d.d. on this.

it took me many years of work to get my shoulders and bicep to be truly happy with incline so it seems like I have good mobility finally at the age of 43 and I just haven't figured out what I want from the lift yet lol

My non-expert opinion is, using the same grip on incline tends to put more stress on the pecs than many would prefer. And a slightly closer grip increases ROM, and also builds up the arms better even with less load used.

I am not going down to my chest because of the Shouldersaver pad, so the extra stretch is a non-issue for me, but plenty of guys have torn pecs going too wide AND heavy on incline while gassed up on a blast.

You say the mobility now feels there for you, and you aren’t getting too strong too fast, so lifting heavy shouldn’t be risky for you. So I would say go for it, in your case.

 

[Dustin07]

You say the mobility now feels there for you, and you aren’t getting too strong too fast, so lifting heavy shouldn’t be risky for you. So I would say go for it, in your case.

Thats what I was thinking when you mentioned guys on a blast. My strength gains are going to be far more moderate, and things should be able to catch up. I do think the extra pec engagement I'm getting is phenomenal though. If I can keep trimming the fat on the gut and hold on to most of the pectorial mass I've gained from incline work, these mamba jambas gonna look like balloons on my frame

 

[Hyde]

3/15/26
BW 241.0 yesterday

6 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RDLs
Hang from Pullup bar

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
155x6
225x5
315,385x3
+belt
435x3
475 2x2, 1x8

Devotions, deadlift belt
315x3
+straps
335 2x5

Tempo Paused Legpress
180x10
360,450x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
108,138,158x3
178x8

Pulldown Warmups

V-grip Chin-ups
2x11

First real pull day back at it (been 2 weeks since the meet). Set my deadlift up at 80% of 600 rounded down, since 635 was taken on a deadlift bar. 475 felt great today - left a couple in the tank on the rep set for sure. The Devotions absolutely took my lunch money; I probably took 8-10 minutes to recover after those 5’s as they’re basically 10 slower reps. No quad pain at all today.

“I'ma move mountains and touch the sun
Don't get scared now, you knew this day would come
So hold your bids, all bets are closed
And **** all you hoes!”
-Devil Without A Cause, Kid Rock

 

[akboom87]

3/15/26
BW 241.0 yesterday

6 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RDLs
Hang from Pullup bar

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
155x6
225x5
315,385x3
+belt
435x3
475 2x2, 1x8

Devotions, deadlift belt
315x3
+straps
335 2x5

Tempo Paused Legpress
180x10
360,450x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
108,138,158x3
178x8

Pulldown Warmups

V-grip Chin-ups
2x11

First real pull day back at it (been 2 weeks since the meet). Set my deadlift up at 80% of 600 rounded down, since 635 was taken on a deadlift bar. 475 felt great today - left a couple in the tank on the rep set for sure. The Devotions absolutely took my lunch money; I probably took 8-10 minutes to recover after those 5’s as they’re basically 10 slower reps. No quad pain at all today.

“I'ma move mountains and touch the sun
Don't get scared now, you knew this day would come
So hold your bids, all bets are closed
And **** all you hoes!”
-Devil Without A Cause, Kid Rock

'Cause it's been a long time comin'

Great song and a great session!

 

[gphagan1]

3/15/26
BW 241.0 yesterday

6 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RDLs
Hang from Pullup bar

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
155x6
225x5
315,385x3
+belt
435x3
475 2x2, 1x8

Devotions, deadlift belt
315x3
+straps
335 2x5

Tempo Paused Legpress
180x10
360,450x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
108,138,158x3
178x8

Pulldown Warmups

V-grip Chin-ups
2x11

First real pull day back at it (been 2 weeks since the meet). Set my deadlift up at 80% of 600 rounded down, since 635 was taken on a deadlift bar. 475 felt great today - left a couple in the tank on the rep set for sure. The Devotions absolutely took my lunch money; I probably took 8-10 minutes to recover after those 5’s as they’re basically 10 slower reps. No quad pain at all today.

“I'ma move mountains and touch the sun
Don't get scared now, you knew this day would come
So hold your bids, all bets are closed
And **** all you hoes!”
-Devil Without A Cause, Kid Rock

Glad you were able to have a good workout with some heavy weight and no quad pain. That’s great news.

 

[Hyde]

'Cause it's been a long time comin'

Great song and a great session!

I was planning to do one more double before the AMRAP. The current song was ending; I told myself as soon as next song starts I’m pulling. Then THAT banger intro comes on, so I felt overwhelmingly God was telling me to strike while the iron was hot!

Compared to pulling a double, resting several more minutes, then trying to get worked up appropriately for the big set, it just made sense to ride the wave when it arrived

Glad you were able to have a good workout with some heavy weight and no quad pain. That’s great news.

I’m really grateful my back health & strength have been restored. I don’t fear using it powerfully these days; it’s made deadlifting a lot of fun again.

 

[sammpedd88]

I was planning to do one more double before the AMRAP. The current song was ending; I told myself as soon as next song starts I’m pulling. Then THAT banger intro comes on, so I felt overwhelmingly God was telling me to strike while the iron was hot!

Compared to pulling a double, resting several more minutes, then trying to get worked up appropriately for the big set, it just made sense to ride the wave when it arrived


I’m really grateful my back health & strength have been restored. I don’t fear using it powerfully these days; it’s made deadlifting a lot of fun again.

Good work for a first real session post meet! Glad everything is still feeling good. So how did the shoes feel on deadlifts?

 

[Hyde]

Good work for a first real session post meet! Glad everything is still feeling good. So how did the shoes feel on deadlifts?

Very good. Took a quick look at the inserts and immediately took them out prior; you definitely don’t want that much extra squishy padding to pull through. But they felt great without for all the pulls & Legpress. I will play more with squats Wednesday but expect I’ll pull the inserts out for that too.

 

[sammpedd88]

Very good. Took a quick look at the inserts and immediately took them out prior; you definitely don’t want that much extra squishy padding to pull through. But they felt great without for all the pulls & Legpress. I will play more with squats Wednesday but expect I’ll pull the inserts out for that too.

Yeah I cringe when I see people squat and pull in running shoes. I’ve told a few kids that don’t know any better to either do it barefooted or get some wrestling shoes, vans or Chucks. I’m still debating on your shoes or the Avancus high tops.

 

[Hyde]

Yeah I cringe when I see people squat and pull in running shoes. I’ve told a few kids that don’t know any better to either do it barefooted or get some wrestling shoes, vans or Chucks. I’m still debating on your shoes or the Avancus high tops.

They both don’t offer half sizes for 10, 11, and 12, which is weird. Both have an insole (I assume you can remove Avancus). F8 offers red and red/black like I got, but you will pay $40 more for F8. If you just want black and like how the Avancus look, I expect that’s probably a safe play. I am happy so far with the F8s!

 

[sammpedd88]

They both don’t offer half sizes for 10, 11, and 12, which is weird. Both have an insole (I assume you can remove Avancus). F8 offers red and red/black like I got, but you will pay $40 more for F8. If you just want black and like how the Avancus look, I expect that’s probably a safe play. I am happy so far with the F8s!

My wife ordered a pair of the Avancus low tops. I can’t wait to see how they look and feel, even though I can’t wear them. Being that you and I weigh the same, I’m leaning toward the F8’s. And I’m not worried about leaving the insert out. I’ll only be wearing them to work out in so they won’t see a parking lot.

 

[MrKleen73]

Those are some good looking lifting shoes.

 

[sammpedd88]

Those are some good looking lifting shoes.

Yes they both are but the F8’s I think look better

 

[Hyde]

Those are some good looking lifting shoes.

Yes they both are but the F8’s I think look better

I really do like the look of these F8’s; aesthetics aren’t my top priority, but they sure are handsome!

 

[Hyde]

3/17/26
BW 242.6 yesterday

Reverse Arm Circles
Band Warmup
2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs

Bench, powerbar
45x10,6
135,185,225,275x3
300 4x2, 1x7

CG Shouldersaver
210,215x15

DB Side Raises
30,35x10

DB Rear Delt Flyes
35,40x12

Great 2nd week back to bench training. No longer fresh off a deload like we were last week (& I’m quite sore from deadlift day 48 hours ago), but estimated max strength is still holding strong around that 365 mark. Bumped everything up 5lbs from last week (10 on closegrip work).

Looking forward to squat tomorrow night.

 

[sammpedd88]

I really do like the look of these F8’s; aesthetics aren’t my top priority, but they sure are handsome!

Oh totally agree! I’d wear some ugly ass shoes if they perform well.

 

[MrKleen73]

Yeah, I wouldn't call the Bearfoots an attractive shoe, but they do the trick.

 

[Dustin07]

Yeah, I wouldn't call the Bearfoots an attractive shoe, but they do the trick.

I might start training my feet and achiles to tolerate the vibrams again, I do like them. As much as I hate squatting/deadlifting barefoot or in socks (aside from the point that its a little gross) I'd consider these my compromise, lol.

 

[Hyde]

3/18/26
BW 243.0

7 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Bumper Suitcase Carries
BW Squats

Hi Bar Squat, weightlifting bar
45x12
135,205,255,275,285x8

Hi Bar 16” Boxsquat
255,275x12

DB Walking Lunges
BW,10,20x8

Hoist Leg Extension
65,145x15

Standing Calf Machine
120 2x10 w/ stretch

BB Rows
45x10
135x6
205,225x8

Seated Wide NG Cable Row
99,143x5
165,187,209x8

BB Shrugs
45,225x5
295x3
+straps & deadlift belt
345,365x20

Last night I was able to load squats through full ROM with no pain, 2.5 weeks post strain (which was awesome!). Kept weights modest to play it safe & make sure there were no delayed repercussions. Happy to report no pain or issues this morning. Used a smooth bar at the commercial gym to ensure I had to keep it high, no belt, threw some pauses in there to try to work positioning - just tried to get the most from the least.

Feels like I’m really getting back in the groove with training & everything post meet. Been doing 40mg test cyp eod (140/wk) for nearly 2 weeks. Sleep is good, feels like I have bodyweight and food intake fairly stabilized, gut & digestion is healthy again (orals at the end of prep always mess it up).

 

[sammpedd88]

3/18/26
BW 243.0

7 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Bumper Suitcase Carries
BW Squats

Hi Bar Squat, weightlifting bar
45x12
135,205,255,275,285x8

Hi Bar 16” Boxsquat
255,275x12

DB Walking Lunges
BW,10,20x8

Hoist Leg Extension
65,145x15

Standing Calf Machine
120 2x10 w/ stretch

BB Rows
45x10
135x6
205,225x8

Seated Wide NG Cable Row
99,143x5
165,187,209x8

BB Shrugs
45,225x5
295x3
+straps & deadlift belt
345,365x20

Last night I was able to load squats through full ROM with no pain, 2.5 weeks post strain (which was awesome!). Kept weights modest to play it safe & make sure there were no delayed repercussions. Happy to report no pain or issues this morning. Used a smooth bar at the commercial gym to ensure I had to keep it high, no belt, threw some pauses in there to try to work positioning - just tried to get the most from the least.

Feels like I’m really getting back in the groove with training & everything post meet. Been doing 40mg test cyp eod (140/wk) for nearly 2 weeks. Sleep is good, feels like I have bodyweight and food intake fairly stabilized, gut & digestion is healthy again (orals at the end of prep always mess it up).

I’m glad the quad is still coming along. Are you using BPC and/or TB?

 

[Hyde]

I’m glad the quad is still coming along. Are you using BPC and/or TB?

All the bruising is gone now too.

TB500 is what you want for muscle tears. Been doing 2.5mg locally every 4-6 days, and I had some built up in me already at the meet from using GLOW often the last few weeks of prep.

Btw, used the F8 shoes. They felt too snug when I first put them on, then remembered to take the insoles out. I’d say they fit true to size and 11 was the right call for squatting. No issues & quite comfy, so I would say this shoe does really do all 3 lifts well. The platform is a slick sealed wood at the commercial gym, and I found the shoes to have totally adequate but not amazing stick. Benching on rubber, 2 weeks ago it was ultra humid after the Arnold so the floors were wet and gross, so we put carpet down to bench. Last week was normal weather and had good grip on plain dry rubber benching. Also had no slipping on incline bench while driving my feet hard into the rubber flooring.

 

[sammpedd88]

All the bruising is gone now too.

TB500 is what you want for muscle tears. Been doing 2.5mg locally every 4-6 days, and I had some built up in me already at the meet from using GLOW often the last few weeks of prep.

Btw, used the F8 shoes. They felt too snug when I first put them on, then remembered to take the insoles out. I’d say they fit true to size and 11 was the right call for squatting. No issues & quite comfy, so I would say this shoe does really do all 3 lifts well. The platform is a slick sealed wood at the commercial gym, and I found the shoes to have totally adequate but not amazing stick. Benching on rubber, 2 weeks ago it was ultra humid after the Arnold so the floors were wet and gross, so we put carpet down to bench. Last week was normal weather and had good grip on plain dry rubber benching. Also had no slipping on incline bench while driving my feet hard into the rubber flooring.

That’s good to know on the shoes. I think I’m going to go ahead and pull the trigger on them. I appreciate your updates on them!

 

[gphagan1]

3/18/26
BW 243.0

7 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Bumper Suitcase Carries
BW Squats

Hi Bar Squat, weightlifting bar
45x12
135,205,255,275,285x8

Hi Bar 16” Boxsquat
255,275x12

DB Walking Lunges
BW,10,20x8

Hoist Leg Extension
65,145x15

Standing Calf Machine
120 2x10 w/ stretch

BB Rows
45x10
135x6
205,225x8

Seated Wide NG Cable Row
99,143x5
165,187,209x8

BB Shrugs
45,225x5
295x3
+straps & deadlift belt
345,365x20

Last night I was able to load squats through full ROM with no pain, 2.5 weeks post strain (which was awesome!). Kept weights modest to play it safe & make sure there were no delayed repercussions. Happy to report no pain or issues this morning. Used a smooth bar at the commercial gym to ensure I had to keep it high, no belt, threw some pauses in there to try to work positioning - just tried to get the most from the least.

Feels like I’m really getting back in the groove with training & everything post meet. Been doing 40mg test cyp eod (140/wk) for nearly 2 weeks. Sleep is good, feels like I have bodyweight and food intake fairly stabilized, gut & digestion is healthy again (orals at the end of prep always mess it up).

That’s great news on the quad injury…..now you can get back to your year of PRs.

 

[Jimbabwe]

Had great results with TB and BPC when I strained my hammy last year. Couldn’t recommend it enough for any soft-tissue injury.

 

[Hyde]

Also, son got his cast cut off yesterday at 5.5 weeks after breaking his forearm. Xray still look good and he has a forearm brace that gave him his elbow and fingers back he’s to wear for the next 3-4 weeks while being active/playing. Probably just wear it for the whole school day and gymnastics, playground etc.

He was able to bend his elbow to 100% extension and flexion right away (obviously a little sore), so that was a big relief for me. Everything looking pretty good!

 

[Dustin07]

thats great news!

 

[sammpedd88]

Had great results with TB and BPC when I strained my hammy last year. Couldn’t recommend it enough for any soft-tissue injury.

Yeah I can’t sing enough praises on TB and BPC. I tore my quad last May on my opening squat in my first meet. Used the combo for 30 days. That and some PT got me back in the game in no time.

 

[gphagan1]

Also, son got his cast cut off yesterday at 5.5 weeks after breaking his forearm. Xray still look good and he has a forearm brace that gave him his elbow and fingers back he’s to wear for the next 3-4 weeks while being active/playing. Probably just wear it for the whole school day and gymnastics, playground etc.

He was able to bend his elbow to 100% extension and flexion right away (obviously a little sore), so that was a big relief for me. Everything looking pretty good!

That is awesome, and I know it was a relief for you and your wife. I bet the little guy feels so much better having his arm free again….I’m sure he’s ready to go.

 

[Hyde]

3/20/26
BW 241.2 yesterday

5 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Mace Swings

Low Incline Shouldersaver Bench
45x10,3
95,145,185x3
205x10,12

EZBar Rolling Skulls
65x8
115 2x15

Incline DB Press
75x25

Bar Cable Tri Pressdown
40,80x3
120 2x10

Band Pullaparts
Mini 3x35

I am weighing the same as last week and did more work all around, so this was good progress in my book. Incline doesn’t feel great, but it’s not worsening the elbow, so I think I can keep driving it for the time being. Not a bad morning in the gym

 

[Hyde]

3/22/26
BW 242.0 yesterday

7 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RDLs
Hang from Pullup bar

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
135x8 RDL
275,365x3
+belt
415,455x3
480,505x2
480x5

Devotions, deadlift belt
+straps
345x5,6

Tempo Paused Legpress
270,450,540x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
68,108,158x3
178x11

Definitely could feel the difference today carrying training fatigue, as opposed to last week coming off deload, but that’s expected getting back to things, starting to squat again, being on an 7-day micro, etc. Did some good training this session.

 

[sammpedd88]

3/22/26
BW 242.0 yesterday

7 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RDLs
Hang from Pullup bar

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
135x8 RDL
275,365x3
+belt
415,455x3
480,505x2
480x5

Devotions, deadlift belt
+straps
345x5,6

Tempo Paused Legpress
270,450,540x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
68,108,158x3
178x11

Definitely could feel the difference today carrying training fatigue, as opposed to last week coming off deload, but that’s expected getting back to things, starting to squat again, being on an 7-day micro, etc. Did some good training this session.

Great work. Glad your quad is still coming along. Are you box squatting with light weight or just staying at a certain depth?

 

[Hyde]

Great work. Glad your quad is still coming along. Are you box squatting with light weight or just staying at a certain depth?

The 3x8 squats I did Wednesday were full depth. Then I did 2x12 to a 16” box, which is a primary accessory I would often do at this point coming off a meet anyway. With the hi bar or SSB, if you just squat straight down like a regular squat (not back like a Boxsquat), you get a lot of good quad work.

Not unlike me doing Closegrip Shouldersaver/2-Boardpress after comp bench work for tris.

 

[sammpedd88]

The 3x8 squats I did Wednesday were full depth. Then I did 2x12 to a 16” box, which is a primary accessory I would often do at this point coming off a meet anyway. With the hi bar or SSB, if you just squat straight down like a regular squat (not back like a Boxsquat), you get a lot of good quad work.

Not unlike me doing Closegrip Shouldersaver/2-Boardpress after comp bench work for tris.

Gotcha. When I tore mine I lived on the box for a while to not only build my quad back up but to get my confidence back. It was a mental block for me to get past.

 

[gphagan1]

3/22/26
BW 242.0 yesterday

7 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RDLs
Hang from Pullup bar

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
135x8 RDL
275,365x3
+belt
415,455x3
480,505x2
480x5

Devotions, deadlift belt
+straps
345x5,6

Tempo Paused Legpress
270,450,540x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
68,108,158x3
178x11

Definitely could feel the difference today carrying training fatigue, as opposed to last week coming off deload, but that’s expected getting back to things, starting to squat again, being on an 7-day micro, etc. Did some good training this session.

Great session….good to see the quad seems to be coming back strong.

 

[Segansational]

Also, son got his cast cut off yesterday at 5.5 weeks after breaking his forearm. Xray still look good and he has a forearm brace that gave him his elbow and fingers back he’s to wear for the next 3-4 weeks while being active/playing. Probably just wear it for the whole school day and gymnastics, playground etc.

He was able to bend his elbow to 100% extension and flexion right away (obviously a little sore), so that was a big relief for me. Everything looking pretty good!

Glad to hear this! Now it'll just be about ensuring he doesn't go too hard too fast. As a kid that'll be hard, but great that things healed up quickly!

 

[Hyde]

Gotcha. When I tore mine I lived on the box for a while to not only build my quad back up but to get my confidence back. It was a mental block for me to get past.

So with rehab you want to first focus on regaining complete range of motion as you can before loading that, and then you can also load partial ROM if it doesn’t hurt that bit if it’s going to be a while for pain-free full ROM. So high boxsquats where there is no pain at all. But you generally want to increase loaded ROM distance over adding any load to partial ROM, so bringing that box down over the weeks. This is what I did with my injured facet joint in my spine, working from an elevated Trapbar as my back tolerance improved with rehab.

In my case, I was able to load full ROM pain-free at 2.5 weeks this Wednesday. So I’ll be going up to 3-400lbs this week at 3.5 weeks.

 

[MrKleen73]

Glad to hear everything is going well for you right now, and also awesome the lil man got his cast off. I bet he is super happy!

 

[Hyde]

Glad to hear everything is going well for you right now, and also awesome the lil man got his cast off. I bet he is super happy!

I think we’re going to let him try gymnastics tomorrow night with his brace on. He won’t be able to do anything that requires pressing or driving with a flat hand, maybe not even hanging, but if nothing else the coach can get him on some jumping jacks and such to restore some GPP. He is happy!

 

[Hyde]

3/24/26
BW 241.2 yesterday

3 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Band Warmup
BW Squats
Push-ups

Bench, powerbar
45x5,3
135x5
225,275x3
305 4x2, 1x6

CG Shouldersaver
215,220x15

DB Side Raises
30,35x10

DB Rear Delt Flyes
35,40x12

Bit disappointed I didn’t get 7 reps on my AMRAP today; each week I’ve lost a rep as it’s gone up 5lbs. But at least the doubles all feel strong & easy enough, so if I’m getting weaker it’s not falling off too badly yet. It’s only week 3, so I’m hoping I can dig in and keep most of my base during my cruise so I can make good progress eventually. Added 5lbs to my closegrip reps.

 

[Hyde]

3/25/26
BW 241.2

2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
RFE Splitsquat
KB Suitcase Carries

Squat, Hansu Powerbar
44x8
154x5
+old style sleeves
220,264,330x3
+belt
374,418x3
463x1
385 2x5

16” Boxsquat, SSB
65,155,245x3
+belt
280x12

Plate-loaded Leg Extension
90x15+9+6 rest pause

No quad pain or issues tonight working up to nearly 75% of peak max from last cycle at 3.5 weeks post strain, so it’s safe to say my quad is good to go! Unfortunately, coming off a peak & after getting dinged up I have yet to rebuild enough work capacity, plus I woke up with a sore throat from drainage yesterday morning before bench that has progressed to my nose tonight. So I wanted to get a couple more sets & accessories done, but this is what it was. It’s a start!

 

[gphagan1]

Nice…..418 x 3 and a 463 squat, yep I would say your quad is good.

 

[Dustin07]

No quad pain or issues tonight working up to nearly 75% of peak max from last cycle at 3.5 weeks post strain, so it’s safe to say my quad is good to go! Unfortunately, coming off a peak & after getting dinged up I have yet to rebuild enough work capacity, plus I woke up with a sore throat from drainage yesterday morning before bench that has progressed to my nose tonight. So I wanted to get a couple more sets & accessories done, but this is what it was. It’s a start!

solid!!

How's your weather pattern over there ? we dipped back into freezing temps and suddenly people have some crud floating around again. Seems like warmer weather is just around the corner though. we are at or around freezing temps for about another week, but I'd bet money we start to see that edge up fairly agressively soon.

 

[Hyde]

Nice…..418 x 3 and a 463 squat, yep I would say your quad is good.

Yeah I was so disappointed in my exhaustion last night it was hard to appreciate how great it is that my muscles are working correctly! But that’s really huge, so I am grateful for the potential to train.

I wasn’t huffing and puffing or chest pounding, and my blood sugar felt good (and nutrition prior & intra support that notion) - I was just out of gas. But later I realized I didn’t take enough caffeine for more squats (only been doing 100mg Wednesday nights recently), I am detrained somewhat, and this morning I am blowing out yellow snot. Need to curb my expectations!

solid!!

How's your weather pattern over there ? we dipped back into freezing temps and suddenly people have some crud floating around again. Seems like warmer weather is just around the corner though. we are at or around freezing temps for about another week, but I'd bet money we start to see that edge up fairly agressively soon.

Been warming up a lot, 30s at night and low 50s in the day, not even frosting overnight. Today is supposed to be windy & 85! Which is freak, 33* above average it says, then back to 50 next two days. Then we see 80 next Tuesday; it’s a bit of a rollercoaster (but IL always is).

Spring is sprung!

 

[MrKleen73]

Such chaotic weather recently for the whole nation. It is pretty wild the temperature swings we are seeing.

 

[Dustin07]

30 to 80 is so bipolar lol.
Thats why my wife and I struggle with the gardening every year. by march we have false spring and then all the sudden it snows after you start gardening lol

 

[Hyde]

3/26/26
BW 241.4

6 min Incline Walk

BB Rows
45x10
135x6
205,225x12

12” Rackpulls
+straps
395x1
+deadlift belt
465x1
+belt
515,555x1

Seated Wide NG Cable Row
110x5
165x3
209x10

V-grip Chin-ups
BWx2,15,10+4 *rest pause

Standing Calf Machine
130 2x10 w/ stretch

BB Shrugs
+straps & belt
315x3
365,385x15

Got my upper back & calves in at the commercial gym tonight after work, once the 15 minutes of wind, pouring rain & hail that flipped over our grill and ripped down the front post of my neighbor’s fence subsided (after it had been 85* & sunny today).

Way stronger coming into this work fresh on its own day. I am a little sick & only got 2 meals in before this, yet still felt about 20lbs stronger on everything. Rackpulls were entirely impromptu, but I am not in prep & just felt good for it. So I pulled a few singles from the waterfall rack after my rows Happy that 555 felt so easy - probably had 600 in me if I went for broke.

 

[gphagan1]

Really strong pulls….looks like you are back for sure now. That’s awesome.

 

[Dustin07]

Its kinda funny how heavy those pulls are in a real life application. Like when you're pulling even 50% of your max PR's when you think about how that applies to real life, how often do you see a human pick up a 300lb object like its nothing, then set it down and pick it up and put it down another 4 to 9 times lol. much less 500+.

 

[Hyde]

Its kinda funny how heavy those pulls are in a real life application. Like when you're pulling even 50% of your max PR's when you think about how that applies to real life, how often do you see a human pick up a 300lb object like its nothing, then set it down and pick it up and put it down another 4 to 9 times lol. much less 500+.

Yeah I mean you probably need to be able to deadlift twice as heavy of a barbell to lift a random odd object that you’re able to keep a grip on, very roughly. If you can’t pull 500, you’re not going to be able to carry a 250lb keg or sandbag even usually.

 

[Hyde]

3/27/26

3 min Assault Bike

Low Incline Shouldersaver Bench
45x10,3
95,145,195x3
215x12
225x10

EZBar Rolling Skulls
65x8
115 2x17

Incline DB Press
80x25

Bar Cable Tri Pressdown
50,100x4
130 2x8

Band Pullaparts
Mini 3x35

Was worried everything would fall apart after a few weeks, but it seems my body is adapting well to the ROM on incline: added 20lbs from last week! This felt pretty easy too; I’m definitely bumping up again next time. Great progress on this session.