Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

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.
I always think those strongman events are cool because there are so many aspects that seem to have great carryover potentially to real life applications.
 
I always think those strongman events are cool because there are so many aspects that seem to have great carryover potentially to real life applications.
They do, but what people fail to realize is that the injury rate in strongman is also basically 100% given enough time. Anecdotally, I have never met someone who has done strongman training for even a single year who hasn’t tweaked something. Most people are in and out of the sport within a few years. Which is probably true about powerlifting and lifting in general, but the fact remains it’s exceptionally tough on the body.
 
They do, but what people fail to realize is that the injury rate in strongman is also basically 100% given enough time. Anecdotally, I have never met someone who has done strongman training for even a single year who hasn’t tweaked something. Most people are in and out of the sport within a few years. Which is probably true about powerlifting and lifting in general, but the fact remains it’s exceptionally tough on the body.
I remember back in the day when you were doing it and I got interested and you were kind enough to warn me that with the issues I had recently had with my biceps you recommended against me getting into it if I wanted any longevity. As many injuries I have had since then I imagine doing somethin that risky I would have tore something for sure.
 
They do, but what people fail to realize is that the injury rate in strongman is also basically 100% given enough time. Anecdotally, I have never met someone who has done strongman training for even a single year who hasn’t tweaked something. Most people are in and out of the sport within a few years. Which is probably true about powerlifting and lifting in general, but the fact remains it’s exceptionally tough on the body.

I believe that 100%.
its kinda funny, yesterday I was taking inventory on the 1/2 dozen tweaks, strains, and pains i've had since I turned 43 last october and pronounced age to be a myth. I should have knocked on wood.
 
They do, but what people fail to realize is that the injury rate in strongman is also basically 100% given enough time. Anecdotally, I have never met someone who has done strongman training for even a single year who hasn’t tweaked something. Most people are in and out of the sport within a few years. Which is probably true about powerlifting and lifting in general, but the fact remains it’s exceptionally tough on the body.

I retired after 3 shows lol. Tried to train up for a 4th but tweaked my back a few weeks out and pulled out of the show.

Granted, I went into the sport with an injury from the Army and strongman really just exacerbated it, but it became very clear, very fast that strongman was not the sport for me.
 
I retired after 3 shows lol. Tried to train up for a 4th but tweaked my back a few weeks out and pulled out of the show.

Granted, I went into the sport with an injury from the Army and strongman really just exacerbated it, but it became very clear, very fast that strongman was not the sport for me.
I got through 6, plus a deadlift only at a recordbreaker event.

Strained my bicep at one of the 6 and tore it off at another. That’s a 1/3 bicep damage rate 😂
 
3/29/26

6 min Incline Walk
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Plate Suitcase Carries

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
135x9 RDL
225,315x3
+belt
405,455x3
485 2x3, 1x7

Devotions, deadlift belt
+straps
355 2x5

Tempo Paused Legpress
360x5
540 2x10
630x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
98,158x3
178x14

Great session today. Took half a Bronkaid with the cold in full swing, and that lit me up pretty well - just felt ready to attack. Progression all around.
 
3/29/26

6 min Incline Walk
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Plate Suitcase Carries

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
135x9 RDL
225,315x3
+belt
405,455x3
485 2x3, 1x7

Devotions, deadlift belt
+straps
355 2x5

Tempo Paused Legpress
360x5
540 2x10
630x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
98,158x3
178x14

Great session today. Took half a Bronkaid with the cold in full swing, and that lit me up pretty well - just felt ready to attack. Progression all around.
Sounds like a great session!!
 
3/31/26
BW 243.8 yesterday

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

Bench, powerbar
45x8,5
135x5
225,275x3
310 4x2, 1x4

CG Shouldersaver
225 2x15

DB Side Raises
30,35x10

DB Rear Delt Flyes
35x12
40x15

Doubles felt good despite moving slow, and last rep of AMRAP was a grind to lockout, but I am happy with how well I stayed tight & pushed through - a proper max effort gone right. Quite a drop off in strength compared to last week’s 6-rep AMRAP, but ancillary work is feeling stronger so not freaking out just yet. Deadlift also climbing, so it could just be a bench thing. Only one more week before deload on bench, so I’ll make it through the wave fine regardless.
 
all this devotion talk is catching my interest lol.
We used to do something very very similar I think for oly lifting. variations of clean pauses that are similar to the devotion and after the second rep down (sorta RDL territory), finish with the full clean. big grip builders, too.
 
3/29/26

6 min Incline Walk
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Plate Suitcase Carries

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
135x9 RDL
225,315x3
+belt
405,455x3
485 2x3, 1x7

Devotions, deadlift belt
+straps
355 2x5

Tempo Paused Legpress
360x5
540 2x10
630x10

Hoist Lying Leg Curl
98,158x3
178x14

Great session today. Took half a Bronkaid with the cold in full swing, and that lit me up pretty well - just felt ready to attack. Progression all around.
what are devotions?
 
5 rep Devotions would be taxing. I struggle with 3.
You have to consider they’re essentially 2 tempo reps in one while being bent over - every time I try to do 6, I am basically gassed out. Just doing 2x5 annihilates me; I need an 8-10 minute break after each set (and my heart is still pounding hard). I can’t recall a movement so exhausting to me in a long time (especially considering how light they are).

@sammpedd88 Paused deadlift immediately followed by a full RDL rep = 1 rep:

 
You have to consider they’re essentially 2 tempo reps in one while being bent over - every time I try to do 6, I am basically gassed out. Just doing 2x5 annihilates me; I need an 8-10 minute break after each set (and my heart is still pounding hard). I can’t recall a movement so exhausting to me in a long time (especially considering how light they are).

@sammpedd88 Paused deadlift immediately followed by a full RDL rep = 1 rep:

Yeah….that’s an ass kicker right there!
 
You have to consider they’re essentially 2 tempo reps in one while being bent over - every time I try to do 6, I am basically gassed out. Just doing 2x5 annihilates me; I need an 8-10 minute break after each set (and my heart is still pounding hard). I can’t recall a movement so exhausting to me in a long time (especially considering how light they are).

@sammpedd88 Paused deadlift immediately followed by a full RDL rep = 1 rep:

**** that.
 
4/1/26

6 min Incline Walk

BB Rows
45x10,5
135x5
185x3
215x12
235x10

Seated Wide NG Cable Row
121,187x3
231 2x8

V-grip Chin-ups
Pulldown warmups
BWx2,13,10,7

Standing Calf Machine
130 2x10 w/ stretch

BB Shrugs
+straps & belt
315x3
385x15
395x16

Lats, calves & traps done in an hour before my son’s gymnastics class!

Been feeling alright on 7-day microcycles, but now that I’m squatting again I need a 5th day in the gym to get my back work in that my family life doesn’t really accommodate. So moving back to 9-day micros for my 4-day upper/lower split with this weekly upper back day. This lets me be at gymnastics and see my son every night of the week (plus it helps recovery & usually makes me progress better).
 
4/1/26

6 min Incline Walk

BB Rows
45x10,5
135x5
185x3
215x12
235x10

Seated Wide NG Cable Row
121,187x3
231 2x8

V-grip Chin-ups
Pulldown warmups
BWx2,13,10,7

Standing Calf Machine
130 2x10 w/ stretch

BB Shrugs
+straps & belt
315x3
385x15
395x16

Lats, calves & traps done in an hour before my son’s gymnastics class!

Been feeling alright on 7-day microcycles, but now that I’m squatting again I need a 5th day in the gym to get my back work in that my family life doesn’t really accommodate. So moving back to 9-day micros for my 4-day upper/lower split with this weekly upper back day. This lets me be at gymnastics and see my son every night of the week (plus it helps recovery & usually makes me progress better).
Impressive BB Rows…..how is the little man’s arm doing while you’re easing him back into gymnastics?
 
so awesome that he's already back in gymnastics 🤘

when you split up and change microcycles like this, are you using an app or spreadsheet for tracking, or mostly relying on your memory and logging here?
 
Impressive BB Rows…..how is the little man’s arm doing while you’re easing him back into gymnastics?

I’m happy I can do these rows without the need for a belt anymore.

Had no troubles with pain or anything, but he has to wear a forearm brace through next week when doing physical stuff like this, recess etc where he could fall on it. Which lets him use his elbow but locks his hand neutral and limits his finger use, so the coach has a lot of stuff adjusted or scaled for him so he can just start getting some GPP back. It’s cool how well he can hang onto a bar without 2 full hands to grip!

so awesome that he's already back in gymnastics 🤘

when you split up and change microcycles like this, are you using an app or spreadsheet for tracking, or mostly relying on your memory and logging here?
Lol no I don’t use an app to remember my “weekly rotation”. It’s just 4 different upper/lower routines rotated over 3 weekly training days (Tu/Fri/Sun), plus a weekly evening upper back session. So I always train the same days, but the mornings continuously cycle through bench, squat, 2nd press, deadlift, repeat.

I make a note for each session so I have historical context, but training is largely about where you’re at now, how it’s going, and where you’re trying to get to.
 
4/3/26
BW 244.0 yesterday

4 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
BW Squats

Squat, SSB
65x5,3
175,285x3
+belt
351x3
395,418,440x1

Body just felt bad this morning, not ready to powerlift. Stiff, slow, took extra preWO but never felt it kick, and just getting on the bike everything felt like the tin man. I didn’t have any motivation or energy, so after getting bodied by a 200kg yoke bar decided to hang it up while I was ahead. I can come back Sunday morning for some legs before Easter.

Live to squat another day.
 
4/3/26
BW 244.0 yesterday

4 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
BW Squats

Squat, SSB
65x5,3
175,285x3
+belt
351x3
395,418,440x1

Body just felt bad this morning, not ready to powerlift. Stiff, slow, took extra preWO but never felt it kick, and just getting on the bike everything felt like the tin man. I didn’t have any motivation or energy, so after getting bodied by a 200kg yoke bar decided to hang it up while I was ahead. I can come back Sunday morning for some legs before Easter.

Live to squat another day.
I hate those days. Anything off like diet or just one of those days?
 
I hate those days. Anything off like diet or just one of those days?
Yeah, work was very busy this week. Had to leave at 11:20 for my ART appointment yesterday and didn’t get to eat before it. Then my car started missing & shuddering 5 minutes out from the office, so once I had pulled it over & tested it out, I limped it to my mechanic’s shop since it’s on the way home.

He gave me a ride back half an hour later, then I immediately got pulled back into another big work project that needed me. So I didn’t eat until 1:30 and basically only got 2 more meals in.

So low food, low sleep, & heavy work this week, plus still dealing with this cold. Didn’t really help that I didn’t get ART either.
 
On the plus side, my car was just an ignition coil gone bad. My guy had one in stock, worked me into his full schedule, and had it ready for pickup when I was off work for $250. After giving me a ride home in his own truck in the middle of his workday. That’s why I’ve been going to him for almost 10 years! He’s a real one.

Also, the family went to see Super Mario Galaxy last night - it was great!
 
Yeah, work was very busy this week. Had to leave at 11:20 for my ART appointment yesterday and didn’t get to eat before it. Then my car started missing & shuddering 5 minutes out from the office, so once I had pulled it over & tested it out, I limped it to my mechanic’s shop since it’s on the way home.

He gave me a ride back half an hour later, then I immediately got pulled back into another big work project that needed me. So I didn’t eat until 1:30 and basically only got 2 more meals in.

So low food, low sleep, & heavy work this week, plus still dealing with this cold. Didn’t really help that I didn’t get ART either.
Yeah that definitely had an impact on your workout. At least you know what contributed to it. I felt pretty beat up after benching on Tuesday. My elbows and bicep tendons were inflamed really bad at the end. Got it all worked out though.
 
On the plus side, my car was just an ignition coil gone bad. My guy had one in stock, worked me into his full schedule, and had it ready for pickup when I was off work for $250. After giving me a ride home in his own truck in the middle of his workday. That’s why I’ve been going to him for almost 10 years! He’s a real one.

Also, the family went to see Super Mario Galaxy last night - it was great!
I’m glad it was a small fix! Can’t beat having a good mechanic.
 
4/3/26
BW 244.0 yesterday

4 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
BW Squats

Squat, SSB
65x5,3
175,285x3
+belt
351x3
395,418,440x1

Body just felt bad this morning, not ready to powerlift. Stiff, slow, took extra preWO but never felt it kick, and just getting on the bike everything felt like the tin man. I didn’t have any motivation or energy, so after getting bodied by a 200kg yoke bar decided to hang it up while I was ahead. I can come back Sunday morning for some legs before Easter.

Live to squat another day.
Sounds like a little bit of everything took a little piece of you this week. It all adds up, but good job trying to get something in….you still moved some good weight. Hopefully you can have a good Easter session.
 
On the plus side, my car was just an ignition coil gone bad. My guy had one in stock, worked me into his full schedule, and had it ready for pickup when I was off work for $250. After giving me a ride home in his own truck in the middle of his workday. That’s why I’ve been going to him for almost 10 years! He’s a real one.

Also, the family went to see Super Mario Galaxy last night - it was great!
That a good mechanic glad it was something easy!
 
Sounds like a little bit of everything took a little piece of you this week. It all adds up, but good job trying to get something in….you still moved some good weight. Hopefully you can have a good Easter session.

I appreciate that. I have done 560 on the SSB so I was sad it was so hard at the time, but I’m excited to get back in the gym early tomorrow & just take what’s there fresher.

Gonna get an early one in for the Lord!

That a good mechanic glad it was something easy!
Definitely; having been into cars when younger & working on planes for half a decade, I’m fortunate to be knowledgeable enough to know what is BS. He definitely operates on oldschool principles. And this guy doesn’t push anything - he just tells it like it is and tries to keep his customers safe & informed (and charges very honest prices with great up front estimates he sticks to). We talk cars sometimes. Some of the stuff he’s brought me into the shop to see is wild - new Grand Cherokees with failed valve springs at just 80k miles! etc.
 
I appreciate that. I have done 560 on the SSB so I was sad it was so hard at the time, but I’m excited to get back in the gym early tomorrow & just take what’s there fresher.

Gonna get an early one in for the Lord!


Definitely; having been into cars when younger & working on planes for half a decade, I’m fortunate to be knowledgeable enough to know what is BS. He definitely operates on oldschool principles. And this guy doesn’t push anything - he just tells it like it is and tries to keep his customers safe & informed (and charges very honest prices with great up front estimates he sticks to). We talk cars sometimes. Some of the stuff he’s brought me into the shop to see is wild - new Grand Cherokees with failed valve springs at just 80k miles! etc.
🙏🙏🙏🙏 bring on the weight, amen!
 
My guy had one in stock, worked me into his full schedule, and had it ready for pickup when I was off work for $250. After giving me a ride home in his own truck in the middle of his workday. That’s why I’ve been going to him for almost 10 years! He’s a real one.
SOLID.
Good mechanics are so hard to find these days. when I had a garage, I got to where I wouldn't let anyone do work for me, I was bound and determined to learn how to fix everything on my rigs. Now days I'm a bit more at their mercy. I had one shop that wanted to charge me $500 to diagnose a bad transmission and quote me $7500 for a REBUILD, not even a new one! after some back and forth they dropped it since they said they'd look it over for me and give me a quote for the work. I was like, the tremec lost 1st and R, whats the price to rebuild or replace. and they're like $7500, also its $500 to tell you that. LOL

Some of the stuff he’s brought me into the shop to see is wild - new Grand Cherokees with failed valve springs at just 80k miles! etc.
thats scary stuff man. when I was shopping farm trucks a bunch of new rigs were landing in my algo and I was shocked how much trucks I'd see with well under 100k miles that "new engine installed at x miles"... i'm like wtf did you do to blow a brand new engine under 80k miles?!
 
SOLID.
Good mechanics are so hard to find these days. when I had a garage, I got to where I wouldn't let anyone do work for me, I was bound and determined to learn how to fix everything on my rigs. Now days I'm a bit more at their mercy. I had one shop that wanted to charge me $500 to diagnose a bad transmission and quote me $7500 for a REBUILD, not even a new one! after some back and forth they dropped it since they said they'd look it over for me and give me a quote for the work. I was like, the tremec lost 1st and R, whats the price to rebuild or replace. and they're like $7500, also its $500 to tell you that. LOL


thats scary stuff man. when I was shopping farm trucks a bunch of new rigs were landing in my algo and I was shocked how much trucks I'd see with well under 100k miles that "new engine installed at x miles"... i'm like wtf did you do to blow a brand new engine under 80k miles?!


I am just not into it really after working on aircraft for years; pretty much did it all in my time with that. I’ve replaced landing gear, brakes, tires, fire suppression systems, avionics electronics, generators, toilets, flooring, custom cabinets & seating. Replaced ignitor plugs all the way to swapping entire turbine engines. Rigged flight controls after replacing cabling, flaps, rebuilt hydraulics & generators, sealed leading edges & fuel tanks, resurfaced engine bores to remove corrosion, sheetmetal & paint repairs for cowling - I can’t think of a single system I haven’t entirely repaired or replaced. It was great to understand how things work & go together, but it’s mainly just sweaty work. The only satisfaction for me is a job well done, not the process.

Crazy part is probably nothing abusive on the owner’s part - my guy told me America hasn’t built a decent car in over 10 years (a few years ago now). The overall design model really shifted to negligent material selection (or planned obsolescence if you let yourself be honest) to shave build costs & increase profit margins. Same as it has with appliances etc. Costs have risen dramatically due to inflation, added electronic features people demand, enhanced safety standards & performance, but the longevity & quality just isn’t there (especially as you add features and complexity).
 
4/5/24

BW Squats

Squat, Transformer lowbar
45x10
135x8
225x6
275x3
+ triple-ply sleeves
315x3
+belt
365x3
315x8
335x10
355x12

Only was able to get about 4 hours of actual sleep prior and I had a long busy day ahead, so just got cracking & squat until my goose was cooked. 12,000lbs of volume at 315+; perhaps unsurprisingly, DOMS showed up same day.

Hope everyone had a happy Easter.
 
I am just not into it really after working on aircraft for years; pretty much did it all in my time with that. I’ve replaced landing gear, brakes, tires, fire suppression systems, avionics electronics, generators, toilets, flooring, custom cabinets & seating. Replaced ignitor plugs all the way to swapping entire turbine engines. Rigged flight controls after replacing cabling, flaps, rebuilt hydraulics & generators, sealed leading edges & fuel tanks, resurfaced engine bores to remove corrosion, sheetmetal & paint repairs for cowling - I can’t think of a single system I haven’t entirely repaired or replaced. It was great to understand how things work & go together, but it’s mainly just sweaty work. The only satisfaction for me is a job well done, not the process.
I get that. the marine mechanic I worked with for years when we were boating was phenomenal. and he was that skinny lanky type. probably 5'9 or 5'10" and like 145lbs that could fit in any engine bilge. he could rewire the whole boat, new exhaust manifolds, rebuild the carbs, flip the boat around in the slip by himself, and swap out your breakers all in a days work but his cars barely got him from point A to point B despite him being an auto mechanic first lol. By the time his day was done, he didn't want to go home to clock in again, and I don't blame him.

Crazy part is probably nothing abusive on the owner’s part - my guy told me America hasn’t built a decent car in over 10 years (a few years ago now). The overall design model really shifted to negligent material selection (or planned obsolescence if you let yourself be honest) to shave build costs & increase profit margins. Same as it has with appliances etc. Costs have risen dramatically due to inflation, added electronic features people demand, enhanced safety standards & performance, but the longevity & quality just isn’t there (especially as you add features and complexity).

its funny before I finished reading that my first thought was "yeah like appliances". its the small corner cutting that adds up too. that 2005 CTS-V I had was an awesome car (until I blew up the tremec). the LS was strong at 200k and sounded fantastic, no lifter tick, no loss of compression, and I beat the hell out of it. But GM had horrible plastics and paint in that era. You'll probably never see a mid 2000's GM that has legible plastics on the dash anymore. they all wear down completely. not a big deal, but those small things where they cut corners leave big impressions.

to be fair though I've blown up the transmission in every fun vehicle I've ever owned so driver mod might help some, haha. my 99 silverado had a new trans and a new rear end when it finally moved on to its new owner lol
 
4/7/26
BW 246.0 yesterday

3 min Assault Bike
Mace Swings
Band Warmup
Pigeon Pose on bench
Push-ups

Bench, powerbar
45x8,5
135x5
225,275x3
300x2
320,340,350x1
315x3,2

CG Shouldersaver
230 2x15

DB Side Raises
30,35x12

Today would have been incline in my rotation, but as it’s been an entire week since I’ve pressed last, it just made sense to get back to benching. 5th & last one before a deload for it, so I wanted to work up since it was feeling good. 340 was easy, then 350 slowed down a lot but still locked out confidently. So I am glad to see bench is still within about 20lbs of the contest peak 5 weeks ago. Elbow started barking on the 315 backoff, but I did enough.

Then someone brought in a bunch of 4-week-old Shih Tzu puppies for everyone to hold (try to give away), so I still need to hit rear delts tomorrow.
 
Good to hear about lil man's progress, and your mechanic sounds like a real G! OMG, I am happy my daughter wasn't there for puppies, she has been bugging for one. LOL
 
Did you walk away with a new puppy?
No, but they were adorable! Everyone loves puppies… I’m just fortunate to understand they don’t stay puppies for long. I just don’t want the extra hassle every day, and the planning it takes to leave or to get back. Maybe one day!
 
No, but they were adorable! Everyone loves puppies… I’m just fortunate to understand they don’t stay puppies for long. I just don’t want the extra hassle every day, and the planning it takes to leave or to get back. Maybe one day!
Shih Tzu would stay puppy sized forever though?
 
its that middle period between puppy breath and adult that is the hard part, lol.

Take my cattle dogs for instance:

1775682910337.webp
 
Shih Tzu would stay puppy sized forever though?
Yea, but I mean to say that no adult dog is remotely as cute as the puppy of said breed.

I mean the momma dog was right there, yet nobody was even paying her any attention (except the gym owner’s pitbull, who kept trying to lick her ass) 😂
 
4/8/26
BW 246.4

BW Squats
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs

Frontsquat
45,135,205x5
+deadlift belt
255 2x5
275 2x5

BB Rows
135x8
185x3
225,235x12

DB Lunges
BW,20,30x10

Seated Wide NG Cable Row
121,187x3
231 2x10

Standing Calf Machine
140 2x8 w/ stretch

V-grip Chin-ups
BWx12,8,8,6

DB Rear Delt Flyes
35x15
40x13

BB Shrugs
+straps & belt
385,405x15

Doing incline bench Friday, so I wanted to get some extra quad work in tonight before deads this Sunday. 90 minutes well spent!

Young guy asked me if I was a bodybuilder tonight 😝
 
4/8/26
BW 246.4 @ 5'10" <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Young guy asked me if I was a bodybuilder tonight 😝
Uhm... I wonder why.... You are a massive dude with off season bodybuilder body fat levels. Lets not even get into your ridiculous shoulders...
 
Yea, but I mean to say that no adult dog is remotely as cute as the puppy of said breed.

I mean the momma dog was right there, yet nobody was even paying her any attention (except the gym owner’s pitbull, who kept trying to lick her ass)
Screenshot_20260409-105659.webp


Mine's pretty awesome.
 
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