To Infinity.... and Beyond!

I’m pretty sure the cold can dehydrate you as well.
The drier the atmosphere, the more vapor you lose from respiration - especially breathing through your mouth. And obviously if you’re layered up to stay insulated, inevitably you will be sweating with physical activity. So it definitely dehydrates you more than moderate weather.

If anyone’s ever cutting weight in a sauna, breath out of your mouth - it’s very substantial, like 3/4lb an hour more on average or something in a sauna.
 
Cube Predator Heavy Day
Bench - Comp
2 x 10 x 95
3 x 135
8 x 150
6 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
5 x 2 x 255

AMRAP
195 x 12, 11

Palm facing DB
10 x 52.5s
8 x 65s
6 x 75s
5 x 85s

Incline barbell
3 x 4 x 165

Standing OH cable ext
3 x 15

Seated military press
4 x 12 x 75

Weight 192
Down a tiche this morning.
I went as heavy as I could on the DB's and OH cable extensions, as there was no rx on the programming. Incline was to the program. Mil press I think was same weight as last time but honestly even a measly 75lbs was murder on the delts at 12 reps after the other work.

It's humbling a bit getting to the amraps and feeling like I've shot my shot a bit. I don't really train comp style bench since I don't have competition plans so I'm getting more pause practice than normal and that adds a real element of challenge over my historical T&G.

I can't help but to think these are all good things though. we'll see what the future holds at the end of December, I have a back up plan in 2025 as well, basically mirror image programming to what I did in 2023 to take my PR to 300lbs.
 
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Cube Predator Heavy Day
Bench - Comp
2 x 10 x 95
3 x 135
8 x 150
6 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
5 x 2 x 255

AMRAP
195 x 12, 11

Palm facing DB
10 x 52.5s
8 x 65s
6 x 75s
5 x 85s

Incline barbell
3 x 4 x 165

Standing OH cable ext
3 x 15

Seated military press
4 x 12 x 75

Weight 192
Down a tiche this morning.
I went as heavy as I could on the DB's and OH cable extensions, as there was no rx on the programming. Incline was to the program. Mil press I think was same weight as last time but honestly even a measly 75lbs was murder on the delts at 12 reps after the other work.

It's humbling a bit getting to the amraps and feeling like I've shot my shot a bit. I don't really train comp style bench since I don't have competition plans so I'm getting more pause practice than normal and that adds a real element of challenge over my historical T&G.

I can't help but to think these are all good things though. we'll see what the future holds at the end of December, I have a back up plan in 2025 as well, basically mirror image programming to what I did in 2023 to take my PR to 300lbs.

I got a feeling this is gonna blow you up and you won’t need a backup plan
 
I got a feeling this is gonna blow you up and you won’t need a backup plan

hoping so dude! Trying to lay it all on the line and force my body to use these PEDs for recovery. In the moment, I felt like I short changed myself on that session, I was ready for more for sure... but an hour later, I could feel it setting in...
 
Well, it happened boys. Was walking down from the woodshed getting some firewood and my wife said my muscles were looking "huge"

I've flown too close to the sun.

First thanksgiving that I've been free of alcohol probably in all my years post age 21.

Happy Holiday to y'all !
 
Well, it happened boys. Was walking down from the woodshed getting some firewood and my wife said my muscles were looking "huge"

I've flown too close to the sun.

First thanksgiving that I've been free of alcohol probably in all my years post age 21.

Happy Holiday to y'all !
It always makes you feel good when your wife gives you a compliment like that!

Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Well, it happened boys. Was walking down from the woodshed getting some firewood and my wife said my muscles were looking "huge"

I've flown too close to the sun.

First thanksgiving that I've been free of alcohol probably in all my years post age 21.

Happy Holiday to y'all !

Hell yeah brother! Congrats on the new guns!
 
Squats - high bar
10 x bar, 95, 135
5 x 185
1 x 225, 255, 275
5 x 295
1 x 305
10 x 225, 185

Hack squats
3 x 10

MTS leg ext
3 x 12

Leg curls
3 x 10

Matrix adducto machine
4 sets, 10-30 reps


Notes
Man my legs were shaking by the end of squats lol.

Totally exhausted this morning after yesterday's hosting of thanksgiving, but very very well fed. Up +6lbs to 198 this morning.
 
Well, it happened boys. Was walking down from the woodshed getting some firewood and my wife said my muscles were looking "huge"

I've flown too close to the sun.


First thanksgiving that I've been free of alcohol probably in all my years post age 21.

Happy Holiday to y'all !

You've reached peak Dustin. It's all down hill from here on out. Cherish these memories!!

Also, as someone who's working towards improvement in several aspects of my life, kudos to you on the alcohol-free holiday. Sometimes an uphill battle!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
 
Week 3, light day

Bench - Comp/Pause
2 x 10 x 95
1 x 5 x 135
8 x 150
8 x 185
5 x 210
5 x 3 x 240

AMRAP - Comp x 2
165 x 16, 16

CGBP - AMRAP x 2
175 x 12, 12

Incline DB
12 x 50s
10 x 60s
8 x 70s
6 x 80s

Skull Crushers - ez bar
12 x 40
2 x 10 x 70


Seated Arnold's
4 x 12 x 25s

DB flys
10-12 x 25s, 35s, 40s, 30s

Cable OH extensions
3 x 15


Notes
Weight still +5lbs at 197
The "comp" style bench, I actually was feeling so great I ran a full 5 count pause on the third rep of the last set. Had a slightly wider grip today with middle finger on band vs my normal ring finger.

On the AMRAP I still had a brief pause on each rep, but nothing like the working sets tbh. Still, was not T&G.


Delt pump was insane today.

Added extra cable OH extensions today because elbow wasn't enjoying skull crushers at all.
 
You've reached peak Dustin. It's all down hill from here on out. Cherish these memories!!

Also, as someone who's working towards improvement in several aspects of my life, kudos to you on the alcohol-free holiday. Sometimes an uphill battle!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Your journey is much more virtuous than mine, I'm afraid. Much to the chagrin of friends and family, I have no desire to improve, grow, change, win friends or influence people. I'm just simply giving my liver and hormones a stronger chance at success for the next six weeks as I focus on this bench program. I'll be back on the sauce before you know it.
 
Week 3, light day

Bench - Comp/Pause
2 x 10 x 95
1 x 5 x 135
8 x 150
8 x 185
5 x 210
5 x 3 x 240

AMRAP - Comp x 2
165 x 16, 16

CGBP - AMRAP x 2
175 x 12, 12

Incline DB
12 x 50s
10 x 60s
8 x 70s
6 x 80s

Skull Crushers - ez bar
12 x 40
2 x 10 x 70


Seated Arnold's
4 x 12 x 25s

DB flys
10-12 x 25s, 35s, 40s, 30s

Cable OH extensions
3 x 15


Notes
Weight still +5lbs at 197
The "comp" style bench, I actually was feeling so great I ran a full 5 count pause on the third rep of the last set. Had a slightly wider grip today with middle finger on band vs my normal ring finger.

On the AMRAP I still had a brief pause on each rep, but nothing like the working sets tbh. Still, was not T&G.


Delt pump was insane today.

Added extra cable OH extensions today because elbow wasn't enjoying skull crushers at all.
Looks like the Cube Predator program is working good for you…..steady progress always wins in the long run.💪😎👍
 
Deads
2 x 10 x 135
5 x 225
2 x 275, 325, 370
1 x 405

RDL
3 x 5 x 315 (DOH)

BB Rows
3 x 10 x 135

Incline seated db curls
3 x 10 x 30s
+ 5 x 40s, 5 x 30s, 10 x 25s (drop sets)

T bar rows
4 x 12

Superset with ez bar curls
4 x 12 x 60lbs

Lat pull downs
3 x 10

Weight a whopping 198 this morning. Thicker n a snicker.
 
Good complete back workout….. bet you felt skrong after that one.💪

I feel wrecked, lol. Today is a much needed rest day. the last few days have been pretty decent high output sessions for me, and I've been very very well fed 😂

Kind of a crappy picture but last night I washed and loaded a 5g bucket of sand (probably 75lbs+?). Then hauled 110 gallons salt mixed water (1 gallon at a time mixed at the utility sink) to the new tank. pretty much everything I did yesterday from gym to chores was blowing up my back, ha.

1733154068425.webp


I did get the tank full last night, water circulating, heater on. this morning it was pretty much cleared up by 5am. just waiting for the temp to get to the right place so I can break down my old 40g tank and start moving critters over.
 
I feel wrecked, lol. Today is a much needed rest day. the last few days have been pretty decent high output sessions for me, and I've been very very well fed 😂

Kind of a crappy picture but last night I washed and loaded a 5g bucket of sand (probably 75lbs+?). Then hauled 110 gallons salt mixed water (1 gallon at a time mixed at the utility sink) to the new tank. pretty much everything I did yesterday from gym to chores was blowing up my back, ha.

View attachment 247665

I did get the tank full last night, water circulating, heater on. this morning it was pretty much cleared up by 5am. just waiting for the temp to get to the right place so I can break down my old 40g tank and start moving critters over.
I had an 80 gallon African Cichlid tank for years, and finally sold all the fish, and donated some to Georgia Aquarium this year. I still have my tank and I’m actually starting to get the fever again.
It’s a pretty good bit of work to keep an African Cichlid tank nice, but Saltwater is even more work, so I know what you’re going through.👍
 
Maybe one day I’ll get into fish, back into pets. But today is not that day 😂 Too much going on with little man!
 
I had an 80 gallon African Cichlid tank for years, and finally sold all the fish, and donated some to Georgia Aquarium this year. I still have my tank and I’m actually starting to get the fever again.
It’s a pretty good bit of work to keep an African Cichlid tank nice, but Saltwater is even more work, so I know what you’re going through.👍

Man years ago... like 21-22yrs ago, I had randomly ended up with a couple of cichlids in a 35g hex tank I had and loved it so much I went into saltwater for a few years. Then took 15 years+ off. My wife got this 10g tall tank for "goldfish" and I avoided it like the plague. Stayed away from it for like 12-18 months. Then her $.10 gold fish died and she wanted to get another one.... I said why dont' you convert it to salt? "isn't that a lot more work," she says? "Nah".... famous last words.... LOL.

I ran that 10g for like a year, then migrated it to the 40g for about 3 years. Now I have this 112g system. Last night I was taking sand and doing a washing/rinse system on it to try to get it as clean as possible. My back was cramping up, my hands were freezing from the hose water, and I was thinking "really? This is a hobby for me?" haha

1733163577402.webp


I moved the tank around, back and forth about 1" at a time until my wife deemed it's location JUST right, lol. But I knew once it was set up, it was there for a very long time. I even had our contractor take a look to make sure my floors could even support it. It's like 1500lbs all said and done, which I'm still parnoid about, tbh.

1733163641189.webp




Maybe one day I’ll get into fish, back into pets. But today is not that day 😂 Too much going on with little man!

Man I get that. My bachelor pad was pretty much empty except for when I briefly had a bird. My wife added like 8 chickens to the flock this year, a german shepherd puppy last year. So the way I see it, we're kinda locked down for another 7-9 years with the GSD at this point, lol.

I will say though, I have seen the fish tank as being a pretty mentally healthy hobby. studies do show the health value of it, but my wife and I have also enjoyed periodic "fish store dates" on a given Saturday. We might only browse or grab something out of their $9.99 bargain bin tank, but it's a good shared hobby.
 
Bench
10 x 95, 135
8 x 150
6 x 180
5 x 210
5 x 3 x 240

AMRAP x 2
210 x 11, 9

DB palms facing
12 x 60s
10 x 70s
6 x 80s
5 x 90s

Arnold's seated
4 x 15 x 25s
(Holy delt burn)

Incline bench
3 x 135, 160, 180, 180


Weight 194
this programming is identical to the heavier day earlier in the program except the incline bench is heavier, and I added reps on the AMRAP (11 and 9 today vs 9 and 7 last time). I also went just about as heavy as I could on the db press.
 
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Front squats
10 x air, bar, 95lbs
5 x 115, 135
3 x 165, 185, 205
1 x 225, 245, 265 (PR)
3 x 225
6 x 205 (probably a reps PR)
12 x 135

Bulgarian split squats
3 x 10

SS with OH cable extensions
3 x 15

Back extensions
10 x bw, +25lbs, +45lbs

H/S crunches
3 x 15

Adductor machine
10 x 55, 55, 100
Wider setting:
10 x 100, 160, 205, 235

Leg ext
3 x 10

Russian med ball twist
3 sets
11.5lbs x 30
25lbs x 20, 20




Notes
Weight 195
Been feeling a bit of exhaustion. Squats have been on a PR tear with some sort of PR basically every month since summer.

Switched it up today going front squat focused thinking it would be lighter weight. Nah

265 was admittedly a grind but the first time through 225 felt so light I had to give it a go.

Added some extra credit tricep work since I missed a little yesterday and have 3 rest days till next bench session.
 
Front squats
10 x air, bar, 95lbs
5 x 115, 135
3 x 165, 185, 205
1 x 225, 245, 265 (PR)
3 x 225
6 x 205 (probably a reps PR)
12 x 135

Bulgarian split squats
3 x 10

SS with OH cable extensions
3 x 15

Back extensions
10 x bw, +25lbs, +45lbs

H/S crunches
3 x 15

Adductor machine
10 x 55, 55, 100
Wider setting:
10 x 100, 160, 205, 235

Leg ext
3 x 10

Russian med ball twist
3 sets
11.5lbs x 30
25lbs x 20, 20




Notes
Weight 195
Been feeling a bit of exhaustion. Squats have been on a PR tear with some sort of PR basically every month since summer.

Switched it up today going front squat focused thinking it would be lighter weight. Nah

265 was admittedly a grind but the first time through 225 felt so light I had to give it a go.

Added some extra credit tricep work since I missed a little yesterday and have 3 rest days till next bench session.
He’ll yeah nice PR’S on the front squats ! 💪🏻
 
Congrats on the PR….. I need to incorporate some front squats into my routine. They really hit the quads good, but I probably haven’t done any in a few years. You’ll have to teach your son those, and tell him he could be the “Quadzilla” of his high school by his senior year.💪😎
 
Congrats on the PR….. I need to incorporate some front squats into my routine. They really hit the quads good, but I probably haven’t done any in a few years. You’ll have to teach your son those, and tell him he could be the “Quadzilla” of his high school by his senior year.
I appreciate it guys. I went in just to do the work today, wasn't feeling motivated but 205 and 225 felt so good I had to go for. I'm certain I've never hit more than 5 reps at 205+ so things are definitely trending up here. Hopefully it has good carry over.

My boy... Man he's built for this. His legs are far bigger than mine. He's now aware of weight classes and school records. If he puts in the work.....
 
Definitely been more tired lately. I've noticed that with some other products I've tried like epiandro, the gear cream, etc. My assumption is that I'm going harder and recovering like a teenager doing 2 a days.

Remember when your pecs would start twitching out of nowhere during early growth? my abs are doing that today after yesterdays work lol.

One more HARD day today, rest tomorrow.
 
Bench
10 x 95, 135
8 x 150
6 x 180
5 x 210
5 x 3 x 240

AMRAP x 2
210 x 11, 9

DB palms facing
12 x 60s
10 x 70s
6 x 80s
5 x 90s

Arnold's seated
4 x 15 x 25s
(Holy delt burn)

Incline bench
3 x 135, 160, 180, 180


Weight 194
this programming is identical to the heavier day earlier in the program except the incline bench is heavier, and I added reps on the AMRAP (11 and 9 today vs 9 and 7 last time). I also went just about as heavy as I could on the db press.
Do you like those DB presses with palms facing in?
 
Do you like those DB presses with palms facing in?
Try them; they’re great. Really felt like they activated my long head triceps hard & very directly aided my bench. I would definitely do them for hypertrophy if I could still do closegrip pressing with my left arm.
 
Do you like those DB presses with palms facing in?
Idk, I wouldn't say it's a new default movement for me, but I definitely feel it hitting differently. My palms want to turn towards my feet at the top a little so I let them to avoid the shoulders being pushed into an unnatural position, but they're still pretty palms-facing.
 
Trap bar deadlifts
10 x 135
3 x 5 x 225

Trap bar rows
2 x 10 x 135

BB rows
2 x 10 x 135

Seated DB curls
3 x 10

SS with H/S shrugs
3 x 15 x 225

Lat pull downs
5 x 12

Rear delt swings
3 x 15

SS with standing DB curls
3 x 10



Gym got a new toy, did not expect to walk in and see the trap bar, left my belt in the car because I wasn't going to go heavy today but it was still fun to play with the new toy

Generally light session, needed that. I wanted to do this day yesterday actually but was just so wiped out I gave myself a bye day, went home and worked on the new fish tank, had a date with the wife, and somehow after a fat philly cheesteak dinner with fries woke up at only 191 this morning.
 
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Trap bar deadlifts
10 x 135
3 x 5 x 225

Trap bar rows
2 x 10 x 135

BB rows
2 x 10 x 135

Seated DB curls
3 x 10

SS with H/S shrugs
3 x 15 x 225

Lat pull downs
5 x 12

Rear delt swings
3 x 15

SS with standing DB curls
3 x 10



Gym got a new toy, did not expect to walk in and see the trap bar, left my belt in the car because I wasn't going to go heavy today but it was still fun to play with the new toy

Generally light session, needed that

Open trap bar or classic?
 
Week 4 light day

Bench
10 x 95, 135
8 x 150
8 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
4 x 3 x 255

AMRAP x 2
205 x 10, 10

CGBP - AMRAP x 2
185 x 10, 10

Incline DB
12 x 45s
10 x 60s
8 x 70s
6 x 85s

OH cable extensions.
4 x 15 x 80lbs

Seated Arnold's
4 x 12 x skipped, ran out of time

Machine flies
4 x 12 x 160, 160, 205, 205


Holy **** I'm spent. But watched my boy squat a reps PR today, 265 x 2.
 
Think your front squats are blowing up your regular squats? Been thinking of adding a Hex Bar DL and Front squat day. Hoping to get a sling shot here for Christmas!
 
Congrats to your son and his PR…..you’re rolling right along in that Cube Predator program, looking good.💪
 
That’s a meat and potatoes day! I see your bench volume

It must be working, right? Like... I felt slow yesterday at 255, but my amrap consistency is staying upf so I can only assume things are working?

Think your front squats are blowing up your regular squats? Been thinking of adding a Hex Bar DL and Front squat day. Hoping to get a sling shot here for Christmas!
The slingshot is honestly one of my favorite things. my boy rarely uses it but I have zero regrets about having him use a slingshot at age 13/14 because it pulled his elbows in and I believe that his slingshot work led to protected and better overall form development.

It's too early to know really where my back squats are going to land. I'm getting closer to writing 315 down on paper as a 2025 bench goal so while squats will be a priority, bench will still take my focus/energy budget. My squats are important to me for overal strength/power/leg size, knee and back health, but they're also mentally really taxing for me. all that said, the fact that at age 42 I'm flying through all these front squat PRs is kinda shocking me, surely it can't be a bad thing!

Congrats to your son and his PR…..you’re rolling right along in that Cube Predator program, looking good.💪

And congrats to you kid! Got the fire lit early and gonna beast

Thank you!! Yesterday I caught him breathing hard, drips of sweat rolling down his forehead. I could see this increased level of hard work/output that made me so crazy proud of him. He's not just going through the motions to hang with dad, he's truly working hard!! Crazy proud of him.
 
It must be working, right? Like... I felt slow yesterday at 255, but my amrap consistency is staying upf so I can only assume things are working?


The slingshot is honestly one of my favorite things. my boy rarely uses it but I have zero regrets about having him use a slingshot at age 13/14 because it pulled his elbows in and I believe that his slingshot work led to protected and better overall form development.

It's too early to know really where my back squats are going to land. I'm getting closer to writing 315 down on paper as a 2025 bench goal so while squats will be a priority, bench will still take my focus/energy budget. My squats are important to me for overal strength/power/leg size, knee and back health, but they're also mentally really taxing for me. all that said, the fact that at age 42 I'm flying through all these front squat PRs is kinda shocking me, surely it can't be a bad thing!





Thank you!! Yesterday I caught him breathing hard, drips of sweat rolling down his forehead. I could see this increased level of hard work/output that made me so crazy proud of him. He's not just going through the motions to hang with dad, he's truly working hard!! Crazy proud of him.

Just looking at your current bench layout vs old it is 1000% working! Ride it out as prescribed and don’t go rogue, big bench incoming.
 
Just looking at your current bench layout vs old it is 1000% working! Ride it out as prescribed and don’t go rogue, big bench incoming.

My only fear, which I Know a lot of people disagree with, is I feel like I have to hold heavy weight very often or I lose it. Historically I felt like doing a lot of training at lighter weight just made me better at lighter weight. but I really want to give this programming the full college try. 2023 my PRs all came when I cycled 2 bench days a week. One very heavy ME day with slingshot overloading, one day speed/volume with banded work at about 50-60% (but very hard still). But if I can eek out a 5lb PR every few months doing this Cube Predator then I can really put my sights on a strong 315 in 2025. which isn't really a target that was ever in my mind back when I hit my first 250lb, or when I was chasing 300.
 
My only fear, which I Know a lot of people disagree with, is I feel like I have to hold heavy weight very often or I lose it. Historically I felt like doing a lot of training at lighter weight just made me better at lighter weight. but I really want to give this programming the full college try. 2023 my PRs all came when I cycled 2 bench days a week. One very heavy ME day with slingshot overloading, one day speed/volume with banded work at about 50-60% (but very hard still). But if I can eek out a 5lb PR every few months doing this Cube Predator then I can really put my sights on a strong 315 in 2025. which isn't really a target that was ever in my mind back when I hit my first 250lb, or when I was chasing 300.

It’s mental and invalid for sure. All this sub max work is going to build your base bigger so when you go to handle weights that previously failed, you will already be sitting in a better spot before the lift. If you handle big weights every week it will inevitably recede, recovery cannot be had.
 
It’s mental and invalid for sure.

I definitely subscribe to this and I see it in others, it just can be hard for me to see it in myself, that's the mental part, lol. Watched my boy throw 205lbs yesterday like it was a pillow, then pin himself under 210 lol. I told him it's in his head and more or less told him all the same things you guys have always told me. drop back, work on pauses, spottos, etc and 'build the base'.

All this sub max work is going to build your base bigger

Definitely seeing that, seeing increased volume at moderate weights I think. pushing those small AMRAP PRs. The other thing that might be a challenging hurdle for me to learn/recognize/understand in 2025 is shedding fatigue and hitting it fresh. Like pounding out 4 sets at 255 yesterday was no big deal, the AMRAPs were pretty good, but things definitely felt "slow".
 
Squats
10 x bar, 95
5 x 135, 185
1 x 225, 275, 315
3 x 3 x 315

Walkout
2 x 405

V squats
10 x +180, +270,
5 x +320
10 x +180

Leg ext
3 sets rapid fire, ascending weight till puke

Adductor machine
5 sets, ascending weight and width



Notes
Felt like ****. Left my belt in the car. Planned to go light. Used my buddies belt, accidentally added 20lbs to last week's set

Probably could have been a PR day but those 315s felt awesome
 
Cube Predator Heavy Day
Bench - Comp
2 x 10 x 95
3 x 135
8 x 150
6 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
5 x 2 x 255

AMRAP
195 x 12, 11

Palm facing DB
10 x 52.5s
8 x 65s
6 x 75s
5 x 85s

Incline barbell
3 x 4 x 165

Standing OH cable ext
3 x 15

Seated military press
4 x 12 x 75

Weight 192
Down a tiche this morning.
I went as heavy as I could on the DB's and OH cable extensions, as there was no rx on the programming. Incline was to the program. Mil press I think was same weight as last time but honestly even a measly 75lbs was murder on the delts at 12 reps after the other work.

It's humbling a bit getting to the amraps and feeling like I've shot my shot a bit. I don't really train comp style bench since I don't have competition plans so I'm getting more pause practice than normal and that adds a real element of challenge over my historical T&G.

I can't help but to think these are all good things though. we'll see what the future holds at the end of December, I have a back up plan in 2025 as well, basically mirror image programming to what I did in 2023 to take my PR to 300lbs.
What’s the program you’re doing now?
 
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