To Infinity.... and Beyond!

Front squats
10 x bar, 95, 135
3 x 175

Back squats
5 x 225
1 x 275, 315

Leg extensions
4 x 10

Leg curls
3 x 10

Life fitness glute extensions
2 x 12 per leg

Matrix calf extensions
2 x 25

Notes
Weight 194
Going a bit easy today. Hands and elbows were super tight on front squats, didn't expect that, but in the mix of it all I realized if my bench cycle is preparing to shed some fatigue then I shouldnt be counterproductive by destroying CNS on lower work.
 
Dustin07 said:
Front squats
10 x bar, 95, 135
3 x 175

Back squats
5 x 225
1 x 275, 315

Leg extensions
4 x 10

Leg curls
3 x 10

Life fitness glute extensions
2 x 12 per leg

Matrix calf extensions
2 x 25

Notes
Weight 194
Going a bit easy today. Hands and elbows were super tight on front squats, didn't expect that, but in the mix of it all I realized if my bench cycle is preparing to shed some fatigue then I shouldnt be counterproductive by destroying CNS on lower work.
Click to expand...

Smart play
 
SkRaw85 said:
Smart play
Click to expand...
I really am surprised by how tight my hands and elbows were though. I'm not usually the guy who has issues getting into a good front rack position.... so I may need to take some time to work on flexibility. but man, even the hands were tight! maybe residual puffiness from all the sodium yesterday idk
 
Dustin07 said:
I really am surprised by how tight my hands and elbows were though. I'm not usually the guy who has issues getting into a good front rack position.... so I may need to take some time to work on flexibility. but man, even the hands were tight! maybe residual puffiness from all the sodium yesterday idk
Click to expand...
My hands and forearms will tighten up like that on occasion too. How was your hydration, and electrolytes? Sometimes my forearms and wrists get so tight I can feel the tendons stretching al the way up into my forearm at my elbows. Just stretching the hand backwards a bit. Normally my hydration is off a bit. Either a little dehydrated, or the opposite and so much water everything feels stiff and tight. I have never truly figured it out but I could feel it in my forearms as you described it and BLECH!!!!! THAT SUCKS!
 
Dustin07 said:
I really am surprised by how tight my hands and elbows were though. I'm not usually the guy who has issues getting into a good front rack position.... so I may need to take some time to work on flexibility. but man, even the hands were tight! maybe residual puffiness from all the sodium yesterday idk
Click to expand...
I get like that in heavy bench day. Now my tendinitis is flaring up. I’ve been stretching and heating my elbow. The new thing is no ice.
 
Mine was a little different than the normal lifters tendonitis in the elbow, this was tightness in the hands I haven't experienced before. Normally I front squat in the clean position and I haven't really understood why people could not get into that position. But today on multiple sets my hands were so tight they couldn't hold that position and I'd start on the clean position, then move my hands to the crossed arm front squat position mid set.

I'm not worried since on time isn't a pattern but it was weird and made me think I'll spend more time stretching next session....
 
Usually when I feel tightness in the hands it’s arthritis, but I’m old and paying a price for the years of arm wrestling. Not saying you’re dealing with arthritis, but if you were, Apex Alchemy’s Helios is great to rub on the knuckles and any aching joints.😎
 
Dustin07 said:
I'm like 2 weeks into a daily very small dose of dermacrine now added to my stack. I wanted to try it (for the 3rd or 4th time) because historically I get itchy nips on it. the first 3-4 days I did start to itch again but it was super mild so I kept it going to see if it would get worse or not since in the past a couple days off with some alpha gel always fixed it. as of now I have zero itch and libido is a little insane. woke up a sweaty mess in the middle of the night and the wife just about got it. I let her sleep.

so basically current stack, as I get close to winding down the var, is:

var 20mg
stanoplex - 600mg
xpg epiandro - 2 pumps
1 pump dermacrine in the morning

Plus just cardiovascular support, liver support, tudca, etc. when the var runs out, I'll keep running the epiandro and dermacrine to make it a full 2 month cycle.

On top of normal eating, I've been adding protein shakes postWO, full protein servings to my coffee in the morning, and like 6 more eggs as a snack. (been boiling up like 12-18 at a time). Usually I have 2 dinners... pre-dinner before my wife, then dinner with her. sometimes a third dinner of left overs. My pre-dinners are usually some form of cottage cheese, eggs, etc but again like another 25-40g of protein.

all that said and done even after throwing in a full beef combo pho with all the noodles and fixings yesterday, woke up at only 194lbs today which is mind blowing to me.
Click to expand...
Dang, 3 dinners?! Looks like someone's definitely taking this bulk seriously! Should be thinking bodybuilding soon?
 
Dustin07 said:
Mine was a little different than the normal lifters tendonitis in the elbow, this was tightness in the hands I haven't experienced before. Normally I front squat in the clean position and I haven't really understood why people could not get into that position. But today on multiple sets my hands were so tight they couldn't hold that position and I'd start on the clean position, then move my hands to the crossed arm front squat position mid set.

I'm not worried since on time isn't a pattern but it was weird and made me think I'll spend more time stretching next session....
Click to expand...
You hit pull-ups pretty hard not to long ago wonder if just used some muscles in the arms in a different way and just feeling the tightness from it still?
 
gphagan1 said:
Usually when I feel tightness in the hands it’s arthritis, but I’m old and paying a price for the years of arm wrestling. Not saying you’re dealing with arthritis, but if you were, Apex Alchemy’s Helios is great to rub on the knuckles and any aching joints.😎
Click to expand...
oh man I don't need that in my head 😂😂 I don't know what arthritis feels like, but this was just a general tightness that felt like it could be stretched out if I had the time to really get into it. now that I think about it thought, I have actually had my wife give me hand massages before when they were quite painful. I think it's just muscular though...

Segansational said:
Dang, 3 dinners?! Looks like someone's definitely taking this bulk seriously! Should be thinking bodybuilding soon?
Click to expand...
ahaha it's funny cause my wife knows me so well when we finish dinner she often leaves out the leftovers rather than putting them straight into the fridge. She says "I'll wait until you've had second dinner before I put these away" 😂 😂 what she doesn't know, because I don't tell her, is I usually have basically a meal sized snack before she even starts cooking.

akboom87 said:
You hit pull-ups pretty hard not to long ago wonder if just used some muscles in the arms in a different way and just feeling the tightness from it still?
Click to expand...

I didn't even think about that. a few weeks back when I pulled 485lbs from the rack it left my hands sore for a few days and I attributed that to just muscle soreness due to lack of practice/training since I've chilled out on deads this year quite a bit.
 
Dustin07 said:
oh man I don't need that in my head 😂😂 I don't know what arthritis feels like, but this was just a general tightness that felt like it could be stretched out if I had the time to really get into it. now that I think about it thought, I have actually had my wife give me hand massages before when they were quite painful. I think it's just muscular though...


ahaha it's funny cause my wife knows me so well when we finish dinner she often leaves out the leftovers rather than putting them straight into the fridge. She says "I'll wait until you've had second dinner before I put these away" 😂 😂 what she doesn't know, because I don't tell her, is I usually have basically a meal sized snack before she even starts cooking.



I didn't even think about that. a few weeks back when I pulled 485lbs from the rack it left my hands sore for a few days and I attributed that to just muscle soreness due to lack of practice/training since I've chilled out on deads this year quite a bit.
Click to expand...
I noticed that last Saturday doing deadlifts how taxed I was the next day even carrying into Monday.
 
Dustin07 said:
Front squats
10 x bar, 95, 135
3 x 175

Back squats
5 x 225
1 x 275, 315

Leg extensions
4 x 10

Leg curls
3 x 10

Life fitness glute extensions
2 x 12 per leg

Matrix calf extensions
2 x 25

Notes
Weight 194
Going a bit easy today. Hands and elbows were super tight on front squats, didn't expect that, but in the mix of it all I realized if my bench cycle is preparing to shed some fatigue then I shouldnt be counterproductive by destroying CNS on lower work.
Click to expand...
How many mg per day with the var and how long?
 
GreenMachineX said:
With that dose, what have you noticed?
Click to expand...
Definitely thicker. I was at a low of 183 early november and a high of 196/198 this week. I feel like I have put on a higher ratio of lean mass to total poundage than usual. I actually don't feel any fluffier at all tbh. I have set a number of PRs on this cube predator program already, but all of them AMRAP style PRs so I have no idea if total 1rm strength is up or not.

as far as day to day stuff, almost zero effect except my hunger shot through the roof the first couple weeks and I'm tired a lot lately which I attribute to recovery from more intense sessions.
 
GreenMachineX said:
With that dose, what have you noticed?
Click to expand...
I mentioned in another thread that I look like I'm on PED's in the mirror. to which one replied "you are on PEDs!" lol. yes yes I know that. but my point is that I've seen my physique for 42 years and I've paid attention to it probably since I started wrestling at age 14 or 15 and heard girls mention my biceps or abs for the first time (LOL) and this is the first time in my life where when I look in the mirror after a good pump session I'm like holyfuck. 😂 😂

I 100% understand how dudes get so big in their 20s starting on gear early and using the massive variety of compounds I've never even touched. I'm just playing with a little mexican var, epiandro, and a shot of dhea lol.
 
Dustin07 said:
Mine was a little different than the normal lifters tendonitis in the elbow, this was tightness in the hands I haven't experienced before. Normally I front squat in the clean position and I haven't really understood why people could not get into that position. But today on multiple sets my hands were so tight they couldn't hold that position and I'd start on the clean position, then move my hands to the crossed arm front squat position mid set.

I'm not worried since on time isn't a pattern but it was weird and made me think I'll spend more time stretching next session....
Click to expand...
So my tendonitis pain is separate from what I experience in heavy bench day. Let’s see if I can describe in detail….so when I’m done with my heavy sets, the area of my elbow creases like where your bicep attaches, gets achy and tight. That feeling is also in my upper forearms and my hands. It feels like an achy muscle pump and does feel like it can be stretched out. It usually goes away when I do my accessory work. I’m assuming it’s from gripping the bar so tight while wearing wrist wraps. My tendonitis pain is something that has flared up recently, separate from what I just described.
 
Dustin07 said:
Definitely thicker. I was at a low of 183 early november and a high of 196/198 this week. I feel like I have put on a higher ratio of lean mass to total poundage than usual. I actually don't feel any fluffier at all tbh. I have set a number of PRs on this cube predator program already, but all of them AMRAP style PRs so I have no idea if total 1rm strength is up or not.

as far as day to day stuff, almost zero effect except my hunger shot through the roof the first couple weeks and I'm tired a lot lately which I attribute to recovery from more intense sessions.
Click to expand...
You’re definitely getting good results with Var, especially for just 20 mg, with your body weight up 15 lbs and hitting PRs and that will all add to your 1rm eventually. And actually another thing that could be adding to feeling tired, besides the intense training, is Var can have an effect on your lipids and cause lethargy. You usually wouldn’t see that at 20 mg, but this is your first time using it so it’s possible. But Var is one of the orals I can still take without too many issues, and still see good results…. Tbol is the other oral that seems pretty safe for us older dudes.😎
 
sammpedd88 said:
So my tendonitis pain is separate from what I experience in heavy bench day. Let’s see if I can describe in detail….so when I’m done with my heavy sets, the area of my elbow creases like where your bicep attaches, gets achy and tight. That feeling is also in my upper forearms and my hands. It feels like an achy muscle pump and does feel like it can be stretched out. It usually goes away when I do my accessory work. I’m assuming it’s from gripping the bar so tight while wearing wrist wraps. My tendonitis pain is something that has flared up recently, separate from what I just described.
Click to expand...
when I get it on the elbow, it's the inside of the elbow. I believe "tennis elbow" is the outside and "golfers" elbow is the same spot sorta, on the inside. I have had it here and there over the years and associated it with grip work. generally, I just work through it and over a period of time it disappears. I have found fish oil and other fats seem to make the pain go away. I do a lot of bicep work which may cause it, but also seems to help work through it. an empty bar or 95lbs on bench or squat will irritate it, but once I'm under more load, say 185lbs+ the pain disappears for the day. the tightness I had this week in the hands and forearms were more like when you have really tight hamstrings and can't easily bend over to touch your toes.


gphagan1 said:
You’re definitely getting good results with Var, especially for just 20 mg, with your body weight up 15 lbs and hitting PRs and that will all add to your 1rm eventually. And actually another thing that could be adding to feeling tired, besides the intense training, is Var can have an effect on your lipids and cause lethargy. You usually wouldn’t see that at 20 mg, but this is your first time using it so it’s possible. But Var is one of the orals I can still take without too many issues, and still see good results…. Tbol is the other oral that seems pretty safe for us older dudes.😎
Click to expand...

man I've enjoyed it even though it seems so subtle. I have this doctor I go to occasionally when that issue on my eye pops up. he's basically a cosmetic specialist injecting people with b vitamins and making them look pretty. one of those hollywood types. I'd love to have him in my corner if I got on TRT or did a real cycle.
 
Bench - Week 5 Heavy Day

10 x bar, 95
8 x 135, 150
6 x 180
5 x 210
3 x 240
1 x 265, 275, 285

Palms facing DB
10 x 65s
8 x 75s
6 x 90s
5 x 100s (PR probably)

Incline
8 x 135
2 x 3 x 155
3 x 165, 175, 185

Cable OH extensions
3 sets

Seated mil press
3 sets

Notes
Went off script a tiny bit. Program called for 1 x 270, 277.5, 285. Didn't have micro plates so made a small adjustment.

Awesome lat pump on the bench work.
Those 100lb DBs felt light!

Weight 196 this morning.
 
Last light day

Bench
10 x bar, 95
5 x 135
8 x 150
8 x 180
3 x 210

CGBP - AMRAP
165 x 21

Incline db
12 x 55s
10 x 60s
8 x 65x
5 x 70s

OH cable ext
3 sets

Fun little deload type day and my boy yet again had a bench PR at 210lbs CLEAN today
 
Last edited:
Dustin07 said:
CGBP - AMRAP
165 x 2
Click to expand...
wow that's a substantial typo. should have read 165 x 21 lol.
which is funny cause I thought that was a lot of reps. I think if I wanted to muscle it out as form was ready to break down I had a few more lol. but that certainly seemed like enough effort for a 'light' day.
 
Dustin07 said:
wow that's a substantial typo. should have read 165 x 21 lol.
which is funny cause I thought that was a lot of reps. I think if I wanted to muscle it out as form was ready to break down I had a few more lol. but that certainly seemed like enough effort for a 'light' day.
Click to expand...
I know about those typos….except my typo probably would’ve been 165x210.🤪
 
Dustin07 said:
Last light day

Bench
10 x bar, 95
5 x 135
8 x 150
8 x 180
3 x 210

CGBP - AMRAP
165 x 21

Incline db
12 x 55s
10 x 60s
8 x 65x
5 x 70s

OH cable ext
3 sets

Fun little deload type day and my boy yet again had a bench PR at 210lbs CLEAN today
Click to expand...
Badass session and 21 reps at 165 is pretty impressive!!

Congrats on your boys PR! That’s awesome
 
Hyde said:
Nice work - now it’s time to rest your muscles and prepare your mind for the incoming bench PR!
Click to expand...

I'm looking forward to sleeping in deep and late tonight. We did most of our Christmas with the kids last night and they stuck around until about midnight. It was a blessing though, they're great kids! By request, we had an Elf themed evening with............. Spaghetti Tacos, lol. My wife upped the protein with good meatballs and a meat platter pre-dinner. Despite all the gorging, I never stopped eating, I woke up at only 196 this morning. Kinda crazy but doing what I can to put those calories to good work.

In other news, I'll be letting my wife know how important she is to my survival based upon important research I've discovered.


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Dustin[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]] said:
Last light day

Bench
[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] x bar, [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji6]
[emoji6] x [emoji6]
[emoji[emoji6]] x [emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]
[emoji[emoji6]] x [emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]
x [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]

CGBP - AMRAP
[emoji6][emoji6] x

Incline db
x [emoji6][emoji6]s
[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] x [emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]s
[emoji[emoji6]] x [emoji6][emoji6]x
[emoji6] x [emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]s

OH cable ext
sets

Fun little deload type day and my boy yet again had a bench PR at [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]lbs CLEAN today [emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]
Click to expand...

He stronk!!!! That’s awesome brother!
 
Dustin07 said:
I'm looking forward to sleeping in deep and late tonight. We did most of our Christmas with the kids last night and they stuck around until about midnight. It was a blessing though, they're great kids! By request, we had an Elf themed evening with............. Spaghetti Tacos, lol. My wife upped the protein with good meatballs and a meat platter pre-dinner. Despite all the gorging, I never stopped eating, I woke up at only 196 this morning. Kinda crazy but doing what I can to put those calories to good work.

In other news, I'll be letting my wife know how important she is to my survival based upon important research I've discovered.


View attachment 248183
Click to expand...

That is the perfect study if you ask me
 
Dustin07 said:
I'm looking forward to sleeping in deep and late tonight. We did most of our Christmas with the kids last night and they stuck around until about midnight. It was a blessing though, they're great kids! By request, we had an Elf themed evening with............. Spaghetti Tacos, lol. My wife upped the protein with good meatballs and a meat platter pre-dinner. Despite all the gorging, I never stopped eating, I woke up at only 196 this morning. Kinda crazy but doing what I can to put those calories to good work.

In other news, I'll be letting my wife know how important she is to my survival based upon important research I've discovered.


View attachment 248183
Click to expand...
That’s my kind of research…. I should live a good long time.😜
Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas.🎄
 
Bench
10 x 95, 95
2 x 135
5 x 150
1 x 180, 210, 240
1 x 270, 290
0 x 305, 305

Slingshot
1 x 315

Benchblockz
5 x 225
1 x 275, 295, 305
9 x 245

Cable OH ext
3 x 15

Palms facing DB press
12 x 50s, 60s, 70s

Rock-it lateral raise
3 sets

Pec deck
3 sets

My plan today was to follow the program to the 1RM effort then just go nuts and enjoy benching. Wife got me the benchblockz for Christmas so that was a fun new experiment. I've never done board press before but I can 100% see its value now.

Fail point on 305 was super high, like 75% to top which is a weird fail point for me so coming back and hitting it with the board press felt awesome cause I know I have it, I really think it's practice now not lack of strength.

May not have cleared a PR on this six week stint but definitely saw massive improvement.
 
My buddy ran the cube predator with me using my numbers (started with a 300lb max in the calc). He had a 285 1RM when we started and he ended with a solid 290 today for a PR.

He couldn't hang with me in amraps or top sets of triples on heavy days but still ran the 6 weeks off my numbers and hit his PR.

He does weight about 60+ lbs more than me but it makes me want to run the program again off a 310ish max so my training numbers are all heavier.

Right now I'm thinking about giving today's effort another try on NYE cause I came damn close on that 305. I truly thought I had it but just hit a wall so close to lock out. I don't think ever ever had a bench fail so close to success. I actually feel really great about the progress. Missing the PR doesn't mean I didn't improve and if we had run microplates like the program called for I probably had 302....
 
Dustin07 said:
My buddy ran the cube predator with me using my numbers (started with a 300lb max in the calc). He had a 285 1RM when we started and he ended with a solid 290 today for a PR.

He couldn't hang with me in amraps or top sets of triples on heavy days but still ran the 6 weeks off my numbers and hit his PR.

He does weight about 60+ lbs more than me but it makes me want to run the program again off a 310ish max so my training numbers are all heavier.

Right now I'm thinking about giving today's effort another try on NYE cause I came damn close on that 305. I truly thought I had it but just hit a wall so close to lock out. I don't think ever ever had a bench fail so close to success. I actually feel really great about the progress. Missing the PR doesn't mean I didn't improve and if we had run microplates like the program called for I probably had 302....
Click to expand...
I would also attempt it again on NYE, and don’t lift upper again until then. If you do lower I’d go very easy as well, so you can get essentially more rest/deload.

The thing to remember is Lily did use steroids and believed in increasing them right before competition/peak, as do I and the people I’ve seen do this program. The timeline of only a week rest before the max is too short for a longterm delayed training effect (LTDE) of a true peak, so it’s more like a linear progression ramp up to a max single.

So in a very short time frame, just adding some Dbol or what have you that last week or two does a lot to ensure game-day victory.

But more time and deload can provide more of that supercompensation you aren’t normally getting on this short little ramp.
 
Good work man - I’m glad you got some good gains working hard at this. I’d also agree that that spot is the best one to have stuck. Often just trying to lift faster & accelerate harder all the way to lockout can get you through that one. If it’s a longterm weakness, usually a speed day added for a block can be as effective as heavier board/ tricep lockout work.
 
Dustin07 said:
Bench
10 x 95, 95
2 x 135
5 x 150
1 x 180, 210, 240
1 x 270, 290
0 x 305, 305

Slingshot
1 x 315

Benchblockz
5 x 225
1 x 275, 295, 305
9 x 245

Cable OH ext
3 x 15

Palms facing DB press
12 x 50s, 60s, 70s

Rock-it lateral raise
3 sets

Pec deck
3 sets

My plan today was to follow the program to the 1RM effort then just go nuts and enjoy benching. Wife got me the benchblockz for Christmas so that was a fun new experiment. I've never done board press before but I can 100% see its value now.

Fail point on 305 was super high, like 75% to top which is a weird fail point for me so coming back and hitting it with the board press felt awesome cause I know I have it, I really think it's practice now not lack of strength.

May not have cleared a PR on this six week stint but definitely saw massive improvement.
Click to expand...
Board presses with the block is going to help you tremendously. Just feeling that max weight in your hands is a shock to your CNS but to be able to press it with blocks is a game changer. You’ll have 305+ before you know it. Trust the system!
 
Squats
10 x bar
5 x 95, 135
3 x 185, 225, 265, 295, 315

Walkout
1 x 365

Front squats
3 x 135, 175, 205

MTS leg ext
3 sets


Notes
Taking @Hyde s advice above, decided to skip back and biceps day, my favorite day, which inevitably would be 110% tach redlined and instead got some low/moderate strain squat practice in.

Ran out of var yesterday so finishing up the year with just Epiandro and dhea.

Those front squats felt light! It was hard to walk away there, felt like I was flirting with PR potential but I figured leave well enough alone and come back to take it on another day.
 
Hyde said:
Good work man - I’m glad you got some good gains working hard at this. I’d also agree that that spot is the best one to have stuck. Often just trying to lift faster & accelerate harder all the way to lockout can get you through that one. If it’s a longterm weakness, usually a speed day added for a block can be as effective as heavier board/ tricep lockout work.
Click to expand...
Thanks Homie, I appreciate it! I really think that missing this 305 was no big deal. Unracking it felt crazy stable and for me that's half the battle on top end weights.

I don't yet understand where block press fits in on training. Would it be a heavy overload day like slingshot? The fact that I hit 305 with the board makes me really optimistic. The strain and training stimulus I felt was totally new which was fun since it seems like I was gaining something I never had helping before.

What % do you typically run a board press at?
 
Dustin07 said:
Squats
10 x bar
5 x 95, 135
3 x 185, 225, 265, 295, 315

Walkout
1 x 365

Front squats
3 x 135, 175, 205

MTS leg ext
3 sets


Notes
Taking @Hyde s advice above, decided to skip back and biceps day, my favorite day, which inevitably would be 110% tach redlined and instead got some low/moderate strain squat practice in.

Ran out of var yesterday so finishing up the year with just Epiandro and dhea.

Those front squats felt light! It was hard to walk away there, felt like I was flirting with PR potential but I figured leave well enough alone and come back to take it on another day.
Click to expand...
Nice work, holding enough back you will be primed well for a PR bench!
 
Dustin07 said:
Thanks Homie, I appreciate it! I really think that missing this 305 was no big deal. Unracking it felt crazy stable and for me that's half the battle on top end weights.

I don't yet understand where block press fits in on training. Would it be a heavy overload day like slingshot? The fact that I hit 305 with the board makes me really optimistic. The strain and training stimulus I felt was totally new which was fun since it seems like I was gaining something I never had helping before.

What % do you typically run a board press at?
Click to expand...
Depends on what height board you’re considering - 2 or 3 are about the highest I’d go for a raw guy generally, probably 3-board for lockout work.

1-3 sets of 3-8 reps after your full ROM bench work as a primary accessory/builder is how I’d use it. 1-2-board work is better for higher volume, mainly to take some of the strain/risk off extra volume. So you will see me do those in more like 5-15 rep range. But for lockout, 3-board and heavier.
 
Dustin07 said:
Thanks Homie, I appreciate it! I really think that missing this 305 was no big deal. Unracking it felt crazy stable and for me that's half the battle on top end weights.

I don't yet understand where block press fits in on training. Would it be a heavy overload day like slingshot? The fact that I hit 305 with the board makes me really optimistic. The strain and training stimulus I felt was totally new which was fun since it seems like I was gaining something I never had helping before.

What % do you typically run a board press at?
Click to expand...
Board presses take the most injury-prone position (bottom of lift) out of the equation and allow you to hammer tris while using the same movement pattern. Like Hyde said, 2-3 board most common for raw; bench shirts/tools you will utilize every single one, even down to a half board.
 
Hyde said:
Depends on what height board you’re considering - 2 or 3 are about the highest I’d go for a raw guy generally, probably 3-board for lockout work.

1-3 sets of 3-8 reps after your full ROM bench work as a primary accessory/builder is how I’d use it. 1-2-board work is better for higher volume, mainly to take some of the strain/risk off extra volume. So you will see me do those in more like 5-15 rep range. But for lockout, 3-board and heavier.
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SkRaw85 said:
Board presses take the most injury-prone position (bottom of lift) out of the equation and allow you to hammer tris while using the same movement pattern. Like Hyde said, 2-3 board most common for raw; bench shirts/tools you will utilize every single one, even down to a half board.
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so I imagine you aren't running 3-8 reps at over 100%. my 9 x 245 with the blok felt AWESOME in terms of new training stimulus. But being able to hit 305 also was huge because the block started below my fail point so even though I had the 2 board assistance, it was nice to take that 305 through lockout without the kinetic assistance of the slingshot.

I just ran this setting here, which I belive is considered a 2 board / 3" press:

1735586178486.webp



I'm sure I'll get into a groove with how it fits into training after more practice but for now it is a fun toy to add to the arsenal!
 
Dustin07 said:
so I imagine you aren't running 3-8 reps at over 100%. my 9 x 245 with the blok felt AWESOME in terms of new training stimulus. But being able to hit 305 also was huge because the block started below my fail point so even though I had the 2 board assistance, it was nice to take that 305 through lockout without the kinetic assistance of the slingshot.

I just ran this setting here, which I belive is considered a 2 board / 3" press:

View attachment 248389


I'm sure I'll get into a groove with how it fits into training after more practice but for now it is a fun toy to add to the arsenal!
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That’s all correct
 
Finished off like a lb of that roast and potatoes etc this morning for breakfast. Ever since my var wound down, my appetite has dropped like crazy. I still feel like I'm eating quite a bit. Weight is at 197 even this morning which is +10lbs since I started this run in mid Nov, but I swear I've been eating a lot and it's almost like my body wants to lose weight, not something I've ever ever seen in my life before. I'm about as sodium, carbed and fat fed as I can be lately and sorta surprised I'm not over 200 this time. When the wife and I go out to dinner I do not hesitate to enjoy the food, this hasn't been cutting dates like ice tea and salad, it's been pizza, fish n chips, tater tots, etc.
 
Bench
15 x 95
5 x 135, 155
2 x 185, 210, 235
1 x 260, 285, 305 (PR)

Slingshot
1 x 315, 325 (PR tie)

Board press (2)
8 x 250

Raw
15 x 185

Pec deck
3 sets

OHP (cleaned) for fun
10 x 95
5 x 115
1 x 135, 155

Pushpress
10 x 155

I let my wife know the good news.

Screenshot_20241231-103653.webp
 
New lifetime goal achieved: benching over 300lbs raw ✅

That’s awesome; I’m stoked for you man! Perseverance ✊
 
Hyde said:
New lifetime goal achieved: benching over 300lbs raw ✅
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Somehow benching OVER 300 now, feels like much more BDE than hitting 300 😂

Hyde said:
That’s awesome; I’m stoked for you man! Perseverance ✊
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Thanks Brother! appreciate all the wisdom and advice you have shared over the years. Glad @MrKleen73 set the schedule idea up for me to time this just right, closing out 2024 with a PR. I'm feeling pretty stoked!!
 
SkRaw85 said:
Hell yes!!!! Bench PRs feel the best, congrats!
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thanks homie, I'm still on cloud 9!!!!
Like many PRs, walked in actually sorta tired and wondering where life would go, lol. I've learned well enough by now that this is often a precursor to a great session 😂
 
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