Bloated but got it done

Warm up:

 
  • Seated leg press: 4 x 25, 60 lbs
  • resistance band lateral leg raises: 4 x 25 each leg, green band
  • stationary lunges: 4 x 25

Workout:

  • Conventional deadlift: 6 x 3, 230 lbs (75% RM)
  • Barbell back squat: 8 x 5, 135 lbs (60% RM)
  • Box squats: 5 x 8-10, 185 lbs 

Superset:

  • Linear leg press (hamstrings): 5 x 8-10, 298 lbs 
  • DB calf raises: 5 x 8-10, 60 lbs 

Superset:

  • Cable pull through: 5 x 8-10, 50 lbs
  • Kettlebell deadlift: 5 x 8-10, 10 kg

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Squat variations

Give them a go! 

When all else fails, squat it out. Today’s list will consist of a different variations of squats that range from very popular to “I never heard of this one”, but hopefully in the end, all of you will give some of them a go, and let me know in the comment section which one you prefer and why & which ones you don’t like — because not everyone likes squatting.

Barbell back squat:

This exercise can be done with high bar narrow stance or with low bar wide stance .. 

Barbell front squat:

(Front Squat) This exercise can be done using wrist or using the traps — depending on how you were taught and which way is more comfortable for you.
Barbell Zercher squat:

Barbell overhead squat:

Pistol squat:

Eagle Squat:

Goblet squat:

Jump squat:

Smith machine squat:

Plie squat:

Bodyweight squat:

Split squat:

Bulgarian squat:

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New leg day strategy

Today, I decided on a new strategy for my powerlifting workouts, due to wanting to switch things up a bit and still challenge myself. The changes will only concern my leg day workouts (Tuesday and Thursday’s) but hopefully I will see good results from the switch up and reduce the soreness. 

I will continue to do deadlifts and squats on the same day along with lower body accessory work BUT instead of doing heavy with both exercises and speed with both exercises. I will do heavy for one and speed for the other, and vice versa on the 2nd day. This was the first day doing this — so not much to say for it yet.

 

Warm up:

 
  • Resistance band lateral walks: 4 x 25, green band
  • seated leg curl: 4 x 25, 10 lbs
  • body bar back squats: 4 x 25, 3 lbs

Workout:

  • Conventional deadlift (speed training day): 8 x 5, 185 lbs
  • Barbell back squat (heavy day): 6 x 3, 170 lbs
  • Barbell front squats: 5 x 8-10, 65 lbs

Superset:

  • Smith machine vertical leg press: 5 x 8-10, 205 lbs
  • DB wide stance stiff legged deadlifts: 5 x 8-10, 40 lbs

Superset:

  • EZ bar walking lunges: 5 x 8-10, 30 lbs
  • DB cleans: 5 x 8-10, 30 lbs

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Gym Partner Monday

Today was one of those days where I wasn’t in town to attend my regular gym and I still wanted to get a workout in, in order to not skip a Monday. Thankfully, my friend, whom I was staying with over the weekend, agreed to attend the gym with me earlier this morning at her gym. Now, if I had to attend without her, i probably would have, but not have liked it very much because of the fact it was a new environment that I am not yet used to and have only been to once before. With as long as I have been lifting, you would assume I wouldn’t have any issues with the gyms, but I still have my small insecurities when entering a new gym in a new place. Today’s workout was both quick and very simple. In the mix of it all, I was able to show her new exercises and push her past what she would normally feel comfortable doing, I love doing that; boosting someone’s confidence and making them feel good about their abilities. 

 

Workout:

 
  • Smith machine bench press: 3 x 6, 75 lbs, 95 lbs

Superset:

  • Smith machine bentover row: 3 x 8, 75 lbs
  • smith machine upright row: 3 x 8, 45 lbs

Superset:

  • Seated Db shoulder press: 3 x 8, 40 lbs
  • seated Db lateral raise: 3 x 8, 20 lbs

Superset:

  • Seat low row: 3 x 8, 100 lbs
  • wide grip lat pulldown: 3 x 8, 70 lbs
 

Sumo Deadlift PR’s yesterday

Firstly, I would like to say that yesterday I managed to hit 3 PR’s in my sumo deadlift. Last week I left off at a 25 lb increase to 250 and this week I was able to add 40 lbs more to it, Videos showing my lifts: Sumo PR’s each video is showing different weights starting from 260 — all the way up to 290 🙂 I am to progress & while 290 isn’t all that high compared to more elite powerlifters, it shows I am doing something right in my workouts!

 

Warm up:

 
  • DB plie squat: 4 x 25, 15 lbs
  • Leg press: 4 x 25, 60 lbs
  • kettlebell stiff legged deadlift: 4 x 25, 4 kg

Workout:

  • Sumo deadlift MAX: 50% 1RM: 110 lbs (6 reps), 80% 1RM 180 lbs (3 reps), 200 lbs (1 rep), 225 lbs (1 rep), 245 lbs (1 rep), 260 lbs (1 rep), 280 lbs (1 rep), 290 lbs (1 rep)
  • Barbell back squat (low bar, wide stance): 6 x 5-8, 135 lbs
  • power cleans: 6 x 5, 100 lbs
  • barbell front squat: 6 x 5-8, 80 lbs

Superset:

  • smith machine narrow stance squats: 6 x 5-8, 95 lbs
  • smith machine calf raises: 6 x 5-8, 95 lbs

Superset:

  • EZ bar goodmorning: 6 x 5-8, 50 lbs
  • DB deficit romanian deadlifts: 6 x 5-8, 60 lbs