Bench 1RM

Bench press testing

Today I did my bench press 1RM to see where I was at with my dynamic strength. It was higher than I assumed, but not as high as I would have liked considering my bench press isn’t the weakest of the 3 big lifts. For some reason, I always find myself plateauing when it comes to my bench press, and I don’t know if it is my lack of programming for it correctly or if I haven’t worked/strengthened the right muscles to lift more. I am 10 lbs away from my goal (which doesn’t seem like much, but it is a lot when lifting). In the meantime, I probably will tweak some workouts and see where I am again in another 6 weeks with my bench press. Anyone else have a weak area in bench pressing? What have you done to perform higher weights? leave answers in the comment section. 

 

Warm up:

 
  • Incline DB chest press: 4 x 25, 30 lbs
  • One arm bentover DB row: 4 x 25 ea. arm, 15 lbs
  • DB bentover reverse fly: 4 x 25, 10 lbs

Workout:

  • Barbell bench press: 125 lbs – MAX WEIGHT

Superset:

  • DB floor press: 6 x 12-15, 60 lbs
  • Bentover DB row: 6 x 12-15, 40 lbs

Superset:

  • DB flyes: 6 x 12-15, 30 lbs
  • One arm DB chest press: 6 x 12-15 ea. arm, 30 lbs

Superset:

  • Resistance band pull apart: 6 x 12-15, red band
  • Seated DB shoulder press: 6 x 12-15, 40 lbs
 

1RM squat test

Warm up:

 
  • DB romanian deadlift: 4 x 25, 20 lbs
  • resistance band butt lifts: 4 x 25, red band
  • hip abduction 4 x 25, 40 lbs

Workout:

  • Barbell back squat: 225 lbs = 1RM PR

Superset:

  • Linear leg press: 6 x 12-15, 298 lbs
  • Kettlebell goblet squats: 6 x 12-15, 10 kg

Superset:

  • Medicine ball slams: 6 x 12-15, 15 lbs, 10 lbs
  • Kettlebell swings: 6 x 12-15, 10 kg

Superset:

  • Leg extension machine: 6 x 12-15, 50 lbs
  • DB calf raises: 6 x 12-15, 50 lbs

Watch the video of me performing the 225 lb squat today: Shaylon_fitnessWonderWoman

New gym experience & gym partner

Workout:

 
  • Smith machine bench press: 5 x 3, 115 lbs

Superset:

  • smith machine shrugs: 6 x 12-15, 205 lbs
  • EZ bar bicep curls: 6 x 12-15, 40 lbs

Superset:

  • DB triceps kickback: 6 x 12-15, 15 lbs
  • EZ bar military press: 6 x 12-15, 40 lbs

Superset:

  • Cable chest press: 6 x 12-15, 50 lbs
  • Db front raises: 6 x 12-15, 20 lbs

Superset:

  • DB chest press: 6 x 12-15, 60 lbs
  • Seated triceps overhead extension: 6 x 12-15, 10 lbs

I worked out at the Planet Fitness in a new town with my friend 🙂 so I had to change some things up to my original workout. Haven’t used a smith machine for bench press in years, >.< but it worked out decently. It was nice to workout with a friend and show her the ropes with lifting. Overall good ex

Last day of May workout

Warm up:

 
  • Smith machine calf raises: 4 x 25, 25 lbs
  • Glute kickback: 4 x 25 ea. leg
  • Kettlebell stiff legged deadlift: 4 x 25, 4 kg

Workout:

  • Sumo deadlift: 4 x 1-2 (90% 1RM, 200 lbs)/ 4 x 1-2 (100% 1RM, 225 lbs) 
  • Barbell back squat: 4 x 1-2 (90% 1RM, 180 lbs)/ 4 x 1-2 (100% 1RM, 200 lbs) 

Tri-set:

  • Smith machine vertical leg press: 5 x 8-10, 205 lbs
  • EZ bar stationary lunges: 5 x 8-10, 30 lbs
  • body bar overhead squat: 5 x 8-10, 15 lbs

Tri-set:

  • Kettlebell goblet squat: 5 x 8-10, 8 kg
  • EZ bar push press: 5 x 8-10, 40 lbs
  • Kettlebell stiff legged deadlift: 5 x 8-10, 8 kg

I hit a new PR in the sumo deadlift, 250 lbs

BeGreatGuys Monday Motivation #6

“Do what you said you were going to do”

In other words, whatever it is you said you would do, that you have to do, that you want to do – DO IT!  

 

The problem is we get caught up on words, we say things but have a difficult time putting forth the action – for example: “I want to open my own gym”, that’s something someone wants to do, but the problem is, they aren’t doing anything about it and if they are doing something — they are running out of patience and not seeking the help they need to make that into an action; in turn, giving up or complaining. I realize owning a gym would be difficult for most people (expenses, responsibility, learning the business side of things, taking a risk, seeking employees, etc. BUT it is POSSIBLE. Maybe in the moment it seems like a fantasy that has a low percentage of happening but in the scheme of things, what is it that keeps you from trying anyways. If it is money, what can do you to raise enough money, hell better yet, what is a more affordable way to own a business until you are able to afford a big enough building or lot? I have known many companies to start small — and as soon as they start earning customers and revenue, they grow, they prosper. You go from selling products and training from your garage to now owning a huge gym that sits in a nice lot that serves thousands of people. It is POSSIBLE. 

 

The reason I made this post was not only to give you some motivation, but to give me some motivation, some insight on what I already know and to give me the boost of confidence to think outside of the box and not give up because something isn’t coming “easy” for me. I started a business recently, my OWN business, hell, it is very new and a huge risk for me, because I have very little information on how to go about it and to be honest, I haven’t put the amount of effort into it, that is necessary and that’s strike one against me. I want to put the effort into it and make it grand & here I am saying this but not providing any action — so all the while I am telling you to put forth action towards your goals; I need to do the same for myself, and not wait another day to do so, but do it NOW because it is POSSIBLE. 

 

Your goal can be as small as: “I need to visit my grandmother this week”, well if that is important to you, why haven’t you done it? why is work, school, relationships and traveling your excuse? when something is important to YOU, you will know how important it is, because you make time for it, you make an effort no matter the circumstances. If work and traveling is keeping you from visiting grandmother, than why not make that effort to call or message her? if  not having transportation is the issue, then why not use your resources? It’s not to make you feel guilty but to make you realize that the things we say we should do and need to do, can be done if we look at the time we have and spend it wisely and make time for things that we put off; make time for people that we put on hold, and make time for goals that we are passionate about. In a nutshell, I am the last person to tell you how to have ‘better time management’ because I feel as though I fail in that area in the recent years, however, I do know I don’t always spend my time wisely and I don’t always utilize my resources and sometimes I make excuses and put things off for “tomorrow” but while working out today at the gym, I came to think that I need to put myself on a schedule/routine when it comes to my life outside of the gym because otherwise I fail to do what is important & I make more excuses. Is this you?

 

We won’t be perfect. It will be challenging sometimes & we will get frustrated, possibly even overwhelmed with anxiety. That’s to be expected when you have goals and aspirations and passions in life — but the end result will be: a sense of accomplishment, a sense of progress, a sense of productivity and growth. All of those things will come if we DO WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO. 

 

Hope you have enjoyed this read, if so, please feel free to follow, share and leave comments 😀

 

Twitter: ShayM_Fitness

Email: Shay.moss19@gmail.com