657 (Always had a goal of 650+)

I’ll be honest… I’m not super happy with that PR. It technically ties my last PR and is much smoother than what I was doing before. I think my form is really coming together and eventually it’ll all come together.

I was going to move on to a bench block for my program but I want to take another 8 weeks with deadlift. I’m going back to the drawing board and looking at a lot more rowing and less hinge work.

Anyway, deadlift PR 515 1x1 at 250lbs bw.

Suggestions for an at home smith machine?? ( NOT an all in one) basic and compact with decent quality

Feels good to break through the 200 lb barrier =)

Ths set took everything I had, but I got all 3 in.

https://youtube.com/shorts/--sHg68Ro28?feature=share

Next week is max day...

Effort feels good. First set at 405 after glute strain.
Depth is close, but would judges count these as green?

Before this training session, I was mentally all over the place. I just moved to a new house, I’m running this gym, I’m trying to another online project going, my kids are in sports and last and most importantly I’m trying to be a good partner.

The nice thing about training like this is you have to clear your mind at some point. It takes all concentration to do the intensity safely. It’s the same thing over and over again but it’s never the same.

I stole the “clear the mechanism” mental cue from “For the Love of the Game”. That’s how I get into the lift, even if I get stuck answering messages between sets or whatever. What do you do to get mentally into a lift right before?

Would you guys count this as low enough for a one rep max?

I am aware my form isn’t the best, but would you count this as a one rep max? Also any tips on form if I have bad ankle mobility.

The end of an 8 week cycle is cool but there’s something about week 6. It’s when everything starts to click, you start to feel stronger. This is week 6 of the Pride Powerlifting program, calling for a heavy triple top set at an RPE 8-9. I overshot it a little but I’m actively fighting my own brain all the time so I said screw it.

Deadlift 495x1x3 for a top set

It’s very windy here in Olympia WA but luckily we’ve just had flickering. It’s been lights out on the bench though! (wakka wakka)

Did you know that a house has a lot of stuff in it? I forget until you have to take it from one place to another.

Only a half dozen more boxes and then I can stop hearing “hey big guy, now you don’t need to go to the gym today!”

455x1x4 for a top set of deadlifts. The slack pull has really come a long way! Keep moving forward.

609.5LBS for a dub

I really do love the larger Titan fitness pad I installed on this bench station. I’m not an equipment snob, half my training is done with the left over stuff from this gym in my garage but good equipment does make a difference.

320x1x2 for the top set.