BAS_FAN's prep for the 2009 Niagara Open

BAS_FAN

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I decided to make a log for my training in preperation for the 2009 Niagara Open. Here are the details. Niagara Powerlifting Club

Im basing my training almost strictly on Jim Wendler 5/3/1 program because its simple and has resulted in amazing gains. I just finished my first cycle and my current numbers are:

Age: 26 (27 in decemeber)
Height: 5'7
Location: Ontario CANADA
Bodyweight: 164lbs

Oct 15.08
Bench: 245lbs
Deadlift: 330lbs
Squat: 225lbs
SOHP: 135lbs

Nov 11.08
Bench: 285lbs
Deadlift: 405lbs
Squat: 300lbs
SOHP: 165lbs
Weighted chins: BW+ 75lbs x 4
Dips: BW+135lbs x 5

Dec 06.08
New PR's
Deadlifts off 4inch step w/chains (+20lbs at top): 385lbs
Low Box Squats w/ chains (+40lbs at top): 275lbs

Goals for Powerlifting meet:

Bodyweight: Under 165lbs after cutting
Bench: 315lbs
Deadlift: 425lbs
Squat: 375lbs


So today was the first day that i added chains and bands to my training and just finished the final wave of the 5/3/1 program.
The next cycle will include chains and bands and i did my first pressing workout using both chains and bands. Im training my lockout using floor presses. I did floor presses today using 2 chains on each side. Each chain is about 15-20lbs (not positive) and since half the chain is still on the ground at lockout, im assuming a 40lbs increase at the top.
Next i did some bench using the green average flex band (second strongest band available from EFS). I only have one so i bring it under the bench and then attach each end to the bar just outside the power rings (hope everyone can picture that). Anyway, that is really crazy!! At the bottom there is zero stretch but at the top (depending on how far the bands are apart on the bar) im getting at least another 100lbs of resistence. Im really building on my bar speed with the band training and i can already feel the difference with one session.
Im hoping to add 25lbs on my deadlift, 50lbs on my squat and another 25 on my bench at the end of this cycle. I know the squat goals seem high but my squat have sky rocketed since i started squating right.
Anyway, i have a powerlifting meet in january so im pushin it pretty hard. I'll let you guys know how the chains and bands help but i would totally endorse anyone wanting to including them in their training!

For the next cycle, im going to based the 1RMs on Rack pulls instead of Deadlifts, Low box squats instead of squats, flor presses instead of Bench and push press instead of SOHP. I'll probably figure out the maxes for those next week and then based the next 5 waves on those numbers. Just incase you dont know the 5/3/1 program, here is a basic summary:

4 workouts per microcycle:
A. Squat + assistance
B. Bench press + assistance
C. Deadlift + assistance
D. Military press + assistance

Each mesocycle has 4 microcycles or "waves".
Wave 1. Warmup, 75%x5, 80%x5, 85%x5
Wave 2. Warmup, 80%x3, 85%x3, 90%x3
Wave 3. Warmup, 75%x5, 85%x3, 95%x1
Wave 4. (deload) - 60%x5, 65%x5, 70%x5

Note: On the last set you can do an "all out rep max" lifting that weight as many times as possible; the goal is to get at least the specified number of reps with that weight (only do a rep max on the last set)

Wendler recommends 3 workouts per week. Example:
Week 1: A1, B1, C1
Week 2: D1, A2, B2
Week 3: C2, D2, A3
Week 4: B3, C3, D3
Week 5: A4, B4, C4
Week 6: D4, etc. ...

The main lifts can be substituted with variations (typically in subsequent mesocycles):
Squat - box squat, squat with bands, front squat, etc.
Bench press - board press, floor press, incline, etc.
Deadlift - rack pulls, deficit DL, etc.
Military press - push press, incline press, etc.

Assistance work depends on your goals:
None - just do the main lifts
Basic - just do 1-2 supplementary lifts, typically 3-5 sets x 6-20 reps
Bodybuilder - 3-4 supplementary lifts, including some isolation work, done for higher volume, typically 3-4 sets x 10-20 reps
 
How many logs do you intend to maintain?
 
this one is the main one....i didn't even know there was another. I wonder if im the only one on sherdog how has ever had a double post....
 
i'm going to be posting in THIS log so everyone can ignore the other log. Sorry for the double post....

ps. After looking over some of the logs i think i might be the weakest guy in here. I need to start lifting some heavy ass weight if i want to compete!
 
i guess i better get around to starting a log soon myself.

I have to say you have a weak squat when compared to your bench. Just not your sort of lift or to much benching on an old bb routine ? Just curious
 
ive just recently spent time fixing my squat and after reading starting strength ive really made improvements. I went from not being able to boxt squat 225lbs 5 weeks ago to squating 300lbs below paralel for a single. It's going up every single workout (while the bench isnt going up nearly as fast)
As for bench? I have short arms so i make easy gains on the bench. Squats will go up since my confidence under the bar has greatly increased.

Thank you Rippetoe!
 
ive just recently spent time fixing my squat and after reading starting strength ive really made improvements. I went from not being able to boxt squat 225lbs 5 weeks ago to squating 300lbs below paralel for a single. It's going up every single workout (while the bench isnt going up nearly as fast)
As for bench? I have short arms so i make easy gains on the bench. Squats will go up since my confidence under the bar has greatly increased.

Thank you Rippetoe!

Cool mate just curious btw you helped me to finally start a training log on here thanks. good luck with it all ill keep an eye on your log because we seem at reasonably similar levels (except for your bench) like to see what works well for you as i wish to compete eventually myself.:icon_chee
 
yeah, we should definetly help each other out. I know that my bench is going to get over 300lbs because it have benched 300lbs before but ive never been this excited about my squat because ive never felt this confident under the bar before. Right now its not very heavy because its the only lift i had to "re-learn" out of the 3 since i was doing it horribly incorrect before reading Starting Strength. There are some areas i need to address such as my adductor muscles (which i should fix with a low box squat) but once ive bult up a strong base, the squat numbers should increase alot more.
 
today was the recovery day so all i did was some mobility work and myofascial release on the hips and shoulders. Tomorrow is gunna be a big day...actually the next 5 weeks are gunna be serious.
 
One question i had was do you guys think i would benefit from wearing a belt? I have never worn one and have never had any back issues....but from a stability and strength standpoint, do you think i should wear one? Also the fact that i can wear one in competition...
 
Nov 11/08

Max Lift - Horizontal Pressing

This is the first day of testing to determine what numbers i will use for each main exerisize on the 5/3/1 program for the next 5 weeks.

15min of shoulder mobility work

1) Close grip floor press w/chains (+40lbs at top)
1- Warm up 2x135x5 (no chains)
2- 185x6
3- 225x3
4- 225x1 w/chains
5- 275x1 w/chains (could not lock out)
note: i will base all floor pressing percentages off 275lbs

2) Flat DB Press
1- 100x7
2- 100x7

3)Bench press with green band (approx. +100lbs at lockout)
1- 135x6
2- 155x4
3- 165x3
 
holy crap my triceps are getting stiff....time to roll them!
 
Nov 12/08

Did the max attempt for the Deadlift variation which was Deadlifts off a step with 40lbs chains at the top.

Warm up - Mobility work

1) Deadlift off a 2inch step w/chains
1- 135x6 (no chains)
2- 225x3 (no chains)
3- 315x1 (no chains)
4- 315x2 w/chains
5- 385x1 w/chains (no lift)

I was in a rush so i had to make that big jump from 315 to 385lbs with another 30-40lbs at the top. Got the bar off the ground but as soon as those chains started moving, that was it. Im basing the next cycle on a 365lbs max.

2) Weighted V-bar pull ups
1- BWx10
2- BW+45lbs x 6
3- BW+45lbs x 6

That was pretty much it since i have to cut down the volume since its just testing day. I should have called it quits after the max attempt...oh well.
 
One question i had was do you guys think i would benefit from wearing a belt? I have never worn one and have never had any back issues....but from a stability and strength standpoint, do you think i should wear one? Also the fact that i can wear one in competition...

Do you want to lift more weight at your competition? If the answer is yes, grab yourself a good belt. They're easy to use and will a decent amount to your squat and deadlift.
 
ok, i'll invest in a good belt...i've never lifted with a belt so i'll have tog et used to it but im assuming they are easy to use.
What about knee wraps?
 
Nov 14/08
Overhead pressing

I have officially decided i hate overhead pressing. I just seem to be getting worse at it when everything else is going up.

1) Strict OHP
1- 95x3
2- 135x2
3- 155x1
4- 155x1

2)Jammer Press
1- 90x10
2- 140x 6
3- 160x5
4- 180x3

3) Weighted dips
1- BW+135 x 5 (+ 3 negatives)
2- BW+135 x 2 (+3 negatives)
3- BW+90 x 5 (+3 negatives)

CNS is totally shot and i have no idea how this is going to hurt my low box squat max tomorrow. Only time will tell. Any tips on how to charge up my CNS so its not dead tomorrow?
 
You're not going to get better at pressing by doing 7 reps per session.

That was just a max session. All i had to do was find my max on SOHP. Once i find my max, i'll plug it into the 5/3/1 program for the next 5 weeks.
 
Nov 15/08

Low box squat Max day.

Basically i was super sore from that shoulder/dip workout so i spent and extra 15min on mobility and by the end, i felt loose and as a goose.

1) Low Box squat with chains
NOTE: 40lbs extra pounds at the top since chains are fully extended when sqaut is locked out.
1- 135x5 (no chains)
2- 185x3 + chains
3-225x1 + chains
4-255x1 + chains (Max)

2) Low box squat (no chains)
Note: Fixing form, working on keepsing knees apart.
1-225 x 3
2-225 x 3
3-225 x 2

3) Single leg extensions (feet pointing out)
1-100 x 8
2-100 x 8
3-100 x 8

Now that i have all my max numbers, the real fun begins. Next week i begin the 5/3/1 using these maxes and see what happens in 5 weeks!
 
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