Texas Method - Week 4 - Day 2 - 11/10/10
Weight: ??? (Probably around 228)
Front Squats
Bar x 10
95 x 5
135 x 5
190 x 2
*Belt*
245 x 3
245 x 3
245 x 3
Bench Press
Bar x 8
95 x 5
135 x 5
165 x 1
200 x 3
200 x 3
200 x 3
Power Cleans
95 x 4 (Hang cleans)
135 x 2
165 x 3*
Chinups (Neutral grip)
BW x 4
BW x 2*
*See comments
Comments:
Today sucked overall. First day lifting in Washington at the base gym. It's ok; it has a power rack, a squat rack, 3 benches, and that's about all I looked for. Front squats were good, albeit they are getting much tougher especially trying not to lean forward. Bench was awkward because I'm so used to having a spotter for a lift off and I didn't really have anyone today. I should have asked but I figured it was recovery day so I wouldn't need one. Felt awkward unracking the bar myself as I used to only do that for warmup sets and had a spotter for work sets. They were ok though, definitely asking for a spotter next time. I was dragging ass already by the time I got to cleans and my first and only set at 165 was horrible. I was bending my elbows on the way up and after the set my elbows were killing me. Luckily, there was this really big dude there (Who I came to find out competes in strongman) practicing full cleans with 235 or so. I had seen him earlier doing OHP singles at 235 and then push jerks, and he was giving another dude advice on bench press form and 5x5 programs. I mustered up the courage to ask him for advice and he helped me a bit on my technique. He showed me what is meant by triple extension which helped a lot actually seeing it in person. I did a bunch of practice drills and some singles at 135 then 145 but I never went back to work sets because my elbows were still killing me. I was dead by chinups and couldn't find a straight bar so I had to use neutral grip. I could only do 4, then 2, then I decided to call it quits. Elbows were just too sore.
All in all it wasn't horrible considering it was recovery day but I'm a little disappointed. I think I'll drop Power Cleans back down to 145 or 155 and work my way back up. Yesterday sucked since I was in planes/airports for the entire day and didn't get nearly enough to eat. Time to relax, sleep, eat, and focus on Friday's workout. Girlfriend is coming up tomorrow so that's gonna be tough to focus on haha.