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Strength in Interesting Places

I might just try that pull-up thing you suggested, "greasing the groove" right?

Yeah, I guess it is a kind of 'greasing the groove'.

That video is ridiculous- everyone knows that Pikachu is the only one of Ash's Pokemon that never goes inside a Pokeball. :)

However, that video did bring me to this one... looks like probably the greatest movie ever made on any subject:


If only it was real.
 
My kids are going coo coo for Pokemon at the moment.
 
My kids are going coo coo for Pokemon at the moment.

My daughter's a big fan... my wife had to hide the external HDD that has 300 episodes that I gave her. My daughter would watch them all day.
 
how do you like smolov jr. so far? :D

be sure to do something for the rear shoulder each time!

i like face pulls and kroc rows...

what weight are you aiming at after the cycle is done?
 
how do you like smolov jr. so far? :D

be sure to do something for the rear shoulder each time!

i like face pulls and kroc rows...

what weight are you aiming at after the cycle is done?

Liking it just fine, but it hasn't got heavy yet. Right now I have bent-over rows one day, weighted chins one day and deadlifts another. There's only one day without any shoulder work. I was actually thinking about doing Bent-Over Rows after every session, but I still wanted to do some exercises (like squat and DL) and I was worried there would be too much work. So I should do BORs after every session?

I haven't really got a proper target. I'd like to be able to get past my sticking point of around 83-85kg for reps/sets across, and I'd like to put a few kilos on my 1RM, so it goes above 200lbs. I don't know if that is feasible- I am not sure if I have set the weight increases aggressive enough. But I figure I'll get through the programme, and I can always run it again some time if I want. It's only three weeks.
 
i like to switch around...

these are the exercises that i would do after the bench:
cable rows
cs rows
croc rows
bors
face pulls

so just pick one for each day...



about the 1 rm after the cycle
i always gained at least 10 kg (22 lbs), so aim for that...
 
i like to switch around...

these are the exercises that i would do after the bench:
cable rows
cs rows
croc rows
bors
face pulls

so just pick one for each day...

I don't know how to do any of those, except BORs :redface: I will look at a few of them. Edit- I don't have a cable machine or dumbells.... so I can't do any of those!

If I gained 10kg on my bench I would be dancing with joy. Let's see how it comes out.
 
Could one do inverted rows? I have started to like them.

 
Another page started, and what do we have posted? Pokemon Apocalypse.

Sigh.
 
Another page started, and what do we have posted? Pokemon Apocalypse.

Sigh.

Well, the last top of page was a bit better. And there are only so many Pokemon videos needing to be posted... so chances are good for some eye candy for the next one.

Edit- top of page!

2010-12-17-20-16-12.jpg


2010-12-17-20-16-16.jpg


See?
 
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I don't know how to do any of those, except BORs :redface: I will look at a few of them. Edit- I don't have a cable machine or dumbells.... so I can't do any of those!

If I gained 10kg on my bench I would be dancing with joy. Let's see how it comes out.

well, cs rows and kroc rows will be just fine...

@ din

why not...
 
well, cs rows and kroc rows will be just fine...

@ din

why not...

Kroc rows need dumbells, right? So I can't do them. Not sure what CS rows are, but basically unless it's a barbell exercise it is not happening. On the other hand, I have figured out a way to do inverted rows. So I can alternate those and BORs.

In other news... today is 10x3@85% of 1RM... that's a pretty serious workout. I hate an extra-big breakfast, including a big plate of scrambled eggs with plenty of butter and cream to help me through.
 
Smolov Jr Bench Cycle: Week One, Workout Four (or "CNS-frying day")

Warmup: Sun Salutation B x3, C2 Rower 2 mins, lunges, asian squats
Squat: 94kg x5, x5, x3
Bench: 75kg (85% est. 1RM) x3, x3, x3, x3, x3, x3, x3, x3, x3, x3
Inverted rows: bodyweight x10, x10, x10, x10, x10

Notes:

- Squats were a bit more difficult today. Depth was only okay throughout- think I was leaning forward a little too soon, which tends to vut off my squats very close to parallel. Also very tired throughout, and had to bail on the third set. I will repeat this on next squat day and take advantage of this to move the 'light day' to this time next week.
- Bench... not especially heavy, but after a while you just start to feel slightly achy and very fried. 10 sets of 3 heavy triples is tough. I was taking 2 minutes breaks until the last few... I think when I get to 10 triples of 83kg, I will be taking longer breaks early. Luckily I set this to be on my day off, so I can take all morning if I need to.
- Inverted rows. Never done this before but I really enjoyed them. I like how closely it corresponds to the bench movement, except that it is a pull. That and the fact it is bodyweight made me decide to do a decent number of them- 5x10.

Took quite a few bench videos... will post below.

* * * *

Fried now. I added milk, banana and peanut butter to my whey, which I am drinking now. Will have shower, then a snack, then lie down for an hour or two, then have a big meal. Only one day off before the next Smolov Day (Day One of Week Two) but that is just 6x6 at 67kg (60% of 1RM plus the weight added for weak two). That is virtually a day off compared to 10x3 at 85%.
 
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Okay, based on my experience of the first week and comments from others (especially STTD, who apparently isn't totally clueless about this type of thing), I've revised the programme:

Sunday
Bench 6x6 (70% 1rm)
Bent-Over Row 3x5

Tuesday
Squat 3x5
Bench 7x5 (75% 1rm)
Inverted Rows 5x10

Thursday
Bench 8x4 (80% 1rm)
Bent-Over Row 3x5
Deathlift 1x5

Friday
Squat 3x3
Bench 10x3 (85% 1rm)
Inverted Rows 5x10

* * *

Tragic to see that bicep curls and weighted chins have dropped out of the programme. Especially bicep curls... I feel my awesomeness levels dropping slightly already. But with some kind of rowing movement every day, it will be hard to do anything else. Still, doing all those rows will prevent my chins from falling off too much when I get back them.

Sunday is the only day that has no extra exercise, but that is fine. I will probably do what I did this week- do sprints on that day and also on Monday. Then LSD or another sprint session at some point during the rest of the week. That's a good balance between strength and conditioning.
 
So, as mentioned, took a bunch of videos of my bench. Here's a warmup set:



Here's the first of my 10 sets of triples at 75kg (85% 1RM):



Here's the second set:



Comments, criticism, suggestions for improvements etc welcome!
 
wait a minute, isn't there more than 60 kg in the first vid?
20 kg bar + 2x20 kg plates + 2 other plates...
or are you one of those people who count the weight without the bar? :D

and needs more leg drive!
 
wait a minute, isn't there more than 60 kg in the first vid?
20 kg bar + 2x20 kg plates + 2 other plates...
or are you one of those people who count the weight without the bar? :D

and needs more leg drive!

No, the two blue weights you see in all the vids are only 15kgs each.

Usually I only use leg drive once it starts getting heavy, or once the reps start getting difficult. If I have difficulty, I engage the leg drive and it goes right up. But I will use it with all my reps, if that is what you recommend.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
No, the two blue weights you see in all the vids are only 15kgs each.

Usually I only use leg drive once it starts getting heavy, or once the reps start getting difficult. If I have difficulty, I engage the leg drive and it goes right up. But I will use it with all my reps, if that is what you recommend.

Thanks for the feedback.

ooh, ok then :D
usually the blue ones are 20...

yeah, use it on each rep or you won't be able to use it on the 1rm!
 
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