jm1369’s BodyBlog

Set a new goal of benching 405 by the end of next year. Sounds lofty, but can be done if i can remain injury free. Sitting on about 330 now. Should be able to re-start bench press program after thanksgiving. Would like to start sooner, but hunting and trapping will take up a lot of time this fall. Especially in november. Looking forward to this challenge!

Starting a mass phase tomorrow. Spent the last 7 weeks on low rep, heavy weight strength building. Went well. Stronger in all lifts right now. Time to drop the weight and increase reps for a while and see how it goes. Maybe after a few weeks do some undulating periodization (muscle confusion). Might try pre-exaution too. Lots of options.

Going to take a few days off after doing a couple months of strength training. That includes the 7 weeks of the bench press program which I feel went very well. On mondy I will begin a mass training phase and continue until other fall activities take up some gym time.

My goal was to hit 315 on the bench press before the end of August. I hit 330 this morning. Time to take a few weeks off from heavy benching and re-evaluate and establish new goals.
I pressed a 325 and was going to leave it at that. But my spotter encouraged me to try the 330. I`m glad he did. Thats a 35 pound increase in my bench in only 7 weeks!
Thanks again to Dave for introducing me to the program and giving support during the last 7 weeks.  Also thanks to Tony for his encouragement.

Undulating periodization? 5 x 5? 10-12 reps? While on the bench program, I`ve been doing strength training for the rest of the body. It has gone well. I am stronger in most areas. Now it is time to shift gears and turn to mass training. Just not sure which way to turn. Read plenty how the 5 x 5 and periodization (muscle confution) are great mass programs. Or should I stick to the tried and true 10-12 reps for all exercises? Gotta decide soon. Will be done with bench program monday. Will start next phase Friday.

First time I was not able to complete all reps at designated weight. First set was 270 x 5. Next 2 sets were 295 x 3 reps. Last 2 sets were supposed to be 315 x 2 reps each. The first set I completed each rep, but I only got 1 of the last 2 reps. I hope monday, my last day of the program, goes better.

Lower back too sore to swap bench pressing for legs. So I approached the benching causiously. Slight discomfort, but nothing like friday. I could handle the weight the way I could since starting the program. In fact, I did a personal best of 320. 2 more workouts to go. Last day calls for 325 I am confident I can finish the program out with no more distractions.
Out of curiosity, I weighed 2 of the bars. To my surprise one went 42 pounds, the other went 42.5. I am trying to talk the new owner into replacing these bars as they both are a little bent also.

Not satisfied with benching today. Did the reps and poundage as required in program. But with more difficulty than there should have been. A stinging pain started in my left shoulder yesterday, and it may be causing a distraction. I think the pain will go away. And all will be ok. I dont want to abort the program this close (3 more workouts) to the end. Although I have already met my end of summer goal, it`s only natural to want to complete a project of any nature.

Blasted my p.b. bench press of 300 twice today. My third and fourth sets were 305 x 2 reps. Then my last set was a 315 x 1 rep. This bench program is going great. Barely 2 weeks ago, 315 was a forced rep. Today it went up easier (not easy) than expected. 4 remaining workouts left in the program. I should end up around 330 for my 1rm. That would be a 35 pound increase in just 7 weeks!

Intended to do 1 forced rep with negative at 125 barbell curl. Ended up doing the rep without needing my spotter. Surprised myself with that one!
Thinking I may enter my first comp in 2010. A little ways away, I know. But I want time to even out some of my glaring symetry problems and add a lot more mass. Maybe if I get a wild hair, I will sign up for one sooner. But that is my current target.