Wife did a great write up on the Big Z seminar at Growler's Gym in Canton Ga so not alot more to say on it. Check hers out for the training info write up-she actually writes things down and remembers exactly his numbers and percentages! If you get a chance to see him or have him at your gym, it is a must see. Thanks to Jance for bringing him in and Todd for hosting the event. You get the early history of his training, numerous injuries he faced and overcame and the 20plus years of competition in both powerlifting and what he is most known for-strongman. I have enjoyed watching him on TV for along time. He always brings it. Philosophy wise I was right there with him. Wife says we have about 90% of the same philosophy in common. Pretty much agree there. He just continues to find ways around training with injuries and still in the dogfight at most every show. He has battled some of the best and beat them. I would definately agree he is one of the GOATs. Very down to earth and humble man willing to talk with everyone.
Being part of the WPO was a pivotal moment in my life. It turned the tide in me with anything can be done that life can be thrown at you after that. Anything you want is a matter of time, thought about it and the work to get there. So when we had a chance to be a sponsor and have a booth there, you know that it was automatic.
Honestly we did not know what to expect. The venue was at the B resort in Orlando. Nice place to hold the meet. I thought it was plenty of room for everyone. We got there Friday to set up with no problems. Sunday for the WPO they flipped the room around to set up the stage. Set up was a long fenced ramp heading down to the stage. It had the WWE kinda feel to it. Smoke, lights and all the fixins' .
Like anything, the rebirth of the WPO takes times and the first meet back was no exception. I expected issues and kinks to work out. That was also a different vibe and time to recreate where gear lifting was the king. So with the years, the times they had a changed in the lifting world with the advent of so many catagories of lifting now and even more feds to lift in the lines were really all blurred but back the WPO is.
That said the first major hurdle was the number of lifters and flights in one day. Two women's and three men's flights to be precise. If you have not been to a meet before-60 lifters in a day is alot so we were way past that. With gear it takes alot longer to get suited up. To further bring it in perspective-squats on a long day are done by 12 or 1230 with a 9ish start. We started at 10 and went to 3pm with the squats. Usually , on a long day, the squats and benches are done at 3! The Benches finished about 730ish.
As with any meet, there was some inconsistency judging wise but we were not upfront to see it ourselves and we are not the judges. But some got called on things others did not. Again that is what happens at all meets but at this high a level some more evening of the calls were in order.
Now the good news. I have been in some really intense warm up rooms and the vibe in back for the WPO was great. This is a very important part to a meet. When the room is buzzing with energy and electricity, big shit happens. I talked with some old timers like Chuck and Jimmy, in the back room and I could see the spark in their eyes just like mine. That spark, to me says, as I look at the lifters warming up is you are strong but I could fuck you up!, Then you whirl back from past back in the day you to the present moment . Blood is boiling with competitive spirit still though.. Broke you says STFU! Damn Broke you!
The room filled early for the two flights of women. I expected some really good lifting here but from the get go, the openers astounded me ending with a 711 on the opening squats! I think the end squat was 755! This continued with the benches. Back before the WPO disappeared, there was not near as many women lifter's killing it like this. There were some hitting these numbers, but not entire flights! This was fantastic to watch. The attention to detail on the technical aspects of lifting was really cool to watch.
Next the three flights of dudes and the wild wild west. These did not disappoint either. Lots of big lifting by everyone. Lots of over 1100 squat attempts ending with Hoff's 1234 . Benches over 900. Some good pulling as well, although it got too late to see all of it. The show ended around 1045 or so. I thnk the very first WPO went on till 230 or 3 in the morning.
It was not perfect by any means but none of our shows have ever been. To me, all in all, it was a very good return. Making it a two day event which I am sure it will be next time is the first obstacle. The lure of the prize money was always a major draw as well but the main idea was to bring the best to one place in time and go head to head. This was a big reason for the WPO's success in the past and from this first return show, I think it is definately moving back in that direction.
11/15
20 minutes Stepmill
11/14
Activations with Tim Tam.
MAG grip close grip mixed with Lat Assassin for 8x8 per
One arm push down non stop for 5 minutes
Suspension Strap pushups 10 reps with contraction and 15 hold at bottom for 6 rounds
Fat bell static curl holds 5 rounds
Fat bell rear delt with 15 second contraction 4 rounds
20 minutes stepmill
11/7
Still just getting back into some training after being sick for about two weeks now-flu then respiratory
Got a total reset after training from the wife before we head to the WPO Sat and Sun. Super excited to see everyone and watch the show
Reverse Hypers 6x12
Hammer leg press consisting of close,medium and widest foot placement for 8 reps each giant setted for 5 rounds
Made up some Tbar one leg deadlifts
Used stone strap to do rows out back 6x10
Standing back hyper abs with 10lb(lean back and reach over head while going back 4x8
20 mins stepmill
11/6
Activations
Supersetted Hammer incline with hammer wide decline 8x8 each
11/2
Light activations with tim tam
4 laps upper body sled
11/1
Sled 2 laps
10/31
Reverse hypers 4 pre , 4 post
Belt squat variation with both belt squat belt and front squat harness on . Did belt squats x8 super setted with front squat harness x5. 8 rounds with a drop set at end rotating belts with fronts decreasing weghts. This variation when add the front squat harness in a vogelpohl effects. I.e. , if you have used the Power Pohl then you know what I am refering to. More terribleness. We just got the Squat Buddy in to test so I threw it on for alot of the heavier sets.
Low back was jacked so did some activations with the Tim-Tam and Rock Blades Mohawk to loosen up.
10/30
Shot some videos and just walked later in the day for 5 or 6 laps.
10/29
Back circuit 8x8 each
Rack the rack on dumbells 10x10 each
Bowtie dips sets of 5 and move in a inch for 6x5 each x 2 rounds
2 laps sled
10/22
Activations all types. Alittle banged up today from apparently not much work . More stress then anything else but what is life without some suffering I reckon
Back work. Standing pulldowns with straight arm pulldowns. 10x10 each one. one set of 50 on the arm with fat bell rows.
Half get ups and various holds with 26lb KB
Ropes alternating 5 rounds of about 1 minute each
Arm bars with a 36lb KB
Still a bit ginger from Saturdays benching
Did some running for some reason. Yearly gotta see
Ran a lap
Walked a bit, finished with run
Walked a bit then ran with with a short walk
Was feeling a bit off after this and the next day I was a Zombie. I thought it might been a touch from the running just overwhelming my system. Left early on Tuesday with what felt like a giant hangover. I opened on Wednesday like normal but still felt awful and left at 7 and went back home. All I could do was sleep, barely ate, was sick to my stomach the entire day. Besides bathroom breaks I slept for 27 hours. Started taking some Tamiflu the day before and it helped a bit so pretty sure I had the flu. Pretty much killed the rest of the week for training and work.
10/21
Two extended laps sled with a plate
10/20
Activations with Tim Tam
Reverse Hypers 6 pre, 2 post
Rack pulls using the new rods for the platform. Worked up to 585lb conventional and 2 sets of 500x10 -one sumo, one conventional
Bandbell squats 3x10
10/19
Lots of walking and getting in businesses.