Sat, 8 June 19
Events @ ISCF
Today is US Strongman Nationals in Columbus, OH and I am sadly unable to make it this year due to a number of personal factors including money and lack of ability to take time off from work. Since I was aiming my training goals toward this comp, I figured I might as well at least test out my 13" Axle Deadlift to see how much, if any progress I made from programming my last 4 months of training. Turns out it was a solid amount.
Suited 13" Axle Deadlift
10x70
10x170
6x260
2x4x350 - Add suit on 2nd set
2x440
2x530
1x620
1x670
1x710 - PR, video
As you can see from the video, this does not look like it is anywhere near my max right now, but it is a 45 lb improvement (1x665 to 1x710) since I first started training in my suit for a 13" axle deadlift. This is also the most I have ever pulled from this height, at least that I know of (sometimes I don't know the weight of what I'm lifting when it's a car, small building, bleacher full of people, your mom, etc). Huge thanks to Iron Strong CF co-owner, Dave Marquette, for tightening the hell out of my straps and sending my right nut up into my abdominal cavity. Totally worth it.
How the hell did I make such an improvement? I hope that it was due largely to my programming, but here are some factors I know helped:
*I trained almost all deadlifting in my suit on both speed days and heavy days
*I trained almost all deadlifts from 13" to get used to generating force from that starting position
*I trained almost all deadlifts on the axle to get used to having zero whip on the bar and worse grip, even with straps
*I deadlifted every week in some form or another, whether light, heavy, slow, or fast
*I added supplemental and accessory lifts to my training to help with strength in my low back, ass, and hammies
*I listened to my body and adjusted my training as needed once in a while if I was feeling like total doodoo
All of these things came together for a huge increase after 4 months of training from early February through early June. This is also roughly how I structured my deadlift training for USS nationals last year when I won both the 220 lb class and the open middle weight division national championships and qualified for worlds, so it definitely works for me.
Log C&J (clean once)
complex x 85
complex x 135
complex x 175
3x225
2x265
1x285
1x305 - Technique was getting dangerously fugly so no more today.
Yoke Zercher Carry
80'x255
80'x345
80'x455
80'x545 - This felt good until I had to drop and repick due to a wardrobe malfunction.
BFR Prowler Drags
10 minutes of alternating between 100'xprowler+50 backward drag and 100'xprowler+50 forward drag while wearing blood flow restriction cuffs and my legs felt like they were going to explode
