Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
GETTIN ALONG
I played around yesterday with my HG150 and that felt pretty good. But then worked 11 straight hours at my desk job today and my hands are pretty pissed again. This has got to be carpal tunnel.
Did back extension physical therapy tonight.
Did back extension physical therapy tonight.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
LIGHT WORKOUT
Back extension, physical therapy
Pull ups, x10, x5, x10
>>> Back feels pretty good actually. No numbness in my right leg the last couple of days.
My biggest issue is this problem with my hands. It started on 9/12 in just the left, and now is both hands. Numbness, pins/needles, burning sensations, itching, pain, aches, THE WORKS! 24/7. I am hoping hoping hoping this was over-training somehow even though that doesn't really make sense. The symptoms wouldn't linger like this for so long. It has some of the hallmarks of carpal tunnel, but that doesn't really make a ton of sense either. I've added this to the list of things to discuss with my Rheumatologist when I go in a week.
Pull ups, x10, x5, x10
>>> Back feels pretty good actually. No numbness in my right leg the last couple of days.
My biggest issue is this problem with my hands. It started on 9/12 in just the left, and now is both hands. Numbness, pins/needles, burning sensations, itching, pain, aches, THE WORKS! 24/7. I am hoping hoping hoping this was over-training somehow even though that doesn't really make sense. The symptoms wouldn't linger like this for so long. It has some of the hallmarks of carpal tunnel, but that doesn't really make a ton of sense either. I've added this to the list of things to discuss with my Rheumatologist when I go in a week.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
GRIPPERS
Warm up HG150, no set, x10, x10, x10
#1, no set, x5, x5,
BBM, x3
Working Set
RH: #3 @ 20mm
LH: BBSM @ 25mm
3/4
3/3 (stopped on left)
3
3
2
BBSM @ 25mm (RH only)
3
1
>>> My arms are smoked from the elbows down. Some tendons, muscles, and nerves are pretty pissed at me right now. Time to rest and recover. I think I'll take a week off.
#1, no set, x5, x5,
BBM, x3
Working Set
RH: #3 @ 20mm
LH: BBSM @ 25mm
3/4
3/3 (stopped on left)
3
3
2
BBSM @ 25mm (RH only)
3
1
>>> My arms are smoked from the elbows down. Some tendons, muscles, and nerves are pretty pissed at me right now. Time to rest and recover. I think I'll take a week off.
Monday, September 19, 2011
WHO AM I?
Hi, my name is Matt. And I have back trouble.
In a nutshell, I got good news today. MRI results. I have a disk extrusion--and probably more accurately still have a disk extrusion. I injured my back in 2008 and never had surgery. Physical therapy has managed it well, but I have some new symptoms. Possibly from an August car accident. The good news? Currently no action is required, but I need to make some lifestyle changes.
Bye bye 5/3/1.
It's nothing about the program, per se, but I am a person who should not be deadlifting or squatting with weight. Body weight squats? Great. Do as many as possible. Pick up the kids? Okay, just don't throw them.
If I'm being honest, I was doing 5/3/1 to "try and add some mass". Or maybe "build a base of strength." It's a little embarrassing to write that. (Parrot Matt will say anything. That stupid bird.) 5/3/1 is a good program, I believe that, but maybe I should do things that make sense to me. Things that are good for who I am instead of who I want to be. I'll never be a big person. Maybe I should focus on being a strong person.
So here's the deal. I've been cleared for basically any body weight exercise I can imagine. So I will focus on those. Specifically, I'm interested in pull ups, push ups, and lunges. Okay, you got me, not so much lunges. But I have to do something for my legs. Also there are all my favorite grip lifts. Most I can modify in some way so that I'm not taking risks with my back. 2HP will be the biggest challenge but I can work with that. Partials in training and things like TTK to supplement. 9-o-clock and all is well. These things will be plenty to keep me fit.
Who am I?
I'm a 165 pound, 32-year-old, grip-o-holic who is going to be able to rip off a shit-ton of pull ups. I can live with that.
In a nutshell, I got good news today. MRI results. I have a disk extrusion--and probably more accurately still have a disk extrusion. I injured my back in 2008 and never had surgery. Physical therapy has managed it well, but I have some new symptoms. Possibly from an August car accident. The good news? Currently no action is required, but I need to make some lifestyle changes.
Bye bye 5/3/1.
It's nothing about the program, per se, but I am a person who should not be deadlifting or squatting with weight. Body weight squats? Great. Do as many as possible. Pick up the kids? Okay, just don't throw them.
If I'm being honest, I was doing 5/3/1 to "try and add some mass". Or maybe "build a base of strength." It's a little embarrassing to write that. (Parrot Matt will say anything. That stupid bird.) 5/3/1 is a good program, I believe that, but maybe I should do things that make sense to me. Things that are good for who I am instead of who I want to be. I'll never be a big person. Maybe I should focus on being a strong person.
So here's the deal. I've been cleared for basically any body weight exercise I can imagine. So I will focus on those. Specifically, I'm interested in pull ups, push ups, and lunges. Okay, you got me, not so much lunges. But I have to do something for my legs. Also there are all my favorite grip lifts. Most I can modify in some way so that I'm not taking risks with my back. 2HP will be the biggest challenge but I can work with that. Partials in training and things like TTK to supplement. 9-o-clock and all is well. These things will be plenty to keep me fit.
Who am I?
I'm a 165 pound, 32-year-old, grip-o-holic who is going to be able to rip off a shit-ton of pull ups. I can live with that.
HUB/STUB
RED NAIL STUB
25 x3
30 x1
35 x1
40 x1, x1
45 x0, x0
35 x1, x1, x1
SHALLOW HUB (35 PLATE)
35 x1, x1, x1, x1, x1
37.5 x1, x1, x0
35 x1, x1, x1, x1, x1, x1
BACK EXTENSION physical therapy
25 x3
30 x1
35 x1
40 x1, x1
45 x0, x0
35 x1, x1, x1
SHALLOW HUB (35 PLATE)
35 x1, x1, x1, x1, x1
37.5 x1, x1, x0
35 x1, x1, x1, x1, x1, x1
BACK EXTENSION physical therapy
GRIPPERS
HG150 x10, x10, x10
#1 x5, x5
BBM x1, x1, x1, x1, x1
>>> Kind of a "grease the groove" workout to see if it was a good day to workout. Gonna wait until tomorrow.
#1 x5, x5
BBM x1, x1, x1, x1, x1
>>> Kind of a "grease the groove" workout to see if it was a good day to workout. Gonna wait until tomorrow.
Friday, September 16, 2011
GRIPPERS
Warm up
HG150, no set, x10, x10, x10
#1, no set, x5, x5, x5
BBM, x3, x3
Working Set
RH: #3 @ 20mm
LH: Did not train.
2
3
3
2
BBM (123 rated)
5
5
5
4
4
4
#1 x 20
>>> Right felt good so I worked out. The deal with my left now feels more like some carpal tunnel.
HG150, no set, x10, x10, x10
#1, no set, x5, x5, x5
BBM, x3, x3
Working Set
RH: #3 @ 20mm
LH: Did not train.
2
3
3
2
BBM (123 rated)
5
5
5
4
4
4
#1 x 20
>>> Right felt good so I worked out. The deal with my left now feels more like some carpal tunnel.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
GRIPPERS
Warm up
HG150, no set, x10, x10, x10
#1, no set, x5, x5, x5
BBM, x3, x3
Working Set
RH: #3 @ 20mm
LH: Did not train.
2
3
3
2
BBSM @ 25mm
3
3
3
3
Mini-pony in coin pinch
4x20
>>> It was probably too soon to go again. Didn't train my left because there is something going on with my forearm. I'm thinking stress fracture? I'm very aware of a perpendicular line of pain in my forearm, and my pinkie is staying a little numb. No loss of strength, but I think I'll just rest until next Monday.
HG150, no set, x10, x10, x10
#1, no set, x5, x5, x5
BBM, x3, x3
Working Set
RH: #3 @ 20mm
LH: Did not train.
2
3
3
2
BBSM @ 25mm
3
3
3
3
Mini-pony in coin pinch
4x20
>>> It was probably too soon to go again. Didn't train my left because there is something going on with my forearm. I'm thinking stress fracture? I'm very aware of a perpendicular line of pain in my forearm, and my pinkie is staying a little numb. No loss of strength, but I think I'll just rest until next Monday.
Monday, September 12, 2011
GRIPPERS
Warm up
HG150, no set, x10, x10, x10
#1, no set, x5, x5, x5
BBM, x3
Working Set
RH: #3 @ 20mm
LH: BBSM @ 25mm
RH/LH
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/2
4/3
3/3
BBSM @ 25mm both hands
2/3
4/3
Cool Down
#1 x 30, no set
Mini-pony in coin pinch, 2x20 both hands.
HG150, no set, x10, x10, x10
#1, no set, x5, x5, x5
BBM, x3
Working Set
RH: #3 @ 20mm
LH: BBSM @ 25mm
RH/LH
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/2
4/3
3/3
BBSM @ 25mm both hands
2/3
4/3
Cool Down
#1 x 30, no set
Mini-pony in coin pinch, 2x20 both hands.
Leg 2 Rankings
Here are my Leg 2 rankings:
1st place overall, Movement Minneapolis local competition! (9 competitors)
5th place worldwide, 82.5kg weight class (24 competitors)
18th place worldwide, overall (93 competitors)
12th place overall on the GripTopz stub.
15th place overall on the GripTopz coin.
1st place overall, Movement Minneapolis local competition! (9 competitors)
5th place worldwide, 82.5kg weight class (24 competitors)
18th place worldwide, overall (93 competitors)
12th place overall on the GripTopz stub.
15th place overall on the GripTopz coin.
World's Strongest Hands - Leg 2
Competed this weekend at the Movement Gym. Adam Glass was the host and ran a great contest! Very well organized and ran quickly. Here are my scores and some comments:
Vulcan @ 30mm
1) Level 9, good
2) Level 10, good
3) Level 11, miss
4) Level 11, good
>>> My fourth attempt for Level 11 was a battle. I hit it probably 5 times and each time it gave just a little. I couldn't believe I was able to bring it in. Glad I stuck with the attempt.
2HP @ 58mm
1) 165.36, good
2) 172.85, good
3) 178.035, good
4) 183.215, miss
>>> I was a little gun-shy on this lift due to some back trouble. However the lifts felt amazing. Everything after the first attempt was a PR. My previous best was 170 at Nationals. I took a risk on the 4th lift based on how good the third lift felt. I had roughly 181 loaded and then had Adam add two pounds at the last second. I got air under 183.215 and that was very exciting. I feel confident about going over 180 in Leg 3.
GripTopz Stub
1) 35.44, good
2) 37.93, good
3) 40.48, good
4) 41.79, good
>>> This was a good event for me, 12th overall. I was actually hoping this would be good enough for an 82.5kg World Record, but Daniel Reinard stole that with a huge lift of 44.55. I did get second in the class to his lift. I had more in the tank too. Video is below and I felt like I could have held this forever.
GripTopz Coin
1) 32.06, good
2) 35.07, good
3) 37.03, miss
4) 37.03 miss
>>> I had high hopes for this lift! 35.07 was a very easy lift and 37.03 would have been a World Record. I got it about halfway up on my 4th attempt, but it was not to be! In heinsight, I should have tried for another safe number on the 3rd attempt, but 35.07 felt SOO light. I finished 15th overall on this lift! Video is below.
Vulcan @ 30mm
1) Level 9, good
2) Level 10, good
3) Level 11, miss
4) Level 11, good
>>> My fourth attempt for Level 11 was a battle. I hit it probably 5 times and each time it gave just a little. I couldn't believe I was able to bring it in. Glad I stuck with the attempt.
2HP @ 58mm
1) 165.36, good
2) 172.85, good
3) 178.035, good
4) 183.215, miss
>>> I was a little gun-shy on this lift due to some back trouble. However the lifts felt amazing. Everything after the first attempt was a PR. My previous best was 170 at Nationals. I took a risk on the 4th lift based on how good the third lift felt. I had roughly 181 loaded and then had Adam add two pounds at the last second. I got air under 183.215 and that was very exciting. I feel confident about going over 180 in Leg 3.
GripTopz Stub
1) 35.44, good
2) 37.93, good
3) 40.48, good
4) 41.79, good
>>> This was a good event for me, 12th overall. I was actually hoping this would be good enough for an 82.5kg World Record, but Daniel Reinard stole that with a huge lift of 44.55. I did get second in the class to his lift. I had more in the tank too. Video is below and I felt like I could have held this forever.
GripTopz Coin
1) 32.06, good
2) 35.07, good
3) 37.03, miss
4) 37.03 miss
>>> I had high hopes for this lift! 35.07 was a very easy lift and 37.03 would have been a World Record. I got it about halfway up on my 4th attempt, but it was not to be! In heinsight, I should have tried for another safe number on the 3rd attempt, but 35.07 felt SOO light. I finished 15th overall on this lift! Video is below.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
MILITARY PRESS
Warm up
3x5x45
Working Set
5x75
3x85
7x95 (est 1RM 117)
Assistance
Military Press, 4x10x65
Pullups, 4x12 (three different grips)
Back extension, 3x10 Roman Chair
>>> You may have noticed I've skipped a squat and dead workout. I was in a car accident on 8/14 and didn't think I was having any issues. But all of a sudden on Tuesday night my right leg started getting numb for no apparent reason. It's been getting worse a little, and better a little, but still there. I'm going to go have it evaluated on Friday. It's always something!
3x5x45
Working Set
5x75
3x85
7x95 (est 1RM 117)
Assistance
Military Press, 4x10x65
Pullups, 4x12 (three different grips)
Back extension, 3x10 Roman Chair
>>> You may have noticed I've skipped a squat and dead workout. I was in a car accident on 8/14 and didn't think I was having any issues. But all of a sudden on Tuesday night my right leg started getting numb for no apparent reason. It's been getting worse a little, and better a little, but still there. I'm going to go have it evaluated on Friday. It's always something!
GRIPPERS
Light workout
HG150, no set
x10, x10, x10
#1, no set
x10, 10
BBM
3 singles
>>> My main goal was to see if my middle finger would hurt. I didn't want to do too much with WSH on Sat, but didn't want to flat-out skip either. The good news: Middle finger felt 100%.
HG150, no set
x10, x10, x10
#1, no set
x10, 10
BBM
3 singles
>>> My main goal was to see if my middle finger would hurt. I didn't want to do too much with WSH on Sat, but didn't want to flat-out skip either. The good news: Middle finger felt 100%.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
GRIPPERS
Warm up
HG150, 3x10, no set
#1 x10, no set
BBM x3
Working set
BBSM choked @25mm
RH/LH
5/5
6/4
#3 choked @20mm
RH/LH
3/1
4/4 (dropped to BBSM for LH)
4/3
4/4
4/4
Cool down
#1 x30, no set.
>>> Middle finger right hand is sore as expected. I'm not exactly sure what is bothering that. It's not any sort of pain that's "in your face". It's just there. I can live with that.
HG150, 3x10, no set
#1 x10, no set
BBM x3
Working set
BBSM choked @25mm
RH/LH
5/5
6/4
#3 choked @20mm
RH/LH
3/1
4/4 (dropped to BBSM for LH)
4/3
4/4
4/4
Cool down
#1 x30, no set.
>>> Middle finger right hand is sore as expected. I'm not exactly sure what is bothering that. It's not any sort of pain that's "in your face". It's just there. I can live with that.
Monday, September 5, 2011
MM2 OR BUST!
Time to ramp up on grippers and make a run at the MM2. I'll keep a journal of these workouts here and in a training log on the GripBoard:
http://www.gripboard.com/index.php?showtopic=37213&view=findpost&p=516539
Initially my workouts will focus on reps with a 90% of max gripper in a choker to get the razor edge back on my closing power. I feel my biggest challenge will be keeping my hands healthy.
First workout is tomorrow!
http://www.gripboard.com/index.php?showtopic=37213&view=findpost&p=516539
Initially my workouts will focus on reps with a 90% of max gripper in a choker to get the razor edge back on my closing power. I feel my biggest challenge will be keeping my hands healthy.
First workout is tomorrow!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
BENCH
Warm up
3x5x115
Working Set
3x125
3x140
12x160 (est 1RM 224)
Assistance
Bench, 5x10x125
Pullups, 5x12, various grip
>>> Good workout. I needed a good workout.
In other news, my right middle finger is staying sore where the finger meets the hand. I can't figure out what is aggravating this. The time it hurts most is during grippers, but I have not really been working grippers much. I don't think that is what is causing the pain even if that is when it shows up.
3x5x115
Working Set
3x125
3x140
12x160 (est 1RM 224)
Assistance
Bench, 5x10x125
Pullups, 5x12, various grip
>>> Good workout. I needed a good workout.
In other news, my right middle finger is staying sore where the finger meets the hand. I can't figure out what is aggravating this. The time it hurts most is during grippers, but I have not really been working grippers much. I don't think that is what is causing the pain even if that is when it shows up.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
COIN/STUB
COIN
25 x3
30 x2 (singles)
35 x0, x1, x0, x1, x1
STUB
35 x7 (singles)
Blob 32.5
Regular pulls x bunch
Few face lifts with my thumb on the flat spot.
Few face lifts with all fingers on the round edge.
Few Index+Middle lifts.
Few Ring+Pinkie lifts.
ALMOST got a Thumb+Middle finger lift!
It's time to start adding weight.
>>> Coin and stub work just did not feel great. I've been in a funk for about a week. Some kind of allergies are just KILLING me. Overall, I feel I need to do more work, be more consistent, and train harder.
25 x3
30 x2 (singles)
35 x0, x1, x0, x1, x1
STUB
35 x7 (singles)
Blob 32.5
Regular pulls x bunch
Few face lifts with my thumb on the flat spot.
Few face lifts with all fingers on the round edge.
Few Index+Middle lifts.
Few Ring+Pinkie lifts.
ALMOST got a Thumb+Middle finger lift!
It's time to start adding weight.
>>> Coin and stub work just did not feel great. I've been in a funk for about a week. Some kind of allergies are just KILLING me. Overall, I feel I need to do more work, be more consistent, and train harder.
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