Good evening blog readers. Today seemed like a good day to update my scenario, so here goes. So you know the title of this blog, the whole road to strongman thing? Yeah, ignore that, we're moving onto powerlifting!
That doesn't mean I've gone completely off the idea of strongman, I'm just not looking to compete next year as I don't think I'll be strong enough. I know novice comps will be open again next year but I think I'd rather take a year out and get stronger overall, ready for the strongman scene in proper comps the year after. Saying that, I'll still be training events every now and then with Simon and co though, it's way too fun to give up completely!
As for powerlifting, I've started training properly now that I have a focus again. A friend of mine (UK Junior AND Senior GBPF champ!) has offered me some valuable advice on my week split, and it's working marvelously I must say. It's fairly straightforward and involves three different squats, two presses, two deads per week and body building dem arms! It's both kinda weird yet oddly satisfying squatting more than once a week, but it's what I need to do to get my technique honed and perfected for the platform.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
| hi bar squat | heavy deads | speed bench | speed deads |
| heavy bench | front squat | the gunz | lo bar squat |
On all days there's at least one assist exercise after the two main lifts. Obviously a lot more on gun day!
(On a side note here, it's amazing how much more effort I go to when there's a goal on the horizon; Just wanted to add that!)
As for how I will lift... I really want to try equipped as just looks way more fun, you lift heavier and, for example, I feel far safer squatting in wraps than simple neoprene. However, chances are I'll no doubt do a raw meet before I get my gear, but anyway, they're my aims. I'll be lifting with the GBPF as they're drug free and I also have a couple friends in the same fed. I also aim to lift in the 105kg category, which is not far off actually!
At my peak, I was 120kg and no shit, I was strong, but remember that episode of Dragonball Z where Trunks thinks he hits super saiyan 2 but actually just gets fat bulkier and that hinders his performance and speed? Well that's me! ...Sort of.
I wish my life was that interesting.
I've mentioned how I've lost a lot of size and strength over summer, and the original plan was to just eat again and get back that strength. But since my decision to leave strongman a few months back, I've tried to stay the same weight and bring my game back up to where it used to be. It's been tough measuring up to my old weight, but I'm getting there (even hitting a deadlift PB today!).
At 110kg, I feel a lot less fucking blobbish, really good all round and a lot more agile (possibly a slight exaggeration... let's just say a lot less asthmatic around stairs). Hopefully I'll drop more of the gut while I'm eating semi clean and aim for a 105kg finishing weight. Not much to ask in my opinion, and I know I could get to that now with dehydration, fasting and whatever ready for a weigh in but I don't think I could handle it haha. I aim to walk into a meet fully fed and hydrated every time, none of that pain and suffering!!!
At 110kg, I feel a lot less fucking blobbish, really good all round and a lot more agile (possibly a slight exaggeration... let's just say a lot less asthmatic around stairs). Hopefully I'll drop more of the gut while I'm eating semi clean and aim for a 105kg finishing weight. Not much to ask in my opinion, and I know I could get to that now with dehydration, fasting and whatever ready for a weigh in but I don't think I could handle it haha. I aim to walk into a meet fully fed and hydrated every time, none of that pain and suffering!!!
You can see where the buckle used to be... 6 holes up!
Speaking of the semi clean diet... Well, it's pretty much the same, but smaller portions! There's no fried food, less chips, more veg and lately I've really taken a liking for maranaded chicken thighs and rice. Nothing major, but it's definitely a lot cleaner.
Oh and I've also dropped the milk. I know that's pretty much sacrilegious based on my previous blog posts, but I've been without for a good few weeks now and haven't missed it all. By all means it's bloody great for adding the weight, but it's extra calories I can do without for now. I'm on a trial and error thing here, but if i magically drop too much weight, milk will be back on the menu!
Oh and I've also dropped the milk. I know that's pretty much sacrilegious based on my previous blog posts, but I've been without for a good few weeks now and haven't missed it all. By all means it's bloody great for adding the weight, but it's extra calories I can do without for now. I'm on a trial and error thing here, but if i magically drop too much weight, milk will be back on the menu!
Anyway, that about wraps it up. Thanks to everyone for helping me shape my new goals, reach new levels and strength and keeping me motivated! Until next time!
