I have become a HUGE fan of the Do-It-Yourself stuff lately. I have taken it upon myself to try to upgrade and outfit the Heavy Hammer Gym with as many DIY projects that I can. My latest endeavor resulted in a pretty nice product. I made Deadlift Blocks. Here is what you need to know:
- Here is a great article from EliteFTS explaining some benefits of partial range of motion deadlifting: Partial Movement Training For The Deadlift / Elite FTS
- You can make this a DIY project, but if you don’t think you are up to it there are a lot of choices out there for purchasing deadlift blocks such as: Rogue 15 Wood Jerk Block Pair, Rogue Medium Metal Pulling Blocks, or DC Blocks – Set of 18.
- List of materials used. (you can make them to whatever dimensions you think will work for you and your space/needs; this list will make 2 blocks(because you need 2 blocks to do it right))
- 8 – 4×4 cut to 15″ lengths (I actually used 2×4’s because I couldn’t cut the thicker wood)
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood cut to 15″ squares
- 2 – 1/2″ rubber matting cut to 15″ squares ( I used a very nice welcome mat for mine, just flipped it upside down; people tend to use horse stall mats)
- 4 – 1×2 cut to 15″ length (so weights don’t roll off the top of the block)
- 2 1/2 ” or 3″ screws
- EXTRA: Wood Glue (I actually used industrial strength so it will hold up longer)
Pretty easy to put together. Used 4-4×4’s on the bottom, screw them together (use wood glue too, maybe, I did), screw (wood glue) plywood to top of 4×4’s, screw (wood glue) rubber mat to top of plywood, screw (wood glue) 2- 1×2’s to top of mat on either side. Be generous with screws (wood glue) to make sure it can handle the HUGE weights you will be using on it.
Hope you like this DIY project as much as I have. I have used them multiple times now with 400+ lbs and they haven’t moved/given out at all. Check back from time to time for more DIY Gym Projects.
My Pudzianowski Poland T-shirt. POLISH POWER!!! Maruisz Pudzianowski is one of my favorite professional strongmen. Nike elbow sleeves used to protect my shins during deadlifts. And, apparently at the time, no shoes.
Back felt terrible after 2nd set on Block Pulls. I pushed my way through the rest of the workout, but I don't know if that was a good idea. I will be hitting the chiropractor tomorrow and maybe a massage next week.
Here is a link to the video of my training on my YouTube channel:
Fear No Evil Cut-off (Matt 28:20/Deut 31:6, "Be Strong and of good courage; Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go". Flip-Flops...
Training felt great today. Shoulders were a little sore from yesterday but I managed to complete all reps/sets required for the day. I am really starting to get into this new training style. I know it will get harder the next couple weeks as intensity and volume change, but hopefully my body will be ready for the adaptation.
Here is a link to the video of my training on my YouTube channel:
I recently received a pair of Matt Wenning’s Lifting Straps. The craftsmanship on these straps is amazing. They stitching is impeccable. The materials used are of great quality and held up to some testing. These straps are very effective for the purpose of strapping your hands to a barbell or dumbbell. They are even long enough to use for axle bars. I would definitely recommend these straps to anyone. They will become a staple of my training programs. You can find them soon at 
Daily "Selfie":
Tough As Nails T-shirt. Flip-Flops...
I feel that this new style of full-body hypertrophy training is going to kill me. I have never trained this way before. I hate reps higher than 5 (I am a powerlifter you know). This is going to take some getting used to. That being said, I have been having fun with some new exercises and have actually been hitting most of my reps. I feel that this training will really help with my muscular endurance (not a lot of endurance, but better than what I currently have) and give me some GAINZ in the muscle size department. My quads are sore after two days of front squats, but not as bad as I thought they would be. Maybe they will be worse tomorrow.
Here is a link to the video of my training on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu__D3O2-lc
Heavy Hammer Gym 