Week: 4
Date:Friday 7/15/16
Time: -
Location: Heavy Hammer Gym
Training Partner: -
Working Sets:
Block Pull – 400x3x1/fail, 8/8/8 reps, 0 rating
Low Bar Good Morning - 100x2x1/fail, 12/12 reps, 0 rating
Barbell Upright Row - 100x3x1/fail, 12/12/12 reps
Crunches - Bodyweightx2x1/fail, 34/34
Accessories:
Hammer Curl/Tricep Ext. superset – 40/70x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps
Daily "Selfie" - None
My video editing software wasn't working so there will be no videos for a couple weeks...Sorry.
Posts Tagged ‘Block Pulls’
Hypertrophy Mesocycle: Week 4: 7/13/16
Posted: July 15, 2016 in Announcements, Training JournalTags: #LiftingTour, Abdominals, ABs, Back, Biceps, Block Pulls, Curl, Curls, Daily "Selfie", DB, DB Lateral Raise, Deltoids, Delts, Dumbbells, French Press, Front Squat, Hamstrings, Heavy Hammer Gym, Hypertrophy, Hypertrophy Block, Hypertrophy Mesocycle, Jesup Gym, Jesup Gym Equipment, Jesup IA, Lifting Straps, No Training Partner, Planks, Preacher, Quads, Renaissance Hypertrophy, Selfie, Shrugs, Straps, Traps, Triceps, Wednesday, Week 4
Week: 4
Date: Wednesday 7/13/16
Time: 10:45 am
Location: Heavy Hammer Gym
Training Partner: None
Working Sets:
Front Squat – 220x2x1/fail, 10/10 reps, 0 rating
Block Pull - 400x2x1/fail, 8/8 reps, 0 rating
DB Lateral Raise - 2-x3x1/fail, 12/12/12 reps
Planks - Bodyweightx2x1/fail, 45/45 sec
Accessories:
Preacher Curl/French Press superset – 40x80x3x3/fail, 10/10/10 reps
Shrugs w/Straps - 255x3x3/fail - 12/12/12
Daily "Selfie" -
This is one of my Jesup Gym T-shirts I got while I was on my #liftingtour on vacation. Jesup Gym in Jesup, IA only costs $1.00 to enter for the day. I was able to workout here after purchasing some new equipment for Heavy Hammer Gym at the Jesup Gym Equipment store next door. Very friendly staff. Basically a mom and pop store that has been in business for a little over 32 years. I will write more about them later.
Today's Front Squats weren't awful, but I could only do 10 reps with this weight. (thats ok as long as I am in the 6-10 rep range) Block Pulls felt good as well, even though I only got 8 there. I feel like my deadlift setup is finally clicking. Hopefully I can translate this to pulling from the floor in my next strength cycle.
Video Coming Soon!!!
Hypertrophy Mesocycle: Week 3: Vacation Training
Posted: July 13, 2016 in Announcements, Training JournalTags: 1 Arm DB, 22BB, 22nd Street Barbell, Arms, Back, Barbell, Bench, Bench Press, Biceps, Block Pulls, Bulldog, Calves, Curl, Curls, Cut-off, Daily "Selfie", DB, DB Lateral Raise, Deadlift, Deadlift Blocks, Deltoids, Delts, Des Moines IA, EZ Bar, French Press, Friday, Front Squat, Gainz, Hammer Curl, High Bar, Hips, Hypertrophy, Hypertrophy Block, Hypertrophy Mesocycle, Jesup Gym Equipment, Jesup IA, Lifting Straps, Low Bar, Monday, Overhead Press, Preacher, Renaissance Hypertrophy, Row, Rows, Saturday, Selfie, Shoulders, Shrugs, Squat, Straps, Tank, Thursday, Traps, Triceps, Tuesday, Underhand EZ Bar Row, Upright Rows, Vacation, Volume, Wednesday, Week 2, Week 3, Wide Grip, Wrist Curl
Sorry it has been a little over a week since I have posted. My wife and I took our daughter on a little vacation. We went to Des Moines, IA (Polk City) and stayed with my in-laws. While we were there we went to an Iowa Cubs game and visited the Blank Park Zoo and Living History Farms while spending a lot of time with my wife's family. It was a fun 10 day vacation. The best part about it was not missing a day of training. The owner of 22nd Street Barbell in Des Moines was kind enough to let me train at their gym while I was on vacation. It was a great place and I will do a post about their gym later. On to my Training Journal:
Week: 2
Date: Friday 7/2/16
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Jesup Gym Equipment, Jesup, IA
Training Partner: None
Working Sets:
High Bar Squat – 375x3x3/fail, 6/6/6 reps, -1 rating
Wide Grip Bench Press – 185x2x6, 6/6 reps, +1 rating
One Arm DB Row - 80x2x3/fail, 12/12 reps
Barbell Upright Row - 95x2x3/fail, 12/12
Accessories:
Preacher Curl/French Press superset – 30/80x3x3/fail, 10/12/12 reps
Barbell Wrist Curl/Ext. - 50x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps
Calf Press - 300x3x3/fail - 30/30/30 reps
Daily "Selfie" -
This is a picture of me in my Jesup Gym Cut-off, however, I took this one day while training at 22nd Street Barbell, hence the 22BB hat.
Week: 3
Date: Monday 7/4/16
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: 22nd Street Barbell, Des Moines, IA
Training Partner: None
Working Sets:
Wide Grip Bench Press – 210x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps, +1 rating
Underhand EZ Bar Row - 135x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps
Accessories:
Hammer Curl/Tricep Ext. superset – 35x70x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps
Barbell Wrist Curl/Ext. - 60x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps
Calf Raise - 315x3x3/fail - 20/20/20 reps
Week: 3 Date: Wednesday 7/6/16 Time: 3:00 pm Location: 22nd Street Barbell, Des Moines, IA Training Partner: None Working Sets: Front Squat – 215x3x2/fail, 9/10/10 reps, 0 rating Block Pull – 390x2x2/fail, 8/10 reps, 0 rating DB Lateral Raise - 20x3x2/fail, 12/12/12 reps Accessories: Preacher Curl/French Press superset – 35/85x3x3/fail, 12/12/10 reps Shrugs w/Straps - 245x3x3/fail - 12/12/12 reps
Week: 3 Date: Thursday 7/7/16 Time: 6:45 pm Location: 22nd Street Barbell, Des Moines, IA Training Partner: Tank the Bulldog Working Sets: Overhead Press – 155x7x2/fail, 10,10,9,8,8,8,8 reps, 0 rating Underhand EZ Bar Row – 335x2x2/fail, 12/12 reps, 0 rating DB Lateral Raise - 20x3x2/fail, 12/12/12 reps Accessories: EZ Bar Curl/Overhead Machine Ext. superset – 85/65x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps Barbell Wrist Curl/Ext. - 60x3x3/fail - 12/12/12 reps Calf Raise - 315x3x3/fail - 20/20/20 reps
Week: 3 Date: Friday 7/8/16 Time: 5:30 pm Location: 22nd Street Barbell, Des Moines, IA Training Partner: None Working Sets: Block Pull – 390x3x2/fail, 8/8/8 reps, 0 rating Low Bar Good Morning - 95x2x2/fail - 12/12 reps Barbell Upright Row - 95x3x2/fail, 12/12/12 reps Accessories: Hammer Curl/Tricep Ext. superset – 35/65x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps Shrugs w/Straps - 245x3x3/fail - 12/12/12 reps
Week: 3 Date: Saturday 7/9/16 Time: 6:30 pm Location: 22nd Street Barbell, Des Moines, IA Training Partner: None Working Sets: High Bar Squat – 380x3x2/fail, 6/6/6 reps, -1 rating Wide Grip Bench Press - 190x2x6 - 6/6 reps, +1 rating One Arm DB Row – 80x3x2/fail, 12/12/12 reps, 0 rating Barbell Upright Row - 95x3x2/fail, 12/12/12 reps Accessories: Preacher Curl/French Press superset – 35/85x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps This week of training seemed to go pretty well. I am finding that the volume I have been doing for quads is too much. The program is giving me less and less Front Squats to try to recover better. I don't mind the extra rest. I really think it does help me. I just have never really training with this much volume before. It is interesting to note that the volume for my shoulders/chest has been going up. Apparently my upper body is fine with more volume, but my lower body isn't. At least I am learning to ready my body better. My hips were very sore this week. I had to stretch them out in between every set. My back didn't bother me too much. My biceps started hurting a bit due to the fact that I have never really trained my biceps much. Now I am doing them 5 days a week. I have noticed huge gains in size in just 3 weeks or so. Oh those Noob Gainz. No videos this week...sorry.
Hypertrophy Mesocycle: Week 2: 6/28/16
Posted: June 29, 2016 in Announcements, Training JournalTags: Abdominals, ABs, Avengers, Back, Biceps, Block Pulls, Core, Curl, Curls, Daily "Selfie", DB, DB Lateral Raise, Deadlift, Deadlift Blocks, Deltoids, Delts, French Press, Front Squat, Hamstrings, Heavy Hammer Gym, Hypertrophy, Hypertrophy Block, Hypertrophy Mesocycle, Lateral Raise, Legs, Lifting Straps, Morning, Nick Bennigsdorf, Planks, Preacher, Quads, Renaissance Hypertrophy, Selfie, Shrugs, Squat, Straps, Training Partner, Traps, Triceps, Tuesday, Video, Week 2
Week: 2 Date: Tuesday 6/28/16 Time: 10:30 am Location: Heavy Hammer Gym Training Partner: Nick Bennigsdorf Working Sets: Front Squat – 210x4x3/fail, 9/9/9/9 reps, 0 rating Block Pull – 385x2x3/fail, 7/10 reps, 0 rating DB Lateral Raise - 20x2x3/fail, 12/12 reps Planks – bodyweightx3x35sec Accessories: Preacher Curl/French Press superset – 30/80x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps Shrugs w/ Straps – 230x3x3/fail (used Pro-Versa Wraps) Daily "Selfie":Mt. Avengers. Mt.Rushmore of Avengers T-Shirt. It has Avengers superheroes instead of the presidents on Mt.Rushmore. I hope you have that clearly now. I am pretty sure I got this shirt at Wal-Mart. Flip-Flops... I watched out for my back on Front squats and especially on Block Pulls. I used a belt on Block Pulls and I only tightened it enough so that I could still fit my hand through it. This allowed me to get into a good position while still giving me enough back protection. (I know that the belt, especially being loose, doesn't help much with actual back support, but is more for intra-abdominal pressure. It is a psychological thing for me.) Here is a link to the video of my training on my YouTube channel: Heavy Hammer Gym - Hypertrophy Mesocycle: Week 2: 6/28/16
DIY – Deadlift Blocks
Posted: June 25, 2016 in Announcements, Product ReviewsTags: Block Pulls, Deadlift, Deadlift Blocks, DIY
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.
Hypertrophy Mesocycle: Week 1: 6/23/16
Posted: June 25, 2016 in Announcements, Training JournalTags: Back Pain, Biceps, Block Pulls, Crunch, Daily "Selfie", Deadlift, Good Morning, Hammer, Hammer Curl, Heavy Hammer Gym, Hypertrophy, Hypertrophy Block, Hypertrophy Mesocycle, Lifting Straps, Nick Bennigsdorf, Nike, No Shoes, Polish Power, Pudzianowski, Renaissance Hypertrophy, Renaissance Periodization, Row, Rows, Selfie, Shrugs, Straps, Super Set, Thursday, Triceps, Upright Rows, Video, Week 1
Week: 1 Date: Thursday 6/23/16 Time: 1:30 pm Location: Heavy Hammer Gym Training Partner: Nick Bennigsdorf Working Sets: Block Pull – 365x3x3/fail, 8/7/6 reps, 0 rating ( I totally strained my back between 2nd and 3rd sets, i.e. the belt being put on) Low Bar Good Morning – 90x2x3/fail, 12/12 reps, 1 rating BB Upright Row – 90x2x3/fail, 12/12 reps Crunches – bodyweightx3x3/fail, 20/20 reps Accessories: Hammer Curl/Tri Ext superset – 25/55x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps Shrugs w/Straps – 225x3x3/fail Daily "Selfie":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: Heavy Hammer Gym - Hypertrophy Mesocycle: Week 1: 6/23/16
Hypertrophy Block 6/21/16
Posted: June 22, 2016 in Announcements, Training JournalTags: Biceps, Block Pulls, Curl, Curls, Daily "Selfie", DB, Deadlift, Deltoids, Dumbbells, Front Squat, Heavy Hammer Gym, Hypertrophy, Hypertrophy Block, Lateral Raise, Legs, Ludus Magnus, Matt Wenning, Nick Bennigsdorf, Planks, Renaissance Hypertrophy, Renaissance Periodization, Selfie, Shrugs, Straps, Training Partner, Traps, Triceps, Week 1
Week: 1 Date: Tuesday 6/21/16 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Heavy Hammer Gym Training Partner: Nick Bennigsdorf Working Sets: Front Squat – 200x5x3/fail, 8/8/7/7/7 reps, 0 rating Block Pull – 365x2x3/fail, 7/8 reps, 0 rating DB Lateral Raise – 20x2x3/fail, 12/12 reps Planks – bodyweightx2, 30sec/30sec Accessories: Preacher Curl/French Press superset – 25/75x3x3/fail, 12/12/12 reps Shrugs w/straps (used new Ludus Magnus straps from www.wenningstrength.com ) – 225x3x3/fail, 12/12/12
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 