Field Report 24 November to 27 November: It’s Dope Yo.

I have lifted everyday since the 22nd. I did not plan for that, just sort of happens. I am in the gym for 12+ hours a day many days and not lifting is a fucking challenge for me. Just too tempting to not go lift something.

What is going good these last few days:

Log Bar Push Pressing. I use a very low rack technique, similar to how kettlebell lifters position the bells for jerks. I find it tests much better than a high rack and I have more than enough flexibility to comfortably press like this.

Hanging Knee Raises: I have made more progress with this one in the last month then all of last year. I used to use all these dumb ass high tension techniques and I would not get anywhere with them. Now I am doing high rep sets with a superior range of motion and compressing density while adding volume each time. I do test out straight leg raises weekly, and they do test ok but not better than HKR.

Plate curls: one of my favorites. I will break down volume and time on this- 14 Nov, 15kg stubby plate 47 reps in 4:42. 16 Nov, 15kg stubby plate 64 reps in 8:15, 22 Nov, 15kg stubby plate 76 rep in 9:48. 24 Nov, 15kg stubby plate 80 reps in 8:13. 26 Nov, 35 lbs long plate 52 in 13:25. 27 Nov, 35 lbs long plate 65 reps in 10:15.

Now that is some pretty damn nice progress, especially considering how difficult of a drill. I estimate hitting over 100 reps with 35 lbs plate in under 15 minutes. Repping the full length 45 lbs plate is on deck.

Grippers: I decided I would cut down on grippers since the series ended. I had had three gripper workouts since WSH leg 4, one at level 14 with my best volume. Two in the last 24 hours with level 12. Both training days I hit 149 reps. 26 November was a PR for total volume. 27 November was a PR for reps per set. Interesting to hit the exact same rep count…149 reps with level 12 that fast is solid. I have not tested the higher difficulties and plan on it for Monday after my day off.

Rows: I do a shit load of rows. I find the more rows I do, the more pressing I get away with. Right now I am pressing flat or incline every workout, plus log days thrown in. I work with two row set ups right now. The first is a staggered stance single arm row, the second is a duel arm chest supported row on the incline bench. With my single arm row I had a nice PR of 220 reps in 9:50 with the 40kg bell today, and with the chest supported row I did 80 reps with 45′s in 6 minutes. Barbell bent over rows do test ok, but not better than either of these drills. I believe this will change soon.

Plateau Buster: Swings and deadlifting. I am working on both my one hand deadlift and continuing my swings with this awesome training tool. Tonight I did 4 sets with 457 lbs. Swinging that much weight makes me doubt I will ever pick up a kettlebell to swing it again unless I am instructing. One hand deadlifting is going well. My best so far has been 557 lbs right hand, 515 lbs left hand. One must be careful breaking in with this because that much weight on a thin handle will slice your hands to ribbons if your skin is not tough. I have not had any tears or cuts with it, but my total volume is restricted.

Two hand swings is a green light every day. The only limit has been the number of days I felt like testing it.

Prime Grip Events: I am talking about the axle DL, the pinch DL, and the V bar DL. I have not done anything too serious with these since my pre-WSH training day. I did hit a double with 340 on the V bar this week. I had a very good pinch workout the other day with my SG bar. I will rotate the europinch back on the block this next week.

The junk pile grip stuff: This is everything else that is not a goal, stuff I fuck with day to day. Blobs and blockweight loading skill is the best it’s ever been. I work on a medley every few days and I do not miss any blobs or blocks with my right hand. Left still is problematic with hub lifting and the blob50. I do not get it either, but the hand position always feels off left sided. Ryan dropped off some new pinch handles which I am enjoying right now. They are shaped like a egg, very good for both deep pinching and finger tip pressure. I dig out my finger lifting ring every few days for singles. I have not the motivation to start chasing my 600 lbs goal. Not yet.

Total weight lifted for November right is 613,897 lbs plus some misc grip events I did not put in my tracker. The idea of doing special shit just to roll over 1,000,000 is not appealing. I observe a natural ebb and flow to my high days and low days and I do not like to fuck with my nature. If i look at my primary goals for the month I see I hit all of them, except the god damn europinch number. All things in time.

I will measure up with the tape on Monday and post month to month inch changes. I am definitely leaner and bigger now then I was 27 days ago.

You are either getting better or you are getting worse. Which one will it be gentlemen?

Have you checked out the new grip site?