High-bar Sumo Squat, 250#/1 at 6'5" & 172 lbs. I've never maxed out this lift before so I guess that makes it a PR. Sick!
-
Like veganism, lifting is a difficult task, perhaps even a hardship in some ways, but it's one that I choose. I believe that it's the chosen hardships that help us become the people we want to be while trying not to let the UNchosen ones rule our lives. Anyone can just always do the easiest thing or what everyone else is doing, but one of my greatest fears is getting to the end of my life and wishing I'd done things MY way instead of the easy way or what other people said I should do. I don't always succeed. It's a lifelong struggle and a lifelong goal, but it's a worthwhile one. And it's one that I choose to endure.
-
#fitness #strength #training #tall #vegan #veganism #lifter #plantbased #athlete #health #squat #highbar #lowbar #schiek #sbdapparel #goals #selflove #concurrenttraining #conjugate #paralinear
320 lbs from a deficit (variation PR) followed by 325 from a deficit (movement PR) which I didn't manage to completely lock out. 6'5" 173 pounds bodyweight.
-
It's taken since May to figure out the best version of my Paralinear (ABA) program and I think I finally have it. I ran the first version of this program and ended up with a 300 deadlift and a 225 for 5 low-bar squat. And then I wanted to make it better.
-
While figuring out what worked and what didn't, each new version would also expose or create some new problem that needed to be corrected—junk volume, ego lifts, too many barbell accessories causing poor recovery—resulting in what basically amounts to program-hopping. It would have been great to have been getting stronger this entire time (actually, my squat is a little stronger, 235# for a pause for a double), but at least I didn't regress. Also, as hard as it has been, I've remained honest with myself. We'll see if everything keeps going up, but for now, I'm pretty excited, because it feels like I now have the perfect program for me.
-
#powerlifting #vegan #veganism #lifter #strength #workout #fitspo #fitfam #training #deadlift #deficitdeadlift #talllifter #ectomorph #concurrent #conjugate #maxeffort #heavysingle #montclairstateuniversity #socks #reppin
225# Low-bar pause squat at 6'5" 171 lbs. Almost didn't make it! What that tells me is that my brace probably gave out a little, or I went too deep.
*
I know some more advanced lifters, whom I otherwise respect, get uptight about folks like me posting a 225 squat, because it's not "newsworthy. " But I really don't care. That's their reality and that's fine, but it's not mine and it's not a lot of other people's either. This is my journey and if it helps someone else, that's what matters.
*
I test my "comp squat" in two more weeks so we'll see if I can get past my low-bar 265# 1RM. When I did that lift, I could feel that it was my upper body giving out, so for the last several weeks, I've been working on that. If you can't handle and creatively address your weaknesses, you can't grow as a lifter. Perhaps as a person, too? What do you think?
*
#resistancequest #fitness #talllifter #ectomorph #vegan #conjugate #menwithlonghair #longhairdontcare #strength #training #squat #deadlift #lowbar #powerlifting #pausesquat #marathonnotasprint #longhaul
Well, I'm back to a #bodypartsplit for the time being. It has been a few years since I last had a #chestday, #backday, #legday, et cetera. I'm still pursuing my deadlift goal of 405, and I know it puts me at cross-purposes somewhat to pursue a strength goal in the midst of a bro-split, which is usually used for bodybuilding goals. I think it will be okay, though.
-
But I'll tell you, I needed a break from full-body. Whether using concurrent, upper-lower, or PPL, what I missed was being able to just POUND A MUSCLE GROUP INTO SUBMISSION again. Is this wise? Is this elevated? Is it "optimal"? Perhaps not. Perhaps hitting each twice a week permits higher protein synthesis. But there is more to the overall equation than protein synthesis, and bodypart splits are time-tested. Plus, sometimes you need to go back to basics to remember what you loved about something.
-
But where does that leave me? With bodybuilding goals and methods, I feel like I will always be weak and small. Bodybuilding goals use higher rep ranges; its hard to feel like I'm really doing anything when I have to incline bench press 95# for three sets of ten (after flat benching a 5x5; never mind how heavy). This is funny because this recurrent feeling is why I moved away from bodybuilding goals. I.e., I feel much stronger deadlifting 320 than I do incline-benching 95. Of course, concurrent had its volume day with lower weights. So I don't know. The mind plays tricks on itself.
-
Regardless, I'm still adjusting to the much-higher level of frequency (5 days a week instead of three) and to using my home gym more. Once I get bumper plates and can deadlift at home, I feel like certain doors will be opened. Wish me luck.
-
#fitness #lifting #powerlifting #vegan #veganism #lifter #strength #workout #fitspo #fitfam #training #deadlift #squat #benchpress #lats #latspread #homegym #bodybuilding
