Jay Max Log (Switching from BB to PL and a place to BS)

[jaymaximus]

Thanks for all the replies. I had planned on getting a better squat video but I was out of it. Hopefully I can get that and make these fixes to my DL ehen I go for my saturday training.
Funny thing y'all couldnt see in the DL videos was the 20 seconds of getting ready, moving my feet half an inch back, then half forward, then changing grip, etc. I edited all that out. I still need a lot of practice to get to a place where Im not thinking of the videos step by step every lift.

Also what do you guys think about box squats? Havent done them much through the years, but I liked them today. Def helped me get parallel.

 

[insertnamehere]

Thanks for all the replies. I had planned on getting a better squat video but I was out of it. Hopefully I can get that and make these fixes to my DL ehen I go for my saturday training.
Funny thing y'all couldnt see in the DL videos was the 20 seconds of getting ready, moving my feet half an inch back, then half forward, then changing grip, etc. I edited all that out. I still need a lot of practice to get to a place where Im not thinking of the videos step by step every lift.

Also what do you guys think about box squats? Havent done them much through the years, but I liked them today. Def helped me get parallel.

As far as finding and practicing your depth mark, I like box squats for you, but other than that, I think you should focus on being proficient with a below parallel regular back squat for now.

Jay, have you ever squatted below parallel? If you haven't, you'll soon find that its a world different than squatting above or even at parallel. It will take some practice and you'll have to drop the weight and build back up but it'll be well worth it in the end.

Do you have any medical issues past or present that you feel are a hindrance to squatting below parallel?

 

[jaymaximus]

As far as finding and practicing your depth mark, I like box squats for you, but other than that, I think you should focus on being proficient with a below parallel regular back squat for now.

Jay, have you ever squatted below parallel? If you haven't, you'll soon find that its a world different than squatting above or even at parallel. It will take some practice and you'll have to drop the weight and build back up but it'll be well worth it in the end.

Do you have any medical issues past or present that you feel are a hindrance to squatting below parallel?

Ive always just gone parallel when doing squats. When I acctually did them. No medical issues now. Had a hernia awhile back. Thats what stopped me from squatting for awhile. That and bad excuses / laziness. Im pretty inflexable (i dont know if thats a word). But that can be fixed.

 

[insertnamehere]

Ive always just gone parallel when doing squats. When I acctually did them. No medical issues now. Had a hernia awhile back. Thats what stopped me from squatting for awhile. That and bad excuses / laziness. Im pretty inflexable (i dont know if thats a word). But that can be fixed.

Are you willing to learn how to squat below parallel or would you prefer to stay at parallel?

 

[jaymaximus]

Are you willing to learn how to squat below parallel or would you prefer to stay at parallel?

Im always willing. Especially if itll help me on my PLing mission.

 

[insertnamehere]

Im always willing. Especially if itll help me on my PLing mission.

Atta boy!

When I first learned how to squat deep, I would practice at home with a broomstick on my back and record my sessions to assess my progress. Between stretching and practicing the correct set up and form, it didn't take long to feel comfortable and confident that I was doing it right.

If you have starting strength, read up on the squat and start applying the information daily with a broomstick and with just the bar at first when at the gym. When you can do it right with the bar, add a little weight and go from there.

 

[Docd187123]

Jay,

What made you decide to go up in the squats when you did? Did you think you hit depth? Did you feel any type of pain? Did you feel like you wouldn't get the weight back up had you gone lower? I'm just trying to figure out the reasoning for you not going deeper. If it's a pain or impediment issue that's one thing if it's poor proprioceptive feedback or Just lack of familiarity with proper depth it's another.

 

[jaymaximus]

Jay,

What made you decide to go up in the squats when you did? Did you think you hit depth? Did you feel any type of pain? Did you feel like you wouldn't get the weight back up had you gone lower? I'm just trying to figure out the reasoning for you not going deeper. If it's a pain or impediment issue that's one thing if it's poor proprioceptive feedback or Just lack of familiarity with proper depth it's another.

Not pain. Just tightness. More me not being used to the movement. I know I can do better. But I do like to lift heavy weights...

 

[Docd187123]

Not pain. Just tightness. More me not being used to the movement. I know I can do better. But I do like to lift heavy weights...

Work on your mobility more then. Foam rolling tight spots and a lacrosse ball has worked wonders for me. I also began Including resistance band stretches to my lower body and shoulders. Lofesaver lol Some days I can barely squat my bodyweight to parallel but after my warmups I'm fine.

 

[jaymaximus]

Work on your mobility more then. Foam rolling tight spots and a lacrosse ball has worked wonders for me. I also began Including resistance band stretches to my lower body and shoulders. Lofesaver lol Some days I can barely squat my bodyweight to parallel but after my warmups I'm fine.

Yeah. I definetly gotta start stretching and probably gotta drop some weight and get deeper before moving back up. I still got a few weeks before I start my blast even though I started the program this week. But better to get every thing good now rather than later.

 

[jaymaximus]

When I get off shift today Im going to the gym for my Texax low intensity day. Need to get something straight. When it says Squats 5 x 2, thats 5 sets of 2 reps or 2 sets of 5 reps? I know it might seem like a dumb question, but im dumb.

Also I dont know if its a benefit or not, but sitting in am office for 12 hours a night Ive been taking in over 7k cals a day...easy. Not bad cals because I can meal prep before I come in. Just a lot because all there is to do all night is eat.

 

[gr8whitetrukker]

If that was my scenario I would easily be 300 lb by now

 

[jaymaximus]

If that was my scenario I would easily be 300 lb by now

Im actually starting to worry about that now. Especially because my blast doesnt start until the 1st. Im still good by the mirror test but my face is getting a little full lately. But I am trying to pack on a lot of mass these next few months...

 

[gr8whitetrukker]

My face always gets full too when I force feed. Oh well. Nothing tren wont fix, right?

 

[jaymaximus]

My face always gets full too when I force feed. Oh well. Nothing tren wont fix, right?

I dont know if im ready for that yet. Maybe next run. Im thinking about adding some eq anc deca though. Based on prior suggestions. Never ran either...

BTW, I hate to say it, but im not force feeding anymore. My body has gotten used to the cals. I wake up hungry and stay that way all day.

 

[Docd187123]

When I get off shift today Im going to the gym for my Texax low intensity day. Need to get something straight. When it says Squats 5 x 2, thats 5 sets of 2 reps or 2 sets of 5 reps? I know it might seem like a dumb question, but im dumb.

Also I dont know if its a benefit or not, but sitting in am office for 12 hours a night Ive been taking in over 7k cals a day...easy. Not bad cals because I can meal prep before I come in. Just a lot because all there is to do all night is eat.

If you mean the active recovery day in Texas method or the light day it's 2 sets of 5 reps. Another option he suggests is 3x3 on front squats but I'd take the extra back squat work for you right now to dial in your form.

 

[jaymaximus]

Today's workout:
Active Recovery Day (That just sounds fancy)

Squats:
215 5 x 3
Did some practicing to go deeper with the bar before hand. Thats why theres no warmup. Box squats again, but with a lower box.

OHP:
140 5 x 3

Close Hand Incline Press:
170 5 x 3

Weighted Incline Situps:
20lb dumbell 50 total

Thats it. Truthfully I thought going in that I would be wasting my time with todays workout. But by the time I left I felt it. Not regular like I was wasted, but I got something out of it. I'll be back in Saturday for 1RM day.

Note: I noticed today was exactly a month since I got out of the hospital (because my month supply of meds ran out). I was between 200 and 205 then. Weighed in today at 220. Feeling really good overall too.
Thanks again for all the support so far. And this log is just getting started!

 

[jaymaximus]

Just finished a book called Optimizing Strength Training by Kraemer and Fleck. It was pretty good. Talks mostly about designing workouts. Rest needed. Workout order. Etc. Etc.
It fit in with what Rippetoe says and TM training.
I think Im going to learn power cleans and power snatches. No reason. Just want to try. Unlike squats and DLs where I had been slacking, Ive never done these before. I have a guy in my gym who does them who said he'll help, but besides that Ill learn with youtube videos and low weights.

 

[Docd187123]

Just finished a book called Optimizing Strength Training by Kraemer and Fleck. It was pretty good. Talks mostly about designing workouts. Rest needed. Workout order. Etc. Etc.
It fit in with what Rippetoe says and TM training.
I think Im going to learn power cleans and power snatches. No reason. Just want to try. Unlike squats and DLs where I had been slacking, Ive never done these before. I have a guy in my gym who does them who said he'll help, but besides that Ill learn with youtube videos and low weights.

A lot of ppl start with PVC pipes. This girl I'm talking to is an Oly lifter who competes and even now she still uses the PVC pipe to practice technique on.

 

[jaymaximus]

A lot of ppl start with PVC pipes. This girl I'm talking to is an Oly lifter who competes and even now she still uses the PVC pipe to practice technique on.

Ill have to try it. I also liked inserts idea of the broomstick. I could see myself getting bust in the face with a barbell doing too much too fast.