I've stand accused by JP of being a fair-weather logger. Of reaping carrots during PB harvest time, but falling silent while sowing the seeds.

Maybe he has a point.

So I thought I'd start up the log again. A lot has happened since the old one died. Some enforced time off for Christmas in Scotland and January in Australia hit the strength levels. Once back from there I got back in the gym and strength got close to previous max on bench and deadlift (152.5kg bench, so close), had to put max squat on hold due to badminton-induced hip injury.

Then I moved to London, joined a new gym and got married Found it tough to get in the groove in the new place, it's a very different atmosphere to my old gym. The benches felt wrong, the lighting in the squat rack feels weird. But I'm beginning to feel at home there now.

THE GOAL

700kgs total. Nothing else matters. The other "challenges" are mere games. Overhead squats, cleans, jumps... I don't really care. Older and wiser, I have learned how to focus.

How things currently stand? I've changed the squat style a bit, lowered the bar position and trying to engage the glutes/hamstrings more. Feels really heavy on the back but bar goes up so no complaints. Took this up to 200kg on Saturday. Similar story for deadlift, trying to tweak the style a bit through rack pulls, glute-ham raise and glue activation work. Wouldn't nail 275 at the moment, but would be disappointed to fail 260.

Bench should have been back on track, but last week while warming up felt a slight twinge in the left pec. Bailed on bench warm-up. Felt it again during rack pulls the next day, then later in the week couldn't do narrow-grip rack bench. Feels better now, but won't be benching for a couple of weeks I think.

Meant to be a pressing workout tonight, will need to be a bit sensible...

In other news:

Enjoying Final Fantasy 7 on the PSP at the moment. Classic PS1 title which I downloaded from PSN. I recently defeated the Materia Keeper (with ease) and 'm in Gold Saucer at the moment, just had a date with Aeris which went quite well (nice lass, hope nothing nasty happens to her). I've put 16 hours into it so far, not even on disc 2 (of 3) yet.



Also playing Guitar Hero Metallica, early days on a Hard Career. LOVED Sad But True, but I'm a little concerned it's more down to "American Badass" than Hetfield et al

New log, first post, and already the excuses are there. That's got to be a PB.

Good job on the 200kg, but I'll post a carrot if/when you can play Enter Sandman perfectly.

Good luck with your 700 kgs goal.

Sorry to hear you picked up an injury Spug. Good luck chasing the 700.



Good luck breeding that elusive Gold Chocobo. But don't ride it whatever you do - that's just not vegan.

When I saw the title of your log I thought it was an insane new bodyweight target.

Good luck in the new gym.

Logging progress on a computer game? I thought my mentioning gardening was "reaching"...but maybe it can offer some carrots for ya.

Good to see a log fella - hope your hip heals soon, can be a bugger. I guess badminton wasn't all Spug Fu had to offer in the end

which leads me on to this forgotten classic:


spug, assuming you get an hour for lunch, how do you manage to fit in a decent enough session including eating/shower/warm ups/walking to gym etc?

Spug Fu, enforcer of excuses!!

All hail the fastest vegan excuse maker in the world!

This training log is only a few months overdue...

Thanks all, good to be back.


Ah good old ninearms. He'd call me out on excuses. I'd tell him to lift heavier. It was a thing we had...


Goal is really just a playthrough on expert, then download Rock Band Iron Maiden track pack Sadly I don't think the wife is a metal fan...


Lol, not sure I'm going to embark on Chocobo breeding. I'm chasing down Sephiroth, that's enough for me. Advent Children awaits me on completion


Cheers man. Hip seems ok now actually, not maxed out on squat so far THIS YEAR, could have something to do with it...


If I train at lunchtime it's either a really quick session (2k or less on the rowing machine, bit of benching, some oly practice), or I could take a longer lunch. Usually main sessions are in the evening though.

Speaking of training, did a little pressing this evening. Did some light bench because a workmate was, all the way up to 60KG. Then some push press, only up to 100kg. Some narrow grip rack press, did 5 with 120kg but felt it a little so stuck to triples at this weight. Some dbell extensions and some shoulder work and time to head

Tomorrow a bit of deadlifting.

Spug is back!
HELL YEAH!

Nice to see you logging again, man!

Tough session this morning. Got on the tube to find the battery was flat on my PSP. I had forgone the free paper on the way in so I was left WITHOUT ENTERTAINMENT for over half an hour

Shame as I've left Gold Saucer and headed for the Temple of the Ancients. I have a feeling something big is going to happen. Someone (or something) messed up Tseng real bad anyway...

Trip home last night - picked my way through Temple of the Ancients. Defeated two bosses on the tube in today. Red Dragon was dispatched quickly, Demon's Gate was tougher. Cast Aqualung and various summons as I usually do when I hear the boss music (PANIC), barely scratched it (him?). Switched to physical attacks, Aeris just healing, lots of limit breaks and TOOK HIM DOWN as the train pulled into Green Park (stop before mine).

Solid.

Gym last night, very warm. Deadlifted triples up to 200kg, then 220kg single, 240kg single. Had planned 260kg single but form went disappointingly on the 240kg so nailed some more reps with 220kg. Maybe technique has slipped a bit, obviously strength is there.

Think I'll mainly go max squat at the moment and bring the deadlift up in 3s or 5s, something like that.

Then did some "advanced lat pulldowns", barbell rows Yates-style and some preacher curls. Pumped.

Met David Haye who was coming in for a weights workout. Happy to discover he's a nice guy as he's pretty much my favourite fighter at the moment.