Welcome to this week’s Training Log thread
Use this space to:
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Share your recent workouts
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Reflect on what went well (or didn’t)
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Track PRs, new programs, deloads, or changes
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Stay accountable with your training
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Ask for tips on progression or programming
Tactical Barbell Grey Man w2d2
Bench press 4 x 6 @ 190lbs
Zercher squat 4 x 6 @ 225lbs
Dip 4 x 10 @ 210 bw + 30lbs
Incline dumbbell bench 4 x 10 @ 44lbs
Pull up 4 x 10 @ 210lbs bw
The squats take a lot out of me, more than any other lift
What muscle/movement feels like the potential point of failure for you on these? Is it balance? Arm strength?
I’ve done Zerchers at 135 lbs, years ago, and it just felt super awkward, and I’m wondering whether if I got used to the movement I’d still be lagging way behind on weight from balance or arm strength.
It’s a systemic fatigue that gases me out. There’s a lot of back involved plus the squat itself, hard bracing, the works. I was thinking to maybe try front squats and see if overall it’s a little bit less draining, any experience with those?
Yeah, I do front squats a decent amount. When I first started it took a bit of mobility work to be able to comfortably hold the bar in that position, but a few years of it being in the repertoire got that mobility/flexibility in place to where it isn’t at all uncomfortable for me.
My failure point on front squats is the loss of balance on my way back up, when my legs and lower back are fatigued, where I tend to want to lean forward (which throws off my whole balance). Raising my arms/elbows higher helps, but then my arms and traps get tired. That’s why I was wondering if Zerchers would be even more punishing of errors in form.
Above 200 lbs the minor imperfections in the movement really get amplified, so I appreciate that immediate feedback. I imagine Zerchers are the same way. Maybe I’ll try them out next week in the gym, see if I can do a set and see how they compare to front squats.
I always had trouble with high bar/low bar squats, getting to full depth without back pain was a problem. Zerchers are so simple, they really help teach the right squat form IMO. Just brace and sit down with it, and bonus is that going down until the bar touches your thighs ensures you’re going full depth.
Did a Zercher squat with 1 rep of 225 today. Felt so awkward. Compared to a front squat, it seemed like it was somehow more stable with my center of gravity and balance, but less stable in the sense that my arms had less control over its positioning. Maybe it’s a learned skill, could probably get used to it as an accessory.
Tactical Barbell Grey Man w2d3
Behind the neck press 4 x 6 @ 100lbs
Deadlift 4 x 6 @ 275lbs
Dumbbell shrug 4 x 10 @ 65lbs
Incline dumbbell row 4 x 10 @ 55lbs
Incline dumbbell curl 4 x10 @ 35lbs