Surge to New Levels
I'm an Undergraduate Student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I also work as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. I'm a competitive powerlifter and my current weight is 172lbs and my current lifts are: Squat 408, Bench 287, Deadlift 517
Training at Jakked Hardcore tommorrow
I’m excited but nervous as well. I’ve never been to a real PL gym but my friend trains with a solid team including the Lilliebridge brothers so this will be exciting. I’m just thankful for the chance to be able to show up and train with them.
They say the best way to learn is to train with people stronger than you so it’s time to grab the bull by the horns and put myself out of my comfort zone.
"Those who say the can, and those who say they can’t are both usually right. The mind is everything. It can either be your greatest ally, or it can be your worst enemy. There is nothing like looking in the mirror and knowing the biggest obstacle you will ever face is yourself. It’s just whether you take that in stride or in defeat."
Mental Barriers: Heavy Deadlift Cube Method 05/24/13
I have been looking forward to this day for some time now. Monday I pulled 475 no problem and today the plan was to hit 495 again. All would have gone according to plan had I not let myself mentally defeat myself. 475 is super easy. In fact I doubled it today after a ton of sets but just knowing that I have failed 495 over and over in recent time placed a barrier on my limits.
I know this because instead of pulling with every inch of power that I have. I pulled in fear of failure. The biggest key to success is not being afraid to fail and I didn’t do well in convincing myself of that today.
As a way to teach myself to not give up, and keep pushing: I pushed myself to my limits over and over again until the point of exhaustion. Yeah, it may seem stupid. Yeah, I may be pushing myself too hard. But there is something to be said about the mental toughness you develop from doing something like this.
I ended up doing set, after set, after set with 80%+. I failed, only to come back again, and again. I don’t want to give up. I don’t want to back up in fear anymore. This is mine and I will conquer this. I will pull 518 once again. There is no reason as to why I can’t.
Who says that I can’t do that? or 525, 530, even 535? They are only numbers. That is all. Numbers. I train too hard to let myself fall victim to my mind. I will train my mind, and my body will follow because I order it to.
This is far from the end. Very far.
General Warm Up, PVC Roll, Hip/Glute Activation, Dynamic Warm Up
Deadlift - 135lbs 1X5, 225lbs 1X5, 275lbs 1X5, 315lbs 1X3, 405lbs 1X1, 435lbs 1X1, 455lbs 1X1, 475lbs 2X1, 495lbs 3XFail, 405lbs 2X3, 435lbs 1X3, 455lbs 1X3, 475lbs 2X2 and 1XFail, 405lbs 1X1 *All sets done with a switch in conventional and sumo pull
Leg Curls - 125lbs 5X10
PVC Roll and Static Stretch
"When you compete with yourself, you become better. If you’re continuously competing against others, you become bitter."
Chris Spealler (via erraticintrovert)
The ultimate piece of advice
(Source: mybodymyfortress, via initiatebeastmode)
Seven Rules of Highly Effective Core Training
Important to Note
- You can’t spot reduce or work on one “specific part” of the abs. The abs are one sheet of muscle. In fact, the core involves more than just what you can see. It’s also your lower back, glutes, and to a certain extent your hamstrings.
- Crunches are completely useless. Drop them. They are ineffective, and will only leave you at risk for a hernia.
- Compound exercises provide the biggest bang for your buck as they train all aspects of the core
