More simplification

Wendler 5/3/1 program, cycle 17, week 2

• Work Set – Deadlift (working max: 365#)
  • 1x5x150 (warmup)
  • 1x5x185
  • 1x3x225
  • 1x3x260 (work)
  • 1x3x295
  • 1x6x335
• Assistance – Deadlifts
  • 5 x 5 x 185
• Assistance – Hanging Knee Raises
  • 3 x 5 x BW

I don’t know what to make of it, but I feel so damn strong when I lift. My lifts are just going up up up… if you compare them against last cycle and cycles before, there’s just big improvements in both weight lifted and reps lifted. Like last cycle, one month ago on “cycle 16-2, week 2” I did 325 for 6… now I did 335 for 6. I don’t know what to attribute it to, but I’m kinda leaning on Carb Back-loading. Having enough energy from the evening’s load, then in the morning it’s a fasted workout: just some water and 200mg of caffeine. Huzzah.

I feel well on track for a nice PR next week.

As for assistance work… again, because I called that audible and am trying 4x week, I’m reverting back to a more BBB-stricter template. My deads today? For some reason I just opted to do them explosively.. like I was trying to jump. That made a big difference. I felt it a lot in my posterior chain (my glutes felt things I haven’t felt before), and my posture and form was kinda cool. I think it’s the cue… instead of “pick this thing up off the floor”, I’m thinking more about jumping and trying to touch the ceiling. It’s different cues, different body positions and body response. I kinda like how things went and am going to explore this more. Probably read some more about Westside, deadlifting, and dynamic effort to try to refine this a bit. Not that I’m trying to do Westside or ME/DE, just maybe to help find some cues, find what weight I should use for optimum results, etc..

I also tried Hanging Leg/Knee Raises again… I referred to the Wendler book. And I knew that wasn’t a wise choice, what with my shoulder issues. I did a few, stopped before my shoulder hated me too much. I need to find something else.

I can’t wait for next week. I will set a true PR, and very much looking forward to that. I hope I’ll have my new BestBelt as well!