Friday, December 21, 2007

RE Lower Body

Lunchtime:
Cybex ArcTrainer Elliptical: 30 minutes at Level 4

Evening:
Hoist Composite Motion Leg Press: 335x10x4

Arched Back Good Morning: 145x10x4

Cybex Leg Curl: 80x10x4

22" Step Ups: BWTx10x4

Hanging Leg Raises: 4 sets of 5

Incline Twisting Situps: 4 sets of 10

Thursday, December 20, 2007

The Best Laid Plans II

The why's would be a little much to get into here, but my orders have changed. Instead of Bahrain, I am now headed to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. Also, instead of leaving in May, it's now the first week of February. Instead of extending in the Reserves like I've been doing for PRT purposes, they are letting me reenlist if I could pass my third PRT in a row - - - On January 29th. Good thing a message came out allowing me to automatically be on the Chief's board without taking an exam, a one-time perk if one is in, leaving, or going to Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Horn of Africa - - - I have a lot to do in even less time than before. All while also taking my son to basketball practices and working on his game, since his season has begun.

That busy-ness is why I haven't blogged much but I'm trying. I've basically been experimenting with different weightlifting approaches, even the lactic acid stuff. I am using the Cybex ArcTrainer elliptical on my off days, since it's more challenging. And I've been playing a lot of basketball scrimmage games. My weight is down to 232 lbs (Morning Weight), and my conditioning is coming along. I've decided to just stay with the heavy stuff, and twice (each) squatting and deadlifting since that has always worked best in a pinch - - - last time I lost too much mass for so little gain that I don't want to go through that again.

This was today's workout.

Lunchtime:
LifeFitness Treadmill: 4 rounds of 1 minute running at 8.0 MPH and 2 minutes walking at 3.8 MPH, using a 1.5 degree incline. When I started Afterburn (modified), running at 7.7 MPH had me at a heart rate of 170. I had to up the speed to 8.0 to get close to the same effect.

Evening (ME Upper):
Close Grip Triceps Death (No Board, 2 thru 5 boards, no rest) 3 sets to failure. 2 minutes rest between sets.

Snatch Grip Deadlift: Worked up to a 275 4RM.

T-Bar Row: 115x5x5

Hoist Assisted Neutral Grip Chinup (BWT 237): 117x5x5

Biceps Death: 3 sets to failure. Essentially, 1 rep with 90 lbs then failure with 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 lbs. Rest two minutes each set.

Grace's Big Squat Day


Two days ago, my wife Grace asked what was on the menu for Leg Day. I told her to "get Gung Ho" because we were going to test her on the free squat. I also told her that it would be filmed for training purposes. She also asked me to post it on my blog, since she does not want to post it on her Myspace page. Feel free to comment.

A few notes. I tried to dial in her depth, even going so far as to do the second rep touch and go from a 14" box. She hated it, because it tempted her to relax upon touching it. Her descent is pretty fast, and I didn't teach her that. Her speed is noteworthy, probably from those huge hams she inherited from her dad. Will have to do some work on depth and her lower back but I think before I leave, she may be ready for 225.

And I'm still trying to persuade her to do a Virtual Meet, Kris:)