Ed's log of confusion

[Ed]

I thought that I would start keeping a log on here to see if anyone can give me some pointers. Everything is in pounds and yes I can bench more than I can squat, sad but true. I'm in my third week of trying a sheiko cycle, it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. I have been doing raw paused benches the whole cycle.

Deads with 35's on the bar--------2x3-240, 2x3-260, 4x3-285
Bench---------1x5-185, 1x4-225, 2x3-250, 3x2-285, 2x2-305, 2x3-285
Pec deck flies----5x10 light weight
Rack pulls--------1x4-275, 2x4-305, 2x3-355, 3x2-385
Lunges-----------5x5-65

[Harv]

Confusing Ed
You may want to show your weight every workout plus which week you are in the cycle.I know it is a 4 week cycle from our discussion but others may not.My only other comment as that you may want to use the sheiko more for squats and deadlifts and do more of a Metal Militia or Westside for bench as you are clearly at 2 different levels,e.g. you bench as much as you squat or deadlift.Personally I think the system will not be as effective for bench as it will be for the other 2 lifts.
I am most interested to see how you do as I think that I would like to give it a try after the Nationals as I am in the same boat,a much better bencher than squatter or deadlifter.
If you are in town we plan on benching on Saturday around noon.
Good luck,Harvmeister

[Ed]

Hi Harv, thanks for the suggestions. I'm in the 3rd of week of a 4 week cycle of a program I found on the EFS site. I was weighing in at 227 the morning of the workout. The weakest part of my bench has always been right off of the chest so I figured that I would do something about it with the paused reps. After this cycle I will be working the boards again and see if my weak spot on the bench has moved. I won't be back to the City until April 9th.

Ed

[McLifter]

Take this advice for what it's worth Ed since you do out bench me....

One of the things that I did to help my Bench was to pause virtually every rep during a training cycle when I was doing a contest prep. Either that or you always pause the first rep and then finish the set. The other thing that I found helpful was to vary the grip throughout the sets. I actually worked with five different grip widths on the Benches and the Bentover rows.

Brock

[McLifter]

Another thing ol' Harv may not have mentioned about himself; when he was just a young un and didn't have the $ for equipment he started all of his benches off of coke boxes set at chest height. When I heard that and heard about how strong the Harvmeister was in his younger incarnation (still d**n strong by the way) it made total sense. You can bet he had no trouble getting it off of his chest when he was training like that.

So, that is just like Rack benches or pause benches for time. When you start at the bottom and build it up there is no sticking point from that spot.

Brock

[Harv]

Funny you mention that but that is what Mellonhead does as he does a lot of training at home,by himself, pressing off pins at the bottom.About 4 weeks ago handed him 585 just to do a touch to see how it felt.He pushed it at least 6 inches off his chest and this was done WITHOUT a shirt.
If I work out with him long enough I will become a good deadlifter.

Confused Ed Just a thought but why not push the Shieko and come in to bench with a shirt 2 or 3 times a month.When Mellonhead missed our last post workout feast the manager says that if all three of us show up we will get a 20% volume discount.Seems to good to be true.

Couple years back had a bench contest and barbecue in my backyard and a swim in the pool for those that can swim.Big pain to haul the equipment over.Was thinking how about a bench meet in the HHG and come to my place for a swim and barbecue.Only 5 minutes apart.Haven't told the wife yet but I'm pretty sure that I can pull it off

Harvemeister

[Ed]

The paused benches feel pretty good so far, they used to really bug my shoulders but they feel good so far. I will have to play with the hand spacing, that is something I haven't done too much of yet in my training. I usually bench raw with pinkies on the rings and shirted I put my middle fingers on the rings.
Harv, the volume discount sounds great, we will have to get together again for some eating and training. The BBQ and bench sounds like a great idea, I'll bring the keg.

[McLifter]

Harv, the Bench and swim idea is still a great one! We could still do the haul routine to your house or make it quick and easy with the two stage lift, drive, swim, drink etc. (hmmmm....that's more than two stages isn't it?) Well like Snagglepuss used to say..................."Exit, liftin all the way, Stage Right"

McLifter

[Harv]

Lift,drive,swim,drink.Brockmeister You forgot EAT
Chef Harv

[Ed]

Last day in week 3, worked out after work and eating jail food all day, yum.

Squat---1x4-165, 2x3-190, 6x3-225
Bench---1x5-180, 1x4-215, 2x3-250, 7x3-285, 1x3-275, 1x5-235, 1x7-195
Flies-----5x10-light weight just stretching
Military press-----5x5-95
GMs----------------5x6-135

Bench was pretty tough today but I got all the reps I was supposed to, one more week and then I think I'll take a deload week.

[McLifter]

Nice work Ed!

Brock

[Harv]

Saturday workout

Mellonhead bar*10/bar*10/135*5/225*5/315*2/405*2/455*1/
Shirt 495*2/545*1/575*1
Posed in mirror for 5 minutes
Off to Dairy Queen for double cheese burgers[they have a 2 for 1 sale on]

Harv Bad workout,again,not worth commenting on.

Harvemeister

[Snowdaddy]

Dairy Queen has 2 for one sale on double cheeze burgers? Now I have something to do while my hand mends.

[Harv]

Yep,2 for 1.Mellonhead ate 6 which is most unusual as he is a vegetarian.

[Snowdaddy]

Thats alright, he shouldn't have the usual vegetarian problems. He gets more than enough "iron" in his diet. I'm looking forward to seeing 275kg beside Trevor's name when the National results are posted. Good work you two.