Fun max effort benching

Max effort bench workout with Stump, Jeff, Kyle and Parker.

Bench:

Bar x 10

Bar x 10

135 x 10

225 x 6

225 x 6

275 x 2

295 x 1

225 x 5

Bench with chains ( this is all from memory, but I think its pretty close ):

135 + chains x 8

185 + chains x 6

205 + chains x 5

225 + chains x 2 ( urg, not the best form )

225 + chains x 2 ( MUCH better than the last.  I need to remember how this felt different than the set prior and learn how to reproduce this. )

225 + chains x 1

185 + chains x 8

I really liked benching with chains.  I'm going to have to get some.

4 sets of dips.  I'm still really weak with dips, but making some progress

4 sets of face pulls ( I didn't keep track of the weight, each set was 12+ reps).

3 sets of tricep cable extensions

(wooo, those two exercies make me feel good. )

3 sets of over head tricep cable extensions.

Oh yeah, I got on the scale... 293 pounds.    I've gained 30 pounds since july but not even an inch around my waist.  Incredible!

Overall, it was a good workout.  But I'm feeling stronger than my bench is showing, lol.  No complaints though, my bench is improving, as the meet showed.  I think most of the reason my my numbers aren't up on saturday morning is because I'm still not fully recovered from heavy squats on thursday.  I'm not sure what to do about that.

Afterward, everybody came over to my house for hamburgers and watched "Power Unlimited".  Great movie, lots of fun.  I enjoyed having everybody over.

Just a side note, since I haven't written it in my blog.  I felt that Taekwondo was getting in the way of my powerlifting training ( ie it prevented full recovery ), so I've stopped ( which is probably partly the reason that I've been able to put on some weight ).  I wasn't completely happy with the school that I've been associated with for the last 3 years anyway, so I think it's time to move on.  It's so obvious to me what I need to be doing, ie squatting, benching and deadlifting.  I don't completely understand it and can't explain it, but powerlifting means *everything* to me lately.  The iron bug has done much more than just bitten, it's totally consumed me.

The mountains got snow today.  Ski season will soon be here.  I'm excited for it, but this year it's a little different.  I'm also somewhat scared.  I LOVE powder skiing, always have and always will, but I also feel that for some reason the powerlifting thing is much more important ( if that makes any sense ).  I'm not sure how this will play out as winter progresses.  It's too bad Pete isn't here anymore, I'd be curious what he'd have to say about it.  I miss you Pete, you were a great person and good friend.