Get Big or Die Trying

[TootallJball]

A little background..I am a 22 year college student just starting to get serious about lifting again. I began about 2 years ago, starting off at 6'3 185lbs. After bulking for a period of 8 months or so i was up to 225 lbs. I took about an 8 month hiatus after i hit the wall progress wise. I could not keep up with the caloric requirements financially and just ended up giving up. Now, i am down to around 195-200 lbs. My short term goals are to add 15lbs of muscle my frame. Some of my initial goals are: Bench - 225lbs (5x5) Deadlift - 400lbs (Max) and improve core strength. You may notice that i did not include squats. I simply do not do them anymore. In the past i worked on them by starting out with low weight, working on form. Eventually, when i start adding more weight it would become painful on my knees, so i decided to listen to my body and not put it under that stress.


01-08-2008

Flat BB Bench - 135 x 10 (warm-up)
155 x 5
175 x 5 (4 sets)
185 x 5

Skullcrushers - 70 x 10
65 x 10

EZ Bar Curls - 65 x 10
65 x 10

Military Press - 95 x 8
95 x 8

Single Arm Dumbell Press - 50 x 10
50 x 10
50 x 10

[TootallJball]

01-10-2008

Flat BB Bench - 135 x 8 (warm-up)
155 x 5
180 x 5 (5 sets)

Skullcrushers - 65 x 10
65 x 10
65 x 10

Single Arm Dumbell Press - 60 x 8 (3 sets, Right arm)
55 x 8 (3 sets, Left arm)

Military Press - 115 x 3
105 x 3
95 x 5

[TootallJball]

01-12-2008

Deadlift - 135 x 5
185 x 5
185 x 5
185 x 5

Flat BB Bench - 135 x 8 (warm-up)
155 x 5
185 x 5 (5 sets)

B.O Rows - 115 x 8
115 x 8
115 x 8

Military Press - 100 x 5
100 x 5
100 x 5

Single Arm Dumbell Press - 60 x 8 60 x 8
60 x 8 60 x 8
60 x 8 60 x 8

Bench is starting to feel really strong. Ive really been focusing on breathing technique and doing slow controlled reps, no bouncing. Finally found the grip that feels right to me. Previously i used a wide grip with my index fingers outside the line. Now ive been using a closer grip with my index finger just on the inside of the line.

Military Press felt solid. I feel that the Single Arm Dumbell Presses are strengthing my core stability.

Deadlift were sub-par, but i am just getting back into them.