Brian Hopper's Training Log

[MarcusWild]

Nice work on the GMs. It looks like you guys are in the back corner of the new place too. I don't get why gym owners don't want powerlifters right in t he center of the gym, haha.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks again Lones!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Nice work on the GMs. It looks like you guys are in the back corner of the new place too. I don't get why gym owners don't want powerlifters right in t he center of the gym, haha.

Thanks Macus, that's the most weight I ever tried on GM's. Yeah, we are in the corner but we have alot more room to work with compared to the other one.

[muscle_g]

Great job on those Zercher's and GM's!! Very strong.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks George!!!!

[NickAus]

Thanks Nick, they were pretty damn hard!!!! I can't wait to go over 600 :)



Your welcome!!!! Have you ever done them before? I don't think I ever read you doing them in your log.

Tank, I have done them twice off pins- got up to 385 with some in the tank.

Very hard movement at the start!!

[Coke]

Awesome display of strength on the GM's Tank!!

No joke, major props.

[Brian Hopper]

I'm sure they are alot harder off of pins then out of chains. With chains you can get setup alot better. I might do them again next week, I just won't go as heavy.

[Brian Hopper]

No joke, major props.

Thanks Coke!!!!

[NickAus]

I'm sure they are alot harder off of pins then out of chains. With chains you can get setup alot better. I might do them again next week, I just won't go as heavy.

One day I'll get some hanging straps from spud inc so I can do them that way, looks better for sure but off the pins will have to do for now.

You have got me pumped up to test my G.M's this Sunday, just standard style not concentric this time so I have a PR to beat on them.

[Barbaccio]

Bad ass GM's Hopper! Looking thick as hell man.

[Brian Hopper]

You have got me pumped up to test my G.M's this Sunday, just standard style not concentric this time so I have a PR to beat on them.

Good luck, go get yourself a new PR!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Bad ass GM's Hopper! Looking thick as hell man.

Thanks alot Tone!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Thursday
6-17-10
ME-Bench

Bench press with chains
BAR-1x10
BAR+50lbs of chain-1x5
135+50lbs of chain-1x3
225+50lbs of chain-1x1
275+50lbs of chain-1x1
275+100lbs of chain-1x1
275+150lbs of chain-1x1
275+200lbs of chain-2x0...The second attempt, I at least got it up high enough to have the bar land in the rack, I just couldn't get it locked.
275+100lbs of chain-2x3

DB bench press
55-1x20
65-1x20
75-1x20

Bottoms up KB presses
32lbs-3x10

Rolling DB ext.
55-1x6
65-2x6

Rope pressdowns
70-1x20
90-1x20
110-1x15

DONE....Not much to say, but I was a little bummed out missing that weight twice. Since i'm planning on doing a raw meet, I made sure that every press today was paused. Which this was the first time I ever paused like that on the bench, i'm use to touch and go. Next week, i'm thinking about keeping the same bar weight and setting the chains up to where less chains will be on the ground at lockout.

[NickAus]

Great work, can't wait till I have a basement gym with all the equipement you guys use.

200lb in chain must cost a bit.

Once again great bench work Tank!!

[MarcusWild]

That's a cool idea to work up adding chains. I'll have to steal it. What do you think your raw max would be now?

[Brian Hopper]

Great work, can't wait till I have a basement gym with all the equipement you guys use.

200lb in chain must cost a bit.

Once again great bench work Tank!!

Thanks Nick, I think we actually have about 300lbs of chain total.

[Brian Hopper]

That's a cool idea to work up adding chains. I'll have to steal it. What do you think your raw max would be now?

2 weeks before I hurt my hand, I benched 425 (touch & go) and maybe could of got 435 but I stopped there. My all-time best is 455, which I did about 8 years ago. I have about 11 weeks to get ready for it, and I think if I can stay healthy and train smart I can beat it.

Usually when we work with chains, we will pick a weight and just add chains to it. Today, i'm going to squat with chains, but nothing heavy since I already had a ME this week.

[Coke]

No reason why you can't match or ever surpass your previous best bench, there's ample time to proceed forward with the plan.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks for the encouragement Coke, I appreciate it!!!!!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Friday
6-18-10
SQ/DL

Box squats with chains and a buffalo bar
BAR-1x10
BAR+70lbs of chain-1x3
145+70lbs of chain-2x3
235+70lbs of chain-2x3
325+70lbs of chain-2x3
325+130lbs of chain-2x3
325+190lbs of chain-2x3
325+250lbs of chain-2x3

Speed pulls with chains
225+60lbs of chain-1x1
225+120lbs of chain-1x1
225+180lbs of chain-1x1
Took chains off
315-2x2
405-4x2

Lat pulldowns with a fat bar
Took the knee rest off to make it harder
4x10

Hammer curls
45-1x10
50-1x10
55-1x10
65-1x10

DONE...I'm pretty happy with how today went. My top set was somewhere between 560-575 at the top, which I did for a triple. It felt pretty easy, but i'm still weeks away from the meet. The speed pulls were pretty funny, because the chains kept falling off. So we decided to just take the chains off and pull straight weight. It's been about 12 weeks since I pulled from the floor, and my speed with 405 was actually pretty fast. All-in-All it was a pretty good day.

I should have a video posted up soon.....

[Tim K]

Squat work looks pretty brutal. Getting all that work done in one session is damned impressive.

[Brian Hopper]

Squat work looks pretty brutal. Getting all that work done in one session is damned impressive.

Thanks alot Tim!!!!

[SELK]

nice work, what are your goals for the meet?

[Brian Hopper]

nice work, what are your goals for the meet?

Thanks SELK, i'm not sure yet. This will be my first meet raw, but I would like to total 1800 or better. To get 1800, I would have to squat 725, bench 425, and pull 650 which are numbers I think I can get. I'm going to take a ME squat in about 3-4 weeks to get an idea where i'm at.

[Brian Hopper]

UkeVFEgJw5o

[Coke]

Wow man, stellar effort!!

[Brian Hopper]

Wow man, stellar effort!!

Thanks alot!!!

[NickAus]

Awesome Tank!!

You have some great options to train each lift!!

[Lones Green]

Great speed work buddy

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks guys!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Sunday
6-20-10

Foam roll
-Back
-IT Band
-Glutes
-Quads

Lower body stretches
-Hip/Glute
-Inner thigh
-Piriformis
-Hamstring
-Quad

Upper body stretches
-Chest/Shoulders
-Biceps
-Triceps
-Lats

[bojackson]

nice work hopp!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Thank's Bo!!!

[muscle_g]

Sunday
6-20-10

Foam roll
-Back
-IT Band
-Glutes
-Quads

Lower body stretches
-Hip/Glute
-Inner thigh
-Piriformis
-Hamstring
-Quad

Upper body stretches
-Chest/Shoulders
-Biceps
-Triceps
-Lats


I'm gonna start doing more foam rolling and stretching on my off days.

[Brian Hopper]

I've been trying to, and i'm going to try and thow in some ab work also.

[Brian Hopper]

Monday
6-21-10
ME-Lower

2" Deficit Deadlifts
135-1x10
135-1x5
225-1x5
315-1x3
405-1x2
495-1x2
Added belt
585-1x1
615-1x1...10lb PR

Bent over rows
225-1x8
275-3x5

Back raises
BW-1x10
BW+25lbs-1x10
BW+35lbs-1x10

Chuck V rows
4x10

DB shrugs
100-1x10
120-3x15

DONE...I was planning on doing the deficit pulls as a warm-up and was suppose to stop at 405 and go on to do a ME 4" block pull........BUT, I kept on going and broke a PR, so i'm pretty happy about that. I was going to do block pulls after, but my hand started to bother me a little bit.

[Coke]

Awesome with the new PR, did that **** on the fly too.

[MarcusWild]

Nice work. That's exactly what I hit about a month before my 710 in a meet. You should definitely be over 700 at your next meet.

[muscle_g]

Very strong PR!!

[Brian Hopper]

Awesome with the new PR, did that **** on the fly too.


Very strong PR!!

Thanks alot guys!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Nice work. That's exactly what I hit about a month before my 710 in a meet. You should definitely be over 700 at your next meet.

Thanks Marcus, I actually think I had another 10lbs left in me. I sure hope I can pull over 700 in my next meet.

[Brian C]

Awesome pulling Bri! I absolutely love your work ethic bro. I hope to be there someday.

[Brian Hopper]

Awesome pulling Bri! I absolutely love your work ethic bro. I hope to be there someday.

Thanks Brian, I appreciate it!!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Tuesday
6-22-10

Foam roll
-Back
-IT band
-Glutes
-Quads
-Hamstrings

Lower body stretches
-Hip/Glute
-Inner thigh
-Piriformis
-Hamstring
-Quad

Upper body stretches
-Chest/Shoulders
-Biceps
-Triceps
-Lats

Grip work
HG150-2x10
HG200-2x10

[Barbaccio]

Ugh, honestly Hip-Hop......I think that workout looks tougher than actually training....lol
Stretching is horrendous. Hurts SO bad.

[Brian Hopper]

haha...it does hurt, but I hope in the long run it will help me.

[Coke]

I hear there are great benefits with the stretching but not many follow through with it, for obvious reasons.

Keep hanging tough man.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Coke, I'm gonna try and stay at it so it will help me in the long run.

[Brian Hopper]

Wednesday
6-23-10
ME-Upper

Bench press with chains
BAR+70lbs of chain-1x10
BAR+70lbs of chain-1x5
135+70lb of chain-1x5
225+70lbs of chain-1x3
275+70lbs of chain-1x1
275+130lbs of chain-1x1
275+190lbs of chain-1x1
285+190lbs of chain-1x0
285+190lbs of chain-1x1...PR for this setup.

3brd presses
315-1x6
365-1x6
405-1x4

Standing shoulder presses
With the cambared bar
100-1x6
140-3x6

Lying Ox's
20-3x6

Overhead rope extensions
4x???....I kept losing count

DONE....Today we set the chains up a little different then last week. We raised them up so at lockout maybe 1 or 2 links would touch. I am pretty happy that I got my last set and for this configuration it was a PR. I suck at board presses, so that's something I really need to focus on and try to increase. I can't remember what my all-time best was, so I will start fresh and say that 405x4 after all that heavy stuff is a PR.

[t gale]

great work hopp. bench is strong, and pull was strong also. congrats on prs!

[Coke]

Huge lifting Brian.

[Barbaccio]

What are lying Oxes? Got a vid? At first I thought that said Overhead Rape Extensions. Might not want to use that font lmfao. Nice pressing B. Strong sh1t!

[Brian Hopper]

great work hopp. bench is strong, and pull was strong also. congrats on prs!


Huge lifting Brian.

Thanks!!!!

[SELK]

nice pressing. way to come back and hit the 285 after you missed it the first time, lots of people would just give up and not have a new PR.

[Brian Hopper]

What are lying Oxes? Got a vid? At first I thought that said Overhead Rape Extensions. Might not want to use that font lmfao. Nice pressing B. Strong sh1t!

They are a shoulder rehab exercise that Chris "Ox" Mason came up with. I don't have a video of them and I couldn't find one.

You lie flat on a bench and the movement is similar to a pullover. You start with the weight by your side or maybe a little lower and raise your arms and bring them back as far as you can go without it hurting, so the weight should be back behing your head. Your arms should be straight the entire movement.

I will try and find a video, since my description isn't the best...haha

[Brian Hopper]

nice pressing. way to come back and hit the 285 after you missed it the first time, lots of people would just give up and not have a new PR.

Thanks SELK, I apprecaite it!!!!

It did feel good to come back and get the lift for a PR.

[Brian Hopper]

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[Brian Hopper]

Monday
6-28-10
Squats

Squats
150-3x5
240-1x5
330-1x3
420-1x1
510-1x1
Added belt
600-1x1
650-1x1...I wasn't too happy with this.

Ab strap pulldowns
4x10

VIDEO
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[muscle_g]

Strong Benching and squatting!!

[Coke]

Showcasing serious strength in those vids bro.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks guys, today was my first time squatting heavy without a box in 2+ years and it felt pretty weird. I'm going to try and bring my feet in a little bit more closer, carry the bar higher and wear different shoes.

I felt like I could of done more if my form was better. I need to quit beating myself up and just try to increase it. My best raw squat ever is 700lbs w/knee wraps and I was 19yo when I did it. I'm 27 now so I think it's time I do something about that.

[Tim K]

Serious poundages on the squats! Impressive work Brian!

[NickAus]

Doing so dam well after the hand injury bro!!

As for your raw squats good on you for wanting to increase them but your goal of squatting big in gear is what you have been working on and you have hit a huge 1030, can't master everything at once.

Loking very good in here Tank!!

[Brian Hopper]

Serious poundages on the squats! Impressive work Brian!

Thanks Tim!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Doing so dam well after the hand injury bro!!

As for your raw squats good on you for wanting to increase them but your goal of squatting big in gear is what you have been working on and you have hit a huge 1030, can't master everything at once.

Loking very good in here Tank!!

Thanks Nick!!!!

Your right about that, and I didn't even think about it in that way. When I got back into powerlifting I didn't have any plans on competing raw, my goals were to get back into gear and total over 2k. So I did exactly what you said and that was to focus on getting my gear strength back up.

After this meet on Sept. 11th, I will be 12 weeks out from another meet I plan on doing. Depending on how I do at this one, I will decide on doing the next one raw or in gear.

Thanks for the support!!!!!

[t gale]

Good S@@@ hopp. strong as hell man, you're going to kill it raw.

[Brian Hopper]

Good S@@@ hopp. strong as hell man, you're going to kill it raw.

Thanks Tim, I sure hope so...I just need to get out of my head!!!!!

[MarcusWild]

I think you'll find you're grove pretty quickly. Box squats aren't nearly as "bad" for raw lifters as people want you to believe. You just have to find your free squat groove, and you're strength with carry over. You've off to a great start.

[Brian Hopper]

I think you'll find you're grove pretty quickly. Box squats aren't nearly as "bad" for raw lifters as people want you to believe. You just have to find your free squat groove, and you're strength with carry over. You've off to a great start.

Thanks Marcus!!!!

I'm pretty sure once I start working it more and get my body use to squatting like this, I should be fine.

[Brian Hopper]

I just tried to do some foam rolling and some strecthing, but my body is so damn sore from squatting yesterday...lol!!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Thursday
7-1-10
ME-Upper

Floor press with a fat bar
BAR-1x10
165-2x5
255-1x5
305-1x3
345-1x1
395-1x1
415-2x0...:mad:

CG Floor press vs. light short band
@100lbs at the top
165+bands-1x5
215+bands-1x5
235+bands-1x5
255+bands-1x5

Facepulls
4x10

Overhead rope extensions
4x12

Bar tosses in the smith machine
50-1x10
70-1x10
90-1x10
110-1x10

Done....Today, was not a good day to start the month off or be in the middle of a training cycle for a meet. The only thing I will say is, today was probably my 4th or 5th max effort upper body in a row. So next week, we will be taking a deload. Nothing much to say about today, i'm just bummed out that I missed that weight.

[NickAus]

Nice bench work!!

If they were all good days we would all be benching 1500, look right on track to me.

Great work, deload sounds like a good idea for the Bench like you said.

[Tim K]

Deload sounds good. Next cycle/wave you'll smash 415!

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to deload next week!!!!! One thing I will start getting back into, is speed work.

[t gale]

Nice work. hey thought deloads are over rated. HAHAHAHAHA total with you i'm still pushing 1 more week than i'm on vacation. so that will be deload week.

[Brian Hopper]

Nice work. hey thought deloads are over rated. HAHAHAHAHA total with you i'm still pushing 1 more week than i'm on vacation. so that will be deload week.

LOL, you're right I did say that. But I feel like I need one, haha!!!!!!

[Barbaccio]

Yeah you missed 415 but overall the training was quite good. Take a few days and recuperate. I noticed the Smith Machine work? I realize your working your power/speed there but do you really think they're helpful or were you just looking for something different to do mentally?

[Brian Hopper]

Yeah you missed 415 but overall the training was quite good. Take a few days and recuperate. I noticed the Smith Machine work? I realize your working your power/speed there but do you really think they're helpful or were you just looking for something different to do mentally?

Those bar tosses in the smith machine was just something different to do. Since I only train 3x a week now, I have been neglecting my speed days for bench. But after my deload next week, I will start adding my speed back in every other week. I do see those bar tosses being effective, so I'll work those into my speed days. You have to be very explosive with that exercise just like speed bench. We'll see what happens, I'm about 10 weeks out from my meet so hopefully I can see a difference.

[Geometheus]

Nothing wrong with a Deload. Your lifts are crazy strong! Very motivational journal in here.

BUMP

[Brian Hopper]

Nothing wrong with a Deload. Your lifts are crazy strong! Very motivational journal in here.

BUMP

Thanks bro, I appreciate it!!!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Friday
7-2-10
DE-Lower

Speed squats vs. green band
BAR+bands-1x5
145+bands-2x5
235+bands-2x5
325+bands-5x3

Speed pulls in a JSB vs. quaded monster minis
135+bands-2x2
225+bands-2x2
275+bands-4x2

Leg extensions
4x12

Chuck V rows
4x10

Done...Today was alot better then yesterday. Even though it wasn't a heavy day, I just felt alot better. I worked on my stance and bar placement some, but I still didn't have the proper shoes on. I also felt like my speed pulls were faster then they ever been, especially for not pulling with that setup in a long time. Next week will be a deload week, so everything will be nice and simple. I'm looking forward to some light and easy training.

[Coke]

All is well for both days man, making strides on all fronts.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Coke!!!!

[muscle_g]

Speed work is looking good!

[Brian Hopper]

Speed work is looking good!

Thanks alot George, doing speed squats without a box is tough.

[Lones Green]

Nice squats and pulls Brian!

[Brian Hopper]

Nice squats and pulls Brian!

Thanks Lones, I'm glad we decided to squat yesterday. I felt alot better with the setup. I'm also looking forward to deload next week.

[MarcusWild]

Did you do the speed squats without a box? If you use chains, then you can do some of your DE squat days without a box. All the sets/reps on DE work really helps you find your raw squat groove.

[Brian Hopper]

Did you do the speed squats without a box? If you use chains, then you can do some of your DE squat days without a box. All the sets/reps on DE work really helps you find your raw squat groove.

I did them without a box. We used bands instead of chains, but for my next DE day, i'll use chains instead. So far from squatting yesterday, I found that I need to carry the bar higher and have my feet a hair past shoulder width. I didn't have the proper shoes on for squatting that close so hopefully when I get a pair it will help some. I also really need to focus on keeping my chest up and elbows forward in the hole. The same thing in gear, but I think for the first time I really felt a difference yesterday on my last set.

[Brian Hopper]

Wednesday
7-7-10
DE-Upper

Speed bench vs. short monster minis
BAR-1x10
BAR+bands-1x3
135+bands-2x3
185+bands-2x3
205+bands-2x3
225+bands-5x3

DB presses
60-1x20
70-1x20
80-1x15

H-Rolls
25-3x12

Bar tosses in the smith machine
50-2x10
70-1x10
90-1x10

Rope pressdowns
4x10-12

[NickAus]

Last sessions look great!!

Speed work can be so much fun and so productive, speed pulls vs quad monsters is tough!!

Looking right in track Tank!!

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Nick!!!!

I'm looking forward to pull against bands again on Friday.

[Coke]

Solid training dude.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Coke!!!

[CHASE TRUSNOVEC]

nice work benchin and squattin dude!! how are you liking the speed benching? my buddy john loves it!! God Bless!!

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Chase!!! I really like doing speed work. I got away from it for awhile and I was able to tell a difference with how slow the bar was moving.

[Brian C]

Awesome speed work the last few sessions Bri! Look forward to watching you prepare for the meet.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Brian!!!

[muscle_g]

Nice workout! Your working out on Mon, Wed, & Fri now?

[douglasoh5]

Looking strong B. cant wait to see what you nail raw.

[Brian Hopper]

Nice workout! Your working out on Mon, Wed, & Fri now?

Yeah, but I'm starting to consider going back to 4x week. I might have to wait until my son starts daycare next month.

[Brian Hopper]

Looking strong B. cant wait to see what you nail raw.

Thanks Rich, I'm looking forward to lifting raw. I'm hoping to get around 1750-1800. But I'm not gonna lie, I really miss my gear.

[muscle_g]

Yeah, but I'm starting to consider going back to 4x week. I might have to wait until my son starts daycare next month.

I started working out Mon, Wed, & Fri this year after talking to Ryan Celli. He suggested this split to me
Mon- SQ/DL, lower accessory
Wed- Bench, Shoulders, Triceps
Fri- Back, Biceps, Grip

I have been following this for most of this year and it seems to be working like a charm.

[Brian Hopper]

That doesn't look that bad, I might reconsider just staying on a 3x a week schedule and trying that out.

[Brian Hopper]

Friday
7-9-10
DE-SQ/DL

Squats with the buffalo bar
BAR-1x10
145-1x10
145-1x5
235-2x3
325-2x3
375-2x3
415-2x3

Speed pulls in a JSB vs. quaded monster minis
135+bands-2x2
225+bands-2x2
275+bands-2x2
315+bands-1x2

Leg extensions
4x10-12

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[Coke]

Showing plenty of strength and speed in the vid guy.

[muscle_g]

Everything looked very fast in the video!

[NickAus]

Now thats a video!!

Love the speed work, and I know how much tension is at the top of those pulls!!

More of those videos would be good.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks alot guys!!!!

[ben21921]

Squatin by yourself? That sucks. What meet are you getting ready for?

[Brian Hopper]

It does, but it was light enough to not even worry about it. But it's nice to have some motivation!!!

I'm planning on lifting raw at the APF Georgia State Championship. This will be my first raw meet, so anything will be a PR.

[BloodandThunder]

Nice speed work. One idea for the DE days would be to do free squats with reverse bands. Good way to have a good deal of weight in the hole yet tax the lockout and you still get raw groove and overload.

[Brian Hopper]

Nice speed work. One idea for the DE days would be to do free squats with reverse bands. Good way to have a good deal of weight in the hole yet tax the lockout and you still get raw groove and overload.

Thanks, i'll have to give that a try!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Monday
7/12/10
ME-Lower

GM/SQ combo with the cambared bar
BAR-1x10
145-2x3
235-2x3
285-2x3
325-2x3
375-2x3
415-1x3...PR

4" block pulls
135-1x3
225-1x3
315-2x3
405-1x3
495-1x2
495-1x7

GHR
BWx6
BWx7
BWx8
BWx10

DONE...Today went pretty good. I did two movements that I have never done before. We finally got a GHR at the gym so of course that was one, and the other would be the GM-SQ combo. I'm really starting to like both of those lifts. My first set of block pulls with 315 I felt a pop around my shin area on the first rep and on 2 and 3 it felt like pins and needles. I tried it again and didn't feel anything so I decided to keep going. On my last set of block pulls, I felt like I could of done 3 more but I was afraid to tear my hand again and whatever I hurt on shin just felt like it was moving around. Hopefully it's nothing, because right now it doesn't bother me. Today I was learning how to perform a GHR the right way so that's why my reps were looking all crazy. I am really looking forward to doing these more often.

M2K9i6TpYNY

[NickAus]

Nice work!!

A lot of time under tension on those G.M/ Squat 3s.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Nick!!!

[Coke]

Today went pretty good.

No kidding, you did damn good!!

[Barbaccio]

Good stuff B. That's alot of work for one session. Motivates me to get more done. Nice job dude.

[MarcusWild]

Those GM/squats look crazy with the cambered bar.

[muscle_g]

Was that Melissa Garret side spotting you?

[jmanly]

Was that Melissa Garret side spotting you?

No...no it wasn't....

good work today Brian

[SELK]

really nice work lately Brian, you will kick ass at the raw meet.

When you get back into gear, after 2-3 weeks of getting used to the heavier weights again I bet you start setting some PRs quickly. I know thats what happens to me if i go raw for a while.

[Brian Hopper]

No kidding, you did damn good!!

Thanks Coke!!!


Good stuff B. That's alot of work for one session. Motivates me to get more done. Nice job dude.

Thanks Tone, we were pretty tired after all that work. We both ended up getting headaches afterwards.


Those GM/squats look crazy with the cambered bar.

It was a crazy movement, especially for the first time. I don't think I would want to do them with a different bar.

[Brian Hopper]

Was that Melissa Garret side spotting you?

No, but she is a top 10 ranked powerlifter!!!!


No...no it wasn't....

good work today Brian

Thanks John, you too!!!!!!!!!!!


really nice work lately Brian, you will kick ass at the raw meet.

When you get back into gear, after 2-3 weeks of getting used to the heavier weights again I bet you start setting some PRs quickly. I know thats what happens to me if i go raw for a while.

Thanks SELK, I sure hope so because after this meet we plan to do a geared meet in December.

[Brian Hopper]

Thursday
7/15/10
ME-Upper

Zydrunas presses
BAR-1x10
135-1x10
165-1x5
190-1x5
205-1x3
225-1x3.....Stopped here, because my quad started to hurt.
165-1x10

Floor presses
Thumb length from the smooth
135-1x10
225-1x8
275-2x8

KB-bottom up presses
35-1x10
53-1x4...I was having a hard time with this weight so I backed off and went back down to 35s
35-2x10

Skull crushers
95-1x10
115-1x10
135-1x8
155-1x8

Rope pressdowns
3x20

DONE...Since I was training by myself today, I decided to go train at Gold's Gym. I figured, i'm paying for a membership I might as well use it every now and then. Nothing crazy today, but everything felt really good.

[Coke]

Good deal on getting to the other gym, sometimes a change of scene and atmosphere is welcome.

[Brian Hopper]

It did feel good to train somewhere else. I wouldn't do any heavy training there but for days like this it's not bad.

[Barbaccio]

Zydrunas presses? Explain.............

Love coming in here and seeing new things B. Keeps me interested.

[Brian Hopper]

Zydrunas presses? Explain.............

Love coming in here and seeing new things B. Keeps me interested.

It's pretty much a shoulder press but your sitting on the ground with your legs out in front of you. You have no back support or leg drive. You can do them suspended from chains or off of pins. It's pretty hard to do, because you have to stay tight throughout.

[Brian Hopper]

Friday
7/16/10
DE-SQ/DL

Speed box squats vs. green band
With the SSB
BAR+bands-2x8
150+bands-2x3
240+bands-5x3
290+bands-3x3

Sumo speed pulls vs quaded minis
Off a 2" deficit......or close to it
185-3x1
235-3x1
285-4x1
285-4x1...I did these conventional to keep form in check

Leg extensions
One leg at a time
4x10-12

Ab work on the GHR
3x10

DONE...Another day that wasn't to exciting. We weren't getting that pop like we normally do with our speed squats so we just kept it light. But I guess I made up for it with the speed pulls because those were pretty fast. Next week, we are planning on pulling a max effort deadlift. Then maybe pull one more time before the meet which will probably just be an opener and maybe a 2nd attempt. That will depend on when we do it and how we feel.

[MarcusWild]

Nice work. The speed pulls at a deficit rock.

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Marcus!!!!!!

[Coke]

Interesting how you've been heading into this upcoming meet, liking your approach Brian.

[Brian Hopper]

Interesting how you've been heading into this upcoming meet, liking your approach Brian.

Thanks Coke!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Well, Friday night I felt great and felt normal, lol!!! But, when I woke up Saturday, I felt like s**t. I had a sore throat, my body was sore all over, and my temp. was at 100.7, and of course as the day went on I felt worse. By the time I went to bed my temp was at 102.

When I woke up on Sunday, I felt ALOT better. My throat was still sore and my body doesn't ache as much as it did. Also, my tempature went down to 97.4 so that was a relief. What sucks is, I haven't been able to eat because I slept most of the day Saturday and I just didn't have the urge to eat anything.

The last two times I weighed myself I was at 250lbs now after all this crap i'm down to 241-242. Oh well, hopefully today I can eat a little better. I did drink my normal morning protein shake. Which did hurt because it's hard to swallow.

Tomorrow I was planning on pulling a max effort deadlift, I just hope that this doesn't mess me up. But I guess I will find out tomorrow.

[NickAus]

Nice speed lower work Tank!!

I will start doing the deficit speed pulls also.

Good luck with the max pulls!!

[Brian Hopper]

Nice speed lower work Tank!!

I will start doing the deficit speed pulls also.

Good luck with the max pulls!!

Thanks Nick, I just hope my strength is there since I was sick this weekend and lost some weight.

[NickAus]

I sick to bro, it sucks!!

My ears feel like bursting and my nose is running lol.

[t gale]

Hope you feel better soon bro. other wise strong training as always

[Brian Hopper]

Hope you feel better soon bro. other wise strong training as always

Thanks Tim, I hope so too!!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Tuesday
7/20/10
ME-Lower

Deadlifts
135-2x5
245-2x3
335-2x1
445-1x1
535-1x1
Added belt
625-1x1
645-1x1
665-1x1...PR

Wall squats with the cambared bar
BAR-2x5
70-1x5
90-1x5
110-1x5

Ab strap pulldowns
4x10

DONE...After how I was feeling this past weekend everything turned out to be ok. It turned out that 665 was a PR so that was good news....but I tore my callus that got infected so I stopped there and didn't try for more. This might be my last heavy pull besides my opener. Next week, I'm going to take another max effort squat and maybe a max effort bench.

VIDEO
Gnybv4hSZn4

[MarcusWild]

Great work on the deads. Even the 655 looked pretty easy for you. You get a ton of speed off the floor.

[Brian Hopper]

Great work on the deads. Even the 655 looked pretty easy for you. You get a ton of speed off the floor.

Thanks Marcus, It did feel pretty good but I couldn't go up because of my hand. I actually tried to slow the bar down a little to keep everything more in control. I really believe I could of done 675 and possibly grinded out 685 which would of been a huge PR.

By the way, that was 665 not 655...lol:)

[Barbaccio]

HUGE pulls B! I agree, really fast as hell off the floor. I need to get my deadlift back on track cause it's gone to complete hell and your vid motivates the **** out of me. Great pulling bro. I love your log. Always inspiring!

[Brian Hopper]

HUGE pulls B! I agree, really fast as hell off the floor. I need to get my deadlift back on track cause it's gone to complete hell and your vid motivates the **** out of me. Great pulling bro. I love your log. Always inspiring!

Thanks alot Tone for the kind words, I really appreicate it!!!!!!!

[muscle_g]

Sweet deadlift PR Brian!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Sweet deadlift PR Brian!!!

Thanks George!!!!!

[MarcusWild]

haha, oops. Didn't mean to short you 10 lbs. I agree you probably had 685 in you. It'll be cool if your first 700 is raw.

[Brian C]

Pulls look super strong Bri! Love the speed work too.

[Coke]

Awesome new PR with the deads.

[Brian Hopper]

haha, oops. Didn't mean to short you 10 lbs. I agree you probably had 685 in you. It'll be cool if your first 700 is raw.

It's all good!!!!! That would be pretty crazy if I were to pull 700 raw before I pull it in gear.

[Brian Hopper]

Pulls look super strong Bri! Love the speed work too.

Thanks Brian!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Awesome new PR with the deads.

Thanks alot Coke!!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Wednesday
7/21/10
DE-Upper

Speed bench
BAR-2x10
Added double monster minis
BAR-1x5
Added double minis
BAR-1x5
95-1x3
115-1x3
135-1x3
155-2x3
175-3x3

Pin presses while lying on the floor
135-1x10
225-1x10
315-2x6

Rope pressdowns
3x10

Done...I just wasn't feeling it today. I went to a different gym and I'm still a little under the weather. But at least I made the effort to go in and do something.

[Coke]

Props alone for following through and working out while still feeling subpar, not looking bad either bro.

[Brian Hopper]

Props alone for following through and working out while still feeling subpar, not looking bad either bro.

Thanks CoCoa, I apprecaite it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SELK]

I think 705 will go in the meet as maybe a 3rd attempt? Lots more in you judging form the vid.

you could replace me in your videos and nobody would notice, our technique and numbers in the deadlift are pretty much the same haha

[Brian Hopper]

I think 705 will go in the meet as maybe a 3rd attempt? Lots more in you judging form the vid.

you could replace me in your videos and nobody would notice, our technique and numbers in the deadlift are pretty much the same haha

Thanks SELK!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Thursday
7/22/10
SQ/DL Accessory

Leg press
The # of plates are total
2plates-1x10
4plates-1x10
6plates-1x10
8plates-1x10
10plates-1x10

GM's with the cambared bar
140-1x6
230-2x6

Leg extensions
4x10

GHR
BW-4x10

Done...I was not in the mood to squat. I'm still feeling beat up from pulling on Tuesday, so I took it easy. We plan on squatting heavy on Monday so that's another reason why I didn't want to squat. The leg press I used is much different then the ones I have used before. I need to start stretching and foam rolling again.

[Coke]

Nice diversion with the leg presses.

[Brian Hopper]

Nice diversion with the leg presses.

Thanks Coke, it was nice to do something different.

[NickAus]

Smart thinking Tank!!

[Brian Hopper]

Smart thinking Tank!!

I think so too Nick!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Monday
7/26/10
ME-Lower

Squats
BAR-1x10
150-2x5
260-1x3
350-2x1
Added belt
440-1x1
530-1x1
620-1x0
Put my Chuck's back on and moved my feet out some.
530-1x1
620-1x1
660-2x0...:mad:
530-1x5

GHR
BW-3x10

Situps on GHR
BW-3x10

DONE...Not much to say about my performance. Although, I will say that i've had better days ...lol!!!!
.
I'm not in the mood to stay on the computer, so i'll check back later.

[t gale]

Very awesome work going on. great job on pr, and squats are looking good also. Still 7 weeks out so 1 bad workout(bad in your eyes) will not kill you. can't wait to see your meet totals. you're going to kill it.

[Barbaccio]

Nice squatting B. How do you balance your geared squatting with the raw squatting? I have a real hard time trying to balance the two and my raw squat suffers badly.

[NickAus]

Nice looking raw numbers to me!!

[Coke]

Serious squats Brian!

[Brian Hopper]

Very awesome work going on. great job on pr, and squats are looking good also. Still 7 weeks out so 1 bad workout(bad in your eyes) will not kill you. can't wait to see your meet totals. you're going to kill it.

Thanks Tim, yesterday was just not a good day for me I guess.

[Brian Hopper]

Nice squatting B. How do you balance your geared squatting with the raw squatting? I have a real hard time trying to balance the two and my raw squat suffers badly.

Thanks Tone, this is really my first time trying to work on building my raw squat. I haven't used gear in 6 months, and it will probably be 8 months by the time I get back in some gear.

[Brian Hopper]

Nice looking raw numbers to me!!


Serious squats Brian!

Thanks guys!!!!

[muscle_g]

Strong squatting!! When will you be getting back into your gear?

[Brian Hopper]

Strong squatting!! When will you be getting back into your gear?

Thanks George, i'm not sure when i'll be back in gear.

[Brian C]

Brian Hopper amazes me!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Brian Hopper amazes me!!!

Thanks alot B!!!!

[bojackson]

nice work hopp!!! havent been on too much lately, so i thought id check up on you. great pulling!! you still doing the GA meet?

[Brian Hopper]

nice work hopp!!! havent been on too much lately, so i thought id check up on you. great pulling!! you still doing the GA meet?

Thanks Bo!!! So far I am, but lately I haven't been too sure. I wanted to do this meet for fun and not really care what I total, but it seems like my squat and bench have been going backwards and now it's not fun anymore. I will probably wait till the last second to decide.

[Brian Hopper]

Thursday
7/29/10
ME-Upper

Bench press
BAR-1x10...Thumb length from the smooth
BAR-1x10...Pinkie on the ring
135-2x5
225-2x5
315-1x3
375-1x1...After today, somewhere around here will be my opener
415-1x0
415-1x1
430-1x0...:bang:

Chain suspended lockouts
Bar set at a 3brd height
135-1x5
225-1x5
315-1x5
365-2x3

Front raises
45-1x8
75-2x8
95-1x8

Pec-dec flyes
100-1x10
120-1x10
140-1x10
160-1x10

Pressdowns
100-1x10
120-1x10
150-3x10

DONE...Another bad day, before I hurt my hand I did 425 T&G and today I missed 415 paused. But was able to come back and get it. So I tried 430 and just didn't have it in me. Things aren't looking good and i'm getting bummed out about it. I thought this was going to be fun, but for some reason it's not any more.

[Coke]

Keep hanging tough, hopefully things will turn around for you soon - still impressive dude.

[bojackson]

well hell, you'll fly out of your slump im sure. its still 7weeks away. i feel ya on the bench. im a weak bencher to begin with, and mine has actually gone backwards as well. my squat and DL are still climbing, but my bench is stupid bad.

[Brian Hopper]

Keep hanging tough, hopefully things will turn around for you soon - still impressive dude.

Thanks for the kind words Coke!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

well hell, you'll fly out of your slump im sure. its still 7weeks away. i feel ya on the bench. im a weak bencher to begin with, and mine has actually gone backwards as well. my squat and DL are still climbing, but my bench is stupid bad.

Thanks Bo, hopefully I'll feel better soon and be able to figure out what's going on.

[MarcusWild]

You're strong enough to hit some big numbers. Don't let a bad training session or two get you down. Everyone has an off day sometimes. Just look for something that might be causing it whether it's sleep, nutrition, illness, etc. Fix it and your strength is still there.

[Brian Hopper]

You're strong enough to hit some big numbers. Don't let a bad training session or two get you down. Everyone has an off day sometimes. Just look for something that might be causing it whether it's sleep, nutrition, illness, etc. Fix it and your strength is still there.

Thanks alot Marcus, I really appreciate it!!!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Friday
7/30/10
DE-Lower

GM's with the cambared bar
140-2x8
140-2x5...GM/SQ
230-2x5
230-3x5...GM/SQ
280-2x5...GM/SQ

Leg extensions
4x10-12

GHR
BW-3x10

[Coke]

Solid GMs and all man.

[Brian Hopper]

Solid GMs and all man.

Thanks Coke!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Monday
8/2/10
ME-Lower

Squats to chains with the mastadon bar
150-2x5
240-2x5
330-1x5
420-1x3
470-3x3

4" block pulls
225-1x2
315-1x2
405-1x2
495-1x2
Added belt
585-1x2
635-1x2

Lat pulldowns
3x10

DB shrugs
100-1x10
120-1x10
120-1x20

DONE...Today went pretty good. I was suppose to do chain suspended GM's, but since I trained alone today I didn't feel like it. I haven't squatted to chains in a long time, and it was pretty hard but it was also good to do something different. The block pulls felt pretty good. I wanted to go up a little more, but I decided to stop there because my hand was starting to hurt. Probably because I held the last rep for about 5 seconds.

[muscle_g]

Lifts are looking strong!!

[bojackson]

alright hopp, i see you posted" 6 weeks out until georgia state meet", that must mean im gonna see you there, right? just dont embarass me too much. my numbers are puney compared to yours :)

[Coke]

Super session man, bound to do serious damage at the next meet.

[t gale]

Nice work Hopp. Relax you're going to kill **** at this meet.

[Brian Hopper]

Lifts are looking strong!!

Thanks George, I felt pretty good today especially with the block pulls.

[Brian Hopper]

alright hopp, i see you posted" 6 weeks out until georgia state meet", that must mean im gonna see you there, right? just dont embarass me too much. my numbers are puney compared to yours :)

Yeah, I'm still planning on it. I'm just gonna go and have some fun. I'm looking forward to meeting you!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Super session man, bound to do serious damage at the next meet.

Thanks Coke, I sure hope so!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Nice work Hopp. Relax you're going to kill **** at this meet.

Thanks Tim, I need to relax and get my s**t together.

[NickAus]

Fantastic work!!

Chain squats raw sounds hard.

120 x20 dubell shrugs..........hand must be pretty well healed.

[Brian Hopper]

Fantastic work!!

Chain squats raw sounds hard.

120 x20 dubell shrugs..........hand must be pretty well healed.

Thanks Nick, I sort of punked out and used straps on the shrugs. I don't think my hand would of held up.

[MarcusWild]

We squatted to chains with the SSB around Christmas. I don't think you've done them since then. You're a lot better at them with a normal bar. Nice work.

[Lones Green]

Chain squats rule!

[Brian Hopper]

We squatted to chains with the SSB around Christmas. I don't think you've done them since then. You're a lot better at them with a normal bar. Nice work.

Thanks Marcus!!!!

You're right, I don't think I have. I'm going to do them for 2 more weeks and maybe add a little more weight and see how it works out. But I will stick with a mastadon bar.

[Brian Hopper]

Chain squats rule!

They do, and I did think about you when I decided to do them, lol!!!!!!

[Lones Green]

They do, and I did think about you when I decided to do them, lol!!!!!!

Haha I really think they've helped my strength a lot, as well as my form

[Brian Hopper]

I have never done them in gear before. But hopefully it will help me out these next few weeks.

[Brian Hopper]

Wednesday
8-4-10
ME-Upper

Pressdowns with a purple band
2x10

Bench press
BAR-1x20
135-1x10
185-1x8
225-1x6
275-1x4
315-1x2
365-1x2
385-1x2
405-1x1

DB presses
65-1x20
80-1x15
100-1x10

Bottoms up presses
34-1x10
40-1x10
52-1x6

Bar tosses in the smith machine
50-1x10
70-1x10
90-1x10

DB kickbacks
45-1x10
55-1x10
65-1x10

[NickAus]

Love the bottoms up presses, they slow it down some don't they!!

Looking good!!

[Brian Hopper]

Love the bottoms up presses, they slow it down some don't they!!

Looking good!!

Thanks Nick!!!!

The bottoms up presses are pretty tough. I'm always afraid the KB is gonna hit me in the head.

[Coke]

Exceptional training going on bro, props.

[Brian Hopper]

Exceptional training going on bro, props.

Thanks!!!!

[muscle_g]

What's a bottoms up Press?

[Brian Hopper]

What's a bottoms up Press?

I have no idea who this is, but here is a video of someone doing them. I really like to do them as assistance work.

JCRlPu0otWE

[t gale]

Hey Hopp great work. Looking forward to seeing your damage at this meet. Saw you're going to lose some weight. Good luck. What do you weigh now and where are you trying to get to? I'll tell you it is getting to be a struggle to stay under 240 mark. I've been fighting the battle hard. Was weighing 242 -243 for awhile and yesterday was ready to throw in the towel. ate whatever i wanted yesterday woke up and weighed 238. So it is frustrating as hell. Best of luck.

[Brian Hopper]

I'm not really sure yet, I'm just gonna go with it and see how it goes. I started to clean up my diet and eat better on Friday. I'm trying to figure out when I will be able to do some cardio besides on days I train. I weighed 249 on Friday, and I would like to compete at 220 in December which is pretty reasonable.

[SELK]

see you in the 220s! :D

I'm overdieting so I can bulk into the 220s for my next meet haha

[Brian Hopper]

see you in the 220s! :D

I'm overdieting so I can bulk into the 220s for my next meet haha

We'll see how it goes, food is my weakness!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Monday
8-9-10
ME-Lower

Squats to chains with the mastadon bar
BAR-1x20
150-2x6
240-3x3
330-1x3
420-1x3
470-2x3
420-2x5...Did these two sets without chains, one set with olympic shoes and the other with chucks

4" block pulls
315-1x2
425-1x2
515-1x2
Added belt
605-1x2
655-1x2...PR!!!!!

Reverse hypers
180-1x10
270-2x10

AB's on the GHR
3x10

DONE...Today was another day that felt off with my squat. I kept switching shoes and I think it was messing me up pretty bad. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out where im comfortable. But, I did PR on the 4" block pulls!!!!!!!!

Video will be posted later tonight

[Brian Hopper]

VIDEO

wrVWq9-JpFQ

I wasn't to happy with how my squats went so I only made a video of my block pulls. I do have video of my 2 sets of 420x5 with the different shoes. I might get them together and see what you guys think. After watching them, they both look the same getting out of the hole. But, my lockout speed is ALOT faster in my chucks with a wider stance, probably because that's how I have been training.

[NickAus]

Nice!!

I bet you could have done a triple!!

[Brian Hopper]

Thanks Nick, that would of been pretty nice!!!!!

[Coke]

Wow man, you in the big time...spectacular lifts.

[Brian Hopper]

Wow man, you in the big time...spectacular lifts.

Thanks bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lones Green]

Nice block pulls man!

[Brian Hopper]

Nice block pulls man!

Thanks alot Lones!!!

[Brian C]

Aweome pulling bro congrats!!

[muscle_g]

Strong deadlifts!! I wish we had deadlift blocks at our gym.

[NickAus]

Strong deadlifts!! I wish we had deadlift blocks at our gym.

I use two mats, one per side and put plates under them.

Not quite the same but it does the job.

[Brian Hopper]

Aweome pulling bro congrats!!

Thanks B!!!!

[Brian Hopper]

Strong deadlifts!! I wish we had deadlift blocks at our gym.

Thanks George!!!!! Would they allow you to bring some in if you made them?

[Brian Hopper]

Tuesday
8-10-10
DE-Upper

Speed bench vs. short light bands
BAR-1x???....I'm not exactly sure how many I did, but I think it's a PR!!!!
Added bands
BAR-1x6
135-3x3
155-2x3
185-4x3
Took the bands off
225-1x10
315-1x9
315-1x8

Front raises
45-1x10
65-1x10
85-1x10

Reverse pec-deck
2x10

Reverse band pulldowns
3x10-12

Pressdowns w/ green band
4x10-12

[condo36]

Hopper,
the deads are looking good. Hope to see you pull 700 at the meet. Keep up the hard training.

[Coke]

Speed work is nice, keep on with it guy.

[Brian Hopper]

Hopper,
the deads are looking good. Hope to see you pull 700 at the meet. Keep up the hard training.

Thanks buddy!!!! I won't attempt 700 at this meet but hopefully by December I will :)

[Brian Hopper]

Speed work is nice, keep on with it guy.

Thanks Coke, it felt good to get in some speed work.

[Brian Hopper]

Thursday
8-12-10
DE-Lower

GM/SQ with the cambared bar
BAR-1X10...GM
140-1x10...GM
140-1x6...GM
140-1x6...GM/SQ
230-1x6...GM
230-1x6...GM/SQ
280-1x6...GM
280-1x6...GM/SQ
320-1x4or5...GM
320-1x6...GM/SQ

Speed pulls in a JSB vs. quaded monster minis
135-2x2
225-4x2

GHR
BW-2x10
BW+25-1x5
BW+25-1x8

Leg curls
4x8-10
1x20

DB shrugs
no straps
85-1x10
100-1x10
120-1x10

[Coke]

Fine effort all around Brian, that's usually the case in here anyways, lol.

[Brian Hopper]

Fine effort all around Brian, that's usually the case in here anyways, lol.

Thanks buddy!!!!

[NickAus]

Great speed work, would you be able to put up some more vidoes of your speed squats bro??

[Brian Hopper]

On Monday I took a video from the side of my last two sets of squats. The purpose was to try and see if I can tell a difference in speed and technique between the 2 sets while wearing different shoes (i'm having a hard time figuring out which to use). The first set is my pair of VS Athletics weightlifting shoes and the second is my Chuck Taylors.

Let me know what you guys think!!!!!

-7oXzH5N_P0

[Brian Hopper]

Great speed work, would you be able to put up some more vidoes of your speed squats bro??

Thanks Nick, next time I do any type of speed squats i'll try and get some video of it.

[t gale]

Hey Hopp how's it going? looking strong as usual. That's a tough call on squat. I thought you looked faster on narrower stance but you probably feel stronger wider. either way i'm sure you'll hit something big. Any update on weight loss?

[Brian Hopper]

Hey Hopp how's it going? looking strong as usual. That's a tough call on squat. I thought you looked faster on narrower stance but you probably feel stronger wider. either way i'm sure you'll hit something big. Any update on weight loss?

I felt and looked faster with a wide stance but only half way up to lockout. I don't feel that strong in the hole with a wider stance. So far I have lost 4-5lbs and I only did one day of cardio which was only a walk on the treadmill for 20 mins. If I can get in more cardio, I should be fine.

[Brian Hopper]

Friday
8-13-10
ME-Upper

Floor press with the fat bar
BAR-1x20
165-1x10
215-1x5
255-1x3
305-1x3
345-1x3
395-1x1
415-1x1
435-1x0

Board presses
3brd
315-1x5
405-1x5
425-1x3
2brd
425-1x1

Lat pulldowns
4x10-12

Dip machine
90-1x12
180-1x12
270-1x10
320-1x10
180-1x20

Rope pressdowns
3x10

Hammer curls
50-1x10
60-1x10
70-1x10
50-1x15

[MarcusWild]

Do you feel like the fat bar is easier? I seem to do a lot better floor pressing with it.

[Brian Hopper]

Do you feel like the fat bar is easier? I seem to do a lot better floor pressing with it.

To be honest with you, I don't think I can tell a difference. That might be because I almost always use a fat bar for floor presses.

[NickAus]

Yeah looked faster out of the hole on the first set.

Very good squatting, people could learn a lot from you!!

[Brian Hopper]

Yeah looked faster out of the hole on the first set.

Very good squatting, people could learn a lot from you!!

Thanks Nick!!!

[muscle_g]

I felt and looked faster with a wide stance but only half way up to lockout. I don't feel that strong in the hole with a wider stance. So far I have lost 4-5lbs and I only did one day of cardio which was only a walk on the treadmill for 20 mins. If I can get in more cardio, I should be fine.

When I'm training my raw squat I always use a more narrow stance(a little wider than shoulder width). It just feels more natural to me like that when going raw. I guess the gear helps so much better with a wide stance.

[Coke]

I am not too fond of the fat bar, lol...looks nice man.

[bojackson]

nice lifting hopp!!! made your mind up about the GA meet yet?