April Mathis Training Log

[mastermonster]

Absolutely ridiculous training weights girl! Even what you call light sets are impressive! You'll killem' at the meet! Thanks for all the well wishes and checking in on me on my log. That means a lot to me. If the shirt doesn't work out or if you still want another one to try let me know. I've got a shirt in mind I can mail you to try if touching has been an issue. Let me know and shoot me an address if you want to try it. It's a 3 ply prototype but it's a stretchier material so touching is easier and there's good spring if you bench fast off the chest.

[April Mathis]

That looked like a pretty easy PR, good job April!!!

Thanks Brian and yes it was.

Absolutely ridiculous training weights girl! Even what you call light sets are impressive! You'll killem' at the meet! Thanks for all the well wishes and checking in on me on my log. That means a lot to me. If the shirt doesn't work out or if you still want another one to try let me know. I've got a shirt in mind I can mail you to try if touching has been an issue. Let me know and shoot me an address if you want to try it. It's a 3 ply prototype but it's a stretchier material so touching is easier and there's good spring if you bench fast off the chest.

Thanks Buddy. I only tried that shirt once so I don't know yet. The sleeves are too big on it, but other than that it is way easier to touch with than the denim ones I tried. I will try it more after my raw meet but not until then. I would like to drive out there once after my meet. If there is enough prize money then maybe I can afford to once. The reason is it's hard to find one that fits or even almost fits. Mostly the only ones that the sleeves are big enough I got from people that were at least 308 or a bigger 275, but then the chest size is usually big if the sleeves fit.

[April Mathis]

Buddy I will send you a private message in a minute about something else.

[NickAus]

Always strong as heck April!!

[April Mathis]

Always strong as heck April!!

Thanks Nick.

[April Mathis]

07/09/2012 Squat/Deadlift

Squat
Barxsome
145x5
Add blue bands
145x3
235x3
285x3
325x2 loose belt
375x1
415x1
465x1 loose belt/ loose wraps
515x1 tighter belt/tighter wraps

Deadlift off 4 inch blocks (no belt on all sets)
135x3
205x3
275x3
345x3
415x2
485x1

Lost balance right at lockout on the last squat set. Weight was more than easy enough, just got forward on my toes a little bit right at the end. It was fine for a gym lift but wouldn't count at a meet for sure. I saw no reason to bother doing another set this close to a meet. Also since my shoulder was still acting up today and I don't want any problems with it before competing. I didn't really feel like pulling heavy after, xo since the blocks were already set up I just did a few sets off those instead of rack pulls today. My last heavy squat and deadlift day will be in 2 weeks.

[April Mathis]

07/10/2012 Back/Biceps (light day)

Hammer strength Row Machine (paused reps)
45x10x2sets each arm
90x10x3sets each arm

Lat Pulldowns wide grip (paused reps)
150x10x3sets

Shrug Machine (paused reps)
225x10x3sets

Straight arm Pulldowns
50x12x3sets

DB Preacher Curls
30x10x5sets each arm

Rear Delts w/mini band
3sets of 20

Shrugs w/mini band doubled
3sets of 20 paused

Just another easy assistance day. The rest of the week will be mostly light and assistance work.

[April Mathis]

07/12/2012 Bench deload/shoulders

Shoulder Press on smith machine
Barxsome
135x8
185x5
235x5
255x5

Flat DB Press
55sx30x3sets

PecDec
75x20x3sets

Rope Triceps Pushdowns
60x15x4sets

Easy day. This was the heaviest I've done on any sort of shoulder pressing since the shoulder injury and the best it's felt yet, so that's good. Both of my shoulders feel good so it was important to go light today so I can do 2 more heavy weeks and feel good for the meet. That is the difference for me between a good bench and a great bench day.

[April Mathis]

07/15/2012 Squat/Deadlift (light day)

Squat w/Safety Squat Bar (no belt on all sets)
Barxsome
155x3
245x3
335x3x3sets

Rack Pulls (top of knees, no belt on all sets)
135x3
225x3
315x3
405x3x3sets

Leg Curls
30x12x3sets each leg

Weighted Situps (weight behind head)
BW+10x10x3sets

Side Bends
95x10x3sets each side

Back and knees were sore this week. Kept weights lighter than usual so should feel good for my last heavy squat and pull next week.

[April Mathis]

07/17/2012 Back/Biceps (light day)

Lat Pulldowns wide-grip
100x10
150x10x3sets

Shrug Machine
225x20x3sets

Standing Cable Rows (paused reps)
100x10x3sets

DB Curls
20sx10
30sx10
40sx8
50sx8

Reverse PecDec
60x20x3sets

Done. Heavy benching Thursday. Less than 3 weeks till the meet.

[April Mathis]

07/19/2012 Bench

Bench Press w/Fat Bar
Barxsome
150x5
240x3
247+40lbs.chainx3
247+80lbs.chainx3
297+80lbs.chainx2
337+80lbs.chainx2
362+80lbs.chainx1 PR by 5lbs.
372+80lbs.chainx1 PR by 15lbs.

Incline Bench
135x5
225x5
295x5
345x4 PR

Band Triceps Pushdowns
Green bandx20x5sets

Good bench day. 15lbs. pr from 4 weeks ago on same exercise. Starting to think I might have a shot at a 450 raw bench in 2 and a half weeks, but I think 440 is nearly definite now. Last heavy squat and pull this weekend.

[NickAus]

Good luck at the meet!!

[April Mathis]

Good luck at the meet!!

Thanks Nick.

[April Mathis]

07/22/2012 Heavy Squat/Deadlift

Squat
Barxsome
145x3
235x3
325x2
415x1
505x1 loose belt
575x1
635x1 tighter belt/medium wraps
685x1 PR tighter belt/tighter wraps

Rack Pulls
135x5
Add doubled purple bands
135x3
225x3
315x3
405x3
495x3 loose belt

I had some bad nerve pain in my right hand today for some reason. It started acting up from 575 and above on the squat. I don't know if it has something to do with the shoulder thing still or what but it made the bar hard and painful to hold on to on the right side. The 635 was good. 685 was easy but just a little high, because the bar rolled on my back so I leaned forward more and my hips stayed a little high. I'm not worried about it at the meet, as I think the hand issue made the bar roll but I may just put wrist wraps on so that doesn't happen. Surprisingly, it felt better on deadlift, except that instead of hurting it just kept going numb, although I still never dropped the bar which was good.

[April Mathis]

Video of 685 squat:
http://www.ironscene.com/uploads/mp4...pcVSktKray.mp4

[Brian Hopper]

Holy shit April, that's some strong squatting!!!

[April Mathis]

Holy shit April, that's some strong squatting!!!

It looked too easy right? I thought it was. It never felt hard at all.

[April Mathis]

07/24/2012 Back (light day)

Lat Pulldowns wide neutral grip
100x8
150x8x3sets

Hammer Strength Rows (each arm)
45x10
70x10x3sets

Reverse PecDec
60x10x3sets each arm

Shrugs w/purple band
3sets of 20

Rear delts w/mini band
3sets of 20

Real easy day. One last heavy bench Thursday.

[Brian Hopper]

Oh yeah, you looked strong just not comfortable. But like you said, the bar rolled down your back and you had to lean forward more. Just imagine how much easier it would have been if the bar didn't roll, lol.

[April Mathis]

Oh yeah, you looked strong just not comfortable. But like you said, the bar rolled down your back and you had to lean forward more. Just imagine how much easier it would have been if the bar didn't roll, lol.

Maybe I will go 730 on my last attempt and beat Glenn's best squat lol.

[April Mathis]

07/26/2012 Bench

Bench Press
Barxsome
135x8
Add new purple band
135x3
225x3
275x3
315x2
355x1 PR by 10lbs.
365x1 PR by 20lbs.
Remove band
225x20 way too easy

Band Triceps Pushdowns
Green bandx20x5sets

PecDec
90x20x3sets

Good benching today. 365 with the band was easier than it was off a 2-board last time. Could have done at least 10lbs. more for sure, but I was happy with that and it being easy with the meet next weekend. Should have probably did 315 on the down set because 225 was too much of a joke. Definitely had at least 20 more reps if i wanted to. Starting to think more about benching 450 at this meet. I think it will be there.

[Brian Hopper]

Some strong lifting going on April!!!

[April Mathis]

Some strong lifting going on April!!!

Thanks Brian.

[April Mathis]

07/29/2012 Light Squat/Deadlift

Squat w/Buffalo Bar (no belt)
Barxsome
140x3
230x3
320x3x3sets

Deadlift (no belt)
225x3x3sets

Abs w/green band
3sets of 15

That's all. Feel pretty good. My back and knees are just a little sore still, but much better than usual after a real heavy week like last week. Everything should feel good by next weekend. I will do one real light accessory and stretching day on Wednesday and the rest of the week off.

[April Mathis]

I think these will be my attempts at the meet:

Squat
1st-635, 2nd-685, 3rd-730 if 2nd is easy or 705-715 otherwise

Bench
1st-410, 2nd-430, 3rd-440 most likely, planning on 4th at 450 if 440 is easy enough. If 430 is a joke 3rd at 450 instead.

Deadlift
1st-520, 2nd-560-570 or whatever secures 1730 total if not there yet, 3rd- 605

Should total in the 1740-1785 range.