Dropping Weight and Trying to Get Stronger!

[Buccos1]

Mon (8/20)

Bench Press
(1x5) 135
(1x3) 185
(1x3) 225
(1x3) 245
(1x2) 295

Bench Press - Titan Ram
(1x2) 335

Dips
(2x8)


Horseshoes
Diamond Classic #0
SCF Regular Plain #000 -- 75 degrees!!!
Diamond Bronco PL1 -- 160 degrees


DU - BBW
Yellow Nail
1/4 x 7" Grade 5
M x 7" O1 Drillrod (405lbs.) - cert. bend

Body weight: 196.2


My knee is much better today. At least I am able to walk without a limp. My bench today was in my basement rack, so I went conservatively. I wasn't able to get too much leg drive on my two top sets, so I didn't push it like I might normally. My horseshoe bends again took their toll on my hands, so I wasn't 100% with my grip on the set-up. Hopefully, I can get back to the gym this weekend to train with the guys. (I took a trip with my girlfriend this past weekend and this upcomming weekend is my fantasy football draft, which takes over five hours and is scheduled during my bench time. I will still get my workout in, it just might be solo.)

I tried a St. Croix Forge Regular Plain #000 again today and nearly got 90 degrees! My set-up was awesome and the kink was very strong! The more time I am spending with this shoe, the more my confidence is going up. I actually got into the sweep zone with it today, but the pain on my ribs and upper leg was too much to continue. If I keep making progress with this shoe, I definitely think I will get a full bend (> 180 deg.) by Christmas.


SCF Regular Plain #000

[Sirtificate]

Nice bench day. I'm sorry to hear about your knee. I hope it gets better for you. I looked around the steel bending forum a little bit and got a chuckle out of "where steel comes to die" lol. I will have to look around some more.

[Buccos1]

Nice bench day. I'm sorry to hear about your knee. I hope it gets better for you. I looked around the steel bending forum a little bit and got a chuckle out of "where steel comes to die" lol. I will have to look around some more.

Thanks! I had plans to go heavier but I was having trouble squeezing the bar, so I didn't chance it.

Lots of steel has fallen! To see all of the info/sections, you have to register. I know some people have had difficulty getting the registration info in the past and have had to contact the admin. It's hands-down though, the best place of it's kind for all-things related to steelbending.

[Buccos1]

Tue (8/21)

DO - IMPs
1/4 x 6" Grade 2
1/4 x 6" FBBC CRS
Red Nail

Ironmind Hub
(2x1) 40
(1x1) 45
(1x0) 50


1-hand Pinch
(2x1) 2 25s

[NickAus]

Hope the knee is ok!!

[Buccos1]

Hope the knee is ok!!

Thanks man! The unofficial diagnosis is patellar tendinopathy. I've had issues with this knee several times a year the past few years. Normally, though, it dissipates after about a day. This time, though, we're going on 4 days, and I'm still having trouble. Overall, it's about 85% now. A few days ago, I couldn't descend stairs, so it's definitely getting better.

I'm going to be cautious with it for the next week. I'm skipping my deadlift workout today, and might test it this weekend with light/med.-weight squats. I'm also wondering how much wrapping my knees up during squats would aggravate it/help it? I've been wearing K-Tape and a light brace the past few days, which has helped some.

[Buccos1]

Wed (8/22)

Grippers
(2x3) #1
(1x3) #1.5
(1x2) #2
(1x10) #1.5

Vulcan
Set practice


My last set on the Captains of Crush (COC) grippers was tough. I had to reset the last few reps on the 1.5, because my hands were reeling. My Vulcan gripper came and it is pretty awesome! I got the black and red springs. The black springs are 10% harder than the red, I think. The red is more of an easy training spring. There are notches on each upper-handle, a total of 12 on each side. The Vulcan level is determined by counting the notches, side-by-side.

The Vulcan is put out by David Horne, a noted grip competitor from England. For anyone who is not familiar with his stuff, he makes top-quality grip implements; everything I've bought from him has been great!

My Vulcan is powder blue--the third line I think. The spread on this thing is massive! My hands measure about 7.5" and the COC grippers are generally tough for me to do a wide set with. COC grippers measure right around 2.75" (from the ends of each handle) and the Vulcan about 3.5." The Vulcan handles are also minus knurling, which makes it a lot more challenging throughout the close. I think working with the Vulcan from here-on-out will help my COC closes immensely!

[Buccos1]

Thur (8/23)

Seated Press
(1x8) 95
(1x5) 135
(1x5) 155
(1x3) 175

Shrugs
(1x8) 135
(1x8) 225
(1x8) 315
(1x8) 405
(1x5) 455

IM Hub
(1x1) 37.5
(1x1) 40
(1x1) 45
(1x0) 50


I tried using wrist straps on the last two sets of shrugs today and hate them! I've never used straps in my 25+ year lifting career (aside from isolated workouts here-and-there), but figured that if I'm going to go 500+ for reps, I may need them. I just couldn't get a good grip on the bar with them, so threw them in the corner.

My knee felt a lot better today and I may do some medium squats and deadlifts tomorrow--or at least work through some warmups.

[Buccos1]

Fri (8/24)

Squats - briefs
(1x5) 135
(1x3) 225
(1x2) 315
(1x2) 405
(1x1) 455
(1x1) 510

Deadlifts - loose suit
(1x3) 135
(1x3) 225
(1x2) 315
(1x2) 405
(1x1) 455
(1x1) 500


I set out today on squats without a specific number in mind. I planned on starting warm-ups and adding weight if my knee held up. And, after squats, if everything felt OK, I'd take the same approach with deads. (Missed my deadlift workout this week, and didn't want to wait until next week.) All-in-all, it was an awesome workout and my knee seems to be fine!

[Buccos1]

Here's a video of my last deadlift rep today. Just 500, but after a tough session and with a little hesitation (thinking about my knee).

[Buccos1]

Sat (8/25)

Bench Press - Rage-X
(1x5) 135
(1x3) 185
(1x3) 225
(1x3) 245
(1x2) 275
(1x2) 335 - 2 board
(1x2) 365 - 2 board
(1x1) 385 - 1 board
(1x1) 385

Tricep Pushdowns
(2x8)

2-arm DB French Press
(2x8)

Grippers
(1x3) #1
(1x3) #1.5
(1x1) #2 - 30mm set
(1x2) #2

Vulcan
(1x4) Level 5
(1x1) Level 6


Horseshoes
SCF Lite Rim #2
Diamond Bronco 1PL - 125 deg.


I really like working with the Vulcan, but it is a monster to even set. But, I know the more time I put in with it, the better my set will get with the COC grippers. I opened the Bronco shoe up OK, but my ribs were still painful from the past few sessions with the shoes, so I couldn't get much into it on the sweep. My shoe focus is going to be exclusively on shoes sized 2 and under until I can officially certify on the Regular Plain #000.

[Sirtificate]

Nice bench day sir

[Buccos1]

Nice bench day sir

Thanks man!

[Buccos1]

Mon (8/27)

DO - IMPs
Yellow Nail
1/4 x 6" Grade 5
Red Nail

IM Hub
(2x1) 32.5
(1x1) 37.5
(1x1) 40
(1x1) 45
(1x1) 47.5


The 47.5 was a full-rep PR. I've gotten 47.5 before, but never for an extended hold at the top. It felt really solid! I passed on another attempt at 50lbs. so I could end on a high-note.

[Buccos1]

Wed (8/29)

Barbell Rows
(1x8) 135
(1x5) 185
(2x3) 225

Pull ups
(2x5)

45 deg. Back Raises
(2x12) 35lb. KB


DU - IMPs
Yellow Nail
1/4 x 7" Grade 5

DU - BBW
Red Nail (10 deg.)


I might have been able to get the Red a little more, but I was already starting to see stars, so I backed off. I tried to do the rows with straps (double overhand grip) but couldn't get them to feel right, so I threw them in the corner again. I hate straps! In my very brief encounters with them through the years, they end up making the bar even harder to hold for me.

[Buccos1]

Sat (9/1)

Squats - briefs
(1x5) 135
(1x3) 225
(1x2) 315
(1x1) 365
(1x1) 425
(1x1) 495
(1x1) 515


DO - IMPs
Yellow Nail
Blue Nail
1/4 x 6" Grade 5
N x 7" O1 (445lbs.)

Grippers
(2x3) #1
(1x3) #1.5
(1x5) #2
(1x15) #1.5


Grippers felt pretty strong today! The 5 reps on the #2 tied a PR. The N-bar (445lb.) is a little bit harder than the Red Nail, in comparison. (The Red Nail usually calibrates in the 425 range.)

[Buccos1]

Mon (9/3)

Bench Press
(1x5) 135
(1x5) 185
(1x3) 225
(1x6) 275

(2x1) 345 - Titan Ram


Horseshoes - 1.2" wraps
Diamond Classic 00 - 165 deg.
Diamond Bronco PL00 - 170 deg.

Ironmind Hub
(1x2) 37.5
(1x2) 40
(1x1) 45
(1x0) 50 - got it halfway to lockout

[NickAus]

Really like whats going on in here!!

Yeah the vulcan is mega wide, almost stupid. Makes the captains feel like a good size.

[RobmoriRB]

that is a solid bench session keep it up and subbed

[Buccos1]

Really like whats going on in here!!

Yeah the vulcan is mega wide, almost stupid. Makes the captains feel like a good size.

Thanks man! It's definitely tough to set on the higher levels. I know some guys that have one and have said it seasons a bit after time and is easier to handle without it slipping around. After working with the Vulcan reps, I don't feel like complaining anymore about having trouble with a wider set on the Captains of Crush. LOL

[Buccos1]

that is a solid bench session keep it up and subbed

Thanks man! I had plans to hit 350 raw by the end-of-the-year, but got derailed a little with a few injuries. It's still a goal though, just pushed forward some.

[Buccos1]

Tue (9/4)

Horseshoes - 1.25" suede
SCF Lite Rim #2
Diamond Bronco PL 000 - 125 deg.

Barbell Curls
(2x8) 115

Pullups
(1x10)

Bodyweight: 196.7


I normally don't bend horseshoes two days in a row, but get focused on something and tend to be myopic in training (especially with the bending). The big goal remains the St. Croix Forge Plain Regular #000. I have gotten closer the past few months and the Diamond Bronco Plain 000 is a notch or two under the PR 000. If 100%, I may come close to 180 degrees on the Bronco PL000. My leg is a little bruised up from yesterday, so I couldn't get optimal drive into the shoe, and had to stop around 125 degrees.

The crazy thing is that the SCF Plain Regular 000 is a very small shoe. And the Diamond Bronco PL 000 is even smaller. It's very difficult to get a good grip on it, making it a serious challenge.

[Buccos1]

Wed (9/5)

Deadlifts - loose suit
(2x5) 135
(2x3) 225
(2x2) 315
(2x2) 405
(1x1) 475
(1x1) 510


The Velocity suit I've been wearing for my heavier deadlift reps goes on in about 2-3 seconds now and won't stay seated at the bottom part of the legs anymore. It still seems to be keeping my hips OK though.

[Buccos1]

Fri (9/7)

Seated Press
(1x8) 95
(1x5) 135
(1x5) 155

Shrugs
(1x8) 135
(1x8) 225
(1x8) 315
(1x8) 385
(1x8) 435


Horseshoes - 1.25" suede
Diamond Bronco PL 00 - 135 deg.

DO - IMPs
Yellow Nail
1/4 x 6" Grade 5
Red Nail

[Buccos1]

Sat (9/8)

Squat -briefs
(1x5) 135
(1x3) 225
(1x2) 275
(1x2) 335
(1x2) 425
(1x1) 475
(1x1) 505

Ironmind Hub
(1x3) 37.5
(1x3) 40
(1x1) 45
(1x1) 50

Grippers
(1x3) #1
(1x3) #1.5
(1x3) #2