I have been reading EliteFTS logs and articles since I started powerlifting in 2012. For the entirety of that time, I thought it would be amazing to have a log and be on the team. I have actually written out fake logs in my head a number of times. But I never thought it would actually happen. To be able to be a part of Team EliteFTS is truly one of the pinnacles of my powerlifting “career”.
I started competing in 2012 (I think I did a few push pulls) and did my first full power meet in 2013. NO JOKE I weighed 111 lbs and totaled 475. Sweet little baby jesus. It feels so shameful even typing that out. I was living in California at the time and was lucky that some other lifters took pity on me and got me going in the right direction (like my 5ever friend George Pessell and Jenn Petrosino who had an athlete log at the time and I was star struck and now we are bffs).
Fast forward to 2015 when I was lucky enough to start coming out to EliteFTS. Since I first moved to Columbus, my secret end goal was to train at the compound (which was then the S4 gym and raccoon preserve). As Jewish people say, if it had ended there, it would have been enough.
When I started at EliteFTS I had NOT squatted 200 lbs. I benched a plate on a handful of occasions. And I had just pulled 303 in a meet. That is pretty sad. So I went from a negative elite total (is that what it is called when you are bad at lifting?) to getting my elite and pro totals within my first three meets (two single ply and one multi ply meet). I give 100% credit to Dave for my totals and teaching me pretty much everything about training.
I was just a shitty lifter that showed up and kept showing up. I was not on the team, I was not (and will never be) internet popular, I pretty much did nothing. But Dave wrote my programs, critiqued my lifting, and answered my incessant questions. Countless hours of helping me and other lifters just because.
INCESSANT questions.
So if anyone thinks “Live, Learn, Pass On” is just a catchy company motto, I cannot think of anything that Dave embodies more. I consider myself immensely lucky that I get to train at one of the best gyms with some of the best people. I probably would not still be living in Ohio if that were not the case. I don’t even care about college football or ranch dressing.
Even before I had the wherewithal to formulate specific questions about training, I would just ask “why?”. Why certain exercises were picked or certain decisions were made. If you have someone that is willing to answer those questions for you, ask them. Even if you don’t have “smart” questions to ask, you can learn a lot by hearing the rationale for decisions. There is a difference between knowing your program and learning the “why” behind it. I am of the opinion that learning how to make modifications and smart training choices is one of the most important programming tools.
I have always been floored by the amount of help I have received in powerlifting. From Dave getting me my pro total to people I do not really know taking time to talk to me about training, injuries, and programming.
It means a great deal to me to be able to represent the company and people that have done so much for me and I hope I can do even 1/100th of that for other lifters. I don’t think I am the smartest or the greatest lifter but I hope that I can give you all some valuable information.
Our program is conjugate based with some variation.
Here are some articles if you are not familiar with conjugate training.
https://www.elitefts.com/education/16-week-conjugate-periodization-program-for-novice-powerlifters/
https://www.elitefts.com/education/watch-table-talk-conjugate-method-training-tips/
The program I will write about is written by Dave and is modified based on individual needs. Hopefully I will be able to give you some insight into our training, programming, and decision making regarding modifications.
Love,
Lily