After sustaining multiple low back issues the past year, and coming off a terrible showing at the XPC Bench Bash, I'm now I can do what's best for my body. I've recently opened up a new training facility, THIRST, so I'm trying to balance life and training the best I can, with hopes that I can compete in some capacity by the end of 2018.

For programming and coaching inquires, please email SmitleyPerformanceSystems@gmail.com or visit brandonsmitley.com

So Thursday, the day prior to this session I went to IFAST to see Bill Hartman on my low back. I got some amazing news, and Bill fixed me up to where I no longer have a hip shift and my low back is feeling great again. I've got a ton of work I have to keep doing to keep things here, and continue to make progress, but my low back is feeling better than it ever has. Bill even had me squat with a bar before I left to show me that I was indeed "fixed", but there will need to be a lot of neuromuscular regrooving to do to ensure that I can still do everything under the loads that I like to lift. But it's an incredible first step in the right direction.

With that said, the day afterwards, I was sore and could tell I had things working correctly for the first time in over 2 years. So I just got a quick back workout in the day after so that I can make progress on my hips. I will train my legs in a couple days once I feel comfortable, but I will also proceed with caution.

It feels good, to actually be HEALTHY!


Items Used in this Training Session

Warm Up
Lateral Raises
DB Overhead Press
Rear Delt Raises
DB Bench Press
DB Flys
DB Skull Crushers
DB Rows
DB Curls
15 each

A1) DB Rows
Worked up to a hard 8 per arm; then two more working sets there

B1) MAG Grip Supinated Lat Pulldowns
4x10

C1) Rope Seated Cable Rows
3x12
C2) Straight Arm Lat Pulldowns
3x15

D1) DB Curls
3x8

E1) Axle Bar Curls
3 sets, max reps
E2) Cable Side Bends
3x15 per side