I'm currently training for the 2019 USPA Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. After dropping a couple weight classes, this meet will be second showing at 198 and real return to raw powerlifting after a couple years wearing gear.
I really wanted to get down at London and train once before the meet at the end of June and thankfully I was able to make it work! My whole training group was able to join as well, which made the weekend a lot of fun. Schedules just kind of came together at the last minute.
Squat - Doubles up to 606. First working set was at 561, the second at 606. I will likely open at 560ish for the meet.
Admittedly, this is messing with my head. Weight loss has affected my squat the most. The bench and dead aren't far off at all, but the squat has really suffered. After squatting 804 in wraps and 955 multi-ply, taking a mid 500 opener is humbling. I need to keep this in perspective though, I've only been at this new weight class for 10-11 months, much of which was spent being a fake bodybuilder and then being hurt. Not to make an excuse, but rather to accept reality and realize that it is going to take a lot more time to squat well at 210.
Speed Squat - 325 x 3 x 3 with the safety bar. My arms were pretty trashed after squatting, changed to a different bar and used a much lighter load than planned.
Pit Shark Belt Squat - Up to 7 plates per side, 4 x 8
Step Ups - 40 pounds, 3 x 10 to a low box. Unstable unilateral work is likely what messed up my hips last year so I'm very cautious with this. Volume stays low, the box height stays low and loads are light.
Leg Extension - 3 x 15 with whatever weight was already on the machine. The point was just to get a pump and the weight on there was good enough for that.
TKE - Average band - 3 x 20 per leg. I'm a model. Janis got some great branded pictures here. Bands, knee sleeves and a mono all withing a few inches of each other, all with branding visible. Or she was taking up close pictures of my groin. Time will tell.
Side Planks - 3 x 20 seconds per side
This session was completely exhausting. We got back to the house in Columbus and crashed for several hours before dinner.
Couple notes
- Side spotting the fat conjugate dad on his spider bar/cheater chain/reverse band "squats" is the most frightening spotting I've ever done, with no exception.
- 4 monolifts running all at once is one of the most beautiful things that this world can see.
- M&M Diner's country fried steak is on point but the pie leaves a little to be desired.
