Log - Sat., 7/24/10

Workout:

weights - 5/3/1, Cycle 1 - deload week

squat, 5/3/1
 - 110x5
 - 140x5
 - 165x5
press, 5/3/1
 - 60x5
 - 75x5
 - 90x5
chinup, BW - 3x3
bench press, technique work
Pendlay row, 185 - 3x3
skullcrusher+, 65 - 3x12
BB curl, 65 - 3x12
lat raise, 15 - 3x12

Comments:

With my work schedule, this was my only trip to the gym this week, which is not a big deal since it was a deload week.  My focus, other than just reminding myself what weights felt like, was on trying out Dave Tate's strength bench press technique from his So You Think You Can Bench series of videos.  This is what I tend to think of a powerlifting technique - high back arch, traps and hips on the bench, feet well back toward the hips, heels off the floor.  I think that if I use it, my bench numbers will go up quite a bit.  I did not feel as if it really hitting my chest hard or giving me a great range of motion - it almost felt like a half bench to me - but it seems to serve its purpose.  I'm debating whether to stick with my more-traditional Starting Strength style of bench, or to try this new technique for a few months while I'm in this strength competition.  I have until Friday to decide, really, since I will not bench again until then.