Gee's Beginner 5x5 Log - The Return

[drummergee]

Gah, what a week, meant to workout yesterday but whole day went horribly wrong so I'll do a two lift week and roll round to Monday next week.

Morning weigh-in: 188 Ibs

Saturday Workout

Squats

1x5 45 Ibs
1x5 90 Ibs
5x5 130 Ibs

These went up pretty well, seems to be good progress at the moment, which I'm happy about.

Overhead Press

1x5 20 Ibs
1x5 40 Ibs
5x5 60 Ibs

These went up well so hopefully next time I'll blast the 65 Ibs.

Deadlifts

1x5 125 Ibs
1x5 150 Ibs

Well that was hard work, even with the warm up 150 Ibs was v hard and whilst I wasn't unsafe, I'm definitely going up in 5 Ibs increments from now on!

Roll on next week and with organisation, a power rack next Saturday

[drummergee]

Monday Workout

Squats

1x5 45 Ibs
1x5 90 Ibs
5/5/5/5/4 135 Ibs

ARGH! lol, getting taught a lesson today, obviously wasn't paying enough attention to the squat on the last work set as didn't get form exactly right on the first rep and couldn't recover and given my current work out setup was not safe to go after that last rep, will nail on Wednesday.

Barbell Row

1x5 65 Ibs
5/2/... 80 Ibs

So one missed rep followed by a stall, nearly got stuck under the bar and as I'm working out on my own I backed off this and we'll see how this goes on Friday.

Barbell Row

1x5 65 Ibs
5x5 75 Ibs

Victory, I claim victory! Well maybe not but it was nice to hit a PB in the mess that was this workout, roll on Wednesday, a 135 Ibs squat and a reutrn to the dreaded 65 Ibs OHP.

[drummergee]

Well what a week a or so, had an exam, flair up of IBS and total body crash. Pretty much killed my week to Saturday, got new shing power rack delivered and between one thing and another didn't get it fully assembled till Tuesday last night but finally got a workout in and couldn't get on the site!

Still here we go, going metric and so a bit of step down in weight whilst I work things out and get started with the new system.

Tuesday Workout

Squat

1x5 20 kg
1x5 40 kg
5/4/5/5/2 60 kg

Gah! So I managed to throw myself during the second set and couldn't quite work through the last set as never recovered, first time back and these were hard but sure I'll pick them up next time.

Bench Press

1x5 20 kg
1x5 30 kg
5x5 35 kg

These were hard but went up nicecly and I was pleased with them.

Barbell Row

5x5 35 kg

I was so wrapped up in the bench that I went straight into the barbell row and for whatever reason, these went really well and felt really good despite not being as large a plate and so being lower. Anyway, hard and might stall soon but un a good way.

Chin up/Pull Up

So one of the benefits of the new rack is my new found abilitly to try chin ups, pull ups and dips. So, first attempt and oh dear, lol, managed to do 5 5 second negative chin ups. Peversely, really enjoyed them but boy I ached although not too bad but certainly I shall be looking forward to doing these properly.

All in all, not too bad a return and can't wait until tomorrow.

[drummergee]

So the end of week 12 and two workout week, better than a one workout week but still not ideal but I'm actually in the office all next week so all should be good from now on. I might even weigh myself next week.

Saturday Workout

Squats

1x5 20 kg
1x5 40 kg
5x5 60 kg

Success! These were hard but beginningto get the hang of the new bar and whilst these felt hard, they went up without stalls although I think form has been changed by working in the rack but not quite sure how.

Overhead Press

1x5 20 kg
5/5/5/5/1 30 kg

Gah, and seated as well due to the rain. There was just nothing left for that last set, not quite sure what happend but sure will hit next week and near my PB (I will convert to metric soon so I know) and I'm sure I'll get there next time, although I said that when I failed at 65 Ibs.

Deadlift

1x5 60 kg
1x5 70 kg

These were hard but once I got my form sorted and shins against bar (ie kicked brain into gear) these went up nicely and will go up in 5 kg jumps for the moment.

Dips

Erm... well I got into the position ok but even partials seemed hard, I will re-read the lessons and although this might sound odd, might lower the dip attachment so I can practise the motion with my feet on the floor to take some of my weight so I can build understanding of the exercise and some strength before going back to trying it with my whole bodyweight.

After the first week of my new equipment, the workouts are feeling pretty brutal but in a good way, like I've worked hard rather than injured and I can see such benefits witht eh chin ups,pull ups and dips if I can get them successfully into my routine.

[drummergee]

Basically, for reasons I won't bore you with my doctor swapped my drugs round and I haven't been right since, hopefully should be getting old drugs that were working great back tonight but essentially had stomach issues, stiff ankles which lead to football causing pain in ankles, knees and lower back. Basically I'm a slowly recovering mess right now. The only good news is that I'm still 186 Ibs so somehow kept weight and I have been doing single reps of negative chin ups/pull ups whenever I'm down to the garage but hopefully will get new drugs this weekend and can get lifting again.

[drummergee]

So basically, it's a week later and I finally feel ok so got my first lift in in four weeks, I backed off quite a bit due to the enforced rest and glad I did as now have that healthy weary that comes from challenging without killing yourself.

Saturday

Squats

1x5 Empty Bar (5 Ibs)
1x5 20kg
1x5 30kg
5x5 40kg

Struggled a little with form in stretches and firt empty bar but quickly picked up with the warm up and work sets, very happy for first session back.

Bench Press

1x5 20kg
5x5 25kg

Barbell Row

5x5 25kg

Pull ups

1x5 negative

These were hard, weakness in my fore arm meant couldn't do more but it's a start and I shall persever.

Overall, it's good to be back baby!