Ben2285's never ending quest of self-improvement

[miker44]

I LOVE what your doing man, your killing it. I think I am going to try something real similar out for a while. I have been slaving over going heavy for so long (mainly 5x5) and I need something different. I realize looking at your new split that I have never really had goals in the higher rep ranges. I do have one comment though. I see no direct shoulder work and I am curious to get your thoughts on that.

[Ben2285]

Originally Posted by Venom

Looks like you are killing it, Ben!!

I like how your splits have so much detail to them. I do mine the same way! The detail is ridiculous.

Thanks Gabe! Yes, I am a very detail oriented person hah. I really believe, in training, that we have to take everything we do as a learning experience and reflect back on what works and what doesn't and if we don't try new things we can limit ourselves. Learning from the past and applying science is what it's all about and I know you can relate there, you know it better than I do!

Originally Posted by miker44

I LOVE what your doing man, your killing it. I think I am going to try something real similar out for a while. I have been slaving over going heavy for so long (mainly 5x5) and I need something different. I realize looking at your new split that I have never really had goals in the higher rep ranges. I do have one comment though. I see no direct shoulder work and I am curious to get your thoughts on that.

Thanks! As of right now I am really liking it, but you definitely can't go into it seeing it as a "break" from traditional constant heavy training. I thought it might be easier but man was I wrong! Going in and doing compounds for every muscle group very frequently is pretty deadly, especially as the weights keep goin up.

As far as shoulders... That is just something I do for a few simple reasons:

1. Most importantly, my shoulders are kind of overdeveloped in relation to the rest of my upper body. Especially my front delts. So doing military presses and such would only make this worse.

2. Shoulders get hit a lot through other pressing and rowing movements which I tend to focus on more.

[Ben2285]

Friday - HST 12's day 3

DB Bench
3 sets 85's x 12

Decline Close Grip
175 x 8
155 x 10

BO Row
2 sets 215 x 12

Close Grip Lat PD
2 sets 165 x 12

Preacher Curl
2 sets 70 x 12

Left Arm DB Curl
2 sets 25 x 12

Squat
2 sets 290 x 12

Good Morning
165 x 12

As intensity is going up its getting much harder to hit 3 sets, so at the risk of hindering my performance on other exercises I am just kind of going by feel on # of sets. I dropped down to two work sets today after I did 3 sets of db bench and it messed up my weights for close grips. It was a great workout and I can't wait til sunday to do it all over again except heavier of course .

[Venom]

Often when I feel tired, I also lower the sets to 2, and increase the exercise variety. I find this breaks monotony and helps me to still get a good workout when I don't feel my best.

[Ben2285]

Originally Posted by Venom

Often when I feel tired, I also lower the sets to 2, and increase the exercise variety. I find this breaks monotony and helps me to still get a good workout when I don't feel my best.

Yep! Its also simply that the weight and intensity keep climbing fast! I'm trying to shy a bit from failure til I can destroy myself on the max day

[Ben2285]

Sunday - HST 12's Day 4

DB Bench
2 sets 90's x 12

Decline Close Grip (on smith)
2 sets 185 x 12

BO Row
230 x 12
215 x 12

Cable Machine Pulldown
2 sets 260 x 12

Preacher Curl
2 sets 80 x 12

Left Arm DB Curl
2 sets 30 x 12

Squats
2 sets 315 x 12

Good Morning
175 x 12

I am ABSOLUTELY LOVING this split. I felt great today, my squats are actually feeling easier as I move up in weight. I was coming out of the hole so powerful today the bar was coming off my back when I was at the top of the movement!

Here are the "before" pics I promised. Any opinions are welcome, and I don't mind honesty even if it is brutal. I can't imagine anyone can be any harder on me than I am on myself anyway hah.

[Venom]

You look phenomenal. Your back is absolutely amazing. What are your stats, again?

[Ben2285]

Originally Posted by Venom

You look phenomenal. Your back is absolutely amazing. What are your stats, again?

Thanks Gabe! 6', bout 205 now. Are those the stats you were looking for?

Do you know why my pics have disappeared? They aren't showing up anymore

[Venom]

I can see them?

[Ben2285]

hm I can't, that's weird. As long as I didn't screw something up and they are viewable to others then I don't need to see them anymore hah