My partial lift numbers declined a bit compared to last cycle, especially in the "just short of full" range. But I still pressed new personal bests both overhead and on the flat bench. Cutting down on the number of reps, sets, and exercises seems to have helped.
The pain in my right elbow is still there, but I trained through it (using CBD cream and elbow sleeves), and managed okay. I cut out almost all triceps training to compensate. Oddly, dumbbell kickbacks don't hurt at all, but any sort of pushdown or extension is out of the question. So kickbacks it will be until this goes away. Dips are now possible, as long as I don't go too low.
Partials are still working. They may be a little too intense for regular training and I may need to space the cycles out more. E.g. do them 3-4 times per year and just do full-range lifting in between. Although it's hard to resist bench pressing 520 lbs. x 5, even if it is for only a couple of inches.
Seated overhead press 285 lbs. x 1 (PR), 225 lbs. x 7 (may be a PR)
Bench press 375 lbs. x 1, 405 lbs. x 1 (PR), 320 lbs. x 10 (possible PR)
Squat up to 540 lbs. x 2
Deadlift up to 540 lbs. x 2 (possible PR)
Back has felt iffy while deadlifting, so I'm playing it safe. Also I've run out of weights. For the time being, I'll just focus on adding a rep here and there on what used to be 1RM testing weeks.
I'm debating whether to cancel my Gold's Gym membership and buy more weights for home, or keep everything the same and go to Gold's once a month for heavy squat/deadlift singles. My old gym is now closed and the new one will be pretty far when it reopens. Might wait and see what the new gym is like before deciding.
Bodyweight was around 215 lbs. all last week.
Posts
