Another partials cycle down, with variable results. I set a confident personal best in the seated military press with 290 lbs. x 1. Managed some excellent repetition work in the lead-up to the cycle on the overhead and incline bench press. My lats and upper back are stronger than before, so I have a better base, and I've gotten stronger and more explosive in the lockout phase. Feeling pretty good overall.
My deadlift training has felt fairly slow and grindy for the past several months. I had not maxed out since 2022 and had no idea what a heavy single would feel like. So I was extremely pleased to set a new PR this cycle. I pulled 575 lbs. with strength to spare - almost six plates.
I crapped out on my bench press attempt with 420 lbs. Then I lowered the weight to 410 lbs., but was too tired after straining against the 420. So no bench press PR this cycle. Based on how the partials were going, I wasn't really expecting one, but it's always nice to be hopeful. I might recalibrate to 410 for the next cycle and build up from there.
No PR on squats either. I hit a relatively solid single with 530 lbs., but 550 lbs. stapled me to the bars. Back squatting with straps is a good replacement for regular back squats, but I'm starting to wonder if a cambered squat bar wouldn't be a better solution for my shoulder issues. Or maybe I just need to forget about max singles in the squat. Or maybe I just need to stop being an idiot and get my shoulder looked at.
Seated military press 265 lbs. x 5, 290 lbs. x 1 (PR)
Squat with straps 530 lbs. x 3, 550 lbs. x fail
Front squat 390 lbs. x 1 (tied PR)
Bench press 340 lbs. x 5, 390 lbs. x 1, 420 lbs. x fail
Incline bench press 310 lbs. x 10, 335 lbs. x 1
Deadlift 545 lbs. x 1, 575 lbs. x 1 (PR)
Bodyweight was a solid 220 lbs.
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