Wednesday, March 19, 2014

3/19/2014 - Reviving the Blog!

Spring is here and now that the winter madness at the gym is winding down its time for the 3rd annual resurrection of the blog! Training goals include maximizing strength for the USAPL Massachusetts State Powerlifting Championships on May 31st where I will make an attempt (hopefully) at the state records for my weight class (220's). Secondly I will be getting ripped for the summer. While those two goals may seem contradictory I am playing around with my training progression and diet and building off of lessons learned from the past few years.

Physically there is much room for improvement... I am sitting at 210 lbs at about 7% body fat right now, and there is definitely room to grow. In order to maximize my performance at the powerlifting meet I want to be weighing 215-217 pounds.  I hold the belief that if I can continue to gain strength while having as low body fat as possible I will have a definite edge over the competition.  Once I achieve the body composition that I want (should be only a few more weeks) then I will be infusing more calories in to my diet to start a sort of clean bulk leading in to the competition. This is drastically different than the usual approach which is to be heavy leading in to the competition and try to "make weight" the day of competition.



















I am in my third week of competition prep, which is a hypertrophy / repetition effort phase. Last year I played around with a rest-pause method inspired by Dante Trudel (doggcrapp training if you want to google it), and had fantastic results. The rest-pause nomenclature may be confusing to some but what I mean is that my final work set on a major lift is 3 sets to failure with 30 seconds or less rest in between. This condenses the workload and is a fantastic approach for building work capacity with heavy weights.  Today's workout was a lower dominant lift:

Warmup
Quad and Hamstring Curl - 6x12 no rest in between

Squats (beltless) - 135x10, 185x8, 225x8, 315x8, 365x5, 395x10+3+3
Deficit Deadlift (+1.5") (beltless) - 135x8, 185x8, 235x8, 335x8, 385x10
Barbell Walking Lunges - 100x3x20

I also threw in a few light sets of traps and biceps because, hey, why not? They are lagging bodyparts and I want to look good. As long as I am making progress on my squats and deadlifts I don't feel guilty! Training videos still being put on on my youtube page as well (https://www.youtube.com/user/nicguidice)

More info on diet coming in a future post. Suffice it to say I am still intermittent fasting (leangains style for those who want to google) - 3 years strong now - and love the eating pattern/lifestyle provided by this philosophy.

Whether you know me personally or not, or just stumbled here and are interested in hearing a different take on training and nutrition, please leave a comment on the posts. I would love to turn this blog in to a larger source of information and I need interaction from you! Subscribe and post if you like what you see :) :)

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Training Recap 9/16-9/18: Incline Press and more Squats! Plus a little diet recall...

9/16/2013 - Chest/Shoulders/Triceps

Incline Press - 135x10, 185x10, 225x10, 275x5, 315x8+3+3
Snatch Grip Behind the Neck Presses - 135x10, 155x2x8
DB W Press - 40x3x12, 50x12, 60x12
Seated DB Lateral Raise - 35x12, 40x2x12, 45x12 superset with DB Flys - 50x4x20
Cable Lateral Raise - 4x15
Grionda Power Pushdown - 4x20
Tricep Preacher Extension - 4x20


9/17/2013 - Back/Traps/Biceps

Wide Grip Weighted Pullups - BWx10, +25x4x10 superset with Barbell Shrugs - 225x4x30
Wide Grip Pulldowns - 150x15, 180x15, 215x15, 235x12+8 superset with Cable Shrugs - 4x30
Racing Dive Lat Pulls - 4x20 superset with Upright Rows - 105x4x15
Machine Pullovers - 4x20
Reverse BB Curls - 65x15, 85x2x15
DB Preacher Curls - 45x3x15
Cable Hammer Curls - 3x20

9/18/2013 - Legs

Weight - 224.5

Back Squat - 135x2x10, 185x10, 225x10, 275x10, 315x8, 365x5, 405x3, 455x3, 500x8
Linear Toe Hack Squat - 90x15, 230x15, 270x2x15
Frog Stance Toe Hack Squat - 180x15, 230x15, 270x15
Walking Lunges - 100x3x30
Single Leg Quad Extensions - 3x20
Seated Hamstring Curls - 3x20


I'm an idiot for not charging my camera battery, so it dies on the 2nd or 3rd rep.. While this sucks, it just motivates me even more to hit a bigger PR on camera in a few weeks.

I'm also putting in a dietary recall for anybody who's interested in seeing what my diet is like at the current moment. Still sitting on around 8-9% bodyfat, and will continue to gain weight until that number reaches 11%.

Daily Nutrition Facts

Total Calories                                          5596   
Total Fat                                                  149.67g
Saturated Fat                                           36.01g
Trans Fat                                                 0g
Cholesterol                                              1677.5mg
Sodium                                                    4184.12mg
Total Carbohydrate                                 590.32g
Dietary Fiber                                           61.75g
Sugar                                                       44.16g
Protein                                                     463.97g

Evening Snack

Rice, white, long-grain, regular, cooked, unenriched, without salt 1-2/3 cup 342 cal
Chicken Breast Boneless/Skinless Grilled 10 oz 300 ca

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Training Recap 9/9-9/11: Bench and Squat

9/9/2013 - Chest/Shoulders/Triceps

Weight - 220.6

Bench Press - 135x10. 185x10, 225x10, 275x8, 315x5, 375x9+3+3
Scott DB Press - 60x12, 70x12, 80x12, 90x9 supersetted with Laying Incline Lateral DB Raise - 4x12
Gironda Barbell Swing - 85x4x12 supersetted with Fwd DB Raise - 4x10
Bodyweight Dips - 4x20 supersetted with Incline DB Lateral Raise - 4x15
Tricep Preacher Extension - 4x20
Cable Tricep Kickbacks - 4x20

9/10/2013 - Back/Traps/Biceps

Weight - 219.8

(Single Arm) (T-Bar) (Dead Stop) Rows! - 70x10,  90x10, 135x10, 180x10, 225x10 supersetted with Barbell High Pulls - 105x4x15
Wide Grip Pullups (bar to low chest/abs) - 5x10 supersetted with Barbell Shrugs - 275x4x15
Racing-Dive Rows - 4x20 supersetted with DB Shrugs - 4x20
Wide Grip Lat Flys - 2x25 supersetted with Kelso Shrugs - 2x25
Reverse Grip Bicep Curls - 65x12, 85x12, 105x12
Preacher Hammer Curls - 45x12, 55x2x12
Standing EZ Bar Curls - 100x10, 90x12, 80x15

9/11/2013 - Legs!

Weight - 219.6

Back Squat - 135x10, 185x10, 225x10, 275x8, 315x8, 365x5, 405x3, 475x8+3+3
Toe Lever Hack Squat - 90x15, 140x15, 180x15, 270x15
Frog Hack Squat - 180x15, 230x15, 270x15
Walking Lunge - 110x3x20 steps
1.5" Deficit Deadlift - 135x5, 225x5, 315x5, 405x5, 495x5
Single Leg Quad Extensions - 2x25
Laying Hamstring Curls - 2x25


Probably could have had 2 more, but I seriously felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my head!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Training Recap 9/2-9/4: Deload Week!

9/2/2013 - Chest/Triceps

Reverse Grip Bench Press - 135x20, 185x20, 225x20, 275x5, 315x17
Wide Grip Incline Collar Press - 135x20, 185x20, 225x20, 245x20
Decline DB Flys - 60x4x20
Cable Fly - 4x20
Incline V-Bar Tricep Pushdown - 3x20
Incline Rope Tricep Pushdown - 2x20
Incline Underhand Tricep Pushdown - 2x20
Cable Tricep Kickbacks - 3x20

9/3/2013 - Back/Traps/Biceps

Weighted V-Bar Pull Ups - +25 x15, x12, x12, x12 superset with Rope Lat Flys 4x20
Wide Grip Behind the Neck Pull Ups - 4x8 superset with Wide Grip Lat Flys 4x20
Supported T-Bar Row - 90x20, 135x20, 135x20, 145x20 superset with Barbell Shrugs 225x4x20
Seated Cable Row - 4x20 superset with Cable High Pull 4x20
Barbell Reverse Grip Curl - 65x12, 85x12, 90x12, 90x12
EZ Bar Spider Curl - 60x15, 60x15, 80x15, 80x15
2 DB Preacher Curl - 35x3x15

9/4/2013 - Legs!

Weight - 217.4

Back Squat - 135x10, 185x10, 225x10, 315x10, 365x5, 405x20
Toe Hack Squat (Lever) - 90x20, 110x20, 180x20, 270x20
Walking Lunge - 60x2x50
Barbell RDL - 135x15, 185x15, 225x15, 275x15
Single Leg Quad Extension - 3x20
Seated Calf Raise - 3x20
Single Leg Hamstring Curl - 3x20
Standing Calf Raise - 3x20


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Training recap 8/26-8/28! Floor Presses and more Squats!!!

8/26/13

Chest/Triceps

Floor Press - 135x15, 185x15, 225x10, 275x10, 315x5, 365x14+4+2
Wide Grip Bench Press - 225x15, 275x15, 315x14
DB Fly - 60x3x15
DB Pullover - 70x3x20
Cable Fly - 3x20
Weighted Pushup - +45 x3x20
DB Tricep Extension - 60x12, 70x12, 75x12, 80x12
Reverse Grip EZ Bar Tricep Pushdown - 3x20
Single Arm Pushdown - 3x20

8/27/13

Back/Traps/Biceps

V-Bar Chin Ups - x20, x12, x10
Narrow Lat Flys - 3x20
V-Bar Lat Pulldown - 150x15, 185x15, 200x15, 245x10+6+6
Wide Lat Flys - 3x20
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown - 150x15, 165x15, 185x15, 200x15+10+10
Upright Row - 85x2x12, 105x2x12
Single Arm DB Row - 125x3x15
DB Shrugs - 100x3x20
 Reverse Grip Barbell Curl - 65x12, 85x12, 105x10, bar - "21"
Preacher DB Hammer Curl - 40x2x15, 45x15
Spider EZ Bar Curl - 50x3x15

8/28/13

Legs!

Weight - 216.6

Squats - 135x12, 185x12, 225x12, 315x10, 365x3, 405x3, 455x11+2+2
Toe Hack Squat - 135x15, 185x15, 225x15, 275x15, 315x15 drop set 225x5 drop set 135x10
Good Morning off pins - 135x12, 185x12, 185x12
Walking Lunges - 110x3x36
Single Leg Quad Extension - 3x15
Laying Hamstring Curl - 3x20
Seated Calves - 3x20
2 Leg Quad Extension - 3x20
Standing Single Leg Hamstring Curl - 3x15
Standing Calves - 3x20

 
 

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Recap on Training 8/22, 8/23, 8/24

8/22/13

Weight - 213.8

Shoulder/Triceps

Smith Military Press - 135x15, 185x15, 225x15, 275x10+4+2
DB Arnold Press - 70x12, 80x12, 90x12, 100x9
DB Lateral Raise - 7x15
Triceps Press on the Leg Press - 2 plates x15, 4 plates x15, 6 plates x12
Barbell Triceps Extension + Close Grip Press - 95x3x15+15


8/23/13

Weight - 213.8

Back/Traps/Biceps

Weighted Chin Ups - +25 x15, +25 x15, +25x15
Barbell Shrugs - 135x15, 225x2x15, 315x2x15
Wide Grip Behind the Neck Pull Ups - 4x20
Laying Cable Shrugs - 4x20
Single Arm Bent Barbell Row - 45x12, 90x12, 135x12, 180x10+6+6
DB Shrugs - 100x15, 110x3x15
Seated Underhand Cable Row - 4x15
Barbell Upright Row - 95x4x15

Reverse Grip Barbell Curl - 65x10, 85x10, 95x10
Reverse Grip Preacher Curl - 50x3x12
DB Spider Hammer Curl - 40x3x12

8/24/13

Weight - 215.6

Legs

Front Squat - 135x10, 185x10, 225x10, 315x10+4+4
Lever Hack Squat Facing In/Out - 6 plates x10+10, 10 plates x10+10, 14 plates x10+10, 16 plates x12+12
Walking Lunges - 110x4x36
Single Leg Quad Extensions - 3x20
Standing Calves - 3x20
Deadlifts - 135x10, 225x5, 315x3, 405x3, 495x1, 545x1, 600x1
Single Leg Quat Extensions - 3x20
Single Leg Ham Curls - 3x20
Standing Calves - 3x20

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Training 8/21/13 - Leg Day!

8/21/13 - Heavy legs

Weight - 211.6

Back Squats - 135x15, 185x15, 225x15, 315x5, 365x5, 405x5, 435x12+3+3
Linear Hack Squat - 315x15, 405x15, 585x15, 765x10+5
2 Stop Leg Press - 8 plates x15, 12 plates x15, 20 plates x15, 24 plates x45
Walking Lunges - 100x3x36 steps
Single Leg Knee Extension - 3x20
Standing Calve Raise - 3x20