Sarge's Lifting Chronicles 2006-2007

[Cynical Simian]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

- As always, I really appreciate you guys that have helped me so much along the way... Not gettin' too sappy on you, but I know it's good to hear and you should be aware of how much of a huge positive impact you've had on my lifting since August/September

Heh, you anticipated my advice pretty well with the "your flat is progressing" comment. I haven't really paid much attention to your DB numbers (hence not noticing the size .0001 font request for advice) or regarded them as a good barometer of progress since they're always your third and fourth presses of the day. Since you're already doing barbell OHP and bench variations, just look at the DB lifts as a way to get some extra volume. As for the difference between your current and previous numbers, it shouldn't be surprising that you're less proficient at a movement you didn't do for a long period of time (i.e. your 5x5 run and whatever you were doing between last summer and beginning the 5x5).

As for the calculators, who cares? You put up 225, and I really doubt the variations in plates from gym to gym, if any, are significant enough to put that in doubt. Plus, 185x6 is on your light day (in other words, a couple days after your "heavy day"). So just stick to 3-8 reps for general training and don't worry about what some spreadsheet says or a discrepancy between your 1RM and your "light day" 6RM.

 

[BiggT]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

Congrats on the PR.....don't worry about max calculators, they're a good guage, but not 100% accurate. Some people are much better at limit lifts in the 1-3 range that their 10RM indicates, some people are much better with higher reps, but can't use much more intensity to fire off something in the 1-3 range. Most people are somewhere in the middle, and that is who the calculators favor, some lean to one side or the other while in the middle, and that is where most discrepancies occur.

In any event, a 275 bench is in the very near future for you.

 

[treilin]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

For emphasis

And note I felt the same irritation briefly in my right bicep last night... came and went fast though. My left feels fine again, stretched it out real good during and after pressing while in the gym.

K I'm going to just assume here for a moment... I'm assuming that maybe either A) You are more dominant on the right side and the left side is trying hard to keep up, or B) you are stronger on the left trying to push, pull, etc more then the right causing overuse. I would say B because you then move on to say that the next time around your right one started acting up which may mean that you were babying your left a bit after it felt injured and then the right had to pick up some slack. Sorry haven't read up on the new exercises you are doing but maybe need to incorporate some single arm stuff to even the arms out, or insetad of BB use DB, if you haven't already.

The place you describe.. There is a groove in the humerus called the bicipital groove. Three muscles connect there Pec Major, Latissimus Dorsi, and biceps short head. So... Dropping lats off.. we are left with two. Pecs and bicep.
Pushing movement + strengthening pecs + shortening of the pecs + pulling on attachments = Pain

I'm not thinking this is an actual bicep issue, but a pec issue.. I'm just going off a hunch, not a doctor, not seeing it.

Chest stretches = decrease in pain

http://www.dynamicsports.net/cycling/stretches.htm

There's a link with some stretches for you if you don't know or haven't already included those....

 

[mm107]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

K I'm going to just assume here for a moment... I'm assuming that maybe either A) You are more dominant on the right side and the left side is trying hard to keep up, or B) you are stronger on the left trying to push, pull, etc more then the right causing overuse. I would say B because you then move on to say that the next time around your right one started acting up which may mean that you were babying your left a bit after it felt injured and then the right had to pick up some slack. Sorry haven't read up on the new exercises you are doing but maybe need to incorporate some single arm stuff to even the arms out, or insetad of BB use DB, if you haven't already.

The place you describe.. There is a groove in the humerus called the bicipital groove. Three muscles connect there Pec Major, Latissimus Dorsi, and biceps short head. So... Dropping lats off.. we are left with two. Pecs and bicep.
Pushing movement + strengthening pecs + shortening of the pecs + pulling on attachments = Pain

I'm not thinking this is an actual bicep issue, but a pec issue.. I'm just going off a hunch, not a doctor, not seeing it.

Chest stretches = decrease in pain

http://www.dynamicsports.net/cycling/stretches.htm

There's a link with some stretches for you if you don't know or haven't already included those....

wow very informative!

 

[SgtSlaughter]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

CS: well put... thank you for the reassurance and big picture view man.

BiggT: Thanks bro... I've been waiting for that damn PR for a long time, lol. Ahhh, I like your explanation of the rep range... makes sense, I've always been able to muster up serious intensity for a couple reps... but too many and my body gives out, lol.

Treilin: It's actually B. I'm very right side dominate. Visible in pics to me, but to the "average joe" no one has ever pointed at me and said "omg your right side is soo big" lol. Good call! I really need to be doing more upper body stretching... ever since I've focused on doing every leg and lower body stretch i've slacked up top... GREAT LINK I'll let you know how that helps over the next few weeks.

 

[treilin]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

Treilin: It's actually B. I'm very right side dominate. Visible in pics to me, but to the "average joe" no one has ever pointed at me and said "omg your right side is soo big" lol. Good call! I really need to be doing more upper body stretching... ever since I've focused on doing every leg and lower body stretch i've slacked up top... GREAT LINK I'll let you know how that helps over the next few weeks.

I look in the mirror at my right side and think... What the... I'm very right dominant as well. Talk to the left side.. "You see... don't you feel little?!?"
Actually the more I work-out the more I notice little things I do that really affect everything. Like putting weights on the bar. Every time I bend over to get the 45's to put on the bar I bend with the right side, Mid exercises when my arms start given out I think help rightie 'cuz leftie ain't doing it!
Just sunday I noticed on SBT on the lying french press when she goes to press back up she cranks her right hip ab section to press up. I asked her to watch me to see if I did it, and sure enough. One thing that helped was taking the feet of the bench and placing them on the floor (had them on bench to protect my jacked back). She also turns her head to the right when she's trying to get a hard rep. Paying close attention to what you are doing and having someone look for little things like that will help you adjust for it.

 

[al420]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

That is a great link - I am can;t do the hip or groin stretches at all....hahahaha....may need to work on this!

 

[SgtSlaughter]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

Treil, I know for a fact I used to do that far too often.

I only catch myself twisting over to my left side (to push more with the right) when I have to. AKA, no spotter and i'll die if I drop it, lol.

Loading and deloading plates, I might as well tie my left arm behind my back, LOL... I try to make sure I use my left hand when I realize my left is being used.

____

*Logging*

My squat session is overdue, keep pushing it off for various reasons that are plenty valid. But tomorrow it's time to get a move on... pending leg amputation I'll be in the squat rack. Trash can handy and all.

Rotators were feeling abused today. Strict military blamed. I'll revert to push presses next time. Delts will get their due time at some point... bench, bench, bench... focus, focus, focus.

 

[sbt2082]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

Yeah yeah yeah... I am in the same club with ya'll like T mentioned above
Farrrrrrr more right side dominant

 

[Cynical Simian]

Re: Sarge hits the 5x5 for Ginormous Soleus Muscles!! - Log

I'll be in the squat rack.

Curling, no doubt. Don't forget your Manta Ray in case you decide to squat, too.