Montreal Barbell The PR GYM

A great squat day, Joffrey, Shany and a guest lifter came to squat with us, Joanick, Ghislain, Shawna, me and Leo.

After last weeks big squat where 775 felt like it crushed me, I was going to take an easier week this week. But, when Shawna and I sat down and planned out our training weeks, we realized that we had only four more squat sessions left before the meet. This meant that we had two heavy sessions and two deload sessions left. So, I had to go heavier today if I wanted to feel 800 on my back before the meet and still recover. We drew up a plan for ourselves of what we would lift in the next two weeks, and my plan came out to 785 this week and 800 next week. I was sore and achy and normally would not have lifted heavy today, and this was the first time that I stuck to a plan even when I didn't feel right.

I also decided to try go back and try the canvas suit on that I had been training with to see how it compared to the suit I wore last week that Ghislain made for me. I felt that the canvas suit did not let me hold form as well but at the heaviest weight my core was steadier. I want the best of both world's, the stopping power and rebound that Ghislains suit gives and the core support that the canvas suit gives. So, I asked Ghislain to make me another suit, exactly the same, but this time just a bit tighter in the hips and also make it 4 inches taller so it gives me support in the chest and back. Even though this is a very basic error in training to change suits during a training cycle, I will try the new suit next week because Ghislain's suit lets me hold form better and I may squat easier with it.

stretching and light massage on legs and shoulders

145 x 10

235 x 6

Put on briefs and canvas suit

staps down

415 x 3

straps up

505 x 2

knee wraps on

620 x 1

720 x 1

785 x 1 high

The plan for this session for me was to drop 720 down low and see how it felt as an opener and to squat 785 with control and no fear. 720 felt heavier than I expected and I didn't get as low as I wanted to. I have gained 13 pounds and the briefs and suit are tighter than before and its harder to sit back and hold good form. The 720 didn't feel good but on the video it looked alright. Considering the way I felt today, my goal was just to handle 785 and know that I can. I stood up better (my other stand-ups were not good today, didn't lock out my knees) but at the top I tried to breath but couldn't get air in, the weight was crushing me, so I started down without taking a breath of air. I think if I lock out my knees more the next time at the stand-up, I should be able to breath through my nose. I started down slowly controlling the weight and it took a long time to go down, too long. I started back up too early but came up easy and held the weight at the top. There, my job for the day was done, I held the weight and now am confident that the next time it will not kill me. Major success.

I remember in Florida when I trained, Mike Ollocco squatted 1000 lbs and after his shirt was soaking wet. I was amazed that only one rep could make him sweat so much. Well, today after the 785 lb, I sat down and looked at my shirt and it was soaking wet, after just one rep. But, I am still not pushing as hard as Shawna who squatted 485 lbs today and again broke blood vessels in her face. We are kind of on the same track, she is preparing for the meet trying to work up as high as she can, only she is aiming for 500 lbs and I am aiming for 800 lbs. I think it would be a better comparison if she was aiming for 400 while I aim for 800 or if she is going for 500 at her body weight I should be going for 900 for the same effort. Hmmm... She eats more than I do, maybe that's why. I will eat more this week and see what happens.

bodyweight was 240 lbs this morning