1 Nov 2010 – Week 15

This is a short week, four days.  Read as # sets x # reps @ dumbbell weight (lbs).

Everyday:  Abs and calves, in that order.

• Weighted jackknifes, straight – 1 x 8, 12 lb ball at feet, 15 lb ball at head, extended overhead and back on slow descent.
• Weighted jackknifes, oblique – None.
• Slow sit-ups-and-downs – None.
• Slow weighted incline situps – 1 x 4 @15 lbs ball overhead, medium incline, knees bent.
• Slow weighted incline oblique twists – 1 x 6 @15 lb ball, medium incline, knees bent.
• Slow weighted incline oblique situps – 1 x 4 @ 15 lb ball, medium incline, knees bent.
• Seated calf raises – Warmup with 1 x 8 x 90 lbs, 2 x 8 x 180 lbs, slow.

Monday:  Arms.  Workout rating – very good.  No real pain to speak of.  Still will ice in the evening.

• Prone hanging dumbbell bicep curls – Warmup set, 1 x 6 @ 25 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 20 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 15 lbs, very slow, short rests between sets.
• Standing overhead tricep cable presses – 1 x 8 @ 30 lbs (warmup), 1 x 6 @ 50 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 42 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 30 lbs, very slow.
• Seated decline dumbbell preacher curls – 1 x 6 @ 25lbs, 1 x 3 @ 25lbs, 1 x 5 @ 20 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 15 lbs, very slow.
• Horizontal dumbbell tricep kickbacks – None.
• Overhead standing dumbbell tricep presses – None.
• Standing cable one-arm tricep presses – None.
• Standing cable tricep pushdowns – 1 x 8 @ 30 lbs (warmup), 1 x 8 @ 60 lbs, 2 x 6 @ 40 lbs, 2 x 8 @ 30 lbs, very slow.
• Standing dumbbell concentration bicep curls – 1 x 6 @ 15 lbs (slow burnout, last exercise).

Tuesday:  Shoulders.  Workout rating – good.

• Seated dumbbell military presses – warmup with 25lbs, then 1 x 5 @ 50lbs, 1 x 4 @ 45 lbs, 1 x 3 @ 40 lbs, and 3 x 4 @ 30 lbs.
• Standing dumbbell windmills – None.
• Prone hanging dumbbell shoulder flys – None.
• Standing dumbbell pullups – 1 x 6 @ 25 lbs.
• Standing cable pullups – None.
• Standing dumbbell circles (moving arms slowly in a large circle, as if to stretch and warm up) – 1 x 6 @ 10 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 15 lbs..
• Standing dumbbell rotated lifts (arms out to sides, elbows ninety degrees down, rotate weights up to vertical and back down) – None.

I focused on form – straight back in the seat, arms wide, dumbbells held parallel (not inline) to each other.  Slow down, faster up, and making sure my arms were out to the side, not pulled forward.   Today I felt a little weak and could feel my right shoulder and elbow, but did not think they were holding me back.

Wednesday:  Legs.  Workout rating – very good.  I used the leg press machine again.

• Dumbbell wide stance lunges – Dry warmup only.
• Dumbbell squats – Dry warmup only.
• Seated Smith leg presses – None.
• Standing leg curl machine – 4 x 4 per leg @ 25 lbs per leg.
• Seated leg press machine – 1 x 8 x 200 lbs, 1 x 8 x 300 lbs, 1 x 8 x 400 lbs.  All done very slow, with seat as close as possible for maximum extension, feet placed both high and low on press plate.
• Lying hamstring squeezes – None.
• Ball-assisted hamstring crunches – 4 x 4 per leg, slow.

I tweaked my lower back on the standing leg curl machine.  In trying to best figure out how to use it, I found that by rotating my pelvis inwards while pushing my hips away from the machine (so my hips were not braced against the machine), I immediately got a deep curl from my hamstrings that I had not been getting before, and the exercise became much more intense.  However, while trying to get this form right, I inadvertently hurt my lower back, right above my right hip joint, probably by pressing my hips into the frame and trying to curl my lower back to lift instead of using my hamstrings.  Anyway, ibuprofen, heat, and rest…  I expect this will pass soon.

Thursday:  Back and chest.  Workout rating – good and solid.  Chest first, then back, with warmups.  My back was not hurting at all, and my entire right arm felt good.  I tweaked my right shoulder a little near the end on rows, but after the workout, I hardly felt it at all.  Will ice and take ibuprofen anyway, and stretch using heat pad as well, later this evening.

• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 6 x 35 lbs (warmup), 1 x 8 x 60 lbs.
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 6 x 70 lbs.
• Decline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 5 x 70 lbs, 1 x 4 x 70 lbs, 1 x 3 x 60 lbs.
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 5 x 60 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 6 x 50 lbs.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, wide grip – 1 x 4 x 180 lbs (after warmup), very slow.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, narrow grip – 2 x 2 x 180 lbs, very slow.
• Seated cable lat rows – 1 x 4 x 180 lbs, 1 x 3 x 140 lbs, 1 x 5 x 120 lbs, 1 x 8 x 120 lbs (last set of the day), very slow.
• Standing cable flys – 1 x 6 x 30 lbs, 1 x 6 x 20 lbs, 1 x 4 x 10 lbs, non-stop, slow.
• Incline dumbbell flys – None.
• Flat dumbbell flys – None.
• Seated nautilus bench press (horizontal grip) – 1 x 4 x 140 lbs,  very slow.
• Seated nautilus bench press (vertical grip) – 1 x 8 x 90 lbs (warmup), 1 x 4 x 140 lbs, 1 x 4 x 110 lbs, 1 x 4 x 80 lbs, very slow.

End-of-week weight:  188 lbs.

25 Oct 2010 – Week 14

This is a long week, five days.  Read as # sets x # reps @ dumbbell weight (lbs).

Everyday:  Abs and calves, in that order.

• Weighted jackknifes, straight – 1 x 8, 12 lb ball at feet, 15 lb ball at head, extended overhead and back on slow descent.
• Weighted jackknifes, oblique – None.
• Slow sit-ups-and-downs – None.
• Slow weighted incline situps – 1 x 4 @15 lbs ball overhead, medium incline, knees bent.
• Slow weighted incline oblique twists – 1 x 12 @15 lb ball, medium incline, knees bent.
• Slow weighted incline oblique situps – 1 x 4 @ 15 lb ball, medium incline, knees bent.
• Seated calf raises – Warmup with 1 x 8 x 90 lbs, 2 x 6 x 180 lbs, slow.  Moved up 20 lbs.  Calves feel good.

Monday:  Arms.  Workout rating – excellent.  I super-setted bicep with tricep, alternating after several sets.  The workout took an hour.  Numbers are down a bit, but I still got the same amount of pain.

• Prone hanging dumbbell bicep curls – Warmup set, 1 x 6 @ 25 lbs, 1 x 4 @ 25 lbs, 1 x 4 @ 20 lbs, very slow.
• Standing overhead tricep cable presses – 1 x 6 x 50 lbs, 1 x 6 x 42 lbs, 1 x 6 x 35 lbs, very slow.
• Seated decline dumbbell preacher curls – 2 x 6 @ 25lbs, 2 x 4 @ 20lbs, 1 x 4 @ 15 lbs, very slow.
• Horizontal dumbbell tricep kickbacks – None.
• Overhead standing dumbbell tricep presses – None.
• Standing cable one-arm tricep presses – None.
• Standing cable tricep pushdowns – 1 x 6 @ 60 lbs, 2 x 6 @ 40 lbs, very slow.

Saw chiropractor again, who massaged my right forearm and shoulder, and gave them ultrasound treatments as well.  They are much better now – I iced them over the weekend.  I am not taking it easy this week, but will be very careful.  She and her partner gave me some great tips on working hamstrings, which includes getting good quadricep stretches in first, to reduce their chances of adding to the effort, and using the large balls in exercises.  I lay supine, feet on a ball, raise the small of my back up, draw my feet in with knees equidistant apart the whole time,  and thrust my pelvis upwards.  I can also sit on a ball (he said use a 65 cm ball, or whatever lets me sit with knees bent at a 90 degree angle),  roll down while walking my feet out while keeping my back off the floor, raise one foot off the floor (knees even), and push my pelvis up and hold.  Then repeat for several reps, and switch feet.  I have to try not to use my lower back, but roll my hips upwards instead.  I tried this and I could really feel it in my hamstrings.  By using a ball, I have to balance a lot, which enlists additional muscle fibers through reflex movement.  Tomorrow I try it for real.

Tuesday:  Legs.  Workout rating – very good.  I am using the seated plate-press machine to avoid using my forearms, and have started using the 65cm ball for hamstrings.

• Dumbbell wide stance lunges – None.
• Dumbbell squats – Dry warmup
• Lying hamstring squeezes – None.
• Seated plate-press leg machine – 1 x 8 x 200 lbs slow, 1 x 6 x 300 lbs slow, 1 x 4 x 400 lbs slow.
• Ball-assisted hamstring crunches – 2 x 6 per leg, slow.  Sit on the ball.  Walk your feet out while rolling back until your head is resting on the ball and your body is suspended off the ground.  Lift one leg at the knee, keep the knees stationary.  Roll hips upwards, pull body towards feet slightly (rolling forward) – hold and roll back, dropping hips.  Repeat for set, then switch feet and do it again.  You have to balance, and this exercise really targets the hamstrings nicely.  I alternated sets with the plate-press to superset them.

Wednesday:  Shoulders.  Workout rating – good, but a little weak.

• Seated dumbbell military presses – warmup with 25lbs, then 1 x 5 @ 50lbs, 1 x 5 @ 40 lbs, 1 x 5 @ 30 lbs, 1 x 8 @ 20 lbs
• Standing dumbbell windmills – None.
• Prone hanging dumbbell shoulder flys – None.
• Standing dumbbell pullups – None.
• Standing cable pullups – None.
• Standing dumbbell circles (moving arms slowly in a large circle, as if to stretch and warm up) – 1 x 8 x 15 lbs

Thursday:  Legs.  Workout rating – ok.  I am using the seated plate-press machine to avoid using my forearms, and am using the 65cm ball for hamstrings.

• Dumbbell wide stance lunges – Dry warmup.
• Dumbbell squats – Dry warmup.
• Lying hamstring squeezes – None.
• Seated plate-press leg machine – 1 x 4 x 200 lbs slow, 1 x 8 x 300 lbs slow, 1 x 8 x 400 lbs slow.
• Ball-assisted hamstring crunches – 3 x 6 per leg, slow.

My legs are fairly pumped and full after this.  Just did not have the energy (late start).

Friday:  Back and chest.  Workout rating – adequate.   Chest first, then back.  My right shoulder is holding me back some, so used lower weights on dumbbell bench press.  Also had a mental breakthough that seems so obvious now – why exclude any one type of equipment, when I can use them all to maximize my workout?  Instead of focusing only on dumbbells, I will also start incorporating machines (Smith and Nautilus).  They all have their place, as long as you do not rely on any one to do every job.  Tools in a toolbox, right?  Who wants a toolbox that only has hammers?

• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 7 x 55 lbs (after warmup).
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 4 x 65 lbs.
• Decline dumbbell bench press – 2 x 4 x 65 lbs.
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 4 x 65 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 6 x 45 lbs.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, wide grip – 1 x 6 x 160 lbs (after warmup), very slow.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, narrow grip (used short bar) – 1 x 6 x 160 lbs, very slow.
• Seated cable lat rows – 1 x 6 x 160 lbs, 1 x 6 x 120 lbs, very slow.
• Standing cable flys – 1 x 6 x 30 lbs, 1 x 6 x 20 lbs, 1 x 6 x 10 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell flys – None.
• Flat dumbbell flys – None.
• Seated Nautilus bench press, parallel grip, main chest seating – 1 x 8 x 85 lbs (warmup before dumbbells), 1 x 8 x 110 lbs (last group of exercises), slow.
• Seated Nautilus bench press, parallel grip, upper chest seating – 1 x 8 x 110 lbs, slow.

My right shoulder bothered me throughout the workout, and I have been using a forearm strap the last two weeks to help distribute pressure across my right forearm – it seems to help.  The workout, while weaker and shakier, was ok overall.  My shoulders took most of the brunt during the dumbbell sets, but my pecs really got a good workout from the Nautilus sets.  I did dumbbell sets with the dumbbells held parallel to each other, rather than inline, on advisement of my chiropractor to help reduce the chance of shoulder injury.  She said the same muscles are worked, but doing it this way reduces stress and strain on the shoulders.  I iced my right shoulder and forearm in the evening, and will continue over the weekend.  Taking ibuprofen only occasionally – I do not want to build up a tolerance, and it is probably not too good to take it daily.

End-of-week weight:  186 lbs.

4 Oct 2010 – Week 11

This is a short week, four days.  Read as # sets x # reps @ dumbbell weight (lbs).

Everyday:  Abs and calves, in that order.

• Weighted jackknifes, straight – 1 x 6, 12 lb ball at feet, 15 lb ball at head, extended overhead and back on slow descent.
• Weighted jackknifes, oblique – 1 x 6, alternating side to side, same weights as above.
• Slow sit-ups-and-downs – 1 x 6, 15 lb ball on head for up, overhead and back for down slowly.
• Seated incline board oblique twists – 1 x 16 x 15 lb ball extended outward.
• Seated calf raises – Warmup with 1 x 8 x 90 lbs, then 2 x 6 x 160 lbs.

Monday:  Arms.  Workout rating – good.  I super-setted bicep with tricep, alternating after several sets.  The gym was extremely crowded for some reason, and I had to struggle to get a good workout.

• Prone hanging dumbbell bicep curls – Warmup set, 1 x 3 @ 30 lbs, 1 x 3 @ 25 lbs, 1 x 3 @ 20 lbs
• Standing overhead tricep cable presses – None.
• Seated decline dumbbell preacher curls – 1 x 6 @ 25lbs, 1 x 6 @ 20lbs
• Horizontal dumbbell tricep kickbacks – 1 x 6 @ 25 lbs
• Overhead standing dumbbell tricep presses – None.
• Standing cable one-arm tricep presses – 2 x 6 x 30lbs per arm, 1 x 10 x 20lbs per arm.
• Standing cable tricep pushdowns – 2 x 6 @ 60 lbs, 1 x 8 x 50 lbs.
• Standing dumbbell concentration bicep curls – 1 x 6 x 25 lbs, 1 x 5 x 20 lbs, 1 x 5 x 15 lbs.  These are done with elbows tucked inwards, hunched forward slightly.

Tuesday:  Shoulders.  Workout rating – good.

• Seated dumbbell military presses – warmup with 25lbs, then 1 x 6 @ 50lbs, 1 x 5 @ 45 lbs, 1 x 4 @ 40 lbs.  Ended workout with 1 x 6 @ 35 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 30 lbs, 1 x 4 @ 25 lbs.
• Standing dumbbell windmills – None.
• Prone hanging dumbbell shoulder flys – 1 x 2 x 4 positions @ 15 lbs, 2 x 2 x 4 positions @ 10 lbs.  Each rep is held as high up as possible for 2 to 3 seconds and slowly released down.
• Standing dumbbell pullups – None.
• Standing cable pullups – None.
• Standing dumbbell circles (moving arms slowly in a large circle, as if to stretch and warm up) – 1 x 6 x 20 lbs.
• Standing dumbbell rotated lifts (arms out to sides, elbows ninety degrees down, rotate weights up to vertical and back down) – 2 x 6 x 15 lbs.

Had to ice my right elbow again, and I am taking ibuprofen to control inflammation.  I also stretched my right forearm for several minutes before beginning today.  I am managing so far….

Wednesday:  Legs.  Workout rating – weak.  I did use the plate-loaded Smith leg press again after using dumbbells.  My right knee started to bother me some on the second set of dumbbell squats..

• Dumbbell wide stance lunges – Dry warmup, then 2 x 8 x 30 lbs as final exercise.
• Dumbbell squats – Dry warmup, then 1 x 4 x 75 lbs, 1 x 4 x 65 lbs.
• Seated Smith leg presses – 2 x 4 x 180 lbs per leg, slow.
• Lying hamstring squeezes – None – forgot to do these.

Thursday:  Back and chest.  Workout rating – ok.  Chest first, then back, with warmups.  Unfortunately, my grip was weaker on back, so I could not hold the weight for very long.

• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 6 x 60 lbs (after warmup).
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 6 x 70 lbs.
• Decline dumbbell bench press – 2 x 6 x 65 lbs.
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 4 x 65 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 6 x 55 lbs.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, wide grip – 1 x 6 x 160 lbs (after warmup), very slow.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, narrow grip – 2 x 3 x 160 lbs, very slow.
• Seated cable lat rows – 2 x 4 x 160 lbs, very slow.
• Standing cable flys – 1 x 6 x 30 lbs, 1 x 6 x 25 lbs, 1 x 7 x 20 lbs, 1 x 8 x 15 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell flys – None.
• Flat dumbbell flys – None.

Friday:  Chiropractor.  She did great work on my elbow, both massage and ultrasound.  She also gave me pointers on shoulder work, advising me to try dumbbell exercises with the dumbbells held naturally, instead of rotated.  So I will try bench press and shoulder press with the dumbbells held perpendicular to how I normally hold them.  I have three more appointments next week to really work on my elbow.

End-of-week weight:  189 lbs.

27 Sep 2010 – Week 10

This is a long week, five days.  Read as # sets x # reps @ dumbbell weight (lbs).

Everyday:  Abs and calves, in that order.

• Weighted jackknifes, straight – 1 x 6, 12 lb ball at feet, 15 lb ball at head, extended overhead and back on slow descent.
• Weighted jackknifes, oblique – 1 x 6, alternating side to side, same weights as above.
• Slow sit-ups-and-downs – 1 x 6, 15 lb ball on head for up, overhead and back for down slowly.
• Seated calf raises – Warmup with 1 x 8 x 90 lbs only.  My calves are acting up a bit, and want to be careful not to overdo it.

Monday:  Arms.  Workout rating – excellent.  I super-setted bicep with tricep, alternating after several sets.  The workout took an hour.  Numbers are down a bit, but I still got the same amount of pain.

• Prone hanging dumbbell bicep curls – Warmup set, 1 x 2 @ 35 lbs, 1 x 3 @ 30 lbs, 1 x 3 @ 25 lbs, 1 x 3 @ 20 lbs, 1 x 3 @ 15 lbs.
• Standing overhead tricep cable presses – None.
• Seated decline dumbbell preacher curls – 1 x 6 @ 25lbs, 1 x 4 @ 25lbs, 2 x 4 @ 20 lbs
• Horizontal dumbbell tricep kickbacks – 1 x 6 @ 30 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 25 lbs
• Overhead standing dumbbell tricep presses – None.
• Standing cable one-arm tricep presses – None.
• Standing cable tricep pushdowns – 3 x 6 @ 60 lbs

Tuesday:  Legs.  Workout rating – very good.  Raising the weight and lowering the reps kept me from burning out and I got a deeper workout.

• Dumbbell wide stance lunges – Dry warmup, 1 x 8 x 35 lbs
• Dumbbell squats – Dry warmup, 4 x 4 x 65 lbs
• Lying hamstring squeezes – 1 x 3 x 15 seconds.

Wednesday:  Shoulders.  Workout rating – good, but a little weak.

• Seated dumbbell military presses – warmup with 25lbs, then 1 x 6 @ 50lbs, 1 x 4 @ 45 lbs, 1 x 4 @ 40 lbs.  Ended workout with 1 x 11 @ 25 lbs
• Standing dumbbell windmills – None.
• Prone hanging dumbbell shoulder flys – 1 x 2 x 4 positions @ 20 lbs, 1 x 2 x 4 positions @ 15 lbs, 1 x 3 x 4 positions @ 10 lbs.  Each rep is held as high up as possible for 2 to 3 seconds and slowly released down.
• Standing dumbbell pullups – None.
• Standing cable pullups – 2 x 10 x 60lbs
• Standing dumbbell circles (moving arms slowly in a large circle, as if to stretch and warm up) – 2 x 6 x 20 lbs

Thursday:  Legs.  Workout rating – thorough.  I did use the plate-loaded Smith leg press instead of using dumbbells, as my right elbow is acting up a little and I do not want to stress it more.  Grip strength is unaffected, but I feel it when holding heavier weights.

• Dumbbell wide stance lunges – None.  Did 3 x 8 x dry instead.
• Dumbbell squats – None.  Did 2 x 10 x dry instead.
• Seated Smith leg presses – 1 x 8 x 180lbs per leg, 3 x 6 x 270 lbs per leg, slow.
• Lying hamstring squeezes – 1 x 3 x 15 seconds.

My legs are very pumped and full after this.

Friday:  Back and chest.  Workout rating – excellent.  I pushed the weight up and again got a very good pump with my pectorals.  Another great shoulder workout, leaving me feeling very relaxed afterwards.  Chest first, then back.

• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 8 x 55 lbs (after warmup).
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 5 x 75 lbs.
• Decline dumbbell bench press – 2 x 7 x 65 lbs.
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 7 x 65 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 6 x 50 lbs.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, wide grip – 1 x 6 x 160 lbs (after warmup), very slow.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, narrow grip – 1 x 6 x 140 lbs, very slow.
• Seated cable lat rows – 1 x 4 x 160 lbs, 1 x 4 x 120 lbs, 1 x 8 x 85 lbs, very slow.
• Standing cable flys – 1 x 6 x 30 lbs, 1 x 6 x 25 lbs, 1 x 10 x 20 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell flys – None.
• Flat dumbbell flys – None.

End-of-week weight:  189 lbs.  Right elbow is making itself known, so ibuprofen and ice.

13 Sep 2010 – Week 8

This is a long week, five full days.  Condensing the narrative to make it more readable.  Read as # sets x # reps @ dumbbell weight (lbs).

Everyday:  Abs and calves, in that order.

• Weighted jackknifes, straight – 1 x 4 to 6, 12 lb ball at feet, 15 lb ball at head, extended overhead and back on slow descent.
• Weighted jackknifes, oblique – 1 x 4 to 6, alternating side to side, same weights as above.
• Slow sit-ups-and-downs – 1 x 4 to 6, 15 lb ball on head for up, overhead and back for down slowly.
• Seated calf raises -  None this week – machine still not available.

Monday:  Arms.  Workout rating – fantastic.

• Prone hanging dumbbell bicep curls – Warmup set, 1 x 5 @ 30 lbs, 2 x 5 @ 25 lbs, 2 x 5 @ 20 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 15 lbs, 1 x 6 @ 10 lbs.  [IMPROVEMENT - I can do 30 lbs now; when I started, I could only manage 20 lb dumbbells.]
• Standing overhead tricep cable presses – 3 x 8 @ 50 lbs.
• Seated decline dumbbell preacher curls – 2 x 6 @ 25lbs, 2 x 9 @ 20 lbs
• Horizontal dumbbell tricep kickbacks – 1 x 8 @ 15 lbs (warmup)
• Overhead standing dumbbell tricep presses – None.
• Standing cable one-arm tricep presses – 2 x 8 per arm @ 40 lbs.

Tuesday:  Legs.  Workout rating – fantastic.  I had a much better energy level today, and am not as wiped out as usual.

• Dumbbell wide stance lunges – Warmup set, 1 x 8 @ 2 x 30lb dumbbells.
• Dumbbell squats – Warmup set, 2 x 6 @ 2 x 55 lb dumbbells, 1 x 4 @ 2 x 55 lb dumbbells.  [IMPROVEMENT - I went about an hour earlier, and I think that helped with my energy level.]
• Lying hamstring squeezes – 1 x 3 20 second reps.  (I lie down like doing a situp, knees bent, and use my legs to press my feet and shoulders into the floor, squeezing my hamstrings.)

Wednesday:  Shoulders.  Workout rating – nervous, but very good.  After the 50 lb shoulder presses, I felt tightness in my right tricep, just behind my elbow.  I stretched and loosened it up enough to get through the rest of the workout fine, but took ibuprofen afterwards and iced when I got home.  I hope I am good for the Friday workout….

Other than that, my shoulders were tight and on fire when I quit, and I upped abs to 6 reps of everything, really working my core hard.

• Seated dumbbell military presses – warmup with 20lbs, then 1 x 6 @ 50lbs, 1 x 5 @ 45 lbs, 1 x 5 @ 40 lbs, and 1 x 6 @ 35 lbs.
• Standing dumbbell windmills – 1 x 8 @ 20 lbs, 2 x 8 @ 15 lbs
• Prone hanging dumbbell shoulder flys – 2 x 3 x 4 positions @ 15 lbs, 4 x 3 x 4 positions @ 10 lbs.  Each rep is held as high up as possible for 2 to 3 seconds and slowly released down.
• Standing dumbbell pullups – 1 x 6 @ 20 lbs.

Thursday:  Legs.  Workout rating – excellent.  I am getting over my “power hump”, and have a lot more energy and stamina in the gym now.  My muscles give out before I do, not the other way around.

• Dumbbell wide stance lunges – 1 x 6 25 lbs (warmup).
• Dumbbell squats – 3 x 8 x 50 lbs (someone else had the 55 lb dumbbells).
• Lying hamstring squeezes – 1 x 3 x 15 seconds.

Friday:  Back and chest.  Workout rating – good.  My right arm gave me no problems (taking ibuprofen and icing it each night helped immensely).  I think I need to up the weight now.  Doing back towards the end, since I need my grip for the dumbbells.

• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, wide grip – 1 x 4 x 160 lbs (after warmup), 1 x 6 x 120 lbs.
• Seated cable lat alternating pulldown, narrow grip – 1 x 6 x 140 lbs.
• Seated cable lat rows – 1 x 6 x 160 lbs, 1 x 6 x 120 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell bench press – 1 x 8 x 50 lbs (after warmup), 1 x 7 x 45 lbs.
• Flat dumbbell bench press – 1 x 8 x 55 lbs, 1 x 4 x 55 lbs, 1 x 6 x 50 lbs.
• Decline dumbbell bench press – 2 x 8 x 55 lbs.
• Standing cable flys – 1 x 8 x 25 lbs, 1 x 8 x 30 lbs, 1 x 10 x 15 lbs.
• Incline dumbbell flys – 1 x 8 x 15 lbs, 1 x 6 x 25 lbs.
• Flat dumbbell flys – 1 x 8 x 25 lbs.

End-of-week weight:  189 lbs.

6 Sep 2010 – Week 7

I am back, and thanks to Labor Day, have a short week.

Everyday:  Abs.  Giving my calves a rest (I walked a LOT in last week).  Plus, the weight room is being painted, and the calf machine is out of use.

Tuesday:  Arms.  Very good, supersets of hanging prone dumbbell curls and overhead cable tricep presses.  Sets of six from 25 lb dumbbells on down for curls.  Sets of eight for cable tricep presses, from 60 lbs on down.  Also worked in dumbbell tricep kickbacks at 25 lbs, one set of six per arm, and several sets of incline dumbbell preacher curls from 25 lbs down, sets of six.  All done slowly to get the most out of it.  My arms felt like balloons when I was done.

Wednesday:  Shoulders.  After warmups, a set of eight seated dumbbell military presses with 50 lbs, followed by a set of eight at 45 lbs.  Prone hanging shoulder flys, sets of six from 20 lbs down to 10 lbs.  Windmills using 20 lb dumbbells down to 10 lbs, sets of eight.  My shoulders were burning by the end, and it was hard to pick up even light objects.

Thursday:  Legs.  After warming up dry, deep lunges (for my hamstrings) using 25 lb dumbbells, a set of ten or so.  This did not at first seem to do much, but I think it really helped.  Followed by two sets of six slow squats using 55 lb dumbbells.  I was too tired to attempt a third set.  My butt hurts now.

Friday:  Back and Chest.  Well, it was a somewhat weak day.  I got a late start due to a meeting, but I was still not feeling it either.  Discipline gets me through these days.  After core, I started with back.  Seated cable lat pulldowns, alternating reps front and back, one set wide grip, one set narrow grip.  Eight reps for each set, 160 lbs after a short warmup set at 100 lbs.  Done slowly, which is really hard on my forearms and grip.  After pulldowns, I did seated cable lat rows, a set of four at 160 lbs, and a set of four at 120 lbs.  Following back, I did six sets of dumbbell bench presses, after a short warmup.  Incline bench, eight reps, 50 lb dumbbells.  Flat bench, eight reps, 55 lbs.  Decline bench, eight reps, 55 lbs.   Decline bench, six reps, 55 lbs.  Flat bench, four reps, 55 lbs, four reps, 45 lbs.  Incline bench, six reps, 45 lbs.  I was so worn out I didn’t bother with flys (plus, the gym gets crowded around lunchtime).

23 Aug 2010 – Week 6

This is a short week.  M = Arms, T = Shoulders, W = Legs, Th = Back and Chest

Weight:  About 185 lbs now.

Abs – Everyday.  They are starting to take a better shape, and the jackknifes are getting easier.  Slow reps make a big difference.  I hate doing long sets of setups (like three sets of 30 or 40 or even 50) – I want to get the same burn and workout in one set of 12 to 20 reps.  This does just that, so I am not taking 10 to 15 minutes just for abs.

Calves – Stopped after Monday – I can feel something uncomfortable in my right calf, so I am just gonna wait it out.  Did 2 sets of 8 reps, 160 lbs, on Monday.

Next week, I will be at a conference, so no workouts.  I will be good to take a short break from the gym.  Week 7 will pick up after that.

Monday:  Arm Day.  I had a very good workout.  For arms, I warmed up with seated incline dumbbell curls with 20 lbs for a few slow reps.  I then switched to 30 lb dumbbells for four reps of prone incline hanging curls, then moved down to 25 lbs for four reps.  I followed this with standing tricep presses (one-arm) with 30 lbs, then tricep kickbacks with 25 lb dumbbells.

I moved on to incline preacher curls from 25 lbs, for seven reps per arm, then moved down to 20 lbs for eight reps.  I followed this with cable tricep pushdowns (two-handed) with 55 lbs for eight reps, then i turned around and did overhead tricep presses (straight out, leaning forward) with 50 lbs for eight reps, then 40 lbs for eight reps.  I went back to hanging curls with 15 lbs for six reps, then 10 lbs for five reps before giving up.  I was drained, but my arms felt so good and thick all day.  It was a very good workout.  My ab routine was also very good, as I went even slower on reps.

Tuesday:  Shoulder Day.  Very very good workout.  I did seated military dumbbell presses, 3 sets x 8, with 45 lbs, 45 lbs, and 40 lbs.  I then concentrated on prone incline shoulder flys, with sets of 9 to 12 reps (three or four reps in one of three different positions each), working down from 20 lb dumbbells to 10 lb dumbbells.  I also did various shoulder raises with 25 lb and 20 lb dumbbells, as well as overhead windmills using 15 lb dumbbells until I was worn out.

Wednesday:  Leg Day.   I had a rough day, and barely managed 3 sets of 6 squats with 55 lb dumbbells, after warming up with no weight.  But I am really feeling it, so it could not have been *that* bad a workout.  I was so tired I fell asleep before I could finish dinner.

Thursday:  Back and Chest Day.  Very good, deeply satisfying workout.  I started with seated cable rows, warming up with a few reps at 120 lbs, then doing eight reps at 160 lbs.  Next I did seated lat pulldowns, wide and narrow grip, eight reps each, alternating reps front and back.  I used 140 lbs for this.   Doing dumbbell bench presses, I warmed up incline with 40 lb dumbbells, then did the first set inclined with 50 lb dumbbells times eight reps, then flat at 55 lb dumbbells times eight reps, then decline with 55 lbs at eight reps, then another declined set with 55 lb dumbbells at eight reps, then flat with four reps of 55 lb dumbbells (before giving out), then flat with eight reps of 45 lb dumbbells, then finishing with incline, six reps of 45 lbs (before giving out again).  I then did two sets of four seated cable rows at 140 lbs.  I finished with two sets of standing cable flys (chest), with each side at 25 lbs for eight reps, then 15 lbs for eight reps.  Great workout!

My weight is now about 187 lbs.

I also spoke with a trainer at the gym about good hamstring exercises, and he pointed me to dumbbell lunges, using a very wide lunge.  Wider hits the hamstrings more, narrower works the quads more.  Seems obvious now, so I will bring lunges into the routine when I get back.

Friday:  Off.  Be back in a week!  And remember, Uncle Kracker says Smile!  ^___^

9 Aug 2010 – Week 4

Daily:  Seated calf raises, three sets, 160 x 8, slow and deep, squeezing my calves and holding at the top.  Set three is very very hard to complete.  Abs are first now, before calves, because they get real hard to do if anything else goes first.  I am using a 10 lb medicine ball at my feet (straight leg) and a 12 lb medicine ball held at my forehead (to prevent cheating).  I pull up in a V as tight as I can, hold, then slowly and evenly lower (or try to).  Four reps, followed by four more offset reps (legs to one side, torso to the other, alternating sides with each rep).  My obliques are already showing.  Eight more reps follow, alternating between raising my torso and slowly lowering and squeezing my abs, and raising my feet (straight leg) and slowly lowering to the ground.

Monday:  Arm day – I did the standard preacher dumbbell curls and got 30 lbs this time for several reps before dropping down in weight.  I am also starting with my weak arm (left), to ensure I am not too drained to work it good.

I changed things up a little on advice of a coworker, by doing dumbbell curls while lying on an incline bench (belly, not back).  WOW – that’s what I been missing.  I murdered my biceps using only 15 lb dumbbells and lower.  I did not bother counting reps;  I just kept going back for more until there were no lighter dumbbells to use (stops at 5 lbs).

Triceps were standard, using overhead dumbbell presses (one-arm and two-arm), and cable pulldowns.  I went slow and squeezed the triceps before slowing releasing.  By slow, I mean three to four seconds.

Tuesday:  Short week, so I did shoulders (gives a day of rest before chest and back on Thursday).  Nothing but shoulders, great workout.  Started with seated military presses using 45 dumbbells (warmed up with 15 lb overhead waves first), and worked down three more sets, from 35 lbs to 25 lbs.  Didn’t do more than 8 reps on any, and the last set was only 5 reps.  Then the tough stuff.  I used the same incline idea from Monday, but instead of bicep curls, I used 15 lb dumbbells  and did shoulder flys.  The incline keeps me from cheating, and forces my shoulders to work.  I rotated reps one at a time from straight out front to up from the side to all the way out and back.  At the top of each rep I held before slowly releasing.  Next set was with 10 lbs, and 5 lbs.  I rested some, then did two more sets – one at 10 lbs and one at 5 lbs.  I did not count reps, but it was less than eight rotations.

Wednesday:  Leg day.  Just one day this week , and it kicked my butt.  I only did four sets of dumbbell squats.  Set one was a warmup – 40 lb dumbbells x 6 reps, slowly.  Sets two and three were with 55 lb dumbbells, 6 reps each.   Set four was also with 55 lbs dumbbells, for 4 reps.  I was too drained to do more.  And I am resting between sets, and constantly drinking water (this is true with every workout, not just today).

Thursday:  Chest and back day.  I did back first, so I wouldn’t lose my grip.  I did anyway.  I got 120 lbs on the lat pulldown, 8 reps alternating front and back (four reps each).  The difference is going slow throughout the entire motion and holding and squeezing at the maximum point.  This was wide grip.  I repeated the set with narrow grip, same weight, same reps.  I then did seated rows, two sets of four with 120 lbs.  I had to break it into two sets because I could not hold on.  After this, my back and arms were pumped though.  I next did chest with six sets of dumbbell bench presses.  Just like last week, started with incline, then flat, then decline, then decline, flat, and finished with incline.  I warmed up with four reps inclined using 35 lbs, slow.  Then each of the first three sets were done using 50 lb dumbbells for 8 reps each.  The next two sets (decline and flat) were with 50 lbs, six or seven reps each.  I was really tired by this time.  The last set was incline, and I could not get 50 lbs, so moved to 40 lbs for seven reps.  I was drained.  But not like leg day.  I felt great all day after that, especially my shoulders.

My weight for the past two days has been around 185 lbs.

26 July 2010 – Week 2

Monday:  Arms (biceps and triceps).  I tried 30 lb dumbbell preacher curls, but failed.  Skipped down to 20 lbs and murdered my arms.  Very slow reps on biceps and on triceps.   I also did standing dumbbell overhead presses (holding two 40 lb dumbbells overhead, then lowering them straight back to my shoulder blades and raising again, bending only my elbows while keeping my elbows in and my upper arms straight and vertical).  Two sets of these, very slow reps.

Tuesday:  Did shoulders, to give a break between them and chest/back.  Low weight (20 lbs, 15 lbs, and 10 lbs), with presses at 40 lbs.  Lots of slow rep sets doing arm extensions (to sides and to front), as well as windmills.  Extremely tiring, painful workout day (the good kind of pain).

Wednesday:  I did legs.  I tried seated leg presses and deadlifts, but I just wasn’t getting much.  I was unable to do abs this day (an instructor was making a training video on ab workouts).  I resorted to doing dumbbell squats with 45 lb dumbbells, then 35 lb dumbbells, very slow, from as low as I could start.  WOW.  I am doing that from now on.  What a game changer – it worked my gluts, hams, and quads all at once.  They still ache.

Thursday:  Last day, short week for me.  I did back and chest and really wore myself out.  I need to develop a better grip, as my hands were so tired holding on the the lat pulldown bar and rowing handle I had to cut it short.  But I still got a very good workout, though I am not very satisfied with chest.  I did flat, decline, and incline dumbbell bench presses (six sets at 45 lbs).  For back, I did lat pulldowns with 100 lbs, wide grip and narrow, alternating between front and back, going very deep each time and holding for a slow return.  I did four sets like this.  For seated rows, I did two sets with 100 lbs, pulling back as far as I could without leaning back (using my arms, not my torso and body weight) to pull the weight.  I would hold and squeeze on each pull.  I also did standing cable flys with 15 lbs on each arm.  It is light, but I was tired, and this exercise really punishes my arms.  Maybe next time i will get a better chest workout, but I think I need to build up shoulder and arm strength first before I can hit heavy enough weights.

Update on Friday:  Ok, my chest hurts.  My pecs are sore, so I know they got some yesterday.

Weight:  184 lbs dry.  Up from 178 lbs.  I think most is water retention, although I do feel and look bigger already.  Weekend is off, will take some protein just as a maintenance dose.

2008 November – Eighth (Short) Week

I skipped Tuesday and Thursday – it was planned.  I did arms and legs on Wednesday.

Weight – 188 lbs

Average max iso-bench – Not this week, spent it all on seated incline bench press (plate-loaded machine).

Average max seated incline bench – I warmed up first with a set of eight on 90 lbs, then did 1 rep at 170 lbs followed by 5 reps at 150 lbs, 130 lbs, 110 lbs, and 90 lbs each, with small rests in between.

Average max seated lat pulldown – I did 4 x 240 lbs (narrow grip only) today, and otherwise hit 220 lbs for six reps (three in front alternated with three behind the neck), two sets (one wide grip, one narrow grip).  I repeated this at 200 lbs.

Average max seated row – 220 lbs, four reps, decreasing to 200 lbs at ten reps (both narrow grip), then eight reps at a wide grip for 180 lbs and 160 lbs.

Average max seated dumbbell shoulder press – Did not do these today – warmed up shoulders on the incline iso-bench press at 90 lbs for eight reps instead.

Average max standing dumbbell arm extensions – 25 lbs for eight reps (two sets), out to the sides.  Followed by a set of eight at 15 lbs of whatever you call raising your arms straight out to the sides and up fully over your head in a big arcing movement, then back down slowly, followed by a set of six at 20 lbs.

Average kneeling abdominal twist crunch – Stacked it at 95 lbs , three sets of four reps front, sides, and out front each (12 reps per motion, or 48 reps total).  Alternated sets between calf raises.

Average seated calf raises – Warm up with 180 lbs plus body weight, 12 times, then up to 250 pounds for three sets of eight, feet in different positions – toes in, toes out, and toes straight.

Average max seated bicep concentration dumbbell curl – 25 lbs warm up six times, followed by 40 lbs per arm five times (ending with assists and negatives), repeating sets while dropping 5 lbs until at 25 pounds.

Average max dumbbell tricep kickback – Not done.

Average max cable tricep pushdown – Working through my elbow issue with lighter weights, so I did a set of 8 at 50 lbs (two-handed), 70 lbs (two-handed), then 100 lbs (two-handed x4) and 85 lbs (two-handed x 6).  Followed up with single arm kickdowns at 30 lbs (x 6), 40 lbs (x6), and 50 lbs (x4).

Average max seated leg press – Warm up at 300 lbs on the seated cable press for 8 reps, then partials at 400 lbs (x6), 400 lbs (x4), and then 300 lbs (x 6), where I push halfway or less, then fully back.  This works hamstrings and glutes ok, and really hit the quads around the knees.  I had the seat as far forward as possible to work my hamstrings more.  Still sore from this one.

Deadlift – Warmed up with 90 lbs (floating frame, so I do not count the bar), then moved to 180 lbs  for six reps, then 160 lbs for six reps, then 90 lbs for eight reps.

Seated barbell military press – Done on the floating frame.  Today I did the most yet – 90 lbs (not counting the bar) for two reps behind the neck, two in front, dropping 20 lbs for the next set of sets (six reps each), then repeating again at 50 lbs.

Friday was good.  I feel like I am making small gains and getting a little bigger.