7-16-8 Bench
1. 2 Board Foam Press-235x5,275x5,315x2 I think I set my base weight for these too high. I'll just fumble through the next 2 weeks and re-evaluate.
2. Dumbbell Bench Press-70s x15,10
3. Rollbacks-40s x 3x12
4. Overhand Chins-3x4
5. Dumbbell Cleans-25s x2x15

7-18-8
Box squats in briefs and a belt-325,375,425 all for 5s.
Some light abs and done. Way too hot today!!

7-22-8 Benchin'
I got a double Phenom with a super neck in the mail so I had to try it out today. It's completely different than what I am used to but I think it will be cool to work with and see where it goes.
I couldn't touch 315 but I got 365 down with a lot of effort. The whole rep was a grinder but I think it was due to not using the shirt before..not to mention the heat and ...insert whatever excuse you can think of here...Truth be told I'm just really weak!!!!
I followed this up with some other crap for tris, back and shoulders.
On a positive note, I got a new training partner today. A high school kid. His dad is a friend of mine and they are a good family so if his dad's work ethic carries over to the kid we should do well.

7-27-8 DE Bench
1. Chins-4x5
2. Bench Press-95+doubled minis-9x3
3. Rear Laterals-25s x3x15
4. Seated Dumbbell Press-40s x3x15
Before the main part I did some shoulder mobility work and some shoulder horn.

7-29-8 Deadlifts
1. Pulldown Abs-75x4x15
2. Sumo Deadlifts-275x5,315x5,355x5
3. Zercher Squats w/ Cambered Bar-135x5,185x5,225x5
4. Ab Wheel-3x12

7-31-8 ME Bench
1. Rev. Cambered Bar Bench-135,185,225,275 for triples. 315,365 for singles
2. Close Grip Lockputs-6" ROM-135,185,225 for 2 sets of 5
3. Shrugs-135x2x20
4. Chins-4x6

Sumo dead lifts are coming along!

8-2-8 Box Squats
I didn't get started until late today so I decided to test my box squat max in briefs today.
1. Box Squats in Boss briefs-worked up to 595x1. My hips were swaying front to back a lot on the way down but it came up solid.
2. 45 degree back raises-2 small bands behind neck-4x12
3. Sit ups-3x20

What's the idea behind the sumo deads?

ET - It's just a different stance. Some guys pull more Sumo and some more Conventional based on comfort, past injuries or body shape.

Arguably the greastest ever - Ed Coan - used to pull Sumo but injuries forced him to do Conventional style (as an example).

Most guys - something I've learned the last 8-10 months - use both stances in training to make sure all weaknesses are addressed. I do Conventional, but only at different hights to address different (possible) sticking points in my DL. My best stance is Sumo, however.

That makes sense. I was wondering if they work something different and why someone would choose them over conventional deads.

Scott hit it pretty well. The reason I pull sumo now is because I suck bad at deadlifts and I'm trying to find little tricks to make it easier on me(after I squat my lower back is pretty fried so I want to use as little lower back motion as I can in a meet). When I pull sumo I find these things happen...

1. With a wider stance I start out closer to the bar.
2. I can lock in my lower back and use my "squatting muscles" to pull.
3. I don't have to pull as far.

8-3-8 DE Bench
1. Bench Press-95+doubled monster minis-8x3
2. Standing KB shoulder Press-25s x4x20
3. Dumbbell Rows-70s x3x15
4. Hammer Curls-25s x2x10

8-4-8 ME Deadlifts
1. Pulldown Abs-115x4x10
2. Sumo Deads-put on single ply briefs at 315. Did 315,405,455 all for singles. Missed at 475.
3. Cambered bar Goodmornings-95,135,185,225 all for 5

Yep. In my last 3 meets I think I pulled 435, 425 and 435 respectively. I have tried 450 in 2 meets and missed. I have tried it several times in training and missed. I feel really good about this one.

Next meet...I'm going BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well then! Congrats! Those mental barriers are the biggest. Now you know you can hit 450+!

Was 475 a near miss? I've noticed with Sumo - barring one time in my life - if it breaks off the floor I'll finish the rep.

Funny thing about the 475, when I wasn't looking someone slipped into my gym and took some super fast drying industrial glue and glued the plates to the floor. I think it was the kids!!!

No, it wasn't a near miss...I missed it BAD!!!