Just because I have no one else who really cares to talk about this I'm gonna bore you guys with my progress:

I've decided to get back into Powerlifting...I'm not nor have I ever been very powerful....it's been more about personal goals and having a focus: In 2002 at the Texas Firefighter Olympics I totalled a whopping 995 @ 181. My mistake then was I spent 6-7 months going from 198 to 181 while trying to get stronger.....it didn't work. Well, after a period of sloth and gluttony a couple months ago I was a sloppy 200+ pounds but playing softball got me excited about weighing less (even fat I'm the lead-off hitter with decent speed) so I decided to get to 180 by mid Aug. (just did) and re-tool my lifting and get back into PLing as both a way to become stronger/fitter overall but as a motivator to stay @ 181. SO, I've just started over. I'm doing some unconventional stuff the first 3 months training wise but it's about building pain and strain tolerance and building stamina for the heavy stuff to come.

My goal is to total 1200 @ 181. Nothing Earth shattering but I arrived at that total because to get there I'd have to have my PR Bench, DL, and Squat all at one time and @ a lighter weight than I've ever hit my PRs. All my PRs were between 195-198 and were "gym lifts" so this will make me buckle down and do things right/smart. For what it's worth and for those who care I want to do this "Raw" with only belt and knee wraps for the heavier stuff. It's nothing against "equipped" PLing it's just I want to know what I can do with just my body and the barest of safety (belt and knee wraps).

That's a book for you but I wanted to tell somebody. No one at work cares (except my parter and he doesn't squat/dl with me....So I know a few of you care and/or have experience in this.

I've got 11 months until 2008 FF Olympics so I'm positive I'll get there and maybe beyond......

995 may have been low at that meet but your still above most gym rats. That is great and I understand what you mean about doing it with just your body. (sighs) I can't even squat 250 anymore my knees are so bad.
Great job and let us know how it goes.

Cool!!! I have another powerlifter here. Why don't you start posting your training here so we can see what's going on.

So I see you are in Texas. Have you looked into Bad Attitude Gym? They have a cool website(it's the name and a .com) Those guys are STRONG!!! But they are willing to help anyone out. I have asked a couple of questions there before and the gym owner Sean Donnegan called me on his own dime to help me out.

Let me know if you need anything. I have some good connections for shirts and suits and stuff...in case you decide to go that way.

My personal best total was 1590 at 210 pounds (405 bench, 525 squat, 660 deadlift). Those are not personal bests in each lift, but a personal best three-lift total. I honestly have not done enough full-competition to really know what I could have done. I have done several bench-only and deadlift-only contests, but my knees don't want to squat any more. I regularly bench in the 400's for reps now, however, so I still move a good deal of weigh. I have kind of been considering a jump to strongman competitions, before my knees completely go away. BUT...I have also started doing some MMA/grappling training again, so who knows...maybe my knees will strengthen up and get a bit more flexible again.



Arttie

1590 is awesome!

Jim, once I get past my initial 12 week "phase" I'll start posting some progress. Right now I'm not doing conventional powerlifting training so-to-speak....almost more bodybuilding type high-rep little or no rest lifting. I'm trying to get mental toughness and stamina built. Come November I'll switch gears to the heavier lower rep movements......

You're a monster. Good job.

I promised updates....this is my shameful one. My last BP session before the change...

160 X 18 (30 sec. rest) 160 X 5 (15 Sec. rest) 160 X 2

....then on to additional chest and tricep movements. Next week begins heavier movements. Losing weight always kills my BP the most. Hopefully my body will get used to 180 and I can start piling on the weight. I'm very ready for the next stage....

You've given me inspiration to try this. Problem is I can only do light leg lifts so it would take about 100 reps.

Physical. My knees are about 100 years old.

I did the BP today. I don't know about the 30 second intervals. Something about a lack of oxygen.

Do it!

I'm telling you, after that first set you have to check the ego at the door because the amount of weight you can handle and the amount of reps you can do will go down.....but if you just fly and keep moving it does wonders. I guarantee if you lifted like that for just a few months you would notice a big difference and be sold. The first working set is the gauge of improvement. All other sets I just consider and extention of the first one.

Anyhow, that's just what I think The key is finding what works for you. Anyone who can preacher curl 130 must be doing something right!! That's one area I suck massively - curling!

For some reason I have always been able to curl well and I don't have the huge arms you would expect.
About that, Do It, thing. I will give a good three months. I think I started a little high. Went 175x16 then did 10 then did 5. Those were the shakiest 5 I've probably ever done. The weight didn't feel overly heavy but boy was I straining.

I'm all for you catching me. Somewhere after the age of 35 it got too hard to really compete with people. Or I didn't care as much. Now I do it to keep my girly figure.
Throw some leg lift numbers at me and you win in a landslide.

Sorry.

You'll never catch me you Dallas hatin', young whippersnapper. I'll grind you 'til you cry.

Better?

Squat day! I hate squats and this 60 second rest had my heart ready to explode. I'm always thankful to be done with it....

130 X 39 130 X 16 130 X 12

I'll do my supplemental DL set later today....

Next session I finally get to add a plate to each side after warm ups! Looking forward to it!

How do you handle your curling as far as weight and rep counts?