[Ben]

Last session done today. Log press 110/120/120kg x3 and all felt insanely easy.

Body definitely freshening up now, will feel very sharp after physio tomorrow.

Nothing really planned next couple of days, just home admin, online work, content creation. And eating lol.

Travelling up Friday morning to Leeds for the usual pre-comp stuff.

Buzzing

[Ben]

Deload session today felt very snappy. Can feel my body dropping fatigue already, I’m going to be very strong on Saturday!

Can’t wait now 💪🏻

[Ben]

Sunday work day, no Easter plans thankfully so had a good lie in (racking up sleep debt at the moment so was good to cut into that a bit).

Quiet week coming up, couple deload sessions, barely any in person work so I’ll be getting my mind right for the weekend and getting recovery sessions in, physio etc.

Bodyweight has jumped up to a solid 140kg which I’m pleased with, I feel in good shape for this weight and I think it’ll serve me right at the comp.

Comp plan to be finalised this week too so I know where to be mentally on the day. Still such an underrated element of being as strong as possible physically is being in the right state mentally!

[Ben]

Finally back into the site after causing Corinne headache for a couple days with my account – thanks Corinne!

Tuesday I had a superb final heavy deadlift session – 343kg x5 on the axle bar.

Wednesday was usual coaching and physio, my physio battered me (body is in a good way but just insanely tight and fatigued in some muscle groups)

Thursday I hit some squats up to 305kg x6 reps on the goofy WSM setup followed by a couple better sets of log press.

Friday last events session with Adam Bishop, comp runs on events and all felt solid!

Worked today and a gig tonight locally to see one of my favourite bands at the moment.

1 week out now, very excited!

[Ben]

First trash session in ages today. Well, I say trash. It’s not really but it’s well below the standard I set for myself especially this close to competing so it’s irritating!

Need to remember the bad comes with the good.

Log press – 180kg for a barely locked out rep, 150kg x3

Sadly that was all I managed as tendinopathy in my brachialis was screaming at me. I knew I just needed to stop and rest.

Deadlifts Wednesday will go better 💪🏻

Double serving Cure Coming and Osteo Pro for the next couple weeks.

[Ben]

Busy day of work as always and built my new website which has been fun.

Sunday is my quietest day physically and hardest day mentally haha.

All meals in, body feels okay-ish and ready to attack a new week.

Put my Supps order in, can’t wait for a restock on Performance Fuel! Love that stuff and will need it for comp day.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by  Ben.

[Ben]

Hi Ben, what are you doing for your pre bed routine, other than supplements?

Hi Lucas,

I put my phone on night shift mode (automated) from 8pm, I take melatonin 45 min or so pre sleep and last couple months I’ve worked on some meditation type muscle relaxation which has been really effective.

Between those habits, the supps and working/training mega I find I’m dropping off super easily!

[Ben]

Thanks Ben, I’ll focus extra on the tucked chin! Other than that my form is pretty much textbook.

I think my job (project management) might play a role as well, lots of deskwork and sometimes stress, might also build up some stiffness in the neck area.

Would make sense mate. Long periods of sitting and work stress would definitely contribute to neck tension

[Ben]

Busy morning at work, then ran a CPD course for a friend’s staff team, going through some advanced coaching stuff. Was really engaging, I love educating other coaches.

All meals in, very much Groundhog Day nutritionally and I feel super ready to tackle my last heavy week of training before a deload.

[Ben]

Hey mate,

You shouldn’t generally be feeling RDLs in your neck or getting prolonged stiffness after. Might be a form issue (do you have a video link or DM me on insta @blgstrength and I’ll take a look)

Important cues are neutral alignment (I actually promote a chin tuck on RDLs) and bracing properly to maintain stability.

Or potentially see a physio if it’s been going on a while to get some prehab/rehab in place?

Hopefully then you’d be able to keep them in with less issue!

[Ben]

Superb training today very basic but always appreciate fellow TBJP Adam Bishop for letting me use his kit and helping me out. He’s played a pivotal role in my development as a strength athlete.

Stone walk – one full length (ouch my thumbs)
Farmers walk – runs with 120/140kg per hand
Atlas stone run 100-180kg nice and fast

Feeling battered, big weekend of recovery and rest!

Bodyweight has gone up to 138.5kg which is good.

Unwind is playing a big role at the moment. That post training wind down means I can start the recovery process right after training.

[Ben]

Eating the food, lifting the weights.

Training was productive today, got my squats done a day early as timings tomorrow wouldn’t work, full WSM setup (ridiculous goofy setup)

293kg x5
Then shoulder presses, few pull-ups and pulldowns and some lighter rows as my elbows are sore and I need them tomorrow!

CNS and joints are starting to feel it now. The deload draws near…

[Ben]

Solid morning of coaching, then had physio and saw a friend in the afternoon.

Nutrition is dialled and ready for another big couple of training days as we close in to competition now.

That’s about it quite repetitive at the moment but the work is getting done!

[Ben]

137.5kg bodyweight today which is interesting, more carbs for me I guess….

Deadlifts on the menu
335kg x3, 273kg 3×3 all on the horrible axle
Hamstring curls, back extension holds, core work after

Starting to feel extra fucked heading into final stretch before comp. Both good and bad thing as it means with a deload I’ll be feeling superhuman 😎

Recovery is a must.

I reinvested in a Whoop to track stuff better; sleep, heart data etc and been really trying to dial in my pre bed routine, resulting in better sleep alongside all the supps (Dream Sleep, Magnesium, Unwind on training days) and it’ll pay off.

[Ben]

Really loving how busy life is at the moment every day feels like steps forward and exciting instead of overwhelming. My physical ability is super tied to my mental homeostasis so I’m really happy with this.

Log press today penultimate session before Europes, 165kg x1 to create better neutral drive for 140kg x7 afterwards, big lungbuster!

Then 60s x8 paused on incline dumbbell press, triceps, shoulder stability work and some stretching for my neck which is tight at the moment.

Just finishing up all my food, early night needed!