Manly Lifting Stats - Update 1

I hit some new personal records at the gym today. That got me thinking about where I stood on reaching my ultimate goals outlined here. After all, its been 3 months since I originally posted it. So here goes.

I am guessing my current weight is hopefully still around 190. I dont think I have hopped on a scale at all in the last 3 months. I hate scales. I really do. They depress me and make me think dark thoughts about myself. Ok, maybe that is a bit too far but I really do dislike them. They never make me feel good about what I am trying to accomplish.

Bench Press
Back in October I was benching 205lbs eight times. Today I benched 230lbs five times with my ultimate goal being 285 at a 1RM. My calculated 1RM currently sits at 280lbs but that is unproven at this time. Bench pressing has always been my weakness and I used to forgo it all together. It feels good to be doing it now and I am hoping that my strength will only increase as time goes on.

Pull-Ups
In October I was able to do six pull-ups with a combined weight (including body) of 235lbs. Last Friday I did four pull-ups at 245. Not a huge increase but I do know for a fact that last month I was pulling more. I switched gyms and for some reason, my pull-up weight went down a bit. It's starting to go back up but I am still a bit disappointed in both pull-ups and chin-ups.

Chin-Ups
My chin-up weight/rep is the same as my pull-up. Calculated 1RM for both is 254 and the goal that I am hoping to reach by year end is 285.

Squat
In high school the squat was my exercise. I could push 400lbs like it was nothing. Now I really cant say the same thing. Last Friday I squatted 235 at three reps. That is actually a 50lb decrease over last October but since then I have altered my form and started doing them correctly. I am now breaking plane and doing them correctly. I will take the 50lb loss knowing that I can look in the mirror at night and know that I am not cheating myself. My goal is 360lbs and my calculated 1RM is 374lbs.

Deadlift
On Monday I deadlifted 325lbs four times with a calculated 1RM of 368lbs (again, untested). Back in October I was only able to deadlift 225lbs six times. So in the last 3 months I was able to increase my deadlift by 100lbs! Now that is some exciting news! I am still 150lbs away from my 475 goal though. I will get there by year end unless my gym kicks me out for making too much noise!

I am a little disappointed in my progress but at least I am making some. The goals set forth were for advanced lifters so any progress towards them is a positive in my book.

What goals have you set and achieved recently?

Homemade Dip Belt

Now that I am getting stronger, the need has arisen to add some weight to my pull-ups and dips. I have tried the dumbbell between the legs act but didn't fair so well with it. So I went in search of a good (but cheap dip belt to purchase).  After seeing how expensive they were, I wondered if I could make my own. That was when I stumbled upon this post . After seeing this, I thought I, too, could make my own....and I did.

I started off with some pipe insulation from my local Home Depot (about $2.00). I then purchased 6 feet of chain (about $10.00). I then proceeded to go to Wal-Mart where I knew they had some different colored duct tape (about $4.00) and I picked out a nice blue one. The carabiners I had from a previous project that I did.

The belt is pretty simple to make.

1. Run the chain through the insulation


2. Wrap with duct tape a few times


3. Attach the carabiners


4. and then lift!

I have already used this at the gym a few times and with great success. It has held up to about 35lbs so far and with no discomfort to me at all. If I could change anything, I might try and find a thicker sturdier pipe insulation and one without the slit in it.

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