dabears progress thread

Second shoulder workout... weight scale starting to go up.

Military Press - I stopped using my legs whatsoever. Straight press using upper body only. Numbers went down slightly, but I was completely cheating before... kind of like jumping before you do a pullup

115lbs x 5
115lbs x 4
105lbs x 7
105lbs x 4

Seated Arnold Press (I suck at these, any tips?)
90lbs x 6
90lbs x 5
80lbs x 7 (maxed out)

Side Laterals
40lbs x 8
40lbs x 8
40lbs x 8

Seated Reverse Flies (Complete ROM using 15lb dumbbells, squeezing and holding at top)
30 x 8
30 x 8
30 x 8

Skullcrushers
60lbs x 8
60lbs x 6
60lbs x 4

French Curls
40 x 8
40 x 8
40 x 8

Triceps seemed a lot stronger, shoulders not sure since I switched my form.

You're supposed to use your legs when you perform a military press. Same with bench! Your power comes from the ground.

Originally Posted by M3Inline6

You're supposed to use your legs when you perform a military press. Same with bench! Your power comes from the ground.

then it's a push press. Military, or strict is just pushing up with no leg momentum at all. I think you're talking about just using the base of the ground which is right. I just wanted to clear that up so he doesn't get confused.

Yeah let me clarify, I was bending at the knees and slightly "jumping" to get the weight off my chest, where as this last workout I stood still with a slight knee bend, but was making sure to tighten legs/core etc. I know exactly what you mean by "power from the ground".

I think of it as the difference between starting a pullup from a dead hang compared to a "jumping" start, reduces the ROM completely

Originally Posted by dabears

Yeah let me clarify, I was bending at the knees and slightly "jumping" to get the weight off my chest, where as this last workout I stood still with a slight knee bend, but was making sure to tighten legs/core etc. I know exactly what you mean by "power from the ground".

I think of it as the difference between starting a pullup from a dead hang compared to a "jumping" start, reduces the ROM completely

here's a video of mine from a little while back.

Originally Posted by DylloS

then it's a push press. Military, or strict is just pushing up with no leg momentum at all. I think you're talking about just using the base of the ground which is right. I just wanted to clear that up so he doesn't get confused.

I'm not talking about momentum. A military press is seated, quads tight, core engaged, pushing from the ground.....LIKE a bench press. You're not using legs for momentum. It's the proper use of your kinetic chain.

A push press is standing with slight bounce before pushing the weight overhead. Two different movements!

Originally Posted by dabears

Yeah let me clarify, I was bending at the knees and slightly "jumping" to get the weight off my chest, where as this last workout I stood still with a slight knee bend, but was making sure to tighten legs/core etc. I know exactly what you mean by "power from the ground".

I think of it as the difference between starting a pullup from a dead hang compared to a "jumping" start, reduces the ROM completely

That slight bounce to get the weight up is push press, not a military press.

Here is a military press:




...and this dude is beast:

Originally Posted by DylloS

here's a video of mine from a little while back.

thats exactly how I'm doing it... including the bar tilting on last rep

I think the difference between a "military press" and an "overhead press" is that your feet are together for a military press, and a wider stance for overhead.

I should probably change the exercise description to overhead press, as that is what I am doing.

edit: for m3inline, I've also done seated military presses like you are describing, very strict form etc. Sorry for using wrong terms and causing confusion... I am doing a standing overhead press (and previously was doing standing push presses)

Originally Posted by dabears

thats exactly how I'm doing it... including the bar tilting on last rep

I think the difference between a "military press" and an "overhead press" is that your feet are together for a military press, and a wider stance for overhead.

I should probably change the exercise description to overhead press, as that is what I am doing.

edit: for m3inline, I've also done seated military presses like you are describing, very strict form etc. Sorry for using wrong terms and causing confusion... I am doing a standing overhead press (and previously was doing standing push presses)

Glad you caught the edit.

Back day... Other lifts who cares but new deadlift PR!

Max 1RM = 341 lbs

135x6... Twice for warmup

275x8
275x6
275x1
245x3

Almost passed out. I was wrecked!

Originally Posted by dabears

Back day... Other lifts who cares but new deadlift PR!

Max 1RM = 341 lbs

135x6... Twice for warmup

275x8
275x6
275x1
245x3

Almost passed out. I was wrecked!

So you did 275 lbs. for 8, 6, and then 1? When did you fit in 341? How the heck did you get to that odd number?

Originally Posted by M3Inline6

So you did 275 lbs. for 8, 6, and then 1? When did you fit in 341? How the heck did you get to that odd number?

It's a calculation in my logging app, based on 275x8. I may or may not be able to pull that for 1 rep, but I use it as a tracking method for progress!

Originally Posted by dabears

It's a calculation in my logging app, based on 275x8. I may or may not be able to pull that for 1 rep, but I use it as a tracking method for progress!

Dude....go yank it for real man!!!!! You can't call a PR unless you actually perform the movement.

Originally Posted by M3Inline6

Dude....go yank it for real man!!!!! You can't call a PR unless you actually perform the movement.

Tough crowd my old "pr" was 280x5 so I was stoked! I may go for 315 as many as I can get next time

Originally Posted by dabears

It's a calculation in my logging app, based on 275x8. I may or may not be able to pull that for 1 rep, but I use it as a tracking method for progress!

The 341 number is roughly equivalent to telling a child they can be president and then the child claiming he's president.

Your PR is 275x8. Be proud of that. It's a respectable lift.

Originally Posted by dwass325

The 341 number is roughly equivalent to telling a child they can be president and then the child claiming he's president.

Your PR is 275x8. Be proud of that. It's a respectable lift.

love the analogy

I agree, shouldn't have posted it... I never thought I could get it anyways. and thanks

Triceps progression.... Wish all my lifts were like this!

Week 1:

Skull crushers
55lbsx8
55lbsx8
55lbsx8

French Press
45x7
45x3
35x6

Week 2:

Skullcrushers
60x8
60x6
60x4

French Press
40x8
40x8
40x8

Week 3 (today)

Skullcrushers
60x8
60x8
60x8

French Press
45x8
45x8
45x8

Seen progress across the board, just starting week 3 of bulk. Hitting 3000-3500 calories on training days, made up mostly of complex carbs and quality proteins.

blocked a slapshot last night in hockey, hit me right in the tongue of the skate where theres no padding... my ankle is pretty fked up. Luckily this happened just in time for the holidays, I can rest it this upcoming week and get back into the gym without missing a beat hopefully.

Hey man that's so good stuff you Have been doing. I just read this whole topic and I've seen that you have really improved in all aspects of weight lifting! I'm 23 and have been working out for like 6 years! I have never really worked on my diet but I feel like I know the fitness part well. I took a two year hiatus and I never really realized how out of Shape I've got. I just got back into the gym about four months ago and after two months of working out I hit a plateau. My friend is a cross fit trainer and he showed me a new way of exercising which is a lot of sets and a lot of reps with heavyweight! and that has increased my muscle strength and everything tenfold!

Originally Posted by Sforza209

Hey man that's so good stuff you Have been doing. I just read this whole topic and I've seen that you have really improved in all aspects of weight lifting! I'm 23 and have been working out for like 6 years! I have never really worked on my diet but I feel like I know the fitness part well. I took a two year hiatus and I never really realized how out of Shape I've got. I just got back into the gym about four months ago and after two months of working out I hit a plateau. My friend is a cross fit trainer and he showed me a new way of exercising which is a lot of sets and a lot of reps with heavyweight! and that has increased my muscle strength and everything tenfold!

thanks! not sure what your crossfit trainer showed you, but if you are comfortable with posting your situation on here we can all help you with your diet / workout choices and make sure you aren't doing anything dumb.



feels like forever since I've been in a gym, but it's been less than a week. I rested the ankle over the weekend, and while I was away for the holidays the last four days I did the following exercises twice (no workout equipment was available)

Tyson 15 Style Pushups (1 rep, get up, touch wall in front of you, back down, 2 reps, get up etc)

Completed 10 rounds (55 pushups total) and couldn't get anymore reps. One of my personal goals is to be able to complete all 15 rounds eventually.

3 sets of 15 Tricep "Bench" Dips (A couch and a bed in this case)

3 sets of 60 second planks

3 sets of 33 bodyweight squats

3 sets of 20 situps

Nothing I could do any variation of pullups on

Didn't overeat, just focused on eating close to maintenance to limit fat gain / hopefully burn some off

gf's family thought i was strange

back at it on monday when I'm home