Exerbabble for 2-17-6

When I originally started labelling these Exerbabble entries, I never intended to regularly annotate what I had just done. Nor did I ever decide, “You should write entries afterwards!” It’s just what it’s turned into, and I think it’s good for me. It’s good to have a record of my discovering of all of this. To have a digital copy of my progress, watching the numbers rise. Hard to remember where we begain, no?

Anyways, today’s workout:

BB Shoulder Press 5×5 @ 65 lbs
BB Bench Press 3X8 @ 75 lbs
Overhead Squat 5×5 @ 45 lbs
Back Squat 2×8 @ 115 lbs
Calf Raises 2×15 @ 115 lbs
Hip Abductor 2×15 @ 90 lbs
Side-bends 2×15 @ 10 lbs (L&R)

As promised, I increased the weight on the shoulder press, and dropped the reps (per set). It’s only one rep more than a 3×8 set/rep pattern, but shorter sets means I have reserve energy to start the next set. It actually feels longer, as it’s five sets. I think next week, I’ll keep the same weight and maybe try a 4×6 set/rep pattern. *giggles* I love tweaking with those kinds of things. Lifting with a purpose!

I’m curious what difference doing shoulder press or bench press makes, in terms of tricep exhaustion. While bench press is naturally going to be more than the shoulder press, I’d like to favor my deltoids over my pecs. I’d think exhausting the triceps would cause the shoulder muscle (pecs or deltoids) to kick in more during the second exercise. *shrugs* Something for gymrats to discuss. (Yes, I realize what that implies.)

In other words, if I want to optimize the shoulder press, do I do bench press first, or do I do shoulder press first? Choices, choices. ; )

Will add five pounds to bench press next week and keep set/rep pattern. I’m being patient and not trying to overshoot myself. As long as I’m steadily adding weight, I’ll hit a wall eventually.

Doing overhead squats was out of curiosity. I’ve tried it once before, but I didn’t have the upper-body strenght to hold the bar up, nor the balance. Right now, I’m not doing it for any sort of hypertrophy effect, I want to practice so I can get my form down. Only one way to do that! *purrs* I could only do five to start, so I (in a controlled fashion) brought the bar back down and chuckled to myself, “Okay, I guess I’m doing 5×5 today!”

OH. They got a new military (shoulder) press, and they replaced the squat rack I had been using. It’s all.. new! *giggles*

During lunch, I think my dad expressed interest in learning how to squat. Oooh. Father-son bondage! My dad typically sticks to cardio. And nothing wrong with that, the heart is the most important muscle. But, squats are the best exercise, period. ALL HEAR THE GOSPEL OF THE SQUAT! I feel more flexible and coordinated now.

Anyway, I knew overhead squats weren’t fully hitting my legs, so I loaded up two 35′ plates and decided to GOTO work. Is it scary that I enjoy squats so much? For the record, that’s the weight I deadlifted on Monday. Deadlift is supposed to be more then your squat weight. *cocks head* I’m confused. I’ll have to research deadlift form tonight. I’ll probably stick with 115 again tomorrow when I deadlift, as I knew I was really using my musskulls to finish those lasts reps in the sets on Monday.

I decided I should do my weighted sit-ups tomorrow, as we use our abdominal muscles as support for just about every exercise we do.

Oh. Have I mentioned I’ve stopped using that foam pad when I do squats? *smirks* I feel better feeling the bar against my meat rack. As in, I can feel where it’s supposed to be. *smirks* Have I become the gymrat I was always afraid of becoming? ; ) I hope I don’t need to start quoting Bertrand Russell to compensate.