Hey Okies!

[Vulgar_Display_Of_Power]

Hey guys, just wanted to drop you a line and say thanks for letting me train with you guys the other day. It was cool being around guys stronger than me that made me step up a notch, Ive needed that. Anyway, hopefully in August I will get the chance to get together with you guys again.
Bench- I had a couple of questions>
First, what was the size of that canvas shirt you let me try? You were quite a bit thicker than me in the upper body, but i figure a size or two smaller might be about right. What would you suggest I hit in my poly before I upgrade to that shirt(425ish?).
Second, can you explain again how you rotate speed bench. I wasnt real clear how many bands, sets, and percents you used with the bands.
Third, what was the stuff you heard of some guys using that was an anti-estrogen? You can e-mail me this info if you dont want to post here. -Later

 

[benchmonster]

VDOP,

It was great to train with you as well. I will try and answer in reverse order best I can.

Liquidex. Twitched knows a lot about it, and I think he has an info link at the end of all his posts.

I don't know what size the shirt was. It was a denim, not a canvas. Canvas is not allowed anywhere. And don't order it by size from Inzer. Order it from Karin. She actually custom makes the shirt from a number of measurements you give her over the phone, in conjunction with the amount of weight you want to touch. I would recommend you getting a shirt that would require a little over 400 to touch, then just keep at it till you can lock out what it takes to touch.

And I went strait from a single ply poly blast that cost 38 bucks to the double denim open back. No stops in between. It was a steep learning curve, but that is what the big boys wear, and you are very strong right now, so dive in.

I alternate the bands etc. on speed day as follows:
Week 1: 135 bar weight plus 2 doubled minis per side for 6 triples
Week 2: 185 bar weight plus 1 doubled mini per side for 8 triples
Week 3: 225 bar weight plus 40-50 lbs of chain for 10 triples

The first week is toughest, then second and the 3rd week for me is actually a bit if a break even with the extra sets. The bands are much more taxing on the body than most people realize. I have to keep a close eye on tendonitis and other forearm problems with this program, and is the reason why I switch every week.

I am not sturdy built enough to go heavy all the time. As you no doubt noticed, even though my chest is fairly big, my hands, feet, wrists, etc. . . are not. This is because my natural bodyweight without training etc. . . would be about 150 lbs. It is tough on a little guy to use insane amounts of weight. Not making excuses, just something you have to deal with if you are not naturally big and strong.

Starting in August, my training should be back on a regular schedule. I would like to get together to train. At least 2 times per month would be great if we can.

If you hear any more about that September meet, let me know. I am also going to break the APF 220 open state record sometime this fall, and that may be a meet you want to do. I am becoming friends with Jim Gorrell, and will let you know when he is putting on another meet. Should be in October. I will open with a new record. Already getting fired up.

B.

 

[Vulgar_Display_Of_Power]

Hey Bench, Thanks for responding.

How much did the shirt from Karins run. I figure I will go with the poly through the rest of the year, then I will upgrade. Does no one use doudle poly these days? Thats what I was kind of considering for my next shirt. I'll probably go with what you reccomend though.

I havent heard anything yet on the Madddog. My buddy Nate wrote to Ron Hood but hasnt heard anything back yet. As soon as I hear something I will let you know. Please keep me informed on the Apf meet. If its early enough in the month I may use that as a warmup for the INSA meet in late October.

Later.

 

[Screwball]

What up, Bmonster & VDOP? The new job is taking it's toll on me and I haven't been on the boards as much as I would like. I'll adapt soon enough and get back into my regular routine again. My training is suffering a bit and the tendonitis in my arms is the worst it's ever been. I'm taking the next week off from training my upper body in order to heal before our trip to KC. Hopefully, after August 1 this will all be a moot point and the tendonitis will be a thing of the past.

If we could schedule a couple of training days a month that would be great. I plan to get an open back double poly or the new titan shirt to see if it makes a difference in my bench. The only way my current denim will be effective is to get back to over 300 lbs. bodyweight. For the next few months I plan to stay around 275-285.

I was squatting last week at the new facility and two young kids were benching. They dragged a large plastic container on wheels to their bench and what do you think they started pulling out? Yep, chains. The entire setup with at least 5 sets of chains. The chains are provided by the gym. You can check them out at the front desk just like a basketball, raquet, etc... Pretty, damn cool. No bands yet but I plan to enquire.

Hey Bmonster, I was lookinb at the road tip to KC and it's farther than I thought. It looks to be about 210 miles for me and about 270 miles for you. What do you think about meeting in Joplin, MO and then on to KC? Take a look at it and tell me what you think.

 

[benchmonster]

Meeting in Joplin sounds good. I will get with you this week and sort out details. I have to drag out Hannibal's addy from my archives (underwear drawer) and if I can't find it I may have to e-mail him and get the exact location. I will call you monday or tuesday.

Great to hear about the chains. You don't see nearly enough of that.

I too would like to schedule 2 training days per month. Sounds like a good plan.

I think you should get the new shirt from Titan if it can arrive in a reasonable amount of time, I would not get a double poly for right now. Save a few bucks on the Titan, and let us all know how good of a shirt it is.

VDOP,

Are you going to the INSA World Championships in Plano in October? I have considered going to that one myself. I will have to see if I can fit it into my schedule. I payed for my membership and entry fee to that one last year, but was prevented to go by the butchering I took from a surgeon. Bastard.

I hope to find out something about Ron Hood's meet pretty soon. I need to find out how the rest of the year's meets will fall so I can plan my training, bodyweight and supplementation accordingly.

I am thinking I need to stick with the 220's for at least another year before moving up to the 242's. Jackson is just too far out there, and unless I can come in right at 240 lbs and benching 600+ then I just need to stay at 220. If I have a long lay off over the winter, though, I may try and put on a few lbs. and see what happens.

Karin's double denim runs 150 or 155, and that includes one free re-sizing and the shipping. I cannot wear an Inzer without cutting out the neck. And Gus won't go for cut necks, so I have no choice but to go with the custom made shirt. And Karin makes a very sturdy shirt.

I will let you know ASAP on the APF meet. I am hoping to get more involved with that org.

B.

 

[p03t1c]

you guys have to tell me if you're going to be in the october meet. i live in plano and would love to come out and see you guys. keep me informed

 

[Vulgar_Display_Of_Power]

Hey p03t1c-

Did I see in one of your posts that you lifted in the last INSA meet in Plano. I was there with a bunch of friends and lifted in the bench only div. I am planning on doing the Worlds in Oct. Drop me a line before then, maybe we can hook up. Where do you train at down there? I have lifted at Strouds and Metroflex in DFW. Those are some badass gyms.

Later

 

[p03t1c]

i did not lift there but i did go and watch. i lift with my girlfriend at home. i have not been to strouds or metroflex. did you see the excessively young light girl go over 300 on the deadlift? i was impressed.

 

[Vulgar_Display_Of_Power]

Yeah, I saw the girl you were talking about. 315@112 lbs at 13 yrs old?!? Piss-that more than i could have done at that age and weight. That whole group of young kids had their shit together. Thats one thing I have noticed about Texas HS powerlifting teams, they play to win. Maybe I will move there by the time I have rugrats!

Did you hear when Samm Stroud(the announcer chick) asked kirk regarding those three girls"Kirk, Do you mind if I bring three teenage girls home for the weekend?" --He just kind of gave her a look and shook his head no. I asked my wife the same question regarding the same girls and got punched for it!(I was kidding of course!) Oh well, guess its all in the context!

Later.