5.27.13 SWOD

Warmup

Strength

  • Work up to 3 rep max in hang clean
    • Here’s how I “work up” to my 3 rep max (on a good day):
      • 3×3 @ 135 lbs (warmup sets)
      • 1×3 @ 165 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 185 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 205 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 225 lbs
    • Take at least 3 minutes rest b/t heavy sets

Conditioning

Motivation

  • Check out this video of one of powerlifting’s greats: Ed Coan. Note his fluidity and near perfect biomechanics completing these super heavy lifts. Also note, the inspiring 80’s montage music. Beast mode.

5.16.13 SWOD

Warmup

Dynamic

  • EMOM for 7 minutes (EMOM = Every Minute On the Minute)

Volume (Rest periods should be 60-90 seconds b/t supersets)

This week marks the start of a new series of movements for the shoulders/traps/legs/abs volume workout. Just like Tuesday’s workout, choose lighter weights for this week. Focus on stressing the muscle and maintaining perfect form! We’ll continue to work up in weight over the coming three weeks; no need to get ahead of yourself.

Motivation

  • SwoleFIT brother, Glenn from Kansas City sent me this link. It is perhaps one of the greatest, most underappreciated feats of strength of all time. 
  • Today we salute you, Mr. Steve Schmidt. Sure no one knows what this lift is, nor what purpose it serves. But you still nailed your attempt and inspired the world.

5.14.13 SWOD

Warmup

Dynamic

  • EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) Flat Bench– 8 sets of 3 @ 50-60% 1RM
    • This weight should feel fairly light. Focus on slowly lowering the bar to your chest and subsequently exploding with full force/velocity on the way back up.

Volume (Rest periods should be 60-90 seconds b/t supersets)

Today’s volume workout marks the start of another 4-week cycle on a slightly different set of movements. However, the main principles and movement juxtapositions are the same. VERY IMPORTANT– choose lower, easier weights this week and we’ll continue to work up to heavier weights over the next three weeks.

Motivation

  • CT Fletcher at it again

5.6.13 SWOD

Warmup

Strength

  • Clean and Jerk
    • 3 sets of 3 @ 50% 1RM (warmup sets)
    • 5 sets of 3 @ ~70% 1RM
  • If this movement is new to you, use a very low weight and focus on technique. Power in this movement is derived primarily from hip explosion, so make sure you thrust with your pelvis (seriously) as the bar comes up and you come to the catch portion.

Conditioning

Monday’s workouts are always some of the toughest: this one should get you in gear to dominate the week. Seriously, what in life can bring you down after you beast through a workout, push yourself to your limits, and get those muscles as swole as a schoolbus? Nothing, that’s what.

Motivation

  • Here’s a pretty awesome highlight reel of some Olympic athletes competing. It’s pretty amazing to see how much weight these athletes can move despite their low bodyweight. Technique and explosiveness is what enables these athletes to do this; they are moving that bar with a good amount of velocity

4.23.13 SWOD

Warmup

Dynamic

  • Flat Bench– 8 sets of 3 @ 50-60% 1RM
    • This weight should feel fairly light. Focus on slowly lowering the bar to your chest and subsequently exploding with full force/velocity on the way back up.
    • Rest 45 seconds between sets

Volume (add 5-10 lbs to weights used from workout last week)

So the only modification from the workout last week was increasing the number of sets on the last two supersets. I’m going to plan on changing volume workouts up ever three weeks. Some consistency is beneficial, just make sure to increase the weights by 5-10 lbs on each movement.

Again, rest 60-90 seconds between supersets and choose moderately heavy weights while still maintaining perfect form.

Motivation

  • Comin’ atcha again with another classic from BroScienceLife, indubitably the best Youtube channel besides “Life According to Jimmy.”

4.15.13 SWOD

Warmup

Strength

  • Work up to 3 rep max in power clean (sub hang clean if you don’t have bumper plates/ don’t feel comfortable doing power clean in your gym)
    • Here’s how I “work up” to my 3 rep max (on a good day):
      • 3×3 @ 135 lbs (warmup sets)
      • 1×3 @ 165 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 185 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 205 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 225 lbs
    • Take 3-4 minutes rest b/t sets to allow for full recovery

Conditioning- “Prometheus”

  • 5 rounds- 8 Thruster (115#), 20 sit-ups, 8 SDHP (Sumo Deadlift High Pull) (115#), 20 DU (Double Unders)
  • Prescribed Rest (b/t rounds): 60-90 seconds

Use a weight appropriate to your strength level for the thrusters and SDHP’s. Sub jumping jacks for the DU’s if you don’t have a jump rope. As much as possible, rest only during the prescribed rest interval.

Post times of “Prometheus” to comments.

Motivation

  • Any time you think are strong or big, think again. You’re human, therefore you’re not a titan, therefore you aren’t. That’s Prometheus below.

4.8.13 SWOD

Strength

  • Deadlift (sumo stance)- Work up to 3 rep max
  • Sumo stance deadlift activates the quads/hams/glutes much more than a conventional deadlift; it’s good to mix up these stances in your training regimen.

Conditioning

  • 5 rounds– 8 power snatch (95#), 20 sit-ups, 10 push press (95#), 20 reverse lunges (10 each leg- quick/explosive reps, alternate legs, use bodyweight)
  • Prescribed rest (b/t rounds): 60 seconds
  • If you are uncomfortable doing snatch, sub power cleans.

Post times of conditioning workout to comments.

Motivation

  • Check out this innovative, new iPhone case that serves as both a workout aid and a practical phone protector.

4.4.13 SWOD

Dynamic

  • Box Squat– 5 explosive sets of 3 reps @ 50-60% 1RM (make sure the box is low enough to where your hammies are parallel to the floor at the squat’s lowest point)
  • Deadlifts– 3 explosive sets of 3 reps @ 50-60% 1RM

Conditioning

  • 5 rounds- Clean and jerk (155#) x 5, 10 TTB (toes to bar), 20 DU (double unders) 
  • Prescribed Rest (b/t rounds)- 60 seconds

Sub lower weights as necessary. If you can’t do the TTB, sub hanging knee raises. If you can’t do the DU, sub 30 jumping jacks.

As you may notice, I always program my conditioning workouts for 5 rounds. Why? 5 rounds usually take about 8-15 minutes to complete, which is about the ideal duration for maintaining high intensity throughout. #broscience

Post times of conditioning workout to comments.

Motivation

  • Check out this compilation video from DeFranco’s gym in New Jersey. A lot of NFL prospects will train here for the combine.