Laurence Shahlaei - now Britain's Strongest Man

Loz's accepts his first place trophy (image mine)

Back when I lived in Gloucester when I trained 'at the whey' I enjoyed the occasional workout or three with Laurence Shahlaei. Now these might mean more me helping than lifting, more so when Loz was working on strongman events. But they also included an even more occasional grip workout. I've said before that Loz rarely worked his grip consistently. Indeed he did a grand total, two or so years ago, of 6 weeks back to back pinch work and equalled me when I pulled my biggest pinch.

Like all of the very best lifters and strength athletes I've known Loz to travel all over Southern England to train with the best. Included can be Dave 'Bulldog' Beatty of Genesis Gym, Wembley for Squat advice, Nick McKinless for conditioning and loads more. Also, as I know they do, information has been swapped between others via phone calls and emails. Loz has listed these elsewhere. In this way they advance their knowledge of a specific training aspect and use that info to improve. So Loz's speed and conditioning as well as his strength has got better and better.

You'll have seen on TV at the last few WSM competitions that Loz (or Lozza) has yet to lose a squat event - even when they restart it!! Year on year we've seen a gradual improvement in his placings and strength. 

This last weekend he beat Terry Holland and others by winning all bar one event and tying on the other with a 400+ kilo deadlift (with straps) at the Hercules Olympia's Britain's Strongest Man. It really is HIS TIME and I still think he has a way to go in terms of absolute peak power and speed. I hope sponsors take note and give him the support he needs to allow him to be the best the UK has to offer. He has the potential to be another UK World's Strongest Man.

Well done big Loz - upwards!!

Quick!!!!

I have to get my last session done in a mo so a very quick post. I was at the Hercules Olympia over the weekend (super nicer hotel which was rammed). My hand got torn (both) in the sweet spot where the Argos Catalogues sit (new versions are shorter / less deep than before).

Yesterday I was a guest at Bulks Power and Strength Gym in Gravesend. I hadn't realized they're just two train stops away. 20p more than the bus costs to Chatham. I showed Jay, Will and others a few grip tips. They have some great strength toys to play with and the bells go to 100kg. Worth a visit.   

Tuesday 22nd May 2012 workout - taking it easy

Tuesday

I'm taking a careful approach to training, same as I did last week. So I did a chest n back workout today and it'll be grippers tomorrow and that's it. I need my glands (in my neck) to go down as they can indicate I'm over doing it and to be rested for a hard weekend again.
 

CG Bench

Warmed up then 60-kilos x 8 reps, 80-kilos x 8 reps, 112.5-kilos x 4 reps, 120-kilos x 1 rep, 130-kilos x 1 rep and back down to 60-kilos x 15 reps
 

Iso-lever 1-arm row

Worked with a young lad who was on it before me. 20-kilos x 8 reps, 40-kilos x 8 reps, 60-kilos x 8 reps, 75-kilos x 6 reps.

And that was that.

Time for my next promo - Hercules Olympia

It's a busy time of year and I'm attending several events in a row - unusual for me. My next one is this coming weekend at The Hercules Olympia. If you're there come over and say hi!

Back for a bit part 1

Hectic but fun weekend at Bodypower. My mind, if not my body, still feels frazzled but I'll try and get something down, if in instalments, over the next few days before I nip off to Essex and the Hercules Olympia. I'll add more soon!