Thursday 7th June 2012 workout

Latest version of the Vulcan Gripper including 'wasp' spring.

Thursday
First time back on gripper work since the weekend. That time and the forearm curls yesterday meant the first few sets felt harder than usual even so, all things considered, it was an ok workout.

V/Gripper
B/H: 1/1 x 8 reps @, 3/3 x 3 reps @, 5/5 x 1 rep @
L/H: 5/6 x 3 x 1 reps, 6/5 x 1, TnG, VN
R/H: 5/6 x 1 rep, 6/5 x 1 rep, 6/6 x 3 x 1 rep (1st was poorly set), 6/7 x TnG, TnG, N

Most of the work, bar the last right hand effort, was done sitting on the floor.

Friday

I went to Scott Horton's Hercules Gym today (here's a pic of me and Scott goofing on Facebook.... I'm on the left ha ha). Man I am a knob - I need to stop reading a paper and stepping, as I did, trains without looking. Then making a meal of back peddling and finally taking the correct turn in Colchester... I was close to an hour later than the time I could have been there by - d'uh!! All my own fault.

Oh and Scott and I can TALK!!!! He started in the game about 2 years before me so we know loads of the same people and spent a good hour before I did any lifting putting the world to rights over a couple of coffees. I was made VERY welcome. So baring in mind I was an hour late and we talked for an hour...

NB: I could use chalk!! Come to papa - I've been getting withdrawal symptoms at Beefs.

CG Bench Press
bar x 8 reps, 60-kilos x 8 reps, 80-kilos x 8 reps, 107.5-kilos x 4 rep d/s 60-kilos x 12 reps

Low Row
worked in with a gym member. 1/2 stack x 8 reps, 3/4 stack x 8 reps, stack x 8 reps.

DO TB (Axle) DL
Joy!! An actual hollow thick bar + chalk = me happy. I'm assuming bar is 15kg as it was hollow but full length.
bar x 8 reps, +40-kilos (55) x 8 reps, +80-kilos (95) x 1 rep, +120-kilos (135) x 1 rep, +150-kilos (165-kilos) x 1 rep, +170-kilos (185) x 3 R/P reps (about 20 seconds between each one). Each rep made me a tad dizzy but happy. Not been this heavy for a while and using an actual bar and chalk.
 
RT
Even though I'd done a session earlier this week (Mon) chalk use being allowed I wanted to see what I could do so... air under 130-kilo loaded r/h 2x

VG
Now completely showing off and in spite of the thick bar and RT worked to 6/7 a side r/h

Talked more after and left with a 'Gunslinga' Vest that you'll see me in very soon. Great time

My next home gym

Couple of if's and when's but what the heck...

1. If and when I get my house in the area (ish) I want
2. at the price I hope to pay
3. and not too far from a decent gym

Then I fully intend having a half decent home gym. Now in an ideal world we'd be looking at a change of use commercial space (old shop, small warehouse) with living accommodation attached / over. But needs must and so a half decent sized garage or outbuilding or decent sized cellar. The bigger (and taller) the space the better. Doesn't need lots of natural light but some and if not exactly heated some insulation against bitter cold might be nice. Throw in a little additional storage and I'd be good to go.

• Now as to what I'd want in there:
• Power rack - a must. Inc a front cross-brace as a chinning bar.
• Decent adjustable bench
• Decent Olympic bar. The deeper the knurl the better.
• A shed load of Olympic plates. 20's, 25's and 50's x many pls.
• Long ass dumbbell handles (I'd prefer a full set but needs must).
• O' plate holders
• Impact absorbent rubber matting - perhaps on a platform?
• CHALK!! (see previous whinging post)

That's your basics covered. There's a shit load you can do with that.

Now as for added extras:

• A thick bar. Hollow a la the Apollon's Axle.
• Fat handles
• Grippers, grippers and more grippers
• V-bar
• Euro Pinch. I've always liked using this and ain't half bad on it (No 2 in the world)
• Rolling Thunder - the 2011 model

Not needed but nice if I can are the following:

• Lever squat type machine (as sold by Powertec etc)
• Leg press - double pinned. Good for 800-kilos pls.
• A decent mirror - for form, illumination and making the space look bigger
• Hi-Fi - sounds to workout to
• hi-low plate loaded cable machine - big ass load capacity. Smooth running (double ratio set up is.

That's my 'for now' list. I'm sure I can think of more soon. What would you have?

When I have my own space again...

I do get it - I really do. I understand 100% why gym owners have some issues with certain members. But man oh man when I get my own place with space for weights again  I will be using chalk. And I wont be moaning about belt buckles. I'd go into the specifics but that gives too much away and for the sake of a quiet, for now, life I'll just say that it feels like a pain the arse.

Sure gym owners have to clear crap up, more so in full on mainstream, middle market commercial gyms. So using chalk, especially throwing it around without a care in the world is annoying. Equally if you're ignorant enough to have some big ass buckle and lean on bench pads so as to tear them up like your few quid allows carte blanche then you need to go somewhere else but why me? I'm a good guy. I use chalk in super tidy gyms over a towel and make sure it's not making a mess and I DO NOT lie face down on equipment with a belt on (why would you need a belt if your back is supported anyway).

That said it IS a good motivator being nagged for some shit you haven't done - grrr!