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Gazzara
03-27-08, 4:57 pm
I have only 2 training goals this year - stones and deadlift. By September I hope to be able to lift a 280 stone onto a barrel. By my 56th birthday on June 9th I would like to deadlift more than my all-time max of 375 that I did on my 54th birthday. Two workouts a week. One will be volume deadlifts. The other will be stones - lifting, carrying, rowing, deadlifting, front squating stones.

This will be my fourth year competing in the Xenia OH strongman, May and September. I have some of the photos near the bottom of this page www.vincesmuscleshop.com/Workout-Info.htm Last year I struggled through the May contest and the new July Masters Only contest because I hardly trained for either. I got back into lifting stones through July and August, and the September contest went better. The days of coasting for months without a heavy workout are over. I still have PR's to hit.

...Here is what I will have to lift in the May 3rd strongman. I am down from 180 to 170 pounds, so I think I will get in the under 175 open instead of the new over 50 masters. This will be an interesting contest www.theanvil88051.yuku.com/topic/367/t/May-3-Xenia.html?page=1

1.Odd Object Load - 75 second time limit (no Tacky). 6 objects will be loaded onto a loading platform at 2 different heights (52 & 46). All cylinder shaped objects must be stood upright. 52" 170 atlas stone, 46" 185 cylinder, 52" 115 granite block, 46" 200 beer keg, 52" 155 field stone, 46" 225 cylinder.

2.Dead Lift Medley - 60 second time limit. (Thick Dumbbells, Log, Barbell (floor), 18 Axel, Frame) -100, 275, 350, 420, 500 lbs / -100, 255, 245, 350, 400 lbs if I enter the over 50 masters

3.Viking Press - 60 second time limit -250 lbs, or 200 if over 50 masters.

4.Tire Flip - 60 second time limit, Chalk only, 25 yard course -500 lbs, or 350 if over 50 masters

5.Push/Drag/Power Stairs - 90 second time limit, Chalk only. All use the same standard pick-up trucks, with different weights on the power stairs and also the push and drag are different distances; per categories. Steps are 17 in height. -30yards/30yards/250lbs


1.Odd Object Load - I think I will be OK on this one.
2.Dead Lift Medley - 350 off the floor and 420 with the bar at 18 inches will be at the top of my limit. I got 450 2 years ago and 400 last year. The 500 pound frame lift [similar to farmers walk] will be brutal. I carried a 450 frame 2 years ago, but breaking it loose from the ground is harder than actually walking with it.
3.Viking Press - pass, my overhead press has never been good
4.Tire Flip - I can flip that 500
5.Push/Drag/Power Stairs - looking forward to this one.

.....The hardest part about this training is just getting your head and CNS readjusted to the huge amount of willpower that it takes to call out and apply your maximum effort. And this is why I keep going back each year to make another run at it. It is never about the contest, that's just a one day recreational event. It is about awlays keeping a fresh experience of maximum effort for when it is needed in real life, when it is not an option to fall short.

Gazzara
03-27-08, 5:01 pm
This is my deadlift routine with the sumo deadlift that I got from Louie Simmons last week at Westide Barbell www.westside-barbell.com/articles.htm I am fortunate to live about 10 miles from the famous gym, and Louie is just a really great guy who took the time to push me through some training to raise my conventional deadlift. These are some of the lifts that I will be doing:

.."Westside Sumo" - feet spread out almost to the plates, toes pointed to the sides instead of straight ahead, ass all the way down, pushing outward with legs instead of upward, and pushing/pulling hips forward into the bar to pivot the weight off the floor.

...Standard "Ass Down" Deadlifts - same as "Westside Sumo" but with hands outside or ankles.

..Romanian Deadlift - my usual pull with my back and hams, which I am trying to improve with more hip and leg power from the bottom.

========================= =============
.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 3/5-185, 1/5-205, 1/3-255,
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 3/5-185, 1/5-205, 1/3-255,
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325

Gazzara
03-30-08, 10:58 pm
Starting back with the stones again. After the September strongman contest I only worked out with the 110 stone trying for endurance. After several sessions last November I got the 110 stone up to the 40 inch platform 47 times in 3 minutes. That was some heavy breathing - and the last time I lifted stones.
So this is where I was at tonight as I start that trek back up to some respectable weights.

Stone rows: 1/15-110, 1/10-140, 1/5-170
Stone Sumo: 1/15-110, 1/10-140, 1/5-170
Stone front squat: 1/15-110, 1/10-140, 1/5-170
Stone to 40" platform: 1/15-110, 1/10-140, 1/5-170
...and a few cleans with 195

It will be a hard 5 weeks before the May 3rd contest. It will take plentry of conditioning to get back up in that 235-255 range. More than I expected, but I'll get it. I can't skip the contest and I can't show up and just look bad. Wouldn't be right.

Hollow
03-31-08, 8:53 am
Subbed for this one! Wishing you the best Gazzara in reaching your goals!

Gazzara
04-02-08, 8:42 am
Subbed for this one! Wishing you the best Gazzara in reaching your goals!
Thanks.

...hamstrings still tight from the stones - probably will not deadlift until Thursday. When I finish the deadlifts I have a new piece of "equipment" to try out - a 180 pound tire that I can carry around the yard. I took an old 14 inch car tire still mounted on the rim, drilled a 3" hole through the tread with a hole saw, put a pipe through the hub and across some supports to keep it off the floor, then filled it with 1-1/2 bags of high-strength concrete. If this eventually gets to feel light, I'll lay it flat and fill up the back side of the wheel with conrete for another 50 pounds - or get a bigger tire.
...It should be easier to carry for distance than a 180 pound stone because I should be able to hang onto it longer. And when it drops, it's less likely to crush your feet like some of the quarry stones or concrete slabs.
...To help with recovery I started taking a test booster for the first time - Animal Stak. I don't know if I need it and not really looking for improvement in any of the "side effects". Maybe it's a good thing if your hormone levels dropped at the same rate as your wife's. Keeps a beter harmony around the house!

Gazzara
04-04-08, 12:43 pm
Hey Hollow, thanks for checking in. It's a motivator for me because I don't want to post a slack workout if someone is reading it!

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 3/5-185, 1/5-205, 1/3-255,
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 3/5-185, 1/5-205, 1/3-255,
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325

Hollow
04-04-08, 12:47 pm
Hey Hollow, thanks for checking in. It's a motivator for me because I don't want to post a slack workout if someone is reading it!

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 3/5-185, 1/5-205, 1/3-255,
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 3/5-185, 1/5-205, 1/3-255,
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325

I am along for the ride so keep your workouts in check then...lol! This training is completely different then anything I've seen so it has really peaked my interest. Great work so far Gazzara!

Gazzara
04-04-08, 12:47 pm
Hollow, you are too quick. I hit the enter key before I got the weight numbers changed. Here is the rest of today:

...It went better today. Maybe it's the Animal Test or maybe I am just getting back into it. I went up on the Sumos and the Romanian deadlifts, which are starting to improve in form,

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255, 1/3-275, 1/3-295
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255,
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335, 1/2-345

My buddy is coming over later to lift stones in the garage and carry around that new 180 pound concrete tire.

My weight was at 170 for 2 months. In the past week I am back up to 175 -I have been eating a lot.

Hollow
04-04-08, 1:08 pm
Hollow, you are too quick. I hit the enter key before I got the weight numbers changed. Here is the rest of today:

...It went better today. Maybe it's the Animal Test or maybe I am just getting back into it. I went up on the Sumos and the Romanian deadlifts, which are starting to improve in form,

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255, 1/3-275, 1/3-295
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 3/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255,
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335, 1/2-345

My buddy is coming over later to lift stones in the garage and carry around that new 180 pound concrete tire.

My weight was at 170 for 2 months. In the past week I am back up to 175 -I have been eating a lot.

Sorry but it's Friday! Enjoy lifting with you friend later.

Gazzara
04-05-08, 12:33 am
I did some stone lifting Friday night, but the real fun was the concrete tire.

stone carry 40 feet, then up on 40" platform: 1/5-110
stone to 45" platform: 1/1-195, 1/1-225
tire carry: 3/80 feet - 180 pound tire

...the concrete filled tire was akward to pick up, but not too hard to carry when I got my hands under it. Keeping the grip beyond 40 feet was a problem.

...It felt good to get the 225 stone again

Gazzara
04-08-08, 12:49 pm
Today's morning session. On the Sumo - less reps more weight. The standard and Romanian deadlifts topped out low. I pulled 325 off the floor but could not stand up. But I did get 335 with the Sumo stance! I used Meeko power grips for the 325 and 335 Sumo since I can't do a reverse grip on these.

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255, 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/5-205
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, missed-325

...I made some 3 inch PVC Sumo rollers which just made it much more efficient. I have been using the correct form for the Sumo, scraping up my shins like all the Westside guys. But scraped shins are not the goal of the lift, just the result. I used my power chop saw to cut 2 pieces of standard 3 inch schedule 20 Home-Depot type PVC pipe to 12-1/2". This is the best length for me.
...I slipped the PVC over the inside collars of the Olympic bar and moved them out against these collars. With my legs out in the wide Sumo stance the pipe rolls right up my shins. For standard deadlifts I slid the PVC over the inside collars and agains the 45's which made the distance between them about 4 inches wider, enough to spread my hands to the outside of my knees.

I will be lifting stones and the concrete tire this afternoon.

I have been eating a lot of low-fat cottage cheese with frozen blueberries through the day. For breakfast I always have steel cut oatmeal with blueberries or bananas, ground flax seeg, and a scoop of protein. At supper I try to have a bowl of black or pinto beans [no corn syrup] cut tomatoes/celery/carrots, and flax oil.

Hollow
04-08-08, 2:21 pm
Congrats on nailing the 225 stone. Sounds like your concrete tire has worked out well for you.

Gazzara
04-08-08, 7:58 pm
Hollow - thanks, and the tire went better tonight.

....This morning I did deadlifts and this evening I started with the 180 tire. I cheated this time and wore garden gloves with rubber coated palms and fingers, and wrapped velcro straps around the wrist to keep them on. The extra grip allowed me to hold it longer for a much more thorough leg and back workout.

tire carry: 1/240 feet, 1/80 feet - 180 pound tire

....stones got better too:
stone to 40" platform: 1/5-140, 1/5-170, 1/5-195 1/2-225

....Aerobics:
stone to 40" platform: 1/21-110 in 60 seconds

...I am back into it solid again. I feel it. I do have another season in me.

Hollow
04-13-08, 6:27 am
That is great to hear you are definitely back for another season! Creative use with the gloves to get the extra grip needed for training.

Gazzara
04-13-08, 12:59 pm
.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255, 1/5-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335

...I have been taking Animal Test for 12 days now. It's the first time I have used any type of test supplement. I do seem to be moving back up through the weight again, so it seems that it is working. I'll know better in a few weeks if I actually get back up near my old max lifts.

...The "side effects" of the test booster has not gone unnoticed by my wife. She said it's like I'm 54 again!

Gazzara
04-13-08, 8:04 pm
I did deadlifts this morning, stone lifting this evening:
....my platform is 40 inches high. I stack 2x12's flat on top for the extra height. When I miss, as I did trying for a 5th rep with 170 to 49", the top boards slide out of the way.

stone to platform: 1/5-110 to 43", 1/5-110 to 46", 1/5-110 to 49"
stone to platform: 1/5-140 to 43", 1/5-140 to 46", 1/5-140 to 49"
stone to platform: 1/5-170 to 43", 1/5-170 to 46", 1/4-170 to 49"
....unloading the stones from 46" or 49" is almost as hard as loading them. On the way up at least you have some momentum.

stone to platform: 1/5-195 to 40", 1/1-225 to 40"

...so it has been a pretty full day of lifting for me. I am not sore now, but really beat. My last workout was 5 days ago and my arms, particularly my biceps, were tight and sore the next few days after that. I expect thh same tomorrow.

Northman
04-13-08, 11:05 pm
You are working hard, my good man!

It's good to see you started a journey, I was going to ask you to. It looks as though we share many of the same strengths and weaknesses.

Gazzara
04-13-08, 11:24 pm
Stiff, I have been watching your journey log. You really are a strong and solid guy. Your deadlifts and squats are huge, especially with the reps.

Northman
04-13-08, 11:32 pm
Stiff, I have been watching your journey log. You really are a strong and solid guy. Your deadlifts and squats are huge, especially with the reps.

Thanks, but that's easier to do when you are my age. After a few years it wears down on you, which makes what you are doing all the more impressive.

Gazzara
04-17-08, 11:36 am
Thanks for the comments. I got some improvement today. I was encouraged/disapointed that I broke 350 loose from the floor twice, but could not stand up with it - next time.

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255, 1/5-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335, 1/1-340, 1/1-345

again used the grips in Sumos 305 and up. I am 2 weeks into the Animal Test. Prior I had weighed 170 for 2 full months. Now 182 the past 3 mornings. I am eating a lot.

stones this afternoon - and the concrete tire!

Gazzara
04-17-08, 9:46 pm
No stone lifting. My buddy Darin came over and instead we did the tire carry and a favorite from last Fall - the 95 pound sand can farmer's walk. That's a pair of 6-1/2 gallon plastic gas cans filled with sand. It is 180 feet down my driveway from the garage to the street, so this makes a good walking course.

180 pound concrete tire carry: 2/160 feet, 1/240 feet
95 pound sand can carry [each hand]: 320 ft, 180 ft, 120 ft, 40 ft.

This afternoon I rode my bike for an hour with my 2-1/2 year old granddaughter in front of me in her kiddie seat. A lot of pretty women smiled at us. That never happens when I ride by myself.

I have been taking 20 or more liver tablets throughout the day with food. Breakfast is oatmeal with walnuts, frozen blueberries, ground flax, protein powder. several times a day I have low fat cottage cheese with the blueberries, ground flax, and protein powder. In between - apples, bananas, some junk food. Supper is usually someting like a bowl of tomatoes, broccoli, celery, black beans, flax oil.

Almost every morning I do 50 kneeling cable crunches with 65 pounds to stretch my rib cage up and tighten my abs, obliques, etc

Tork
04-17-08, 10:09 pm
You know Gaz, I knew you were a great guy the first time you sent me my supplements with a updated Animal Owners Manual. Then the last time I ordered from you, you sent me a extra 3 pounds in my Torrent Can. You really are a great guy. I thought that from day one. Then I read your journey and I hope that one day a few years from now, I still have the same passion for Lifting that you do. Congrats Bro, you are a great Man and I will follow your journey. Good luck on the up comming contest and if I can do anything for ya hit me up. MUCH RESPECT!

Northman
04-18-08, 5:24 am
That's a solid diet backing some solid training.

On a side note... Keep your eyes on the road!!! No staring at the pretty women as you ride by. (lol)

Hollow
04-18-08, 6:55 am
That's a solid diet backing some solid training.

On a side note... Keep your eyes on the road!!! No staring at the pretty women as you ride by. (lol)

X2! That diet sounds simple yet very effective!

LOL...the joys of being with little ones...they always seem to gain the attention of the women.

Thrawn
04-18-08, 7:16 am
Gonna be subbed in this one too. I LOVE strongmen and the training it requires.
Gonna learn some things here. And keeping my eye on you, brother. You have made yourself quit a journey. Not an easy one, especially at your age.
Keep going strong!
Much respect,
Thrawn

Gazzara
04-18-08, 9:00 am
Tork, Stiff, Hollow, Thrawn - thanks. You guys and the forum are giving me a real push to set a PR this summer. At this point I do expect to pass 375 in my deadlift on my 56th birthday. It is all amusing to me - actually it makes me laugh.

When most people get older they focus all of their effort on building up their retirement funds and making sure they have health coverage for their senior illnesses. I have no extra cash or retirement fund to worry about, so I am building up a base of muscle equity and good health that I can live off for a long time. When I am 66 I hope to still have 300 pounds left in my deadlift account.

Northman
04-18-08, 1:01 pm
Tork, Stiff, Hollow, Thrawn - thanks. You guys and the forum are giving me a real push to set a PR this summer. At this point I do expect to pass 375 in my deadlift on my 56th birthday. It is all amusing to me - actually it makes me laugh.

When most people get older they focus all of their effort on building up their retirement funds and making sure they have health coverage for their senior illnesses. I have no extra cash or retirement fund to worry about, so I am building up a base of muscle equity and good health that I can live off for a long time. When I am 66 I hope to still have 300 pounds left in my deadlift account.

You'll have more than that if you keep this up.

Tork
04-21-08, 4:34 am
66 and 300 lbs deadlift. That shouldn't be a issue for you at the rate you are going you will never have to stop. I say push on bro' we got your back I hope that you take a good place in the up comming Comp. Keep us posted.

Hollow
04-21-08, 10:18 am
Tork, Stiff, Hollow, Thrawn - thanks. You guys and the forum are giving me a real push to set a PR this summer. At this point I do expect to pass 375 in my deadlift on my 56th birthday. It is all amusing to me - actually it makes me laugh.

When most people get older they focus all of their effort on building up their retirement funds and making sure they have health coverage for their senior illnesses. I have no extra cash or retirement fund to worry about, so I am building up a base of muscle equity and good health that I can live off for a long time. When I am 66 I hope to still have 300 pounds left in my deadlift account.

I think you're going to have a lot more then 300 lbs left in that account!!!

Northman
04-21-08, 11:25 pm
Thanks for the comments. I got some improvement today. I was encouraged/disapointed that I broke 350 loose from the floor twice, but could not stand up with it - next time.

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255, 1/5-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335, 1/1-340, 1/1-345

again used the grips in Sumos 305 and up. I am 2 weeks into the Animal Test. Prior I had weighed 170 for 2 full months. Now 182 the past 3 mornings. I am eating a lot.

stones this afternoon - and the concrete tire!

Sounds like some serious gains! I am working on making a special concrete tire and a stone.

Gazzara
04-22-08, 11:16 am
thanks again to you guys for the push. Look at this - 355 today! what a hoot this is.

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255, 1/5-305
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-350, 1/1-355

Stiff, you said that you did Zercher squats as a prep for the strongman Conan wheel. This evening we might take the weights outside, slide a piece of 3" PVC pipe over the bar, try walking around with it using the Zercher hold with the bar against the chest and across the inside of the elbows. If you want the real effect of the Conan's wheel, just tether yourself to a tree and walk that circle.

My thoughts on age - it is not just a state of mind like every old person says - it is the state of your lower back!

Hollow
04-22-08, 11:50 am
Outstanding work Gazzara! Congrats on hitting the 355!

I'll have to keep an eye out when I'm driving around to see if Stiff has tethered himself to a tree.

Northman
04-22-08, 3:04 pm
Stiff, you said that you did Zercher squats as a prep for the strongman Conan wheel.

That's right. I just don't know if the weight I move would be enough for my weight/age class.


My thoughts on age - it is not just a state of mind like every old person says - it is the state of your lower back!

I'm going to have to share this with a few select people.

Gazzara
04-22-08, 10:25 pm
I'll have to keep an eye out when I'm driving around to see if Stiff has tethered himself to a tree.
Good idea. I tried it tonight and got wrapped tight against the tree and could not figure out how to unwind. Ok, just kidding.

My buddy Darin came over and we did get to try walking straight with the new toy. I put a picture of it here www.vincesmuscleshop.com/Xtra.htm We only used 135. I carried it a few times for 80 ft and twice for 160. Darin just took off down the driveway. Even with the 3" pipe, the weight crushes the top of your forearm into the bone. Darin just scooped it up, but I used an alternate hand grip to deadlift it into my lap, then got under it. Next time we will try 205, but start with a platform under each end of the bar.

One thing I remembered while carrying the fat bar is just how hard it is to breathe when the weight is laying on your chest. A really tight lifting belt makes it even worse because your abdomen can't extend for breathing either. And when you are near your limit with a maximum load you really have to throw your head back and look straight up at the sky or you will collapse and fold forward. And do not ever look down at the ground because that is where the weight will be the next second.

Stiff, I think I carried 450 in competition and you would probably be at 500 pounds. But you should be as absolutely close to the end of the 20 foot arm as possible, and the weight will actually be hanging about 3 feet in. It would be more like walking with a 300 pound bar across your arms when you have 450 on the Conan lever arm.

boar
04-22-08, 10:29 pm
I have only 2 training goals this year - stones and deadlift. By September I hope to be able to lift a 280 stone onto a barrel. By my 56th birthday on June 9th I would like to deadlift more than my all-time max of 375 that I did on my 54th birthday. Two workouts a week. One will be volume deadlifts. The other will be stones - lifting, carrying, rowing, deadlifting, front squating stones.

This will be my fourth year competing in the Xenia OH strongman, May and September. I have some of the photos near the bottom of this page www.vincesmuscleshop.com/Workout-Info.htm Last year I struggled through the May contest and the new July Masters Only contest because I hardly trained for either. I got back into lifting stones through July and August, and the September contest went better. The days of coasting for months without a heavy workout are over. I still have PR's to hit.

...Here is what I will have to lift in the May 3rd strongman. I am down from 180 to 170 pounds, so I think I will get in the under 175 open instead of the new over 50 masters. This will be an interesting contest www.theanvil88051.yuku.com/topic/367/t/May-3-Xenia.html?page=1

1.Odd Object Load - 75 second time limit (no Tacky). 6 objects will be loaded onto a loading platform at 2 different heights (52 & 46). All cylinder shaped objects must be stood upright. 52" 170 atlas stone, 46" 185 cylinder, 52" 115 granite block, 46" 200 beer keg, 52" 155 field stone, 46" 225 cylinder.

2.Dead Lift Medley - 60 second time limit. (Thick Dumbbells, Log, Barbell (floor), 18 Axel, Frame) -100, 275, 350, 420, 500 lbs / -100, 255, 245, 350, 400 lbs if I enter the over 50 masters

3.Viking Press - 60 second time limit -250 lbs, or 200 if over 50 masters.

4.Tire Flip - 60 second time limit, Chalk only, 25 yard course -500 lbs, or 350 if over 50 masters

5.Push/Drag/Power Stairs - 90 second time limit, Chalk only. All use the same standard pick-up trucks, with different weights on the power stairs and also the push and drag are different distances; per categories. Steps are 17 in height. -30yards/30yards/250lbs


1.Odd Object Load - I think I will be OK on this one.
2.Dead Lift Medley - 350 off the floor and 420 with the bar at 18 inches will be at the top of my limit. I got 450 2 years ago and 400 last year. The 500 pound frame lift [similar to farmers walk] will be brutal. I carried a 450 frame 2 years ago, but breaking it loose from the ground is harder than actually walking with it.
3.Viking Press - pass, my overhead press has never been good
4.Tire Flip - I can flip that 500
5.Push/Drag/Power Stairs - looking forward to this one.

.....The hardest part about this training is just getting your head and CNS readjusted to the huge amount of willpower that it takes to call out and apply your maximum effort. And this is why I keep going back each year to make another run at it. It is never about the contest, that's just a one day recreational event. It is about awlays keeping a fresh experience of maximum effort for when it is needed in real life, when it is not an option to fall short.

good for you man. I am also a fellow strongman so keep on lifting those stones brother!

Northman
04-22-08, 11:45 pm
Stiff, I think I carried 450 in competition and you would probably be at 500 pounds. But you should be as absolutely close to the end of the 20 foot arm as possible, and the weight will actually be hanging about 3 feet in. It would be more like walking with a 300 pound bar across your arms when you have 450 on the Conan lever arm.

That sounds easier. My fears have somewhat been relieved, thanks.

Gazzara
04-23-08, 12:13 am
good for you man. I am also a fellow strongman so keep on lifting those stones brother!

Boar, thanks for checking in. I read through some of your topics. I iike your sledge hammer workout. Now that's a really cheap adjustable piece of equipment. You can move your grip up and down the handle until the resistance in right. Are you planning to get in any strongman competitions this summer, or just training.

boar
04-23-08, 12:16 pm
I am planning on doing the show up in NH on june 14. the entry form hasnt come out yet on that. I am maybe going to do the show in dunkirk NY but its a hike. There is going to be a show in the boston area in august its tba. Let me know where you are competing man.

Gazzara
04-23-08, 4:42 pm
Boar, I have been in the contest in Xenia OH about 6 times now. It is between Columbus and Cincinnati. There is always one in early May and another in late September. Usually 30 to 45 competitors. I get back to New Jersey often and would like to get in a contest in NJ, Delaware, or Philly.

boar
04-23-08, 7:50 pm
Boar, I have been in the contest in Xenia OH about 6 times now. It is between Columbus and Cincinnati. There is always one in early May and another in late September. Usually 30 to 45 competitors. I get back to New Jersey often and would like to get in a contest in NJ, Delaware, or Philly.

Thats pretty solid. I don't think my shit box of a car could make it out to ohio but someday our paths may cross in the strongman world. Until then keep on lifting those heavy ass rocks!

Gazzara
04-24-08, 7:00 am
Three weeks ago when I started taking Animal Test I my weight had been down to 170 for over 2 months. Now I am 185 this morning. I see some of it over my abs and feel it around the back of my waist, but not like the last time I weighed 185.

I have a week off before I start another 3 weeks of the Test, so I will try to eat really clean and take some Guggolbolic which worked really well before to drop body fat. If it works this time, I'll see what left when I am at 175 again.

Gazzara
04-26-08, 7:23 pm
No deadlifts today becasue I wanted to do cardio and max day on the stones - or more properly termed, easy-rep day. For the contest I have to lift a 170 pound stone without tacky, along with several odd objects. With tacky you can bend forward with your arms straight and palms facing each other, and just stick your palms to the bottom half of the stone. No so without tacky because your just can't squeeze your heaviest stone hard enough to hold it. Instead of keeping my arns straight, I bent them at the elbow and cradled the stone so I was gripping with my palms and forearms, fingertips touching. The trade-off is you are starting from a much lower position. I got the 170 to the platform so I am covered.

...Ok - the max stone lifts:
stone to 40" platform: 1/3-195, 1/1-235, 1/1-245, 1/1-255
.....the big stone only adjusts up to 235 so I had to duct tape four 5 pound plates to the front of the stone

For cardio I mowed the lawn as I do every summer, wearing a 40 pound vest and ankles weights - this time 20 on each ankle. This is going to be one hell of a mowing season. First time out and just 10 seconds over the course record! 20 minutes and 20 seconds! 20:20 with 80 pounds. Start in the garage in front of the clock and finish in the garage in front of the clock. Like a horse running back to the barn. Tomorrow I think I will put down more fertilizer

Northman
04-26-08, 7:30 pm
I love the idea of using everyday chores as cardio.

Gazzara
04-26-08, 9:47 pm
I love the idea of using everyday chores as cardio.

Yes, and it keeps the neighbors away as well.

I added my easy version of the reverse hyper that is a big part of Westside training www.vincesmuscleshop.com/Xtra.htm I am only using 5 lb ankle weights. If I ever work up to 20 pounds on each ankle, I sure I will find a way to strap some plates to my boots.

boar
04-26-08, 10:32 pm
No deadlifts today becasue I wanted to do cardio and max day on the stones - or more properly termed, easy-rep day. For the contest I have to lift a 170 pound stone without tacky, along with several odd objects. With tacky you can bend forward with your arms straight and palms facing each other, and just stick your palms to the bottom half of the stone. No so without tacky because your just can't squeeze your heaviest stone hard enough to hold it. Instead of keeping my arns straight, I bent them at the elbow and cradled the stone so I was gripping with my palms and forearms, fingertips touching. The trade-off is you are starting from a much lower position. I got the 170 to the platform so I am covered.

...Ok - the max stone lifts:
stone to 40" platform: 1/3-195, 1/1-235, 1/1-245, 1/1-255
.....the big stone only adjusts up to 235 so I had to duct tape four 5 pound plates to the front of the stone

For cardio I mowed the lawn as I do every summer, wearing a 40 pound vest and ankles weights - this time 20 on each ankle. This is going to be one hell of a mowing season. First time out and just 10 seconds over the course record! 20 minutes and 20 seconds! 20:20 with 80 pounds. Start in the garage in front of the clock and finish in the garage in front of the clock. Like a horse running back to the barn. Tomorrow I think I will put down more fertilizer

Thats good gpp work man. gotta love the weighted vest its a must for any cardio endeavor. I like the stone workout that you did.

Northman
04-27-08, 3:02 am
Yes, and it keeps the neighbors away as well.

I added my easy version of the reverse hyper that is a big part of Westside training www.vincesmuscleshop.com/Xtra.htm I am only using 5 lb ankle weights. If I ever work up to 20 pounds on each ankle, I sure I will find a way to strap some plates to my boots.

I've done something similar when I was recovering from an injury using the wrist/ankle straps that attach to the high pulley of a cable machine, lying face-up on a bench. It truly works the stabilizers.

Hollow
04-27-08, 4:57 pm
Workout continue to look great Gazzara! That is some fine creative thinking on turning households chores into cardio work. Thanks for posting the pics, very helpful.

Gazzara
04-27-08, 7:44 pm
Three weeks ago when I started taking Animal Test I my weight had been down to 170 for over 2 months. Now I am 185 this morning. I see some of it over my abs and feel it around the back of my waist, but not like the last time I weighed 185.

I have a week off before I start another 3 weeks of the Test, so I will try to eat really clean and take some Guggolbolic which worked really well before to drop body fat. If it works this time, I'll see what left when I am at 175 again.


Ok, so apparently I am a dumb ass! It has been Animal Stak, not Animal Test that I have been taking. I never looked at the label after I opened it. Wow, now I wonder what else I did not notice the last few weeks.

And as always, thanks guys for checking in on me.

Gazzara
05-03-08, 9:35 pm
The strongman contest went well today. It was raining through the stones which were first. Fortunately I wore my heavy-duty ruberized rain coat with hood so I was warm and reasonably dry. I kept the coat and hood on through the stone lifting which was probably funny to watch. Then it cleared up and got sunny for the rest of the very long day.
...There were 3 of us in the over-50 class and we were tied through most of it and even at the finish. I ended up the eventual winner because I weighed in at 180 and the other 2 were heavier. So I beat a 62 year old guy who trains for strongman with his son-in-law, and a 53 year old guy with emphesima who just started training a year ago! Still, it was a great day of lifting.

1.Odd Object Load - 52" 170 atlas stone, 46" 185 cylinder, 52" 115 granite block, missed the 46" 200 beer keg. Without tacky, the stones and concrete cylinders were actually easier being wet from the rain, but not the aluminum keg. I started with the keg laying flat, pulled it into my lap, but could not roll it up. So I turned it over in my lap so it was upright, then bear-hugged it low and stood up but it was not high enough. On the cylinders most guy layed them flat, rolled them up and set them on the platform flat, and then pushed them upright. On the 185 cylinder I started with it upright, tilted it to get my left hand under it, then bent over until it was against my chest and just pulled with my back.

2.Dead Lift Medley - 60 second time limit. (100 pound Thick Dumbbells, 255 Log, 245 Barbell (floor), 350 pound 18 inch high Axel, 400 Frame) I did it in just under the allowed 60 seconds, but came it third. The 18 inch axel is a 2 inch diameter bar with the weights on 9 inch blocks so the bar height is 18 inches. I picked it up and dropped it 4 times because I could not keep the grip. I still had 30 seconds so I ran back to the start, grabbed some chalk, pulled it right up and then got the frame up just before I ran out of time.
....After the next weight class finished I went back to the 18 inch axel which then had 420 on it, and I did get that up for a good deadlift. That made my day.

3.Viking Press - 60 second time limit - 200 pounds - got 16 reps, but it really was more like 100 pounds at the handles. Really, I would have a tough time getting one rep with a 150 pound barbell.

4.Tire Flip - 60 second time limit, Chalk only, 25 yard course - 350. The tire was small and I finished under 60 seconds but not that fast.

5.Push/Drag/Power Stairs - push one pickup truck 30 yards, run to the truck next to it and pull it with a T-handle strap walking backwards for 30 yards, run to the steps and lift 250 pounds of weights on a T-handle up three 17 inch high steps. This was a great event. Everyone pushed and pulled the same trucks - women, teens, super-heavy-weights. It was really a speed event to wear you out before you got to the steps. Most guy pushed the truck with their hands on the bumper and their arms locked. For better traction I put my shoulder into the back of the truck and grabbed under the bumper and lifted to put more weight on my feet. However, on the pull back there was nothing to do for traction. If you started off with too much force, or if you leaned back, you feet would slide toward the truck. I had to stand straight upright and takes small steps to keep enought weight on my feet.

There were about 50 competitors today and some of the guys were just awsome, especially on the stones. There was a low 46 inch platform and a higher one at 52 inches. Ig you placed your first object near the front, there would not be room for the others. The heavy-weights had a 24 inch by 18 inch 300 pound grave stone for the high platform. They had to lay it down on their hands and lift it into their laps. Some guys kind of duck-walked it to th eplatform then tried to lift it. Many missed. But one guy just heaved it up there and knocked his first 2 objects out of the way with the 300 pound stone. That was some power.

My 1st place trophy made the whole day just perfect. It is a black dinner plate from the Dollar Store with an engraved plate that says First Place! Last year I got a clear glass vase with a can of Popeye spinach. I am hoping to win some forks and spoons at the next contest.

Hollow
05-04-08, 12:05 pm
It sounds like it was a great day of competition Gazzara! Congrats on your first place finish!!!

Thrawn
05-05-08, 6:47 am
Congrats, big man!!! Way to go!

Gazzara
05-06-08, 12:55 pm
Trawn, Hollow - thanks! Today I felt too tired and worn out to lift heavy - No, I guess I was mistaken..

.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255, 1/5-305
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/10-205, 1/5-255
..Romanian Deadlifts: 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 5/1-345

....mowed the lawn again - 40 pound vest and 20 on each ankle. A ver disappointing 22:10 this time. Last week was a near record 20:20

Northman
05-06-08, 1:40 pm
We all know how much I like to deadlift, that's how I met you after all. Great session! You came near to some of your top numbers there.

Gazzara
05-06-08, 10:55 pm
We all know how much I like to deadlift, that's how I met you after all. Great session! You came near to some of your top numbers there.

Thanks - I am paying for it now! I can tell from the pain in my hips and lower back that I had a really good workout today. I think I will be sleeping in the recliner tonight. By Saturady I expect to do it again.

boar
05-06-08, 11:35 pm
The strongman contest went well today. It was raining through the stones which were first. Fortunately I wore my heavy-duty ruberized rain coat with hood so I was warm and reasonably dry. I kept the coat and hood on through the stone lifting which was probably funny to watch. Then it cleared up and got sunny for the rest of the very long day.
...There were 3 of us in the over-50 class and we were tied through most of it and even at the finish. I ended up the eventual winner because I weighed in at 180 and the other 2 were heavier. So I beat a 62 year old guy who trains for strongman with his son-in-law, and a 53 year old guy with emphesima who just started training a year ago! Still, it was a great day of lifting.

1.Odd Object Load - 52" 170 atlas stone, 46" 185 cylinder, 52" 115 granite block, missed the 46" 200 beer keg. Without tacky, the stones and concrete cylinders were actually easier being wet from the rain, but not the aluminum keg. I started with the keg laying flat, pulled it into my lap, but could not roll it up. So I turned it over in my lap so it was upright, then bear-hugged it low and stood up but it was not high enough. On the cylinders most guy layed them flat, rolled them up and set them on the platform flat, and then pushed them upright. On the 185 cylinder I started with it upright, tilted it to get my left hand under it, then bent over until it was against my chest and just pulled with my back.

2.Dead Lift Medley - 60 second time limit. (100 pound Thick Dumbbells, 255 Log, 245 Barbell (floor), 350 pound 18 inch high Axel, 400 Frame) I did it in just under the allowed 60 seconds, but came it third. The 18 inch axel is a 2 inch diameter bar with the weights on 9 inch blocks so the bar height is 18 inches. I picked it up and dropped it 4 times because I could not keep the grip. I still had 30 seconds so I ran back to the start, grabbed some chalk, pulled it right up and then got the frame up just before I ran out of time.
....After the next weight class finished I went back to the 18 inch axel which then had 420 on it, and I did get that up for a good deadlift. That made my day.

3.Viking Press - 60 second time limit - 200 pounds - got 16 reps, but it really was more like 100 pounds at the handles. Really, I would have a tough time getting one rep with a 150 pound barbell.

4.Tire Flip - 60 second time limit, Chalk only, 25 yard course - 350. The tire was small and I finished under 60 seconds but not that fast.

5.Push/Drag/Power Stairs - push one pickup truck 30 yards, run to the truck next to it and pull it with a T-handle strap walking backwards for 30 yards, run to the steps and lift 250 pounds of weights on a T-handle up three 17 inch high steps. This was a great event. Everyone pushed and pulled the same trucks - women, teens, super-heavy-weights. It was really a speed event to wear you out before you got to the steps. Most guy pushed the truck with their hands on the bumper and their arms locked. For better traction I put my shoulder into the back of the truck and grabbed under the bumper and lifted to put more weight on my feet. However, on the pull back there was nothing to do for traction. If you started off with too much force, or if you leaned back, you feet would slide toward the truck. I had to stand straight upright and takes small steps to keep enought weight on my feet.

There were about 50 competitors today and some of the guys were just awsome, especially on the stones. There was a low 46 inch platform and a higher one at 52 inches. Ig you placed your first object near the front, there would not be room for the others. The heavy-weights had a 24 inch by 18 inch 300 pound grave stone for the high platform. They had to lay it down on their hands and lift it into their laps. Some guys kind of duck-walked it to th eplatform then tried to lift it. Many missed. But one guy just heaved it up there and knocked his first 2 objects out of the way with the 300 pound stone. That was some power.

My 1st place trophy made the whole day just perfect. It is a black dinner plate from the Dollar Store with an engraved plate that says First Place! Last year I got a clear glass vase with a can of Popeye spinach. I am hoping to win some forks and spoons at the next contest.

Sounds like an amazing show. Alot of endurance events and odd objects that made it really authentic. Congrats on your place and I can't wait to start my strongman training back in mass.

Congrats on your first place victory! Keep lifting those heavy objects. Your an inspiration to all young strongman like me.

Northman
05-07-08, 5:53 am
Thanks - I am paying for it now! I can tell from the pain in my hips and lower back that I had a really good workout today. I think I will be sleeping in the recliner tonight. By Saturady I expect to do it again.

I know how you feel. Sometimes I wonder whether or not we could be classified as masochists. Did you get any pictures from your competition? Those would be great to see.

Thrawn
05-07-08, 5:57 am
I know how you feel. Sometimes I wonder whether or not we could be classified as masochists. Did you get any pictures from your competition? Those would be great to see.

X2! I would love to see them if you have them!

Hollow
05-07-08, 6:38 am
Thanks - I am paying for it now! I can tell from the pain in my hips and lower back that I had a really good workout today. I think I will be sleeping in the recliner tonight. By Saturady I expect to do it again.

I'd say it must have been one hell of a workout if you are going to be sleeping in a recliner!!! Great work Gazzara!

Gazzara
05-09-08, 11:01 pm
I did not bring my camera to the contest due to the rain, so no photos this time.

Since I did those heavy deadlift reps and the 80 pound "lawn mowing" on Tuesday, I have had this stange feeling that my hips and lower back are on fire! My potential son-in law is a chiropractor and he checked it out, He said I likely over-stressed the muscle right behind the dimples of my ass [that must be a medical term] He then proceeded to crack my back, multiplying the burning pain, which prompted me to blurt out "WTF are you doing?" He probably hears that a lot.

So I guess it is possible to over-train. This reminds me of the condition I was in 2 years ago after a particularly brutal strongman contest that had the yoke-carry. For 3 days I had to roll myself out of the bed and off the recliner. It's been 3 days since this recent pain, so I should be OK soon. In the mean time I will try to do some bench presses to see if I can back up to the 200 I try to do every year on my birthday, which is usually the only time during the year that I bench press.

I just got the events for the Masters-Only strongman in July. This will be a good contest for me:
...Atlas Stones - 170 from 10 feet away to a 55 gal drum, 225 from 5 feet, and 255 in front of the drum. I have done that recently, so it will be a matter of speed.
...Thick-handle dumbell medley, clean to shoulder: 50, 60, 70, 80. The 80 pounder will take some training.
...Frame deadlift: jump in at any weight with 60 seconds to get each lift. Weight goes up 50 pounds each time. I should be good for 450 or maybe 500
...Carry 350 pound tire farmers-walk style for 10 yards, then hand-over-hand pull a vehicle for 25 yards. The tire should be interesting.
...Lying Hercules hold. A pick-up truck is backed up a small ramp, you lay on your back behind it with your feet braced, then hold a T-handle chained to the truck for as long as you can. I requested that this time the truck gets turned off, because laying on the ground behind the running exhaust seemed more like an assisted suicide!

Thanks to all of you guys for keeping up with my exploits. I keep taking my protein, aminos, etc and expect to be ready again next week.

Gazzara
05-12-08, 11:02 pm
It has been a week since my back and hips started to ache and I am was still in some real pain when I woke up this morning. The pain was shooting from one hip socket to the other across the top of my ass. I got some basic info from the Sports Injury Clinic site which led me to conclude that I stressed the SacroIlliac joint between the pelves and the bottom of the spine www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/sacroiliac.htm I also looked at this site http://www.innerbody.com/image/musbov.html and thought that it might be from the glueous medius muscle [click on the image] I went to the chiropractor and this time got the electric pulses, vibratrion, and the "thumper" before I had my back cracked. The conclusion: L4 and L5 disc, inflamation of the Sacroilliac joint, and possible tear to the gluteus medius.
...The treatment helped this time. I feel great.

Hollow
05-13-08, 11:56 am
That is good news that you are great now!

Gazzara
05-18-08, 4:46 pm
That is good news that you are great now!

Thanks Hollow. The past few days my back was sore when I woke up. I started to worry that I really tore something and that I might have to just suspend lifting indefinately. I thougt of all the other things that I had to suspend or abandon over the past 30 years because my family, or someone's health [or death], or the general circmstances of daily life just became much more important than the plans I had for myself. That's OK, I'm thanful for every day of it. I still expect to pick up on a few projects and adventures that I had to drop 20 years ago. My brother and my cousin are both retiring this year - I am just getting started.

...So when the chiropractor told me I would have to postpone lifting and take it easy when I began to lift again, I accepted it. Then I tried some really light deadlifts this afternoon to see what would happen. One set of 135 - nothing happened. 205, same thing. So I went up to 325. Since it was not 355, I'm going to call that "taking it easy"! Hell NO I'm not going to wait until next year to make another run at a deadlift max. I will hit 400 by the end of this year.

Thrawn
05-19-08, 4:30 am
Great attitude, Gazzara! But also remember: be carefull of injuries or nagging little nitbits. If you dont respect them... they certainly dont respect you and will take you out of the game for a while.

Gazzara
05-21-08, 3:22 pm
.."Westside" Sumo Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255, 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/1-335
..Standard "Ass-down" Deadlifts: 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255, 1/1-305, 1/1-325, 1/4-255
..Romanian Deadlifts: not any more! I finally got my form improved. I drag the bar up my shins on every deadlift.

....mowed the lawn again 21:45 - 40 pound vest, but no ankle weights. Instead I added an extra 50 pounds over the 40 pound vest. I took a pair of old jeans and slid a 25 pound plate in the top, then ran a rope through the belt lops and tied it closed to keeo the weight in. This was the back weight. I draped the legs over my shoulders and in the front I pushed the bottom of the right leg through the other 25 pound plates, then tied it to the bottom of the left leg. Quite cleaver, don't you think? ...and cheap

Hey Thrwan, I think I am healing up now. I have been taking plenty of liver tablets, amino acids and Animal Stak. The Stak seems to make sense when recovering from an injury. That's when you really need to be in an anabolic state.

Hollow
05-21-08, 3:29 pm
My hat is off to you Gazzara, you are showing great drive and determination in reaching your goal! I like your idea of "taking it easy", testing the waters first! I agree that was a damn clever idea using the jeans to hold the additional plates!

Northman
05-21-08, 5:42 pm
Great way to "MacGyver" additional weight to your vest! I'm glad to hear your injury was nothing serious.

Gazzara
06-09-08, 1:48 pm
335 deadlift - Happy Birthday to me!
...Like many things in my life, lifting sometimes gets put on hold. Somethings never get back to the top, like the TR7 convertible that finally got towed out of the yard after 5 years of waiting for a 289 Ford or 327 Chevy V-8. Then there are the 3 semi-racing rowing shells that have been racked in my yard for 3 years since I got a $175 "ticket" for rowing without a life jacket. The list goes on, but lifting always gets back on the top and back up to speed time after time.

...So I am now putting lifting on hold - but just for a few weeks until I can set up my equipment in the retail supplement store that I will finally get to open after years of patiently waiting. It will be just me, by myself, running the store, the website, and a small personal training gym in the back. I did not want to open the store without a workout area. Supplements are supposed to be about lifting weights and I want my customers to hear iron banging in the racks when they walk in.

....The product space is 20 x 40 in the front and opens right up to a 20 x 25 equipment area in the rear. When you walk in the front door you will see the squat cage in the rear. I know several personal trainers who want to bring their client in to train them, and of course I will be lifting in the back myself. I'll bring my bench, smith machine, concrete "stones", heavy 100 pound "medicine balls, dumbells, Olympic weights. I will have a posing area and ligting set up for customers who are prepping for contests. I may even be able to get a strongman contest in the huge parking lot out front. One thing for certain, I will enjoy every day that I am there. I hope to spend the next 15 years working out, selling useful supplements, and dealing with other lifters every day. It is as close as I will ever get to retirement. Vince

...Oh yeah, and I'll bring the MacGyver pants too!

Hollow
06-09-08, 2:19 pm
335 lb Deadlift, indeed Happy Birthday to you Gazzara!

Wishing you all the success in the world in your new venture. Retirement? Damn, that sounds like the perfect job! Who'd ever want to retire from that situation!?

Thrawn
06-09-08, 3:45 pm
Sounds like you got yourself a nice setup for the next few years. Living the life, staying close to the game. Nice, man. I envy you.

Northman
06-11-08, 9:40 pm
How's everything going? I haven't heard from you in a bit.

Gazzara
06-13-08, 1:11 am
How's everything going? I haven't heard from you in a bit.

It's going well, Stiff. I neglected to mention that I was at the Philly ABC event a few weeks ago at Long's Gym. I left before the photo, but I had a great time there.

Today I signed the lease on the new store. I expect to be in there tomorrow tearing out walls and setting the place up for the store and workout area. The paperwork, restrictions, signs, etc can be an obstacle but that's where the weight lifting experience helps. You just keep pushing ahead until you get the results that you want. I expect to be set up and open in 2 weeks. I can't wait to get all of my equipment in there and to start using it.

Northman
06-13-08, 4:44 pm
It's going well, Stiff. I neglected to mention that I was at the Philly ABC event a few weeks ago at Long's Gym. I left before the photo, but I had a great time there.

Today I signed the lease on the new store. I expect to be in there tomorrow tearing out walls and setting the place up for the store and workout area. The paperwork, restrictions, signs, etc can be an obstacle but that's where the weight lifting experience helps. You just keep pushing ahead until you get the results that you want. I expect to be set up and open in 2 weeks. I can't wait to get all of my equipment in there and to start using it.

Sounds cool. I may need some advice in regards to running a gym/store soon.

Gazzara
06-27-08, 12:55 am
Sounds cool. I may need some advice in regards to running a gym/store soon.

If you come to the Arnold Expo again this year, stop by and visit.

Today marks 14 straight days that I have been working 12 to 14 hours a day to gut this vacant store and put it back together. This is a big deal to me. Deadlifts and strongman competitions are fun, but working like a mule at an age when many guys retire - that's what makes me really proud of myself. I had about 7 days of demolition and disassembly. This filled a small dump truck, plus I brought a pick-up load of steel studs and copper to the recycle center [copper prices are high! -I waited in line with the crack heads and their stolen air conditioner units]
This past week was non-stop wall patching, plumbing re-routing, and electrical rewiring. I disassembled the walk-in cooler and sold that yesterday. The place is completely empty now and ready for paint on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday I will start moving the weights and equipment to the rear of the store, then shelves and products. I bought several more pieces of equipment really cheap off "Craig's List" I have several trainers who want to bring in clients, and a few powerlifters and bodybuilders who just want to come in and work out. Looks like I will have plenty of company.
The best part of the whole deal - it is all mine. My business, my store, my website, my equipment, and my own work. The main lesson I learned from years of lifting weights is that you must keep pushing yourself through every obstacle until you get the results that you want. I am almost there and feely really good.

Northman
06-27-08, 1:02 am
If you come to the Arnold Expo again this year, stop by and visit.

Today marks 14 straight days that I have been working 12 to 14 hours a day to gut this vacant store and put it back together. This is a big deal to me. Deadlifts and strongman competitions are fun, but working like a mule at an age when many guys retire - that's what makes me really proud of myself. I had about 7 days of demolition and disassembly. This filled a small dump truck, plus I brought a pick-up load of steel studs and copper to the recycle center [copper prices are high! -I waited in line with the crack heads and their stolen air conditioner units]
This past week was non-stop wall patching, plumbing re-routing, and electrical rewiring. I disassembled the walk-in cooler and sold that yesterday. The place is completely empty now and ready for paint on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday I will start moving the weights and equipment to the rear of the store, then shelves and products. I bought several more pieces of equipment really cheap off "Craig's List" I have several trainers who want to bring in clients, and a few powerlifters and bodybuilders who just want to come in and work out. Looks like I will have plenty of company.
The best part of the whole deal - it is all mine. My business, my store, my website, my equipment, and my own work. The main lesson I learned from years of lifting weights is that you must keep pushing yourself through every obstacle until you get the results that you want. I am almost there and feely really good.

Hard work pays off. I know how you're feeling about the exhaustion though.

Gazzara
07-28-08, 10:10 pm
...It has been almost 8 weeks, but I finally did deadlifts again. I little disappointed that I topped out at 285, but really excited that I got to workout in my new store. Here are a few pitcures www.vincesmuscleshop.com/xtra.htm
...I started with some sets of sumos and regular deadlifts, then went to singles.
Sumo deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/3-255
Standard deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/3-255, the singles with 255, 265, 275, 285. Since I had all afternoon I went back and did 255 about every 15 minutes getting 10 more singles. This usually is the best way for me to get readjusted to moving back up the weight range.
....Since I will be there 6 days a week, I guess I will finally start a split routine - deadlifts one day, next day curls and presses with the heavy medicine balls [42, 75, 100 lb], maybe a day off then stone lifting. If you look at the gym photo the stone platform is in the back next to the electric panel. I'll have to gets osme heavy-duty cushion to drop it on. I am going to try coating the stones with a ruberized truck bed lining "paint" so I can lift them without the mess of using tacky.
....So the photos show you what I have been doing for the past 6 weeks. I thought it would go faster, but some things just took a long time - like 4 days of removing ceramic tile from a concrete floor with a hammer and chisel. But in the end it is done and open. My daughter has already started training people in the back. I hope to make a decent living at this store, but if nothing else I built myself a really cool place to hang out.

Hollow
07-29-08, 9:19 am
A real cool place to hang out? That's an understatement! Good to hear things are going well for yourself Gazzara. Your place looks great and I wish you all the best!

Gazzara
08-04-08, 7:46 pm
Deadlifts are moving up again. I have started Animal Stak again about 4 days ago.

Sumo deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255
Standard deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255, then singles with 265, 275, 285, 295, 305
....more singles 5/1-305, 10/1-255

....I did some other training on the off days since the last deadlfts. One day I used the medicine balls - 4 sets of 10 doing 2-handed curls and also presses with the 42 pound "jumbo" sand-filled basketball. The 3 sets of five doing 1-hand curls and presses with a 25 pounder. A few years agon in the Fall I did only medicine ball routines for 3 months. I got up to one-handing the 42 for sets of 10 through about 10 exercises. Those routines really pulled a lot of stabilizer muscles into action.
...On the second off day I did sets of cleans with a tricep bar? it is one of those oval bars with 2 short grips facing each other like a strongman log.

Northman
08-04-08, 11:28 pm
Wow! Things are looking good. The store looks awesome. All it needs to make it a great clubhouse is a sign saying "No wimpz allowed!" out front.

Gazzara
08-07-08, 6:12 pm
No extra sets of deadlifts today, but I did get 310

Sumo deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255
Standard deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255, then singles with 265, 275, 285, 295, 305, 310

Yesterday I did standing presses from the rack. I am weak at presses because I never do them. I can only push-press about 140. So throughout the afternoon I did 10 sets of 7 with just 70 pounds. If I am consistant with this I might be able to build up some foundation for a respectable weight. If not, I might not get past the "No wimpz allowed" sign!

Northman
08-07-08, 11:30 pm
We have the same problem. I hate pressing movements. I am realizing that I need to be doing them more. Lately I've been training my bench press twice a week and overhead pressing once a week in the hopes that it helps.

Gazzara
08-11-08, 7:48 pm
Squats instead of deadlifts today. I have not done squats in about 5 years.

Squats all the way down: 2/5-120, 2/3-140
Box Squats to parallel: 10/5-190

Saturday I did plenty of medicine ball curls - and barbell curls: 6/7-75

Northman
08-12-08, 12:24 am
Do you think you will be incorporating them more from now on?

Gazzara
08-12-08, 7:30 am
Do you think you will be incorporating them more from now on?

Yes, I wil probably do deadlifts once a week and squats once a week. The squats should give me better leg strength for the deadlifts.

Gazzara
08-15-08, 7:42 pm
Deadlifts again. Yesterday I did sets of standing presses with 70, 80 and 85, and one-hand presses with the 42 pound sand ball. Th eday before I did sets of curls with a 70 barbell and 42 sand ball, and one-hand curls withthe 25 ball

Sumo deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255
Standard deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/5-205, 1/5-255, then singles with 305, 310. Later 4 singles with 305

Northman
08-15-08, 8:27 pm
Looks like your deads are slowly moving up. Keep at it!

shizz702
08-15-08, 8:35 pm
Hell yea man those deads are gonna go up in no time! You're well on your way!

Gazzara
08-19-08, 5:27 pm
I am strating to like squats again. I must be adjusting to them because I am going heavier

Squats all the way down: 2/5-120, 2/5-140
Box Squats to parallel: 2/5-190, 5/5-210, 3/5-230, 3/5-250.

I use a 19" high bench for the box, so I am about 1 inch above parallel. My heels are 17 inches apart to clear the base of the bench. On the box squat I use my hips more than my quads, the same as I do on deadlifts. Quads get worked well with thw ATG [all the way down] squats.

Saturday I did curls in sets of 10 with the 70 barbell and 42 ball, then one-arm curls with the 25 ball. Yesterday was presses: 5/7-85, 1/3-95, 2/7-one-arm with the 42 ball. The presses are light, but I need to build up a base strength through the whole pressing muscle chain which has not been used for years.

Stiff & Shizz, thanks for the feedback. And Stiff, when are you coming down to Columbus Ohio?!

Gazzara
08-23-08, 12:36 pm
335 today on the deadlift. All of the practice with the Westiside sumos and squats has been really important for hip strength, but todays single were all back and hams. They were Romanian or basically stiff-leg deads. Next week I will get back to the Westside methods because I need that hip action to get past the limit of what I can pull with my back.

bad-form deadlifts - 1/10-135, 1/3-205, then singles with 255, 305, 315, 325, 335

Yesterday was standing presses from the rack 5/7-85 - light weight but this is obviously an exercise that I neglected over the years. It needs long-term attention. Thursday was barbell curls throughout the day 10/7-70

Gazzara
08-27-08, 7:23 pm
Squats all the way down: 2/5-120, 1/5-140, 2/5-160
Box Squats to parallel: 2/5-190, 5/5-210, 3/5-230, 1/3-250.

standing presses yesterday 1/7-70, 1/7-80, 7/7-90 - moving up slowly

Monday was curls 10/7-80

Northman
08-27-08, 10:36 pm
Squats all the way down: 2/5-120, 1/5-140, 2/5-160
Box Squats to parallel: 2/5-190, 5/5-210, 3/5-230, 1/3-250.

standing presses yesterday 1/7-70, 1/7-80, 7/7-90 - moving up slowly

Monday was curls 10/7-80

How long do these workouts take you?

Gazzara
08-27-08, 10:40 pm
How long do these workouts take you?

All day - really. All of the equipment is right there in the back of the store. When I am not busy with something I just go back and do a set. Not what you would call high-intensity training. It is actually spread out over 5 or 6 hours.

Northman
08-27-08, 10:42 pm
Well you're sure to get some nutrients in during your workout then.

Gazzara
09-02-08, 6:48 pm
Sumo deadlifts - 1/5-135, 2/5-205, 1/5-255
Standard deadlifts - 1/5-135, 2/5-205, 1/5-255, 1/1-305, 4/1-315

Barbell Curls last Thursday: 5/7-80, 5/7-90

Gazzara
09-06-08, 10:26 pm
Squats all the way down: 5/5-120, 5/5-140, 5/5-150
Standard deadlifts - singles 135, 205, 255, 305, 320, 325, 320, 325, 5/1-305

Friday was standing presses from the rack - 1/7-70, 8/7-90
Thursday was barbell curls - 10/7-90

I think I will get down to Xenia next Saturday for the fall strongman contest. This will be the first one with no stone lifts and no 18 inch deadlifts. It looks really interesting with great tests of overall strength. Unfortunately I am really bad in at least one of them - the "floor" bench press. I think I only benched 190 in June and had not done any in the year before that. However, the barrel tip, wheel barrow, and "X" carry should be good.
...Here are the events:

1.) 4 Barrel Tip- stand up four 55 gal drums - 300, 400, 400, 500 lbs
2.) Rising Wheel Barrow - walk a weighted wheel barrow 5 yards, the weight will rise 100 lbs each round, then 5 yds and another 100 lbs, etc, etc
3.) Super Wench - reel in a vehicle (TBA), while in a standing position
4.) Log Press - floor press [bench press] with a typical Strongman log in a power rack, log resting in the palms of their hands, buttock must remain in contact with the mat. start 15" off the ground; the log will increase 25lbs each round.
5.) X-Stone carry for Time - carry the 180 pound "X" stone [10" PVC pipe in the shape of the letter "X"] 100 feet along a zig-zag course in 60 seconds. multiple drops are allowed
6.) Tire Throw - 3 throws of a standard car tire

Little Houghton
09-06-08, 11:07 pm
are these events the same for every class, or do they weights, times etc differ? this seems like something i could get some people at the gym interested in!

edit! also, what classes are there? is it divided by weight, age, both? thank you!

Northman
09-06-08, 11:32 pm
Looks cool. Good luck buddy!

Gazzara
09-07-08, 12:03 am
are these events the same for every class, or do they weights, times etc differ? this seems like something i could get some people at the gym interested in!

edit! also, what classes are there? is it divided by weight, age, both? thank you!

Here is the info http://theanvil88051.yuku.com/topic/4166/t/Xenia-Old-Fashioned-Strength-Challenge-VI.html

Masters is over 40 years old. Open classes are under 175, then 200, 235, 265, 300 and super heavy weight. Also teen and women's classes. I am in the over 50 "major masters" AKA the really old guys and that's why my weights are light.

If you are going to the contest, send me a PM. This is a great contest to start out - No stones or stone practice and form, just a plain test of gym strength. There will probably be about 50 competitors and it is part of a big town fair so there is usually a big crowd. And the competition is always very friendly.

Old School gym? you must train with Cory Gregory


Stiff, thanks for the encouragement.

Northman
09-07-08, 12:07 am
I'm here for you if you need me, but you knew that.

Little Houghton
09-07-08, 7:43 pm
yea i lift with cory, man he has connections all over haha. a little confused on what that site says though, basically as a teen in the under 200 class, i would be doing the 400, 500, 500, 600 barrels? cause that sounds like some heavy stuff.
also, i didnt see a date? thanks for all your help!

Gazzara
09-07-08, 8:51 pm
Farm Boy - as a light weigh teen your barrel weights would be the same as mine in the over 50 lightweights [I guess we regress as we get older!] So that would be 300, 400, 400 and 500. So with the 400 laying flat, you will only be lifting 200 on one end when you break it from the ground, then of course it gets lighter as you tilt it. Plus you are not lifting straight up, but driving into it like flipping a tire.

Your "X" carry will also be the same as mine - 180 pounds. I did this last year and it is not that hard because the shape of the weight makes it easy to hug it and lock your hands. Walking it 100 yards is not that hard - trotting or running is hard!

3 years ago I carried a 270 pound diamond shape rough concrete slab for 160 feet. I started with the slab high on my chest with hands locked around it as most guys did. The top was actually in front of my head and the high-carry was killing my back. After 50 feet I dropped it down to my knees and gripped it with just my hands on the edges and walked the rest of the way with the slab really low.

You should really consider getting in this contest, even if you think you are not ready. After one contest, you will feel really good comong back to th enext one which will be in May. And it fun to talk about when you get home

The contest is next Saturday Sept 13 at 12:00 Here is the entry form www.nastrongmaninc.com/pdf/entries/oldfashion.pdf The events on the form are slighly different, but the updated schedule is in the previous link.

If you want a ride we could probably meet up around 9:30 in downtown Columbus. I will be driving down 315 then rigt on down 71.

Little Houghton
09-07-08, 10:38 pm
alright...that all seems pretty reasonable, i was thinkin youd be liftin the full barrel weight off the ground. but if its this saturday i cant do it, gotta work, but im definitely gonna talk to cory about it tomorrow see if he'd be interested in doin it in the spring, sounds like a blast! thanks for everything, and good luck! hit me up with the info on the next one whenever you get ahold of it!

Gazzara
09-13-08, 3:02 pm
After all that talk about the strongman contest, I did not get there today. Nobody could cover for me at the store, but it was supposed to pour down rain all day so I did not feel too bad. However, it turned out to be bright and sunny anyway.

I did not lift for about 5 days because I expected to compete today. Maybe the break helped my deadlift. I keep moving up in repeated singles with heavier weight. In a month I might get back up to 350. I still see potential to get back to my 375 max from a few years ago. Maybe there is still a chance for 400 by my 57th birthday next June.


Standard deadlifts - singles 205, 255, 305, 335, 4/1-325, 2/1-305

Gazzara
09-19-08, 7:25 pm
Sumo deadlifts - 3/10-135, 4/5-205
Standard deadlifts - singles with 255, 305, 315, 325, 330, then 6/1-305

Gazzara
10-04-08, 11:30 am
Strongman training - FINALLY! Last week I found out that several guys I met at previous contests workout together in a warehouse about a mile from my home. I went there early this morning and got to lift with 7 really strong guys. The stone platform was about 44 inches high and tow of the guys lifted a 400 pound stone to the platform - twice! I have never seen that in person. It was awesome.

...I don't think I lifted stones for about a year, except for one light stone in the May contest. I waited until the heavy stuff was over, then I tried the 230 pouind stone. No warmup weight, no stretching - put the 230 on the 44 inch platform twice. I tried 260 , got it in my lap, and started to stand up but dropped it. It felt great.

...The warmup for the yoke walk was 250. I carried it for 50 feet. Everyone else moved up therough the weights with some of them doing 750.

...I tried the farmers walk with 210 each hand and went about 20 feet, dropped it, then picked it up again for a few feet.

...It was a great morning. In a few weeks those giys will all be in a strongman contest about an hour from here, so I am looking forward to watching it. When I have not lifted really heavy for a while I find that I lose some strength, but I also forget just how much maximum effort you need to apply to move really heavy things. Fortunately the mental part comes back quick.

Gazzara
10-19-08, 4:29 pm
I lifted stones yesterday with the same group of about 8 guys. We were using the 48 inch high platform which was too high for me with the "light" 230 stone. So I cleaned the 230 to my chest 3 times. I made several attempts with 260 but could not get it past my knees. I hope to get to Lancaster next week to see this group of guys compete. One of them, Rich Freitag, is going for a competition lightweight [under 230 body weight] stone record of 465 pounds. I want to see him get it.

I later went to the shop and throughout the afternoon I continued with the following barbell lifts.

Sumo deadlifts - 3/10-135, 4/5-205
Standard deadlifts - singles with 255, 305, then 5/1-305

......I started doing snatches with a light weight. I hope to keep increasing these wights to something more functional and respectable.
Snatch - 2/5-70, 4/5-90, 1/5-100, 2/5-110

...I have not given enough attention to my protein intake, but I am now back up to about 200 grams a day.

Gazzara
10-24-08, 8:34 pm
Some deadlift improvement today!

Sumo deadlifts - 3/10-135, 4/5-205
Standard deadlifts - singles with 255, 305, 325, 335, then 3/1-325, 3/1-305

Northman
10-25-08, 10:43 am
335... nice!

Gazzara
11-01-08, 5:17 pm
335... nice! thanks!

I made a new "No-Tacky" Grip Stone so I can lift at the store throughout the day, without getting covered with pine tar. Here its is at 210 pounds http://vincesmuscleshop.com/xtra.htm

I can pick it up without tacky, but a pair of cheap garden gloves with those rubber dots on the palms does make reps easier. I have the same old stone platform from my garage - now in the back of the store.

210 stone to 39 inches: 27/1
......that's 27 reps, mostly doubles and triples, spread out over 3 hours while sipping some beta-alanine and sugar crap that nobody is buying. I wanted to get 3 more so I opened another beta-alanine thing. While I was waiting and listening to Dinasaur Rock [aka "Classic Vinyl"] on SIRUS, what comes on but "Free Bird" !! That's one of several songs that just makes me frantic - the last 5 minutes of it. I started to hyperventilate and ran back to the platform in a frenzy and did a quick set of 6 reps with the 210, recovered, then did 3 more singles. I feel great - 36 total, and no messy clean-up!

210 stone to 39 inches: 1/6, 3/1


I will keep using the 210 here at the store and start working on speed with each pull. Next saturday I will go back with the really strong guys that I had worked out with a few weeks ago. Last week all 8 of them were in a heavy-duty contest about an hour from here. I watched most of it but had to leave before one of them, Brad, lifted the 475 stone over a 46 inch high bar - Yeah that's really was 475! amazing

Gazzara
11-06-08, 6:53 pm
Lat pull-downs and standing presses for the mid-week workout today.

Lat pull-downs: 4/10-70, 10/10-80, 4/10-90, 4/7-100
......[alternate pull-up and chin-up hand position each set]

Standing Press: 1/7-70, 3/7-80, 2/7-90, 2/4-100

Saturday morning I hope to lift stones with the big boys, then deadlifts at the store

Gazzara
11-08-08, 1:02 pm
..strongman stuff this morning with the big guys. First I pulled a 20 pound sled 100 feet with a few stops. Then Framers Hold for time - 195 each hand for 48 seconds. Next stones -

235 stone to 44 inches: 1/3 with one more incomplete to about 36"
260 stone to 44 inches: 1/1 with one more incomplete to about 36"
....So getting 280 by the end of the year seems much more likely now.

Later at the store:
Deadlifts: 1/1-205, 1/1-255, 1/1-305
....and more stones
210 stone to 39 inches: 5/2 ...and that was enough for today

Gazzara
11-11-08, 10:11 pm
Lat pull-downs and standing presses for the mid-week workout today.

Lat pull-downs: 14/10-70, 6/10-80, 4/10-90
......[alternate pull-up and chin-up hand position each set]

Standing Press: 2/7-70, 5/7-80, 3/5-90, 2/3-100

Northman
11-11-08, 10:30 pm
I wish I knew some "big guys" around here to train with.

Your training is really coming around. I've got to get a "log". It's the next thing I think I may buy for my gym.

Gazzara
11-11-08, 10:36 pm
Stiff, check out the You tube videos for my new training buddies http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=rickfreitag&view=videos particularly the Killer Sled tug of war. Two guys are puling each other and a 400 pound sled back and forth across the warehouse.

Northman
11-11-08, 11:26 pm
Stiff, check out the You tube videos for my new training buddies http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=rickfreitag&view=videos particularly the Killer Sled tug of war. Two guys are puling each other and a 400 pound sled back and forth across the warehouse.

Damn! That takes endurance! Funny accents to boot!

Gazzara
11-15-08, 2:24 pm
..strongman training again - these guys change the routine a bit every week.

....Started with a keg carry/ farmers medley for about 35 feet. Carried the 165 keg, went back and got the 200, then tried the farmers [timber carry really since they are like raliroad ties with handles and weight] 235 each hand - went about 10 feet and dropped, then another 10 feet

....The carried the 225 keg for about 20 feet, then Farmers Hold for time - 235 each hand for 28 seconds. Next stones -

235 stone to 44 inches: 1/1 with one more incomplete to about 36"
260 stone to 44 inches: 2/1 with two more incomplete to about 36"
..So 260 twice to a good height, and two shorter lifts - that's a lot of improvement for me. I'm excited.

Gazzara
11-19-08, 8:05 pm
Mid-week arms workout again - Lat pull-downs and standing presses

Lat pull-downs: 4/10-70, 4/10-80, 4/10-90, 2/10-100
......[alternate pull-up and chin-up hand position each set]

Standing Press: 2/7-70, 2/7-80, 2/7-90, 1/7-100

Northman
11-20-08, 11:39 am
You are moving some respectable numbers, you've gotta compete next year!

Gazzara
11-20-08, 11:44 am
You are moving some respectable numbers, you've gotta compete next year!

thanks Stiff - this is getting interesting, I'll see how far I can progress - Stones and heavy stuff again on Saturday!

Gazzara
11-22-08, 11:05 am
..strongman training again
Deadlifts on 2" bar: 2/5-225, 1/3-300, 1/1-300
Farmers walk: 40 ft - 130 each hand, 30 feet - 220 each hand
235 stone to 48 inches: 1/3
260 stone: three incomplete to about 36"
300 stone: a few inches off the floor 3 times

..So I made it up to the 48 inch platform with 235 for reps. I wil keep doing that and wait a few weeks to try the 260 again. That extra 4 inches from 44 to 48 needs a lot more work.

Gazzara
11-29-08, 11:40 am
....495 out of the power rack!
I actually went to a real gym today, so no stone lifting. However, I had a nice deadlift routine out of the power rack. The lowest setting for the safety bars was 19 inches so these are partial deadlifts.

19 inch deadlift singles: 365, 405, 455, 495 - no straps or belt. 5 plates really is a pretty sight.

After that I did 315 from the floor. I put on 325 and placed my hands on the bar, but passed on that. I just did not feel I could pull together enough power. Sometimes it really is best to walk away. It was a great 30 minutes in the gym.

Northman
11-29-08, 4:05 pm
....495 out of the power rack!
I actually went to a real gym today, so no stone lifting. However, I had a nice deadlift routine out of the power rack. The lowest setting for the safety bars was 19 inches so these are partial deadlifts.

19 inch deadlift singles: 365, 405, 455, 495 - no straps or belt. 5 plates really is a pretty sight.

After that I did 315 from the floor. I put on 325 and placed my hands on the bar, but passed on that. I just did not feel I could pull together enough power. Sometimes it really is best to walk away. It was a great 30 minutes in the gym.

You are just plowing through the weights recently! 495 is no small feat!

Gazzara
12-06-08, 10:36 am
235 stone to 44 inches: 1/5
260 stone to 44 inches 1/1, to 40 inches 1/1
235 stone to 48 inches: 1/1, to 40 inches 1/1, to 36 inches 1/1

Later at the store:
Deadlifts: 1/1-255, 1/1-305, 1/1-315, 1/1-325, 2/1-305

...So I guess I am getting stronger, but I don't seem to have the depth or endurance to do a lot of this. I expected to finish my deadlifts with 10 or more 305 singles throughout the afternoon, but I was just plain worn out. Still, I am happy with the set of 5 with the 230 stone. I expect that I will get to 280 in the next few months.

Gazzara
12-13-08, 12:47 pm
Started today with weak deadlifts, then some strongman medly stuff, and finally some really good stone sets.

Deadlifts: 1/5-245, singles with 265, 285 - that was all

Farmers hold for time: 180 each hand 60 sec, 230 each hand 25 seconds
30 foot walk/drag with each implement: 200 lb keg, 200 ln sled, farmers walk with 140 pair,
....then heavier sled and farmers.

235 stone to 44 inches: 1/5 fast - under 30 seconds
260 stone to 44 inches 1/1, to 40 inches 1/1
260 stone to 44 inces 1/1, and one more to the rim, but droped it
235 stone to 44 inches: 1/5
300 stone - broke it loose from the floor again, but only a few inches.

..So this time I started slow, but managed a lot of work over 90 minutes

....My body weight is now 190. I expect to get down to 175 before the Arnold Expo in March so I don't look sloppy.

Northman
12-14-08, 1:36 pm
Started today with weak deadlifts, then some strongman medly stuff, and finally some really good stone sets.

Deadlifts: 1/5-245, singles with 265, 285 - that was all

Farmers hold for time: 180 each hand 60 sec, 230 each hand 25 seconds
30 foot walk/drag with each implement: 200 lb keg, 200 ln sled, farmers walk with 140 pair,
....then heavier sled and farmers.

235 stone to 44 inches: 1/5 fast - under 30 seconds
260 stone to 44 inches 1/1, to 40 inches 1/1
260 stone to 44 inces 1/1, and one more to the rim, but droped it
235 stone to 44 inches: 1/5
300 stone - broke it loose from the floor again, but only a few inches.

..So this time I started slow, but managed a lot of work over 90 minutes

....My body weight is now 190. I expect to get down to 175 before the Arnold Expo in March so I don't look sloppy.

Great work!

p.s. Don't sacrifice strength for vanity. Prioritize!

Gazzara
12-15-08, 5:44 pm
....My body weight is now 190. I expect to get down to 175 before the Arnold Expo in March so I don't look sloppy.

Great work!
p.s. Don't sacrifice strength for vanity. Prioritize!

..OK - body weight is 194 today. Apparently I am not really ready to sacrifice anything!

Northman
12-15-08, 11:30 pm
....My body weight is now 190. I expect to get down to 175 before the Arnold Expo in March so I don't look sloppy.


..OK - body weight is 194 today. Apparently I am not really ready to sacrifice anything!

There yah go!

Gazzara
12-20-08, 5:17 pm
...I was too late for the usual Saturday punishment with the stone lifters,
so I did deadlifts in the back of the store today over 4 hours

Deadlifts from floor: 1/3-205, singles with 255, 305, 325, 335
19 inch partial deadlifts: singles with 320, 370, 420 -470 did not budge
....then 10/1-370, 2/1-400

...I expected to get more weight today, but at least I got in some good grip work

Gazzara
12-27-08, 11:27 am
A variety of strongman lifts today.
Clean to shoulders 2" bar: 4/1-170
Clean & push-press 2" bar: 5/1-140
Log clean to shoulders: 3/1-100, 1/1-120
Farmer walk: 2/25 ft with 135 each hand, 1/60 ft with 185 each hand
Sled drag: 1/50 ft -550 lb
stones: warm-ups with 235, 2/1-260 to 44 inch platform - and one to 40 inches

When I can get 3 good singles with 260 I will consider that an improvement.

Northman
12-28-08, 12:29 pm
A variety of strongman lifts today.
Clean to shoulders 2" bar: 4/1-170
Clean & push-press 2" bar: 5/1-140
Log clean to shoulders: 3/1-100, 1/1-120
Farmer walk: 2/25 ft with 135 each hand, 1/60 ft with 185 each hand
Sled drag: 1/50 ft -550 lb
stones: warm-ups with 235, 2/1-260 to 44 inch platform - and one to 40 inches

When I can get 3 good singles with 260 I will consider that an improvement.

I want all that equipment. Lucky fellow.

Gazzara
12-28-08, 6:22 pm
I want all that equipment. Lucky fellow.

Yes, it really is great equipment and it is all first-rate. Here is the video page of Rick Freitag, the guy who set up the Saturday morning training sessions in a warehouse where he works. He has a truck pull harness, yoke, "farmers walk" timbers with handles, a Conan's wheel, plenty of stones, a sled, a huge tire, sand-filled kegs, and plenty of weights.
...Rick and Brad in the videos have both put a 465 pound stone up 4 feet. I really am lucky to be able to train with the experts.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=rickfreitag&view=videos

notice the 300 pound stone bouncing off the rubber mats like a basketball!

Gazzara
12-28-08, 7:02 pm
by the way... I am up to 202 pounds, the most I have ever weighted! I was not surprsied to see that my waist is now 36 inches! I must have a really muscular waist. Fortunately my chest is 44 so my gut does not look too fat. And for the first time my biceps are both finally 15 inches.

Next week I am starting with a few mild, non-stimulating fat loss supplements that I have suggested to many people. I will post more later but here are the basics: an intestinal cleanse/detox capsule, a liver cleanse capsule, Guggulbolic, and a blend of standard lipotropics [carnitine, chromium, biotin, choline, etc] with hoodia to curb hunger. I will add more protein to make up for the lack of pie, cake and mashed potatoes.

I hope to get down to 175 while I keep improving my stone lifts and heavy farmers walk. I think I can do that in 2 months, in time for the Arnold Expo the first week of March. I don't want to show up at the Cage looking lke a slob!

Gazzara
01-03-09, 2:52 pm
Deadlifts,and more deadlifts today at a Gold's Gym

singles from 18 inches in the rack: 315, 355, 405, 425, 445.
...I really think I could have gone higher, but my grip was slipping. I think they polish the knurl on these bars so that you don't lift too much.

Deadlifts from the floor: 1/1-315, 1/1-335, missed 345, 1/2-315, 1/1-315

18 inch deadlifts: 1/1-365, 1/1-415, 1/5-365, 1/10-315, 1/5-225, 1/1-315, 1/1-365, 1/10-225

Deadlifts from the floor: 2/5-225

I tried the bench press - got 185 but missed 205. My bench press goal for June is modest - just 200. I have only been under 200 twice since I started lifting in high school. I bench press 3 times a year and do deadlifts and strongman stuff the rest of the time, so that's my version of a split routine.

My lower back is sore and stiff on most mornings, but not when I am lifting. I think I put more strain on my back when I sleep than when I workout.

Northman
01-04-09, 3:19 pm
I'd look into a new mattress. The difference a good mattress makes in your recovery is substantial.

Gazzara
01-10-09, 10:26 am
Strongman again today: - no warm-up

Deadlifts from floor, 2 inch bar, standing on 3 inch platform:
....2/5-260, 1/8-300
Deadlifts from floor, 2 inch bar: single with 320

Farmers [timber] hold for time: 235 each hand-29 seconds, 215 each hand-35 seconds

Stones to 46 inches: 1/2-235, 1/3-235

...not a lot of work there today. I was out of energy when I got to the stones. Could it be the digestive and liver cleanse that I started 6 days ago! I did drop down to 192. I should be 187 next Saturday, 180 by the end of January.

Gazzara
01-17-09, 4:05 pm
Deadlifts from floor, 2 inch bar:
.....singles with 260, 330 - missed 340, then 1/5-310, 1/10-260. I was hoping for 340 or more. I'll try it on Thursday with a regular bar.

"Duck walk" 145 pounds for 40 feet then walk with the 430 pound yoke for 25 ft - drop it - then 25 feet back. 57 seconds
....for the duck walk the weights are stacked on a short vertical bar and you lift by holding a 2" rope - stradle it and walk.

Farmers [timber] hold for time: 220 each hand-60 seconds - I think that is my best hold so far.

Stones to 46 inches: 1/2-235, 1/2-260, 1/2-235
....I did not have much energy left for the stones - I never do. These workouts require a lot of maximum output from me.

Gazzara
01-19-09, 8:34 pm
OK, I can stop crying about the deadlift - I pulled 350 in the back of the store today and got half way up with 360.

I usually deadlift and do the strongman workout wearing work boots so I can get good ankle support with the heavy weights. Rick, the veteran strongman in the group, told me to wear flat shoes with no heel. I always thought that this was just to get that extra 3/4 inch, but he said that the heel changes the angle of your shins and gets you pushing on your toes instead of your heels. So I did today's deadlift with no shoes and really pushed through my heels for 350.

Gazzara
01-24-09, 10:54 am
I had a short but exhausting workout this morning.

Deadlifts with 2 rubber bands over the bar: 1/4-225.

Farmer walk 180 each hand - 30 feet, drop them, turn around and pick up to return to start. I did 6 x 30 feet. I really liked this but it completely drained me.

220 keg carry: 50 feet before I dropped it. I have a lot of trouble "bear-hugging" the big keg and walking with it. Instead I had it laying across my thighs which made each step hard since I was lifting the keg and my leg.

I skipped the stones because I did not think I had the strength to hold the small 230 stone tight enough to get to the platform.

There is always something amazing to see when I workout with this Saturday morning crew. Rick deadlifted 325 today - with one hand!

My weight is about 188 now

Gazzara
01-31-09, 1:26 pm
log clean - 145 and 155

deadlifts - 1/10-145. 1/10-235, 1/1-325

Frame carry 330 lbs for 45 ft, picked up 510

Keg carry 200 lb for 90 feet

stones to 44 inch platform 1/50-110 in under 4 minutes. The 110 is my aerobics stones

I weigh 186 now

Northman
01-31-09, 8:03 pm
lol... aerobic stones!

Gazzara
02-02-09, 5:08 pm
lol... aerobic stones!

...and here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbmrzriH34&feature=channel_page

Gazzara
02-07-09, 11:14 am
did some light log cleans, deadlifts with bands, and light snatches - then some heavy stuff

frame carry: 330 for 135 ft - no drops and 3 turns

frame carry: 430 for 45 feet

keg carry: 225 for 45 feet, slow walk with keg laying across thighs

sled drag: 800 for 45 feet - hardest thing was getting traction under my feet.

Northman
02-07-09, 9:58 pm
did some light log cleans, deadlifts with bands, and light snatches - then some heavy stuff

frame carry: 330 for 135 ft - no drops and 3 turns

frame carry: 430 for 45 feet

keg carry: 225 for 45 feet, slow walk with keg laying across thighs

sled drag: 800 for 45 feet - hardest thing was getting traction under my feet.
Looks like fun!

Gazzara
02-21-09, 11:04 am
Farmers walk went well today: 135 each hand for 320 feet with 7 U-turns - NO Drops!, 225 each hand was only 20 feet with one drop.

Stones: 2/1-235 to full 48 inches, then several attempts with 260. I got 300 off the ground and up about 6 inches a few times. That 6 inches is about where the transition is to using different muscles for the primary force. I think it takes more from the ham strings at that point. There are several muscle group transitions as you go from the floor, to getting the stone in your lap, then standing up with it, then arching back far enough to hit the platform.

Cleans to shoulder height: 3/5-145, 1/4-155, 2/1-165, 1/9-145

Gazzara
02-28-09, 9:57 pm
stones to 48" 3/1-235, plus 2 missed with 235 and 3 missed with 260

Hustafeldt stone hold - 420 for 1 minute, but I think I cheated by resting it parially on my quads

I got there late (again) so it was a short workout

Deadlifts - "modified sumo" warmups with 135, 205, 255 6/1-305 using grips

....Next Saturday will be a full day of weight lifting excitement. at 7:00 Am the small group of strongman guys that I train with is getting company, About 15 more competitors will be in town to go to the Arnold Expo, so they are stopping by for a big group training session. One of them is the alternate for the Arnold strongman competition. I don't expect to train that day, but I will be there to watch the action. Then off to the Arnold Expo until it closes at 6:00 PM, then to the downtown Metro Fitness to train with the "Animal Barbell Club" from Universal. And after that a huge party at a downtown club with many of the bodybuilding and fitness people who will be representing the supplement companies at the Expo.

Northman
03-01-09, 7:35 pm
It's a shame I won't get to see you this year. I wanted to see the changes you've wrought .

Gazzara
03-08-09, 10:56 pm
Busy weekend lifting and meeting Forum members at the CAGE - Big Al, Big Ant, McFly, Big Wides. Four great guys from the Philadelphia/NJ/Delaware area where I spent most of my life before moving out here to Ohio.

Thursday night I went to the women's amateur figure competition with my daughter and a figure competitor whom she is training. Friday I spent the whole day - 10:30 to 6:00 - at the Arnold Expo checking out all of the good supplement companies and. of course, visiting the Animal booth. One no-name brand had a deadlift-your-weight-for reps competition and no line since it was early, so I did it. At 190 I got 35 reps - no set-downs - but with no chalk my hands started to slip. I jerked the bar up at the top on 35 and tried to catch it with a tighter grip, but dropped it. That was disappointing.

Early Saturday morning our small strongman group got company when 15 more guys who were in town for the Expo stopped by to train. It was really awesome to watch. They all know each other, but they really like to compete with each other just like the Pros in the CAGE. Before I left they were rotating through a 500 pound deadlift and several were still in at 650. The one-on-one tire flip was really a last man standing competition. Two guys face each other. Fisrt guy flips the 700 pound tire once toward the other guy, who then flips it right back to him. This goes until one of them can't.

So in between watching the realy strong guys I did some deadlifts getting up to a 325 single. I then did the farmers walk with 225 each hand for about 40 feet, but it was really slow. Later around 4:00 I went back downtown to catch the end of the 2nd day of the Expo. I had to skip the ABC Columbus workout because I really had enough leg work. However, I did get to the huge and always outrageous "Charity After Bash" with free all-access passes since my daughter is a close friend of the guy who produced it. Plenty of bodybuilders, figure competitors and really fit people who wanted to be seen.

Sunday, back to the Expo again with plenty of cash to pick up supplement at the bargain prices that you can usually find in the last few hours. It was a full weekend, but I will have to get back to some real training next week.

Stiff - see you next year. Bring the family

McFly
03-11-09, 3:09 pm
IT WAS GREAT MEETING YOU THIS WEEKEND!

thanks for the lift to and from the hotel...that was a life saver not having to fight for a cab!

good luck with everything to come!!!

Northman
03-11-09, 8:23 pm
Stiff - see you next year. Bring the family

Oh yah! I reeeaally felt like a missed out on a lot this year. You've come so far. Any chance I'd get to train with your friends too?

Gazzara
03-14-09, 7:07 pm
Oh yah! I reeeaally felt like a missed out on a lot this year. You've come so far. Any chance I'd get to train with your friends too?
Sure - come on down!

After that great weekend I got sick on Monday night and had the typical stomach flu which left me drained. Maybe it was from taking protin bar samples and drink samples at the Expo after a several thousand people had already spread their germs on everything.

I skipped traing this morning because I wasn't quite up to it. The deadlift for reps thing from the Expo was bugging me so this afternoon I tried 205 for reps and did 30 with straps. I was a bit dizzy when I finished. Later I did 20 reps Sumo. Both were with no set-downs. I should be in good shap for next Saturday.

There are 2 local contests coming up in May. One has a farmers walk for distance - no time limit - 200 each hand. I am going to start practicing this every week.

Northman
03-16-09, 3:41 pm
You certainly have a lot of contests in your area. I got sick at the classic last year, but it was from a caffeine overdose I think. I had waayy too many samples in my system at once.

Gazzara
03-21-09, 12:17 pm
my clean and jerk really needs some work and I have never been very good pressing overhead, but I am making progress. My deadlifts for the next few months will be light and fast. For the first time I am actually being trained in deadlifts by my buddy Rick. We are working on pushing through the heels and exploding off the floor.

Clean & Jerk: 2/5-120
Deadlifts from 3" platform: 1/10-135, 1/10-185, 1/3-205, 1/3-225, 1/4-225
Deadlifts with bar at 18 inches: singles with 315 and 405

Farmers walk 210 each hand no drops: 55 feet, later 45 feet
....when I dropped it at 45 feet I picked it up again for 10 feet, then again for 5 feet, then I could not pick it up. It completely drained me, but not as much as the next event.

225 keg carry and 350 sled drag. I carried the keg about 70 feet with it laying across my quads just above the knees. I stopped 4 times and sat back, but did not set the keg down. Then the sled drag for about 50 feet, then made at least 5 stops before pulling it the across the finish at 80 feet. Then I was really drained and did not do the stones. It was a great morning.

Gazzara
03-29-09, 12:54 pm
I did quite a volume of work on Saturday. I used a waxy-maize/protein/creati ne/arginine/BCAA drink which really helped. Also, it was in the afternoon.
...I weighed 183 after a week of very low carbs - plenty of protein, liver tablets, roasted almonds.

deadlift from floor: 3/5-135, 1/5-205, 1/3-255, 1/3-275,

18" deadlift: 320

deadlift from floor: 275

18" deadlift: 370

deadlift from floor: 275

18" deadlift: 420

deadlift from floor: 3/1-275

stone to 38" platform: 1/15-205

18" deadlift: 370, 320

stone to 38" platform: 1/10-205

18" deadlift: 320, 340, 360, 380, 400

Gazzara
04-01-09, 10:39 pm
just deadlifts today alternating from the floor and the rack.

deadlift from floor: 1/5-205, 1/3-255, 3/5-255,10/1-275

18" deadlift - singles: 220, 320, 370, 390, 390, 370, 320, 320

Gazzara
04-04-09, 2:23 pm
I made it on time for the strongman workout so I did all of the lifts today. Started with log cleans with 145, but could not press it.

Deadlifts off 3" platform: 1/3-235, 1/2-305, 1/1-305, 1/3-285

Farmers walk 210 each hand 1 drop: 65 feet
Farmers walk 135 each hand no drops: 280 feet

Yoke carry 530: Picked it up - did not walk
Yoke carry 350: 50 ft, 50 ft, 25 ft
...if the weight starts swinging I have to fight for every step. However, with it steady I can just walk forward. I will try 440 next time.

Stones: I did not get any on the 48" platform, but I lifted the 235 and 265 to my chest several times, and carried the 235 10 feet then lifted it up.

Gazzara
04-11-09, 11:25 am
Frame pick up: 1/3-330, 1/1-430, 1/3-510
18" deadlift: 1/3-235, 1/3-325, 1/3-415, 1/1-455
Farmers Hold: 210 each hand - 1:03
Pick-up truck harness pull for 80 feet: twice
Stones: 2/1-260 to chest, 5/1-235 to chest

Gazzara
04-17-09, 1:22 am
Rick, whom I train with, emailed me to tell me that it was 465 that I did in the 18 inch deadlift, not 455. So that puts me 15 pounds over my previous best from a few years ago. I expect that this summer I will get one of these partials with 500, probably before I can get 400 from the floor.

Most of the guys who come in our store talk about their workouts. I don't say much about my lifts because I am pulling and carrying more weight than most of them. Everyone wants to know how to get big and strong really fast. I have a store full of supplements and I really don't know what to tell them. When I started lifting my sophomore year in high school (1968) there were no supplements! At 15 I weighed about 140 and had just begun lifting weight. At 16 I weighed just under 150 and was deadlifting and squating 325, benching 225.

I got strong fast like the rest of my buddies - because we wanted to. So when young guys come in the store looking for test boosters, etc I want to just tell them, "Don't be a pussy - put the dumbbells down and starting lifting heavy weight!" But if I did, they wouldn't buy anything. So I keep quite and direct them toward some f-ing awesome vitamins or some Muscle Milk Mocca-Cocoa-crappa drink. Something is wrong when a guy who is almost 57 is doing strongman stunts while the post-adolescent gym rats are struggling with a 200 pound deadlift. I think most of these guys just have no idea what it is like to do real work. Maybe it's too many years of low expectations and excessive praise in the public school system. Or maybe I am just a cranky old guy - but I still keep hitting PR's!

Gazzara
04-20-09, 5:32 pm
I had to go to a fitness center yesterday [L A Fitness] because I was away for the weekend. I did a lot of deadlifts, partial deadlifts with the bar at 21 inches, and some jumping on the leg press sled. I alternated the deads and partial deads. For the sled "jump" I lowered the weight until my knees were against my chest, held it for a few seconds, then pushed it up with as much speed as possible trying to launch it off of my feet at the top. I was hoping to build some explosive strength from the bottom of my deadlift.

Deadlift from the floor: 1/5-225, 2/3-275,

Deadlift - bar at 21 inches: 1/3-225, 1/3-325, 1/1-375, 1/5-325, singles with 405, 225, 315, 405. The knurl on the bar was not very good and I could not hold onto more than 405

Sled: 1/10-360

Sled - jump: 1/5-270, 2/10-270, 2/5-270

Cleans to shoulders: 2/5-135, 1/5-155

Northman
04-20-09, 8:19 pm
Or maybe I am just a cranky old guy - but I still keep hitting PR's!

Yah, you're probably just cranky.

Gazzara
04-21-09, 7:52 am
Yah, you're probably just cranky.
Grrrrr "Get off of my lawn!" - Clint Eastwood from Gran Torino. Now that was one cranky guy.

The leg sled "jumps" must have been effective. My quads are very tender and it is hard to walk down the stairs.

Northman
04-21-09, 9:22 pm
Grrrrr "Get off of my lawn!" - Clint Eastwood from Gran Torino. Now that was one cranky guy.

The leg sled "jumps" must have been effective. My quads are very tender and it is hard to walk down the stairs.

My legs are always tender. This is most likely due to my general state of suppleness.

Gazzara
04-25-09, 11:36 am
a few good lifts today getting ready for the first contest of the summer next Saturday, then another one 2 weeks later.

Log Press - I cleaned 195. I can only press about 150 and the contest weight is 200 for reps. I Know I can't press it in the contest, but I do want to be able to at least clean it.

225 Keg/350 sled medley for 80 feet: This went well. I usually carry the keg laying across my quads, gripping it from the top edge of the rim on both ends. This really wears you down because you are lifting the keg with your legs each time you step. So today I did the same thing but grabbed the bottom of the rim - the top edge was at my elbows. Much better, walked the 80 feet without stopping. The sled drag was steady.

Farmers Walk: 195 each hand for 120 feet. This was great. The contest is 200 each hand for distance, no time limit. That's my event because I can hold the weight for a long time.

300 frame lift: The second contest is 300 for reps in 60 seconds, handles at 18 inch. This was easy. 27 in a minute. I am sure I can get more than 30. The next class up is 500 pounds and I think I will do that also just to get it on record.

770 Tire Flip: got it to my chest but could not get the momentum to get under it. The contest will be 600 so I should be OK

Gazzara
05-11-09, 12:21 am
The Slater's strongman contest was a week ago. I had a good day, but it could have been better. I have a few photos all the way at the bottom of this page http://www.vincesmuscleshop.com/Workout-Info.htm

I passed on the first event which was a 200 log press for reps. I can clean it, but cannot press more than 160 so I saved my energy. The farmers walk was 200 each hand over a grass field, no time limit. I lost my grip at 49 feet which was disappointing since I had gone 120 feet in training.

The tire flip was lighter than the 600 that was expected - probably more like 400 to 450. I did the 60 foot course, but not that fast.

The stone carry went well. 237 pound flat stone for 200 feet in about 55 seconds. About 10 yards from the end, when I knew I would not drop it, I tried to run with it and got under the 60 second time limit

The stone platforms were 46 inches. I got the 210. My hands were too close to the steel rim on the 235 and I smashed my right index finger, but made the lift. I missed the 265, but was suprised how close it was when I saw the picture. I had the stone at the rim and dropped it. I picked it up a second time but did not get that high.

It was a good day and another contest is coming up in Xenia next Saturday.

Gazzara
06-09-09, 11:17 pm
Happy birthday to me! 335 deadlift - 205 bench. I started deadlifts with 225, then 315, 335, and almost 355 but did not get it past my knees. Started through the weights again with 225, 275, 325, 335 - could not get 345.

..I do bench press two or three times a year, one of those being on my birthday. 185, 195, 205 - I'll take the 205! In the coming year I may do bench presses 4 times.

So I missed my birthday goal of 300 pounds plus my weight, but I have one more year to practice before 358.

Gazzara
07-21-09, 7:53 pm
Last weekend I went to the strongman cookout. Had not done any heavy lifting since my birthday, but after some food and beverage at the cookout I lifted and held 280 each hand for the "farmers hold". That was a nice lift.

Hollow
07-22-09, 11:04 am
A tad late but Happy Belated Birthday Gazzara!!!

Gazzara
08-22-10, 6:56 am
over a year since I posted, but of course I am still lifting. In June on my 58th birthday I deadlifted 350 from the floor and 450 from the rack (bar at 18") I picked up a 580 pound frame last month and yesterday trotted around with a 250 frame for about 1,000 feet in 7 minutes, dropping it and picking it up every 50 feet. In July I walked a mile in 15-1/2 minutes for some charity fund-raiser with an 80 pound vest over a 40 pound vest, and 15 on each ankle. Still working on that 280 pound stone, and decided to try to develop a decent bench press again.

Gazzara
09-06-10, 3:08 pm
yesterday I climbed up and down the stright run of 108 steps next to the local dam twice, with my 100 pound punching bag on my shoulder and 10 pound ankle weights. Had to rest at the top and bottom. walking down the second time was shakey. the shoulder carry is top-heavy.

Gazzara
07-12-11, 5:52 pm
still lifting and running the supplement store. Deadlifted 350 off the ground and all-time max 470 rack pull (18 inches) a week before my 59th birthday in June. A week after I carried a 510 pound frame for 35 feet. It is necessary to lift heavy weight every week as you get older or you will start to lose the fast-twitch muscle fibers that power up those heavy weights - and at some point you can't get it back. Fortunately I still have it.
One of the largest supplement lines in our Columbus OH store is Universal. I am proud to say that I have more Universal and Animal products in stock than any store in town. I like the brand. I like selling it - Vince

Gazzara
07-12-11, 6:29 pm
and why not? eleven months continuing the right amount of heavy training and Universal supplements for maximum recovery - I think I can hit new max lifts.
Last year my deadlift was up and down from 350 to 365. I maxed at 375 about 7 years ago at 53. I'll aim for 380.
I got that 470 rack pull from 18 inches, but there is potential at that height for 500.
I picked up a 590 pound strongman frame and have been working toward 600
Stone lift has been stuck at 260 - stilll working toward 280
I carried a 250 pound frame 1100 feet in 7 minutes (drops every 50 feet) http://youtu.be/_jb7MgghdMw

I use Universal EAA Stack and BCAA Stack all day long - about 70 grams combined). I use a product similar to Animal Stak for growth hormone stimulation, and promote that supplement and Animal Stak as the best GH booster / test optimizer products available. I take vitamins, and occasionall a pre-workout. That's it. I weigh 185

I missed the typical disapointing mid-life transition and down hill slide at 40, so I guess it will be quite an adjustment when I finally start to feel like most men my age.