The Assassin

Friday 27th November, Adlington

Bench
20x20
20x20
20x20
20x10
70x5
90x3
110x2
130
140
150
Inzer Rage-X 54 on:
170 a long way from a touch but on a good line
180 2" up, good line
190 2" up, good line
belt off:
190 2" up, good line
shirt off:
120x3
120x3
120x3

The shirt just seems to lock up completely 2" up on my natural line. At the moment I can't see me ever getting a touch without going elbows-out spreadeagle. In the drawer until after the British, I think, then we'll have another experiment.

Many, MANY thanks to Pete and Jake for interrupting their evenings to stay behind and help me - struggle to get down until 5:30 or so at the moment, which is when most people are winding up on a Friday. Without their kindness, I'd've just been doing light speed work.

Strong work Rick. You doing bench only Sunday?

No. I wouldn't bench-only at a three-lift unless I needed to qualify for something - and I don't .

You're very welcome Rickster. Unless I'm on a mission, I only ever go home, so nothing that can't wait. Plus the between-sets conversation is always worth stopping for.

is the shirt pulled quite low around the collar Rick? I can touch 180kg in a 50 rage x and in the same shirt I press 230kg. Maybe you need to let it ride a little. Hope this helps

Last try was no belt and the shirt cutting into my neck... so I don't THINK it's that...

nice work prof!

And yeah, shirted benching does rely on the kindness of others more so than any of the other lifts.

Oh! Remember me and Martin saying it would be better to a get a shirt thats to big over one thats tight?

Yeah, it did look like the shirt was locking up. But on the plus side the 190's looked snappy finishing, and pressing from nowhere can be alot harder than getting it to the chest and having the pop from the shirt, so i think there is going to be a new PB there once you go back to your old shirt and start getting the bar down.

To be fair, I could nearly get this on by myself - it's hard to believe it's too tight. And, more to the point, I didn't buy a 54 - I was sent it for free .

I might bring it on Sunday and ask those of you experienced in the new Rage-X to have a look. probably not though - it'll be a long enough day as it is!

Monday 30th November, Adlington

Light one tonight.

Bench
20x20
20x20
20x20 another rubicon crossed for the year - breath steaming in Adders on the bench.
20x20
20x20
70x5
90x5
110x5
130x5
142.5x5 with a long pause on the last.

It is nice that, these days, this genuinely is an easy light session.

awesome benching!

Benched up to 130x5 all paused, f**ked about with some bodybuilding stuff because Alan told me to. Winter sucks, I hurt.

Did a few power cleans. Worked up to 80 at the end just to see how it would feel. Pretty good, it turns out.

Speed bench up to 120 for triples.