Due to weather I’d taken Tuesday off from the gym. I really don’t take off days well, and therefore hardly take them. On Wednesday I felt off, and was making 1000 excuses not to go. Partially for that reason, partially because I knew today most likely will be another weather off day( it is), and I was festering about lifting. I forced myself to go.
I broke it down to as small of steps as possible. Pack the bag, step out the door, start the car. Dreading the commute, instead of my normal rap CDs or country radio I put on my Toby Keith CD. It’s my go to music for when I need to distract myself into a better place.
In the locker room I had a decent conversation that swung my mood upwards.
I figured Olympic lifts and high rep benching. No mental effort required.
I did those, but like the guy in the locker room said “Today will end up being a great PR day ” Power of suggestion or not, I hit a bench for reps PR,tied my power snatch PR, and just knew I’d hit 500+ on the fat bar deadlifts. At that point I could feel it. There was no doubt in my mind.
Now consider this, just days after getting out of commercial gym hell,and into the new more lifting friendly gym I pulled 484 on a fat bar. That was 6 months ago. I set sights on 500+ here.
I decided to actually warm up. Pulling singles,all mixed grip, focusing on exploding. 114,204,294,384. On that rep a buddy asked me if I had just pulled 5 plates a side, he miss saw there were only 4 plates. Now since the bar is only 24 lbs, 5 plates a side weighs 474. I was about to add only the 10 a side, 494,5 plates on a regular bar (minus 1lb), then realized no wait it’s still 5 shy. Then the off by 1lb hit me again. I added a 10 and a 5,30lbs more to 504. Keep in mind my lifetime PR regular bar is 515.
I get my buddy to film me, while telling him what angle I wanted, I told him after the lift was complete to walk towards the plates to clearly get then on camera. Any doubts I shortly had during the final plate loading were gone.
I chalk up my hands, I hadn’t for any of the warm up sets. Get the confirmation that’s it’s recording, grab, focus on body tightness, roll it towards me and pull.
Up,up,up. A little bit of seeing stars once I broke knee level, but I didn’t pass out, once I got through the knee area dead zone I had it, hit lock out and I held it there for a little while. Purposely drop it,turn and start yelling to one of my buddies/celebrating about the lift.
I’d wanted that 500+ fat bar pull for ~6 months. Now I want 600+. It’ll happen. I’ve just gotta continue strengthening the system. My mind says 700,800 are possible. From 15-16 in awe of huge weights to 22 seeing elite strength as definitely within the realm of possibility. Now watch how fast that 600+ fat bar deadlift comes!
Whoo! Keep The Path!
Persistence and Tenacity!
Conquer + Ascension
-J Out!
Here it is 504lbs, Fat Bar Baby!