Best lifts of 2021

 

 I missed a few of targets but surpassed others

I wanted 250 in squat but even tho I know I would have had about 90% chance of getting it, I must admit I didn't have the balls to take the 10% risk. That weight on your back is scary. So 240 it was which is 10kg up from last year.

Deads for some reason I couldn't push past 230. I got no answer for that really, I went for too many 1 rep maxes too soon rather than working more on the 2-3rep range. I was punished by peaking too soon as a result. Wanted 240-250kg but only.manahed to match my previous pb but at least It was easy and not bust a gut this time

Bench was at 160. I didn't put any expectations on myself for this, never do since I tore, but in my middle phase I was doing so well I honestly thought I'd get 170 and maybe even push a lil bit more out. But it was then then I injured my shoulder and had to take 4weeks off with about another 4 weeks of taking it easy. So 160 was everything I had (I even tried 161kg but failed lol so deffo to the kilo)

Shoulder press was brill tho. Despite my shoulder injury mentioned above, which made me stumble in progress a wee bit, I managed to exceed expectations and put 20kg on my pb. 140kg was a lifetime target on shoulder press, and although I would have liked to have done it behind my head, I wasn't willing to risk my shoulder again at the end. Still even in front of the head that Is a proper achievement (just as heavy and as hard but more comfortable which doesn't satisfy the sadist in me lol)

Proper stoked doing 190x2 front squat, 180kg bent overs and 111x20 on viking press. Extra bonus lifts :)

Got a solid plan for my lifting over the next 3 months. I'll share my thoughts in a later vid :) today is just a gentle reintro tho lol feel so fat and stiff after crimbo

Always have a plan - heavy phase cometh

 My rugby coach always said

"Prior preparation prevents piss poor performance"

The 6p's haha

So I'm at the beginning of my heavy phase, which is the part of my training where I peak my strength and aim for one rep maxes, and have about 2-3months to peak my strength.

I always find the best way to move forwards is to have a plan that is out there in the open. So this was me, just sat in front of my camera , vocalising what's I my head. Doing so, helps me organise my thoughts and gives me a reference point over the next few months so I don't forget the plan :)

Hopefully I helps those of you on the group, who want to learn how to structure their training, develop more of a insight in how to do so

The grind continues!!!

#TRAININGFORVALHALLA #VALHALLAWAITS #SEEYOUINVALHALLA#FORUM #FITNESSFORUM #FITNESSGROUP #SQUADGOALS #POWERLIFTER #POWERLIFTING #DOYOUEVENLIFT #SWOLE #GAINZ #GAINS #BODYBUILDING #BODYBUILDER #LIFTHEAVYSHIT #FITFAM #FITNESS #STRONGMAN #BEASTMODE #WEIGHTLIFTING #WEIGHTS #NEVERQUIT #LIFTTOK #SQUATLIFE #SQUATORDIE #MOTIVATION #FORUM #FITNESSFORUM #FITNESSLIFE

14/5/21 Shoulders - Training for VALHALLA

Seated rear press today -one of my faves.

Started off light but kept going and going

30kg 16reps

40kg 16reps

50kg 16reps

60kg 16reps

70kg 16reps

80kg 6reps

90kg 1reps

Then I did weighted band work, front raises and triceps push downs, and as usual I finished with prone hyper extensions and roman chair situps

next traps

It's time to start preparing for my next world record!!

It's a long road to tread and the first step is always the hardest, but the grind continues and those who fall behind are left behind.

All the reps I've done have had bands attached so the first weight is how heavy it is at the bottom and the second weight is what it is at the top of the lift

45-75kg 30reps

95-125kg 30reps

145kg-175kg 30reps

195kg-225kg 30reps

235kg-265kg 26reps

275-305kg 16reps

And then about to blast out a set on 295-325kg

Finished my shrug workout in style on two real heavy ass weights for loads of reps

LONG LIVE THE PUMP

VALHALLA AWAITS 

Training for VALHALLA bench press 26th April 2021

 Started with a little playaround on heavier weights today on bench. Got to 150kg 330lb and was well pleased as I have another 7-8months to peak, so if I'm doing 150kg now in my light phase I may be able to push for 180kg 400lb at the end of the year! But then playtime was Iver and it was time to do some work so stripped the bar down to 120kg 265lb. I wanted to start my volume work by doing super strict reps. Overly strict tbh and very controlled to the point of turning into a negative lift as well as the lift proper. Did this on 120kg, 110kg and 100kg. Then I wanted to work the explosion and speed of the movement off the chest, to put as much tension into the pecs as poss for maximum muscle growth. These are a much easier way to lift than compared to the prior few sets but help work your body in a different way. So ended up doing high volume sets on 90kg, 80kg and 70kg My back and shoulder are nearly healed following a couple of injuries that have come off the aftermath of my world record, so hopefully soon be back into the rhythm with squat and deadlift also #Pectastic Powerlifting corporation🏋️‍♂️ and #Peczilla Power 💪 Present #PECASAURUS the #EighthWonderOfTheworld APPROVED 🦖🦖🦖 media 💣💣 #BippityBoppityBOOM 💣💣 🍋#EasyPeasy 🍋 #LemonSqueezy 🍋 #BeastModeActivated 🍻🍺#valhalla 🍺🍻 #valhallaawaits #trainingforvalhalla  #valhallagym #valhallafitness 💪 #strong 💪 #vikingpower #vikingstrength #oldmandtrength ☢👾 #monster 👾☢#powerlifting #powerlifter 🏋️‍♂️ #weightlifting 🏋️‍♂️#gainz 💪🦖 #musclemonster 💪🦖  #fitnessmotivation #swoll 👹 #beastmode 👹 #liftheavyshit #doyouevenlift #neversettle  #liftheavy 🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🦖🦖🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️

Deadlift and Backwork 27th April 2020

 Back day today! And strictly speaking I shouldn't be deadlifting atm due to a lower back injury, but he'll will freeze over before I take my own advice lol So took it easy on deads, kept it light and simple, though off camera I did thoroughly warm up with 15 singles on 120kg 264lb. But after deads the work began with loads of volume work. Combining t-bar row for thickness of the rhomboids, chins for width and thickness of the latisimus dorsi and finished off with two super sets of bent over rows to help flair out the lower lats. #BIGZILLA the #EighthWonderOfTheworld and #LATISAURUS REX ARTS Present #DEADZILLA APPROVED 🦖🦖🦖 media 💣💣 #BippityBoppityBOOM 💣💣 🍋#EasyPeasy 🍋 #LemonSqueezy 🍋 #BeastModeActivated 🍻🍺#valhalla 🍺🍻 #valhallaawaits #trainingforvalhalla  #valhallagym #valhallafitness 💪 #strong 💪 #vikingpower #vikingstrength #oldmandtrength ☢👾 #monster 👾☢#powerlifting #powerlifter 🏋️‍♂️ #weightlifting 🏋️‍♂️#gainz 💪🦖 #musclemonster 💪🦖  #fitnessmotivation #swoll 👹 #beastmode 👹 #liftheavyshit #doyouevenlift #neversettle  #liftheavy 🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🦖🦖🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️

Will Barotti -Heaviest Bench Press of ALL TIME!!

 In late June, 35-year-old Will Barotti made a jaw-dropping multiply equipped bench press of 1,105 pounds (501.2kg) and the biggest bench in history almost flew under the radar. Barotti doesn’t have an Instagram or a Reddit account. We only caught the video in a small Facebook group of about 800 members with the caption, “Congratulations Will Barotti all time world record bench press holder. The most weight ever pressed by anyone…ever! 1,105 POUNDS!!!”

Made at a Metal Militia Powerlifting Federation meet, that bench press is not only three pounds over Tiny Meeker’s six-year-old record of 1,102 pounds, and it’s not only 335 pounds over Julius Maddox’s raw bench press world record of 770lb/350kg — it’s heavier than the heaviest deadlift ever made.

Time to get the beard out!

Haha so decided to let the Mrs straighten my beard with her new blow dryer  must admit liking the look

Kazmaeir Inspired Shrug Workout

One of my strongest (in fact it is my strongest) muscle groups is my traps.

Even as a young 16-17year old lad I've always been able to out lift every other lifter in the gyms that I have trained in on the shrug movement.

When used to lifting such heavy weights, I have been able to do 20reps on 360kg and even a couple kn 400kg. Perhaps I could have lifted even more but at this point I was no longer able to fit any more weight upon the bar.

Now that I have a cage and a home gym, with the capacity to load approximately 350-360kg (and soon more when I decide to buy some more plates), I find myself once again loading serious weight upon the bar and lifting in such a manner more regularly 

However with my last squat workout (the one where I got 240kg even though I failed a previous set on 220kg) I am now officially in the my light phase

Due to the in frequency if me doing shrugs I have always trained to the same note -as heavy as poss for 10-20 reps. Up to now it has always worked but....what I asked myself - why not due phase training on EVERY body part. 

And so now I find myself upon my light phase and with the necessary equipment required for regular training (needed for phase training) it is only natural for me to evolve my workouts in the most professional manner.

My first "light phase" workout on shrugs was simple in principal - to mimic the great Bill Kazmaeir. My father knew Kaz at his peak and asked him how he got such big traps. He said in his American accent "simple! I do sets of 40 on 180kg"

And so if good enough for whom I regard, in my humble opinion, as the strongest man to have ever lived, well it's good enough for "little ol me" haha

Except I consider myself to have some of the strongest traps around -yes I actually do think I'm that strong at them -and so it is only fitting for me to out do the old time great.

My workout was simple

Warmups 

60kg 20reps

100kg 20reps

140kg 20reps

180kg 20reps

200kg 40reps x 4sets

I managed this also despite feeling horrific (heavy cold) but regardless this display gave me great confidence in how I move forward.

So phase training with any luck will push me towards the high repage I desire on weights weighing approximately 400kg! 

I did not film this workout as per my norm, however I have filmed one that is already uploaded onto my youtube channel -houseofdvlin

For those interested I shall post the workout here (at this point I was simply returning to shrugs so bot as good as the workout I briefed you above -yet still a fun one to watch!)

shrugs 18th Jan 2021

240kg 528lb Squat PB

Yesterday was the Second time I have managed to do 240kg on squat.

I am currently specialising in squat and made the decision to do so towards the end of my heavy phase. 

Yesterday's workout was for me the final workout of my heavy phase, and signals the move into the light phase.

I was partly hoping to go for 250kg 550lb but went into the workout open minded with the attitude of only doing what my body was capable of, and if I didnt feel like going for 1 rep max then I would have instead done reps.

However, even though I felt somewhat tired/drained (as I have for about of week - over training) I still felt powerful and before I knew it I was warming up(yes warming up) on 200kg 440lb. 

It took me by surprise how easy this lift was so I jumped up to 220kg 484lb and treated it once again as an easy warmup.

Hahah my mistake it flattened me on my first attempt

But failure can be as valuable as any success. The key is not to be broken by it but to come back stronger.

So I stripped the bar down to 70kg 154lb and cleaned it back up to the rungs, reloaded the bar and jumped straight back on.

Needless to say the second attempt was as easy as it should have been the first time!

So the workout proper had begun! No more warmups haha so 230kg was next. This was remarkably easy and achieved quickly.

240kg 528lb was next loaded. This was my current pb. I achieved this roughly a week prior. On that day I had jumped up 20kg from 220 to 240. Feeling confident and powerful at what with hindsight was the peak of my heavy phase.

Yesterday though I felt somewhat empty, unable to spike my adrenaline or focus fully on an aggressive life style. 

However the grind continues, and sk I put my knee wraps on as tight as poss and went up to the bar.

As I walked out with the bar I felt slightly that I was stumbling. Scary stuff. But i set my feet and then descended. The way down was easy but then the ascent began. I felt resistance immediately but kept moving. At last.i was making noise! I had no choice, the air screaming out of my lungs, I kept pushing through all the pain, and then I reached the lockout.

The lift was mine. Inracked the bar and i screamed out in a mixture if relief and jubilation. 

I collected myself quickly. 250.... no not today hahah no more! And so the heavy phase concluded with confirming to myself that 240 was indeed no fluke.

Now I move onto my light phase. Still specialising in squat. And my body cries with a sigh of relief.

I have already done a light bench workout and stepped up my cardio.

Now, its 6am I'm planning todays workout with my buddy shane.

Shrugs, shrugs and more shrugs haha

I have never put my traps through phaser training. But now I am preparing to compete at powerlifting I may as well treat each body part I train with professional conduct.

So i am planning 200kg 440lb for as many sets of approximately 40 reps as poss.

Let's see how it goes...

Here's some pics from the 240 :)

Of course guys if you are interested in watching more I have all my workouts (well most) filmed and uploaded onto youtube.

Check them out on my channel houseofdevlin, but to help you out here is my last squat (a whole weeks worth) workout video :)

Bagwork -boxing and pugilism bonus video

little play around on the bag whilst filming my next pugilism video

 

Pumped after chest workout

Big Al's Fight Prep - 2

First bit of martial arts training during the lockdown, finally got a boxing bag of my own, this point it was May.

The bag weighs 50kg, and at this point there was a heatwave making it easy to film lots of footage :)

Big al fight prep - session 1

Alright guys so before covid I was starting to fight again in the ring (although cage to be specific with my last fight) and now that things are starting to get back to normal I'm beginning to prep to go back in again. At the moment training is a little restrictive,but I'm hoping by the end of the year to have a regular sparring partner or two (but we will have to see) in the meantime I'm doing mostly bagwork.

I've got three vids to share with you with recent prep the first was in late February just before all the covid madness. Then two more that I've done during the lockdown

I've started adding commentary now on the last video to explain my thoughts, techniques etc.  But the first two just have music over the top.

Cheers guys feel free to share your thoughts, ideas questions etc..

Big Al's Diet and Nutrition -Carbohydrates

Whetehr you need to loose weight or want to gain lean muscle, I've started a series on diet and nutrition which will benefit everyone and their different needs. To start with we have my summary  video on carbohydrates

Beauty killed the beast

Fanny bags back in fashion?? Really must be the end of the world!! 

Apocolypse home workout day 6

Stuck at home?? Wondering if the weights miss you like you miss them?? Dont worry the gym never dies! My APOCALYPSE HOME WORKOUTS are here

Apocolypse Home Workout Day 5

Stuck at home?? Wondering if the weights miss you like you miss them?? Dont worry the gym never dies! My APOCALYPSE HOME WORKOUTS are here

Apocolypse home workout day 4

Isolated? Quarrentine? No matter the gym never dies!! Let's pump some iron APOCOLYPS style

Apocolypse home workout day 4

Apocolypse home workout day 3

THE GYM NEVER DIES!! Keep your gains no matter what end of the world scenario you find yourself in!

Apocolypse home workout day 3