I don't claim to be a great strongman competitor, nor have I really done anything all that special. But I do know I have made plenty of mistakes and I see people keep doing the same stuff. So here is what I would like to call THE BIGGEST MISTAKES I SEE PEOPLE MAKING when it comes to strongman.

1. Trying a certain training routine because it worked for so and so, even though what you are doing is working. So many times read that some Pro strongman does some kind of workout, so they think "Hey if he is doing this, I need to be." Biggest problem is, what they are doing already is working. They typically end up getting hurt and stop making gains, and the get frustrated and quit.

2. Concentrating on only 1 lift and neglecting the others. I was a prime example of this, I always wanted a nice overhead press. Who doesn't? But I was so worried about getting better at pressing more weight, that I wasn't concentrating on all the other lifts. Who cares if you win the overhead press, if you suck at all the other events.

3. Not fixing weaknesses. Yeah I just said concentrating on 1 lift and neglecting the others is bad, but what I am saying here is if your overhead sucks, figure out what to fix. Can't pick up stones, figure that out. Suck at 18" DL find the weakness. Just don't completely neglect your other lifts and events.

4. Conditioning. If you wanna be able to make it through a strongman competition, you are gonna need some kind of conditioning. I am not talking walking on a treadmill, stairstepper, etc... I am talking event specific conditioning, tire flips, prowler pushes, and sled drags. Also sledgehammer swings, kettlebell assorted exercises, and barbell complexes.

5. Recovery stuff. When I was younger, I thought I was indestructible, I don't need to stretch or take hot showers, let alone get a massage. That stuff was for pussies! Well say what you want, but I am a firm believer in stuff such as getting a massage, foam rolling, hot showers, icing down and applying heat to sore areas. One thing I will never do though is take a ice bath, I don't care how much it helps, that shit is not gonna happen!

Jesse

Whatever day...

For right now I am not concentrating on events. Mostly because there is no reason, and I really don't care about events until it is nicer outside. So for now this day is more about conditioning, shoulders, and biceps.

Axle clean and press
110 x 5
160 x 3
200 x 3
220 x 3
250 x 3 Ties PR
Did a clean with 275 felt good, nothing left to press it.

Tried some DBL overhand axle deadlifts, but something is wrong with my wrist and I can't really hold onto much. Not sure what I did.

18" DL
225 x 3
315 x 3
405 x 3
495 x 5
585 x 3

DB side raises
3 x 15 at every 5th rep I did a 10 sec hold.

Blast strap facepulls
3 x 15

Hammer curls
3 x 10

Blast strap curls
3 x 10

tabata sledgehammer then tabata medicine ball slams, !*%@#* this kicked my ass. 16# sledge and 12# medicine ball.

Overall not a bad day. Corey and I had some good laughs and a good workout.

Jesse

Upperbody day

It has been an emotional week, I felt very ready for tonights workout and it didn't go bad really but it didn't go as well as I would have liked. Oh well, take the good with the bad.

Close grip bench
135 x 5
185 x 5
225 x 3
260 x 3
290 x 5 all felt very off. Although I was not sore from tuesday workout, I do think my upperback was worn out. Bent over rowing 275 lbs for 10 was a huge PR so that might have something to do with it.

Add slingshot
315 x 5
335 x 3
355 x 1
375 x 1 5# PR

Seated military presses
4 x 3 dont like these as much as standing presses.

Strict curls= I suck
down set 3 x 10

Dip ladder
bodyweight 1-10 tris smoked.

grip work.

Overall it was still a good day. Supposedly tommorrow is supposed to be a better day, we will find out. Next week is 305 for reps, and I better get at least 5, no more no less.

Jesse

Deadlift day

Overall I am happy with todays workout. For the most part I hit the numbers I wanted, I could have done more but my thumbs are not conditioned for reps still.

DL from the floor
135 x 5
225 x 5
315 x 3
405 x 3
455 x 3
510 x 5 like I said thumb gave out. Hook gripping hurts like a son of a bitch, but it is the best way for me to pull.

Bent over row
275 x 5,5,10

Blast strap rows
3 x 15

16# tabata sledgehammer
1 session

Also I snatched the 106# KB for a nice PR.

Jesse

Random Thoughts

I am pondering what this year is going to bring for me. I am not sure at all what I want to accomplish, nor do I know what goals I am shooting for. Maybe it is just too early for me in the year to know what is going to happen. Maybe I am just overthing too much. Who knows, I am just getting ancy to compete in something.

I know one thing I need to do is keep my weight at a certain weight instead of playing fucking teeter totter with it. I think I have made up my mind, but I am not sure yet....

Next month I am competing in a powerlifting meet. Truthfully I don't know if I am ready, but who knows sometims when you don't feel ready, you really are. The biggest thing I am excited for is my daughter Gabby will be competing with me. I wanna see her succeed and have a good time. Hopefully the bug has bitten her, and she will want to continue.

I don't think I will be competing in any strongman competitions until June, if not July. This will drive me crazy. But I am in my last semester of college, so this is a good thing, otherwords I will get too distracted.

Hopefully I can get things figured out soon, otherwords I am gonna go crazy. Truth be told, I probably won't figure out shit, and I will be crazy. Feburary 19th needs to get her soon, I need to pick up some heavy shit in front of people.

Jesse

Whatever workout

What can I say about today. I thought my arm was feeling better, but as it turned out it wasn't. Live and learn.

Axle clean and press
110 x 5
160 x 3 ouch
200 x 1 super ouch

So my biceps are both fucked up and any kind of holding the bar at the top hurts like hell. So I did some light strict presses to at least give the shoulders some decent work.

110 x 10 x 3

18" Deadlift
worked up 565 x 3 could have done more, but save it for next week.

Stones
310 x 1
330 x 1

25# sledghammer swings
3 x 10 each arm, wow this thing is a BEAST!!! Love it.

Purple band hammer curls
4 x 10 helped relive some pain.

Kind of a dissapointing day, but what can you do. I probably needed the rest anyway.

Next week will be better.

Jesse

Squat day

Went in and did what I could today. I haven't been very motivated to lift as of late, but I still do. I figure if I can get a good workout in when I am not motivated, when I finally get motivated it should be awesome. But I could just be full of shit, who knows.

Back squats
140 x 5 x 2
230 x 5
280 x 5
310 x 3
340 x 3 about perfect, I wore a belt from 280 on and it helped with my back. I am probably gonna drop back down for a month or so and work on reps. I gotta get myself reconditioned for squatting again. 3-5 reps is not gonna cut it right now.

Cleans
did a few sets, my biceps were killing me from those dumb fucking zercher squats. Zercher squats are fucking stupid, and all they do is cause me to be in pain.

Triset
DB slds, decline situps, medicine ball slams
8, 20, 30 x 3 sets

Better than nothing, but not close to my best.

Jesse

Upperbody workout

Today was one of those days, one of those days where I really didn't feel like being at work, being in the gym, or just being around anybody. But I did what I could. My arms were killing me from trying those stupid fucking zercher squats, so I was limited to what I could today without pain.

Close grip bench
135 x 5 x 2
200 x 5
235 x 5
270 x 8 Didn't think I would get this many, it hurt to lower the bar.

Slingshot
335 x 3
350 x 3 PR I believe

Strict curls
=suck

Fat bar pressdowns
5 x 15

grip work
5 sets

Happy with some of the workout. It was good to be with my friends and see them having a good workout. I am just crabby today, need some good sleep, maybe get laid, and get my homework done.

Also I am gonna stop strict presses on thursday for a couple weeks, until after the powerlifting meet.

Jesse

Deadlift day

Wasn't sure how today was gonna go, my back was still tender and I didn't know if I should push it or not.

Deadlift from the floor.
135 x 5
225 x 5
315 x 3
365 x 3
425 x 3
480 x 5, perfect amount of reps. My best is 9 and I knew today that wasn't gonna happen.

Snatches
95 x 3
115 x 3
135 x 3
145 x 1

DB rows
3 x 8

Blast strap rows
3 x 10

fat man pullups
3 x 10

I am trying to find motivation lately, but I seem to be lacking it. I am doing a powerlifting meet next month, but I won't lie, I am not very motivated to do it. Screw this cold weather, spring needs to hurry up so I can train outside.

Jesse

Squats

Decided going into today's workout I was just gonna play things by ear. If my knee couldn't take it I would stop.

Close stance squats
135 x 5 x 2
230 x 3
260 x 3
290 x 3
320 x 3 not hard, not easy, just perfect for today.

Power Cleans
225 x 1 x 5 felt good.

DB Slds
3 x 10

Abs
3 x 20

Jesse

Upperbody

I have been feeling like a freight train hit me all week. But I wanted to get a PR on something today. Hell or high water I was gonna get one. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have.

Close grip bench
135 x 5 x 2
185 x 5
225 x 5
275 x 3
305 x 1
325 x 2 PR dbl
225 x 12

Strict presses
5 x 5

curls

neutral grip pullups
4 x 5

grip work

sledgehammer swings
4 x 10 each arm

Ok workout, happy about the PR. Not sure what I will do about squats tommorrow, play it by ear.

Jesse

Deadlift day, not really.

I thought after last weeks pull that I was maybe due for a nice heavier PR pull. I was wrong. My body is in need of a lighter workout, and it showed in todays workout.

DL from the floor.
135 x 5
225 x 5
315 x 3
405 x 3
455 x 1
505 x 1
405 x 5 x 2 sets

Stones
330 x 1 x 5

Bent over rows
205 x 8 x 3

Blu band ab pulldowns
3 x 20

Overall ok day, take the good with the bad.

Jesse

Event training day or lack thereof....

One thing I hate about living the midwest is winter. At one point in my life I didn't mind training outside. But anymore, that shit is not gonna happen. So I just did whatever we could today. And in reality it wasn't a bad day.

Axle clean and press
160 x 3
200 x 3
220 x 3
240 x 4 not bad, my legs were killing me so it could have went better.

Axle DL
260 x 9
280 x 1

Press medley
120 DB, 180 log, 150 keg, 200 axle x 3
This was fun and something good to do for cardio.

Front hold
35# x 30 sec

Hammer curls
3 x 10

Blast strap pullaparts supersetted with pulls to the face
3 x 10

Some good lifting today actually from all the guys. But I really can't wait to do some stuff outside, getting cooped up.


Jesse

Squat workout, but more like lack there of....

So today was squat today, and quite frankly I fucking hate squatting. I love the results they produce, but I hate doing them. And since I was working out by myself today, I was less than motivated. So I got home around 5:15 pm and I was just sitting around, about 5:45 pm my wife asks me " You gonna workout or what?" Excellent question, so I ponder it for another 45 min and decided I better do something. I did a squat workout, but it wasn't really anything spectacular, but better than nothing.

Close stance squats
135 x 5 x 2
230 x 5
250 x 5
270 x 5
300 x 5

Stopped here, my knee was feeling decent, and it is a decent starting point to start these back up from.

Blue band pulldown abs
3 x 20

standing calf raises
3 x 15

30min and done.

Jesse

Upperbody workout

Ok day, I was a little dissapointed, but I shouldn't be.

Strict press
110 x 5 x 2
160 x 3
180 x 3
200 x 4 PR I am pretty sure, wanted 5 really bad.

Close grip bench
135 x 5
185 x 5
225 x 3
285 x 3
315 x 2. My tris were smoked, I know I can do 4, maybe 5.
Add Slingshot
335 x 1
355 x 1
370 x 1 5# PR

Pushups with Blaststraps, this is where Chuck and I got dumb.
7 chains x 1
6 chains x 2
5 chains x 3
4 chains x 4
3 chains x 5
2 chains x 6
1 chain x 7
bodyweight x 8

This was all one set, it sucked beyond belief.

Grip work

Strict curls
90 x 5
100 x 3
115 x 5 strict, 5 cheated.

Good workout. Gonna be sore tommorrow.

Jesse

Deadlift day and a plateau finally broken through....

Deadlift day. All sets from the floor.

135 x 5
225 x 5
315 x 3
405 x 3
475 x 1
525 x 4 FINALLY, everytime I have done this damn weight it has only allowed me 1 rep. I think I might have 1-2 more reps in me, but my thumb was giving out. Hook gripping is great, but it hurts like a bitch on heavy reps.

Cambered bar box squats
160 x 3
250 x 3
300 x 3
330 x 3 add belt

106# KB swings
3 x 8

Band situps
3 x 10

Axle bent over rows
5 x 8

Great night, now I just gotta figure out how to set my deadlift cycle up for the next 5 weeks. It would be nice to get that 600 finally on the books.

Jesse

Coming to my senses.....

So last week I decided to try and start eating a little better. I have dieting plenty and have pretty much figured out what works the best for me. I have been as high in weight as 270lbs, but I was fat and back down to 200lbs. Currently I am 240lbs, and I think overall I might be at the best bodyweight I could be, but I want be healthier. So after doing some research I had decided that eating Paleo might be a good option. Now after buying a few books and doing some research, I think I am on to something that works for me.

I don't eat complete paleo, I still have some pizza on occasion, and I love to have some potatoes still. And I have cheese. But besides that I have been eating a lot more fruits and vegetables, and after a week I have to say I do feel alot better. I am not doing this lose weight, if I do so be it, but I don't care if I lose weight. I just want to feel better, and be able to eat a lot. Both of those goals are being accomplished, so win win on that goal.

Here is how my diet has been breaking down.

Breakfast
Fruit smoothie with whey protein, sometimes I use almond milk, but usually water.

Lunch
Some kind of meat, and vegetables, fruit if I am still hungry

mid day
Protein Shake

Preworkout
Another Protein shake

Dinner
Some kind of meat and veggies

Late night
Either another fruit smoothie or just fruit.

This works well for me as I like to stay full throughout the day, and small meals seem to be the key to doing that. I know I still have a lot of tweaking to do, but I think as time goes on it is gonna work well for me. Now I gotta work on some of these new recipes to try, and maybe make myself like fish.

Jesse

Quit making excuses

So I was having a conversation the other day with someone I know, and of course they know that I workout. Well first thing out of there mouth is " I wish I had time to workout.". What the fuck do you mean, you wish you had time. I work full-time, go to school, do stuff with my wife and daughter and still workout. I don't give it a shit if I have to do it at 6 am or 9 pm there is time to workout. I don't know how many times I have to come home from class at 9:30 at night tired out of mind and hungry as hell, but I knew I had to get my workout in. Now some people might say "You don't have to workout.", fuck that I do have to workout. I love it and it is my drug. Here are some things you don't have to do, you don't have to watch 8 hours of television (for the record, I love to watch television), you don't have to drink 12 beers a night, you don't have to eat like shit, and you don't have to spend 6 hours a day on facebook. If someone wants to workout, you can find time.

Now I won't lie I do plan alot of my life around my lifting. My wife and kids do have to sacrifice alot do to the fact that I love to lift weights and I love to compete. But they understand, and support me. Also I have my own private gym out of my garage, and there is typically someone lifting out there 5 days a week, and more often than not even if I am not lifting, I am helping someone. But I always get my workouts in. I can remember many of my late night workouts, where I knew that if I didn't do my workout fast I wouldn't do it at all. One night I can recall was a squat night, I did in 20 min 10 sets of 1 on power cleans, supersetted with 10 sets of 2 on box squats, and finished with ab work supersetted with kettlebell swings. I was sweating like crazy, tired as hell, but it was a great workout. I don't know why people think they need 2-3 hours to workout, your spending too much running your damn mouth if you need 2-3 hours to workout. This is not to say there aren't days that require this much time, as anyone who has trained strongman events with a group knows it can take a couple hours when you are training 4-5 events.

Maybe I am just a motivated person, I know what I want to accomplish, and I am willing to make what sacrifices are needed to do that. I just can't stand excuses people make over such simple solutions. If you got 30 extra minutes in a day, you got plenty of time to get a good workout. If you wanna accomplish strength goals, you gotta be willing to make sacrifice and that is not what you want plant your ass back on the couch and drink your soda. I will be out in my garage gym, lifting something heavy and getting stronger.

Jesse

Event training, well sort of.

Fun day today. I did what I could and it turned out decent.

Axle press
160 x 5
200 x 3
225 x 7
260 x 1

DBL overhand axle DL
250 x 5
275 x 3
290 x 1

Keg press
150 x 5 clean and press each
200 x 2 clean and press each

Stones
230 x 1,1,1,1,1,2,3,10

Hammer curls
3 x 8

Fun day.

Jesse

Thoughts of 2010 and what to expect from 2011.

Well 2010 was not my greatest year competition wise, but I think life wise it was a good year. I didn't perform as well as I am capable of in competition, alot of this is due to the fact that I was a dumbass and didn't do things correctly with my diet and training. Live and learn from your mistakes. I now know what I have to do and so far it seems to be working. I did manage to set quite a few PRs in the gym and have made some new friendships this year. Also I managed to help quite a few people accomplish big goals.

Some highlights
600# raw DL
510# box squat
405# no belt squat
340# close grip bench
270# log press
360# stone x 3 reps
600# frame carry x 60 feet without dropping it
These are just some of my numbers I can remember, I am sure there might be more but I can't remember.

My gym has also really grown. I believe we have 10-12 people now and it is really a great group of people.

My biggest let down of 2010 was my performance in contest. I honestly wasn't able to compete very much and when I did, I didn't perform to my best. But that is in the past, it still pisses me off but nothing I can do about it now.

I look forward now to 2011 and what I can help people do and accomplish myself. One large goal I have to this year is for my friend Mac and I to start our personal training business. This won't happen until later in the year as my other big accomplishment is to graduate with my 2 year degree in May. Quite frankly a 2 year degree isn't really much, but it at least means, I have done something. I will still be working out this first half of the year, but I don't think I will be doing much competing as I want to graduate this spring and to do so it is going to take alot of work, I love competing but getting my degree is more important. Here are some lifting goals I wish to accomplish, I think in a earlier post I put some up so if I mess up some numbers forgive me, I can't remember things all the time.

DL 650lbs
Box squat 550 lbs
Full squat 500lbs
Load my 22" 400# stone
360# stone x 5 reps
18" DL 800#s
Overhead press 300#s I don't care what I do it with or how.
Strict press my bodyweight.
Close grip bench 365

I am sure I have more and will add them as time goes on.

Jesse