***The 2020 Gym Rats Thread*** ᕦ( ͠°◞ °)ᕥ

Status
Not open for further replies.
Most of my stuff is here now, so did my first workout today. Had to adjust a bit due to lack of heavy DB's.

So did 4 set of BP. 80x4. 3 set incline. 60x5/6 . DB pullover. 26x10-12. 3 sets. Light chest flys 2 sets of 20x8.

And triceps could only manage CGBP 60 for a few sets and the 26KG DB for OH extension few sets high reps.

Feels nice to do something though. I need mats tho... And need to start doing skullcrushers or something like that.












 
Caved. Bought:

Mira Fit oly dumbbells (about 5kg w/collars on) - short handle versions as regular oly ones are about 50cm across making them awkward for presses etc. Adjustable ones were either too light, too expensive and you can’t use the weights for anything else. Cheap vinyl stuff or cast-iron did not appeal, so had to get something half decent.

Pro Plates online - 2cm thick powder-coated steel 2” hole plates, got 4 x 1.25, 2.5 and 6 x 5kg - should be able to fit 6 x 5kg on each DB due to the plate widths. These are also calibrated, supposedly, so weights should be accurate.

Re the latter, there are a LOT of UK start-ups manufacturing these sorts of plates now because of the shortage of kit. Looked at used stuff but people are taking the **** with prices and I’d rather have something new than some rusty old thing that’s been left in a garden shed. For 10/15/20kg plates I’d definitely get ‘proper’ ones but these will do for DBs and attaching to my EZ Vest.

If the gyms open in 4 weeks then so be it, but I’ve read they might want more lockdowns in the New Year and I suppose they’ll always come in handy if I move and have to hunt for the best gym in the area. And of course, if ever I have a home-gym then I’ll have got some starter bits.
 
Well, they said they would extend the furlough scheme to March to me that signals that there may well be more lockdowns. Most likely phased, 1 month off 1 month on. Even if they do get back to normal in a month, I will still use the equipment once or twice a week to brush up on weak spots.
 
Yes. Extra sets for arms, obviously!

I’m probably going to get a wrist/forearm roller + mini loading pin too since they’re cheap and the Theraband I got for my golfer’s elbow is too easy now.
 
B&W said:
Well, they said they would extend the furlough scheme to March to me that signals that there may well be more lockdowns. Most likely phased, 1 month off 1 month on. Even if they do get back to normal in a month, I will still use the equipment once or twice a week to brush up on weak spots.
Click to expand...
It makes sense to extend the furlough scheme well beyond this lockdown or companies would have to be kicking off redundancy consultations now to save themselves being stuck with staff they may or may not be able to pay as soon as lockdown finishes.

Saying that I don't believe we'll be free and clear by the 2nd December either.
 
It’s been an absolute joy having my own gym. Weighed in this morning at 88kg, equalling prelockdown (whereas I was 84kg in July with some fat to shift too). 5kg off my bench pb, 2.5kg off my deadlift pb, 5kg off my squat pb and they all feel good, if not better than prelockdown. So pretty happy really and I don’t currently see much slowing this progression. Averaging 0.5-0.75kg a month bodyweight gain, most of which seems to be muscle. Far leaner than prelockdown too with, touch wood, no joint pains e.g. elbow. Aiming for 90kg.

I’m finding the Active Era scales and app to be fantastic. Seeing trends of body fat, muscle mass etc are really helpful, especially when you look at month-on-month averages.

@B&W that looks great. Mats are useful and they help it feel more ‘gym like’ too.
 
Last edited:
Yes Captainrave, I need to get some mats. Tried squats for the first time with it today, it held up well. Still waiting for my 5kg/2.5kg plates from bodypower, dont know whats happened to them.

Chest/Tri day tomorrow. I need to really increase my BP, not happy with it. Mid Sept I hit 80 for the first time. Max I can do at 80 is 4-5 reps. And 85 2-3 reps. I think something needs to change. Not sure what...

Was thinking if I had the weights I'd try 90 for a few reps, and start slowly inching up I think that's the best way.

But no weights so unless I start straight at 100?

I would take the clips off and get someone to watch me tho... Might get 1 might die lol.
 
B&W said:
I would take the clips off and get someone to watch me tho... Might get 1 might die lol.
Click to expand...

spotter arms will save you, I set mine up just below chest height and if I get stuck I can shove it back to my neck area and slide on out.

works a treat been 'stuck' plenty of times and come slivering out physically unscathed.
 
kaptainmarc said:
spotter arms will save you, I set mine up just below chest height and if I get stuck I can shove it back to my neck area and slide on out.

works a treat been 'stuck' plenty of times and come slivering out physically unscathed.
Click to expand...

Although I haven’t used them yet, I do the same. Just at chest level such that when I pin my shoulders back and lift my chest up it puts my chest a fraction above the arms. It gives you confidence to get those extra reps in.
 
CaptainRAVE said:
Although I haven’t used them yet, I do the same. Just at chest level such that when I pin my shoulders back and lift my chest up it puts my chest a fraction above the arms. It gives you confidence to get those extra reps in.
Click to expand...

mine are either 10mm too high or just below my chest unfortunatley.

I've had a practice bail session with bench and squat as I was always fearful of being squashed in the garage with no one around. since doing so has led me to push a lot harder knowing i wont die
 
kaptainmarc said:
mine are either 10mm too high or just below my chest unfortunatley.

I've had a practice bail session with bench and squat as I was always fearful of being squashed in the garage with no one around. since doing so has led me to push a lot harder knowing i wont die
Click to expand...

Even if you dump it onto your chest (...) your ribcage does have a fair bit of bend in it. :)
 
Don’t use collars/clips, tip bar so weights come off one side, gravity will sort out the other side. If your press is that wonky that you’d need collars/clips, sort that imbalance out. If you press enough for the bar to seriously bend.... you probably wouldn’t be posting on OCUK.
 
I remember last year when a guy was pressing silly weight with his legs up on the bench. Failed the second rep and the bar came down on his chest and rolled onto his throat. The noise he made will stay with me for a long time... didn't see him at the gym for a while after that.
 
B&W said:
Yes Captainrave, I need to get some mats. Tried squats for the first time with it today, it held up well. Still waiting for my 5kg/2.5kg plates from bodypower, dont know whats happened to them.

Chest/Tri day tomorrow. I need to really increase my BP, not happy with it. Mid Sept I hit 80 for the first time. Max I can do at 80 is 4-5 reps. And 85 2-3 reps. I think something needs to change. Not sure what...

Was thinking if I had the weights I'd try 90 for a few reps, and start slowly inching up I think that's the best way.

But no weights so unless I start straight at 100?

I would take the clips off and get someone to watch me tho... Might get 1 might die lol.
Click to expand...

Right well its not that easy...

Had someone spot me and I barely managed to get it about 3/4 then he helped me rack it. I wanted to try it on my own but not yet I think.. I'll try 90 when the 5s come.

I'm going to change my routine, for the past few months been benching once a week. I think I'll bench twice a week, combo of high reps/med weight one session and heavy weight low reps next.

Also started incline pressing, did it the right way this time and no shoulder pain. Will add this to my new routine.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom