Tag: power

120kg squat

Published on by James LLeave a comment

Around the beginning of November last year I set myself the objective to be squat 120kg one rep max by the end of January 2018.

120-squat

My one rep max at the time was 105kg, which I would say I performed with a “faltering” form.  The pressure of my weight pushed my back and shoulders too far forward when squatting that I imagine if I had upped the weight it would have looked like I was doing a good morning.

Video of a good morning weight exercise.

Because I underestimated the difficulty to maintain good form (even for what seems like a measly extra 15kg) and remembering that I was running the No Ego Challenge in March, I failed to achieve my January objective. Continue reading “120kg squat” →

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The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Bench Press

Published on by James L6 Comments

Please see a continuation of my top 10 weight exercises: where I give my opinion on some of my favourite exercises that have been a staple of my gym routine for many years.

I have a very traditional and basic attitude to weight training – you won’t see gimmicky exercises or “Wolverine Workouts” here.  If you have experience of weight training you have probably heard of most of my list.  I take the view to be the master of these 10 weight exercises, rather than do a new routine every week.

This week is Number 4:

Bench Press

Continue reading “The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Bench Press” →

The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Shoulder Press

Published on by James LLeave a comment

Please see a continuation of my top 10 weight exercises: where I give my opinion on some of my favourite exercises that have been a staple of my gym routine for many years.

I have a very traditional and basic attitude to weight training – you won’t see gimmicky exercises or “Wolverine Workouts” here.  If you have experience of weight training you have probably heard of most of my list.  I take the view to be the master of these 10 weight exercises, rather than do a new routine everyweek.

This week is Number 5:

Shoulder Press

Continue reading “The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Shoulder Press” →

The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Triceps extension

Published on by James L7 Comments

Please see a continuation of my top 10 weight exercises: where I give my opinion on some of my favourite exercises that have been a staple of my gym routine for many years.

I have a very traditional and basic attitude to weight training – you won’t see gimmicky exercises or “Wolverine Workouts” here.  If you have experience of weight training you have probably heard of most of my list.  I take the view to be the master of these 10 weight exercises, rather than do a new routine everyweek.

This week is Number 6:

Triceps extension

Continue reading “The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Triceps extension” →

The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Lunges

Published on by James L6 Comments

I continue my favourite top 10 weight exercises.  I have been giving my opinion on some of the best weight exercises that I feel should be  part of a gym staple for years to come.

The purpose here is to show the benefit of having a good foundation, like old friends these exercises are something you can rely on to deliver the goods.

This week is Number 7:

Lunges

Continue reading “The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Lunges” →

The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Push Press

Published on by James L6 Comments

I continue my series where I count down my top 10 weight exercises, giving my opinion on some of my favourite exercises that have been a staple of my gym routine for many years.

The purpose of this weekly series is for me to share with you the reader my favourite workout exercises.  I don’t tell you how to do it – so whether you are doing it for power, body building or endurance – you will just see why I like these exercises, it’s up to you how heavy you go.

If you have experience of weight training you have probably heard of most of my list.  Although I can appreciate a number of exercises, I take the view it is best to be a master of a small number of routines.  These 10 weight exercises are what I focus on week-in, week out.

This week is Number 8:

Push Press

Continue reading “The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Push Press” →

The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Side Raises

Published on by James L9 Comments

Please see a continuation of my top 10 weight exercises: where I give my opinion on some of my favourite exercises that have been a staple of my gym routine for many years.

I have a very traditional and basic attitude to weight training – you won’t see gimmicky exercises or “Wolverine Workouts” here.  If you have experience of weight training you have probably heard of most of my list.  I take the view to be the master of these 10 weight exercises, rather than do a new routine everyweek.

This week is Number 9:

Lateral Raise

Continue reading “The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: Side Raises” →

The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: The Bent-over row

Published on by James L7 Comments

I have had many years going to the gym.  Many times I have tried various gimmicky exercises, which I usually picked up from some fitness magazine or website.  Sometimes it has been some gym bro extending his “knowledge”

As I have got older I realised that sometimes it is better to stick to the basics rather than trying to imitate some crazy routine seen on YouTube.

So here are (in my opinion) the best 10 free weight exercises to do in the gym

This week I start with Number 10:

Bent Over Barbell Row

Continue reading “The 10 Best Weight Lifting exercises: The Bent-over row” →

How much do you bench?

Published on by James LLeave a comment

How much do you bench?

That is a question that always makes me cringe.  If we ignore the basic functionality of the bench press (how often do you lift a heavy item off your chest) – it usually illustrates to me that the person asking the question:

  1. Lacks gym/weight lifting experience – non-regular gym goers may ask this as they don’t know the name of any other exercises.
  2. Shows the askers immaturity – if you don’t believe me, note how often the bench press is the first thing all teenage boys seem to do first when they hit the free weight area.

bench

For some reason the bench press has developed a reputation of being the main measure of a persons strength, despite the fact that the bench press is focused on only working upper body strength.

Continue reading “How much do you bench?” →

My hell

Published on by James L5 Comments

5 months ago I was in my own personal hell at work.

The situation had been gradually declining for the past year at work and despite subtle warning signs I did not take any action to advert the slump and would carry on regardless.

I had become angry, even though I knew this was not me. Continue reading “My hell” →