Optimass

[Android]

Awesome mate, rest up and I'll bring the salts along you'll pull a 220 on your 2nd lift leaving anything possible for your 3rd.

I'll c if I can get some pine pollen too but can't promise... :pfft:

[Optimass]

Awesome mate, rest up and I'll bring the salts along you'll pull a 220 on your 2nd lift leaving anything possible for your 3rd.

I'll c if I can get some pine pollen too but can't promise... :pfft:

[Big john]

rest up bro....looking forward to seeing ya back into the fray on the platform 8)

[Optimass]

Fair to say I'm completely smashed. The CBC was a great fun day and really good catching up putting faces to names etc.

It's hard on reflection to pin point which were the highlights as it all ran seamlessly and credit to Steak and Barbella for yet another smoothly executed event. They dedicate a lot of their own time in planning the day but also securing sponsors, putting together goodie bags and making sure everyone is taken care of. Awesome. Great support crew and good the boys on the lights keeping me honest.

Watching Danomyte in action 310kg squat - amazing as always bro. Overall lifter well deserved.

Pitbull - textbook execution of each lift - I was encouraging some of the young guys to take note of your setup - you make it look effortless.

Mark Mete a strong competitor and a face from my past > great catching up - lifts with a huge amount of intensity

Colm the Giant > early days for him and he's already winning strongman titles - showed a lot of grit in his commitment on DL - double pronated grip!

Android - solid effort bro very solid > will be more prepared baased on your experience at this one for the next. Congrats on the win.

Abe - biggest heart on the podium - commited everything to his lifts - welldone bro.

Chopper - great outing bro - numbers will start to grow now you have had a good taste. held your own :nod:

Laver and the AUT crew - great group of guys and gals - lots of talent and a pleasure sharing the day with you guys. Young guy stood out to me (Geoff - had all the gear but hadn't set it up properly - but lifted with a lot of heart and came for war - well-done).

The CBC crew delivered too - Traps as always leaving blood on the dancefloor lol - put the shits up Android during the warmup @ 200kg effortlessly. The Gypsie with a solid increase on his last comp - keep on improving each time the way you do bro - well deserved recognition during the presentation.

Thanks to VP,Panzer,TinTin, Corey for keeping us safe - slow to load but fast to catch - thankfully not the other way around.

Thanks to Mike Kingsnorth of Bsc Supplements. When Damo said you came on board I had no idea you'd make such a huge contribution to the event. It was very generous and very well received - it's great having you on hand to talk through the product and it may be a first ever to have an IFBB Pro-bodybuilder on hand at a powerlifting event! :clap:

...

My own performance;

Not overly happy with a 680kg total but there were a few snags and hitches that were probably compromised in my own prep leading up to the event.

Aside from the rolling pain in my knee, injury really didn't play a part. A notable difference on reflection was my inconsistancy in training over the last 6-8 weeks. (Which may not have been helped by commitments to work etc).

In anycase there were opportunites along the way - missed had I been more prepared my squat would have been a lot smoother and my dead lift a bit more controlled.

A positive was hitting my weight goal however - 119.5kg exactly > so competed n the under 120kg class for the first time. (perfecto)

Squat

200kg

220kg

245kg (pb) missed

Was a gamble for the 245kg pb but I was happy with the 220kg in anycase as I knew I would make some numbers up on bench and deadlift. Eccentric phase at 245 was comfortable and I hit depth but couldn't flick the switch at the bottom. Perhaps a little apprehension in the knee - but either way didn't feel right. Probably was a good call as my hammies were tweaking after warming up for the deadlift 30 min later.

Bench

200kg (shirt grinded a little)

220kg (missed)

- small hole about 50c size running 90 deg off seam ruptured as I touched : tension in the suit changed to much and I dumped it right hand side onto pegs. Bit frustrating as I popped 220 3 times last week, so I just need to anchor it for the pause - but alas it was no go.

At this point shirt pretty much a lottery - but though we came to fight so left the 220kg on.

220kg (missed)

Shirt exploded at the bottom of the eccentric - right on touch. I was position perfectly too - so was a bit gutted but it provided a bit of entertainment for the day.

Positives: BigJohn can confirm now that I do infact have an arch - it may be small but it is there. :pfft:

Deadlift

260kg

280kg missed - slight hitch at the top very close though. Couldn't see any point at that stage in staying the same weight - if I wasn't going to pull 300 (the Unicorn) on the 3rd lift, there was likely no chance I'd get the 280kg all the way either - so went for it

300kg missed - got just off the mat.

Game over

......

Injury report :grin:

Knee feels great - lower back tight but not busted - hamstring came right this morning.

NO PAIN IN FOREARMS - back to normal finally

right should is fucked though - trapezuis pulling through neck - although have full ROM. thankfully had some tramadol in the cupboard, have been floating around the house all day

...

1 week to reset then back to train lite for a week.

It's time to cut properly ...

:wink:

[Optimass]

Weigh in today 121.6kg - but woke up this morning an looked full and much harder than normal - less water on board. Found this after the last comp too.

Recover seems to be going quicker than I expected although I have developed a recurring head ache which will hopefully end tonight. (had tunnel vision for an hour yesterday) -

Really tired still and have to load up Curse this morning to wedge the eyes open for the drive to work.

Legs good / forearms and biceps just getting the usual nervy pain I get after equipt benching. Neck is about 60% better than it was - still some residual pain but I think thats where the head aches are coming from.

....

May be out walking the beach tomorrow - no pinacoladas :pfft:

Perhaps even a circuit Thursday night.

[Traps]

Good outing at K-OS Opti.

Highlight of the day was watching the your smurf chest turn pink. First time I have witnessed a shirt exploding and it did not disappoint :pfft:

Pretty gutted you didnt get the 280 dead. Then you came up to me and said "Next one 300"....at least we know you have balls. Just a pity you were looking so munted after the exploding shirt and that massive 280 dead. Big ups for giving it a go. :clap:

Now, for your next comp, I have put down the challenge......so, up to you now. :dancing:

[Big john]

just re: our convo about the bench shirts bro. i think IMHO youd be better off getting 2 bench shirts of varing sizes..couple reasons why and coach may wanna chime in here as he has loads more experience when it comes to equipped benching.

that being said if you still gonna pursue equipped benching you want to get possibly a size 50 fury w/50 arms for your training, even if you can source a tired 50 or even a 52 shirt. this will help reduce the amount of fatigue you will get tremendously in your equiped phases of your training cycles, as apposed to using tight gear over and over again. its all about building fimilarity

then as we talked about using a 48/50 custom fury for you comps and use accouple times to groove it in training seshs.

Just my 5c bro

[nate225]

Nice work bro - the darkside has you in its grasp I see Opti! :grin:

[Optimass]

^^ your spot on bro - 48/50 comp fit will be better - I could feel the shirt easing off my delts as well. Already picked up from OB re: training in looser gear so will look for a 50 and go from there.

If I hadn't injured myself and maintained 117kg it probably would have been fine. Wasn't planning on carrying that much size in my arms - seems to be where Im packing it on at the moment. (Chest and arms) - why could this have been the case when I was 25 lol.

The challenge will be the gradual drop to 110kg I'm planning - seems a bit redundant trying to fit gear until I settle on a weight - so I suspect RAW will be the code for now.

I really need to spend more time perfecting my squat - it's quite unstable once I hit 200kg+ ... time under bar and using a few more techniques to develop center of gravity should help - e.g during the warm up I was able to sit in the hole comfortably with 140kg which I have been able to do before between reps.

Aside from that I think the equipt benching has helped my rotators - Im not getting anywhere near the same friction I had experienced and I know I can get some easy wins by using a broader grip RAW. (Currently sitting 180kg)

Technique is where its at and Im in the right place to learn it - just need not to rush it.

Nice work bro - the darkside has you in its grasp I see Opti! :grin:

:pfft: - it's only kanoodling me because you're not returning calls lol

[Optimass]

Injury report

Still can't train - have an appointment with Physio Wed to have a look. Unbelievably frustrating!

I'm still having nerve pain periodically shooting down my arms and my neck is still tight when I wake up in the morning. Feels like mild whiplash still - feels muscular so not too concerned but just want to get on with my training. Last week I got tunnel vision which generally mean migraine but managed to offset 2 of them by over hydrating very quickly. (always seems to help to down 2L water very quickly when one comes on)

My lower back has gradually become inflammed over the last 3 days so there may be some realignment needed.

On a positive my bodyfat is still diminishing it seems - weighin is 118.5kg so its going in the right direction but I'm wanting to slow it a bit so have increased my night time calories a bit.

Hopefully can atleast get into regular walking for cardio by the end of the week - but we'll see what the doc says.

:cry:

[Android]

Damn sorry to hear that mate.

No rush to lifting heavy iron again mate, take it easy the weights aren't going anywhere

[steak]

sort your shit out :grin:

[Android]

sort your shit out :grin:

LOLZ

I must learn the PL way to get through hard times :pfft:

[Panzer]

sort your sh*t out :grin:

Corey runs a support club for the permanently injured...i.e. Team Hypochondriac :roll:

[Optimass]

sort your shit out :grin:

LOLZ

I must learn the PL way to get through hard times :pfft:

He's just sore I'm making him eat egg whites :nod:

[Optimass]

sort your sh*t out :grin:

Corey runs a support club for the permanently injured...i.e. Team Hypochondriac :roll:

we are pushing the limits ... team soextremeinjuryisjustawayoflife :pfft:

[Optimass]

Injury Update:

Physio on wednesday last week went well - seems to be completely muscle related. 2 larger than normal lumps in my traps on the right side - never had one on the top before but bloody hurt having it worked.

Lower back is still poor but I'm sure its just a case of the muscle being tight (as always ) between my hammies and back.

Tightness and pain in front right neck area pictured below are still tight and can feel them sometimes we I sit up out of bed. Probably caused through contracting my neck through the deadlift.

They will likwly relax a bit over time through regular stretch and workouts.

++++

With that said I trained Chest yesterday - kept it lite as I didn't want to aggrevate anything again. Was really a feel me out session which happily has resulted in no increased pain anywhere.

Warmed up on d/b flat bench 15 reps @ 22/30/40 x2 sets

incline d/b press 22/30/40kg x2 sets

d/b flies 22 kg x 4 sets of 12 reps

4 sets leg raises

2 sets dips

3 sets tricep push downs

30 min cardio

END

Trained Back tonight

Did lots of sidebends/twists/no weight good mornings to warm lower back

Wide Lat pulldown 4 sets 15 reps (stack on last)

Narrow Pulldown 2 sets with the stack

Good mornings and Upright rom 4 sets

Planks and crunches

Mike Tyson neck pushups

Stretched

30 minute cardio

END

...

Happy with where Im at for now - am going to keep it lite for a few more weeks and use the extra energy in and around cardio sessions. Should bring my bfat down at the same time - means atleast Im getting a result of somekind. May find a waistline in the next few weeks you never know.

Lower back is still abit firery - will see what its like tomorrow - need to train legs but again will be a rep routine - havent done 100 rep sets for a while on leg press ... may be just what the doc ordered???

Update after next train ...

[steak]

leaning out...surprised me to be honest :clap:

legs looked pretty swole and getting dem dere cuts 8)

[Ninja]

Mike Tyson neck pushups

Never heard of these?

Aware me please sounds interesting

[Optimass]

1 minute 57 ...

My neck still recovering so did the bridges with lower back on a pvc pipe = not total body weight on neck.

[Viking Power]

1 minute 57 ...

My neck still recovering so did the bridges with lower back on a pvc pipe = not total body weight on neck.

yeah opti he is one of my all time favorites and that clip just shows how good he was, hahaha me and my mates when I was younger always wanted a neck like that closest I got was just under 19inch my mates a bit more but none of us ever hit that twenty and we did heaps of shit head gear with weights, bridges, mates holding ropes and you pull agaisnt it etc 20 is fuckin huge I couldn,t even do up my top button on a shirt and mind was under 19 its big alright . cool clip 8)

[Android]

Oh hey dude,

Was showing this BB chick the other night the video of the CBC PL comp.

Told her when your shirt ripped bench was coming up and she got such a surprise when it just blew out!

She ended up staying the night....so cheers for that ;-)

[Panzer]

Oh hey dude,

Was showing this BB chick the other night the video of the CBC PL comp.

Told her when your shirt ripped bench was coming up and she got such a surprise when it just blew out!

She ended up staying the night....so cheers for that ;-)

LOL.....ledge

[Optimass]

Oh hey dude,

Was showing this BB chick the other night the video of the CBC PL comp.

Told her when your shirt ripped bench was coming up and she got such a surprise when it just blew out!

She ended up staying the night....so cheers for that ;-)

That shirt was lucky in so many ways lol ... I take it apartment life is working out well :grin:

[Optimass]

Update -

Have Trained 3 days straight ...

Saturday

Lite Deadlifts and Squats (ROM training with 1 sec pause in the hole) some ab work too. No issues with knees or neck.

Sunday

Chest/abs in the shed with the CBC EMG - felt really good - can feel the strength starting to pitch back in now. No Issues with neck or shoulders.

Tonight

Legs // rep session on leg press - finished on 10pps x 8 even and deep reps. (no maxing this time - still cautious of neck. followed up with Calf raise/Leg extensions and 1 hour cardio.

....

Neck seems to be 90% now - every now and then I feel it tighten but not when I raise my right arm anymore. Still getting a bit of burning in lower back but convinced its related to tight hammies as a stretch seems to fix it. (hense on hitting quads and calfs last few days)

Will do some hamstring work in a few days alongside deadlifts and stretch/roll to work it through.

Hopefully the worst is through now as I seem to be making progress after each session now.

Weigh in tonight 122kg - bfat is down but water up last few days // I'm running only 2600cals at the moment but not enough water during the day. Pump on Sunday night was good - looking full with it.

Update again end of week.