Monday's march towards a more respectable squat

I had a good training session today; I was tired so when I started to over analyse, the only way I could continue to train was to shut out the mind completely and simply lift as fast as I could. It was day four of the squat program and it started to get interesting. Last week I found it very hard to get six triples with 80% and today I had to get six sets of four reps. It was hard, but I am finding out that the beauty of this Russian squat program is that it forces uses to utilise what strength you do have to a greater extent. The only way I was getting my last few sets today was to generate as much tension as possible and getting my timing, breathing and positioning accurate. These skills are arguably more valuable than the added stength that will come my way. Here is what I did:

Snatch--3x3@40 1x2@60, 80 3x1@90--When I left my mind behind these actually got quite fast and tight. I had to remind myself to keep aware of how flexibile and loose my wrists were throughout the lift as this means my arms are relaxed and that I extend with my hips and not my arms. Thus teh extension is better as is the turnover.

Back Squat--1x2@110, 126, 135 6x4@144 which is 80% of my Back Squat. I have six sets of five reps to look forward to on Thursday and I am actually looking forward to the challenge.

Here is a nice video made by Chris Betancourt. It shows Vardanyan's individual style that is quite different to what is being preached today as the most efficient technique. What do you think:



Also, my blog is now a year old! For anyone who reads it, I hope you are enjoying your training and are enjoying the journey as much as I am. I have a few more guest article in mind and if anyone can suggest a few ways to improve the blog, please let me know. I have also been maintaining original alliterative titles for the last year and I think this is my proudest achievement. How embarassing, as Byrdie would say...