Thursday's tensions

I split my session into two again and I managed to inch up my lifts again, while still getting my bodyweight down. At mid-day, I did my Clean deadlifts and the timing of my second session had to change so I ended up having to do a different session. I did the following:

Clean deadlift with a shrug--2x5@60 1x3@80, 100, 110 1x2@120, 130, 140, 150 for three doubles. I have included a set of these in the video. My back is getting flatter but my hips were rising a little too early. Let me know what you think.

Session 2:

Snatch--1x2@40, 40, 50, 50, 70, 80, 90, 95, 100--I failed on the second rep twice. I was not too unhally with these misses because I was rushing with little rest in between reps due to time constraints. I will get these next week.

I was supposed to do Jerk behind the neck and Power Cleans, but overhead lifting after seven is not allowed in the Hercs' gym, so I squatted instead. Because my left elbow is still sore, I performed Zombie squats.

Zombie Squats--1x2@70, 100, 110, 130, 140 1x1@150, 155--I failed this twice.

The session was frustrating because of the timing, but it was productive. Sami got a pb Snatch of 97kg which he made in a fatigued state and in his second session of the day. The numbers are going back up again, slowly but surely. Have a look at the video and let me know if you have any constructive criticism.

Sunday's standing on the 'I need to work on my Jerk' issue

Today was another intense session down in the University of Limerick. Yesterday, we Snatched to maximum and Sami Clean and Jerked to max while I went easy on them. Today I went to max on the Clean and Jerks.

Glute activation warm up with some bar work

1. Power Snatch--I worked up to a single with 85kg and I left it at that.

2. Clean and Jerk--My shoulder girdle was quite stiff in the beginning of the session and everything was a bit slow. I worked my way into it and did singles with 100, 110, 120 and on the first attempt of 130, I cleaned it easily but the bar landed on my wind-pipe so I dropped it at the top. I got a nice success with the next attempt.

I then went up to 135kg and I missed the Jerk on this because I went onto my toes on the Jerk dip and lost it forward. I got it nicely on my second attempt. I then went to 140kg, and I cleaned it twice, but missed the Jerk both times. On the first, my left elbow gave out with a poor lock. On the second, I tried to get my chest through, but ended up pushing through too much and lost it behind. This was frustrating because the Cleans felt very solid, but I could not quite get the Jerks in tune today.

3. Zombie Squats--After foolishly going for 140 a third time after finishing and then mentally switching off for five minutes, I hurt my wirst slightly when the Clean fell on top of me. This meant I could not Front Squat so on Cathal's suggestion, I tried the Zombie Squat which is the same as a Front Squat except that your arms reach out in front of the bar like a Zombie, instead of gripping. like in a Front Squat. I worked up to a triple with 130 and singles with 140 and 150kg. These ensure that you have a locked back and core and you can only go as low as you can keep your back locked.

Sami ended up Cleaning and then Power Cleaning 120, but narrowly missed the Jerk twice. He also got a 15kg pb in his one rep max in the Front Squat, which was due a long time. Here is a video of our lifting and some of the banter, so any constructive criticism would be fantastic.