My Week As Rx (Probably Scaled): January 1 – January 7

 

Tuesday

Power Snatch –  Find your 1RM

My last power snatch and snatch PR was at 172 lb. (78 kg). After not training snatches, I wanted to at least reach that weight if not hit a new PR. I warmed up with about three singles at each weight interval. I focused on form and movement throughout all the positions. As the weight got heavier, I took longer rests between sets.

I was able to complete 60 kg and 65 kg fairly easily. Once I reached 70 kg, it started to get challenging. I had to squat a little lower at this weight as I tried not to “starfish”. At 75 kg, I was able to complete two singles, then I attempted 80 kg. I missed my first attempt. I was able to get the weight overhead but I caught it too far forward. I made some mental adjustments and went for the next rep. I was able to get under the bar but I landed in a “starfish”. I also had a slight press out. I decided to stop there since my form was starting to deteriorate but I at least have a new training pr!

WOD – AMRAP, 9 Minutes

10 Dumbbell Snatch, Alternating (50 lb.)
Run (100 m)

After speaking to a few members in the previous class, I decided to shoot for eight rounds. The average was about seven to nine rounds and I was shooting for the middle. I was going to try and keep my pace to one round a minute and try to hold on until the end. The dumbbell weight shouldn’t be a problem, I’ve done dumbbell snatches before at that weight. The run would probably be a bit difficult but it was short.

At the start of the workout, everything went smooth. The dumbbell snatches were not giving me a problem and the run was okay. I was able to keep my pace until the fifth round. The dumbbell snatches were a little slower than previous rounds, and my run was slower as well. I could feel my lower back tightening up, which means my running form was not good. I powered though it and was only able to finish seven rounds and 80 meters on the run. I was 20 meters short of my goal! I was happy with the result since I pushed as hard as I could.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

Barbells & Boxcars ep 33 The movie was aight

Our first episode of the year! We talk about our workouts for the week and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Spoilers for those who haven’t seen it.

barbellsandboxcars's avatarBarbells and Boxcars

Hello and welcome to ep33 of Barbells and Boxcars. In this episode we mostly review Star Wars The Last Jedi.

We hope you enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening

You can listen here

Feel free to leave us some comments.

Shout out to our gym Custom Fitness. You can check out their website http://customfitnessguam.com/ for information on them and what they offer.

Check out our facebook pages: Barbells and Boxcars & Limitless Fails Gaming Group

You can message us at barbellsandboxcars@gmail.com and give us some feedback. We would love to hear from you

Find us on Instagram @barbellsandbocars and @limitlessfails

View original post

Barbells & Boxcars F*&% what episode is this

Were back with a new episode of Barbells and Boxcars! After a long hiatus we were able to record an episode before the new year. Listen and enjoy!

barbellsandboxcars's avatarBarbells and Boxcars

Hello and welcome to another episode of Barbells and Boxcars. Its out a little late but in this episode we take a look back at 2017 and what can we improve upon in 2018 in our Crossfit adventures and gaming/nerd side of things. We like to thank you all for listening to us in 2017 and we hope you will stick around in 2018.

you can listenhere

Thanks for listening.

Feel free to leave us some comments.

Shout out to our gym Custom Fitness. You can check out their websitehttp://customfitnessguam.com/for information on them and what they offer.

Check out our facebook pages: Barbells and Boxcars & Limitless Fails Gaming Group

You can message us at barbellsandboxcars@gmail.com and give us some feedback. We would love to hear from you

Find us on Instagram @barbellsandbocars and @limitlessfails

View original post

My Week As Rx Probably Scaled: December 11 – December 17

Friday

Back Squat – 7×5 at 75% (275 lb.)

After not working out the whole week, I start up with back squats. The programming calls for 75% + 10 – 15 lb. increase from the last week. I haven’t been squating lately so I stay at my actual 75%. After warm ups I get to the bar and start my first set. I was able to control the weight on the decent but was slow on the ascent. I was trying to be more explosive but I could stand up quick enough. After a few more sets, my legs warmed up and I was able to be quicker. I was only able to finish six out of seven sets at 75% because of time limitations. Great squat day and I’m feeling more confident.

WOD – 10 Minutes

150 Double Unders
then in remaining time, AMRAP:
15 Wall Balls (20 lb.)
15 Power Cleans (95 lb.)

After the squat session, I knew this workout was going to suck. My legs were going to be working hard for the next 10 minutes. The double unders were going to give me a hard time as well as the wall balls. The power cleans were going to be okay since it’s a light weight for me to cycle.

I was able to complete 75 unbroken double unders before my arms started to tire. It was hard to string reps after. I would be able to complete up to 10 reps before I would trip again or I would stop because my arms couldn’t keep going. I finished the double under, three minutes into the workout and started on the “hard part” of the workout.

I hate wall balls and they were the first movement after the double unders. My strategy was to break up the wall balls and power cleans into sets of two. The wall balls were slow and steady. I would take a few seconds between each set to catch my breath and try to get back to the movement quickly. The power cleans were the same. After the first round, I could feel the exhaustion catching up to me and would take more rest in between sets. It was tough and I finished with two rounds and 13 wall balls. I was shooting for three rounds but I wasn’t able to get there. Fun workout for the week.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

My Week As Rx (Probably Scaled): December 4 – December 10

I haven’t been doing a lot of posts lately. I just got back from the Philippines and I have a lot of stuff to do for the holidays. I’m trying to catch up with all my posts and I’m starting with my workout week. If you want to see my workout week, check out my Beyond the Whiteboard profile.

Monday

Back Squat – 6×6 at 70% (275 lb.)

We started a new back squat cycle and I’m pumped. I really want to get my squat up to 400 lb. but I haven’t been putting in the work. At the end of the cycle I want to at least hit a new PR, even if it’s only five pounds.

I worked up to 275 lb. slowly. I haven’t been squatting heavy and wanted a good warm up before putting on some heavy weight. Surprisingly, the squats felt good but not light. It took a lot of focus and concentration. I did notice some hip shift in the later sets which is something that I’ll need to correct. Overall, great squat session.

WOD – 10 Minute AMRAP

10 Single Arm Thrusters (50 lb.)
Run (100 m)
10 Single Arm Thrusters (50 lb.)
Run (100 m)

I almost scaled this workout to 30 or 40 lb. The weight was a little heavy for my left arm but I thought I could get through it. The run was going to be the longest portion of this workout. I was able to go through the right arm thrusters unbroken. When doing the left arm thrusters, I had to break up the reps. Like my squat, I have to work on my muscle imbalance. The run sucked but I kept a good pace and tried to catch my breath during the run. I finished three rounds and two right arm thrusters.

Tuesday

WOD 1 – For Time, 6 Minute Time Cap

3 Rounds

10 Deadlifts (275 lb.)
50 Double Unders

Like most workouts, it’s the cardio that’s going to kill me and those double unders look scary. The deadlifts seemed a bit heavy but I should be able to get through it in two sets each round. I warmed up a bit for the deadlifts before the workout started. I forgot how heavy 275 lb. felt, I wasn’t worried however since this is only about 65% of my 1RM.

I was able to get through the deadlifts in sets of five and go unbroken on the double unders in the first round. It only took about a minute to finish. The second and third sets were a lot harder. I had to take a few seconds in between sets. I kept missing my double unders and it took a lot time to string more together. At the time cap I was ten reps into the last round of double unders.

WOD 2 – AMRAP 6 Minutes

5 Pull Ups
7 Burpees
9 Double Unders

We had a two minute break before starting this workout. I am more comfortable with these movements and I wasn’t too worried. The hardest movement was going to be the burpees. I was still tired from the previous workout but I was able to get an okay start. I went through all the movements without much trouble but I had to take a few seconds in between movements. The burpees were the worst part. I moved at a very slow pace but I didn’t stop to catch my breath. I was able to go through all the pull ups and double unders unbroken. I was shooting for six rounds, trying to do this workout like an EMOM, but that didn’t go as plan. I finished this workout with four rounds and two pull ups.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

My Week As Rx (Probably Scaled): November 6 – November 12

The last few weeks have been busy. I was not going to the gym consistently, and I was able to go five days out of the last three weeks. Now that things have calmed down, I can get back to documenting my CrossFit journey!

Monday

Strict Press – Find your 1RM

After missing the past few weeks, I knew this was going to be tough and my chance of setting a new PR were slim. However, I was going to give it my all and try my best. I loaded up some weight and started the warm up. The coaches suggested some percentages for the warm up that I followed until I reached 85% of my 1RM. 145 lb. felt good and I was able to complete two reps at that weight. I loaded 155 lb. and I was not able to get the bar past my eyes. I took a few minutes rest and tried again but ended up with the same result, no rep. I felt defeated but I know, I need to work more. If I was more consistent, maybe I would have been able to get it. Next time, their is always next time.

WOD 1 – 8 Minute Time Cap

15-9-6

Thrusters (135 lb.)

Chest to bar pull ups

After failing at my strict press PR, I knew I had to redeem myself. I decided not to scale the thrusters and attempt the workout Rx. The chest to bar pull ups were going to be hard but that’s to be expected. The first 15 reps of thrusters were not bad. I broke it up into two sets of ten and five making the work manageable. The chest to bars were broken up into sets of five. The last two rounds were a lot harder but I was able to grind through it. I Finished the workout at 7:17.

WOD 2 – 6 Minute AMRAP10 burpees

50 double unders

We started only a minute after finishing the first WOD. I was exhausted and tried to catch my breath before starting the next workout. What followed was the slowest burpees I’ve ever done. I would hit the deck, and rest at the bottom for a second before standing up. It was a snails pace but it was the best I could do. The double unders however went a lot better than expected. I finished two rounds unbroken and had to break up the other rounds into three or four sets. It was a great workout but I wish I had more energy for the burpees. I finished the workout with two rounds and three burpees.

Wednesday

Power Clean Complex

1 Power Clean + 3 Push Press

My power cleans have been consistent lately. I’ve been able to complete some complexes at 205 lb. but the push press would be tough at that weight. My last three rep max attempt was at 200 lb., a new PR. I was hoping I would be able to complete this complex at 205 lb. At the beginning of the workout the clean and push presses felt great. As the weights increased the push press became more difficult but I was able to complete the lifts without any misses. At 205 lb. the clean wasn’t hard but the push presses were very heavy. I was able to get one good rep and two “ugly” reps. I was able to lock out my arms and not re dip like a jerk. They were not the nicest looking lifts but I got them done. Complete one complex at 205 lb.

Snatch Pull – 3×3 at 110% (205 lb)

205 lb. was 10 lb. over my 110% but I wanted to try out pulls at this weight. I took the first set to get used to the weight. It was heavier than what I’m used to but I tried to focus on form and completing the pulls. After the first set, the other two went smooth. The weight still felt heavy but I’m sure I will be able to snatch this one day.

Back Squat – 3×10 at 65% (245 lb.)

Ten reps is no joke! I was confident going into the workout but as the warm up went on, I started to have doubts. Doing five reps at 225 lb. was a lot harder than what I expected. Ten reps at 245 lb. was going to be terrible.

I psyched myself up and started on my first set. I felt good until the ninth rep where I started to feel tired. I barely made it up on the 10th rep. The next set was just as hard. I barely finished the set, getting stuck on the eighth rep. The last set was the most difficult. I made it to five reps before I had to re rack the bar. I took about 30 seconds of rest and finished the last five reps. It was a very challenging squat workout.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

My Week As Rx (Probably Scaled): October 9 – October 15

This is going to be a long post. I worked out for five days straight. I’ll try not to bore you and if you want to see my workout week, check out my Beyond the Whiteboard profile.

Monday

Overhead Squat Complex – Find a  Heavy 1 Rep

Behind the neck push jerk + overhead squat

I treated this as an overhead squat max. I usually push jerk to get the weight overhead. My goal for this was to complete at least 200 lb. After warm up, I was able to complete lifts at 185 lb. and 200 lb. The lifts felt good and decided to try 220 lb., five pounds below my current PR. After a minute of rest, I attempted the lift and was able to complete it. I decided to call it a day. I was happy with my lift.

Hang Snatch – 3×3 at 75% (130 lb.)

I was riding my high completing the overhead squat and went directly into the hang snatches. 130 lb. is heavy for me but I used straps to keep my grip in tact. I had one miss in the first set. I took a breath and focused. I was able to complete the next nine reps without a miss. Not bad for snatches.

Strict Press – 3×5 at 65% (110 lb.)

After all the strict press work we have been doing, this was a piece of cake. Had no issues.

Back Squat – 3×5 at 75% (264 lb.)

I didn’t need a warm up for this and went into it quickly. I haven’t been squatting heavy so this took some effort. It was a tough three rounds but I got through it quickly.

Tuesday

Overhead Squat – Find a 3RM

I was a bit sore from Monday but I was going to try and set a new PR today. I started with 135 lb. and worked up to 185 lb. before  thinking of my next few weights. I decided to lift 195 lb. and then jump to 209 lb. to try and set a new PR. I was able to finish three reps but they were a struggle. I was able to PR my overhead squat by four pounds. Not a large number but I’m happy with it.

WOD – Double Under Nancy

5 Rounds

50 double unders
15 overhead squats (95 lb.)

I did this workout three years ago. I scaled to using only the bar which took me 14:26. This time around, I wanted to PR my time as well as the weight. After doing the overhead squat session, I was feeling good. I was confident in my overhead squat but not the double unders. I didn’t want to push too hard and gas in the third or fourth round.

The workout started great, I was able to go unbroken on the double unders and the overhead squats for the first two rounds. Round three started to get tough. I was barely able to string 10-20 double unders before messing up. The overhead squats were starting to feel heavy. I was able to get five or six reps before setting the bar back on my back.

It was a grind to finish the fourth round but I almost gave up at the fifth. My legs were on fire and it me a few seconds to catch my breath. Around this time my wife finished her workout and walked over to me to give me some encouragement. I was able to get through the double unders and go unbroken on the overhead squats. The overhead squats were extremely difficult. I had to put all my focus into keeping my arms engaged and break through the pain. I almost lost it around rep seven or eight but I was able to save it. My arms were starting to go numb right when I finished the last rep. My total time was 13:21, 1:05 faster than my last time. Double PR for the day!

Wednesday

Bench Press – 5×2 at 90% (205 lb.)

This was the heaviest I’ve gone in awhile. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad. I used a spotter but I didn’t have to be helped. It felt great.

Partner WOD – AMRAP, 16 Minutes

20 box jumps (24 in.)
15 deadlifts (225 lb.)
Handstand hold (30 sec.)

I did this partner workout with my wife and we scaled it. Instead of the handstand hold it was a 10m handstand walk. The scale was handstand holds which was more than enough to get our shoulders burning. We split the reps down the middle. Our goals for this workout was to complete six rounds.

The first three rounds went smooth but my partner and I were tired out. I under estimated the deadlifts and tired my best to keep up the intensity.We fell short of the six round goal and completed only five rounds.

Thursday

Clean Complex

Clean + Hang Clean + Clean

This was a fun complex but it was also frustrating. I couldn’t hold onto the bar during the hang portion of the complex at 215 lb. and decided to finish the workout. I have work on establishing the hook grip after the first clean. That should help with my grip issues. I was able to complete the complex at 205 lb.

Push Press – 4×5 at 65% (145 lb.)

At 65% I was able to finish this workout quickly. I focused on my front rack position and my finishing position

Back Squat + Jerk

3 back squat + behind the neck jerk

This was a difficult one because of the behind the neck jerk. I haven’t been practicing it that much and it felt a bit awkward. My limiting factor for this complex was going to be the jerk but I wanted to work up to 225 lb. I started off with a light weight, focusing on form and getting used to the movement. I started getting used to the movement but my form wasn’t great. I was able to reach my goal of 225 lb. but it wasn’t pretty. I had a slight press on jerk and I had to save it. Slowly getting back into these movements.

Friday

Strict Press – 5×6 at 65% (99 lb.)

I was able to get through this quickly. The last two rounds were tough but not too difficult.

Strict Press – 1×10 at 60% (88 lb.)

This burnout set was difficult. After the thirty reps my arms were tired. I was able to complete about eight reps at a touch and go pace before my arms were tired. I was able to finish the last two reps but they took a bit longer. 88 lb. never felt so heavy!

Partner WOD – AMRAP, 20 Minutes

4 muscle up
8 pistols
12 handstand push ups
Run (200 m)

I did this workout with my wife and we had a great time. I was able to do all the movements Rx but she had to scale. The reps were split in half and the worst part of this workout was the run, no surprise there.

The first few rounds started off great. The movements were challenging but I was able to get through them quickly. We started to slow down after round four. I was able to keep my same pace but my partner had to slow down a bit. I kept an okay pace for the rest of the workout but had to slow down on my partners reps. It was not a problem and my goal was to keep her moving and motivated. We survived the workout and finished with six rounds and a muscle up. Great partner workout!

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

My Week As Rx (Probably Scaled): October 2 – October 8

Monday

Power Clean Complex – Find a 1 Rep Heavy

Power clean + push press

It was a heavy Monday and that doesn’t go that well for me. I was still a bit sore from the previous week but I wanted to get some work in. The limiting movement for this complex was going to be the push press. My estimated weight for this complex would be around 205 lb. – 225 lb. The warm up felt okay, my quads were still a little tight but thankfully it was power not squat cleans. I made the lift at 205 lb. and then tried for 215 lb. I missed the 215 lb. lift and decided to stop there.

Snatch Pull – 3×3 at 100% (185 lb.)

I haven’t done snatch pulls since the last time I was doing barbell club programming. I warmed up with some light weight and slowly got the feel for the movement. I loaded up my 100% and finished all three sets.

Front Squat – Find a 1 Rep Heavy

The clean complex saved my quads but this front squat session was going to kill them. My previous 1RM was around 305 lb. but I knew I was not going to get that high. I was a bit warm from the power cleans so I loaded about 50% (165 lb.) as my first weight. It felt very heavy and I knew I was going to struggle at anything over 280 lb. I loaded 225 lb. and was able to complete a few reps. I loaded 265 lb. on the bar and I was able to complete one rep. I was having a hard time keeping the bar on my shoulders and keeping my elbows up. I decided to end it there since my form was starting to suffer.

Tuesday

Front Squat – 5×5 at 70% (225 lb.)

If Mondays squats were not enough, today we have 25 more reps! My 70% is about 225 lb. which felt heavy Monday. The warm up felt good and I loaded my 70%. My first two sets were easy to get through. My legs felt great but I could feel my core starting to fatigue. I was trying to keep my torso upright and not dropping my elbows but after the second set, it was going to be a struggle. The following sets were a grind but I was able to get through it. I was able to complete the workout at my actual percentages. I was stoked.

Partner WOD – For Time

Row (90 cals.)
60 toes to bar
300 double unders
70 burpee over partner

This partner workout looked like a lot of fun except for the toes to bar. The toes to bar was going to be my worst movement. The other three were not too bad. We decided to break up the reps in small sets so that we could keep up the intensity.

The row was broken up into sets of 15 cals. This would give each partner about a minute of rest. My partner was a strong rower and he was a lot faster than I was. I pulled at a faster than normal pace and we finished the row fairly quickly. The toes to bar is where we hit a snag. I was not able to string more than three or five reps together. My abs started to cramp up after the first 10 reps. My partner scaled the toes to bar and was able to go unbroken for all his reps leaving me with a short rest time. I took longer than what I would have liked on the toes to bar but I will make it up on the double unders.

We broke up the reps into sets of 30 switching off every 20 seconds or so. This was the fastest portion of the workout for us. The last movement was just as bad as the toes to bar. We broke up the reps into sets of five but we were already running out of breath by then. We pushed till the end and finished the workout at 19:34.

Wednesday

Bench Press – 3×6 at 85% (185 lb.)

Bench pressing is starting to feel good again. My wrist still has a slight pain but nothing too uncomfortable. 185 lb. is lower than my actual 85% but I was happy with the workout. Slowly building up the strength again.

WOD – Fight Gone Bad Style, 4 Rounds

Power cleans (155 lb.)
Shuttle run (200 m)
Chin over bar hold
-Rest-

I planned to do at least seven to eight reps on the power cleans, finish the run and complete at least 40 seconds of chin over bar holds. While it was the plan, it didn’t go that well. I was able to get the reps in for the power cleans but not the other two movements. However, I’m not surprised. Gymnastics is still a weak part of my fitness that I’m actively trying to work on. It was a great workout but I under estimated it.

Friday

Strict Press – 3×7 at 60% (100 lb.), 1×2 at 90% (135 lb.), 1×10 at 60% (100 lb.)

My strength is slowly coming back. I was able to finish this workout at weights close to my old percentages. The burn out set was a killer, smoked my shoulders and triceps.

Partner WOD – AMRAP 15 Minutes

Row (200 m)
15 thrusters (45 lb.)
10 push ups

My wife and I had a great time doing this workout. The movements were not heavy or difficult but the large volume would add up towards the end of 15 minutes. The workout was split up with partners alternating movements. The workout started well. The row was quick, less than a minute per person. The thrusters didn’t feel heavy until the end of the workout and the push ups felt a lot harder than normal. The strict press did a number on my triceps and I was struggling with the push ups and thrusters by the end of the workout. We finished the workout with 8 rounds, 200m row and nine thrusters.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

B&B RPG Savage Worlds Adventure Part 2

Part two of our B&B RPG session. Check out PART ONE and our podcast FEED or search for Barbells and Boxcars on iTunes and Google Play. Thanks for listening.

barbellsandboxcars's avatarBarbells and Boxcars

Hello and welcome to B&B RPG where grown ups gather around a table, go on adventures and fail dice rolls. This is pt2 of the Savage Worlds adventures. We pick up where we last left our heroes. Will we uncover the root of this evil? Listen and find out

you can listen here

Dont forget to check out our regular Barbells and Boxcars podcasts for your crossfit and nerd/geek fix.

Feel free to leave us some comments.

Shout out to our gym Custom Fitness. You can check out their website http://customfitnessguam.com/ for information on them and what they offer.

Check out our facebook pages: Barbells and Boxcars & Limitless Fails Gaming Group

You can message us at barbellsandboxcars@gmail.com and give us some feedback. We would love to hear from you

Find us on Instagram @barbellsandbocars and @limitlessfails

View original post

Barbells & Boxcars ep 31 Being focused while intoxicated

New episode of Barbells and Boxcars is here! We talk about Ricky Gerard being stripped of his third place finish and my week in CrossFit (Rodel didn’t go this week). We also talk about the games we played that day, Shadow War Armageddon and Warmachine. Check out our podcast FEED or search for Barbells and Boxcars on iTunes and Google Play. Thanks for listening.

barbellsandboxcars's avatarBarbells and Boxcars

Hello again to another episode of Barbells and Boxcars. In this episode we dicuss whats been going on in the Crossfit community, our week in crossfit, some beer talk, gaming stuff and other geek/nerd stuff. We hope you enjoy this episode.

You can listen here

Thanks for listening.

Feel free to leave us some comments.

Shout out to our gym Custom Fitness. You can check out their website http://customfitnessguam.com/ for information on them and what they offer.

Check out our facebook pages: Barbells and Boxcars & Limitless Fails Gaming Group

You can message us at barbellsandboxcars@gmail.com and give us some feedback. We would love to hear from you

Find us on Instagram @barbellsandbocars and @limitlessfails

View original post