Deadlifts Are Good Medicine for The Soul!!

Just coming out of the first deload I've ever done, it felt good to actually challenge myself. A whole week of leaving the gym feeling like you haven't even trained is boring and unfulfilling. Probably not much more exciting than knitting a sweater, or a marathon of Duck Dynasty... I kept telling myself that the deload would be worth it and that my performance would surely see a nice boost. The results of today's session support this.

I've just recently started doing Power Cleans before Deadlifts. To my surprise, performing them first seems to help me achieve more hip drive on Deads, without wearing me out. I feel they're a great primer. If you've never tried this approach, it may be worthwhile to give it a shot! If you haven't tried Shovel Deadlifts yet, I'll tell you that nothing has ever destroyed my obliques quite like these do. All you have to do is load one side of a barbell and perform a Deadlift. Light weight and high reps are the way to go, for these. Focus on keeping your torso straight and the bar parallel with the floor, go a bit slower on these to get your core totally engaged!!

Without further adieu, here is an overview of today's session:

Monday, March 31 -- Deadlift Day -- (PC Training Max: 180/Deadlift Training Max:375)

Power Cleans:
Warmup Sets - 65x5/85x3
Work Sets - 115x5/135x5/155x5

Deadlifts:
Warmup Sets - 175x5/205x4/225x2
Work Sets - 245x5/280x5/320x11

Front Squats - 1x8x170/3x8x185

Lunges - 3x10x75 Dumbbells

Shovel Deadlifts - 3x75x15