Harder, Better, Smarter, Stronger

Getting strong and muscular isn’t something that happens easily. There are no shortcuts. You’ll learn a lot from getting under a bar, but you’ll learn more by being under that bar consistently. Don’t destroy your body and make sure to give it rest. Establish a solid strength base if you haven’t already. Don’t constantly switch programs. Avoid large amounts of volume. Read about programming, understand why the coach does that for his people, but understand how some of the principles can be generally applied. Don’t be a diet groupy. Don’t be or act like a zealot. Always get an informed opinion, but understand the difference between a blatant opinion and an educated guess based on the circumstances (you’ll find the latter here). Learn about basic anatomy and physiology. Keep an open mind. Always learn. And for fuck’s sake, have a good time doing it.

We’re all here to get Harder, Better, Smarter, and Stronger. Cheers.

Happy PR Friday
Post PR’s or training updates to comments. Welcome newcomers.

75 thoughts on “Harder, Better, Smarter, Stronger

  1. I hereby halt all trolling and place an offer on the table for peace with Brent Kim. I concede victory to his trollness and lay down my dignity at his feet. Please accept this token of humility so we can look forward to a future of get fucked bro’s with peace and harmony.

  2. 5/3/1 squat day, goal was 3 for my last set. rep 2 was bad, i almost dumped at the bottom and barely stood up. when something like this happens i ALWAYS rack. feeling like shit this week in particular, stressed, was making excuses before i even got under the bar.

    but today i took a breath, literally said “FUCK THAT”, then repped the 3rd one out strong as hell.

    thanks for the content lately – its helping me keep my head right.

    Harder, Better, Smarter, Stronger is right on.

  3. I have never ever tried going up to a heavy single on squats. Today I did it and made a huge PR, 20 pounds more than I thought I would get. It was awesome.

    Squat
    400 x 1

  4. HT: 5’10”
    BW: 220

    MON: SQT, 5@325+11=16
    TUE: BP, 5@250+9=14
    THUR: DL, 5@365+11=16
    FRI: SP, 5@160+9=12

    Back on Wendlers 5,3,1 program after a 3 month bout with subpar workouts. I am finally feeling strong again. BOOM

  5. @filthybrit We watched your wife’s deadlift video. Does the masster’s class start at 25 years old in that pl federation or something? No way your wife looks old enough for a masters class.

  6. I have been training inconsistently lately as the farm work went into overdrive. TBH I struggle to get the energy to train if I go over a 14 hour workday.
    As I’m old I also considered it prudent to ease back on the old knife and fork work. Obviously I lost strength and 20 pounds BW.

    Back on track this week though and have 5 good heavy, albeit brief workouts in so far with perhaps a squat or two tonight.

    Highlights were probably 4 with 133kg on the BP last night and a single with 175kg on the dead-squat. (Start from the bottom off pins)

    Nuts are a good food for weight gain/recovery after training.

  7. Squat 285 3×5. Deadlift 335 3×5. Cleann and jerk 185 3×3, 205×2, 215×1. Snatch 135 3×3, 145×2,160×1. Bench still sucks @ 210 3×5. Get this I wasn’t allowed to take chalk upstairs to the bumper plate section where I do Olympic lifts cuz “when it gets on the floor it’s too hard to get out. WTF? It’s a gym not a country club

  8. shit, brah, i didnt even know you had a training log.

    deadlift PR: 375×11

    all my lifts are slowly climbing, except squat. feelsbadman.wmv

  9. @BigShawn Justin is Terran which is why he doesn’t want there to be more zealots in this world.

    PRs:
    Rack pull from below knees 495×5
    Pullups 45×15 preparing to compete in a online competition for max reps with a plate. Hate endurance shit but there is money on the line.
    http://www.extremepullups.com/competitionsevents/2011-max-pull-up-reps-with-a-45lb-plate-competition/
    Chinups 130×3
    I also pressed 210 faster and with less layback than my pr of is 215 from months ago

    BW: 181

  10. @justin – sorry should’ve said “justin lascek s&c” program. crossfit people just call it 70s big. either way i’m still weak but put 90 lbs on my squat in 9 weeks with it.

  11. barbell press: 225 x 1
    one-arm standing db press: 120 x 1 (both arms)
    seated barbell press: 245 x 1
    weighted chin-up: +175 x 1
    weighted dip: +180 x 1
    incline bench: 315 x 1

    bodyweight: 175 – 176

  12. Just got back from a USAW Cert taught by Glenn Pendlay.

    Learned a wealth of information. Glenn is truly a great coach, and I could pick his brain for hours. Also has some great stories.

    Got one PR while at Cal Strength:
    90kg Power Snatch, courtesy of John North telling me to just get fucking weight up.

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