What's everyone been up to lately?

[rydra_wong]

We haven't had a check-in for a while, and I thought an informal one might be nice. So:

What have you all been up to lately? What are you getting into? What's your latest discovery regarding the lifting of heavy things? Got any new toys or tricks?

Who's got a new achievement to brag about? Who's just getting started and would like some encouragement and cheering? Who's had to take time off owing to injury or life and could use some sympathy? How's it going?

Comments

[rydra_wong]

And somehow I seem to have forgotten to post the comment I wrote. Whoops.

I'm temporarily off overhead squats (one of my new favourite lifts) because I bruised one wrist while climbing. But I can now TGU my heaviest kettlebell with 2 extra kg strapped to it, which entitles me to happy contemplation of more toy purchases.

My bench press continues to be terrible, but I've worked out that my shoulders are much happier if I do my push-ups on my knuckles (palms facing), so hopefully I'll finally be able to develop some push strength that way.

My back squat continues to show small but steady signs of improvement. I'm practicing one-legged squats onto a box. And my deadlift is nearing bodyweight-and-a-half, which would make me very happy.

As a free bonus with the climbing, my number of pull-ups is slowly increasing without my having to put any extra effort into training them. I've started noodling around with tuck front levers.

And I've done my first ever Cossack squat, and set a new personal record for the elbow plank! \o/

[mongrelheart]

Sounds like you're kicking some @$$ in the gym! w00t for the almost 1.5 BW DL's!

I had to look up Cossack squats, didn't realize they were called that ;)

[resolute]

Ah, yes, pullups are the things I am not going to be able to do in the foreseeable future. I can lat pulldown 100 pounds, EASY, which is ... exactly one-third my body weight.

Every time you post, I have to go look up new and fascinating exercises on the internet! "Cossack squat," indeed!

[rydra_wong]

Ah, yes, pullups are the things I am not going to be able to do in the foreseeable future.

Yeah, they're all about strength-to-weight ratio, rather than pure strength, so they discriminate horribly in that respect.

Every time you post, I have to go look up new and fascinating exercises on the internet!

I am a magpie when it comes to exercises. New and interesting ways of moving! I have a particular fondness for old school stuff that's been forgotten and then rediscovered, like TGUs and bent presses and clubbell stuff.

One day, I dream of doing a "two hands anyhow", almost entirely for the name.

[chaostheory635]

OVERHEAD SQUATS!!! i <3 them as well.