Nice deadlifts and I agree that a rack pull can actually seem harder than a true deadlift. That sucks about the sleep man but I know how you feel. Pretty much every time i hit a PR I'm up for a long time because my body is still all revved up and my mind as well.

I have not squatted in a suit before or benched with a shirt but I would be interested to try it. I think I may take a PL style squat for a variation sometime soon just to feel it out and see what I can do.

As for the competetion I think it could only motivate you more and give you set deadlines to shoot for. Sounds like you got all that under control though.

Keep it up man!

IW

I would be curious to see how your wide stance squat compares to your normal squat. You might be surprised. I remember when I first tried going wide. My hips were very weak and my glute activation wasn't good enough. I think it can be very beneficial to do some wide stance stuff. Most people are very quad dominant.

I want to try a bench shirt again also. It is very painful. If it takes some of the stress off of my AC joints and I can increase the frequency that I bench press, then it will be worth it. I have been doing a lot of OH pressing, but that won't prepare me for a competition. I need to spend some time laying down. :D

I want to try squatting in a suit also. I've deadlifted in one (it did more harm than good). It really opens your eyes when you try lifting in gear. You have to learn to lift all over again, basically. Very complex. I have a lot more respect for the people that lift in gear and are successful after having tried it myself.

Incline press (axle bar) - 180X5, 190X5, 200X3, 200X3
Incline CG (normal BB) - 3X6 175

Short and sweet.

Squats w/ bands (200lbs at top) - 55X5, 145X3, 195X2, 235X1, 235X1, 235X1, 235X1
Sled

If you don't have a shirt, you could try a band if you have one. Depending upon your band's length, you may need to double it but you basically use it in a cross pattern around you chest and back. Not surprisingly, it is a little painful. I haven't tried it yet.

Do you mean push ups with bands?

How you like bands Ross?, I finish my 3 week band phase this friday (thank fuck!!).Gonna deload the following week cos I think bands can tear you up good!!

Nice lifting bro.

Thanks man. This was my first time squatting with bands. It sucked! It was so heavy at the top that I didn't take the time to get set up until the last three sets. Not all of the squats were good quality. I could sit back, but for some reason I kept moving forward. It will just take some getting used to. It's really frustrating when you keep fucking up and it's a weight that you can move easily. Everybody else was squatting on a box, but that was just one more thing to mess me up.

I'm glad I've been watching your videos. It honestly helped a good bit.

were the bands too far in front of you?

Could have been, but I don't think so. Next time I'm going to have someone watch my setup. With that being my first time & me having that much weight at the top, I was having a hard time remembering to take in a big breath of air before squatting. It's funny how when you get under a lot of weight, everything can go out the window. I need more practice.