If you’re hear because you read Mays email you know I focussed on the inherent pain that comes with physical endeavour… Well these guys embraced it and it’s paid off!
Here are Aprils PBs!
Big Jacks life seems a world wind at the minute, between fathering a young child, moving house and what seems like a relentless job he’s still getting in to train! Grip has been one of Jacks weakness’ as a strongman since he started with me. It’s something we’ve worked on consistently and it’s paying off with a farmers PB of 115kg p/h x 20m!
Jenesis worked hard for her Snatch PB of 24kg. She can still Power more than she can Snatch, but we’re closing that gap!
Taj is progressing nicely with the competition lifts hitting PBs of 40kg x2 in the Clean and 35kg x2 in the Snatch. We’re not at the point where I wan’t him to be hitting singles so this is the most he’s ever hit in these lifts. He also hit a 90kg Double in the Back Squat!
What can I say about James (Or Jim Bob as his mam used to call him). In the final run up to BNSF Northerns James hit a PB in the Front Squat of 155kg x2. Thats not what I want to talk about though. At BNSF James held himself well and came 6th overall in the U105kg category, which is a great achievement in itself… But to do it at 18 year old after dropping around 20kg bodyweight since January is something else. James had his ups and downs and he’ll tell you himself that the result on the Yoke Press was a disappointment. But he also hit a PB 15in Axle Deadlift of 235kg while also taking an even win in the Conans Wheel of 3 rotations. James has a really bright future and I’m privileged to be able to say I coach him and be part of his journey.
Big Jo, like Jim Bob, competed at BNSF Northerns, Jo is a giant though so competed in the Opens category. And like James, it was always going to be a learning curve and a way to drop a marker on what to beat next year. Jo came 13th on the day hitting a PB 15in Axle Deadlift of 260kg x1 along with a PB Conans Wheel of 220kg and a PB Sandbag Run of 90kg, 100kg, 110kg, 120kg. It’s set a nice marker for next year but it was always going to be a battle for Jo. 19 year old, competing against people 10 years+ his senior with no option to compete in a lighter weight category due to his natural side (6ft 5in and 133kg). He has a bright future too and will certainly grow into a top Opens competitor. In the run up to BNSF Jo also hit PBs in the Good Morning of 140kg x6, Bent Over Row of 135kg x6 and Sandbag to Shoulder 120kg.
Liam is flying with his Front Squat at the moment hitting a volume PB of 115kg 3x3… It nearly all wen’t tits up for Liam though as he put his back out and we had to adjust his training… This is the pain I will be talking / talked about in Mays email… Who would have thought a specimen like Liam could do his back by sneezing while picking up a sock!
Marie is hitting her stride again and we should hopefully be on for some nice PBs at the Nixon Memorial Cup at the back end of May, thats if she doesn’t hit PBs earlier! in April Marie hit PBs in the Clean + Front Squat of 64kg x1+1 and the Snatch + Low Hang Snatch of 44kg x1+2.
Olivia is working hard on the technical aspects of the Snatch and C&J and hit a nice PB in the former of 70kg x1 and is trending up!
Little Jack is progressing really nicely and while we still have some technical aspects of his lifting to focus on, he’s making big progress in his general strength and hit a new 5RM in the Squat of 140kg… Oh, and he did it beltless!
Lucy hit a nice PB Triple in the Pause at Mid Thigh Snatch of 40kg! We’re working hard on those key positions, particularly when it comes to balance and weight distribution and it’s paying off!
Cori is now at the point where he his learning to read and following the club program, so thats a huge win at 14 year old! He also hit PBs tin the Deadlift at 120kg x5 and Bench Press at 60kg x3.
I learned that George C likes to wear Cowboy Boots and Shorts to Tescos sometimes… Or at least thinks thats acceptable attire… Either way, that madness didn’t stop him hitting a PB Back Squat of 155kg.
George F opted not to compete at BNSF and instead focus on UKNS finals. a 280kg Axle Deadlift PB of 280kg is a nice marker to set in this prep!
Stephen had a great performance at Stags Strongest taking 3rd place on the day with a great performance in the overhead medley and hitting 7 reps on stone to shoulder.
Sean put in a really nice performance taking 8th place at BNSF Northerns in the Open category. 13 reps on the 120kg Yoke Press was a particular highlight that got him second in that event on the day. In the run up to BNSF Sean also hit PBs in the Axle Push Press at 130kg x2, 15in Axle Deadlift at 280kg x2 and a new 1RM in the Deadlift of 280kg.
Despite getting Norovirus the week before competition and losing 4kg, Mark put in a nice performance at Edinbrugh’s Strongest and finished in 5th place and only one point behind 3rd, so it was tight. Mark managed 4 reps on log, smashed the deadlift ladder pulling 240kg for 2 reps which is a huge win.
Jonny put in a great performance at BNSF Northerns in the u105kg category taking second overall while only being out of the top two on Conans. In comp Jonny hit a PB 15in Axle Deadlift at 305kg and 14 reps on a 105kg yoke press as the highlights of the competition. Jonnys now off to BNSF finals in July to go along with UKNS finals in June.
Awesome work from everyone this month!
Imagine putting your back out sneezing while picking up a sock… The pain of being an athlete eh!
Until Next Time
Adam
