Dustin’s Workout Log 9/22/09
EDIT: Just for reference, the sole point of this workout was to compare myself to where I was with a certain routine that I used to do over a year ago. This is NOT what I would consider a “good” workout routine. Specifically, curls and (to a lesser extent) tricep kickbacks are not functional exercises. At the same time, dumbell bench press and standing dumbell military press are worthwhile. But, it is beneficial to know if my current routines have benefited my old routine. Apparently, it has not. I haven’t yet decided how important this is, or what exactly it means in terms of performance, but don’t find it overwhelmingly important, considering my performance increases in other areas.
Did a gym routine today, which is essentially a variation of an old favorite that I haven’t done in quite a while. All weights are per dumbell, total weight is x2.
Started with dumbell bench press:
Set 1: 7 @ 80 lbs
Set 2: 4 @ 80 lbs, 3 @ 70 lbs
Set 3: 4 @ 70 lbs, 4 @ 60 lbs
Followed with standing dumbell curls:
Set 1: 8 @ 35 lbs
Set 2: 8 @ 35 lbs
Set 3: 8 @ 35 lbs (‘cheating’ on the last 2)
Followed with standing [dumbell] military press:
Set 1: 8 @ 40 lbs
Set 2: 4 @ 40 lbs, 3 @ 35 lbs
Set 3: 4 @ 35 lbs, 2 @ 30 lbs
Followed with tricep kickbacks:
Set 1: 8 @ 40 lbs
Set 2: 10 @ 35 lbs
Set 3: 10 @ 35 lbs
The big kicker for this routine was I’m able to compare to where I was when I was doing this routine relatively habitually about a year ago or so. Interestingly, I’m close, but slightly below where I used to be with this specific routine. I attribute this to several things: my technique isn’t what it used to be, I’ve lost some of the specific conditioning for these exercises, and that my diet has me leaning right now, which generally gimps my performance a bit. Honestly, I had expected to see some gains here, and that wasn’t the case. But, then again, these exercises aren’t the best determination of overall strength, either. C’est la vie.
–Dustin
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Dumbbell curls and triceps kickbacks? Yeah, sounds like you had a really productive workout today. Did your boyfriend work out with you, too?
Jason, no need to be jealous, you know you'll always be the true love of my life.
Whatever you think about the workout, it still got me sore, because the movement was different, and there's something to be said for that. And yes, there are much better movements than kickbacks and curls (which are largely worthless), but, like I said, I wanted to compare to my previous abilities. It lets me know how I've progressed compared to a benchmark of the past.
On things like push ups and pull ups, I've more than doubled my previous numbers. That's not the case on here. Open to question is just how important that is.