Mike Jenkins Training Journal

[Mike Jenkins]

After being around for 3 years hiding in the forum shadows I have decided to start posting a little more on some of the sites Ive been stalking for years. I have already started the Q/A on here and Ive decided to get a training journal going. I just got back in the gym for the first time since before the Arnold, I basically took the two weeks off between the Arnold and Sin City. I took all last week off totally, I am not sure whats next for me so I am going to focus on some of my weaknesses here in coming weeks. I look forward to posting on here and hopefully getting some feedback and answering questions. Hugs and kisses! Love Mike!

[ALLLOut]

Good stuff Mike, get crackin, and best of luck to your goals this year Bro..

[Mr.Bones]

Get to it

[robert da strongman]

in for this one...


next comp?

[bigjon]

im in, hope its good! what r your plans?

[Mike Jenkins]

This was my first night back in the gym since I left for Vegas almost 2 weeks ago. I knew not to go crazy but I really needed to get in and do a little something. Im still not sure what my split/schedule is going to look like now that Im done that heavy a$$ Arnold stuff. Decided to just do a little light pressing tonight, everything was seated with no back support to ease myself back into it. I usually do an another press, incline or floor press, after my overhead but didnt want to do too much after 2 weeks off. Everything felt good, pretty light, used my head and stopped when I should have for once.

Monday 3/28
Seated Log Z press (wrist wraps only on all sets)
230x6
260x6
270x6
285x6
285x5
250x10

Seated DB Press no back support
80x20
85x20

Tricep Pushdown
x25
x20
x20

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 3/29
Deadlift from floor
225x5
315x3
405x3
495x3
585x5 add straps/rehband belt
625x5
655x5
680x5
700x5
505x15

Good Mornings
275x15
275x15

Felt good tonight, having not lifted for real since before the Arnold I didnt want to be dumb, 700 felt good but no need to push it just getting back into it.

[robert da strongman]

good training Mike!

[Sandpig]

Now this should be an interesting journal to follow.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

looking forward to following this mike.

[SwoleChamp]

nice lifts man...gonna be following along as well

[LIQUIDEX]

Are you by any chance the football player

Mike Patrick Jenkins

[SwoleChamp]

^ no lol this mike jenkins:

http://www.rxmuscle.com/videos/lifes...strongman.html

link for vid ^

[Mike Jenkins]

Thursday 3/31
Front Box Squats Box a little below parallel
225x5
315x5
365x5
405x5
430x5 Add Rehband belt
455x5
455x5
315x12

Barbell Lunges
135x8 R/L
135x8 R/L

Hammer Curls
100x10 each arm
100x10 each arm
110x8 each arm
Only reason I did these was this D-Bag at Golds was benching the 100's, struggling might I add, so I felt the need to come out of my humble shell and end his workout early.

[Sandpig]

Hammer Curls
100x10 each arm
100x10 each arm
110x8 each arm
Only reason I did these was this D-Bag at Golds was benching the 100's, struggling might I add, so I felt the need to come out of my humble shell and end his workout early.

:lmao:

[Mike Jenkins]

Took off Friday to rest from the front squats, hadnt done them in a while and Saturday to go see my "baby" brother's Spring Game at UVA.
Sunday 4/3
Log C/P each rep
180x3
230x3
270x1
305x7
305x7
Floor Press with Swiss Bar (weight isnt including bar, not sure of its weight, around 40 I think)
270x3
320x10
350x10
370x10
370x5
270x10
DB Tricep Extensions
80x20
80x15
Havent cleaned and pressed a log for reps since Pro Nats in Arkansas back in the summer so I was happy with my numbers, press was cake but I need to get my wind back after doing all that heavy Arnold stuff. I had 1-2 more in the tank each set of 305 but I was a deep purple so...
Monday 4/4
18 inch pulls off boxes
315x3
405x3
495x3
555x3
615x3
705x3
735x3
765x3
785x3
805x2
585x10
Straight Leg Sumo
315x15 x15
Reverse Hypers
50x15 x15
Around 18 inches seems to be my sticking point so I am going to hit this pretty hard, I pulled 800 from the floor easily right before the Arnold in just straps and a soft belt so my top half is my weakness. Looking forward to getting my deadlift up with the big guys!

[Bryan Hildebrand]

really awesome volumn and poundage mike... have a question for you in your Q&A...

[Ryan Bracewell]

Good stuff mike....always good to see what other guys are doing

[Mike Jenkins]

Wednesday 4/6
Front Box Squat
315x5
385x5
420x5
455x5
475x5
495x5
510x5
315x12

BB Step ups
135x10 each leg
135x10 each leg

Front squats went up from last week, my thinking is... last week I was just out of it from not lifting for 3 weeks. Feels good to be back in the gym, this is my first week at a new training facility, it just wasnt working out at Golds in Hershey PA, such a shame! LOL I am now at Keri's school where she teaches, its nice to be away from Johnny Gym Goer!

[Sandpig]

Nice work. I envy your strength.

[Mike Jenkins]

Friday 4/8
Speed Deadlift
365x3
365x3
365x3
415x3x10
Log Press (Out of rack, standing, strict)
270x10
305x9
320x8
320x7
Floor press with swiss bar- not sure what bar weighs still so weight isnt including bar.
340x10
380x9
380x9
300x12
Finished up with some some tricep pushdowns and rear delt stuff. Going to do some events tomorrow to get back in the swing of things f'real!

[FATPANDA]

really awsome workouuts keep it up good stuff.

[Mike Jenkins]

So heres what happened today...well first heres what was supposed to happen! I had planned on doing some Husafeldt, tire/sled drag and stones up at Ryan Haas' house but heres what it turned into.
Backward sled drags
5 runs of 80ish feet
Strongman Basketball 15 mins Ill explain below
Sledge Hammer hits on a tire
6 sets of 20 with both hands
Keg tosses over 14 foot rope
There were 3 kegs, I did probably 6-8 runs of the 3 in all. We did the 2 normal sized kegs with both hands and the 1 little chubby guy with one hand.

--->Haas' sled is actaully a tire that would fit on a tractor trailer with a platfor in the middle, we went up to 135lbs inside and it felt worse then the harley in Vegas 3 weeks ago! I guess the rubber on the driveway makes it that hard, I dont care its less to unload!
--->So the strongman bball...Its played just like skinny guy bball on a 10 ft rim only its played with a 50lb medicine ball, I had to switch my form up from my playing days a little. We basically play horse, tough to play a real game maybe well get a 20 pounder to run some real ball with.

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 4/11
Log C/P each rep
180x2
230x2
270x1
310x1
310x8
325x10 Clean once press away

Axle Push Press from rack
Few warm up singles 255,305
355x8

Face pulls
3 sets of 25

All the pressing was real easy, my legs were tired for some reason, giving out way before my shoulders/tris, not the drive I wanted on log or axle. Good day in all, just trying to get back to form on my log and playing around with the axle.

[SwoleChamp]

nice training man..gonna give strongman bb a go lol

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 4/12
18 inch deadlifts
245x3
445x3
495x3
565x3
615x3
695x3
745x3
780x2
805x2
825x2
645x9

Good Mornings
315x15
315x15

Lat Pulldowns
x15
x15
x15

[Mike Jenkins]

Thursday 4/14
Box Squat
Warms up for sets of 3-5 leading up to work sets
615x5
615x5 Added Rehband belt back wasnt having beltless
615x5
615x5
615x5
615x8
435x12

Zerchers
255x10
305x10

First time I squatted since a few weeks before the Arnold, felt so-so, back was still a little wobbly from Wednesday. Wanted to go beltless but my my back had other plans. Didnt go crazy on weight but squatting felt good going somewhat heavy.

[Mike Jenkins]

Saturday 4/16
Axle Strict Press out of rack
305x5
325x5
325x5
335x5
305x8

Swiss Bar Incline, weight doesnt include bar weight, still havent weighed it!
270x8
320x6
320x6
320x6
320x6
270x8

DB Tricep Extension
80x17
80x14

Pretty good day overall considering I have a crucial tooth ache and Im trying to find a dentist in Hershey! Off to look at a wedding venue later today in the rain, that should be cardio...running from the car to inside and inside to car.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

nice mike. do you guys have a day set yet? and hi to the misses. careful with your cardio. dont over do it!

[Mike Jenkins]

nice mike. do you guys have a day set yet? and hi to the misses. careful with your cardio. dont over do it!

We are thinking 6/9/12 right now, still trying to make sure we can get everything we want on that day. Im ramping up the cardio and my new diet is going great! Im down 10 lbs in the first two weeks and Im feeling strong.

[Mike Jenkins]

4/18
So I wasnt going to workout today until last minute, figured I got out of work early because of a water main break in Harrisburg so...

Log C/P each
230x3
270x1
290x1
310x1
310x9 Under 75 seconds
330x10 Clean once press away, oh so close to 11 but I was gassed from not breathing right with the log on my chest.

Some real delt stuff nothing worth writing.

Today was pretty good considering I strict pressed Saturday and decided this last minute, figured Easter would throw a wrench in the plans this weekend so Ill take what I can get.

[Mike Jenkins]

Reverse Band Deadlift with 6inch blocks
445x3
535x3
625x3
715x5
765x5
805x3
840x2
865x1
675x9

Good Mornings
335x15
335x15

Puldowns
x16
x13
x12

The setup for my reverse band changed up from when I was at Golds, it worked pretty well and I really like these, did them a lot leading up to the Arnold. The setup took ABOUT 135 off at the bottom but the last 4 inches of the pull there was no band contact so it was all the weight on the bar. This is the lift I really want to bring before I compete next.

[Mike Jenkins]

Thursday 4/21
Box Squat Box is Parallel
615x5
645x5
665x5
690x5
710x8
470x15

Zercher Squats
285x10
335x10

Felt really good tonight, no idea I was going to go this heavy but my legs were feeling great and my back was feeling good despite pulling heavy Tuesday. The diet is working too, Im down to 367 from 379 3 weeks ago and I dont feel like Ive lost much if any strength. I think I am going to ask the nutritionist to tweak it so I hold steady here for a week or so, dont want to drop too much more just yet.

[Mike Jenkins]

Friday 4/22
Strict Log Press from rack
Lots of warm ups
305x11
320x10
335x7

Axle Floor Press
395x10
435x10
435x9

Straight bar pushdowns
100 total reps 6 sets

Have a Hoppy Easter :)

[Diabetic Muscle]

Reverse Band Deadlift with 6inch blocks
445x3
535x3
625x3
715x5
765x5
805x3
840x2
865x1
675x9

Good Mornings
335x15
335x15

Puldowns
x16
x13
x12

The setup for my reverse band changed up from when I was at Golds, it worked pretty well and I really like these, did them a lot leading up to the Arnold. The setup took ABOUT 135 off at the bottom but the last 4 inches of the pull there was no band contact so it was all the weight on the bar. This is the lift I really want to bring before I compete next.
So am I reading this right you had reverse bands and the plates were on 6 inch blocks? Solid pulls and fucking impressive box squats.

[Mike Jenkins]

Yup the plates were on 6inch blocks. Thanks!

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 4/25
Log Clean and Press each rep
180x3
230x3
270x1
300x1
315x9
340x10 Clean once press away

Rear delt stuff
Lots of reps

Happy with log tonight, wasnt really feeling it warming up. Didnt time it but my training partner said it was under 75 seconds for sure, it felt like I pressed for 9 minutes, the clean is still the part thats burning out first along with my legs. The last 2 reps I didnt have much pop at all, still getting back in the swing of this rep stuff.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

maybe time to add some heavy hammer curls to a seperate day? how big a log do you use?

[Mike Jenkins]

maybe time to add some heavy hammer curls to a seperate day? how big a log do you use?

Bryan,
It's a 12 inch log. Its not my biceps, its my legs and hip drive that are burning out, I'm not too worried its coming back quick.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

what are you weighing these days and how go the wedding plans?

[Mr.Bones]

crazy strength up in here!

[Mike Jenkins]

what are you weighing these days and how go the wedding plans?

Im around 366, down from 385 at the Arnold. Planning is good, we got the venue Keri wanted, the band, photographer, and caterer all lined up.

[Mike Jenkins]

4/26
Reverse Band Deadlift-Weights on 6 inch blocks-About 130-140 assistance at initial pull, nothing last 5 inches or so. Same set up as last week.
445x3
535x3
625x1
725x5
785x3
825x2
860x1
885x1
715x8

Sumo Straight Leg Deads
335x12
355x12
375x12

I wasnt sure how I would do this week, been feeling down and out physically, I think its all the rain weve been having here in PA. Basically dragging myself to the gym the last few workouts. I went up from last week so I guess something is working, 865x1 last week was ugly but I got it, 885x1 this week was smooth but didnt want to get greedy.

[Mike Jenkins]

Thursday 4/28
Front Box Squats-Bench at parallel
365x5
405x5
455x5
495x5
525x5
545x5
565x5
585x3
405x11

Box Squat same height
405x20

PROWLER
Pulls with Ironmind Harness Prowler+180lbs 150ish feet up hill
High Handles push back down 150ish feet, no rest
Pull with Harness Prowler+180lbs 150ish feet up hill
High Handles push back down 150ish feet, no rest
Push High Handles up hill Prowler+180lbs 150ish feet
Pull backwards back down hill no rest

[Louis Costa]

Thursday 4/28
Front Box Squats-Bench at parallel
365x5
405x5
455x5
495x5
525x5
545x5
565x5
585x3
405x11

Box Squat same height
405x20

PROWLER
Pulls with Ironmind Harness Prowler+180lbs 150ish feet up hill
High Handles push back down 150ish feet, no rest
Pull with Harness Prowler+180lbs 150ish feet up hill
High Handles push back down 150ish feet, no rest
Push High Handles up hill Prowler+180lbs 150ish feet
Pull backwards back down hill no rest


Haha..Jesus. I'm not posting my front squats anymore. And I called you to talk Cardio. Obviously...all I need to learn is right here.

Just remember: Haas Gave me permission to cut you off from the pudding bar. And I'm sure he gave you permission to cut me off from the Liquor bar. He knows how to keep us inline!

[Ryan Bracewell]

Haha..Jesus. I'm not posting my front squats anymore. And I called you to talk Cardio. Obviously...all I need to learn is right here.

Just remember: Haas Gave me permission to cut you off from the pudding bar. And I'm sure he gave you permission to cut me off from the Liquor bar. He knows how to keep us inline!

His entire journal makes me want to stop posting my workouts, haha. It's no wonder he has had such success in the pro ranks so quickly.

[Mike Jenkins]

4/29
Axle Strict Press from rack
Lots of warm ups
310x5
330x5
340x5
350x5
305x9

Swiss Bar Floor Press- You know the routine...I STILL havent weighed my bar so the weights is just whats loaded.
360x10
390x9
400x7

Single Arm Rope Pushdowns
x20
x15
x15
Nice way to finish off the week! Headed up to Ryan Haas' to train some events, havent hit stones in a while, if I dont post them it means they beat me!

[Mike Jenkins]

Saturday 4/30
Stones
300 to 56"
330 to 56"
365 to 56"
390 to 54"
420 to 54"

Sled pull with harness/prowler push medley
80ft pull heavy/270 low handle push back x 3 trips

Stones felt good considering I havent touched them in over a month. The medley was a beast, we used Haas' tire setup to drag with the harness with 90lbs in it and it felt like a full size pickup or heavier.

[Mr.Bones]

DO you ever get crazy back pump?

[Mike Jenkins]

DO you ever get crazy back pump?

I do if I train day after I pull heavy and when I gain weight quick like I did leading up to the Arnold.

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 5/2
Log Clean and Press each rep
180x3
230x2
270x2
290x1
320x9
350x10 Clean once press away

Bottoms up Kettlebell press
35x25
35x25

Wasnt sure about tonight, my back was still tired from stones, the shock of not doing them since Vegas got me. For some reason my leg drive wasnt there either, I think I left it at work today, hope its there tomorrow when I get in. I really wanted 10 on the 320, the 9th was no legs. All the reps were under 75 seconds again, probably coudve hit a 10th if I waited a few seconds but it felt like there were trolls and goblins in my quads trying to get out! I feel like my pressing for reps is coming back in the building, might try something heavy next week if!

On a side note...if youve ever worked for a moving company...mad props to you my friend! We got a new couch that I actually fit on tonight and had to pick it up and move stuff around the house, HORRIBLE! Id rather load 400 stones all day then move end tables and TVs!

[Louis Costa]

350 for ten is a typo right ??

haha...good lord man if its not.

[TXFatback]

Crazy log presses. And moving furniture is the worst. I once busted a desk to pieces with a hammer so I didn't have to take down some switchback steps. It about killed me getting it up the damn things.

[Mike Jenkins]

350 for ten is a typo right ??

haha...good lord man if its not.

No typo there, Hoehn was there to confirm too. It was only clean once though.

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 5/3
Reverse Band Deads-130-140 off at bottom, I put a 1 inch board under me so thats another inch of no contact with band at top.
425x3
515x3
605x1
700x5
770x3
815x2
860x1
890x1
715x8

Good Morning
365x15
365x15

BW Pull ups
x13
x10

[Bryan Hildebrand]

Im around 366, down from 385 at the Arnold. Planning is good, we got the venue Keri wanted, the band, photographer, and caterer all lined up.

I still havent received my invite... :yep:

kiss your soon to be wife for me.

[Mike Jenkins]

Thursday 5/5
Happy Cinco de Mayo to all my brothers and sisters south of the border! If I wasnt on a diet Id smash some Neato Burritto in celebration!

Box Squats to Parallel with heavy bands 200ish at top
345x5
395x5x10 sets

Box jumps
5 sets of 5 over a 36inch box

I wasnt feeling heavy stuff tonight, I was falling asleep at work at 2pm when the the kids were leaving for the day, Ill probably get Employee of the Month for May! I havent done ant speed stuff in a while so it felt good to get in and get out, paced myself pretty good, didnt wear a belt on any sets. Im still trying to figure out what the hell I am doing as far as training plan for ASM and the Olympia, workouts are going good so I guess winging it is working. I might hit up a Zumba session for a PR this weekend!

Hope everyone pounds a Corona Light for me with some salty a$$ nachos and salsa!

[Mike Jenkins]

Friday 5/6
Axle Z Press-Sitting on a bench in the rack, full range of motion, no back support
225x3
255x5
275x5
290x5
305x3
305x3
305x3
255x7

Swiss Bar Incline-Weight is whats loaded only not including bar
290x8
340x6
340x6
340x5

DB Tricep Extension
85x18
85x15

I was real tired all day, decided to do the seated presses to give my body a little break. Woke up real congested and coughing like a pack a day smoker. Have never had allergies but I guess moving to Central Pennsylvania has something in the air that doesnt sit too well.

Saturday 5/7
That cough from yesterday turned into something that sounds like I carry an iron lung around with me. I didnt think I was going to be able to make it out today but started feeling a little better once I got moving. Headed down to Johnnie P's for some events. Took my Bigg Dogg frame down to store at his place with its Bigg Dogg Husafeldt brother.

Husafeldt-picked from ground
300x160 Turned at 80 feet
300x240 Turned at 120 feet
I had alot more in my legs but I wasnt breathing any air in but somehow I was weezing air out the last 40 feet. My lungs were down the rest of the day.

Frame-Got a text on my way home from Johnnie Waz, frame is offcially 538 empty.
538x60 feet
628x60 feet
738x60 feet
838x60 feet
All runs were with just a soft belt

Frame Drags with V handle
Frame+Lou 820ishx50 feet
Frame+Lou+50 870ishx90 feet
Frame+Lou+50 870ishx90 feet

Not bad considering I couldnt really breathe from the get go, coughing up some thick yellow goo all day. Much needed day off tomorrow, got some Claritin, Mucinex and Nyquill, hopefully I wont need to see the doctor but well see....

[Bryan Hildebrand]

you need a scotch and a nap! nice loads considering you are breathing through a straw.

[robert da strongman]

great work Mike despite the breathing issues!

what benefit do you see from the Z press?

[Mike Jenkins]

great work Mike despite the breathing issues!

what benefit do you see from the Z press?

Its all shoulders and triceps, real hard to cheat, I think they've really helped my press in the last few months!

[robert da strongman]

Its all shoulders and triceps, real hard to cheat, I think they've really helped my press in the last few months!

might have to give them a try

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 5/9
Log Clean and Press each
180x3
230x2
270x2
300x2
325x9
360x7 Clean once press away

Still feeling a little stuffy and coughing up lung butter but the Mucinex and Claritin did the trick. I really wanted 10 at 325 but its up 5lbs from last week so Ill take that gain. The 360x7 pi$$ed me off, I wanted no less then 9 but my legs were looking like Bambi on ice all 7 reps, I was all over the place. I think Ill stick with 360 until I can hit 10 for now. Im off to the dentist tomorrow so no lifty lift for Mikey J, I hope they dont do too much damage! I may be lifting with a dish towel in my mouth Wednesday if they have too much pulling to do.

[Mike Jenkins]

Wednesday 5/11
Deadlift from floor
245x5
335x5
425x3
515x3
605x3
675x3
725x1
765x1
800x1
700x4
605x9
From 605 and up I only used straps and a soft belt

Sumo Straight Leg Deads
345x10
395x10
395x10

Tonight went better then I planned! I havent pulled heavy from the floor like this since before the Arnold AAAAAAAND I was 385 when I did that, I was a svelte 362 this morning. I was worried the weight loss would effect my static/brute strength but Im pleasantly suprised! The only thing Ill say is I could feel myself pulling a little harder then normal at the bottom, but thats only because Ive been doing the reverse bands, weight flew when it got to my knees.

[Mike Jenkins]

Friday 5/13
Box Squat-Parallel
635x5
665x5
695x5
715x5
735x5
435x15
Thats about all I had in me, I was still feeling sore from pulling on Wednesday and its been a long week so I shut it down.

Saturday 5/14
Axle Strict Press
315x5
335x5
345x3
355x3
360x2 I wanted 3 but my soft belt came undone and that threw me off, oh well!

Axle Floor Press
435x10
455x7
455x7

Went and hit some stones after pressing, I wasnt feeling it from the moment I woke up at 6:30! Figured I still go, losers make excuses, I made an excuse once just to see how it felt, a little weird! Thats why Im the most interesting man in the world

Stones all to 54"
285-335-355-395x2 runs
Legs were shot from last night and my back was still a little stiff but I got the work in and it felt good. I live to fight again another day!

[Bryan Hildebrand]

what is your plan contest wise for the remainder of the year?

[Mike Jenkins]

Right now planning on a show in Philly July 4th, ASM in Arkansas and the Olympia in Vegas. Its a lot but Ill rest for a little before the Arnold training starts back up.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

cool. trying to make the philly event, but will definitely see you at ASM and Olympia.

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 5/16
Axle Clean and Press
220x2
260x1
300x1
330x1
360x1
380x1
400x1
345x8 Clean once press away

I havent touched a axle from the floor since Vegas so I am happy with the outcome of tonights workout. I need to get back in the swing of the continental, the press was easy, shoulders and chest were a little tight from strict pressing Saturday. Looking to make some big gains here, never really trained it much from the floor hard before I did for the Arnold.

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 5/17
Reverse Band Dead-Weight on 6inch box Im standing on 2inch block. Sounds confusing but because of the rack set up I have to do it that way.
335x5
445x5
535x3
625x3
715x3
765x2
805x1
845x1
715x6

Goodmorning
385x12
385x12

Thursday 5/19
Front Box Squat to parallel
385x5
425x5
475x5
525x3
555x3
585x3
605x3
405x14
Box Squat to parallel
405x25

Squats felt real good today, only wear a soft belt and rehband knee sleeves front squatting.

[Mike Jenkins]

I havent updated in a week on here, you can thank the awesome company that just bought the company I work for. I cant access the forums on RX and by the time I get home from lifting at night Ive been too beat to get on and keep my "fans" up to date. :yep:

Friday 5/20
Z Press with log
230x5
260x5
280x5
295x3
305x2
305x2
270x5

Floor Press (axle)
345x16
345x11

Lots of tricep pushdowns

Saturday 5/21
Didnt plan on working out today at all! Woke up and felt pretty good so I figured I get a little something in with Johnnie P, weather was awesome so why waste it.

Husafeldt 300lbs
50ft turns at 25ish just to warm up
330 turn at 165 Had more left in my legs but not too much in my lungs, felt like I was breathing through a straw the last 30 or so feet.

Frame Drag
750x85ft
750x85ft

Prowler+180 x 4 runs of 100 feet 50 down 50 back
Prowler+270x 1 run of 100 feet 50 down 50 back
This was fast paced, Johnnie and I just took turns

Monday 5/23
Log Clean and Press
180x3
230x2
270x2
300x1
325x9
360x8 Clean once press away

Tuesday 5/24
Reverse Band Dead
335x5
425x3
515x3
605x3
655x2 Add Suit Bottoms/Belt
705x3
765x3
810x2
855x1
880x1
900x1
720x7 No Suit Bottoms

Sumo Straight Leg
365x10
415x10
415x10

The band setup was the same as last week, weights on 6in blocks and I was standing on 2in blocks. Bands take off about 140lbs at the bottom and from the knees up nothing. My suit is nowhere near tight, it takes about 1 minute to get on but I think Ive pulled a total of 6 times in a suit before last night so I need to get a feel for this one before I get one thats tighter.

Thursday 5/27
Front Box Squat-Parallel
225x5
315x5
405x5
455x5
495x5
545x3
585x3
615x2
405x12

Zercher Squat with Axle
305x10
325x12

Friday 5/27
Axle Strict Press from rack
305x5
325x3
345x3
365x2
365x1
305x7

Floor Press with Swiss Bar-Weight is whats loaded only not including bar
380x8
400x7
410x5

DB Tricep Extension
85x16
90x12
90x10

Not the best workout Ive had in a while! Something just wasnt right on the overhead, not sure if it was my elbows, shoulders or just one of those days. I planned on going down to Andy Deck's in MD Saturday for events but I woke up feeling like a bag of white dog poop! Made the executive decision to shut it down until Tuesday. I needed a mental and physical deload for sure! Ill chalk this one up to just being run down and stressed from some non-lifting related stuff! All that matters is I came out in one piece which seems to be a plus in this sport recently!

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 5/31
Deadlift-Used 35's not 45's
400x3
470x5
540x5
610x5
650x3
680x2
705x1
470x12

Bicep Curls
100 total reps with straight bar


Thursday 6/2
Front Box Squat with Heavy Bands
225x5
275x3
305x3
335x3
365x3
385x3
405x3
425x3
445x3
455x3
455x3
425x3
405x3
385x3

Cleans from floor
worked up to 365x1

Tuesday notes-I pulled 800 fairly easy 3 weeks ago so Im hoping that inch and a half or so is my weak point and thats why 705 was pretty tough. I definitely still feel it in my back more then normal.

Thursday- Squats felt great, no belt for any sets, box at parallel, started to slwo down at 455 so I stayed there then went back down. So... I promised Marshall I was going to start doing some Olympic stuff again, when I first started strongman I was a cleaning and snatching machine. I did them so much with football in college I just kept at them. Im not sure why I got away from them but I wanted to toy with them last night. I started at 225 and just did singles every 30lbs or so up to 365. I had more in the tank, I was doing them in between my squat sets to expedite the workout process. Im going to make these a regular. Happy Friday!

Friday 6/3
Log Standing Strict
305x10
325x9
340x6
270x14

Floor Press with axle
345x10
395x11
395x10

Triceps
5 sets of 15

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 6/6
Log Clean and Press
180x3
230x3
270x1
310x1
325x9
310x12 Clean once

Circus Bell
140ish
5 right 5 left

I cant get past 325x9! I want 330x10, Im just totally smoked by 9 reps! I emptied my DB out to start from scratch, just wanted to get the feel again.

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 6/7
Reverse Band Deads-Same set up as last time, plates on 6 inch box while I was standing on 2in of boards. Bands take off 135 at bottom. No band help around knees.
335x5
425x5
515x3
605x3
675x3-Add suit, loose straps
735x3
785x3
825x1
865x1
905x1
725x7-No suit

Was going to do a some assistance work but was spent after that last set. Hoping to hit what I did at the Arnold on the Philly Hummer Tire, its stiffer the the one at the Arnold.

[Mike Jenkins]

Thursday 6/9
Banded Front Box Squats-Parallel-Heavy Bands probably add 150-175 at the top.
295x3
315x3
335x3
365x3
385x3
410x3
435x3
455x3
475x3
475x3
435x3
405x5

Box Squats Banded to Parellel
315x20

Wasnt sure how today was going to go! I had a picnic for work yesterday so I was outside in 100 degree weather playing football and basketball from 9am-3pm with 75 kids! I felt like I competed last night! Went up 20lbs from last week and they were much easier, Im sure of that, had to grind them out last week. Wanted to hit some prowler but there was lots of lightning and rain so I wasnt trying to get fried up.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

huh, not seeing any truck pulling in there... need to get to work big boy!

[Mike Jenkins]

Saturday 6/10
Strict Log Press
305x10
325x9
345x6
275x14

Incline DB Bench
150x20
150x13
100x15 Neutral Grip

DB Tricep Ext.
85x16
95x8
95x9

Bryan,
I need to give it a few tugs I guess before! Itll only be the second time Ive pulled a truck, first was in Vegas. ALSO....I got a buddy coming up who will make the deadlift look SILLY and hell give me a run on the truck. He will go nameless for natonial security purposes until that day.

[Mike Jenkins]

Saturday 6/11
850 tire
10 flips
10 flips
10 flips

Sled Drag
700-800

Stones-Did the Philly run, I ran out of the storage unit 25ft and back to simulate the space in between the boxes.
290 to 60
325 to 52
355 to 52
385 to 52
430 to 50

Rested a few then hit the 450 to 50

Legs were still shot from front squats, really only messed with my tire. Stones felt much better then I expected!

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 6/13
Log Clean Once Press Away
305x14
305x13

Bench
315x20

I was feeling like sacks of ferret dung all day, my legs were still sore from Saturday I think. I wanted to get a lift in but didnt want to disappoint myself with a poor number on clean and press for reps. Im glad I didnt looking back, my legs didnt have it in them, poor little guys! Theyre what gave out today still. Its crazy I can hit 325 for 9 clean each rep and only a few more with 305 cleaning it just once.

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 6/14
14 inch reverse band deads-about 135 off at bottom
455x3
545x3
635x3
685x3 Add Suit
745x3
815x2
865x1
905x1
605x9 From floor

Pull Up
x10
x8

Tried a new gym out tonight, Max Fitness, real nice place, has crazy hours for guys like us so Ill probably just pull here on Tuesdays and do all my other stuff at my normal person gym. Pulling didnt feel too hot until 815, I guess just getting my CNS fired up took a little longer. 905 felt 10 times easier then last week, hoping to hit what I did at the Arnold or a little more in Philly. The Philly bar is shorter and stiffer so its a tougher pull, at least for me.

[Mike Jenkins]

Thursday 6/16
Front Box Squat-Took me a few sets to realize this was lower then last week since Im at a new gym.
315x3
405x5
455x3
495x3
545x3
585x3
585x1
405x11

Good Morning
315x15
315x15

Squats were a tad bit below parallel, not far off my numbers from the higher box at my old place, alot harder though.


Friday 6/17
Log Press Strict with mini bands-Probably 70+at the top.
230x12
235x10
240x12
240x9

Axle Floor Press
345x12
395x10
415x8

Seated DB Press no back support
80x15

[Mike Jenkins]

Wednesday 6/23
Squat
315x5
405x5
495x5
545x5-add soft belt
585x5
615x5
640x5-add lever belt
660x5
675x5
495x12

Zercher
315x12

I was unsure what this workout would bring, box squat has been my staple squat movement so I havent done a regular squat heavy in some time now. My hips were super tight at first but loosened up nicely as it got heavier. Hopefully Ill be at a pretty big contest in 11 weeks, but whos counting!

[Mike Jenkins]

Friday 6/24
Log Strict Press
310x10
325x7
270x11

Seated DB Press-No back support
85x15
90x10
90x11

DB Tricep Ext
80x18
80x18

Didnt hit the numbers I wanted tonight, hopefully I pull it together before the show in Philly. Ive been traveling A LOT on the weekends, makes for not much rest, I think its catching up with me. This weekends no different, maybe Ill grow immune to being tired!

[Bryan Hildebrand]

no, you wont.

and I dont see any truck pulls in there.....

[Mike Jenkins]

This week has been a mess! I blew a tire after training down in York at Jonnie P's place, if it wasnt for Matt Hoehn I wouldve put the jack that was 2 inches to short through the window and walked back to Harrisburg. We changed the tire in pitch black at 930! Why are tires so hard to change these days? Its like they hide the $hit from you, need a key to unlock the spare, jack stuff is BEHIND the second row of seats, you have to be David Copperfield to get the stuff! When I was finally driving home Keri called me to inform me she was in a minor accident, shes fine! Wednesday just wasnt our day! Between training, packing for the weekend and trying to figure cars and tires out its been a long one! Keri is doing her first NPC Bikini Show Saturday in Tarrytown NY so well be getting on the road for that this afternoon then going straight to Philly for mine Sunday sometime. Here is this weeks adventures in iron!
Monday 6/27
Log Clean and Press each
320x8
320x11 Clean once press away
Axle Jerk from Rack
305x15

Tuesday 6/28
Reverse Band Dead plates on 4in box-135 at bottom
495x3
565x3
615x3
655x3
675x3 Added Suit
745x3
795x2
840x1
875x1
925x0-Had it halfway but weight and collar came off the left side so I bailed
Floor Dead
605x9 just straps/soft belt
Wednesday 6/29
Husafell 300lbs x 400ft
Thursday 6/30
Log Strict Press
320x10
320x10
275x15
Floor Press
435x8
435x8
435x7
345x10
Squat
345x3
435x5
525x5
585x5
635x5
685x5

[Bryan Hildebrand]

best of luck to keri! and you too for that matter.

[Mike Jenkins]

Thanks!

[Mike Jenkins]

Im back! I did the Liberty Classic in Philly last weekend, got 2nd to Brian Shaw, it was a good time seeing everyone and meeting some guys Ive never competed against! I took off the day after the stones then I was back in the gym.

Thursday 7/7
Deadlift
225x5
315x5
405x5
495x2
585x5-Add soft belt and straps
635x5
675x5
675x5
675x5

Good Mornings
315x15
365x15
365x15
Biceps


Friday 7/8
Axle Strict Press from Rack
305x10
325x7
325x6
325x6

Floor Press Swiss Bar-weight doesnt include bar
300x10
340x10
370x10

DB Tricep Ext.
85x16
85x16
85x12


Saturday 7-9
Keg Carries 280lbs
100ft carry, run 40ft down and back, 100ft carry
100ft down, 100ft back, 100ft down
150ft down, 150ft back load on 50 inch dock
Prowler-not much

Sunday-Bros vs. Pros Truck pull
8 hours of sitting then a 24 second pull then a 5 hour drive


Monday
Log
340x6 clean each rep
340x8 clean once

Apollons Axle
255x2 clean each
275x2 clean each
295x2 clean each
315x11 clean once

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 7/12
Deadlift
225x5
315x5
405x2
495x2
585x2
635x1
705x5 Soft belt and straps

Good Mornings
315x10
385x10
385x10
385x10

Sumo Straight Leg
315x10
365x10
365x15

I wanted to get back to my old schedule of lifting after last weeks short week, pulling on Thursday, what can I say Im a creature of habit. Hindsight if I would have rested my back a tad more I think I couldve got 7 with the 705, just didnt feel right, but then Id still be off from my old dog ways. I did do continentals last night with the apollons, little more stress then Ive been dealing with since training it before the Arnold. Oh well, happy with it for now and I live to fight again another day!

[Mike Jenkins]

Friday 7/15
Squat
345x3
435x3
535x3
575x5
615x5
655x6
710x5
525x12

Front Squats with Axle
305x12
305x12

[crashcrew56]

Front squats with an axle? How do you hold on to that?

[Mike Jenkins]

The bar knows better them to slip! :yep:
I use lifting straps and wrap them around and hold them in front of my face.

[Mike Jenkins]

Saturday 7/16
Strict Log
340x8
340x8
340x8
270x15

Log Incline
360x10
360x10
360x10
270x15

Tricep Pushdowns
Lots

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 7/18
Log Clean/Press
340x7

Circus DB
151x3R/3L
170x8R/6L

Log felt awesome, actualy had more in me but 60 seconds was up. Next contest is 330 for reps so I think I can squeak out another rep in those 60 seconds here with 3 weeks left to train. I havent played with the DB in a while, I just wanted to get a feel for it and do a bunch of reps to get myself breathing. I was planning on 8/8 on the second set but shoulder was getting real slippery, didnt feel stable up there so I called it quits. Felt real light, bump it up next week!

[Mike Jenkins]

Tuesday 7/19
Deadlift
225x5
315x5
405x5
495x3
585x3
675x1-Straps/soft belt rest of lifts
725x5
755x3
605x10

BW Pullups
x12
x9
x6

[Mike Jenkins]

Thursday 7/21
Squats
345x3
435x3
525x3
615x5 Soft Belt
665x5 Lever belt/Wraps
715x5 Lever belt/Wraps
535x13

Leg Extensions
3 sets of 15 reps one leg at a time

Numbers are starting to get to where I want them, flexibility is coming back in my hips which is a good thing. Last night was short but felt great.

[Mike Jenkins]

Friday 7/22
Log Strict Press
345x8
350x8
350x8

Log Incline
380x10
380x10
280x10

DB Tricep Extension
85x17
90x11
90x10

Nice night pressing, training is starting to look better lately. Headed down to the Edge tomorrow in Reston to help Barry out with a clinic on Farmers and stones then hit some of the Poland events.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

mike, whats your advice on the DB. I have one coming up in october and have never ever done one in competition. I worked up to 130lbs for doubles yesterday and it felt ok. but I know my form is suffering.

[Mike Jenkins]

I think one of the most important things is to sit the DB real far back on you shoulder/trap.

[Mike Jenkins]

Monday 7/25
Log C/P each
340x8

Apollons C/P each
275x2
285x2
305x2
325x2
335x3

Tonight was get your mind right Monday in Hershey! Log felt great and axle was just to get a feel for it again, hopefully Ill have it in a contest soon! Form is coming back on it! Things are coming together, hopefully Ill keep on keepin' on!

[Bryan Hildebrand]

and again, congrats. that was one of the funniest phone calls tonight!

[Mike Jenkins]

Ill be laying low until WSM, 4 weeks out! Ill see you folks in September! Hugs and kisses!

[Bryan Hildebrand]

thanks mike. and for those not in the know, mike took second in poland at Giants Live last weekend. this dude is having a phenominal year!