• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

  • Fitness
  • Workouts
    • Best Shoulder Workouts
    • Best Chest Workouts
    • Best Leg Workouts
    • Best Leg Exercises
    • Best Biceps Exercises
    • Best Kettlebell Exercises
    • Best Back Workouts
    • Best HIIT Workouts
    • Best Triceps Exercises
    • Best Arm Workouts
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Pre-Workout
      • Best BCAAs
      • Best Testosterone Boosters
      • Best Bodybuilding Supplements
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
      • Best Multivitamins
      • Best Collagen Supplement
      • Best Probiotic
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Magnesium Supplements
    • Protein
      • Best Protein Powder
      • Best Whey Protein
      • Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain
      • Best Tasting Protein Powder
      • Best Vegan Protein
      • Best Mass Gainer
      • Best Protein Shakes
      • Best Organic Protein Powder
      • Best Pea Protein Powder
      • Best Protein Bars
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Functional Trainers
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Trap Bars
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Cardio Machines
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Weighted Vests
      • Concept2 RowErg Review
      • Hydrow Wave Review
      • Best Jump Ropes
  • News
  • Exercise Guides
    • Legs
      • Back Squat
      • Bulgarian Split Squat
      • Goblet Squat
      • Zercher Squat
      • Standing Calf Raise
      • Hack Squat
    • Chest
      • Bench Press
      • Dumbbell Bench Press
      • Close-Grip Bench Press
      • Incline Bench Press
    • Shoulders
      • Overhead Dumbbell Press
      • Lateral Raise
    • Arms
      • Chin-Up
      • Weighted Pull-Up
      • Triceps Pushdown
    • Back
      • Deadlift
      • Trap Bar Deadlift
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Inverted Row
      • Bent-Over Barbell Row
      • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
      • Pendlay Row
Fitness

Athlete Journal: Charles Staley, Entry 16 – Ditching My Heels

Other than lifting barefoot, I kept things simple this week. When you’re close to a meet, there isn’t a lot you can do to improve your fitness, but there IS a lot you can do to screw things up.

Written by Charles Staley Last updated on Nov 22, 2021

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ever wonder how a world-class coach actually trains? Wonder what it’s like to train as a “mature athlete?” Welcome to the athlete journal of Charles Staley. A big believer in practicing what he preaches, Charles trains and competes just like his clients. Now, every Friday read what Charles has done this week in his workout sessions, and how he feels about it.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 11:00 AM – 1 PM

Bodyweight: 210.4 lbs

BENCH PRESS

Set 1: 45 lbs x 5

Set 2: 45 lbs x 5

Set 3: 95 lbs x 5

Set 4: 95 lbs x 5

Set 5: 135 lbs x 5

Set 6: 135 lbs x 3

Set 7: 185 lbs x 3

Set 8: 185 lbs x 1

Set 9: 205 lbs x 1

Set 10: 225 lbs x 1

Set 11: 245 lbs x 1

Set 12: 260 lbs x 1

Set 13: 207.5 lbs x 6

Notes: After 2-3 weeks struggling with 245 on this lift, I finally uncorked a 260, which equals my current PR. Actually, this was a bit out of the groove, which made it a struggle. Might have hit 265 today otherwise. 207.5 on set 13 is 80% of 1RM — wanted to test my reps with that.

BARBELL HIP THRUST

Set 1: 225 lbs x 5

Set 2: 345 lbs x 5

Set 3: 400 lbs x 5

Set 4: 425 lbs x 3 (Video Below)

Notes: Probably could have hot 10 reps with 425. I’ll move up to 445 next week.

425x3 Hip Thrust

BICEP CURL (DUMBBELL)

Set 1: 60 lbs x 10

Set 2: 70 lbs x 5

Set 3: 80 lbs x 5

Set 4: 90 lbs x 5

Set 5: 80 lbs x 10

Notes: First time I’ve curled 45s in a very long time.

Friday, September 28, 2012, 10:30 AM

Bodyweight: 212.2 lbs

DEADLIFT

Set 1: 135 lbs × 3

Set 2: 135 lbs × 3

Set 3: 135 lbs × 3

Set 4: 185 lbs × 3

Set 5: 225 lbs × 3

Set 6: 295 lbs × 1

Set 7: 345 lbs × 1

Set 8: 405 lbs × 1

Set 9: 475 lbs × 1 (Video Below)

475 Deadlift

Notes: Things feel like they’re falling into place. As of today, I’m 23 days out from Vegas, so this needed to be the heaviest pull of the cycle and it was. After hitting 405, there was a bit of a dilemma about whether or not to bridge the gap with perhaps 435-440, but in the end I opted for a 70lb jump and it worked.

Skipped chins and presses today due to outside obligations I needed to attend to.

Monday, October 1, 2012, 10:30 AM

Bodyweight: 211.2 lbs

SQUAT

Set 1: 45 lbs × 5

Set 2: 45 lbs × 5

Set 3: 95 lbs × 5

Set 4: 95 lbs × 5

Set 5: 135 lbs × 5

Set 6: 185 lbs × 3

Set 7: 215 lbs × 1

Set 8: 275 lbs × 1

Set 9: 325 lbs × 1

Set 10: 365 lbs × 1

Set 11: 395 lbs x 0

Set 12: 225 lbs × 3

Set 13: 275 lbs × 1

Set 14: 315 lbs × 1 (Video Below)

Squatting 315 Barefoot

Notes: For some time now, I’ve had this idea swirling around in my head that maybe I should experiment squatting flat-footed as opposed to using heeled weightlifting shoes. In a few recent squat sessions I’ve been a bit on my toes, and I’m so hip dominant anyway, it makes sense that I should look a little more into flat-footed squats.

So today I started off in a pair of Asics crosstrainers, went right up to a 365 that felt very good, but then abjectly missed 395. I don’t think the miss was attributable to the shoes however, as I felt very comfortable and strong on all previous sets. On Bret’s suggestion, I backed down to 225 and took a triple barefoot, then singled 275 and 315, which is on video above. Barefoot felt better than the sneakers, despite the fact that you can see me shooting my hips of the 315 — I think that’s just a matter of getting used to the slightly different movement pattern.

Yes, it’s generally risky to make a change like this less than 3 weeks out from Worlds, but on the other hand, based on the fact that my biggest recent squats have been 385 a month ago and 370 a week ago, I think it’s only a minor risk. Just need to get myself a pair of flat shoes now…

BENCH PRESS (DUMBBELL)

Set 1: 100 lbs × 10

Set 2: 100 lbs × 10

Set 3: 120 lbs × 10

Set 4: 145 lbs × 10

Set 5: 160 lbs × 10

Notes: Lately my shoulders have been complaining just a little on the start of the concentric stroke on these, so I’ve been going kind of light on DB presses as of late. Nothing I’m concerned about, but I don’t want to have any issues cropping up. As I’ve often told my students, when you’re close to a meet, there isn’t a lot you can do to improve your fitness, but there IS a lot you can do to screw things up.

SWINGS

Set 1: 75 lbs × 10

Notes: Kinda ran out of time here, or I would have at least taken a set with 100. But 75 felt very easy and comfortable which is a good sign.

About Charles Staley

Charles Staley's primary interest is providing inspiration and education for older guys looking to reclaim their physicality and vitality. At age 56, Charles is leaner than ever, injury-free, and in lifetime best-shape - a few of his recent bests include a 400-pound squat, a 510-pound deadlift, and a set of 17 chin ups.

Charles Staley's primary interest is providing inspiration and education for older guys looking to reclaim their physicality and vitality. At age 56, Charles is leaner than ever, injury-free, and in lifetime best-shape - a few of his recent bests include a 400-pound squat, a 510-pound deadlift, and a set of 17 chin ups.

Well known in the U.S. and across the world, Charles is recognized as a innovative coach and a thought leader in the field of human performance. His experience, reputation, and self-effacing persona have lead to appearances on NBC’s The TODAY Show and The CBS Early Show, along with numerous radio and podcast appearances. He has penned more than a thousand articles for major publications and online websites in the industry.

Often referred to as a visionary, an iconoclast and a rule-breaker, his methods are leading-edge and ahead of their time, capable of quickly producing serious results.

Charles is not only a thinker, but also a doer: currently, he competes at the national and world level in weightlifting and powerlifting on the master’s circuit and holds three World Championship titles in the sport of raw powerlifting. Find Charles online at Target Focus Fitness, or follow him on his popular Facebook page.

Charles has had a successful online coaching service in place for several years. This is a way people to train under his direct supervision even if they aren’t local to him. If you’re ready to invest in yourself, Charles would love to be on your team!

View All Articles

Related Posts

Fergus Crawley 5K Run Tips Photo
Fergus Crawley Shares 5 Tips For Running a Better 5K
Actor Chris Hemsworth in gym performing dumbbell row
Chris Hemsworth Diagrams a Killer Upper Body Workout Fit For an Action Star
Hugh Jackman Deadpool 3 Workouts Spring:Winter 2023
Hugh Jackman Returns to Wolverine Condition in Workouts for “Deadpool 3”
Method Man Incline Dumbbell Presses December 2022
Check Out Rapper Method Man Cruising Through 120-Pound Incline Dumbbell Presses for 10 Reps

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

New Year’s Fitness Sales (2025)

XWERKS Motion BCAA Review (2025): A Registered Dietitian’s Honest Thoughts

Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X Review (2025): Assault’s Best Bike Yet?

13 Best Exercise Bikes for Home Gyms (2025)

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review (2025): The Key to Post-Workout Recovery?

Latest Reviews

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Review (2025)

Omre NMN + Resveratrol, Lifeforce Peak NMN, and partiQlar NMN on a red background

Best NMN Supplement: Fountain of Youth in a Bottle? (2025)

The Titan Series Adjustable Bench on a red background

Titan Series Adjustable Bench Review (2025)

A photo of the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells on a red background

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Review (2025): Are These Value Dumbbells Worth It?

woman lifting barbell

Be the smartest person in your gym

The Breaking Muscle newsletter is everything you need to know about strength in a 3 minute read.

I WANT IN!

Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness community: consumers, aficionados, fitness professionals, and business owners. We seek to inform, educate and advocate for this community.

  • Reviews
  • Healthy Eating
  • Workouts
  • Fitness
  • News

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

© 2025 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About