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Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 77 – Wrapping Up Volume Week

A lot of this week was devoted to wrapping up some volume work from last week. Check out the video for some tips on pause squats and the sumo pulls.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to the Athlete Journal of world champion powerlifter Chris Duffin. Follow Chris as he trains and competes in various events over the coming year. Chris’s journal will be posted every Tuesday. You can also read about Chris on his website Kabuki Warrior.

During the first half of this week I was finishing out the volume week I started midweek last week. I started with a 505×20 squat last Wednesday, and finished up with a 585×6 Romanian deadlift on Saturday, along with some heavy volume rows at 495lbs and 405lbs.

November wk3 - 350x16 bench

MONDAY

Mace Swings

5mins

Curls x 3 sets

Bench Press

135×10

225×5

315×2

350×16

Slingshot

455×14

Weighted Dips

Bodyweight +120×12,12,12

Kettlebell Twist Front Raises 18×16,16,16,16

Overhead Band Tricep Extension

Green x20,20

WEDNESDAY

Safety Squat Bar Squats to 14” Box

Unknown warmup sets

635×2

677×2,2

Pause squats – no belt, wraps, or rest at top

451×5 w/5 count in hole

Adductor press

250×16

300×16

THURSDAY

Skipped extra workout this week.

SATURDAY

Sumo Pulls

225×3

315×2

405×2

495×3

Add chain pulling bar forward

495+100×2, 545+100×2, 595+100×2 done as one progressive set

585+100×6

Band Resisted Romanian Deadlift

185+bands x25

235+bands x25

About Chris Duffin

Chris is an accomplished powerlifter, coach, and gym owner. He is the world record holder for the raw squat in the 220lb class. He also holds a Guinness World Record for the most weight deadlifted in one minute at 17,010 pounds (42 reps of 405lbs). Chris Duffin is the head coach and co-owner of Elite Performance Center in Portland, Oregon.

Unlike many powerlifers and strength athletes, Chris is also enthralled with all things related to conditioning, nutrition, and supplementation. He is known for his detailed coaching and ability to provide immediate gains for his athletes.

It is not a surprise with Chris’s attention to detail and perfectionism that he is also an academic nerd with an engineering degree and a master's degree in business administration. Many of Chris’s coaching skills and high expectations that push people past their self-imposed limits have made him successful in the business world as well. To support the growth of his training facility, Chris’s full-time employment is as the general manager of an aerospace manufacturing company.

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