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Fitness

Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 9 – Deload or Peak?

Well, it started out a deload week...and then turned into a week of incredible PRs. You just never know. Check out the week in training, plus video of the PRs - including a 750# raw squat!

Written by Chris Duffin Last updated on July 10, 2012

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 personal website KabukiWarrior.com.

Deload or Peak?

The question is to deload or peak. That is the question.

Started up my new job this week. Came into the gym Monday night after already missing Friday’s training session. Weights felt heavy the entire warm up and then I underperformed on my first work set. Just felt like all the stress and heavy training was catching up to me. I tried messing around with some kettlebells after that, but it just wasn’t happening, so I decided it would be a deload week.

Don’t worry there is no reason to stop reading right here – PRs to follow!

MONDAY

Floor Press

135x10x10

225×5

315×5

365×5

425×2

WEDNESDAY

Week two of straight weights with the buffalo bar. Wasn’t sure what my plan was, as I was already feeling better, and then warm ups went well. Last week I hit 650×3

Squat

45×5

155×5

265×3

375×1

485×1

595×1

700×3 <– PR

750×1 <– PR

Raw Squats 700x3, 750x1 USP Labs Sponsored

AFS Leg press

580×10

670×10, 8

Reverse Band Leg Curl

#4×20, 25, 25, 25

FRIDAY

Was unsure if I was going to be able to continue early Friday sessions with the new job, but as of week 1 it’s on!

SPEED Bench

145+#3 band, 12-15 sets of 3 w/20 sec rest

Overhead Kettlebell Press

88×8

Grappler Overhead Press

35×20

45×20

55×16

SATURDAY AM

Fully Fasted training with USP Labs Fasted Training Protocol (FTP)

A couple Elite powerlifters from Seattle drove down to train with me on Saturday. Great training session. Should have taken it easy as I had an ALL-DAY Kettlebell certification to attend the following day on Sunday. Oh, well.

Deficit Deadlifts – Standing on 2” blocks w/weights on floor.

Warm up

655×3

Add chain

720 floor – 760 lock x 1 <– PR!!! Big one!

720+ Deficit Pulls - USP Labs Sponsored Athlete

Band Resisted Dimel Deads – for speed

135+doubled minis x 20, 20, 20

Dumbbell rows – 1-arm strict

150 x20, 18 per side

Pullups

BWx10, 8, 8

…and now for continuing with a little over-training with some all-day kettlebell work on Sunday!

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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