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.

Ramping Up the Food

This week I was back at training again, but having trouble getting any volume in my workouts. Ramping up my food intake as well, so seeing some softening in my appearance already.

SUNDAY

After being sick and traveling the last week I flew back into town on Saturday evening. Hadn’t slept much on the business trip so I was pretty shot when I got in. But after the long deload, I was anxious to get back into the gym. However I also had a busy Sunday ahead, dealing with a rental property and wanted to spend time with the family. Set the alarm for O-dark thirty for a Sunday pulling session.

Fasted training with USP Labs fasted training protocol.

Deadlift

135x5 Sumo

135x5 Conventional

225x3 Sumo

225x3 Conventional

315x2 Sumo

315x2 Conventional

405x2 Sumo

405x2 Conventional

495x1 Sumo

495x1 Conventional

585x1 Sumo

585x1 Conventional

645x1 Sumo

645x1 Conventional

700x1 Sumo

700x1 Conventional

BW Chins x 50 reps (4 sets)

Figured the family was waking up so I headed home, plus I was beat from training on with little sleep.

MONDAY

Bench press

135x10

225x5

315x5

365x10

Bottoms Up Kettlebell Press

88x0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

53x6 sets of 6-10reps (walking)

Band Overhead Triceps Extensions

2 sets

WEDNESDAY

Box Squats to 14.5” box

225x5

315x5

405x3

495x3

585x3

650x1, 3

Got out of groove on first set missing second rep but came back and hit it for a triple

AFS Leg Press

600x8, 8

FRIDAY

Wasn’t planning on lifting, but was in the gym getting it setup for a powerlifting competition for the next day and someone was doing 225 for reps on the bench. I decided to give it a go. Without a warmup it hurt and was really slow unti I hit about 15 reps, then I started pumping them out.

225x40?, 34

I counted 40 but I wasn’t all the serious about keeping track when I started due to how slow they felt, so I had trouble believing the number. I waited a bit and hit it again for a second set and did 34. So first set was somewhere higher than 34 but less than 40. Wish I knew as it would have been a rep PR.

Bottoms Up Kettlebell Press

53x4 sets of 6-10reps (walking)

Goodies affecting the waistline: