09-10-19 12:41 PM - Post#887566    

So, after reading about it through ancillary channels for years I finally bought the MMS book. I must say that it's a nice little tome, and I am incredibly glad I bought it. It's laid out concisely, and the day by day training log is extremely convenient. At this point in my life and training I find a lot a value in having someone tell me "do this".

And as we are expecting our first child in a few months I'm taking what I believe will be my last opportunity for awhile to do a bus bench program.

I will update this log weekly, and while my goal is to gain lean mass I am going to experiment with my diet and try to lose some fat simultaneously. So, rather than just 'bulking' it will be an attempt at body re-composition. I believe this is theoretically possible by eating a caloric surplus on training days, eating at maintenance or just below on the day after training, and eating below maintenance on the 'recharge' days (the day before training).

If a 180 pound man needs 2700 calories per day for maintenance (15 calories per pound of body weight) that equates to 18,900 calories per week. During a week where there are three training days, I would plan to consume 16,800 calories that week (2800 on training days, 2500 the day following, and 1700 calories the day before I train). This is a net deficit of 2100 calories from maintenance. I won't walk everyone through the weeks which contain two training days, but the logic is the same.

What I've found works for me is going through a week of counting calories, and then repeating those meals for the rest of the program.

Training day 1 was yesterday, and everything felt good. The past few weeks I've been following MMS Lite as found on T-nation, and I'm glad I did. The set of 30 with 95 pounds, while not easy was very manageable after a few weeks of 185 x 10. I'm not looking forward to the fifty sets, but I suppose that's the point.

Weight this morning 190.2 lbs

Mr. Kent's MMS
09-13-19 09:44 AM - Post#887658    

Workout #2:
I've never done much benching. I was involved in the martial arts during most of my youth, and found weightlifting after competing in field sports through my 20's. When I did start lifting I focused mainly on learning to squat, deadlift, and got into the olympic lifts through crossfit. So, I think I had the opposite experience that most young men do when being exposed to weightlifting (bench and bi's, bro). After reading MMS, and seeing the pictures of DJ illustrating correct benching form something clicked mentally...the hands, wrists, and elbows should all be in alignment! Aha! Needless to say I'm not benching very much, but my chest has been sore and I'm enjoying learning the movement.

Complexes are good, but I have a few questions if anyone cares to chime in; my overhead press is severely limiting the weight I can use. I realize this is the limiting factor for most people, but the fact that the complexes follow benching and 1-arm overhead db presses it's really limiting the weight I can use; to the point where the complexes aren't as taxing as I know they can be. I've been topping out at 105 pounds. I"m thinking of using a push press instead of a strict press, is this bastardizing the plan too much? And also, the clean which follows the row, should these be from the floor? I've been using a hang clean, but am considering coming from the floor. Again, with the intent of getting the intensity of the set higher. I suspect that I would be able to use 135 with a push press and clean from the floor. Too many changes?

And I've come to realize I'm overthinking the diet. A lot. During training days and the day following I've been eating two PB&J's in addition to three meals, but the day before training I skip the sandwiches. Honestly, it's been hard to eat that much and while I want to add mass I'm not willing to do it at expense of all else. If anyone cares to know I like Dave's killer bread, and Nutzo brand peanut butter. And any generic jam, I try to find one without too much extra sugar. Two sandwiches a day works out to about 900 calories.

Breakfast this morning: three eggs, two scoops protein powder (before breakfast), 1 chicken sausage patty (I try to stay away from overly processed meats, but my wife buys them and I hate to waste food.), 1 plum, and two slices toast (buttered).

morning weight: 191.00

Edited by Mr. Kent on 09-13-19 09:44 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

Mr. Kent's MMS
09-16-19 09:50 AM - Post#887761    

Workout #3 - Mass Made Simple, but Not Easy

Warmup: 32kg kb, circuit of halos, 1-arm swings, goblet squats, with some time spent sitting in the bottom position and pushing knees out/opening up hips. Sets of 5 for a total of 4 sets (two each side)

Bench 2-3-5 @130, 125, 125. Again, I'm not much of a bencher. Overall, these feel pretty good, but at times my shoulders feel a little at odds. I suspect after MMS is over I'll take a good long break from benching.

Bat wings 10x5sec - 60 lbs (dbs)
One arm press 2-3-5 @32, 45, 40
Bird dog about 4-5 each side, I wasn't keeping track
Complex 2x5 @95; I settled on hang cleans, and I have to push press instead of press. After benching and one arm presses I just don't have any power left at this point in the work out
Squats: 95x30, 115x30; I tend to rest around rep 20-22 (take a few breaths without racking weight), although honestly it feels more mental then physical.

Overall, my energy levels are extremely low most mornings. I have been drinking a protein shake before breakfast, but forgot my before bed shake last night. I do notice a bit more energy in the morning when I have one before bed. I do think it helps with morning blood sugar as some have postulated.

And my low back is in a near constant state of soreness. It subsides about 36-48 hours after the high rep squats, and it wasn't as bad after workout 3 as it was after workout 2 so it seems to be improving, but is still not pleasant. I suspect I may be squatting too quickly through these lighter weights. I'll make a better effort to slow the set down and lift with more control going forward.

morning weight: 193.00

Edited by Mr. Kent on 09-16-19 09:50 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

09-20-19 09:56 AM - Post#887995    

Had to travel for work and performed #4 a day later than originally scheduled.

Warmup: 32kg kb, circuit of halos, 1-arm swings, goblet squats, with some time spent sitting in the bottom position and pushing knees out/opening up hips. Sets of 5 for a total of 4 sets (two each side). This is a good start, but looking over this workout in total I need to add a few more movements.

Bench 2-3-5 @125, 120. Then 120 x 10. Right shoulder was a little touchy, and I think I could benefit from more warm up sets. These just didn't feel good early on, but as I got deeper in I got more comfortable.

Bat wings 5x10sec - 60 lbs (dbs)

One arm press 2-3-5 @40, 40

Bird dog 3 each side

Complex 3x5 @95; Still push-pressing most of the press reps, but the complexes are feeling better overall.

Squats: Here's where it went off the rails. I could not get my head together to get these done. I did 115x10, and then just racked the bar. Regrouped for a few minutes and tried again, but after 3 reps it just wasn't going to happen today.

I'm strongly considering doing the squats first next workout. If that's no longer MMS, then so be it. I'll still finish posting my log, but by the time I get to the squats I have very little mental /CNS energy left. Additionally, I'm going to go with some coffee for a boost before the workouts. I've found a cold brew that has quite a bit of caffeine (180mg), and I'm thinking that might be a good pre-workout option. I don't love the idea of having to rely on stimulants, but there are only 10 workouts left and I want to get through this program.

I'm just going to put this one behind me, and other than potentially changing the order of the exercises I'm going to do #5 as written as far as the reps are concerned. Ever onward...

The good news is that my shoulders are noticeably more full, and my legs are denser.

morning weight: 191.4

09-23-19 12:06 PM - Post#888125    

MMS Workout #5

Warmup: kb circuit of halos, 1-arm swings, goblet squats, with some time spent sitting in the bottom position and pushing knees out/opening up hips. I also spent a few minutes on the stepper in addition to adding in some stretches. Overall, a much more comprehensive warm-up.

As I mentioned in the last post I decided to start the work out with the squats:

45x5, 95x30, 115x30; 135x15 - these felt very good. I rested about 2-4 minutes between sets and after the set of 135 my legs were so tight that I needed to sit down for a little bit. On both sets of 30 I found myself pausing at a couple of points and taking a few breaths in the top position. My goal will be to minimize these rests. The set of 135 was very smooth and consistent in terms of pace. No breaks on that one.

Bench 5-3-2 @110, 120, 120. I changed this rep scheme; it is written as 2-3-5, but I decided to descend the reps instead.

Bat wings 5x5sec - 65 lbs (dbs)

One arm press 5-3-2 @40, 40, 40. I reversed this rep scheme also.

Bird dogs, a few on each side.

Complex 3x5 @95; Still push-pressing most of the press reps, but getting some presses in. I was totally exhausted after each complex, and had to really talk myself into doing the third one, but I got it done.

I'm not sure with my changes to the order of the exercises and the rep scheme that I'm still doing MMS officially, but overall this workout felt much, much better. I'm going to stick with these few tweaks (apologies to the purists here).

morning weight 194.4 - I don't think I"ve put on much body fat, but other than a pinch test (not calipers, actual 'pinching') I don't really have an objective reference. I may start taking a waist measurement. I'm starting to wish I had leaned out before this, but se la vie. If I do this again I'll likely diet hard and see if I can actually get lean, but I'm committed to finishing this before doing anything different.

09-25-19 09:37 AM - Post#888198    

In advance of workout #6 I thought I'd share some self-reflection I've undergone in the context of MMS. Looking back over my logs thus far and re-reading some of Dan's thoughts on his detractors I realize I've been 'that guy'. I really shouldn't have been trying to re-invent the loads for the complexes, and micro-manage my diet to simultaneously gain muscle and lose fat on this program. It's simply too much. The content is right in the title...mass made simple (but like most simple things it hasn't been easy!)

I felt the need to say that somewhat publicly because I think I was in danger of derailing my MMS experience.

I didn't weigh myself this morning, but am happy to report fuller shoulders, and a denser feeling and looking chest and legs only two weeks in. I'll reserve judgement and resist too much analysis at this point, but thought an update might be appreciated.

And I won't apologize for switching the order of the exercises. Saving the squats until the end meant I was in danger of not finishing the workout (and didn't on one occasion already), but I'll try to go back to the original 2-3-5 rep schemes tonight.

Ok, that's enough contrite self-flagellation. Back to work.

09-26-19 09:49 AM - Post#888256    

Workout #6:

Started with squats again (after a thorough warmup)

45x5, 95x15, 115x15 (I'm going from memory, I can't remember the exact reps on the 95 and 115 sets, but I did it as written); 135x 20,10,20; this was the first 'to fifty' set in the program and the first set of 20 was good. I rested about a minute and tried again, but after 10 reps I had to re-rack. The last set was 15 reps, a couple breaths at the top, 2-3 reps, a few more breaths with the bar still on my back, and the final 2-3 reps.

Bench 2-3-5 @120, 120, 120 (2-3-6 on this last set). I went back to the original rep scheme, and focused on clean, powerful reps. I know this isn't a lot of weight, but it's feeling better and all were solid sets.

Bat wings 5x5sec - 65 lbs (dbs). Was advised to increase the weight, but stayed at 65.

Bird dogs - a few

One arm press 2-3-5 @40, 45, 40. I've begun doing 2 reps with my weaker arm, then switching sides and doing 2 reps, back to left arm and doing 3 reps, switch arms again, then 3 reps, etc. Not sure if this is within the spirit of the rep scheme, but since no one has offered any advice I'll assume I'm doing everything perfectly and I'm a model student/weight lifter. (ha)

Complexes: first set (x5) with 65, and then 3 sets x 95. The interesting thing was that I was able to get 4 presses on the first set of 95. Then 3 and 2 during the subsequent sets. As silly as it sounds, I believe the warm-up with 65 really helped. After benching and overhead pressing I assumed there wouldn't be any value in warming up before complexes, but I think there's something to performing the exact movement to prime the nervous system even if you've already performed similar movements right before. I'm going to do some presses before complexes going forward to see if this holds true. The last complex (set 5) was at 65, but I performed it immediately after set 4 after stripping the weight down.

morning weight: 190.4; interesting to note the scale weight going down. Especially since this was taken after breakfast, but muscles still feel and look fuller, and since strength seems to be going up I'm not so worried. Will attempt to add some more PB&J's these next few days though.

Mr. Kent's MMS
09-30-19 09:26 AM - Post#888388    

Workout #7

Warmup - halos, swings, goblet squats (I do few sets with a 25 pound bell, then move onto a 32 pounder (1 pood for my comrades). Then a mixture of rolling and light dynamic stretches.

I started with squats again:
45x10, 95x10, 115x10, 135x10, 185x5,5,5

185 felt fine, but I am not looking forward to tomorrow's 'to fifty'. And despite no one replying to anything in these posts I'll hold out hope and ask some advice:

On the sets 'to fifty' is it better to take a few breaths during the set while having the bar across my back, or should I just rack the bar and end the set when I get fatigued?

Bench - 160x2. This was a solid set. And yes, I realize it's 160 pounds

Bat wings 5 10second holds @65

One arm press 2 x 2-3-5 @45

Bird dogs

Complexes (3 sets): x5 @75,95,105 - some progress here. I pressed all 5 reps on each set. I'm going to continue using the first complex as a warmup around 65/75 pounds. I'm still amazed at the effect of a warm up set following benching and one arm pressing. Something to be said for neurological specificity, I suppose.

morning weight: 197.4; it bears noting that this weekend involved a number of cider mill donuts, beer, and a few other delicious things. I regret nothing.

Edited by Mr. Kent on 09-30-19 09:26 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

10-02-19 09:08 AM - Post#888482    

Workout #8

Warmup - normal warmup of halos, swings, goblet squats, and a few minutes on the stepper. I also went through my rolling and light dynamic stretches.

I tried to start with squats, but my body just felt beat up. Particularly my knees just felt achy, and after a few reps with the bar I decided to start with Bench:

Bench - 140x2, 5 sets. Felt fine, no issues

Bat wings 5 10second holds @65

One arm press 2 x 2-3-5 @45

Bird dogs, three on each side

After the upper-body work and air squats in between the exercises my lower body felt better and I attempted to squat: 45x5; that felt better so I jumped up to 135 as written - 135x3, that didn't feel great, but good enough to get back under the bar - 135x5. Nope. Knees just felt terrible. I could have dropped down and tried again, but I decided to fight another day. I may have time tonight to repeat this workout in its entirety, but if not I'm going to attempt to tackle it friday night. I'll be more mindful to listen to my body and warm-up in smaller weight increments if necessary. I'm interested to see if 185 to fifty is going to happen or if I'll need another weight. Stay tuned...

10-06-19 09:19 PM - Post#888750    

Workout #8, take 2

Felt a lot better overall going into this workout. Began with squats after some general warm-ups and dynamic stretching:

45x10, 95x10, 125x5, 155x5, 185x20 (12 reps, few breaths at the top, 4, rest, 2, a couple of breaths, 2), 185x15, 185x10, 185x5.

The first set of 185 was fine through 12 reps and I think I lost some mental focus rather than needing to catch my breath. I think if I had someone else to train with it would help eliminate my proclivity to rest intra-set by adding a bit of competitive spirit to help keep me dialed in. The second set was much better as I did 15 smooth reps. I found myself resting about 3-4 minutes between sets.

Bench @145 5x2 - these felt good so I went up a few pounds from last time even though this was supposed to be a repeat of last workout. I think I'm getting beginner strength gains with these since the movement is so new to me.

Bat wings 5x10secs @65

Bird dog - 3 each side

One arm press 2 x 2-3-5 @ 45 - feels like my weaker side is catching up to my strong side, although there's still a noticeable difference between right and left. So strange how much easier the right side feels. Really makes me wonder about the neurological aspect of strength. I'll continue to ponder and hopefully will have something interesting to report by the end of the program. Although, maybe I'm trying to re-invent the wheel since Pavel has already laid out the gtg phenomenon.

Complex (2 reps/set): 75,95,105,115,115 - I realize that these aren't world-record weights, but I'm proud to report that I'm pressing all reps in the complex (rather than having to push press). Hope to keep that up as the reps increase.

10-10-19 09:45 AM - Post#888927    

Workout #9

Inadvertently had an extra day of rest before this workout. Normal warm-ups, and since I felt fresh I decided to do the plan as written:

Bench: 5 triples: 145 (and yes, that's pounds...probably part of the reason I've never really had much chest development). And based upon the double I hit last week I went a little heavier than I was scheduled to, but all reps were strong

Bat wings 5x10secs @65; I interspersed these in between sets of bench presses

One arm press 3 x 2-3-5 @ 45; these continue to feel good

Bird dogs x 3 each side

Squats 45x10, 95x10, 125x10, 155x5, 185x5, 185x5, 185x10 - the program calls for 95 and then a jump to 135, but I have 15lb plates and noticed the extra warm-up set feels good. The last 185 was 'as many' up to 20, but after 10 I just felt off and quit before anything stupid happened.

Complex (2 reps/set): 95,115,115 - 95 served as a good warm up, and the second press on 115 was a bit of a grind, so I kept the weight there. Proud that I got both presses on the third set.

Anecdotally (since I haven't taken measurements) I can say that my legs feel much denser and my quads have grown noticeably. Well, noticeably from my perspective which I'm sure isn't as big as it feels, but muscle growth as we know is painfully incremental. My shoulders and chest also feel fuller. Overall, I just feel more solid although my weight isn't up that drastically (194.2 this morning). I have begun creatine, and seem to be losing some belly fat. I haven't been doing much outside of the MMS workouts, but hope to get back to walking on the off days.

10-14-19 01:42 PM - Post#889042    

Workout #10 was supposed to have happened Saturday. It did not take place. Nor did I do it yesterday. Can't really say why, honestly. A part of it has to do with mental fatigue. My body feels pretty good overall, but the prospect of a 1.5 hour workout wasn't exciting in light of other life stuff going on, which I won't bore you with.

I'm feeling more motivated today and fully expect to do #10. And I'm committed to finishing the program, but this experience (let's call them the 'blahs') is slowly bringing an important lesson to light for me. As I move (actually 'trudge' is a better verb here) through MMS I realize that I've never defined my goal. Well, the short term goal was clear; engage and finish MMS with the purpose of putting on additional muscle mass. A little general, but that was the goal. What wasn't analyzed until recently was the *why*. Is that goal necessary? For me, it's not as important as good health. And yes, we can parse the term health, but generally speaking I mean good cardiovascular health coupled with enough physical strength to enable me to play with my son, enjoy days in the park, and potentially engage in non-competitive athletic play. And also feel good about how I look. Will increased muscles help these goals? Almost certainly, but I find myself asking if engaging in a short term, higher intensity plan is worth the struggle when it's probably possible to increase strength and hypertrophy a bit more slowly with less soreness and mental fatigue.

I have no competitive seasons on the horizon, and while that lack of deadline should be freeing I find myself reverting to an adolescent fascination with being big, strong, lean, and athletic - and pursuing all of those things at once.

Perhaps I'm being a bit unkind to myself; there's nothing immature about those goals, but idealizing all of them without a sane plan is not a good way to go about things. Looking back at my youth I was never exposed to effective strength and conditioning, nor were athletics emphasized in our household. I pursued the martial arts during my teenage years, and found quite a few lessons and friendships there, but the weight room remained a missing component to my all of my athletic pursuits.

Going through MMS makes me realize that I don't need to make up for lost time. I will finish this program, but I'm beginning to see fitness as synonymous with hygiene. I'd rather build my strength and other markers of fitness slowly with a little bit every day rather than have to stare down squatting a 'to fifty' set with bodyweight across by back.

Expecting our first child has put a number of things in perspective and while I like to be fit and athletic to a point I realize that I'm not going to take up a new sport nor return to any old pursuits. I'm no longer preparing for a competitive season, but rather trying to move gracefully through the next season of my life.

I'm a bit surprised to have learned this from MMS, but there's something about pushing our physical limits which necessitates an internal review. Which is probably the point to all this, really.

Mr. Kent's MMS
10-15-19 09:54 AM - Post#889079    

Workout #10

Felt pretty good going into this one, so did it as written:

Bench - 2-3-5: 145, 135. Rep 5 on the set of 5 on 145 was a bit of a grind

bat wings: 5, 10 sec holds: 65lb dbs

1-arm press: 2-3-5; 45, 45

bird dog: 3 each side

Squats; 45x5, 95x5, 135x25, 185x10, 10, 10 - this was supposed to be 185 'to fifty', but I felt mentally dialed in with 135 on my back and instead of a warm up to 10 I just went to 25 with a lot of control and then got a few solid sets of 185 in. Rested about 2-4 minutes between the 185 sets. I may have officially gotten away from MMS as written, but my legs feel good this morning.

Complex: 95x2, 115x2, 115x2, 105x2,2 - the second set of 115 was a bit of a grind so dropped down for the last two sets.

Edited by Mr. Kent on 10-16-19 11:24 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

10-15-19 12:18 PM - Post#889089    

Great insights Mr Kent. Sounds like you've got your plans for the immediate future.

One thing to dangle out there -- kids grow up fast! Now that our youngest is 4, I find myself playing sports old and new. Good to set an example for them, if nothing else.

10-16-19 12:36 PM - Post#889132    

Thanks Seward,

I keep reminding myself that my plans as far as training is concerned is to finish MMS first and foremost. The goal is the goal, and all of that.

And as much as I try to refrain from assessing the program as I'm in the midst of it, I find myself learning and re-thinking my approach to training as a result of engaging in MMS. I also just started reading both 40 Years with a Whistle and Intervention, so training and Dan's approach/methodologies have been on my mind.

I'm attempting to figure out what's next, particularly with the baby on the way, but that decision seems to be getting easier to coalesce in my mind as I learn the lessons wrought from regular training and assessing my progress. In that way MMS has been great for me. Honestly, I should probably just get back to posting in my personal training log which I started here years ago. And probably will, but first I do have a few more MMS workouts to get through and will summarize that experience once it's completed.

And as far as setting the example I'm under the opinion that most of what we try to teach children comes from what we do rather than what we say. I just want to be able to run around with the little guy and not be an 'old dad'. If I get to play sports again that'd be a bonus, but I used to travel regionally to play Ultimate (although most people know it as Ultimate Frisbee) and looking back see how misguided my attempts were to physically prepare for what was actually more stressful on my body than I realized at the time. So, when I think of sports and athletic competition that's the frame of reference I still have in the back of my mind. It'd be nice to engage in something locally without travel and standings. But, I suppose I'm now talking about two different things. Being healthy and functional is the primary goal.

10-16-19 01:42 PM - Post#889136    

Funny, I used to be on a regional ultimate team too... if only I knew then a fraction of what I've figured out since with regards to nutrition and strength & conditioning.

Back to playing in a local weekly league now. It's taken a number of years to get to the point where accumulated injuries aren't really holding me back. Knock on wood, I think I'm just about there.

10-18-19 10:05 AM - Post#889228    

Workout #11

Did #11 in the order prescribed:

Bench - Max double: 165 (5# improvement from last time)

bat wings: 5, 10 sec holds: 65lb dbs

1-arm press: 2-3-5; 45, 50; last couple reps with 50 were a bit of a grind on the left side, but felt good enough to push the weight up a bit.

bird dog: forgot to do these

Complex: 85x5, 105x5, 105x5 - a little disappointing in that I had to push press some of the 105 reps (instead of strict pressing). Got 2 strict presses on the 1st 105 set (and then 3 push presses), and 1 strict (and 4 push presses) on the last set.

Squats; 95x5, 135x5, 135x10...and then nothing. I walked out of the rack with 185, but things just felt off. Particularly my knees. I dropped the weight down to 155, but things just didn't feel good. I suppose I could have dropped the weight even further, but I decided to call it a day. So, no 'to fifty'. I woke up this morning realizing that I'm getting what I want and need from MMS. I'm at peace with foregoing a 'to fifty' set. My knees feel fine walking around today, but last night with the weight on my back the ache and hot spots were a flashing sign that it's just not worth the risk. And at the risk of venturing into rationalization I've spent years rehabbing and getting my knees functional after abusing them for years with hard play and neglect (rode myself too hard and put away too wet way too many times in my youth...), so this is where I'm at. I still plan on completing the program, but I've been listening much more carefully to my body as of late. I also have to admit that I have one eye beginning to peer into what's next for myself as far as training is concerned, but I'll buckle down into the last three workouts.

10-21-19 09:45 AM - Post#889368    

#12

Staying with the 'as written' order:

Bench - doubles; 145x5

bat wings: 5x10 second holds w/ 70# dbs (moved up on these)

I interspersed the benching with the bat wings (1 double on the bench, flip over and then 1 10 second hold, repeat)

bird dogs - 3 each side

1-arm press: 2-3-5 @ 45, 45, 45. Left arm is slowly getting stronger. The right side still feels easy in comparison to my weaker side though.

Complex: x3, 105, 105, 105. The second set I had to push press the last press, but pressed all three reps in the first and last sets. Progress.

Squats: 45x5, 95x10, 135x16,4; 135x15,5; 135x10

The sets of 16,4 and 15,5 are where I rested within the set without racking. My main issue with these large volume sets of 135 is more mental than physical, unfortunately. I basically get bored. Maybe if I trained with other people it would be easier to stay focused, but it's just me in the basement gym. I'll see how #13 and #14 go, but I'm thinking of aiming for sets of 17 so I can get all 50 in three sets. I know that the program advises not to do this, but I think it's a strategy which will enable me to hit the reps even though I'm going in with a pre-determined set/rep scheme instead of just trying to hit 50. I find that a set of 15 with 135 is easily doable, but there's something about not knowing when I have to stop that throws me off. Maybe it would be more helpful to view the sets of 'to fifty' as a performance rather than training. Since I've hit an unbroken set of 135 with 25 reps recently I know I'm capable, but maybe that mental shift of viewing it as a competition/performance might make the difference. Of course, the trouble with that for me is that I'm reaching a point where I want to train (a little often, over the long haul as DJ has said), and not compete. Oh, the irony.

Something that MMS is teaching me is that there seems to be a sweet spot with a set of 10, well, at least for me. I can't say if this is universal, but I suppose one could point to Delorme's work to say that this is a truism. My legs have never felt better since nailing 185x10 consistently with excellent depth and control. This is something I'll be sure to keep in mind as I continue to map out my training long term.

10-24-19 09:43 AM - Post#889486    

#13

Bench - triples; 145x5

bat wings: 5x10 second holds w/ 65#

1-arm press: originally written as 2-3-5 x 3 sets, but I fooled around today. first set was 5,5; then I decided to see if I could get all 10 reps on the next set, but had to 8,2; and third set ended up being 5-3-2, and the last rep of the 3 and 2 were real grinds on the weaker side. All sets were 45#, but looking back I probably shouldn't have done that. The grinds were not ideal, but as Jack Burton always says; 'you never know til you try'. So, planning to go back to a more conservative approach; ie. no grinding.

And that was it. Due to some unfortunate timing issues I had to cut this one short. I'm planning to do the complexes and squats either tonight or tomorrow morning, but I'm very close to pulling the plug on this experiment. My right shoulder has developed a dull ache near where the clavicle meets the rotator cuff which I need to address, and my knees while overall feel fine do flare up with hot spots and general achiness. The high-rep squats and emphasis on bench pressing doesn't feel good anymore. Yes, I have built some mass and am glad that shoulders and legs feel fuller, but I'm venturing into the territory of beating myself up and honestly it feels kind of senseless. I'll report back on the complexes and squats, and may include a link to my training log which I hope to update regularly online (I keep a paper log in the gym, but am terrible about sharing online). The good news is that I've garnered the value I was looking for out of MMS and the benefits of doing one more set 'to fifty' with 185 really doesn't outweigh the inconvenience/risk of continued joint pain and required healing at this point.

my training log: What Mr. Kent is Doing Now

10-28-19 12:52 PM - Post#889640    

Well, my friends. This is where my MMS journey ends. There were no complexes and no squats this weekend. Instead, I began a transition to some new training. I'll be following up with a post in my training log (found in my signature line) for anyone who's curious, and going forward I'll be keeping all of my updates there.

Most of my thoughts on MMS have been stated above, but mostly the program taught me the value of bus bench training. I enjoyed working toward a singular goal and having a framework to adhere to. The trick of course (for me anyway) is to make sure that goal is clearly outlined and it's value decided upon before embarking on the journey. In this case I kept asking myself how badly I wanted to increase my muscle mass as I went through the program. And I suppose the answer was that I wanted it badly enough to keep soldiering through, but not quite badly enough to finish. Which I'm at peace with.

My current goals are to: 1. Continue to improve my health, 2. my strength, and 3. my work capacity. My aim is to put together a park bench program which will give me a framework in which I can work toward these goals and which will also allow me to evaluate them.

Actually, I'll post the rest of my thoughts and my latest workout on my log, and will let this MMS write-up conclude here. In closing, MMS works extremely well, but know what you're getting yourself into. And Dan outlines this in the book/program, but make sure you're a solid squatter before embarking on MMS. It's easy to say you want to build mass, but engaging in frequent, heavy, high rep squats in addition to complexes takes a lot of energy.

my training log: What Mr. Kent is Doing Now