Tuning into this one! Good numbers for max force front squat.

Some thoughts after week 1:

-many of these lifts I've never done before so I'm still finding what loads to use, I'm sure things will go more smoothly during weeks 2 and 3.

-I really enjoy the quick pace of the training sessions; I've always felt I get more out of them. I've done the straight sets of 1 lift with 3-4 minutes rest between sets and feel it is unnecessary.

-Definitely not a fan of some machines--the leg extension feels weird, I may sub single leg (pistol) squats holding a weight out front.

-The sumo dead lifts felt like it was easy to keep solid form, though I can tell a pretty substantial difference between those and conventional dead lifts. I normally pull with feet really pretty close together so this is a decent change-- but for 3 weeks, I'll live.

-I like the non-specialization lifts, I feel they're doing plenty to, at a minimum, preserve the strength in those muscle groups, if not, even progress further. I feel my bi's and tri's have been hit real hard this past week and I know they're getting stronger along with my shoulders.

-Since I'm a poor college student I really can't afford the Anaconda Protocol now (although I still use multiple Biotest products, and will continue to). In the future I plan on doing the I, Bodybuilder program again, but with Anaconda. I've been decently sore this week so I don't doubt for 1 second that having the AP would help, but this is life and it's not perfect. I've been able to get lots of quality sleep and plenty of good food so that'll have to do for now.

-I've also been using Fat Gripz and like the feel of them so far.

-My shoulders are my weakest muscle group so this is a perfect (slightly humbling) start.

-Beginning stats: ~6'1 215-217 lbs

-I've got pictures and I know my relative 1RM's (or 3RM's) so I'll compare those with my ending pictures and RM's when the time comes.

All 3 lifts felt much better. I was able to move more quickly throughout the training session (knowing the proper pin placements and what loads to use) and also felt more explosive and primed.

I bumped the rack-pins on the way up on set 6 and one of the final reps on set 7 during the high-incline bench press so I just called it quits the rep after I did that.

Also, I took off the fat gripz on sets 7 and 8 for the push press.

Impressive poundages being pressed here! It's inspiring to see someone do so well on this program. I also want to thank you for tuning in on my log and giving me some ideas on those decline extensions. Keep up the great work.

Wow today's workout felt great.

-The push presses felt like I didn't have anything on the bar, it went up lightning fast every rep.

-The seated db overhead presses felt great as well. I have been using the 80's for a while and normally after 2-3 sets of 3-6 reps I'd start to slow down dramatically. Well, last week they were better than normal (only slowed down on the 4th set of 5) and today (just 2 weeks in) I blasted through 5 sets of 5 after the set of 3 and the set of 4. I felt like I had another 3+ reps in me on the 7th set but decided I'd just carry the energy/excitement over to the next lift.

-I'll start with the 85's next week but I'm quite confident I'll be able to move up to the 90's and blast through the presses.

-I've decided, although my shoulders are my weakest body part, I'll do just 1 more week (3 total) of shoulders then move on to back. However I'm already planning another I, BB run come fall with the full AP.

-I've also decided to really tighten up my budget and buy some Anaconda and use it per CT's recommendation. I'll give the full protocol a shot when I'm working full time again-- after this semester.

The sumo deadlifts feel decent but I'll be going back to conventional next week to prepare for the back phase.

Instead of the leg extensions I went with the single leg pistol squats; I just held the weight out front, nothing too fancy.

I felt a slight discomfort in my left tri during the floor fly/triceps extensions so I didn't push it (on the flyes) and replaced the db extensions with push downs. Gotta listen to the body.

Overall the workout felt great and I was sweating balls the entire time.

I really couldn't get slotted on the top-half seated overhead press. I felt like I could do more than the 265 but the bar would fade forward or backward on me. Either way, they felt strong and woke up my CNS.

I believe I set the high-incline bench one notch higher today, very close to a military press. Regardless, this felt good as well.

I got real wild with tonight's session (note sarcasm).

*I ditched the leg press/curl and went with back squats. I used 1 3/4" bands in addition to the weight listed. I don't care what it translates to I just dominated the weight each set and then moved on.

**The triceps extension from pins had been bothering my left elbow a bit, so I just did close grip bench. First time I had done these in months (2-3 at least) so I didn't go real heavy, felt good and I was pleasantly surprised at how light 275x3 felt after a quality incline session.

I feel I may make a few more small modifications to the non specialization lifts this final week (mainly the small machine/accessory work, i.e.- leg extension). I'm not one to try and change up a coach's recommendations (especially someone I respect as much as CT) but common sense tells me it's ok.

Bottom line, my shoulders have definitely improved in both size and strength. I'm looking forward to starting the back phase with some Anaconda here soon.

I set the pins one notch lower on the seated overhead press from pins, which made it substantially harder, hence the lower numbers. The lift felt good though.

I felt more comfortable with 155 on the upright rows (exploding the 175 up caused a slight discomfort in my shoulders) so I dropped back to 155 for the last few sets.

Also, different machine for the face pulls hence the 2x weight jump from last week.