.
So it’s time to take a break. Five days off from the gym and the bench, and into “active rest”. Which near as I can figure is a bullshit fitness word made up to sound official… like the word “functional”…
While in Mexico it seems that my strength came down a bit to 315 X 4. Further supporting my theory that you can’t get stronger on a diet of tequila. But there’s more. I was, while in Mexico able to increase strength in my Pull-Ups; Chin-Ups and; Front squat. Getting stronger in these major lifts and losing ground in the bench tells me a lot. Over-trained.
I trained all through our trip. In fact, I found a gym there that I quite like! It’s at a golf course. There is no squat rack. There are two “smith machines”. My friend Ocho says
“If there is no squat rack, it’s not a real gym.”
I tend to agree. However, I just use a bench to load up a bar, clean the bar to my shoulders, and do a front squat. I am learning more and more about this useful exercise. Long story short: I don’t mind the fact that there is no squat rack.
My focus is on the bench press anyways. For the last few weeks I have been working my way back up to and bouncing off of a 335lb bench. for 5 reps.
Active rest is just getting away from the gym and staying active while not training with weights. Sounds simple and a welcome change? For me it’s kinda sucky.
Look, I don’t mean to downplay rest, but I really have a hard time with it. I have this nagging voice in my head that says: “I bet you’d be really strong today if you tried your bench max”
In fact as I write this, it has been 3 days since my last weight day ( 4 since my last chest day), and I am looking for any excuse to get in there and train. I just also know that in it’s better to take the day off and eat.
This is where I consider myself lucky. I’m one of those people who can’t stay away from the gym. I know this is not really good. I believe that weights should be a means to an end and not the end themselves… and this is true… for everybody else. For me, they are the gateway to my practice of self discipline(there’s that word again); knowledge of the body and; passion for teaching. I have a really hard time staying away.
And still here I sit. Typing…
