Setting specific strength goals for the next four weeks

My coach is great at sending motivating emails. Without fail, she seems to always hit exactly the right note, the perfect balance between excited enthusiasm and the push I need.

This week, she said this (amongst a lot of other things!):

“Sooooo, about 112 days to go!

That’s roughly 8-10 sessions of each muscle group left in your ‘building’ phase. Every workout counts!

Really go after those painful reps, the last few that are almost tear-jerking. Think of the (other competitors) that want to kick your ass – especially when you’re doing things like heavy deep squats and just want to stop (or cry). Knowing you didn’t hold back and leave any reps undone can be the difference between 1st place, or not placing – literally!”

See what’s she’s done there? Numbers, specifics, dates…it’s all there now in black and white. 112 days. 8-10 heavy sessions per body part.

So, with that in mind, I’ve set myself some short term goals. I’ll soon start cutting my calories in order to get rid of bodyfat, so it’s not realistic to set big strength goals for further down the line. Therefore I’m setting them for the next four weeks, whilst I’m eating loads and bursting with energy!

Here they are:

I’ll revisit this list over the next month and let you know how I’m getting on.

Deadlift – 80kg for 8 reps
Squats – 85kgs for 10 reps
Pull-ups – 10 wide grip from dead hang (not sure I’ll get this one but will try!)
One-arm row – 25kg dumbbell for 8 reps
Dumbbell chest press – 25kg dumbbells (if someone can help me get them in the air!) for 8 reps
Single leg press – 115kgs for 12 reps both sides
Clean and press – 35kg for 8 reps

I’ll use this coming week’s sessions to test where I’m at and then I’ll take it from there. Most of these goals represent around a 10% increase.

Setting specific strength goals for the next four weeks is a post from The Fit Writer blog.