Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Supersquats, Week 1, Workout B

  • Warm up x 2 rounds
    • Bodyweight squats x 20

  • Zercher Squats*
    • 160 / 20 reps

  • Pullovers
    • 12kg / 20 reps


    Hour break**


  • Single Arm Military Press
    • 24kg, 12 reps each side
    • 24kg, 10
    • 24kg, 10

  • Pullups/Rows
    • Pullups, 12
    • Pullups, 8; 32kg Row, 4
    • Pullups, 6; 28kg Row, 6

  • Single Arm Floor Press***
    • 32kg, 12, each side
    • 32kg, 12
    • 32kg, 12

  • Stiff-Legged Deadlift
    • 24kg / 15

  • Shrugs
    • 24kg / 12

  • Pullover
    • 12kg / 20 reps
* I performed squats first, with very little warm-up. Last workout I began with the military press; but the sudden, blinding headache was nearly too much. I thought I'd go directly to the squats. Same headache. Research indicates this is an exercise induced headache.
Bloodpressure, strain, etc. causes the headache. Still going to see the doctor about it. Strange, though, after heavy deadlifts, heavy snatches, clean & jerks, crossfit workouts, etc. - it's squats that do it?
Possibilities?
  • The Zercher position (carrying the weight in the crook of my arms)
    • Weight pulls hard at shoulders, neck muscles - it's where the headache begins (traps)
    • Bar sits across diaphragm - reducing ability to fill lungs?
  • The lower body emphasis draws blood from remainder of body (reducing blood flow available to head?)
  • Constant tightness over 20 reps increases blood pressure; further reducing blood flow up top.
  • High rep/high weight combo are aggravating factors.

**The break was nice. Took ibuprofin, knocked the headache from a 11/10 to a 3/10. Ate, took care of baby, made wife and self breakfast.

***If I push though 3 X 12 with the 32kg next workout, I'll go to the 40kg on workout A, week 2.

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