05/23/2026
Week 7: 85% of my 300 lb deadlift max: 255 lbs for 5 sets of 2 reps. 💀🔥
This is where the program starts testing you mentally just as much as physically. The weight gets heavy, recovery gets harder, and every rep demands focus.
Warm-up was the usual:135 → 185 → 205 → 225
Accessories:• Lying leg curls• Leg extensions• Assisted pull-ups
Both leg curls and leg extensions were originally programmed for Wednesday, but after adding sumo work and back squats that day, I pushed them to today instead.
Leg extensions actually felt amazing today. The higher reps helped push blood flow back into the quads, relieve soreness, and flush out some of that built-up lactic acid from Wednesday’s lower body session.
Lying leg curls, though? Completely different story. My quads are STILL sore, so I had to reduce the weight. Honestly, if Joe wasn’t there pushing me, I probably would’ve called it quits. It felt like someone was dry needling my quads while I was training. 😭
Assisted pull-ups are becoming more important as this program progresses. Going into the next phase, scapular stability, lat strength, and upper-back control will be critical if I want to survive the heavier pulls ahead.
Week 8 is a deload/rest week, and the next two weeks will be more nutrition-focused instead of powerlifting-focused. Recovery matters.
Then comes Week 9…Sets drop to 4, but the weight gets HEAVY heavy.
I guess that’s why structured programs work. They build:• strength• discipline• confidence• and mental toughness
The pressure is real because everyone is chasing that 315 lb max rep goal. After that? I might retire from deadlifts. 😂
628 active calories burned2 hours 12 minutes of work, recovery, sweat, and mental battles.