Milwaukee Strongman and O-lifting

[Carl Johnson]

All right, starting a training journal to get motivated and improve in strongman and weightlifting. Having great competitors like Jesse, etc. reading my log will be a big motivation to improve my lifts. Current Bodyweight=197. Next contest is Big Tony's Pro-Am. Need to put on some weight so I'm not giving up 33 pounds. Goals 650 18inch dead, get the 250 2nd log on the medley. Finish the frame carry.

[Carl Johnson]

6-27-05
Power snatches 5 sets of doubles with 60 kg. Working on getting my technique back to satifactory.

Stone 240. sucked. did some rows with it then loaded one time. felt a tweak in my knee. Need to improve here.
Carl

[Jay O'Neill]

Welcome to the board. What part of Milwaukee are ya from... ?

[Carl Johnson]

52nd St. and Chambers. in Milwaukee. but close to the Tosa area. Thanks.
Train with Sam McMahon, Matt Wanat, Jason Luce, Pete Konradt, Eric Ratzman sp?, Jeff Noyed, Kirk Remer.

June 28th. with Jeff Noyed
Axle cleans up to 220 X2, Miss at 240, kept moving up with double overhand axle deads. Up to 260X2, miss on 290.
Cont. axle deads with alternate grip up to single at 440.

Plate Rows with 4 45's loaded onto end of axle bar. 5X3. (working on crushing stone grip).

Front squats. 5X10 @ 185

Currently trying to up my volume in order to put on a few pounds for big tony's contest.

[Jay O'Neill]

NIce workout! What is the name of the Gym. I know the area. I used to live on 37th and Scott.

[Carl Johnson]

The name of the gym is my basement. or possibly Carl's boiler room. I either lift at home at my friend Pete Konradts warehouse or at a weightlifting club.

Quick workout tonight after work at Petes.

6-29
13 inch log incline press.
205lbs. X3,X5,X5
Yoke walk 80 feet.
440X4. Felt OK still need to be more solid in my midsection.

[Carl Johnson]

July 2
Axle Cleans up to 220, then double overhand deads missed on 270.
Next dead lifts up to 440X3 on axle. 500 miss.
Farmers pick ups to 250.
Then tried 340 missed. assisted up with 340 held for 10 seconds X 2

[Carl Johnson]

July 3
Log jerks in rack with mini bands.
115X3, 115X3, 165X2, 165X2, 165X1,185 miss, 185 miss close
Incline log press 165X8, 185X8, 215X1
grip work

[Carl Johnson]

July 4th at Kirk Remer's Bodyweight about 198.

High Bar Olympic Squats 135X5,135X5,225X5,225X5,315X5,315X3,365X2,
405 miss,385 X1.

Stones 240,265,300.

Various rows, pullups and pull downs. also Bodyweight bar hang

[Carl Johnson]

Power Snatch up to 60 kg
Log clean up to double at 265.
Incline Log press up to 215X5
A couple loads of 240 stone.

[Carl Johnson]

7-06-05
Log press, lots of singles on 8 inch log.
1X220,1X220,1X220,single on 13 inch 205. 240 on 8 inch then 205 on 13 inch,
250 on 8 inch miss,miss, then made 250 PR!

Some heavy sled dragging and a couple sets of light RDL's

[Carl Johnson]

Saturday July 9 Bodyweight was 90 kg
Summerfest Clean and jerk contest, and deadlift contest.
Clean and Jerk
Opened with easy 105kg, 112.5 kg, then cleaned 120kg but missed the jerk.

Deadlift opened with 475,500,then made 515 for a new PR.

[Carl Johnson]

7-12
Box Squats sets of 5 with green bands.
135,225,275,325
Good mornings 225X5,225X5

[lhprop1]

Lookin' strong, man! You should do pretty well at Big Tonys.

[Carl Johnson]

I'll just be going for personal best's at big Tony's. I already know there will be a bunch of guys who are crazy strong going. Looking forward to it, are you going to be competing? Are you from MN?

July 13th

Seated shoulder Press 95X8,95X8,115X8,145 miss,125X6,125X6,135X4.

Axle bent over rows 170X6, 3 sets

Pin Press about 6 inch lockout, 135X10, 225X5,225X8

[lhprop1]

Yes, I'll be competing there. There's going to be a lot of very talented competitors in all classes.

[Carl Johnson]

Training at Sam's

Deadlift up to 465X1

Tire Flip 650 tire maybe 700. did probably 25 total flips.

Farmers 240X60 feet
290 X50 feet felt OK best this weight has ever felt.
330X10 feet. Not too bad today.

Stones 3 Stones and then a little grip work

[Carl Johnson]

Tuesday 19th At Pete's

W.U. with power snatches. 50kgX3,50X3,60X3,70X3,80X1

13 inch log
205X1,205X2,205X3,225X1,225X1,245 miss

18 inch dead
up to 545

Stones 54 inch platform 255,285 rest 255,285
then 285, and missed oversized 315. REst and then did 315 to the 48 inch platform.

[Carl Johnson]

7-21
Seated Military Press no back support
95X8,95X8,115X8,135X7,135X6

Incline log press
115X8,115X10,135X10,185X5

Plate wrist curls, my wrists are really weak!

[Carl Johnson]

7-24
Hang Clean 70kg X3 3 sets
mini band log press 115X5,115X5,165X1,165X3,185X1,185X1

steep incline press
185X5,3 sets.

[Carl Johnson]

5-26 At Pete's with Jeff Noyed
power cleans with power jerks.
Went up to 100 kg and did 3 sets of doubles. My power jerk sucks I need to get my technique back to where it used to be.

Log jerks in the rack. 220X1,220X1,240X1,240X1,250miss,250 miss,250X1,260 miss,220X2.

Box Squats with heavy bands. up to 315X5.

[Carl Johnson]

7-27
easy workout to get technique better.
Light cleans and power jerks
axle bent over rows
close grip bench
plate pinches.
Everything was light today so Saturday can be heavy.

[Carl Johnson]

Friday 7-29.
Log clean and press 8 inch
115X8,185X3,185X3,205X1,205X1,255miss,255miss,255m iss,255 make PR
close grip bench
135X10,225X5,225with chains X5,275X1
little stuff.

[Carl Johnson]

Saturday at Sam's
Tire Flip I don't know how many total flips but between 20 and 30.
15 inch dead. Up to a hard 585.
A few stone rows with the small stone.
Rolling thunder and a little grip work.

[Carl Johnson]

8-1-05
Snatch, first time doing full snatches for a while, need to do them more often because my shoulders are tighter now.
Just light technique work with 40 kg. Trying to keep a better arch in my back.

Clean and Jerks with 70 kg light again working on arch

Olympic squats with chains. up to a single at 375. probably like 40 pounds of chain at the top.

[Carl Johnson]

Trained again today August 2nd.
Power cleans 40kg,70kgX3,70X3,100X3, now moving into squat cleans 110X1 power, 110X1 squat clean, 115X1 squat clean.
122.5 just missed hand slipped through and came off.
clean pulls 130kgX3, 130X3.

Stones. singles with my 240 stone.
Tried again for the 350 stone. Couldnt get it to my lap. Ripped up my forearms pretty good with this stone. I really hate this stone but I'm determined to lap it soon.

[Carl Johnson]

------------------------------------------------------------------------Trained today at Pete's with Matt, Pete, Eric, and Jason. Pretty good workout.
Snatch full 50 kg X 2, 3 sets
13 in log clean and press
205X1
205X1
205X4
225X1
235X1
245 miss
245X1
255 miss
265 miss
205 X 5

some light sled drags
1200 pound tire flip, tried multiple times and finally got it flipped over. Probably the hardest thing I have done to date.

[Christian Dorr]

Nice job on the tire flip!

chris d.

------------------------------------------------------------------------Trained today at Pete's with Matt, Pete, Eric, and Jason. Pretty good workout.
Snatch full 50 kg X 2, 3 sets
13 in log clean and press
205X1
205X1
205X4
225X1
235X1
245 miss
245X1
255 miss
265 miss
205 X 5

some light sled drags
1200 pound tire flip, tried multiple times and finally got it flipped over. Probably the hardest thing I have done to date.

[Carl Johnson]

thanks, when I got the thing flipped over finally I looked at my arms and chest and I had cuts and scrapes everywhere, I must have used every part of my body to get the damn thing over.
Haven't trained for a few days, just trying to recover a little bit and then hit it hard for a few sessions before big Tony's contest.
Carl

[Carl Johnson]

Only some axle deadlifts today of of blocks. Up to 280 with double overhand grip then 440 alternate grip. missed on 530.
Bodyweight about 203 now.

[Carl Johnson]

Tuesday 8-9-05
Seated Military Press with chains about 60 lbs at top
W.U. Bar X10
95X5,95X5,115X3,115X3,115X2,
Roman Chair sit-ups
Thats it.

[Carl Johnson]

220 log press about 5 singles

10 flips on tire

255 stone loaded a couple times to 53 inches.
thats it.
Ready for big Tony's

[Carl Johnson]

Big Tony's was a blast, met a lot of cool people there. There were some freaky performances like Dean N. doing 15 reps on the deadlift with 535 in the middleweights. My performance was not what I had hoped for. Three days before I was helping some younger kids demonstrating some starts for there 40 yard dash, and I pulled my hamstring. That kind of limited what I could do at the contest. It made the deadlift impossible and the fourth stone tweaked it a little more. Healthy I feel I could of moved up a few spots. Anyway finished 7th out of 12. Going to start doing some upper body stuff and get the hamstring to heal, less than 3 weeks until Minnesota.

[Carl Johnson]

Only upper body stuff.
Speed bench with chains 135X5, 5 sets

close grip with chains 185x8, 3 sets

horizontal pull ups 3 sets of 10-12

messed around with some grip stuff.
Stretched injured hamstring, any tips on how to speed up the healing of a torn hamstring?

[Carl Johnson]

Squats light today still taking it easy on the hamstring
135 box squats X10,135X10,225X8,225X13,245X6

Log Press 5X5 with 185, going to 195 next week. If I get all the reps I'm increasing 10 pounds each week.

a couple keg loads about 200 pounds.

[Carl Johnson]

Started with log clean and press. Up to 250 which i missed about 4 times before i could get it up. Footing was hard because we were practicing on grass. Had a new guy Dan Swank try the log for the first time and did 270 as a lightweight.


Did some farmers with 2 inch handles. 50 feet. UP to 230

A couple stones.

[Patrick McGuffin]

Started with log clean and press. Up to 250 which i missed about 4 times before i could get it up. Footing was hard because we were practicing on grass. Had a new guy Dan Swank try the log for the first time and did 270 as a lightweight.


Did some farmers with 2 inch handles. 50 feet. UP to 230

A couple stones.

holly cow!! is he some sort of oly lifter??

[Carl Johnson]

Yes, he is an olympic lifter. I think he could have done a 300 log if he could have cleaned it. He has a nice looking push jerk on the log.

8-28

Yoke walk simulations in rack with bar, chains, and green bands.
135, 225,225,315,315,405,405. Probably like 500 because of chains and bands.

back extensions, and single leg back extensions. Still trying to get hamstring to heal before contest on sept. 10th.

[Carl Johnson]

ME Upper body day.
3 board bench with doubled mini's, seemed like a lot of tension
bar X10,135X5,155X5,165X5,185X3,205X1,215X1,225X1. Stopped there a little short of maximum because I didn't want to tear up my shoulders too much.

band pull aparts 3X15, band push downs 4X20.

[Paul Neuhaus]

Hey Carl,
Paul Neuhaus here. I'll be coming down there for the Milwaukee contest, and I was hoping you could help me find some hotels in the neighborhood of the contest. You can email me at pneuhaus@new.rr.com.

[Carl Johnson]

You can stay at my house if you want.

[Paul Neuhaus]

I appreciate the offer, but my cousin and his wife might be coming up from Chicago to watch the contest. That's why I'd rather find a hotel. And if they don't come up, I think we're just gonna drive back home that night. By the way...I talked to Kirk today and he said he'd like to come up to Tony's to train maybe this Saturday. That would be cool if you guys could make it. Lance is heading off to college this week, so I won't have anyone to go head-to-head with in training anymore. When training with Paul Bergmann, it's more like an endless game of "cath up" than actually going head-to-head!

[Carl Johnson]

What about Monday, that would work best for me. Saturday is a possibility. I'll check about hotels. The contest site is close to the airport.
Carl

[Paul Neuhaus]

Monday works too for training. I'll be at Tony's on Sat and Mon this weekend.
Kirk has my phone number.

[Carl Johnson]

August 31 w/Kirk Remer and Jeff Noyed

Front Box Squats w/Green Bands
Bar,135X5,135X5,185X4,225X2,225X2,245 miss,245X1,275X1

5X5 Log one clean and 5 presses. All sets were done with 195. Moving up 10 pounds next week to 205.

Some abs

[Carl Johnson]

Sept 31 with Kirk Remer
3 board close grip with chains.
135X5,155X5,185X5,205X3,225X3,245X1,275X1 stopped short of failing today have been doing a lot of shoulder upper body stuff still so the hamstring can heal.


Horizontal pull ups 10

strict military press axle. 130X8, 140X4

rehab stuff

[Carl Johnson]

Labor Day at Big Tony's
medley carry and flip with 800 pound tire

W.U. with 170 farmers and 800 pound tire. The flip was fairly hard
Tried again with 240 farmers and plates fell off so just did the tire and it was much better.

Yoke walks short ones up to 540
Thats about it.

[Carl Johnson]

Tomorrow is the Midwest Championships. Going in at about 205 pounds, and trying to set some PR's.
Goal on 12 inch 230 log is 2 reps.
Goal on Yoke 600 medley 600 conans wheel is to finish in time alotted. Last time I carried 600 yoke in a contest, it just about killed me, hopefully I'm stronger now.
Not sure about the other events as I have not practiced arm over arm or object loading too much. Looking forward to meeting all the competitors.
Carl

[lhprop1]

Don't worry Carl, nobody knows what any of the odd objects are going to be yet and I've been told that it's unlikely anyone's loaded them before. Everyone should be on equal footing for that one. See you tomorrow.

[Carl Johnson]

Contest report for Midwest Champioships.
I'm not sure about my times and placings just want to describe how I felt I did. Great contest. Great competitors. Jason Adamski is a freak.

First event Farmers I think 250 per hand 50 feet and chain drag. This was tough but finished with a respectable time I feel. Couldn't get off the ground because of jello legs. Didn't recover from this one till the fourth event.

Next log press 230 clean once press of reps. 12 inch log. Did 4 reps. Not really satisfied. Still felt nauseous from the first event.

Third, odd object load.
1. Inch dumbell, easy but tentative on it.
2. 200 pound rock still easy but not fast.
3. Sandbag, not too hard
4. loading pin with 5 plates. Balance was a little weird on this.
5. Keg. not too bad
6. Sandbag. Just didn't have enough left in the tank. I know I'm strong enougth too do it.
Just way to slow and deliberate since I have never loaded any of these except a keg before.

Fourth, Yoke 600 pounds 50 feet, Conans 1 turn 600 pounds.
The Yoke is my enemy and I pretty much suck at it. Made up some time on the conans wheel. B+

Last event Arm over arm tow truck. This one was tough but felt satisfied with my effort.

Carl

[Paul Neuhaus]

Hey Carl, Is there a competitor list yet for this weekend? You can just email me at pneuhaus@new.rr.com. See ya Saturday!!

[Carl Johnson]

Box Squat purple and Green bands.
Bar for WU
135X5
155X5
185X5
225X3
245X2
275X1
315X1
335X1 Hard!

Glute ham raises 3X8
light good mornings

[Carl Johnson]

Milwaukee Strongest Man 1st place, just barely came from behind to edge Kirk by 1/2 point.
Log Press for Max weight. 3rd place
260 best I've done yet.
Farmers carry and tire flip. Thought I was fast 36 seconds, but Kirk edged me on this one. 2nd place
Deadlift axle 440, Again Kirk went after me. I did 10 and he did 11. I was probably good for 13, but then he would have done 14. 2nd place
Arm over Arm pull. 24 seconds 1st place
Stones 5 Stones, first four very fast about 17 seconds. Stopped tacky and loaded 5th. 1st place. Kirk would have won if he loaded the 5th stone. Got it very close to the top but just missed. I got lucky he will kill me next time.

[Paul Neuhaus]

Congrats to you too, for your placing and your log PR. Drinking beer and eating lots of fast food seems to be the right diet for Kirk as he just keeps getting better!!

[Lance Peterson]

Congrads on the victory!

[Carl Johnson]

Saturday 9-24
Warm up with power clean, 2 hang cleans and push press. up to 80 kg

13 inch log. Clean and press every rep
205 X 1
205 X 3
205 X4

Farmers 200 feet with 215. This is a very log distance did it in 38 seconds. My legs were fried toward the end.
Not a great day of training but a start.

[Carl Johnson]

Training on Monday 9-26
Squats with chains 60 pounds at top
Bar
135X10
185X5
225X5
275X5
325X5
325X5
325X4
Last set just couldn't get last rep. Hips are very tired from farmers walk on Saturday
RDL's 100kgX5
130kgX5
150kgX5
oblique side bends, really noticed my hips were tired and ached a lot here

[Carl Johnson]

9-27
Military Press
95X10
105X10
115X6
115X6
incline press
165X5
165X5
165X5
shoulder bothering me some on these. Need to Press a lot more, really weak at the moment.
Triceps with kettlebell.

[Carl Johnson]

Squat 5X5 at 250
snatch grip deadlift 2 sets at 275X3 reps
16 inch deadlift up to 505, miss at 555
not too bad of a workout.

[Carl Johnson]

Deadlift suits really do help!
Used my metal deadlifter suit i got on ebay today to test it for nationals, seemed like it really worked.
16 inch deadlifts with doubled purple bands on each side. no tension until it breaks the rack and then at the top probably about 100 pounds.

135X10
225X5
315X3
405X1
455X1
505X1 easy
555 broke it and up to my knees and the tension just took over.

Incline press 135X5
135X5
135X12
185X5

[Carl Johnson]

10-8 Morning Power cleans and push press 50kgX2, 70kgX2,90X2 then power clean at 100kgX2,110X1. Some RDL's light.

Afternoon:
12 inch log. Up to 200X4, 220X2 a few other sets in between with lighter weights.

Yoke 470 with about 4-5 50 ft. runs and 1 80 ft. run.

Stones singles today. Did a best of 340. Very happy with this.

[Paul Neuhaus]

Hey Carl, Just curious why you post kg for some lifts and pounds for others?

[Carl Johnson]

That's the weightlifter in me. In weightlifting everything is in Kilos, and that's how I think when I clean and jerk snatch etc. Strongman I think in pounds.

[Carl Johnson]

Light workout today, good shoulder feeling sore in joint from stones I think. Bad shoulder always feeling bad.

Bench flat with chains 135 3X10.
Strict press standing 95X10,95X10,95X20
Some rolling thunder, and pull ups done with my legs straight out in front of me.

[Carl Johnson]

Only kettlebells and jump rope today. I had some sciatica in my right leg

[Carl Johnson]

Saturday training.
Truck pull a couple times until my APT harness broke on the first day I used it. I'm pissed.

Farmers
215X50,
215X50
215X50
265X50
305X8
305X10
305X50

One clean and press with 13 inch log empty.

[Paul Neuhaus]

Holy crap, that sucks about the harness!!! I'm sure they would replace it if it broke on the first day.

[Carl Johnson]

Just some speed bench today with chains about 60 pounds at top.
95X3
135X3 wider grip
135X3 wider grip
135X3 wider grip
135X3 medium
135X3 medium
135X17 narrow
135X12 narrow

[Carl Johnson]

Monday Oct. 17th.
Squats 5X5 today. Always tough for me.
Did 315, in about 14 minutes.

Log Jerk with purple bands, log weighs 115 and bands were attached about a foot off the floor. 4-5 sets of 3 reps. This helped get my timing down a little better.

Watched Kirk lap the 360 egg shaped stone. I couldn't lap it, just broke it off the ground a couple times.

[Carl Johnson]

Today, trained at Pete's place with Jeff and Pete
Log 13 inch 220 for reps. First set got 2 reps. Missed one short of lockout.
Then 220X3, almost did a fourth rep. This log is a monster and really hard to press.
Farmers
W.U. 125X100ft.
215 X 100ft.
245 X 160 ft. Just could not make it the whole way. This is going to be tough for me at Nationals but I think I can make it 200ft. without drops.
15 inch deadlift
135
315
405
490
545 miss
545X3 reps just need to get one and I can bounce a little off the pins.
Stones
255 3 -4 singles. to 53 inches.
Nationals is 54 which is going to be a challenge for me.

[Carl Johnson]

Oct. 24th.
Squats 225 plus purple bands 10X2
then 275+bands
then 325
miss on 365

glute ham raise

[Carl Johnson]

Easy day today, I always take it easy the weekend before a contest. My feeling is I can only end up negatively affecting my performance. If my lifts are not good now, they won't get any better in one day.
light cleans and deadlifts
tire flips 12-15 total over 4 sets.
Farmers picks. up to a really hard 330
Tried to pull a truck up the alley but too heavy and too steep.
A few stones.

[Carl Johnson]

Ok, back from nationals and not satisfied with my results. More motivation to train, I am posting my results in my basement to remind me of my performance.

Monday: Easy bench day 6X3 at 135 with chains, 185X1, 225X1,185X10
Chains about 60 pounds.

Tuesday: 135X20 reps squat

[Carl Johnson]

Squat
135X15
225X20

Stones about 6-7 loads of 245 stone

Some incline presses. Man an I weak.
:BB:

[lhprop1]

Are spying on me at the gym? Monday, I benched. Yesterday I squatted. It's like looking in a mirror.

Does this mean you're going to start playing rugby, too?

[Carl Johnson]

no rugby, but i better damn well load the fourth stone at my next contest!

[Paul Neuhaus]

Some incline presses. Man an I weak.
:BB:
Is that why you didn't post the weights??? :B:
Come on, Carl!! I post my sorry ass weights for squat and DL. Look at my last entry and see my sorry ass axle cleans!!

[Carl Johnson]

Friday, 11-18. Push Jerk with Axle. 180X5,180X5, 200X3
Stones, small stone 3 times,
New 330 stone.
Could not get the damn thing to my lab. Bruised and cut my arms up really good by trying this over and over about 15 times.
Finally with a little help got it to my lap but no energy to load it.
Very good workout effort wise.

Saturday, 11-19. Back to training hard, was sick with sinus infection for a long time.
Yoke: A bunch of runs with a last one around 500 pounds I think, then did some picks up to a hard single at about 700 I believe.

Farmers 205X50ft. twice. last one in 13 seconds.

18 inch deadlifts up to a hard single with 585.

Reverse band log press, this was crazy how much the bands help at the bottom. Kind of fun. did 205X5, 255X3, and one at about 300 just barely not locking out.

Flipped a small tire a few times, and then one a little bigger. I'm no Dan Harrison when it comes to tire flipping.

Ahola bar hangs with 2 inch bar on top of rack for 3 sets.

Sled pulls to exhaustion. Awesome workout, everyone was great today!

[Carl Johnson]

Green bands box squats low bar placement
5X3 @ 225
1@275
1@325

[Carl Johnson]

Sunday, shoulders bothering me for the last few days.
Strict over head press. 3x10@95lbs. Just trying to get shoulders feeling better, some rehab stuff and that's it.

[Carl Johnson]

Monday, Squats and 16 inch deadlift
Squats with greens and purples.
135X5
135X5
225X3
225X3
245X3
265X3
295X1

Deadlift with doubled purple bands.
135X5
225X3
315X2
405X1
465X1

some bent over rows with axle 180X5
and grip work

[Carl Johnson]

Well yesterday Tuesday, I did a lot of band tricep extensions and chest movements with bands. My shoulders are still bothering me so I just tried to get the blood flowing. I'm going try to get some ART done on the shoulder and see how that works out.

[Carl Johnson]

Friday Dec. 2nd.
Box squats with double choked greens and purples.
135X5
135X5
225X3
225X3
225X3

Stones, 245 a couple loads
330 tried over and over. Finally got it up one time.

Saturday. Incline log press up to about 215 for a triple.

[Carl Johnson]

Warm up band dislocates.
low incline log press
115X10
115X10
165X10
165X10

Log push jerks work on timing, purple bands attached about 16 inches up from floor, felt like considerable tension at the top
7X2 @115

abs.

[Carl Johnson]

Front Squats from bottom up on pins below parallel
135X5
135X5
185X3
225X2
225X3
275X1
315X1

Back squat from pin slightly above parallel, i go you go style 15-20 sec. rest
Somewhere around 15 singles at 275
then 315,365,415

RDL's up to about 150 kgX3

[lhprop1]

Are you going to make it to Dave and Jeff's contest in Mpls on Jan 21?

[Carl Johnson]

not sure yet. I'm doing the monsters of the midwest the weekend before. I might show up if Kirk or Jeff from Milwaukee do it. I don't think I'll compete however.

[Jay Hagadorn]

Carl-

Good job on your squats...

[Carl Johnson]

Thanks, I kind of liked going from the dead stop bottom position. Harder than you think it would be. Really feel it in my mid section on those front squats.

[Carl Johnson]

Friday,
16 inch deadlift with mini's doubled and lights doubled.
135X5
135X5
315X3
315X3
405X1

Some good mornings with 225

Bent over rows cheating up to 4 reps at about 280

grippers, rolling thunder and wrist roller.

[Carl Johnson]

Saturday, Dec 10th
pretty good day.
A lot of runs with the yoke about 75 feet. with 460
Reverse banded 13 inch log press, log was not totally deloaded at lockout but close
205X4
255X3
275X3
295X1
315X1
345X1

Stones. singles finishing with 1 @345 very happy with this to 49 inches. then 4 more singles at 285

[Carl Johnson]

Squats light
4X3@275

Axle walk outs up to 590 and holding and stepping with it trying to simulate yoke.
Shoulder rehab/prehab stuff. Left one bothering me.

[Carl Johnson]

Been doing some shoulder rehab lately to try to fix these things up. Seems to be helping. Need some rest, holidays will help then back to training for the MOM. Last night did some squats up to 405X3 at Pete's Boiler Room and Fat Man factory. Also tire flips with 6-700 tire. Watched Jason just miss the 405 stone without tacky.

[Carl Johnson]

Back from about a 10 day lay off, less than 2 weeks until Monsters of the Midwest. Did a few things yesterday just to get my body used to weight again. Light deadlifts and some short pulls with a power stairs type bar.

[Carl Johnson]

Truck pulls 3-4 times with Chevy Silverado.
Yoke picks up to 595.
Log up to 195 X5 clean and press for reps. 12 inch log. missed on 260
Grip work
Log complex, cleans, presses, rows, curls. 5 reps each. light weight.

[Carl Johnson]

Squats
315X5
315X5
405X1
405X2

deadlifts goal to get 20 reps in 10 minutes @ 405 switching off with Kirk Remer.
Would have done it but the bar fell apart, I better start training the deadlift, took about 11 minutes. it felt heavy at 405 stopping every rep on the floor no bounce.

abs

[Carl Johnson]

Flat bench log press
115X20
165X20
215X10
215X10
1 arm DB rows with 2.25 inch dumbell handle 70 pounds 3 sets
185 close 3 board press 2x10

[Carl Johnson]

Was told by my training partner that we don't work hard enough, I slightly agree with him. He says we have vagicosis. Anyway, so we did yoke walks for 50 feet today. Shoulder always gets pushed out of its joint on the heavy yokes. Any advice?
W.U. then 495 no drops
495 no drops
595 25 feet then rested and finished
735 just picked it twice. felt extremely heavy.
18 inch deadlifts
up to 525 and missed 575. Hopefully will recover next week and pull 600 in St. Louis.

[Paul Neuhaus]

Anyway, so we did yoke walks for 50 feet today. Shoulder always gets pushed out of its joint on the heavy yokes. Any advice?

Carl,
What's your hand placement on the yoke? I know some guys like to hold onto the cross-bar, like a back squat grip. I prefer to hold onto the sides of the yoke. Then, I shrug my traps to give the yoke a cushion to sit on. Maybe if we get together for a training day some time, I can show you what I'm talking about.

[Carl Johnson]

Ok, well try to get up there after the contest on the 14th.

[RyanWilson]

If only I'd been there I could have pushed ya a bit harder just like all you guys do for me when we get to train together! Keep up the hard work and do well at the comp this weekend! Keep in touch when you get back and we'll have to meet up again at Pete's on a Saturday - I've been slacking or out of town for so long that I'm aching to get some good event training in. Again, good luck on Saturday!

PS - are you entering the Minnesota Winter Challenge next weekend? Didn't know if you'd be there since the two were so close together, but I was considering making a last-minute entry if anyone else from the area was heading up for it.

[Carl Johnson]

You should do it. it would a fun contest. All those guys up there are really cool. I'll let you know how things go in St. Louis.

[benjamin d. moore]

Nice job today Carl!!! It was good to see you again. Kirk is a beast man!

[DaneGarreau]

Awesome competing with you Carl. Your a strong dude. Tell Jeff I said hello and good job.

[Paul Neuhaus]

Hey Carl, Nice job on your performance! How did Kirk and Pete do on the events? Anyone else from Milwaukee?

[RyanWilson]

Congrats on your placing, Carl - excellent work!

[Carl Johnson]

Training has been going fairly well, started kind of westside template to improve my deadlift. Feels like its working.
Saturday Feb. 11th
12 inch log press
Empty warm ups
180X3
180X3
180X3
230X1
230X1
250 miss

Deadlift trying to hit good max today. Hit a best ever 525.
Farmers picks up to a real hard 330.
Stones messed around a little Tacky and stones were cold so not a very good day. Lapped the 330 twice but it kept slipping on the load.

Today
Decided after talking with Sam and Matt that I need to do more strict pressing with the log.
Mini bands on log
115X5
115X5
135X3
155X3 push press now
155X3

Felt pretty good not sure how much tension is at the top maybe 50-60 pounds.

[Carl Johnson]

Monday DE squat/dead

green band
135X5
185X3
185X3
225X3
225X3
225X3

DE dead with chains
310X2X5

Rack pulls above the knees to about 500 3X5

[Carl Johnson]

Heavy press day, well heavy for me
W.U. with behind the neck jerks
145X3
145X3
Incline Axle Press
130X3
150X3
170X3
180X3
200X1
220X1
235 miss my shoulder just doesn't like these
Flat Axle pin press 8 inch lockout 180X5
230X3
280X1
300X1
Grip and abdominal work

[Carl Johnson]

Pin Axle squats, pretty much at parallel height
170X3
190X3
230X3
260X3
270X1
300X1
330X1
370X1

16 Inch deadlifts out of rack, tough spot to start at for me
3X5 @ 405

Bent over rows with 225

4 loads with 260 stone no tacky. This new stone is smoother than my old one and harder to lap.

[Carl Johnson]

Friday, trained at Pete's place
Started with a little cleans and presses along with some ligth viking press work.
13 inch log
Did about 10 clean and presses with 205 alternating with Jeff so 30-40 seconds rest between reps
Then did 225X1,235X1,235 miss
viking press for a few sets of 3-5, really shaky apparatus.
Tire flips with 700 pound tire back and forth about 15 times.

[DaneGarreau]

Nice log press Carl. When is your next contest?

[Carl Johnson]

Hey thanks I should be hitting 250 on that 13 inch log soon hopefully. I'm not sure about my next contest. If there is strongman on grand I would like to do that . Also Utah would be a lot of fun.

[Carl Johnson]

DE Squat/deadlift day
green and purple bands
135X5
185X3X5
235X1

Deadlift with chains
6X1@335
405X1
495X1 Somewhat difficult

[Carl Johnson]

3 board narrow grip bench
135X10 no board
135X10 no board
185X6
185X6
225X6
245X5
245X6

[Carl Johnson]

Today ME deadlift day. Did heavy single on Tuesday so didn't take it super heavy.
Box Squats
135X10
225X6
275X6
315X6
365X4

16 inch Rack pulls
505X4 really hard
455X4

Good mornings and horizontal pull ups

[Carl Johnson]

Friday workout and stone making.
Power cleans doubles 6 sets of 80kg
front squats up to 225X5
some kettlebell cleans and presses with 35lbs.
Stones, finally something worthwhile
did all 3 of my stones in a single workout.
260 about 4 times
330 twice
335 egg mcmuffin for the first time.

[Carl Johnson]

Sat. W.U. light squats
12 inch log clean and press for reps
90 X10
140X5
190X5
190X5
210X3
210X3

Pull downs, and some farmers picks, really sore from 5 days in a row, need two days rest now.

[Carl Johnson]

close grip 3 board bench
135X10
185X10
225X5
225X5
245X7
275X2

Incline log press with purple bands
115X8
135X3
135X5

Triceps work and some hammer curls

[Paul Neuhaus]

Carl,
I hope you guys are ready for a good workout Saturday! I NEVER do stones 2x in one week. But, what the heck, I can break tradition to train with you guys. We can have an "unofficial" contest, with my bum shoulder and all...HAHA We'll have Tony keep a score sheet!

How about...for a drink at the Fox Cities after party?!?!

[Carl Johnson]

Saturday training day
10 inch log clean and press for reps 60 sec.
8 reps

yoke 600 pounds for 60 feet turn at 30.
somewhere around 15 i believe

18 inch deadlift
got a best of 635

Stones did a series of 5 stones in 50 seconds.
Then rested and did a single with 365 lb stone. felt really good to do this stone

farmers 290 for 30 feet
about 9 seconds. Not too bad for me on this one

Tire flip 800 pounds
6 reps in 45 seconds
hurt wrist on this
back also needs rest now from the yoke.

[DaneGarreau]

Nice job on that 365 stone man, that is sick.

[Nicolette L.]

Looking sweet!

[Carl Johnson]

Hey thanks, hopefully improvements will keep coming

[Carl Johnson]

Back from a little rest.
Saturday, Events
Izuzu Trooper harness pull 75 feet
Trooper and Chevy truck together 50 feet. This was really hard
Deadlifts easy doubles with bands and 315
12 inch log up to a fairly easy 240
Sam did three reps with 330!
Watched everyone else do stones, wrist is messed up.

[craig kruse]

Carl,
when is your next event? What weight are competing at this year?

[Carl Johnson]

I want to do Big Tony's contest and if there is a strongest man on grand i would like to do that one also. I'm about 205 right now. Hopefully gain a little more by summer.

[Paul Neuhaus]

I'm about 205 right now. Hopefully gain a little more by summer.
Carl,
Just buy some cheesecakes from Tony next time you're up here! It's OK to be fat, just look at me!! HAHA

[lhprop1]

I want to do Big Tony's contest and if there is a strongest man on grand i would like to do that one also. I'm about 205 right now. Hopefully gain a little more by summer.

S.M.O.G is going to be the first Sunday in June. It probably won't be a pro-am, though.

[Paul Neuhaus]

S.M.O.G is going to be the first Sunday in June. It probably won't be a pro-am, though.
Why not? I'm just asking because a lot of people were planning on doing this contest BECAUSE it's Pro/Am.

[lhprop1]

Why not? I'm just asking because a lot of people were planning on doing this contest BECAUSE it's Pro/Am.

I'm not sure why, and I'm not positive that it won't be a Pro/Am. I'm just relaying what Dave told me on Friday. PM him and ask if you want the skinny.

[Carl Johnson]

Monday Low box Squat. put some green bands on the bar
135X5
225X5
275X2
315X2
365X1
405 miss, just out of my groove. I like the feel of the box squats again and I know I will start squatting a ton more and hopefully my body will get used to holding these heavier weights.

[Carl Johnson]

Taking it easy because of right lower back injury.
Saturday front squats
135X10
225X5
255X5
275X3

Sunday
12 inch log press
140X8
140X8
190X5
230X1 split
230X1 split
250 miss

[craig kruse]

what did you do to your back

[Carl Johnson]

Hurt it a little up at Big Tony's on the yoke, I hate the yoke! I think its muscular not anything serious

[craig kruse]

are you planning on competing in the 231# class this year? I have seen you are planning on adding weight.

You said you are coming down to the Chicago meet, right? Which competitor is your training partner?

[Carl Johnson]

I am going down to watch Ryan Wilson and Paul. Trying to add some weight but not very successful with my master's thesis going on right now. I plan on doing Big Tony's contest, and I don't now if I'll do any others at the moment.
Carl

[craig kruse]

what are you getting your masters in and from where

[Carl Johnson]

Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

[craig kruse]

what are your plans with that degree. What's your undergrad in.
I am a Physical Therapist and have a masters in exercise phys.

[Carl Johnson]

Hopefully work as a strength coach somewhere, anywhere.
Tuesday, back still bothering me,
DE Squats
225 plus green bands
6 sets of 5, all felt pretty good, followed by stretching.

[Carl Johnson]

Wednesday,
Strict Press
95X10
115X8
125X8
125X8

Log incline press 115X12,165X8,165X8

[Carl Johnson]

Trained with Sam and Swede today, this means long rest periods and lot's of sitting with B.Sing in between. Good time.

Deadlifts off blocks with band around bar
225
315
405
495X3
495X4
495X3
495X3

Snatch grip deadlifts 315X5,365X5

a few flips of the tire but wrist is still hurting on those,

[Carl Johnson]

Monday, Lots of pressing with log out of the rack with mini bands.
165 for a few singles at the end.
Strict Kirk Remer Press
115X8
135X8
165X2

Wednesday
Low Bar squats with green bands.
Up to 415 to a low box. Saw some stars

[Carl Johnson]

Forgot to explain what a Kirk Remer press is. This is when your ceilings are too low to fully lock out the log. So you press while on your knees, this way you end up being the size of my training partner Kirk (Mango) Remer.

[Patrick McGuffin]

Forgot to explain what a Kirk Remer press is. This is when your ceilings are too low to fully lock out the log. So you press while on your knees, this way you end up being the size of my training partner Kirk (Mango) Remer.


Nice! LOL :M:

[Nicolette L.]

How is your back doing?

[craig kruse]

where have you been? You can't use the school excuse. How is your back doing?

[Carl Johnson]

Just haven't posted in a while. Back is still bothering me, but I'm still alive. I'm taking this opportunity to improve my pressing.

Tuesday 3 board press
135X5
185X5
225X3
245X3
275X2
295X1
315X1 PR

Push Press 3X5 @155

Last Saturday did some log pressing up to 210X3
and some light stones.
Being stupid I did a farmers pick 310X2 and reagrivated my back.

[craig kruse]

it seems your back has been bothering you for awhile. Are you alright? Need any help?
Milwaukee isn't that far from Chicago. I work with patients will back problems on a daily basis. Just let me know. I would be happy to evaluate it.

Craig

[Carl Johnson]

I'm going to give it another month. I had this same injury about 6 years ago while in college from deadlifting. I'll let you know how it's doing.
Carl

[craig kruse]

if you are at the Chicago meet, please feel free to talk with me about it

[Carl Johnson]

thanks Craig, I'm not positive I'm going to make it down. But I'll try for sure.
Power Clean and Power Jerk
40kgX4
40X3
60X3
60X3
80X3
80X3
Didn't feel too bad on the back. I'll keep these in my routine for now.
Clean Pulls from blocks
110X3
110X3
150X3
150X3
Got better as the sets went on.

Abs with band resistance.

Icing of SI Joint

[craig kruse]

are the pulls in kg? If so- nice pulls! wow

[Carl Johnson]

Saturday. some events
Did Axle clean and press up to 230 I believe. I couldn't continental the 260 for some reason and it was frustrating because my two training partners Jeff and Kirk did multiple reps with 260.

Stone over the Yoke at about 56 58 and 60 inches.

Then husafell carry with 240 stone. This sucked and aggrivated my back a little.

Tuesday.
Back squats up to 325X7. I need to get these heavier.
Wrist roller work

Wednesday. Kirk Remer presses with bar. 95X6, 145X3, 145X3, 165X2.

Tommorow I start adding in some cardio work.

[JanEricDyke]

Hey Carl,

Some Tuesday you should wander into the Brickyard and work wheels with me - I am pushing hard on my squats after some recent neglect bur nobody ever wants to come out and play in the rack with Swede!

Sorry to hear the back is still causing some grief as I know it was a few weeks back at Sam's.

See you soon I hope - gotta learn how to do the Remer Presses, I love your explanation of what they are!

[Carl Johnson]

I think i'll do that sometime in the next few weeks. Jeff and I usually lift on Tuesdays anyway at about 6:00pm.

Morning session.
Cardio on Concept 2 rower, and eliptical
Hang snatch 95lbs.
Pull downs, seated rows, hyperextensions,
abs

Afternoon
Light power cleans and push jerk up to 80 kg.

[Carl Johnson]

Sunday, events
Log clean once and press for 3 reps. 5 sets with 190. Felt tough today.
Axle deads up to 400X4. Just taking it easy on my back.
glute ham raise for 2 sets of 8 reps
Truck pull total of 5 times. light Chevy truck but still felt like puking after.

[craig kruse]

nice job.
It was nice to see you yesterday. Get that back healed up. Your wife said you can go to the PT clinic at school for free. Come on man!! get it fixed.

craig

[craig kruse]

how was the PT clinic today? I am sure you listened at least to your wife and have started getting your back healed up!!!

[Carl Johnson]

Made appointment for my back. they couldn't get me in until may 9th,
Tuesday Morning Cardio on Eliptical. Some pull downs, pull ups, DB shoulder press and abs

Tuesday afternoon. Front squats with avg band up to 235 X2.
FAt DB cleans and press 2 1/2 inch up to about 90 pounds each hand.

[Carl Johnson]

Watched some fat men train tonight, did a couple rounds on the conans wheel. My back actually feels better now.

[Carl Johnson]

Thursday,
16 inch deadlift off pins
135X10
135X10
135X10
225X5
315X5
405X1
505X1

Just trying to take it easy on my back still, I think I have 6-8 weeks before it will feel ok
Also did 3 board narrow grip bench
Up to 235 with double mini bands.

then pin press lockouts up to 405, this was hard.

[craig kruse]

good to hear your back is starting to feel better