Hi Jim,
Just wanted to thank you for the awesome program and share my progress.
I am an illustrator and currently work as a concept artist at a computer game studio so I spend most of my time at a desk. I started weight training 1 year ago. I did a 5x5 program with a trainer for 6 months then I had to move from Singapore to Sweden; that is where 5/3/1 comes in. I have now been running 5/3/1 Boring But Big for the past 6 months. It has been a huge challenge to fit training into my schedule but ultimately I figured you can always make time. I enjoy the steady progress and it is really making my squats explode.
6 Months Ago:
OHP 47.5kg (104.5 lbs)
Bench 80kg (176 lbs)
Squat 140kg (308 lbs)
Deadlift 170kg (374 lbs)
Now:
OHP 60kg (132 lbs + 27.5 lbs)
Bench 90kg (198 lbs + 22 lbs)
Squat 170kg (374 lbs + 66 lbs)
Deadlift 185kg (407 lbs + 33 lbs)
My upper body has been slow but I understand that these things just take time. All things considering I really think my overhead press has progressed well. With 5x5 it felt like it started to plateau early on.
Thanks again and keep rocking!
Rich
*I'd like to credit my start in strength training to The Strength Yard Barbell Club in Singapore. They were great to lift with and very strict on form.
Note from Jim: Thanks to Rich for sharing his story and for not making any excuses. We are all responsible for ourselves; responsible for what happens to us and how we respond. Total responsibility = strong, pro-active men.