This content is imported from youtube. You may be able to find the same content in a different format or find more information on the website.
In the latest video on his YouTube channel, bodybuilder Jesse James West completely overhauls his usual fitness routine and sets himself up with a new kind of challenge.
“Most preparation takes about 90 days, but that’s not my style.
In four weeks, West plans to improve his back squat, bench press and deadlift performance. He admits that deadlifting is his “bad spot” when it comes to powerlifting exercises, so his four weeks leading up to competition are an area of particular concern.
“It was harder than I expected,” he said on the first day. “I can only imagine how much I will lift on day 30.”
One of the first differences in his workouts that West comments is that powerlifters traditionally train sessions at lower volumes than bodybuilders, but the intensity is much higher during competition preparation. In addition to his classic compound movements, West does accessory work that targets the muscles that contribute to these lifts, such as the chest and triceps.
As the weeks and workouts go on, West realizes his training has taken a toll beyond the physical. “It’s mentally damaging to me,” he says. Some days you beat me, some days you take me to the next level and make me. I’m great.”
On the last day of the month, West will track your progress. At the start of the challenge, he was able to do a 385-pound squat in his four repetitions. Now he can churn out twice that amount.His bench press has improved from his 4th at 275 pounds to his 7th. And in the deadlift, five repetitions allows him to pull 445 pounds compared to his first four.
Philip Ellis is a freelance writer and journalist from the UK covering pop culture, relationships and LGBTQ+ issues. His work has appeared on GQ, Teen Vogue, Man Repeller and MTV.
