BIG BENCH PRESS AND DEADLIFT DAY.

A FULL DAY OF CLIENTS;
PLUS HEAVY LIFTING.






I think today, Friday February 20th, I did a workout worth documenting. It was suppose to be a heavy Bench Day with no other work and I had a one hour break at 9:00 to 10:00 to do this. I sprained my right Rotator Cuff (shoulder joint muscle) mid December and at first could not even bench 100 lbs. without some discomfort. My rehab programme has progressed rapidly and my bench press work has improved greatly since this injury.

Today, I pressed 335 lbs for one rep. without any problem. Then I pressed 185 lbs.(slightly more then my Body weight) twenty times to finish the workout.

So, why am I writing about a Bench Press 30 lbs. below my Max.? Well, after my workout I noticed I had a break for lunch at 12:30. That's when the idea hit me: "...skip lunch and do Deadlifts, it will almost feel like a Lifting Contest". Bench Press first, then Deadlift a few hours later with little or nothing to eat. Plus, if I do a 565 lbs. Deadlift and add that to my 335 lbs Bench Press that would equal 900 lbs. This would be done while weighing within the 181 lbs. Division on a Training Day! How do you say no to that? By 1:45 it was done, a 565 lbs. Deadlift. To reiterate: a 335 lbs. Bench Press plus a 565 lbs. Deadlift equals 900 lbs.!

By the end of the work day, I am feeling light-headed from the lack of nourishment. I didn't eat since 5:00 am but, after a busy day with clients and my workout, I feel great! And, Battle Ready for my next Meet.


( JODY CRANSTON / WORKOUT )
( PICTURE FROM WASHINGTON STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008 )

THE PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION FEBRUARY UPDATE.

Another great training session for The Pantheon Strength Legion. I knew we would have less then an hour to train(10 to 11). This includes setting up before and clean-up after. I did my Deadlifts earlier in the week, which I will still include below, so I could concentrate on Coaching, spotting and loading because of the limited time.

Ian - Lifted 365 lbs. With rep. work after, this included some Sumo-style Deadlifts.

Pete - Pete also lifted 365 lbs. then, four reps. with 315 lbs.

Dan - This was our Guest Lifter this month. Dan Deadlifted 225 lbs. 16 reps. and, 315 lbs. for 16 reps. between Squats. Wow!

Jody - I Deadlifted 565 lbs. for one rep. and 405 lbs. for eight reps.

As always, Excellent lifting with an awesome atmosphere for The Pantheon Strength Legion.

( JODY CRANSTON / PSL )

PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION-DECEMBER UPDATE.

One final Work-out for The Pantheon Strength Legion before Christmas...actually two. For the New Year there will be two, count them, two Pantheon Strength Legion Work-outs per Month. The First Saturday of every Month at 10:00 am, and the Friday before at 6:00 am. That is twice within 24 hours.

For The December Work-outs we had Four Lifters, here are the Highlights:

JODY - 365 lbs. Bench Press for one Rep., then 185 lbs. for 24 Reps.

JUSTIN - Stiff-legged Deadlifts up to 315 lbs. with a Double Overhand and as always, perfect form.

IAN - A 365 lbs Deadlift for a single, then Rep-work with 315 lbs. This was followed by Dumbbell Rows and Leg Presses.

The Pantheon Strength Legion will reconvene in February at The New Times of : The First Saturday of every Month 10:00 am and The Friday the Day before at 6:00 am. Everyone Welcome!!!

(Jody Cranston / PSL)

JODY CRANSTON INTERNET MEDIA.

HAVE POWER WILL TRAVEL.

Recently I have been featured on these Websites. I really appreciate the support. Check them out and enjoy.

BUSCATUBE - Tu super meta buscador de videos...

WELLSPHERE - Health and Knowledge Made Personal.

KRAFTSPORT - Top Norwegian Powerlifting and Strength Sport Site.

31337VIDEO - Popular Internet Video Aggregator.

NEW LIFT RECORD FOR CRANSTON.

From The Richmond News, Friday October 24, 2008...
NEW LIFT RECORD FOR CRANSTON.

Richmond's Jody Cranston set the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters' Canadian Bench Press Record for his division at the third annual Pacific Open Powerlifting Contest in Olympia Wa.

Cranston pressed 375 pounds to win the 181 lb. division--well over double his bodyweight.

The victory qualifies him to represent Canada at WABDL World Championships in Las Vegas on Nov.22.



( Jody Cranston / Media ).

TWO OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD.

On Saturday October 18th "The Vancouver Powerlifting Club": Nancy Carpenter, Robert O Smith and Jody Cranston hit the road for another United States Powerlifting Extravaganza in Seattle Washington. Leaving at 5:30 AM and arriving at the venue by 8:30 for the weight-in the ride was smooth and with-out incident.

Here are the Statistics:

Nancy Carpenter - 200lbs. Bench Press at 148lbs. Two out of three lifts successful. Extremely strict Judging. Nancy really earned these lifts and more. Awesome Benching!!

Robert O Smith - 512lbs. Bench Press at 308lbs. Two out of three lift successful. A slight lifting of the head technicality on the second lift but, an American Record Bench Press on his third!!

Jody Cranston - 560lbs. Deadlift at 180lbs. Two out of three lifts successful, and thus the Title of this Blog Entry. Once again extremely strict Judging. All, three lifts were completed but a slight technicality on my second lift. 575lbs. and beyond will have to wait.

The Contest Awards presented were excellent. And, as always the ride home was overflowing with fun, food, and frivolity, not to mention "Rock Star" energy drinks. Robert O endorsed and Nancy recommended.

(Pictures Courtesy of Robert O Smith)
(Jody Cranston / Contests)

BULL STEWART.

The Bible of our sport, Powerlifting, is a Magazine called Powerlifting USA. This Magazine sets the standards, keeps the statistics and writes the articles that virtually every Powerlifter reads to keep informed. A few months ago Powerlifting USA started a feature called "The ultimate Top 10". This ranks the Top 10 Greatest All Time Lifters for each Division. When the September/2008 Edition arrived I was both excited and nervous. Excited because I knew they were rating the 242lbs. Division. Bull Stewarts Division. A little nervous because I know, from Boxing, how subjective "Top 10 Lists" can be. Well Bull received his due. Not only was he in The Top 10 but, he was in The Top 5!!! Wow!!! Congratulations Bull on this incredible yet richly deserved honour/achievment. I will be saving this issue of Powerlifting USA for years to come.

(Photo of Champions Bull Stewart and Richard Schuller courtesy of Robert O Smith)
(Jody Cranston / Events)

LEA HENDRIX.

How do I describe Lea Hendrix's Powerlifting performance on October 18th in Seattle. Actually, I can't, but at least I will try. Beauty...Strength...Honour... Imagine, competing in a full Powerlifting Contest, setting State Records, having the crowd on its feet a mere 72 hours after intense Chemotherapy Treatment. I have lifted competitively since 1993 and have seen many, many awesome lifting performances but nothing will ever compare to the lifting performance I saw Lea turn in, or will continue to perform for many years to come. It is an honour to lift in the same contests as Lea and her Husband Roger. As I write this Blog entry on a cold, Grey,raining Monday morning in Downtown Vancouver the day looks a whole lot brighter knowing Lea Hendrix is my friend.

(Photo from Robert O Smith)
(Jody Cranston / Events)

THE PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION-OCT. UPDATE.

The Pantheon Strength Legion is back in a Big way! Here is the October Update. This Month due to Members busy schedules we had two Workouts, one on Friday and one on the usual Saturday(the first Saturday of the month).

Highlights/Friday.
Jody -Bench Press- I Benched 365lbs. for a Single, then 185lbs. for a 20 Rep. Burn-out set.
Bob -Power-Cleans- Speed work with 30 second intervals.

Highlights/Saturday.
Ian -Deadlifts- A New Personal Record! 370lbs. I believe a 400lb. Deadlift is just around the corner.
Justin -Deadlifts- Lots of Volume. Justins Technique is virtually flawless. If anyone wants to learn how to Deadlift properly, watch Justin.

Next month, November, The Pantheon Strength Legion will Lift again. New members from Beginner to Intermediate always welcome.

(Jody Cranston / PSL)

ONE FOR THE BOOKS. OLYMPIA WASHINGTON.

To view the Press Release of this Article Click HERE.

The Third Annual Pacific Open Bench Press and Deadlift Championships.
The Valley Athletic Club.
September 13th 2008.

If ever a Powerlifting Contest resembled a Pro-Sports "All Star Game", This was the Contest. The amount of Records both attempted and set and the National/World Class lifts completed, for the number of lifters was truly astounding! Go to the The World Association of Bench Pressers and Deadlifters to see all of the statistics to this Tournament and you will be amazed.

How did "The Vancouver Powerlifting Club" perform? Lets go back to when Robert, Nancy and I left from Vancouver on Friday, September 12th and find out. As always the drive to the Border and down the I-5 was a lot of fun, a lot of laughs and time seemed to go by quickly. We all weighed in successfully below our weight Division limits then went to a Mexican Restaurant to replenish.

Thank goodness for "Bottomless" Nachos and Salsa! I think Nancy and I consumed chips and salsa continuously until the Main Courses arrived. Next time Robert has to bring his "A" game to the Dinner Table to keep up. After a great meal and as always, great conversation (it always a great time with Robert and Nancy) it was time to rest relax and get ready for "The Pacific Open Bench Press and Deadlift Championships".

The Vancouver Powerlifting Club reconvened the next morning for Breakfast downstairs at the Hotel at about 7:45 am. After loading up on the perfect pre-contest fuel, by mimicking everything Nancy ate, we were on our way to the contest which was about 5 minutes away.

The Contest:
The warm-up area was spacious, we used the Fitness Centre which attaches to the gym where the contest was located and gave our selves a lot of time for a "Stress Free" environment. The warm-ups went off without a hitch, on to the "Third Annual Pacific Open Bench Press and Deadlift Championships", Nancy, Robert and I are ready to lift...

Nancy Carpenter: First Place Bench Press./198 lbs. at 148 lbs. Division, 45 - 49 WABDL Women's Canadian Record. An incredible feat of strength, almost 200 lbs. Nancy is always focused, stoic and of course powerful. A 200 lbs. Bench Press and beyond is hers in the near future. This I promise. Nancy is also the Best Coach I could ever have.

Robert O Smith: First Place Bench Press./545 lbs. at 308 lbs, Division, 65+ Master Men's. To see the real story of Roberts contest go to Benchbozo.blogspot.com to see his two valiant attempts at 600 lbs.on video. Robert is already the strongest Bench Presser over 65 years in the world but, astoundingly Robert seems to be just getting started. 600 lbs. will happen dramatically at the WABDL World Championships this November in Las Vegas.

Jody Cranston: First Place Bench Press./375 lbs. at 181 lbs. Division, Sub-Master WABDL Canadian Men's Record~and~First Place Deadlift/568 lbs. at 181 lbs. Division, Sub-Master Men. First, the Bench Press. I am very happy with 375 lbs., it felt fast and controlled, I know I will be able to do even more in the future. Now, the Deadlift. My final lift, 568 lbs. was solid, almost light...almost. I can't wait to try heavier in the future.

The Aftermath:
I love Statistics, especially good ones like "The Vancouver Powerlifting Club's" for this meet. But, usually the true highlights for any meet lies between the numbers, this tournament was no different. Robert and Nancy's two attempts at over 600 lbs. and 200 lbs. respectively cannot be overstated. I know my tenacious friends and teammates will break those barriers soon. The overall quality of the lifting at this contest was Phenomenal, better lifts then most Federations Nationals. As always the experience was awesome, especially with Robert and Nancy to share it with.

Post Script:
After the tournament I realized that I didn't get my Medals. I was warming up for the Deadlift when the Bench Press Awards Presentation was happening. By the time they were presenting the Deadlift Awards to my division they ran out. They are being mail to me. I told Richard Schuller,(a Multi-National Champion) no problem about the Awards, Leamon Woodley (one of the Great All Time U.S. Lifters) told me "Good Lifting". I said to Richard that means more than any Award..."It certainly does" he said, "It certainly does".

(Pictures Courtesy of Robert O Smith.)
(Jody Cranston / Events).