YOU

WHAT WEEK 8 SHOWED

Monday moved forward: leg press 250 for four tens, leg curl 110 for three fifteens, the press back at 30 with a quiet elbow, and the assisted pull-ups 8/8/8 at 30, which earned the next step. Wednesday's pulldown and row held 125 for four tens each, but your left forearm flared on the first set of negatives and on the last curl rep, and the hangs dropped to 25/30/20. Three pull-ups on a thinner bar straight after did not hurt, which is why all bar work moves to that bar. Friday's session hasn't been read yet.

WHAT WEEK 9 IS FOR

Two readings. First, how much of eight weeks of volume converts at eight reps: the leg press, hip thrust, bench and both machine pulls all step up, and Monday's unassisted sets start the series the week-12 test is read against. Second, whether the thin bar lets the pull-up work run without a flare at a reduced dose. Two silent bar sessions and a clear Friday bring the full negatives and the loaded hang back in week 10; another flare inside a set stops the bar work until the physio has seen the elbow.