anxiety over leg workout

[marmal]

Hi guys,

Since I started training in August 2007 I've loved doing it, until now.

Actually, it's just one specific exercise that I dread: The stiff-legged deadlift.

That has actually been my best exercise, and for a long time I increased the weight by 11 pounds each week. I can now do an 8 RM of 355 pounds, and a 1RM of 444 pounds at 155 pounds bodyweight, which I think is good.

It's certainly way out of proportion to my bench press, for example, where I 8RM only around 135 pounds.

Anyway. I really dread the Wednesday workouts now. It's getting so extremely heavy to lift that bar for me, and the 3 min rest seems like nothing anymore. Should I take longer rests? Should I put this exercise on a separate day, or can I do something else instead? It is killing my will to workout.

I'm not making any further gains in the SLDL. But up until 355 pounds I was gaining 11 pounds per week. I think I must be able to gain more, but I don't feel like throwing myself at it like before.

It's not my highest priority exercise anymore, since I'm already pretty strong there. Should I put it on maintenance for a while (just train to maintain)? If so, how do I do that specifically?

Overtraining is not an issue here, btw. I've just had my 2 week break, and been sick as well, so it's been more like a 4 week break from leg workouts.

What do you think I should do?

Thanks

Martin

Edit: I've already split up the leg workout into legs / calves+abs, so on Thursdays I just come in and do calves + abs which has worked great! I now have more energy to work on those body parts. Maybe I need the same with SLDL? A separate day?