A results-driven journey of how I shattered 50+ PRs and added serious weight to my lifts using the Lightning Monk Avatar—proof that with the right system, you can break plateaus and build explosive strength (beginner, intermediate, or advanced).
The Numbers That Matter
Over 12 weeks in the Lightning Monk program, here’s what I achieved:
Squat (Low Bar): 365 lbs → 395 lbs (+30 lbs, ~+8.22%)
Horizontal Push (Barbell Flat Bench): 285 lbs → 305 lbs (+20 lbs, ~+7.01%)
Hinge (Barbell Deadlift Hybrid Stance): 455 lbs → 500 lbs (+45 lbs, ~+9.89%)
50+ Personal Records (PRs) achieved across different lifts and functional variations
And when I say “PRs,” I don’t just mean all-time maxes. In this program, PRs came from:
Adding more weight to a lift variation
Increasing total training volume (sets × reps × weight)
Squeezing out extra reps with a given weight
Small but meaningful progressions that stacked into momentum
Every one of those PRs counted. Every one pushed me forward.
Why I Chose the Monk
The Monk Class and the Orc Class specialize in different training styles.
The Orc thrives in powerlifting specialization( squat, bench, deadlift totals). The Monk specializes in functional training. That means the Lightning Monk isn’t about chasing numbers for numbers’ sake. It’s about building explosive, transferable strength across movement patterns.
For me, that focus came down to three:
Squat Pattern (low bar squat and variations)
Hinge Pattern (deadlift and hybrid stance variations)
Horizontal Push Pattern (bench press and variations)
I still trained and tested everything. Lunges, vertical pulls, horizontal pulls, and carries, but the 1RM emphasis centered on those three power-driving patterns. That’s the Lightning Monk’s edge: functional explosiveness that applies everywhere.
The Bigger Why
Strength is more than a number on a bar. Strength is what that number gives you.
Physically: strength makes movement easier, builds muscle, and creates resilience.
Psychologically: strength changes self-perception. Every PR proves you’re capable of more.
Aesthetically: strength fuels growth. Rising 1RMs bring noticeable muscle gains.
For me, it was also about defying time. I had believed the false story that strength peaks in your 20s and declines after.
The Lightning Monk obliterated that story. Today, as I approach my 33rd birthday this week, I’m stronger than I ever was in my 20s.
Inside the Method
For those seeking more depth, here’s where the Lightning Monk shines:
Bar Speed & Velocity Training – Moving weight explosively to train fast-twitch fibers.
Unstable Force Production – Using chains, bands, and hanging weights to demand stabilization.
Core-Stabilized Control – Building anti-rotational strength to own every inch of the lift.
Speed-Strength Supersets – Pairing heavy lifts with explosive counterparts (squat + jump squat, bench + med ball throw).
Neurological Demand – Training the nervous system to fire faster, adapt quicker, and generate power under stress.
This program wasn’t just about lifting heavier. It was about accelerating force, controlling chaos, and turning instability into strength.
And here’s the truth: power training pulverizes plateaus. It doesn’t just push you past them. It prevents them from forming at all.
Lessons Learned
Movement Patterns > Exercises. Master squat, hinge, push, pull, lunge, carry. These foundations outlast any single lift.
PRs Come in Many Forms. Lifetime maxes are rare. Small, repeated micro-PRs are what build unstoppable progress.
Explosiveness Drives Strength. Train fast, with intent. Speed translates into more power across everything.
Plateaus Are Stories. I carried self-imposed limits for years. The Lightning Monk erased them in weeks.
Age Is Not a Decline. Strength doesn’t fade. It compounds when your system is right.
Who This Is For
Beginners: build foundational strength safely, learning patterns that carry over to life.
Intermediates: smash through plateaus with consistent PRs and visible momentum.
Advanced lifters: apply explosive principles, instability work, and neurological demand to push into new territory.
This isn’t just about lifting more. It’s about becoming stronger in a way that transfers everywhere.
The Realms of Access
The Lightning Monk is part of Infitnite. You can access it in any realm:
🌋 Infitnite Dungeon – Access our tools, templates, RPG systems, and community to build your own adventure.
🏫 Infitnite Academy – Get a 12–16 week structured program based on your goals and experience level, complete with group coaching + course education.
🏰 Infitnite Sanctum – Work 1-on-1 with an expert Wizard to handcraft a custom program with ongoing adjustments and optimizations based on your results.
Wherever you are on the path, there’s a place to train like a Monk.
Final Reflections
This program wasn’t just about adding 30 lbs to my squat, 20 lbs to my bench, or 45 lbs to my deadlift.
It was about rewriting my story. About proving that after 20 years of training, I can still grow stronger. About becoming my strongest self not in my 20s—but in my 30s.
The Lightning Monk gave me more than PRs. It gave me explosive strength, unstoppable momentum, and proof that with the right system, plateaus don’t stand a chance.
Now it’s your turn Warrior…
About the Author
Walter Chambers, the visionary Founder, Lead Designer, and Master Wizard at Infitnite, brings 14 years of holistic transformation experience. He holds a comprehensive suite of certifications, including Pain-Free Performance Specialist (PPSC*M) Master, NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach, Certified Conditioning Coach, and Certified Metabolic Nutritionist.
As a lifelong gamer and fitness expert, Walt created INFITNITE, the world’s first Fitness Fantasy RPG, designed for anyone seeking to break through plateaus, discover inner motivation, or push themselves to new heights. Infitnite offers a structured, gamified approach that combines cutting-edge fitness methodologies with immersive gaming principles, guiding individuals on a personalized path to transform their body, mind, and spirit. Through this innovative system, Walt empowers others to unlock their inner warrior and achieve their infinite potential in both personal health and professional life.
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A results-driven journey of how I shattered 50+ PRs and added serious weight to my lifts using the Lightning Monk Avatar—proof that with the right system, you can break plateaus and build explosive strength (beginner, intermediate, or advanced).