dmw

[dmw]

Thanks guys.

[pjb923]

Nice workout. Those dips are impressive after all that benching.

Our bench numbers are exactly the same same with a max of 265. I really have get more barbell bench work in and just get to 300 already.

[dmw]

Originally Posted by pjb923

Nice workout. Those dips are impressive after all that benching.

Our bench numbers are exactly the same same with a max of 265. I really have get more barbell bench work in and just get to 300 already.

Thanks. I did a lot of dips with added weight while I was dealing with some shoulder pain and I guess it made a difference.

WE have to get to 300.

[Frank.S]

race is on!

I remember the first day i benched 300, about 2 minutes later i benched 315!

[dmw]

Originally Posted by Frank.S

race is on!

I remember the first day i benched 300, about 2 minutes later i benched 315!

I imangine 3 plates per side feels good. I mean, it sure as hell looks good.

[Frank.S]

to be honest,








4 looks better

[dmw]

Originally Posted by Frank.S

to be honest,








4 looks better

I can only dream at this point!

[liftintexas]

haven't checked in a few days and what do I miss? A Squat PR and great progress as always. congrats

[dmw]

Originally Posted by liftintexas

haven't checked in a few days and what do I miss? A Squat PR and great progress as always. congrats

Thanks buddy. Powerlifting consistently above 80% max looks to be the way to go for this skinny boy.

[dmw]

Tuesday, July 8

Deadlifts

4 x 135
4 x 225
3 x 315
2 x 405
1 x 425
1 x 455
1 x 405

cable lat pulldowns

3 sets of 8 @ 180

abs

Had horrible form on 405 and 425 and had, not knowingly, switched my grip. I alternate, but always have my right palm facing forward and reversed it on those for some reason. Training buddy asked me why and I had no idea I even did it. The 455 was the best rep form-wise after going back to my normal grip. The other had me way out over my feet and using too much back. Dumb.

[Matthew]

You should alternate which hand you have facing forward.
I switch every set.

Good pull though.

[dmw]

Originally Posted by Matthew

You should alternate which hand you have facing forward.
I switch every set.

Good pull though.

Thanks.

I need more practice if I should be switching which hands face what way.

[Frank.S]

I dont think ive ever deadlifted with my right hand underhand. That would just be weird.

what kind of imbalances am i going to get?

[Matthew]

Depending on what your grip is like, you could end up with an imbalance in your spinal erectors (left/right). At least I think you would.

One way will feel weird to you. That's the point. That TELLS you there's a difference. Because it's not just your hands that feel weird, it's your whole body. Your form is thrown off. That, at least to me, is a sign you're not balanced somewhere.
Even if it's a neurological deficiency, wouldn't you want to iron it out?

[Alcoholiday]

if you're not planning on competing, you could just use straps after you can't D.O. anymore. Straps get a bad rap from people. Sure if you use them all the time and do no grip work, then it's not a great idea.

Either that, or learn the hook grip. I don't pull straight bar with a mixed grip. It just doesn't make sense to me to do it if i don't have to do it in a competition. It's just asking for injury, and a setback. There's a lot of things you CAN'T do with a torn bicep (deadlifts, benching, squatting, rowing, curls) and only a few things you CAN do (leg press, sled drags, front squats with a harness, etc). Of course, i do lots of grip work as well, so while i can't double overhand a lot of weight, my grip doesn't hold me back on my event work.

Just my 2 cents. This is all null and void if you're planning on competing (i wasn't sure if you said you were).

[Frank.S]

Ive never heard of a powerlifter alternating grips before, I think ill give it a shot, if anything maybe it will bring up my grip strength. Really, i could care less about deficiencys and imbalances as long as my lifts are going up and i dont tear anything.

I disagree with the straps no matter what your goal. If you HAVE to use straps on something, the do a hell of alot of grip/forarm work after and make the goal to do it strapless. Have you ever seen a forearm snap on a bench press? its not cool.

And alco, on the only strongman contest ive seen, they did not allow straps on the deads?

big forearms are cool, too.

[Alcoholiday]

Originally Posted by Frank.S

Ive never heard of a powerlifter alternating grips before, I think ill give it a shot, if anything maybe it will bring up my grip strength. Really, i could care less about deficiencys and imbalances as long as my lifts are going up and i dont tear anything.

I disagree with the straps no matter what your goal. If you HAVE to use straps on something, the do a hell of alot of grip/forarm work after and make the goal to do it strapless. Have you ever seen a forearm snap on a bench press? its not cool.

And alco, on the only strongman contest ive seen, they did not allow straps on the deads?

big forearms are cool, too.

so what's the negatives of using straps?

just because you use straps, doesn't mean that your arm will snap on a bench press or your grip won't improve. What about rowing?

All strongman contests allow straps on deadlifts unless noted. Usually unless it's an axle they allow them.

Do you think Derek Poundstone has small forearms or his arm will snap under a bench press (he benches 405 for reps routinely)?

855 strapped deadlift:
YouTube - 855 Deadlift

pictures of him:
Physical Advancement - Pictures of Americas Strongest Man pre IFSA Worlds!!

Or Nee strapping up for a 855 deadlift. He's not lacking forearm size...
YouTube - Kevin Nee 865 Deadlift


Now let's look at Oli Thomson. He was going to strap up for this pull, and just decided to mix grip it. Result:
YouTube - Oli Thompson deadlift session / Bicep Tear

Just because you strap up doesn't mean you won't have big forearms or a good grip. It just means you don't want to pop a bicep. I honestly don't know why people (and i'm not talking about you, but it seems like this mentality is on all boards) think that if you strap up you're a pussy. It's not like people who wear gloves or use the pussy pad because they don't want to hurt their neck or get a callous.

I also think that deadlifts are overrated as a forearm builder. Your forearms are not used on the pull, your hands are basically a hook for the pull, and the forearms don't contract like they do on things like rows, or cleans and snatches.

So basically i really haven't heard from anyone, why you SHOULDN'T use straps besides it affecting your grip, which, if you're doing rows and some grip work, or if it's your strong point, this shouldn't be a problem.

[Frank.S]

Using strap on a 900lbs pull you will hitch if its not comming up is very different then using straps on a 500lbs pulls (a weight i think any male could double overhand if they actually trained for it once in a while).

Why shouldn't you use straps?
-Less building of the forearms
-More likely to hitch weights
-Build grip
-active better stretch reflex due to less set-up time (ie can dive bomb deads)

All im saying is that if your grip is going at 400-500lbs or whatever, its a weakness, train it. Deadlift grip strenth is going to carryover to other grip strength no doubt (ie rolling thunder, grippers, griping a heavy tire etc). Strongman has got to be the worst sport for bicep tears, im PL they seem rarer, and when they do happen its almost always a sumo deadlift where someone tries to ride the bar up on their thighs making it feel lighter.

I think of this from a PL standpoint, mind you. If you can deadlift 900lbs with straps, but only have the grip of a 500lbs pull, you are a 500lbs puller, nothing more. Now, should this person stop pulling with straps? no. But they should work on their grip every workout until its half decent.