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- Thread starter Kreeeee
- Start date
from my experience, I thought wearing a belt would do me good, help me lift more, while being able to maintain a more stable core etc. while the belt does help there I now I feel that it has held back my core development by doing some of the work for my core.
Also ditch the trainers while squatting and deadlifting that will give you a much better connection to the floor which will really improve e movement.
Also get rid of the sissy pad as well, there for sissies
Things don't look to bad though, keep it up.
Also ditch the trainers while squatting and deadlifting that will give you a much better connection to the floor which will really improve e movement.
Also get rid of the sissy pad as well, there for sissies
Things don't look to bad though, keep it up.
You seem very defensive about offered advice.
Squatting/deadlifitng in socks removes the stupid squishy unstable platform your standing in while wearing trainers, as the weirs go up this will become even more important, being able to connect to the solid surface, really screw in to the floor and be 100% stable, stick with trainers if you want, but it's valid advice.
As for the sissy pad, once you get over 100 the pad really is making little to no difference so what's the point in it? Your also not going to be able to low bar squats with a pad so if you ever wanted to low bar you would have to ditch it anyway. Finally your not ale to be as tight with a pad on the bar. So as for your "did the pad affect your lift" probably, due to not allowing the best bar positioning, and possibly not allowing you to get as tight on the bar.
If you want better form feedback post up in the for thread (quote your own post there for ease)
Squatting/deadlifitng in socks removes the stupid squishy unstable platform your standing in while wearing trainers, as the weirs go up this will become even more important, being able to connect to the solid surface, really screw in to the floor and be 100% stable, stick with trainers if you want, but it's valid advice.
As for the sissy pad, once you get over 100 the pad really is making little to no difference so what's the point in it? Your also not going to be able to low bar squats with a pad so if you ever wanted to low bar you would have to ditch it anyway. Finally your not ale to be as tight with a pad on the bar. So as for your "did the pad affect your lift" probably, due to not allowing the best bar positioning, and possibly not allowing you to get as tight on the bar.
If you want better form feedback post up in the for thread (quote your own post there for ease)
Pad is no good for tightness. Under load it can move. It places the bar in a different position on your back which won't aid in good form or a good movement.
As said, post in the form thread for a proper in-depth feedback.
As said, post in the form thread for a proper in-depth feedback.
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Oh my... PLEASE don't tell me you're going to increase the weight on your clean and OHP with a clean like that! 
You're going to screw your back, shoulders, elbows and wrists doing that at a not particularly interesting weight, so you REALLY should get into good habits as soon as possible.
And no, the example video you posted was abysmal as cleans go, too.
Regarding the advice already posted,
Why trainers are not a great idea
Did you notice your knees getting unstable at all? That's probably because you're in cushioned trainers. Taking my trainers off when squatting was the best thing I ever did. Yes, I wear lifting shoes now, but they're quite different.
Stand on a wobble board as an example. Notice how it's not very stable? Same premise for trainers.
Pussy pads are not a good idea for the same reason.
Why belts are not a great idea unless you are lifting a LOT of weight
If you need a belt at 97.6kg for a squat, your core is either too weak to support the weight (which is not a good sign) or you are not using the belt correctly. I suspect the ofrmer, and this will only limit you going forward.
Why gloves are a bad idea
Same principle as trainers but between the bar and your hands. Rather than gripping the bar, your hands will be gripping the glove and the more surfaces that have the potential to slip (i.e. hand -> glove -> bar) the more likely you are to lose that grip.
Notice how none of the elite powerlifters or weightlifters use gloves? There's a reason for that.
Now, I would never stop somebody using these in the gym unless they were doing something dangerous. However, using gloves, trainers or pussy pads at weight IS dnagerous because of the forces involved and scope for serious damage to yourself.. Trainers will just make your knees unstable when you squat or deadlift and hinder your ability to lift more. Simple as.
Belts? As Syla5 suggested, they won't magically help you lift more, and will impede your progress as your rely on them rather than bracing your core properly.
You're going to screw your back, shoulders, elbows and wrists doing that at a not particularly interesting weight, so you REALLY should get into good habits as soon as possible.
And no, the example video you posted was abysmal as cleans go, too.
Regarding the advice already posted,
Why trainers are not a great idea
Did you notice your knees getting unstable at all? That's probably because you're in cushioned trainers. Taking my trainers off when squatting was the best thing I ever did. Yes, I wear lifting shoes now, but they're quite different.
Stand on a wobble board as an example. Notice how it's not very stable? Same premise for trainers.
Pussy pads are not a good idea for the same reason.
Why belts are not a great idea unless you are lifting a LOT of weight
If you need a belt at 97.6kg for a squat, your core is either too weak to support the weight (which is not a good sign) or you are not using the belt correctly. I suspect the ofrmer, and this will only limit you going forward.
Why gloves are a bad idea
Same principle as trainers but between the bar and your hands. Rather than gripping the bar, your hands will be gripping the glove and the more surfaces that have the potential to slip (i.e. hand -> glove -> bar) the more likely you are to lose that grip.
Notice how none of the elite powerlifters or weightlifters use gloves? There's a reason for that.
Now, I would never stop somebody using these in the gym unless they were doing something dangerous. However, using gloves, trainers or pussy pads at weight IS dnagerous because of the forces involved and scope for serious damage to yourself.. Trainers will just make your knees unstable when you squat or deadlift and hinder your ability to lift more. Simple as.
Belts? As Syla5 suggested, they won't magically help you lift more, and will impede your progress as your rely on them rather than bracing your core properly.
Soldato
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- Midlands, UK
I'll assume Kreeeee won't mind, seeing as he posted them for critique anyway, but what are the opinions on his technique in the 3 vids?
I ask, because it could help me too with some of my bigger compounds.
Squat;
it looked to me like your stance was very wide with your right foot further forward than your left, yet your body looked square on to the rack. The bar looked high on your neck, rather than shoulders (could have been the pad) and it looked to me like you bent too far forward to achieve the weight.
NOW....i'm ONLY saying this because i think i lean too far forward in my own squat and it would help me if the experienced squatters could comment on this.
If i'm wrong with my critique then it shows i need to address my own squatting and i've learned something already
I couldn't find an issue with the clean, so mrthingyx could you clarify and offer correction please? (if only for me?)
Deadlift;
Not sure if i do this myself, but it seemed like you straighten your legs first, then pull your back upright. I 'think' i try to do it all in movement, so the pushing foward of the hips and straightening of back and legs all coincide at the end of the rep.
Again, if i'm wrong, i have learned something else i can correct in my own deads.
I ask, because it could help me too with some of my bigger compounds.
Squat;
it looked to me like your stance was very wide with your right foot further forward than your left, yet your body looked square on to the rack. The bar looked high on your neck, rather than shoulders (could have been the pad) and it looked to me like you bent too far forward to achieve the weight.
NOW....i'm ONLY saying this because i think i lean too far forward in my own squat and it would help me if the experienced squatters could comment on this.
If i'm wrong with my critique then it shows i need to address my own squatting and i've learned something already
I couldn't find an issue with the clean, so mrthingyx could you clarify and offer correction please? (if only for me?)
Deadlift;
Not sure if i do this myself, but it seemed like you straighten your legs first, then pull your back upright. I 'think' i try to do it all in movement, so the pushing foward of the hips and straightening of back and legs all coincide at the end of the rep.
Again, if i'm wrong, i have learned something else i can correct in my own deads.
Looking generally very good!
But:
Drop the accessories - Belt/Gloves/Sissy Pad (especially this) and I much prefer barefoot lifting.
Belt - Not necessary yet, you want to learn proper core activation and strengthen aswell.
Gloves - Bad times, makes the bar actually harder to grip (thicker, more squishy).
Sissy Pad - Not stable at all and again your losing power through it's squishiness.
Barefoot - More stable and more powerful than trainers.
Look up low-bar vs high-bar squatting position aswell, the former is where it's at. Oh and I would stop clean+pressing and rack in the squat bar at a pressing height.
But:
Drop the accessories - Belt/Gloves/Sissy Pad (especially this) and I much prefer barefoot lifting.
Belt - Not necessary yet, you want to learn proper core activation and strengthen aswell.
Gloves - Bad times, makes the bar actually harder to grip (thicker, more squishy).
Sissy Pad - Not stable at all and again your losing power through it's squishiness.
Barefoot - More stable and more powerful than trainers.
Look up low-bar vs high-bar squatting position aswell, the former is where it's at. Oh and I would stop clean+pressing and rack in the squat bar at a pressing height.
His clean is better than mine 
For the OHP, i'm sure that you are meant to concentrate on the pressing part, not the cleaning part. So rack the weight and just press, or clean the first one only. You are robbing yourself of energy which could do into adding 5kg more on to the press for reps
For the OHP, i'm sure that you are meant to concentrate on the pressing part, not the cleaning part. So rack the weight and just press, or clean the first one only. You are robbing yourself of energy which could do into adding 5kg more on to the press for reps
You can still wear socks
Best thing I've ever done to improve my squat, try it and you will feel the difference straight away. Don't see why not, a weight landing on your feet with trainers/no trainers is going to hurt just the same.
If its an image thing your worried about, then your doing the gym wrong.
Soldato
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I wear flat MA type trainers. I assume they're about as close to bear foot training as i can get without taking them off.
From the video it looks like Kreeeee is using a high bar position yet his torso is leaning forward as if doing a low-bar squat. Again, this is what i think i may be doing, but i've never video'd myself and train alone so don't have anyone knowledgeable in the gym to ask to critique my form.
There are a lot of bro's in our gym and i wouldn't trust their advice.
I've always been under the impression that its just a choice and both are effective.
From the video it looks like Kreeeee is using a high bar position yet his torso is leaning forward as if doing a low-bar squat. Again, this is what i think i may be doing, but i've never video'd myself and train alone so don't have anyone knowledgeable in the gym to ask to critique my form.
There are a lot of bro's in our gym and i wouldn't trust their advice.
Dude, your height and weight is almost the same as mine.
The difference is our age........i'm 43
And because i've been training since i was 18 i've more mature mass than you (more BF too), but my god kid, i don't have your strength.
You have a great platform to work with, take the advice of the diet gurus on here and see your gains continue to maximise.
Oh....even though i think i have more mass and bf than you i only weight 1kg more than you.....but people have always thought i weigh more than i do.....hollow bones i guess.
Personally imho, with that amount of natural strength i'd move on to proper hypertrophy training, as long as you're happy with your form and i do think SL's can help with that.
Good luck buddy, well impressed.
I would just like to point out that you must have been doing something very wrong to not be lifting as much as kreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee after the amount of time that you have been training
Soldato
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Lol, double agree with both of you there. Although i'd not squatted in over 10 years due to knee injuries and a lot of my training in the gym was not specifically for strength. I used to play hockey and kickbox 5 times a week. Gym work was mostly upper body (due to the knee injuries) Martial arts helped keep my legs supple, but could never really train them for strength.
I made gains in appearance/size, but not so much in strength. I did get stronger, but not to the level Kreeee has in his opening post.
As for 'taking time out' yes, sadly i had loads of lapses. A hell of a lot of overtraining, to the point of not wanting to even walk by a gym for almost a year. I literally did too much for many years. No wonder my strength never improved much. Also plenty of injuries from hockey or MA's.
But, i do consider myself a humble fellow and i've recognised my mistakes over the years time and again. I feel i'm coming full circle now, back to basics, but that's fine by me. No rush or race. I'm still alive.
I made gains in appearance/size, but not so much in strength. I did get stronger, but not to the level Kreeee has in his opening post.
As for 'taking time out' yes, sadly i had loads of lapses. A hell of a lot of overtraining, to the point of not wanting to even walk by a gym for almost a year. I literally did too much for many years. No wonder my strength never improved much. Also plenty of injuries from hockey or MA's.
But, i do consider myself a humble fellow and i've recognised my mistakes over the years time and again. I feel i'm coming full circle now, back to basics, but that's fine by me. No rush or race. I'm still alive.