*** The 2011 Gym Rats Thread ***
- Thread starter Morba
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At the moment they're replacing my squat "speed" work, but I can certainly see the benefits of only box squatting. When I get them as strong as my regular squats I'll think about it, but at the moment there is a 60kg difference for 5 repsI love box squats!
Prefer them to normal style and will probably do them more than normal
Do mine off a 12" box
I think mines just over 14" (with some plates on an 18" rack pull block, my brother measured it but I can't remember exactly...), I was told that anything less would be too low for me, strictly in terms of competition prep I'm guessing. Although knowing the guys at the gym there might be mechanical reasons that I'm not aware of...regardless I'm under parallel.
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I just use a bench as that's all that I've got around. Though sometimes use the "stepper" stuff that the aerobics people use.
can I just buy any old set of straps to help with deadlifting? I've never used them before as I'm concerned about my grip but one session every 4 weeks I test my 1rm and I noticed that this time my grip was a limiting factor. I figure that if I can get a cheap pair it'll be worth it even if I only use them for my 1rm attempt sets. Then I can keep doing some supplemental grip work to bring it up to speed along with using normal grip for all other sets.
Yeah I use chalk, it's always the grip in my left hand that gives first. I have to go to an over under grip quite early (switch up) but this time I was only deadlifting the same as I squat nd grip just kept going. I felt I had a good 15-20kg in me down my chain but just couldn't do it. Now grip has become limiting I need to address it.
Only time I feel like using straps is when doing barbbell shrugs.
Even then it's only because it's the day after deadlifting and back training, and the last exercise of the day; so my hands are pretty tired.
I mighty buy some at some stage.
Even then it's only because it's the day after deadlifting and back training, and the last exercise of the day; so my hands are pretty tired.
I mighty buy some at some stage.
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I know what you mean.
Just started deadlifting again after an age off. Good for 160Kg for one rep, second rep grip opened at the knees and the rep stalled. Strapped up and the rep shoots up. Up another 20KG for 180KG for two singles.
I love lifting RAW but I'm good for another 45/50KG and there's. no way I'm going to sacrifice the benefits of heavy lifts for the principle of lifting RAW. My grip is being addressed but lifting RAW (straps) isn't that important to me. I'm not bothered by belts as I don't get on with them and see them as more of an aid than straps anyhow.
No shame in strapping up as long as you work & train grip too
Edit: I always double overhand
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Soldato
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My musings about the gym and life...
I have now been going to the gym 3 times a week for about 3 months and am still enjoying it more than I thought I would and my weight is slowly coming down and my fitness going up. I do however have some questions and random observations that I thought I would share.
Mixed grips deadlifts. Up until now I have been using standard grip when doing deadlifts. The weight isn't huge yet, but I am slowly progressing and am happy with where it is heading. However today I decided to try mixed grip after reading about people using it. I didn't change the load from the set before, but instantly the lift felt much, much easier! I was surprised by how much of an effect it had. What is that all about? Does anyone have a scientific explanation as to why mixed grip makes it easier? In my head, standard grip makes more sense as it keeps symmetry, but it looks like mixed grip is the way forward from now.
Squats. Again, my squat weight is lowly progressing upwards and I am also getting lower and lower. I am now hitting parallel or below on most sets. However I have noticed that when I go low, on the return my knees seem to 'buckle' inwards and pressure goes on the quads despite trying to keep my knees inline with my feet. Is this a technique issue or weakness in a particular muscle?
Isolation exercises. 90% of the exercises I currently do are compounds. Is this too much, and should I be fitting more isolation exercises in there? Is it possible to 'get big' on just compounds? I seem to be hitting most muscles with compounds and core work, but there are a few that seemingly miss out like biceps. Should I not worry about them too much?
Angry gym guy! Does throwing weights down make you bigger? Angry gym guy seems to think so. He comes in every day I am there, gets changed into a hoodie with the hood up and a beanie, looking like he's auditioning for Rockie the muscial! I have no idea how he does it as I absolutely burn up wearing a tshirt, yet he wears a huge thick hoodie with the hood up and a beanie. He then proceeds to throw weights and collars around the weights section. You can tell when he is in, because you can hear him throw the weights to the ground when he's finished a set!
Then there's vain gym guy. I don't see him as much, but he seems to be passing himself off as a personal trainer. Whenever I see him, he is trying to show someone how to do an exercise, but he ends up just trying to show off how much weight he can lift, while checking himself out in the mirror and using really bad form. The last person you would want as a PT!
Anyway, that is it for my questions and musings for now. Still enjoying the gym. My weight has come down a little, but my bodyshape has changed a lot more than the weight loss would lead you to believe. In a couple of weeks I am going to start increasing my food intake and start a long bulk.
I have now been going to the gym 3 times a week for about 3 months and am still enjoying it more than I thought I would and my weight is slowly coming down and my fitness going up. I do however have some questions and random observations that I thought I would share.
Mixed grips deadlifts. Up until now I have been using standard grip when doing deadlifts. The weight isn't huge yet, but I am slowly progressing and am happy with where it is heading. However today I decided to try mixed grip after reading about people using it. I didn't change the load from the set before, but instantly the lift felt much, much easier! I was surprised by how much of an effect it had. What is that all about? Does anyone have a scientific explanation as to why mixed grip makes it easier? In my head, standard grip makes more sense as it keeps symmetry, but it looks like mixed grip is the way forward from now.
Squats. Again, my squat weight is lowly progressing upwards and I am also getting lower and lower. I am now hitting parallel or below on most sets. However I have noticed that when I go low, on the return my knees seem to 'buckle' inwards and pressure goes on the quads despite trying to keep my knees inline with my feet. Is this a technique issue or weakness in a particular muscle?
Isolation exercises. 90% of the exercises I currently do are compounds. Is this too much, and should I be fitting more isolation exercises in there? Is it possible to 'get big' on just compounds? I seem to be hitting most muscles with compounds and core work, but there are a few that seemingly miss out like biceps. Should I not worry about them too much?
Angry gym guy! Does throwing weights down make you bigger? Angry gym guy seems to think so. He comes in every day I am there, gets changed into a hoodie with the hood up and a beanie, looking like he's auditioning for Rockie the muscial! I have no idea how he does it as I absolutely burn up wearing a tshirt, yet he wears a huge thick hoodie with the hood up and a beanie. He then proceeds to throw weights and collars around the weights section. You can tell when he is in, because you can hear him throw the weights to the ground when he's finished a set!
Then there's vain gym guy. I don't see him as much, but he seems to be passing himself off as a personal trainer. Whenever I see him, he is trying to show someone how to do an exercise, but he ends up just trying to show off how much weight he can lift, while checking himself out in the mirror and using really bad form. The last person you would want as a PT!
Anyway, that is it for my questions and musings for now. Still enjoying the gym. My weight has come down a little, but my bodyshape has changed a lot more than the weight loss would lead you to believe. In a couple of weeks I am going to start increasing my food intake and start a long bulk.
You still doing stronglifts routine?
I found the same thing with the grip, moving to a mixed grip made a big difference to me, I was struggling at 70kG before.
Rest of it I don't know enough to try to give advice so I won't
We don't have an angry guy but we do have a couple of guys who only do biceps. Loads of different ways of doing biceps though
I found the same thing with the grip, moving to a mixed grip made a big difference to me, I was struggling at 70kG before.
Rest of it I don't know enough to try to give advice so I won't
We don't have an angry guy but we do have a couple of guys who only do biceps. Loads of different ways of doing biceps though
The position of your scapula changes as does the contraction in your lats, rhombs & traps giving you a stronger position to lift from. Reduces any hunching over on the occasion I have tried mixed.
Have to be careful not to flex the bicep of the supinated arm as too heavy a load on the bicep tendon will cause it to tear, which is a danger of mixed grip when deadlifting heavily or for a RM attempt. Generally in the supinated position the tension on the bicep is more naturally.
Have to be careful not to flex the bicep of the supinated arm as too heavy a load on the bicep tendon will cause it to tear, which is a danger of mixed grip when deadlifting heavily or for a RM attempt. Generally in the supinated position the tension on the bicep is more naturally.
Angry guy - quite simply no. If anything it makes him weaker.
Riptoe posted on his forum a few years ago, in response to someones question, about DB bench. He said himself that the setup and put down of the DBs is just as important for strength gains as the pressing itself.
Only muppets throw weights, some spanners drop them for no reason also. Ignore them, they are idiots.
Riptoe posted on his forum a few years ago, in response to someones question, about DB bench. He said himself that the setup and put down of the DBs is just as important for strength gains as the pressing itself.
Only muppets throw weights, some spanners drop them for no reason also. Ignore them, they are idiots.
Vain Gym Guy - yes, lots of them. Especially in January, as they know there will be lots of "New Year's Resolution" girls in the gym who haven't yet swooned at their amazing muscles.
There's also the Gazzelle Guy - the one who is on that running machine every time you are in the gym, no matter what day of the week, and what time of day you go - even when you deliberately go on an odd day/time just to see if he isn't there - he's there, seemingly floating on the treadmill.
There's also the Self Important Guy - the one who will take great offence at anyone even talking to him, let alone asking "How many sets you got left mate?" or "Mind if we alternate sets?" or god forbid the ultimate of sinful questions, which will grant you an endlessly burning stare of rage: "Need a spot?". But he won't for one second bat an eyelid at demanding you hurry up and finish your set, even if you've not yet started.
There's also the Gazzelle Guy - the one who is on that running machine every time you are in the gym, no matter what day of the week, and what time of day you go - even when you deliberately go on an odd day/time just to see if he isn't there - he's there, seemingly floating on the treadmill.
There's also the Self Important Guy - the one who will take great offence at anyone even talking to him, let alone asking "How many sets you got left mate?" or "Mind if we alternate sets?" or god forbid the ultimate of sinful questions, which will grant you an endlessly burning stare of rage: "Need a spot?". But he won't for one second bat an eyelid at demanding you hurry up and finish your set, even if you've not yet started.
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