Poll: ***The all new gymrats thread***

[Steedie]

Awesome stuff Freefaller, so jealous at the weight you're shifting

 

[BennyC]

Congrats on the 30T!

 

[Freefaller]

Awesome stuff Freefaller, so jealous at the weight you're shifting

Don't be. That's not the point - aim for it, and get there. It's taken me years of training to get where I am.

 

[Dj_Jestar]

Do you guys find front squats uncomfortable, or er.. intimidating? I tried them out last week and after 1 rep just thought "that is far from safe" and stopped. I mean unsafe in terms of dropping the bar? I've checked many vids for form and I seem to be doing it 'right' but it feels like all the weight is on my hands and not much on my chest/shoulders. Got my elbows up level with shoulders and everything, just doesn't feel right.

 

[Nate--IRL--]

I've never been able to get the Front squat technique right. Intimidating is a good word to describe every rep I've tried, never sure what the bar is gonna do. I've proabaly not given it the time it deserves, but I prefer other ways to blast my quads, that just feel safer.

Nate

 

[Ironic Namesake]

I quite like front squats , if you look up a little it doesn't feel like the bar will fall - can go nice and deep on front squats

 

[dun]

I cant get my hands on it the bent over way, crossed over is much better imo.

 

[Freefaller]

I can do cross over up to about 100kg, but after that it digs into the shoulder too much, if you get the clean grip right it should really make life a lot easier. They aren't intimidating, I find them "safer" than back squats at times.

 

[Bakedgoods]

I actually feel more comfortable doing front squats (arms cross over) than back squats.

You can't really mess it up. If you're form slips and your back rounds you'll drop the bar pretty much.

I used to hate front squats but after some practice and messing around with my stance, I might actually prefer them.

I actually think doing it TOO light makes it impossible to learn. Unless there's a bit of weight I find it strange

 

[Freefaller]

^^ agreed.

 

[Dj_Jestar]

That may have been it then, as I was trying it out with the bar only.

 

[Bakedgoods]

20KG bar?

I did the same thing as I think most do. I think it's worth doing it with the bar a few times just to try. But I would say 30KG, probably 40KG is needed. Give it a go and I think you'll get used to it. Remember to keep your chest up high!

 

[Dj_Jestar]

Yeah, oly bar.

 

[dun]

Shoulders + Traps

Barbell shrugs

WU: 8x150
5x190
5x210
5x220
5x210
5x190

Machine shrug

WU:8x60k each hand
5x80k
5x90k
5x80k
5x80k
5x80k

Dumbbell shoulder press

WU:8x25k each hand
5x30k each hand
5x35k each hand
5x30k each hand
5x30k each hand
5x25k each hand

Smith shoulder press

WU:8x30k (+bar and hooks etc but I don't know how much it ways so not going to guess)
5x40k
5x50k
5x60k
5x60k
5x40k

Lateral raise

WU:8x10k each hand
5x12.5k
5x12.5k
5x15k
5x15k
5x15k

One arm Lateral raise
(I do these on a slightly different angle and rotation to the doubles)
WU:8x10k each hand
5x12.5k
5x12.5k
5x12.5k
5x12.5k
5x12.5k

Rear delt machine

WU:8x80 (this has got to be lbs I imagine)
5x100
5x120
5x120
5x120
5x120

Really liking this 5x5. Much less reps than I normally do but you can put everythign you have got into 5 reps compared to 12.

 

[Steedie]

First legs and back day today since my rest week. Felt very weak, still managed ok though

Back Squats
60kg x 12
70kg x 10
80kg x 10
85kg x 8
90kg x 6

Calf Raises
110kg x 15
120kg x 12
130kg x 12
140kg x 12
150kg x 10
140kg x 12

Leg Press
90kg x 12
100kg x 10
110kg x 10
120kg x 8 x 2

Leg Extension
80kg x 12
90kg x 10
90kg x 8 x 2

Lat Pulldown
40kg x 12
45kg x 12
50kg x 10
55kg x 8
60kg x 6
65kg x 4

Bent Over Row
30kg x 10
35kg x 10
40kg x 8

Single Straight-Arm Lateral Pull-Down
40kg x 10
50kg x 10 x 3

Dumbbell Bent-over Row
25kg x 10 x 3

 

[dun]

90k back squat and 120k leg press? Either you weren't going very deep in the squats or you didn't try very hard on the leg press

 

[Steedie]

Like I said, was feeling very weak today, and after those squats my legs just felt wrecked

I usually managed 120kg squats and 170kg leg press, but that rest week put me back a notch

 

[DarkShadow]

88kg

Some good stats there - just keep at it. How long you been training?

I'm currently at 72kg and I hit 105kg for 7 on my squat this week. Couldn't make my planned 8

Roll on next week - It's my 5x5 week. Previously I hit 120KG for 3 reps which I was extremely pleased with. I could feel a huge strain.

Question for the big lifters .. Belt nay or yay? I've read various articles that say avoid it and just keep building up to your goals where as others say it's just a measure and not something you should worry about.

 

[Morba]

front squats rock

Belts: people whinge too much about them. If it makes you feel safer then get one and use it :]

 

[Cristian]

don't use the belt all the time, and don't use it for deadlifts unless you're attempting PBs.
but for heavy squats go ahead, I felt much more secure on my last sets when I was using it.