Karen, your back! I knew that story would catch your eye. I’ll point him out sometime.
And yes Chick; I am nice.
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So regarding bars . . .
I like a bar with center knurling to squat. Something with some bite. Some men prefer the 55-lb bar to squat because it’s more substantial in holding big weights. Some federations switch the bar out for men at meets.
Regarding “bench” bars, I don’t know what makes a bar distinctly a bench bar. Anyone?
There are clearly bars made for deadlift. They are slightly smaller in diameter and slightly longer, making them a little whippy. Many federations employ a deadlift bar when that lift rolls around at a meet.
Seeing as to how you compete USAPL, it’s somewhat irrelevant as the federation only allows one bar for all lifts.
Actually, I just thought of something critical about a bench bar: the position of the O rings. I like bars that have regulation rings so I know I’m aligning my grip consistently every time.
Sure, sure, I do get all that. One point he made, was the knurling at the middle, during a “shirted” bench, holding the bar in position when you pause at the bottom. I can see that being a thing, like it holding in place during a squat. In the end, it’s whatever dude!
I wear red shoe laces 
A squat or deadlift bar isn’t ideal for benching but any Olympic bar will certainly work. Not sure what else was available but something doesn’t seem right.
And if you take 40+ minutes to warm up and set up for benching you had better be benching 550+ raw. I’m guessing he grunts after every rep as well. In which case he isn’t a powerlifting geek but would instead be a gym douche.
This place has everything you’d want, including dozens of bars for all occasions
.[quote=“DBasler, post:406, topic:205524”]
you had better be benching 550+ raw.
[/quote]
Not quite. “speed triples”; yes, his words, into mini-bands, at about 200lbs ( I couldn’t do it), he was wearing elbow sleeves (I do too), and a belt (I don’t have one), and wrists wraps (whatever keeps you safe).
I have no problem with any of it, truly. I (we all are) particular in our owns ways (red shoelaces)…so be it!
He did make us laugh a bit, I’ll give him that
Forgive my stupidity. What the heck is the difference between a bar for the bench and any other kind of Olympic bar?!?!?
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HA!!! I pop in your log and I totally have an opinion on bars! :D!
I like a thinner less knurling bar for front squats because I spin the bar and roll my chest in my set up to brace for lift off. Black bars are always just way cooler. Deadlifts for sure a smaller bar is nice, but no prissin out to swap if the bar is already loaded for any lift.
The best bench for myself bar is NO BAR and NO BENCHIN. Its always free that way.
Tuesday: 6/14
Faced AWAY from the mirror doing squats; more difficult than I thought. I’ll get used to it fine. Also, lifting with my new SBD knee sleeves, which felt great.
SQ: Worked up to 5x4@ 245. No mirror= not to good! So ‘trained’ to watch this and that, cue from the mirror ect. Like I said, a work in progress.
Close stance: 4x4@ 225.
Leg press: 5x10 @ 570
High incline DB: 8’s @ 50,50,60, 4x8@ 70’s
OHP: 5’s @ 95,95,115/ 5x3@ 135
Band work and stuff.
No surprise here
Different knurling, how much, where on the bar…DL bars flex more, some are thicker/thinner ect…different weight ect…
I have mainly trained at a Rec. Center where a bar, is in fact, just a bar! I’m at a new gym these days, and look forward to pulling with a true DL bar, just to try it. In general, for me, I don’t care that much.
Thursday; 6/16
BE: Sets of 4, up to 5x4@ 240.
Close grip: 3x3@ 235
Neutral pull down: 8’s @ 115,130, 4x8@ 145. Huge upper back contraction/ squeeze here.
Incline BE: 5@ 155, 3x5@ 175
The usual band work.
Light SQ: 4x5@ 135
Friday @ Iron Warrior.
DL day: Sets of 3-4, up to 5x4@ 310. Last two weeks have been so-so; this was easy/rock solid, and according to plan.
Block RDL: 3x3@ 265.
SQ: 4x3@ 225. We used weights, on some kinda bar.
Hammer seated row: 6@ 135,135,185,225 (to much today), 3x6@ 185. Pushed my buddy up to single arms @ 275. Friggin T-Rex.
Prowler: 3x50yrds. @ 365 total weight (sled=75). These were tough. My buddy has taken a real shine to that dam thing; I just do it.
Sunday 6/19 @ Iron W.
Secondary DL and BE.
Rev. Hypers: 5x10 @ 90; mixed into early DL sets.
DL: 3x3, conv/ sumo @ 185. All Sumo at 225/ 8x2@ 275. Worked on set up/explosive reps.
Leg Press: 4x10@ 520
BE: 3x3@ 135/ 8x3@ 185. Set up, bar path, explosive reps.
Db high incline: 8@ 40,50, 3@ 60’s, 20@ 40’s.
The bus stop is across from P.T’s Show Club. Based on the customers, they sell leather goods, and motorcycle/truck accessories inside.
Week 6 is over thankfully; SQ is stalled/1 step back, DL is even, BE a bit ahead.
Packed/moved Tues and Wens: trained Thurs/Fri.
SQ: not much energy/strength today. Did 8x3@ 245 (supposed to be at 285). Lifting alone, just did have the push to work up higher. Focused on staying tight, in control, in the groove.
DL/BE Friday: Did 5x3@ 325 (on track), block pulls @ 315, hammer rows 4x8.
BE after, up to 4x3@ 250 (on track)
The highlight of the week= Did a ‘Slingshot’ single at 275, with wrist wraps. Happy to feel so strong/stable in the ‘start’ position. It’s a fun little toy.
With the anxieties of life; I’m down to183-185 bw. Training has been a bit off, and not eating as much overall.
Tomorrow, we’ll be 5 weeks out.
Onward and Upward.
How have you determined that your squat is stalled? Tell me again what programming you’re running?
Hey Karen. I did about 10 weeks of JTS ‘strength block’, which felt pretty good. Last 2 weeks haven’t kept up with the leg work, so to speak. I lose quad strength/size quickly; back and backside stay strong. I’m certain I’ll bounce back, and shoot up to my meet goal of 320 SQ. Of course, the weight loss factors in a bit but again, no big deal.
Speaking of cutting weight, whether you want to or not…Iron Warrior in the Summer! Holy heat wave Batman! I’ve been sweating it out there for sure.
Moving Sucks! Here’s some pancakes to make you all better.
Hopefully your squat gets moving upward again. Your DL will get an instant 20-30 pound jump after this meet once you start getting used to a mixed grip.