I set my straps to the very end of the knurling (toward the inside of the bar, rather than the outside), since I find a narrow grip on deads means a shorter ROM. Granted, that’s on a deadlift bar, but it’s not much different on a power bar. See if you can find identifiable knurl marks on the same barbell.
On my deadlift bar, you can actually see where my thumb has worn off the finish, because my hands are at the end of the knurling and, since I pull thumbless, my thumb rubs up against the unknurled portion.
You could consider being a deviant and making a small mark on the bar as well. Use a silver sharpie or something that won’t wear out through usage.
Ooh. Making a mark is a good idea. My problem is I pull on two different bars. I have a barbell at home, but it SUCKS. The Iron Grip Barbells at my nearest Retro Fitness have decent knurling, surprisingly. However, their markings could not be more different. It throws me off.
Well, I was using them because I felt better after using them. But, I then realized I was dehydrating myself and giving my gut unnecessary recolonization work to do. I’ve been off them for a few days; and I’m using the bathroom just fine (thankfully). Feeling a lot better than I used to be; that’s for sure.
Whoops! Lost self control and ate two bacon and egg sandwiches. Might have some bloating. I just have this irrational fear of bread. It’s weird. I guess it was because I thought I had celiac disease for a long time. Oh well, I know I don’t. It’s just weird.
Sure tasted great though. I’m anxious to get beyond the high 150s BW…
Well, this week has beaten me up. Feeling pretty okay. Gained back 6 pounds overnight. Need to get more sleep and analyze where I’m weak so I can fix it all. So far I’ve eaten a lot today and I’m on track to eat more; so that’s good news. Maybe I’ll finally be able to keep enough calories inside my body to fuel my training. Looks promising. Prom tomorrow as well. I cannot wait!
Press
45 x 2 x 5
75, 105, 120 x 3
135 x 4
120, 105 x 3
Band PA — 2 x 50
Band Face Pulls — 2 x 25
Nothing notable here. Had more but decided to shut it down because my lower back was feeling taxed and I knew I wouldn’t be able to break 10.
Next week. When I can eat more, lifting is looking promising.
Notes:
decided it’s time to relearn how to pull conventional. Sumo is great, but how much am I really getting out of it if I want to compete in strongman? I also feel that conventional pulls are much more satisfying. @T3hPwnisher, looks like ROM Progression is on the Menu next cycle.
I need to do more lower back work, because it’s very obviously weak in comparison to the rest of my body, but I don’t know how to do that without severely compromising my main lifts (it takes me a long time to recover from stuff like RDLs, Dimel DLs, and Good Mornings). Sumo pulls served as a sort of cover up for that weak link, but it’s definitely showing in my squat (where I haven’t hit anything even close to a PR in a month and a half). @FlatsFarmer any suggestions?
Thinking about doing a show sometime this year, if the right cards fall into place. It’d be cool to pop my competition cherry.
Only, it’s not enough to get me out of my current living situation with any kind of appreciable financial aid. 95th percentile means absolutely nothing. Unless your score is 1500+ you’re paying back student loans until you’re 30. I dropped 20 points from my last SAT, and my ACT is a 33.
I think I should focus on my ACT. Math was a 28 on that test…everything else was 34-35.
Switching back to conventional deadlifts should direct some work towards your lower back. That may be all you need to do.
If you’re going too keep on with sumo you could try some back raises or back extensions for low back. Or reverse hyper if there is a machine around. They are good because they “target” your back so the work load is manageable. GMs and other “big” moves bring other muscles in and sometimes allow too much weight or too many reps for my poor back to handle.
And I do my Good Mornings straight legged and light for a lot of reps. For example, I’ll generally use 135 pounds for 25-50 repetitions. Heavy Good Mornings have their place; and I’ve done them with 250 on an SSB/275 on a straight bar for reps. But, for my purposes, I’m using it to build muscle, not test a movement.
For the record, heavy Good Mornings are blackout-inducing.
That was a LONG time ago, haha. I was in college, eating off a meal plan, so hard to say. It was based off whatever was being served that day. I shot for a gallon of milk a day and then just ate as much as I could at meals. Lots of PBJs when food was bad.
There is no way I can emphasize enough how ridiculous this viewpoint is, man. First off, we could debate the merits of standardized testing, but there’s no need to get into that - we’ll just say that you’re not a moron, because you’re not, and that’s not even a bad score. Second, you can make a very comfortable living for yourself while paying off student loans, depending on the career you choose. Third, once you’re in college, SAT and ACT scores mean fuck all. You’ll never talk or hear about them again.
Long story short, you’re beating yourself up about shit that does not matter.
this has ruined my day. Fantastic timing on Collegeboard’s part.