Cycle 4, Week 3 Deads
PITFF = 8.5…better. Generally easier for me to get focussed on dead / squat day.
I have been thinking about making a change and today confirmed it. I have a history of some low back trouble. My back has been feeling “off” for a few weeks. Nothing serious but just not completely healthy. Last year I had an MRI for an unrelated issue but it also took an image of my spine.
Doctor…“have you ever been in an accident?”
Me…“No. Why?”
Doc…“You have two vertebrae that don’t line up. Any low back discomfort”
Me…“Um, yeah. Off an on for years. Any advice on what to do about it?”
Doc…“Don’t bend over and pick up anything heavy”
Me…“Okaaayyy. Sure, no problem”
Deads (conventional)
315 x 5
345 x 3
390 x 2…was going for x 5 since I got 385 x 5 last cycle. This set did not feel comfortable. I spent more mental energy thinking about the strain in my low back and the risk than form, explosiveness etc. I just shut it down.
So, as an experiment switch to…
Deads (sumo). Haven’t done these in 4 months. I don’t take a real wide stance. Shins are about at the rings.
315 x 3
365 x 3
390 x 2…got out of groove and shoulders came out in front of bar on third rep. Good place to stop anyway since I was just feeling things out. If I was fresh and my form was better I think I had a clean x5 in me. My back felt GREAT after these.
315 x 10…felt like cardio.
Sumo suits my situation better. Sorry Jim. I’ll pass in my man card.
[quote]ouroboro_s wrote:
It’ll be interesting to see how you progress with sumo. It really is a much more technical lift. I find it hits my knees more than any other lift.[/quote]
I’ve heard that it is more technical. But I found with conventional I had to think about it much more than with sumo. Probably because i was nervous about my back.
For me, there is more leg drive required because the upper thigh angle is lower than with conventional so I’m hoping for more carryover to my squat (or vice versa).
And, yes, I have taken skin off the inside of my knees.
I, too, will be interested in following your sumo progress. That lift is way more forgiving on the back. So it sounds like the ticket for you. I just can’t seem to get the form down.
Hmmm. I think that’s interesting. I’d like to like Sumo. I think it would probably suit my body better, but it seems like it would beat the shit out my hips. I tired it once or twice and I was not nearly as strong, but maybe I just need to practice it more.
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Hmmm. I think that’s interesting. I’d like to like Sumo. I think it would probably suit my body better, but it seems like it would beat the shit out my hips. I tired it once or twice and I was not nearly as strong, but maybe I just need to practice it more. [/quote]
I’d like to like sumo too, but it generally feels awkward to me. I like the way it reduces shear forces in the lower back, but it does take it’s toll on the hips until you adapt. I never really learned to do it correctly, but just attempting it helped my squat quite a bit. And I think you can do it more often than conventional deadlifting.
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Hmmm. I think that’s interesting. I’d like to like Sumo. I think it would probably suit my body better, but it seems like it would beat the shit out my hips. I tired it once or twice and I was not nearly as strong, but maybe I just need to practice it more. [/quote]
I’d like to like sumo too, but it generally feels awkward to me. I like the way it reduces shear forces in the lower back, but it does take it’s toll on the hips until you adapt. I never really learned to do it correctly, but just attempting it helped my squat quite a bit. And I think you can do it more often than conventional deadlifting.[/quote]
It has definately moved my squat by pulling sumo. The change over made a marked difference in the composition of my legs. My adductors are much stronger and more pronounced than before.
I don’t get as beat up in the hips because my heaviest weights are pulled in gear and that protects them a lot. I get the pressure on my knees. When I force my hips to the bar and spread the floor with my feet, it’s the knees that seem to get worn out.
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Hmmm. I think that’s interesting. I’d like to like Sumo. I think it would probably suit my body better, but it seems like it would beat the shit out my hips. I tired it once or twice and I was not nearly as strong, but maybe I just need to practice it more. [/quote]
I originally switched to sumo from conventional about a year ago. My conventional was 405 and sumo was about 350. It took a few months, and my hips did complain off and on for the first two or so, but my sumo ended up at about 415.
Then I started 5/3/1 and went back to conventional.
Right now it looks like my conventional and sumo are about the same. I “think” I am at about 445 or 455 but I haven’t tested it.
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Hmmm. I think that’s interesting. I’d like to like Sumo. I think it would probably suit my body better, but it seems like it would beat the shit out my hips. I tired it once or twice and I was not nearly as strong, but maybe I just need to practice it more. [/quote]
I’d like to like sumo too, but it generally feels awkward to me. I like the way it reduces shear forces in the lower back, but it does take it’s toll on the hips until you adapt. I never really learned to do it correctly, but just attempting it helped my squat quite a bit. And I think you can do it more often than conventional deadlifting.[/quote]
It has definately moved my squat by pulling sumo. The change over made a marked difference in the composition of my legs. My adductors are much stronger and more pronounced than before.
I don’t get as beat up in the hips because my heaviest weights are pulled in gear and that protects them a lot. I get the pressure on my knees. When I force my hips to the bar and spread the floor with my feet, it’s the knees that seem to get worn out.[/quote]
Hmmm…I didn’t realize you felt stress in your knees. The only issue, which is not really a problem, is scraping them with the bar.
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Hmmm. I think that’s interesting. I’d like to like Sumo. I think it would probably suit my body better, but it seems like it would beat the shit out my hips. I tired it once or twice and I was not nearly as strong, but maybe I just need to practice it more. [/quote]
I’d like to like sumo too, but it generally feels awkward to me. I like the way it reduces shear forces in the lower back, but it does take it’s toll on the hips until you adapt. I never really learned to do it correctly, but just attempting it helped my squat quite a bit. And I think you can do it more often than conventional deadlifting.[/quote]
Low back shear forces is exactly the problem for me. I can feel it clearly with heavy conventional. I’m sure there is a form issue at play as well when the weight gets heavy. I just don’t feel like I have the margin for error that I do with sumo.
I do agree, for me at least, that you can do it more often or at least go harder more frequently. Also, I should be able to add in exercises that have been on the shelf for a while…BB rows, good mornings, more GHRs.
[quote]nlmain wrote:
that olympic vid gave me the chills…
hi git - glad to know home stuff has gotten better knock on wood
nice sumos considering you haven’t done those in 4 months.[/quote]
Hi ya.
that is a great vid. I forgot to thank the Farmer for posting it (thanks Mr. Brett). I love how he stalked that bar like it was his prey. And then he fucking killed it.
Sun is still shining here. We’ll see after she starts working again and the stress level builds. The job she really wants is only blocks from where I work. We could car pool and actually have time to talk which is something that is a struggle with two busy kids.
A bit more background to the vid that to me makes it even more impressive is the fact that he was placed out of the medals after the snatch, failed his c&j opener at 246kg, barely made his 2nd attempt at 248 and then had to raise it 10kg!!! for his 3rd and final attempt. Miss it and he goes home with nothing, make it and he gets the gold. Can you imagine what was going through his mind? I guess thats what makes champions special.
You cant hear it on the video, but when I watched it on the TV, after he nailed it, he shouted in English “for my wife”.
I lift sumo, and do find on occasion that it leaves my hips in some pain. However, I cannot dl conv. for the life of me. As a short person it easier to, than conv. Not sure why, but it is what it is. Godd luck.
Cycle 4, Week 3
PITFF = 7. It’s harder for me to get my intensity up for pressing days. Maybe when the weights get bigger. Felt good today though. I’ve been eating more so that might have something to do with it.
Bench
155 x 5
185 x 3
205 x 4…PR. Was 200 x 4. Inch by inch to respectability.
185 x 5,5,5,5,4…PR, kinda. +2 sets at 185
135 x 11
Chest supported row
4 x 10 ramped
Dips
BW x 14, 11
Completely unrelated. My wife informed me last night that she is going to be some version of batwoman for the Halloween party we are going to. Tight black outfit, black boots, black wig (straight, bob…hot) and some funky face makeup. I am all a-tingle with anticipation.
Completely unrelated. My wife informed me last night that she is going to be some version of batwoman for the Halloween party we are going to. Tight black outfit, black boots, black wig (straight, bob…hot) and some funky face makeup. I am all a-tingle with anticipation.
[/quote]
Nothing but good can come from this.
Please tell me that you have an equally as appealing costume lined up.
