Ok all, I tried to do SOMETHING cool w/my name ala Dave BARR, and this is the best I could come up with.
Anyone wanna talk shop tonight?
Stay strong
MR
MR,
Hello, Im new to this site and powerlifting. Im fairly strong and want to set a goal for myself to compete in a meet this time next summer. What would you suggest to read or do to learn ins and outs of powerlifting, like what judges look at for form and regulations.
Thank You!
May I make a suggestion?
PRIME TIME: Mike RoBARRtson
The first one’s always free…
[quote]Mike Robertson wrote:
Ok all, I tried to do SOMETHING cool w/my name ala Dave BARR, and this is the best I could come up with.[/quote]
First and foremost, I would focus on starting out right; technique is a must in this sport, so I would start by reading up on it. Dave Tate and myself have both written articles on all of the powerlifts, so that would be a great start. Even though we may not agree on everything, a lot of the differences we may share are d/t the federations we compete in.
Here are the articles I’ve written on powerlifting:
Yo, How Much Ya Bench?
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=570881&pageNo=0#571086
Precision Pulling
http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle.do?article=295prec2
6 Tricks for a Sexy Squat
http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle.do?article=04-095-training
10 Tips for Flawless Squatting’
http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle.do?article=287squat2
Once you get technique dialed in, then you can start focusing on the fun stuff, like getting freaky strong!
Stay strong
MR
[quote]STR500 wrote:
MR,
Hello, Im new to this site and powerlifting. Im fairly strong and want to set a goal for myself to compete in a meet this time next summer. What would you suggest to read or do to learn ins and outs of powerlifting, like what judges look at for form and regulations.
Thank You![/quote]
Thanks buddy; funny how you still found a way to put YOUR NAME in the title, eh?
[quote]David Barr wrote:
May I make a suggestion?
PRIME TIME: Mike RoBARRtson
The first one’s always free…
Mike Robertson wrote:
Ok all, I tried to do SOMETHING cool w/my name ala Dave BARR, and this is the best I could come up with.
[/quote]
Mike, can step ups be used as an effective part of a program to build muscle, or are they strictly for sports?
Thanks!
For building muscle, I would rank them below their single-leg brethren such as lunges and Bulgarian squats d/t the minimal eccentric contraction. With all exercises, though, the sets/reps, rest periods, etc. determine the growth potential of the exercise.
However, I really like them because you can really blast your posterior chain (specifically the glutes), and they’re great for variety. Overall, better for athletes than bodybuilders, though.
Stay strong
MR
[quote]David Barr wrote:
Mike, can step ups be used as an effective part of a program to build muscle, or are they strictly for sports?
Thanks![/quote]
Chicken and egg question here, with a little bit of advice sought.
I find that Neanderthalish folks love reclining seats when they ride in or drive cars. I hate them, because it forces me to use a head posture that’s just awful. The chin is thrust forwards and tipped just a tad down. In certain makes of vehicle, the seat/headrest is built for that horrible position and I can’t do anything but request a different rental car.
Which came first? The muscle imbalances, or the position? Will correcting posture in a vehicle have any effect on correcting the imbalances? I’ve been gently pushing my Neanderthal friend to address this both in the gym and in the car, rather than leaving the vehicle out of the equation. I don’t think I’m wasting my time, but I’d like some feedback.
I think you’re right on, and it definitely is a chicken-or-the-egg predicament.
If you read the NNM series, we always discuss that the program is solid, but it must be paired with changes outside of the gym! Sitting up tall with erect posture. Shoulder blades back and down. Head in line with shoulders and chin tucked. I would think that a lot of people could get huge benefits in posture from simply being more aware of it while at work, on the computer, etc.
Good luck with your Neanderthal friend!
Stay strong
MR
Mike,
I wake up about 6 times a night because my arms have fallen asleep. It doesn’t matter if I sleep on my front or on my side, after an hour or two, both are asleep with pins and needles.
Is this just a case of needing to cut back on bench and blasting the shit out of my back and external rotators, or is it because my wife is pushing pins into a voo-doo doll that looks suspiciously like me?
How’s the rehab for your knee going?
Considering the specific demands of golf what prehab would you recommend to the typical golfer to allow him to stay injury free?
Massif,
What’s your standing posture like? I’ve seen people that just sleep funny who have this, but otherwise have no postural abnormalities. However, if you’ve done something to get you in the doghouse, never underestimate the power of a pissed-off woman!
The knee is coming around nicely. ROM is at about 80% or so, still working on the swelling. I’m about ready to start doing some light loading on squats and possibly pulls. RDL’s the other day with 135 left me sore for, well, 2 days now (pre-meet I was up to 315 for sets of 5). I think that gives you some indication as to what kind of shape I’m in right now!
As Arnold said, “I’ll be back.”
Stay strong
MR
[quote]Massif wrote:
Mike,
I wake up about 6 times a night because my arms have fallen asleep. It doesn’t matter if I sleep on my front or on my side, after an hour or two, both are asleep with pins and needles.
Is this just a case of needing to cut back on bench and blasting the shit out of my back and external rotators, or is it because my wife is pushing pins into a voo-doo doll that looks suspiciously like me?
How’s the rehab for your knee going?
[/quote]
The standing posture is not too bad. My right shoulder tends to come forward and up after both rack pulls and bench days. This leads me to believe that both the right trap and right pec are a bit tight. Apart from that, there is nothing else that stands out.
First off, I would focus on rotational movements in the opposite direction. Even though you’ll never be able to duplicate the volume, it’s worth it to try and create some sort of mechanical balance.
As well, I’d focus on a ton of stretching around the low back and hips. Massage, ART, and chiro are all a must as well in my eyes, especially at the elite level.
Stay strong
MR
[quote]AlanR wrote:
Considering the specific demands of golf what prehab would you recommend to the typical golfer to allow him to stay injury free?[/quote]
Sounds right on bro; add in a little extra stretching for these areas, and maybe a little extra scap retraction/depression work if needed. Good luck!
Stay strong
MR
[quote]Massif wrote:
The standing posture is not too bad. My right shoulder tends to come forward and up after both rack pulls and bench days. This leads me to believe that both the right trap and right pec are a bit tight. Apart from that, there is nothing else that stands out.[/quote]
Thanks for the reply Mike
Would a sledge hammer and a tire meet the requirements for mechanical balance?
That would definitely work. You could also do med ball throws, tornado ball stuff, full contact twists, etc. Good luck!
Stay strong
MR
[quote]AlanR wrote:
Thanks for the reply Mike
Would a sledge hammer and a tire meet the requirements for mechanical balance?
[/quote]
Hi there mike. I have a baseball related question for you. How important do you feel forearm strength is to a baseball swing, and if you feel its important how could someone work on it. Along thoses same lines what muscle movements would be the most imporant for a ball player.
If you are thinking from a power perspective, the hips are the ultimate power producer. However, I feel like the forearms are an important part as well.
This is where some “sport specifists” could get carried away; I’d just focus on brute strength in the forearms. Focus on movements in all the planes (wrist flexion, extension, pronation, supination). As well, you could probably get some carryover effect from exercises that focus on pinching strength, crushing strength, etc. I know CT wrote a forearm training article a while back, so that might be a good place to start.
As for general movements, all varities of squatting and lunging variations would be good, especially because a lot of baseball is focused on quick, short movements in several planes.
Stay strong
MR
[quote]brotzfrog10 wrote:
Hi there mike. I have a baseball related question for you. How important do you feel forearm strength is to a baseball swing, and if you feel its important how could someone work on it. Along thoses same lines what muscle movements would be the most imporant for a ball player.
[/quote]
Ok all, I’m out for the night. See you Wednesday!
Stay strong
MR