Snapper's Strength Sojourn

Training
381

Ahh, I love to sign on and see that people are talking about tying me up.

Yep. We’re talking belt for DL. I don’t wear a belt to squat, although my coach says it’s past time to do so. For me, I start rounding and pulling with my back when DLing (conventional) right around the 200-lb. mark. The belt does multiple things for me: First, it cues me to use good form and makes it much harder to round my lower back even if I wanted to. It also provides counter-pressure for pushing against. Also, wearing a belt quickly broke me of hovering over the bar in a squat for long periods because it compresses me somewhat uncomfortably in that position. I do all my mental DL setup while standing. Then reach down, grip, and explode up. I used to have a full-size belt, which my coach had me wear backwards to have double coverage on my lower back. But it was just too much, too wide for my little body. I couldn’t breathe well. I have since purchased a lovely tapered belt that is just amazing, not to mention beautiful. My feelings about my belt are probably similar to how some of you feel about your high heels! Shall I pose in my belt like CBear?

Yes, Maschy, that’s my backyard. I live on some acreage in the Rocky Mountains. Lucky I am, don’t I know it? Gorgeous biceps? I wasn’t even flexing! But thanks.

Upper body today

A) Bicep Concentration Curl
4/6/20

B) Tricep Kickback
4/10/10

A) Seated Row (so amazing I can do this at all)
4/10/50

B) Cable Tricep Rope Pushdown
4/10/50

C) Low Cable Rope Bicep Curls
4/10/35

A) BB Wrist Curls
4/20/25

B) DB Shrugs
4/10/30

382

Your reasons are really compelling to me about using a belt. I have definitely reached the point (175+ lbs.) where I am really, really fighting rounding and pulling with my back.

The problem is not the $50 that a lovely tapered belt will cost me. Its akin to the age-old dilemma of should I start wearing glasses if then I’ll grow more dependent on them? If I start wearing a belt, am I giving up the opportunity to strengthen whatever is causing my rounding problems? Or is a belt just a safety issue – not holding back my gaining strength but just being smart?

I’m actually heading to the gym now for a deadlift day, where I’m scheduled to pull 133/152/171. If I were progressing, I should be able to hit this top weight with better form than the ugly last time. I’ll think on it…

383

yes please! do pose in your belt like cbear!

I turn the belt around to get the rounded part where the buckle attaches tucked in along my spine instead of poking me in the gut.

384

yes plz post a pic in your belt.

385

yes, a pic of you in your belt with a skirt and combat boots :smiley:

or just the belt…

386

Pics with belt! Pics with belt!

kimba brings up a good point - does one grow dependent on the belt, does it matter? (i shall research this now actually)

ps. kimba, forgot your pulling 170+ - damn! That’s sweet.

387

Ahh, you’re asking the age-old powerlifting question. Gear or no gear? While using a belt is still considered “raw” as far as competing is concerned, it’s a slippery slope. [Remember that I have recently moved into geared lifting.]

Interesting question about growing dependent on the belt. And I really don’t have the answer. I see guys putting their belts on to curl little more than the bar. I’m not like that. I have this threshold where I know that in order to safely push past, I need my belt for the added support.

For me, that’s right around 200 lb in DL and probably a bit more than 150 lb in squat. At those numbers, I really start feeling the pressure in my lower back. And if any of you have thrown your back out lifting, you’ll know that you want to nip that feeling in the bud. I don’t use my belt for any accessory work. Maybe it’s partly my age? Or the fact that I’m not naturally built for powerlifting?

388

lifting hand up me too for belt peektures!

I bet with a little imagination we could figure out a way to tie you up using belts and maybe some bands… We’ll let you keep your chucks. Should turn into something a little provocateur :wink:

389

oh stop, you are perfectly meant for PL’ing and you know it…

390

Actually, I’m not built for the sport, M-in-MD. I am not a mesomorph at all. Those with shorter, stockier limbs tend to do best in this sport. I’m relatively tall (5’4") for my weight (110-ish). I have a long way down to squat and a super long bench stroke. However, my long arms play in my favor in the DL.

391

you know what I meant, Miss literal :wink:

392

If you have a long way down to squat then so do I! but my hips are built for sumo squat I think :smiley:

393

I am 5’ 4.5" for our weight, with lots of limb-age. Agreed, not naturally built for powerlifting, but fuck it.

Deadlifts FTW!

On the belt issue, I feel the time approaching on DLs that safety will outweigh any other concern. Not quite there yet, although forest green would make a nice belt…

394

agreed, DLs for the win! snapper, it doesn’t appear to matter if you think you aren’t built for PL’n. you ARE a power lifter.

Happy Mother’s Day, kpsnap!

395

I also vote for belt pics!!

Interesting discussion about wearing the belt, too. I think it’s high time I purchased one, myself. I’d be interested to see how it helps me with my numbers.

396

Had an emotional breakdown this morning. Hormones. Fighting with my husband. Doubts about having this surgery and potentially ending up worse off. Drove halfway to the gym and turned the car around and headed home. Never done that before. When I got home, I called the surgeon’s medical assistant and left a message voicing my concerns about the surgery and doubts about whether I should have the procedure at all. (My mobility is near 100% now. My pain is virtually gone. I don’t want to potentially end up in a worse situation.)

Amazingly, the surgeon himself called me back within 30 minutes and said that I MUST have the surgery because a full-thickness tear will never heal and will only continue to degenerate. He said that I absolutely will never powerlift again if I don’t have the surgery but have a darn good chance if I do. It was good to talk to him. I consider it a major accomplishment that I wasn’t sobbing on the phone. Hard to explain why powerlifting is so important to me and how difficult it will be to have to lay off for many months.

397

:frowning: hugs

Glad you got to talk to the surgeon…

398

[quote]kpsnap wrote:
Hard to explain why powerlifting is so important to me and how difficult it will be to have to lay off for many months.
[/quote]

Dude, seriously? Your post made me tear-up.

Snap, I completely understand. In fact, I’m sure we all understand.

There’s no way or reason to rationalize why you love powerlifting, or how much you love it - you just do. And yes, not being able to lift for months is probably impossible to wrap your head around at this point. I can’t even imagine what’s going through your mind - what are you going to do in the spare time, how well are you going to recouperate, what about re-injury…all of that white noise.

I don’t think there’s anything I can say to put your mind at ease, but that eventually you’ll come to terms with everything. You’ve done your research, you’ve spoke to your surgeon (and thank god he’s such a good one - who calls their patients these days, shit Snap, you hit the jackpot), you have your friends, family and coach for support, us when they’re sick of you (ha!), honestly, you just need to keep moving forward and heal up. And remember, the more you take care of yourself during your recoup/rehab, the quicker and better you’ll heal and the sooner you’ll be back under the bar.

Ugh! Sorry for the rant. But I was all torn up from a hamstring strain - so I can only imagine what you’re going through is 100zillion times more traumatic.

If you ever need a sounding board for anything, we’re (the royal we) here for you.

ps. just don’t go all, “i’m not going to be posting anymore” mopey on us points fingers to my eyes, and then points fingers at your eyes

399

Gosh, Maschy has gone and done my work here for me.

The stress got to you. It gets to all of us sometimes. Head up. Feet planted firmly on the path forward. You’ll be lifting again soon, just better and smarter for your troubles.

P.S. Fighting with the husband sucks. I hope that is resolved soon.

400

:frowning: sorry snap :frowning: