Flat BB: Idk if it’s just the Benches are lower here, but leg drive is just non-existent or makes my ass come off the Bench. 230 was way harder than it should have been, so stopped there
135x3
165x3
185x1
210x1
230x1
190x6
Pendlay Rows: No straps or belt, so progress
205x3x5
Floor Press: 1-2 count for the pause
135x3
185x1
205x1
Other shit.
Really pissed, while 230 at sub-200 lbs is a PR, just disappointed with this. Feel I’m getting better at accessory movements over my main lifts. I had a lot of good results with Big Beyond Belief, where I only used 1-2x lifts per body part 2-3x a week, in rep ranges anywhere from 3-20. Going to talk to Omar about something like that maybe.
How you think about your bench is how I solely think about my squat. Way to much. Which ironically leads to way too little weightwise
On your bench- do you consider your self long armed ?
are you sure your grip width is correct? In some Instances longer armed guys have better luck going closer grip. Which goes against the grain because its thought you should go wider grip if long armed. Closer grip allows more of an elbow tuck naturally and bar path more up n down.
the best example formwise is konstantine Konstantinov-lets ignore the fact that hes a freak of nature and soley focus on the fact that hes a naturally built deadlifter which means damn long arms. He benchs closegrip as his reg bench for the very reasons stated above. Eliminate elbow flare and focus of strengthening the movement In and up n down path w. The elbows naturally tucked.
-naturually tucked means they do it on their own vs. You constantly being aware and thinking of it as yet another cue.
All fun aside. Its a possibility. Form. Staying Tight. Leg drive ect…needs to be rock solid n the same each rep n set…at least to push the most weight anyways.
Relative to bodyweights, our flat bench weights are pretty similar. So’s the long arm and long leg thing.
I have nothing to offer, just an observation. I’ll be lurking though, to see what ends up working for you so I can steal it.
I’ve been working slight-incline bench for awhile, and I just feel most solid with the rings somewhere between my ring finger and middle finger. One of the benefits of ramping to maxes every session is that you get a good feel for what form actually works at 90%+. Turns out bringing my hands in a bit (from thumbs on the rings).
However, jury’s still out on strength benefits of ramping like that. It was just useful to learn that works fine at 60-80% doesn’t necessarily work at 90%+.
In other news… now that you’ve had them for a bit, what’s your take on squatting in Oly shoes versus not? Trying to decide if I should get a pair, and if it makes sense to do it now.
[quote]LoRez wrote:
I just feel most solid with the rings somewhere between my ring finger and middle finger. [/quote]
I’m 4" taller than you and I bench with my pinkie on the ring…I really need to work on moving that out lol
[quote]LoRez wrote:
I just feel most solid with the rings somewhere between my ring finger and middle finger. [/quote]
I’m 4" taller than you and I bench with my pinkie on the ring…I really need to work on moving that out lol[/quote]
How long are your arms?
Arms hanging by my side, from where my clavicle connects at the shoulder and creates a bump at the top, to the tip my middle finger, it’s right at 33".
Shoulder to shoulder, from that same point on my shoulder, it’s 14".
If I had my arms stretch to each side, my torso is only like 1/8th of that entire length. When I get reincarnated, I’m going to ask for wider clavicles.
[quote]LoRez wrote:
I just feel most solid with the rings somewhere between my ring finger and middle finger. [/quote]
I’m 4" taller than you and I bench with my pinkie on the ring…I really need to work on moving that out lol[/quote]
How long are your arms?
Arms hanging by my side, from where my clavicle connects at the shoulder and creates a bump at the top, to the tip my middle finger, it’s right at 33".
Shoulder to shoulder, from that same point on my shoulder, it’s 14".
If I had my arms stretch to each side, my torso is only like 1/8th of that entire length. When I get reincarnated, I’m going to ask for wider clavicles.[/quote]
My wingspan is only 74"
375g carbs on low days? You go to hell and die, you fuck.
Also, loled hard at the description of what you were going to do on bench. You should probably just stop listening to all of us and do whatever feels best and get stronger on the lift. I did that with my, ahem, unique deadlift, and I have gotten substantially better at it by ignoring pretty much every cue out there.
Thank you everyone, I seriously appreciate all advice and help. Somethings I’ve decided are:
*I get rattled when I get a new weight I’ve never handled before in my hands. I know that’s everyone, but I hadn’t benched over 200 lbs for about 4-5 weeks, so even un-racking 230 felt heavy.
*I’m going to talk to Omar, but my DL goes up no matter what I do. Squat and Bench went up the most when using multiple rep ranges frequently. Not that these were strong numbers, but I could Squat 275x17 and Decline Bench 255x6 when doing basically nothing but a few big movements. However, I’d always burn myself into the ground, so that’s where Omar would be great.
*Benching, MAY go back to heels off the ground, at least on these low poverty benches. At least I can get some leg drive then.
[quote]LoRez wrote:
In other news… now that you’ve had them for a bit, what’s your take on squatting in Oly shoes versus not? Trying to decide if I should get a pair, and if it makes sense to do it now.[/quote]
One of the best investments every made. Squats, Front Squats, Deficit Deads, OHP, Pendlay Rows, all stellar in them. Seriously love them.
Spidey, I’ve been tellin’ you you overthink things for a couple of months now. You don’t need squat shoes, or wrist wraps, or a ridiculous diet, or programming from some YouTube hero… You need to get into the fucking weightroom and lift. You just said your best results came from super basic programming a few times a week. Why are you so insistent on straying away from what obviously works? You’re paying for programming that’s not really working for you. That’s silly. Get out of your head, get into the gym, eat like a man and watch your progress skyrocket. It’s really that simple.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Spidey, I’ve been tellin’ you you overthink things for a couple of months now. You don’t need squat shoes, or wrist wraps, or a ridiculous diet, or programming from some YouTube hero… You need to get into the fucking weightroom and lift. You just said your best results came from super basic programming a few times a week. Why are you so insistent on straying away from what obviously works? You’re paying for programming that’s not really working for you. That’s silly. Get out of your head, get into the gym, eat like a man and watch your progress skyrocket. It’s really that simple.[/quote]
Following this kind of mindset has helped me tremendously.
Honestly, you’ve been stronger before you ever paid anyone for programming, I don’t get why you’re bothering with Omar. You know what the issues are - every single time something doesn’t work with your training you say “I’ll talk to Omar about doing this…” - just do it.
I remember reading your old log and you were doing strength stuff that worked (Coan bench is what I remember most strongly), and that ended up putting me on the right kind of track when I was doing stupid stuff training wise, and now it kind of seems like you’ve forgotten about that.
To your credit though, you’ve done great stuff with your physique, but again, I’d put more of the credit for that on you than on anyone else.
I get where everyone is coming from, and I appreciate it. I don’t think Oly shoes or wrist wraps are ‘crutches’ really, just like I don’t see the fact my gym only has hex plates is a hindrance. I’m simply using what’s available.
Beyond that, I do think ya’ll are right in that I haven’t given myself enough credit and been confident in my own abilities to allow myself to progress. i always feel I need someone to ‘guide’ me, as lifting has never been something that comes naturally, unlike running or basketball did. So ya’ll are right. I’ll fix this.
Also, today I was upset about the last Squat session I hit:
Squat: 355x1
DL: 425x1 (hook grip)
Hex plates don’t allow me to ‘roll’ the bar towards me, which kind of sucks on 1RM. So rep was harder than I would have liked, but definitely was good after hitting a Squat PR as well.
But, you’re not just using what’s available. You’re making things more difficult than they need to be. Now, if you don’t have your wrist wraps or fancy shoes you’re automatically second guessing your session. That’s dumb. It’s not my money, but you’re basically throwing yours into a hole in the internet named Omar Isuf. Get off his programming, get out of your head, and get in the gym and lift some weight. This very site has HUNDREDS of free, basic, badass programs that would serve you better than anything you’ve been spinning your wheels on lately. Quit thinking and just lift, man.
