[quote]kpsnap wrote:
Can you normally pull more conventional than sumo? Is that why you prefer it?[/quote]
Actually I pull more sumo than conventional. Have a history of 3 disc herniations in my back, last year was pulling conventional and had a big back flare up. After laying off for a month, I decided to drop down in weight and work on my sumo dead. So for the past 14 months I have been doing sumo, got my 1 rep max to 435.
Now I am dropping back down again in weight and working on my conventional pull. Feel’s weird after doing sumo for a year, also sumo has started to develop me an ass for a white boy. Which is anther thing I have been wanting to develop for years.
Long explanation I know but what the hell I am off work until 1:30 today.
I’ve pretty much got the same numbers as you DJHT on front squats. A PR of 308 and currently I’m doing sets of 5 at 264lbs. I also use straps the same way as you but I still find I start to lose the bar forward after 4 or 5 sets. Despite pulling on the straps I just cant keep my shoulders up. Does this happen to you too? or am I weak in some department? any tips?
Nope just thinking the same thing this morning. I think it is upper back strength, I have not done front squats in years. So last week when I did them my upper back was sore in places I havent been in a while. I think with time and work it will get better always does. Going to do them for at least then next 3 months, then in the future going to do working set back squat and finisher front squat.
I’m deadlifting once a week now so if it is an upper back problem hopefully that will address it. A few years back I used to do front squats first and then follow with back squats, that way you can use your relatively fresh lower back to further annihilate your legs.
[quote]FarmerBrett wrote:
I’m deadlifting once a week now so if it is an upper back problem hopefully that will address it. A few years back I used to do front squats first and then follow with back squats, that way you can use your relatively fresh lower back to further annihilate your legs.[/quote]
Having read that you need to balance your pushing with roughly the same amount of pulling, I’ve recently added bent-over barbell rows as assistance on bench day. Even though I’ve been doing deadlifts for over a year, the rows with fairly light weights (40kg) have identified muscles between my shoulder blades I was previously unaware of. Since my shoulders are normally rounded more forward than I’d like I’m hoping this will help correct it somewhat.
[quote]FarmerBrett wrote:
I’m deadlifting once a week now so if it is an upper back problem hopefully that will address it. A few years back I used to do front squats first and then follow with back squats, that way you can use your relatively fresh lower back to further annihilate your legs.[/quote]
I could see that also. When I do front squat I really feel no tightness in my lower back like I do back squat. My plan was to of course go heavy back squat and 60-65% max on front squat to finish off the legs.
^ HaHaHa that is the goal right. Drives my wife nutts but I am that all or nothing guy. I think that is pretty standard in the iron game. When I go into something I put all chips in. She does not get this mentality. If you read my log here you know the last month I was on the V-Diet, and dropped 23 pounds of fat. She gave me shit the whole time (teasing me, not really screaming throwing pots and pans at me) about why do I have to go to such extremes. I just cannot explain it to her.
Anyway right now I am trying to correct a few imbalances and put on some lean muscle mass, really in my lower body. So every week is about causing the Elvis legs, you know when your quad is twitching like Elvis when he danced.
[quote]DJHT wrote:
^ HaHaHa that is the goal right. Drives my wife nutts but I am that all or nothing guy. I think that is pretty standard in the iron game. When I go into something I put all chips in. She does not get this mentality. If you read my log here you know the last month I was on the V-Diet, and dropped 23 pounds of fat. She gave me shit the whole time (teasing me, not really screaming throwing pots and pans at me) about why do I have to go to such extremes. I just cannot explain it to her.
Anyway right now I am trying to correct a few imbalances and put on some lean muscle mass, really in my lower body. So every week is about causing the Elvis legs, you know when your quad is twitching like Elvis when he danced. [/quote]
23lbs! Damn nice work. Between your “Boys” & the diet, you had a tough month. Good job on hanging in there. Numbers are impressive too going thru a state of fastness.
