So this is a completely personal experience in regards to flexibility, but I figure I might as well mention this. I have the worst hamstring flexibility in the world. No, really. My hamstring mobility is so bad that it restricts me from doing barbell rows even somewhat comfortably, and it's to the point where if I bend over I probably could only touch about an inch below my knees, maybe slightly more.
However, I just did kettlebell swings for the first time a few days ago and I felt some soreness in my hamstrings. I was kind of curious when I was in the shower, so I just tried to stretch as far as I could and I wanted to see if my hamstring flexibility had gotten any better. I touched almost to the bottom of my ankles. I had heard a long time ago on Elliott Hulse's channel (who I have long since unsubscribed from) something about how if you don't use certain muscles they get tight and easy way to gain flexibility is to start using them. I didn't really believe him because I thought he was batshit insane (hence why I unsubbed), but doing the kettlebell swings seemed to make a big difference. Granted, I did some goblet squats and felt a deep stretch in my hamstrings/hips as well, but nothing else seemed to make a permanent difference like that.
As an aside, holy shit are goblet squats better with kettlebells. Dumbbells are ok, but kettlebells just seem to center perfectly when you're doing goblet squats.
On May 20 2014 21:34 mordek wrote: Pretty frustrated with my back. Finally up to weights I was at 2 years ago (!!!) and despite a bunch of assistance work, regular chiro visits my SI joint is flaring up again. Deadlifted 310x5, 5lb off my lifetime max for reps, and it felt easy. Within the next half hour the pain came on and got worse throughout the day. Feels better this morning but I just can't deal with this, its the kinda of nagging deep ache that drives you insane
Do you wear a belt? How do you brace your core when squatting?
I started wearing a belt while deadlifting, which doesn't quite answer your question.
When squatting I try to set up a neutral spine best I can when I unrack with knees bent. Walk out two steps, deep breath and squeezing butt and abs. Maintain internal pressure throughout the lift. No belt but I should definitely try that.
I know my left knee has less range of motion and my left hamstring is not as strong as my right still despite trying to even that out. I may need to not go as deep since I think I'm compensating for the left knee tightness which I'm not sure there's much I can do to correct that with the new acl.
Right now my plan is being more diligent with planks every day and hip stretches.
If you are used to using a built you may be creating pressure without actively stabilizing your lower spine within the balloon of your torso, so that it is free to move around.
Other possibility is that your squat has butt wink in it that is forcing your SI joint and lower spine through an unstable position and aggravating it whenever you squat.
Form check video for squat. Looks like butt wink
Deadlift too while I'm at (ties my PR from 2 years ago for reps):
I was tired but didn't feel like I didn't have the strength in me at any point, which was not the case the first time I got here.
Try goblet squatting with as heavy weight as you can. Do like 4x25 and see if your back hurts. Goblet squats are easiest to do without butt wink. Also what shoes are you wearing?
I'll give that a try tomorrow morning. I'm wearing NB Minimus.
@gotunk Yeah, the deadlift felt like that wasn't a max of any kind which is encouraging but like I said, I'm posting this because of SI issues. The squat is probably 80% max effort if I had to guess.
On May 20 2014 21:34 mordek wrote: Pretty frustrated with my back. Finally up to weights I was at 2 years ago (!!!) and despite a bunch of assistance work, regular chiro visits my SI joint is flaring up again. Deadlifted 310x5, 5lb off my lifetime max for reps, and it felt easy. Within the next half hour the pain came on and got worse throughout the day. Feels better this morning but I just can't deal with this, its the kinda of nagging deep ache that drives you insane
Do you wear a belt? How do you brace your core when squatting?
I started wearing a belt while deadlifting, which doesn't quite answer your question.
When squatting I try to set up a neutral spine best I can when I unrack with knees bent. Walk out two steps, deep breath and squeezing butt and abs. Maintain internal pressure throughout the lift. No belt but I should definitely try that.
I know my left knee has less range of motion and my left hamstring is not as strong as my right still despite trying to even that out. I may need to not go as deep since I think I'm compensating for the left knee tightness which I'm not sure there's much I can do to correct that with the new acl.
Right now my plan is being more diligent with planks every day and hip stretches.
If you are used to using a built you may be creating pressure without actively stabilizing your lower spine within the balloon of your torso, so that it is free to move around.
Other possibility is that your squat has butt wink in it that is forcing your SI joint and lower spine through an unstable position and aggravating it whenever you squat.
Deadlift too while I'm at (ties my PR from 2 years ago for reps): http://youtu.be/NsM8XfzPB04 I was tired but didn't feel like I didn't have the strength in me at any point, which was not the case the first time I got here.
Try goblet squatting with as heavy weight as you can. Do like 4x25 and see if your back hurts. Goblet squats are easiest to do without butt wink. Also what shoes are you wearing?
I'll give that a try tomorrow morning. I'm wearing NB Minimus.
@gotunk Yeah, the deadlift felt like that wasn't a max of any kind which is encouraging but like I said, I'm posting this because of SI issues. The squat is probably 80% max effort if I had to guess.
Totally flat shoes like minimus make it a lot harder not to butt wink. If you had a lifting shoe that would probably help. I'd look into it if high rep goblet squats don't bother your back.
On May 30 2014 00:03 farvacola wrote: Don't look now y'all, there is an obesity thread in General and it's already full to the brim with nonsense. Enter at your own risk
The public opinion on weight loss and exercise is always amusing.
On May 28 2014 14:12 Donkeys wrote: I was incredibly sore today from yesterday's squats. Did something that I've been wanting to do for a while but never got around to it. Snatches on the minute for 20 minutes starting at 70% and increasing. Ended up doing only 18 attempts lol. I liked it, no time to think you just go. Attempts:
Fatigue started to kick in around the 185, I was sweating so much haha.
nice sleeves :D mine ar eon the way, how are you liking them?
I like mine. Mostly because they don't smell as bad as my rehbands.
On May 29 2014 07:53 autoexec wrote: Decaf, I want to gain strength and I don't really care about my 1RM on squat. I play football and would rather do good in that while in high school than focus on having a beastly 1RM for squat. That being said, is that squat cycle you referenced better than Smolov for building strength?
On a side note, I started an internship today, and it is so hard to workout after a full work day of laboring out in the heat
It's better for building football strength (assuming american football). Most football weight training should be in the 1-5 rep range as football is a bunch of bursts of high intensity followed by rest. You could do smolov in the off season to add some mass/strength. And yeah, i've never heard of an outdoor labor internship lol
On May 20 2014 21:34 mordek wrote: Pretty frustrated with my back. Finally up to weights I was at 2 years ago (!!!) and despite a bunch of assistance work, regular chiro visits my SI joint is flaring up again. Deadlifted 310x5, 5lb off my lifetime max for reps, and it felt easy. Within the next half hour the pain came on and got worse throughout the day. Feels better this morning but I just can't deal with this, its the kinda of nagging deep ache that drives you insane
Do you wear a belt? How do you brace your core when squatting?
I started wearing a belt while deadlifting, which doesn't quite answer your question.
When squatting I try to set up a neutral spine best I can when I unrack with knees bent. Walk out two steps, deep breath and squeezing butt and abs. Maintain internal pressure throughout the lift. No belt but I should definitely try that.
I know my left knee has less range of motion and my left hamstring is not as strong as my right still despite trying to even that out. I may need to not go as deep since I think I'm compensating for the left knee tightness which I'm not sure there's much I can do to correct that with the new acl.
Right now my plan is being more diligent with planks every day and hip stretches.
If you are used to using a built you may be creating pressure without actively stabilizing your lower spine within the balloon of your torso, so that it is free to move around.
Other possibility is that your squat has butt wink in it that is forcing your SI joint and lower spine through an unstable position and aggravating it whenever you squat.
Deadlift too while I'm at (ties my PR from 2 years ago for reps): http://youtu.be/NsM8XfzPB04 I was tired but didn't feel like I didn't have the strength in me at any point, which was not the case the first time I got here.
I'd start with your hips lower on the deadlift IMO. And since it looks like you're squatting high bar trying to keep your torso more vertical. Might need some height under your heels to help you get knees forward (via small weight plates or weightlifting shoes). Both lifts look very back dominant.
On May 29 2014 15:05 rod409 wrote: Two days ago I was deadlifting and on one rep I felt something go really wrong with my lower back. I figured it was a muscle pull as my back got very stiff and I had a similar situation about 5 years ago. I have been icing my back and today I went to the doctor. He checked for nerve issues and found that it is likely a muscle injury. The doc said to stop ice and switch to heat since its been two days since the injury and now I'm taking a muscle relaxant and ibuprofen. He also gave a referral for physical therapy that I can cancel if I think I don't need it.
Obviously in the future I want to prevent injury, but is there advice for after getting hurt? I asked the doc and he said foam rolling would be good for my back, is there anything I should be careful with doing that? I also don't know a good way to ease back into working out.
Foam rolling and lacrosse ball rolling would be great for you. You probably didn't keep your core tight enough or let your form slip on the deadlift. I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say it's your SI joint. Look at this: http://www.eatmoveimprove.com/2010/02/so-you-hurt-your-lower-back/
On May 29 2014 16:13 Akka wrote: I know you guys here are mostly about lifting, and I don't even lift, but I've been doing Muay Thai training 3 days a week and football (soccer) the remaining 4, and I'm beginning to get quite fit after a month like this. I hope I can keep going and finally get to 80kg (down from 100kg about 18 months ago and 85kg 6 months ago) ^^ My main problem still is flexibility though. I don't know how to get better at this so I just stretch as much as possible when I warm up :/
So my roommate/chiro thinks i might have a thoracic herniated disc from rugby And my wrist/thumb are still bothering me a bit. Gonna take a week or so off weighted squats/snatches/cleans and ease back into them. Guess i'll just do bar work for the olympic lifts till then and yoga and maybe some bodybuilding shit. Maybe some cardio. 2 weeks till summer rugby starts up!
My best recommendation for just squatting would be the adidas power perfect 2, i think 119$. There's the powerlift 2 which is 89$ and i think slightly lower heel.
On May 30 2014 01:12 decafchicken wrote: My best recommendation for just squatting would be the adidas power perfect 2, i think 119$. There's the powerlift 2 which is 89$ and i think slightly lower heel.
Is it best to deadlift with a flat sole or weightlifting shoes??
On May 30 2014 01:12 decafchicken wrote: My best recommendation for just squatting would be the adidas power perfect 2, i think 119$. There's the powerlift 2 which is 89$ and i think slightly lower heel.
Is it best to deadlift with a flat sole or weightlifting shoes??
I prefer flat (closer to the ground = better for DL) but i have no problem deadlifting my weightlifting shoes.
Alright decaf, I think I will give that program a try as I have never squatted every day before and am slowly hitting a plateau in my squat I think.
Also, for the guys wondering about the outside internship, it's at an engineering company. But it is with their R&D department. I am working outside on huge machinery that deals with the steel making process. Honestly, I find it better than deskwork as you get a chance to apply knowledge to situations, and a whole lot of what we do to get stuff running is MacGyver style (not professional, but no shame ), so it is really fun to figure out and do.
This is going to sound really strange. So, I'm getting within striking distance of a good weight for the first time in my life since I was a very little kid (I had to take steroids and was bedridden, so i ballooned when i was a kid and never really lost it).
So as I lose the weight, I'm working on all kinds of things, one of the main things being posture. I've always had HORRIBLE posture. I think for the most part I stand correctly now, but when I do, I notice my chest really sticks out. Now, I've always had fat around that area, but it's not the medical condition Gynecomastia, I was just fat. I still have a bit of fat there, and its slowly coming off, but I notice my chest sticks way out when I'm standing up straight; like a guy trying to show off or something. Most of the fat is gone off my chest, so I don't know why it's sticking out so much. Bench is probably my weakest lift so far (I'm barely cresting 125,) and by no means and I particularly strong in my chest.
Is this normal? I know it sounds silly, but I'm fairly self conscious that I look like I'm trying to stick out my chest a ton and I look silly, but I'm not trying to at all. Are certain people just predisposed to having some muscle groups look larger than others? Maybe my posture isn't as good as I thought it was, though.
That happens. It feels good imo. Do you do any rows or pullups or something? That should be a result of your now activated lats pulling your shoulders back into a neutral position.
Given that you describe your chest as relatively weak, there is a chance that your back is a degree too much stronger than your chest; this can lead to a pinching effect as the lats pull your arms back, exposing your chest more prominently. The fix in that case would be setting your back work into a holding pattern while you work on a chest strength program like stronglifts.
That being said, your body might just be set up that way, in which case there isn't much you can do other than attempting to even out the rest of your physique.
On May 30 2014 09:27 Arisen wrote: This is going to sound really strange. So, I'm getting within striking distance of a good weight for the first time in my life since I was a very little kid (I had to take steroids and was bedridden, so i ballooned when i was a kid and never really lost it).
So as I lose the weight, I'm working on all kinds of things, one of the main things being posture. I've always had HORRIBLE posture. I think for the most part I stand correctly now, but when I do, I notice my chest really sticks out. Now, I've always had fat around that area, but it's not the medical condition Gynecomastia, I was just fat. I still have a bit of fat there, and its slowly coming off, but I notice my chest sticks way out when I'm standing up straight; like a guy trying to show off or something. Most of the fat is gone off my chest, so I don't know why it's sticking out so much. Bench is probably my weakest lift so far (I'm barely cresting 125,) and by no means and I particularly strong in my chest.
Is this normal? I know it sounds silly, but I'm fairly self conscious that I look like I'm trying to stick out my chest a ton and I look silly, but I'm not trying to at all. Are certain people just predisposed to having some muscle groups look larger than others? Maybe my posture isn't as good as I thought it was, though.
I think it's way better to have the pidgeon position instead of the slouched one as your default stance :d
On May 30 2014 09:23 Jerubaal wrote: Newest video on Bret Contreras's YT channel with researcher Stu Phillips busts "hormone effect" of compound lifts.
What is the hormone effect, can you give a summary outside of watching an hour long video?