It takes time to break in a belt and have it mold to your body. Some have thrown em in the dishwasher to hasten the break in period. Not I, mind you.
[quote]kpsnap wrote:
It takes time to break in a belt and have it mold to your body. Some have thrown em in the dishwasher to hasten the break in period. Not I, mind you.[/quote]
Dishwasher…whodathunk?
[quote]emskee wrote:
[quote]kpsnap wrote:
It takes time to break in a belt and have it mold to your body. Some have thrown em in the dishwasher to hasten the break in period. Not I, mind you.[/quote]
Dishwasher…whodathunk?[/quote]
Well, I’ll have to mention it to the owner of said belt. He is a big guy who wants to learn to squat and believes a belt is necessary for this. I’m going to help him figure out his squat this Sunday, and in exchange I now have use of the big boy belt.
Or maybe I should just stop being a cheapskate and buy myself a belt of my own that I can break in using whatever sort of redneck trick I wish.
With over a year and a half under the bar, I think it may be time to pull the trigger on that purchase and become a serious lifter.
[quote]twojarslave wrote:
[quote]emskee wrote:
[quote]kpsnap wrote:
It takes time to break in a belt and have it mold to your body. Some have thrown em in the dishwasher to hasten the break in period. Not I, mind you.[/quote]
Dishwasher…whodathunk?[/quote]
Well, I’ll have to mention it to the owner of said belt. He is a big guy who wants to learn to squat and believes a belt is necessary for this. I’m going to help him figure out his squat this Sunday, and in exchange I now have use of the big boy belt.
Or maybe I should just stop being a cheapskate and buy myself a belt of my own that I can break in using whatever sort of redneck trick I wish.
With over a year and a half under the bar, I think it may be time to pull the trigger on that purchase and become a serious lifter.
[/quote]
My belt.
http://www.bestbelts.net/Powerlifting-Belts/Athlete.aspx
Pre broken in.
Not 13mm thick (more like 10mm) but it works really, really well for me.
Don’t be afraid of double prongs. There are tougher things going on in the gym (or there should be) than setting two prongs. I find that when I make the fatal mistake of over cinching the belt, I set one prong and use that one to lever the second one in. But again, if it’s that difficult, the belt is toooo tight.
By the way, nice pulling!
[quote]emskee wrote:
My belt.
http://www.bestbelts.net/Powerlifting-Belts/Athlete.aspx
Pre broken in.
Not 13mm thick (more like 10mm) but it works really, really well for me.
Don’t be afraid of double prongs. There are tougher things going on in the gym (or there should be) than setting two prongs. I find that when I make the fatal mistake of over cinching the belt, I set one prong and use that one to lever the second one in. But again, if it’s that difficult, the belt is toooo tight.
By the way, nice pulling!
[/quote]
Thanks! Can’t wait to join you in the 600 club and, if I’m lucky, in the surviving into your 50’s club.
That belt must be pretty great, as Best Belts won’t even let me buy one from them right now.
[quote]twojarslave wrote:
That belt must be pretty great, as Best Belts won’t even let me buy one from them right now.
[/quote]
(…crap…)
Mark Rippetoe has named dropped this belt more than once. I think all the Starting Strength guys go buy them, along with whatever shoes, underwear, deodorant, etc. Rip wears. I think it is also a favorite amongst Crossfitters.
But, yeah, it seems like a one man operation at Best Belts (Dean Best) and I can imagine him being nailed to a wall somewhere.
It does seem to be a helluva nice belt. I’m happy for the folks making them, as being forced to turn away business is one of life’s better problems to have. I think I will stick with my zero-cost belt for the moment, and put some effort into breaking it in and learning how to lift with a belt. I’m not in a rush to buy one, but if I happen to see this guy taking orders I might pony up and buy one. I like a quality item.
I took a short break. I’ve been fighting some persistent upper back and neck pain over the last two weeks. Lifting actually relieves this pain. The Dr. believes it to be unrelated to lifting and suggested that I am sleeping on too many pillows. I have gone down to just one pillow and it seems to be getting better. I also got a somewhat painful, DEEP pressure massage that actually made me moderately sore, but really fixed me up after I woke up the next day.
I skipped weights on Friday for the massage and just took it easy all weekend. I had an epic sauna session and swam about 10 laps on Sunday after spending a good hour helping one of the long-time regulars figure out how to squat, which went very well. I also walked quite a bit, as my corner of the world was finally kissed with some direct sunlight and temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s.
I also had poor money sets last week, so I just decided to repeat 5’s week.
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 5’s Week
Monday 4/13/15
BW 298
Squat - TM 450
135x5
225x5
295x5 set 1
340x5 set 2
385x7 set 3
I am really getting used to the Rehband knee sleeves. I was definitely getting a few pounds out of those other wraps, but squats felt really good today with a fairly easy top set of 7. I no longer feel weaker in the sleeves vs the wraps, and this makes me glad. I had no rack and an unproven spotter, so I kept things conservative.
Dumbbell Bench Press
30x10
65x10
85x10
85x10
85x12
Supersetted with…
Dumbbell Rows
100x10
100x10
100x20
Edit: All of this belt-related self-reflection took place after today’s workout, which was done in my usual belt-less style. I will make a point to use the belt on some lead-up sets this week.
Wednesday 4/15/15
BW 298
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 5’s Week
Squat
135x5
185x10
225x10
275x10
Bench Press - TM 285
135x8
185x5 set 1
215x5 set 2
240x9 set 3
185x8 FSL set
Lat Pulldown
4 sets of 180x10
Supersetted with…
Bicep Curls
3 sets of EZ-Bar+50 lbs
Edit: I forgot to use the belt. Also…
10 min sauna
5 min hot tub
Friday 4/17/15
BW 298
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 5’s week
Squat
135x5
185x10
225x10
275x10
Deadlift - TM 540
135x5
225x5
315x3
350x5 set 1
405x5 set 2
460x5 set 3
Press - TM 195
95x5
120x5 set 1
145x5 set 2
165x5 set 3
135x8 FSL set
I should have been using 160, but I also should have gotten more reps. I felt good, but just didn’t have it in me on deads or presses.
Bicep curls
3 sets of unlabeled barbell X 10
Saturday 4/18/15
30 minutes sauna
15 minutes hot tub
10 or so laps in the pool, sprints and breast stroke
Monday 4/20/15
BW 298
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 3’s Week
Squat - TM 450
135x5
225x5
275x3
315x3 set 1
365x3 set 2
405x6 set 3
Sort of a PR. This equals my previous best effort with knee wraps which, although quite loose, were definitely giving me an extra boost. These felt great without a belt and just the Rehband knee sleeves, although I forgot to do some belted sets leading up to my money set. I am definitely a creature of habit.
Dumbbell Bench Press
45x10
65x10
85x10
85x10
85x15
Supersetted with…
Dumbbell Row
130x10
130x10
100x20
I should probably use straps with the 130’s. My grip gave out well before my pulling did.
I’m very pleased with my performance today. My squats feel stronger than ever and I’m finding a new gear with both of my assistance lifts. Time to move up to the 90’s on bench.
Wednesday 4/22/15
BW 297
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 3’s Week
Squat
135x5
185x10
225x10
270x10
Bench Press - TM 285
135x8
185x3
205x3 set 1
230x3 set 2
255x7 set 3
205x10 FSL set
Lat Pulldown
3 sets of 200x10
Supersetted with…
Standing Bicep Curls
3 sets of 10 with EZ Bar + 60 lbs
I forgot to do some belted sets again!
Just stopping in to say hi again.
Some beastly numbers of late.
Also - Stone Brewing had a tap takeover at the best pub here in town, so I had to go last night to sample their wares…
Sorry, not trying to distract you with beer talk. Beer free here during the week too now generally.
[quote]raven78 wrote:
Just stopping in to say hi again.
Some beastly numbers of late.
Also - Stone Brewing had a tap takeover at the best pub here in town, so I had to go last night to sample their wares…
Sorry, not trying to distract you with beer talk. Beer free here during the week too now generally.[/quote]
Thanks for stopping in again, raven78. I went beer shopping earlier.
I am hosting a cheeseburger cookout and showing of the NHL playoffs at my place today, and the Stone IPA mix pack was calling to me as I was stocking up for the event. But a $22 12-pack of very high ABV beers isn’t going to help me on any level today, so I went with a Sam Adams summer mix pack.
On the menu today:
1/3 lb grass-fed ground beef patties w/secret seasoning grilled over hardwood charcoal
Home-made pasta salad
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Some kind of green veggie
Toppings:
Nitrite-free bacon cooked in the oven
Local Raw Milk Smoked Cheddar Cheese
Kraft American Cheese, if that’s your thing
Grilled jalapeno
Grilled onions
Grilled mushrooms
Raw onions
Raw jalapeno
Fancy lettuce
Tomato
Pickle
Wide assortment of mustards and condiments.
Friday 4/24/15
BW 298
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 3’s Week
Squat
135x5
185x10
225x10
275x10
All sets belted
Deadlift - TM 540
135x5
225x5
315x3
380x3 set 1
430x3 set 2
485x6 set 3
No belted sets on DL.
Press - TM 195
95x5
115x5
135x3 set 1
155x3 set 2
175x5 set 3
135x10 FSL set
Bicep Curls
3 sets of 12-15 with the EZ-Bar + 50lbs
Didn’t count reps, running my jaw instead
Face Pulls, or at least an approximation of the movement
3 sets of 50x12
I cook a good burger, which is what I’m going to do now that I’ve finally logged my Friday workout.
Monday 4/27/15
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 1’s Week
BW 298
Squat - TM 450
135x5
225x5
275x3
315x1 paused
340x5 set 1
385x3 set 2
430x4 set 3
No belt worn today.
Dumbbell Bench Press
50x10
75x10
3 sets of 90x10
Supersetted with…
Dumbbell Rows
3 sets of 130x10
Wore straps for these.
Wednesday 4/29/15
BW 299
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 1’s Week
Squat
135x5
185x10
225x10
275x10
All sets belted.
Bench Press - TM 285
135x8
185x5
215x5 set 1
240x3 set 2
270x5 set 3
3 sets of 225x5 FSL Sets
Rep PR @ 270 I think.
Lat Pulldown - Chin grip
3 sets of 200x10
Friday 5/1/15
BW 297
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - 1’s Week
Squat
135x
185x10
225x10
275x10
Deadlift - TM 540
135x5
225x5
315x3
405x5 set 1
460x3 set 2
515x3 set 3
Press - TM 195
95x5
115x5
155x5 set 1 *
165x3 set 2
185x3 set 3
145x6 FSL set
Standing Bicep Curls
3 sets of EZ-Bar + 50lbs
No belted sets today.
- I should have been using 145 but did not pay attention to the plates I loaded on the bar.
Monday 5/4/15
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - Deload Week
Home Gym workout
Squat
135x5
185x5
225x5
275x5 paused
Bench Press
135x5
155x5
185x5
Barbell Row
3 sets of 75x12-15
Tuesday 5/5/15
BW 298
Quick kettlebellery during deload week - Fifty pounder
Swings - 20, 40, 40
Snatches - 10 per arm
Clean+Press - 10 per arm
Goblet squat - 10, 10, 18
Swings - 30
Wednesday 5/6/15
BW 297
5/3/1 Cycle 7 - Deload week
Deadlift
135x5
225x5
275x5
315x5
Should have belted. Forgot all about it.
Press
95x5
115x5
135x5
Should have belted this too.
Standing Bicep Curls
EZ-Bar + 50 lbs.
3 sets of 12
I should make a point to weigh the EZ-Bar.
For the last week I have been working with my third friend who has asked me for basic lifting instruction in the last year or so. He is an early-30’s Army veteran and he’s moving very well on everything after just three workouts. I think he has a ton of potential, he definitely has the right attitude and I am having a good time sharing what I know with him. The first two friends are presently lifting productively. I suppose getting a third under the bar is a good use of my time.