For any of you that attended the Test-Fest, you should remember the first part of this story, for everyone else, here goes:
Back in October I hurt my low back on my last set of squats. I was on the second rep of 335x3. Needless to say, I didn’t do the third rep, or any back squatting for the next several months.
Fortunately the pain was not excruciating, I could still work and work out. I was definitely limited on what I could do at the gym, especially lower body. I basically followed the RH program I outlined at Test-Fest.
So, in January I got the opportunity to start working out with Dave Tate and a couple of his training partners. I walk into the EliteFTS gym (which I have started calling the London Dungeon {it’s in London, OH}) on Saturday morning, squat day, having not had a barbell on my back for about 3 mo.
Talk about the most humbling experience of your life. Here is Dave, who has squatted over 900#, Mike Ruggerio, 1050# and Todd Brock. Here I am not having squatted in months, plus learning to box squat with a new stance. I was stuggling with reps of 225. However, these guys were great, offering tips and encouragment.
Fast forward to this past weekend, and I squatted 500X1 (195# bodyweight). Huge PR for me, actually I had been setting PR’s for several weeks, but this is one of those benchmark numbers.
I would never have done that in my life if it wasn’t for the help of Dave, Mike and Todd. So, I thought I would extend them a personal note of thanks and let everyone in on the secret.
It all comes down to training environment and training partners. Surround yourself with people who are positive, encouraging and stronger than you and you will get stronger. Stronger than you ever could by working out by yourself or having someone spot you. This is an absolute! That is the secret. Worth it’s weight in gold.
For anyone who does not know Dave,other than being the hard-core, tell-it-like-it-is, no BS guy you hear about, he is really a great person. He gave out a copy of his Under the Bar book to all the people at Test-Fest, and if you haven’t read it, I would highly encourage you to read it. Great book about life and lifting.
So, once again thank you Dave. I appreciate the opportunity.
Take care,
Ryan