General Q&A Thread

24

Replies

  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    frannie078 wrote: »
    My knees cave in while deadlifting even at a very low weight. I don't have any issues squatting and keeping my knees out. Should I try sumo deadlifts?

    Can you post a video?
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    Short and dirty question. I tend to pull my trap (only the right one it seems) while trying to finish out reps on OHP and bent over rows. It's not every time, but occasionally it will happen. It gets twingy, and I can usually finish my reps without pain by the exercise, but turning my head hurts.

    I kind of have a feeling that it's something with how I'm holding my head or tensing while trying to force the reps. Looking around online, some people have suggested similar problems are due to muscle imbalances.

    Any ideas on cause and/or ways to possibly fix the problem. (Sorry, I have no way to record my form, but I find the form for both very difficult because there doesn't seem much to specifically do except keep legs and glutes tight and go for it.)

    Does this happen with DB presses?
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Sarauk2sf wrote: »
    auddii wrote: »
    Short and dirty question. I tend to pull my trap (only the right one it seems) while trying to finish out reps on OHP and bent over rows. It's not every time, but occasionally it will happen. It gets twingy, and I can usually finish my reps without pain by the exercise, but turning my head hurts.

    I kind of have a feeling that it's something with how I'm holding my head or tensing while trying to force the reps. Looking around online, some people have suggested similar problems are due to muscle imbalances.

    Any ideas on cause and/or ways to possibly fix the problem. (Sorry, I have no way to record my form, but I find the form for both very difficult because there doesn't seem much to specifically do except keep legs and glutes tight and go for it.)

    Does this happen with DB presses?

    That's a good question. I don't do DB presses often, but I do believe it happened once with them as well.
  • This content has been removed.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    Short and dirty question. I tend to pull my trap (only the right one it seems) while trying to finish out reps on OHP and bent over rows. It's not every time, but occasionally it will happen. It gets twingy, and I can usually finish my reps without pain by the exercise, but turning my head hurts.

    I kind of have a feeling that it's something with how I'm holding my head or tensing while trying to force the reps. Looking around online, some people have suggested similar problems are due to muscle imbalances.

    Any ideas on cause and/or ways to possibly fix the problem. (Sorry, I have no way to record my form, but I find the form for both very difficult because there doesn't seem much to specifically do except keep legs and glutes tight and go for it.)

    I probably don't have an answer on this without seeing your form. I suppose it could be possible to over-extend at the top of the press. I'd be curious if the degree of scapular elevation at the top of the press could be causing problems.

    Totally speculating.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    auddii wrote: »
    Short and dirty question. I tend to pull my trap (only the right one it seems) while trying to finish out reps on OHP and bent over rows. It's not every time, but occasionally it will happen. It gets twingy, and I can usually finish my reps without pain by the exercise, but turning my head hurts.

    I kind of have a feeling that it's something with how I'm holding my head or tensing while trying to force the reps. Looking around online, some people have suggested similar problems are due to muscle imbalances.

    Any ideas on cause and/or ways to possibly fix the problem. (Sorry, I have no way to record my form, but I find the form for both very difficult because there doesn't seem much to specifically do except keep legs and glutes tight and go for it.)

    I probably don't have an answer on this without seeing your form. I suppose it could be possible to over-extend at the top of the press. I'd be curious if the degree of scapular elevation at the top of the press could be causing problems.

    Totally speculating.

    Hm, maybe I'll just have to find a way to video and then post in the form check.

    Another random question.

    I followed stronglifts for over a year, then strong curves for a few months, and right now I'm in the middle of a glute challenge that Bret Contreras wrote. However, I'm finding myself missing the big lifts and the progression and am thinking about going back to SL or possibly an intermediate program.

    I've read the intro to Wendler's 5/3/1, and he mentions that if you don't know where you are weak and what accessories to add to fix those problems, you shouldn't run the program. My question is, how do you learn this? I can look at my bench numbers and know they're low in comparison to my lower body (well, all my arm lifts in general). But how do you go from that knowledge to designing a well rounded program.

    Essentially, how do you gain the knowledge to transition from a beginner program where you just do the program as is to learning enough to do/semi-design (picking appropriate accessories as a part of the program) an intermediate program?
  • ElizabethMaryam
    ElizabethMaryam Posts: 159 Member
    Sarauk2sf wrote: »
    I'm 153 right now. I was 183 in Mid March 2014. I would like to get down to 115/120 but if I had more muscle mass, I'm not concerned as much about the numbers; but it would be nice to get back into my size 2/4's. I gained about 70 lbs three years ago when my blood pressure skyrocketed for no reason. It went back to normal 1.5 years ago and I've had treadmill tests, etc to make sure I'm fine to do whatever. My bp last Wednesday was 100/64. My main goal is to be healthy, improve my stamina and feel great :)

    I would up protein a bit. I had a quick peak at your diary to see where you could take the calories from and your intake is pretty variable. This is not necessarily an an issue in itself, but it makes it hard to make a suggestion as to tweaking macros. I would try to get your intake a little more consistent so you can get at least 100g protein (a bit higher would probably be better). Also, people with thyroid issues tend to do better with lowish/moderate carbs - so try to keep those a little more consistent and to roughly 120 - 160g (depending on your intake levels and activity).

    This is obviously a very high level suggestion without much data/information to go on, so please take the suggestions in that light.

    I have a couple of links for vegan protein (as it sounds as if you have issues with animal based protein) that I will try to find and copy here when I do.

    Thanks :). Without getting into details the past few weeks have been awful and don't reflect how I was eating previously; but I had quite a number of family emergencies that I didn't cope well with, and ate a lot if comfort foods and basically tried to just survive. (I had even closed my account ... With my good info; but immediately regretted it because I knew I needed this site, and my friends here, to help me get healthy. So I came back but unfortunately had to open a new account, so my history is gone. And yesterday was like a day from h***; but it's a new day and I know I have to address emotional eating, as my stressors are not leaving any time soon ... lol. I do admit though that I physically and emotionally feel 300% better eating within my macros and calorie limit than I do when I just eat whatever and stay within or go over my calories.

    I would be very interested in the vegan protein; but, due to my thyroid issues, I can't have soy protein .... So I'm not sure if there are good vegan options that do not use soy as their main source of protein.

    With the macros you were suggesting for protein and carbs, it would mean that I would have to increase them both and lower my fat? Am I understanding correctly? My gram ratio for p/c/f is 90/90/53 ... with the percents as 30/30/40.

    Thanks so much for your help.
  • ElizabethMaryam
    ElizabethMaryam Posts: 159 Member
    Btw, my bookmark for this post is not working. I tried turning it off and on again but MFP doesn't show it at being bookmarked, so if you respond and I don't comment for a while, it's just that I haven't had an opportunity to manually check this post. Thanks :)
  • CarlKRobbo
    CarlKRobbo Posts: 390 Member
    edited November 2014
    Another random question.

    I followed stronglifts for over a year, then strong curves for a few months, and right now I'm in the middle of a glute challenge that Bret Contreras wrote. However, I'm finding myself missing the big lifts and the progression and am thinking about going back to SL or possibly an intermediate program.

    I've read the intro to Wendler's 5/3/1, and he mentions that if you don't know where you are weak and what accessories to add to fix those problems, you shouldn't run the program. My question is, how do you learn this? I can look at my bench numbers and know they're low in comparison to my lower body (well, all my arm lifts in general). But how do you go from that knowledge to designing a well rounded program.

    Essentially, how do you gain the knowledge to transition from a beginner program where you just do the program as is to learning enough to do/semi-design (picking appropriate accessories as a part of the program) an intermediate program?

    Ok, so Sara\SS probably word this better than me..... Experience.. Sounds like a short, sharp answer but it is true in a way..... (You'll see by my post below I need to learn more as well!)

    Take Bench - If weak on lockout, then Triceps work helps, If weak off the chest, then Paused work Helps. It's about finding YOUR weak section of the lift, and then working out which relevant muscle group requires more work to elevate that lift.

    If you take Squats - My weakness was "out of the hole" Paused squats fixed that (Although I am now weaker mid-lift)

    Going from a beginner to being able to design your own program\accessories, is about learning your body, your limits, and that will in turn, highlight your weakness. You then program the relevant assistance in accordingly.


    Random question, if I may?

    I keep getting weak spots in the mid part of lifts? Now on squats :( I can get out of the hole, but midway is where the work starts... I shall post a vid in form critique thread showing said issue.... Same issue on Bench - Off the chest, fine, Lockout fine, Midway is the weak point any idea's?
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    SideSteel wrote: »
    auddii wrote: »
    Short and dirty question. I tend to pull my trap (only the right one it seems) while trying to finish out reps on OHP and bent over rows. It's not every time, but occasionally it will happen. It gets twingy, and I can usually finish my reps without pain by the exercise, but turning my head hurts.

    I kind of have a feeling that it's something with how I'm holding my head or tensing while trying to force the reps. Looking around online, some people have suggested similar problems are due to muscle imbalances.

    Any ideas on cause and/or ways to possibly fix the problem. (Sorry, I have no way to record my form, but I find the form for both very difficult because there doesn't seem much to specifically do except keep legs and glutes tight and go for it.)

    I probably don't have an answer on this without seeing your form. I suppose it could be possible to over-extend at the top of the press. I'd be curious if the degree of scapular elevation at the top of the press could be causing problems.

    Totally speculating.

    Hm, maybe I'll just have to find a way to video and then post in the form check.

    Another random question.

    I followed stronglifts for over a year, then strong curves for a few months, and right now I'm in the middle of a glute challenge that Bret Contreras wrote. However, I'm finding myself missing the big lifts and the progression and am thinking about going back to SL or possibly an intermediate program.

    I've read the intro to Wendler's 5/3/1, and he mentions that if you don't know where you are weak and what accessories to add to fix those problems, you shouldn't run the program. My question is, how do you learn this? I can look at my bench numbers and know they're low in comparison to my lower body (well, all my arm lifts in general). But how do you go from that knowledge to designing a well rounded program.

    Essentially, how do you gain the knowledge to transition from a beginner program where you just do the program as is to learning enough to do/semi-design (picking appropriate accessories as a part of the program) an intermediate program?

    The first question would be whether or not you would benefit more by going on an intermediate program like 5/3/1 or with a more aggressive loading parameter like SL. And that's ultimately going to depend on whether or not you can still regularly progress on SL.

    If you can't progress on SL then I'd consider looking at Madcow or Texas Method as an intermediate step between SL and 5/3/1.

    Regarding your question though, I think you learn more about program design from reading about it. Assessing particular weaknesses can be tough and I struggle with this myself. My personal opinion is that in many circumstances, what looks like a muscular weakness can often be a technical issue.

    So in other words when you watch a beginner deadlift and they don't fire the glutes under the bar (they lever the bar up with their spinal erectors) it's not necessarily a muscular weakness as much as it's them not knowing how to fire their glutes properly and this is often addressed by fixing the technique rather than strengthening the muscle.

    Same thing with movement dysfunctions on a squat, in many cases.

    Now this doesn't mean that I don't think weak areas should be brought up, it's just that it's really tricky to identify whether a physical weakness is causing movement issues or if movement issues are caused by not doing it right, and I think "not doing it right" causes most of it especially in beginners and probably in many intermediate lifters as well.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    CarlKRobbo wrote: »
    Another random question.

    I followed stronglifts for over a year, then strong curves for a few months, and right now I'm in the middle of a glute challenge that Bret Contreras wrote. However, I'm finding myself missing the big lifts and the progression and am thinking about going back to SL or possibly an intermediate program.

    I've read the intro to Wendler's 5/3/1, and he mentions that if you don't know where you are weak and what accessories to add to fix those problems, you shouldn't run the program. My question is, how do you learn this? I can look at my bench numbers and know they're low in comparison to my lower body (well, all my arm lifts in general). But how do you go from that knowledge to designing a well rounded program.

    Essentially, how do you gain the knowledge to transition from a beginner program where you just do the program as is to learning enough to do/semi-design (picking appropriate accessories as a part of the program) an intermediate program?

    Ok, so Sara\SS probably word this better than me..... Experience.. Sounds like a short, sharp answer but it is true in a way..... (You'll see by my post below I need to learn more as well!)

    Take Bench - If weak on lockout, then Triceps work helps, If weak off the chest, then Paused work Helps. It's about finding YOUR weak section of the lift, and then working out which relevant muscle group requires more work to elevate that lift.

    If you take Squats - My weakness was "out of the hole" Paused squats fixed that (Although I am now weaker mid-lift)

    Going from a beginner to being able to design your own program\accessories, is about learning your body, your limits, and that will in turn, highlight your weakness. You then program the relevant assistance in accordingly.


    Random question, if I may?

    I keep getting weak spots in the mid part of lifts? Now on squats :( I can get out of the hole, but midway is where the work starts... I shall post a vid in form critique thread showing said issue.... Same issue on Bench - Off the chest, fine, Lockout fine, Midway is the weak point any idea's?

    Post a video, that's probably the best way to take a look at it. We get a few other posters that comment on form vids so hopefully you'll get some good feedback.

    I struggled with my lockout on bench, still do, but in my case it's not a tricep issue at all even though the school of thought around that tends to be to address the location at which the issue occurs.

    But another school of thought is that the lockout is struggling because I'm just not fast enough before the sticking point. So for example rather than hitting board presses or floor presses to address the lockout, I just programmed bench more intelligently and got stronger on the bench. Faster off the chest = bar has more inertia going through the sticking point = no longer sticking.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Do you guys love me?

    long time
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Ha. So, I'm assuming most of my problems could be helped if I buy a phone not from the stone age that will actually allow me to video myself. I really do think form is a limiting factor for me upping my weights. I watch more videos, drop the weights and try to improve, but I do think at this point I'm going to need someone more experienced to point out what's going wrong.

    Maybe for christmas...
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    I very recently (just three days ago) made the jump from going to the gym to having a cage at home. The cage I have doesn't have a dip station, and my best option right now is to use some stools and do them like in this video:


    This style, with my palms flat on the surface, feels more straining on the wrist than doing them in a dip station where I have two parallel bars to grip. Is it okay to do them like this or should I try for a different set up where I have bars to grip?
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Sarauk2sf wrote: »
    I'm 153 right now. I was 183 in Mid March 2014. I would like to get down to 115/120 but if I had more muscle mass, I'm not concerned as much about the numbers; but it would be nice to get back into my size 2/4's. I gained about 70 lbs three years ago when my blood pressure skyrocketed for no reason. It went back to normal 1.5 years ago and I've had treadmill tests, etc to make sure I'm fine to do whatever. My bp last Wednesday was 100/64. My main goal is to be healthy, improve my stamina and feel great :)

    I would up protein a bit. I had a quick peak at your diary to see where you could take the calories from and your intake is pretty variable. This is not necessarily an an issue in itself, but it makes it hard to make a suggestion as to tweaking macros. I would try to get your intake a little more consistent so you can get at least 100g protein (a bit higher would probably be better). Also, people with thyroid issues tend to do better with lowish/moderate carbs - so try to keep those a little more consistent and to roughly 120 - 160g (depending on your intake levels and activity).

    This is obviously a very high level suggestion without much data/information to go on, so please take the suggestions in that light.

    I have a couple of links for vegan protein (as it sounds as if you have issues with animal based protein) that I will try to find and copy here when I do.

    Thanks :). Without getting into details the past few weeks have been awful and don't reflect how I was eating previously; but I had quite a number of family emergencies that I didn't cope well with, and ate a lot if comfort foods and basically tried to just survive. (I had even closed my account ... With my good info; but immediately regretted it because I knew I needed this site, and my friends here, to help me get healthy. So I came back but unfortunately had to open a new account, so my history is gone. And yesterday was like a day from h***; but it's a new day and I know I have to address emotional eating, as my stressors are not leaving any time soon ... lol. I do admit though that I physically and emotionally feel 300% better eating within my macros and calorie limit than I do when I just eat whatever and stay within or go over my calories.

    I would be very interested in the vegan protein; but, due to my thyroid issues, I can't have soy protein .... So I'm not sure if there are good vegan options that do not use soy as their main source of protein.

    With the macros you were suggesting for protein and carbs, it would mean that I would have to increase them both and lower my fat? Am I understanding correctly? My gram ratio for p/c/f is 90/90/53 ... with the percents as 30/30/40.

    Thanks so much for your help.


    Can you have wheat gluten (seitan)?
  • ElizabethMaryam
    ElizabethMaryam Posts: 159 Member
    Yes (I don't have an issue with gluten, so I'm assuming it's okay). I will look into it at the grocery store; but I never heard of it until this past week, when you mentioned it in an earlier comment. Thanks :)
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    edited November 2014
    I very recently (just three days ago) made the jump from going to the gym to having a cage at home. The cage I have doesn't have a dip station, and my best option right now is to use some stools and do them like in this video:


    This style, with my palms flat on the surface, feels more straining on the wrist than doing them in a dip station where I have two parallel bars to grip. Is it okay to do them like this or should I try for a different set up where I have bars to grip?

    If I were in your position I would look for an alternative method if one exists, given that this method hurts your wrists (it would hurt mine too).

    EDIT: Although, I'm just curious, are you using a similar grip to his where your fingers are curled over the edge of the bench rather than having them flat on the surface of the bench? The former might possibly reduce wrist strain and have you pushing through the heel of your palms a bit more. That's sort of an afterthought.
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    If I were in your position I would look for an alternative method if one exists, given that this method hurts your wrists (it would hurt mine too).

    EDIT: Although, I'm just curious, are you using a similar grip to his where your fingers are curled over the edge of the bench rather than having them flat on the surface of the bench? The former might possibly reduce wrist strain and have you pushing through the heel of your palms a bit more. That's sort of an afterthought.

    Thanks, that was my gut feeling, but I thought I'd pose the question to the ETP group to verify with those with more knowledge and experience.

    I did not the first time. I had used a different video for reference first and he had his hands flat and was using a chair/books and a counter top. While looking for another video to post, I found this one that better matched what I was doing. I tried it again with my fingers curled over the edge, and it reduced the strain but it is definitely more than with bars to grip.
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    I posted this on the general forums as well, thought I would get more quality responses from you guys though.

    The more I lift the more I understand that sometimes, barring any egregious form errors, one most tweak lifts to suit them. How do you know your squat stance is too wide. I generally ignore pain as I know I'm stiff in early sets and it will go away, however, I notice more and more that squats are causing me legitimate pain in, what I would describe as, the femoral head area.

    I have always tried to squat as wide as possible since that's what all low bar videos say to do. I just wonder if I could lessen the pain by narrowing a bit but still keep the low bar style?

    Thanks for your time.

  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I posted this on the general forums as well, thought I would get more quality responses from you guys though.

    The more I lift the more I understand that sometimes, barring any egregious form errors, one most tweak lifts to suit them. How do you know your squat stance is too wide. I generally ignore pain as I know I'm stiff in early sets and it will go away, however, I notice more and more that squats are causing me legitimate pain in, what I would describe as, the femoral head area.

    I have always tried to squat as wide as possible since that's what all low bar videos say to do. I just wonder if I could lessen the pain by narrowing a bit but still keep the low bar style?

    Thanks for your time.

    I would consider how it feels when you make a change and I'd consider how light it makes the bar feel and what position it puts you body in when you make a change.

    Some examples: I find it easier to drive my knees out when I externally rotate my feet a fair amount. So I do it. I find that if I go too wide with my stance it becomes harder to keep my knees out AND it causes discomfort in my hips, so I use a fairly moderate stance.

    Another random example: I would really like to widen my grip on bench to shorten my ROM but I can't manage to do so without pain in my shoulders, even when I tuck my elbows. So I don't go wide.

    Another random example: My limb lengths place my back almost parallel to the floor in a proper conventional deadlift. The result is that my room for error is very very small in that I end up injured. I'm stronger at conventional (at least I was) than sumo, and my mobility when I started sumo wasn't great. So I switched to a narrow stance sumo and worked on widening it over time. My mobility also improved and now I'm slightly stronger in a sumo position and much more mobile, and it's removed a LOT of stress off of my back so I'm able to deadlift more frequently.

    I realize this post doesn't directly answer your question. It's "mostly" personal preference on many of these technical aspects but you should also consider additional factors. I used the sumo deadlift as an example in that, my PREFERENCE was to pull conventional but after objectively looking at my situation sumo was a much better choice so I had to put the work in to get better at that method and acquire the mobility to execute it.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    I posted this on the general forums as well, thought I would get more quality responses from you guys though.

    The more I lift the more I understand that sometimes, barring any egregious form errors, one most tweak lifts to suit them. How do you know your squat stance is too wide. I generally ignore pain as I know I'm stiff in early sets and it will go away, however, I notice more and more that squats are causing me legitimate pain in, what I would describe as, the femoral head area.

    I have always tried to squat as wide as possible since that's what all low bar videos say to do. I just wonder if I could lessen the pain by narrowing a bit but still keep the low bar style?

    Thanks for your time.

    I would consider how it feels when you make a change and I'd consider how light it makes the bar feel and what position it puts you body in when you make a change.

    Some examples: I find it easier to drive my knees out when I externally rotate my feet a fair amount. So I do it. I find that if I go too wide with my stance it becomes harder to keep my knees out AND it causes discomfort in my hips, so I use a fairly moderate stance.

    Another random example: I would really like to widen my grip on bench to shorten my ROM but I can't manage to do so without pain in my shoulders, even when I tuck my elbows. So I don't go wide.

    Another random example: My limb lengths place my back almost parallel to the floor in a proper conventional deadlift. The result is that my room for error is very very small in that I end up injured. I'm stronger at conventional (at least I was) than sumo, and my mobility when I started sumo wasn't great. So I switched to a narrow stance sumo and worked on widening it over time. My mobility also improved and now I'm slightly stronger in a sumo position and much more mobile, and it's removed a LOT of stress off of my back so I'm able to deadlift more frequently.

    I realize this post doesn't directly answer your question. It's "mostly" personal preference on many of these technical aspects but you should also consider additional factors. I used the sumo deadlift as an example in that, my PREFERENCE was to pull conventional but after objectively looking at my situation sumo was a much better choice so I had to put the work in to get better at that method and acquire the mobility to execute it.

    Great reply, I have found all three of these things to be true in myself too. #teampovertybench #sumodeadlift4lyfe
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Using this thread to test group notifications and bookmarks
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Sarauk2sf wrote: »
    Using this thread to test group notifications and bookmarks

    Wishful thinking...
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    Sarauk2sf wrote: »
    Using this thread to test group notifications and bookmarks

    Wishful thinking...

    Even if it does work, it'll stop working tomorrow.
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    I posted this on the general forums as well, thought I would get more quality responses from you guys though.

    The more I lift the more I understand that sometimes, barring any egregious form errors, one most tweak lifts to suit them. How do you know your squat stance is too wide. I generally ignore pain as I know I'm stiff in early sets and it will go away, however, I notice more and more that squats are causing me legitimate pain in, what I would describe as, the femoral head area.

    I have always tried to squat as wide as possible since that's what all low bar videos say to do. I just wonder if I could lessen the pain by narrowing a bit but still keep the low bar style?

    Thanks for your time.

    I would consider how it feels when you make a change and I'd consider how light it makes the bar feel and what position it puts you body in when you make a change.

    Some examples: I find it easier to drive my knees out when I externally rotate my feet a fair amount. So I do it. I find that if I go too wide with my stance it becomes harder to keep my knees out AND it causes discomfort in my hips, so I use a fairly moderate stance.

    Another random example: I would really like to widen my grip on bench to shorten my ROM but I can't manage to do so without pain in my shoulders, even when I tuck my elbows. So I don't go wide.

    Another random example: My limb lengths place my back almost parallel to the floor in a proper conventional deadlift. The result is that my room for error is very very small in that I end up injured. I'm stronger at conventional (at least I was) than sumo, and my mobility when I started sumo wasn't great. So I switched to a narrow stance sumo and worked on widening it over time. My mobility also improved and now I'm slightly stronger in a sumo position and much more mobile, and it's removed a LOT of stress off of my back so I'm able to deadlift more frequently.

    I realize this post doesn't directly answer your question. It's "mostly" personal preference on many of these technical aspects but you should also consider additional factors. I used the sumo deadlift as an example in that, my PREFERENCE was to pull conventional but after objectively looking at my situation sumo was a much better choice so I had to put the work in to get better at that method and acquire the mobility to execute it.

    I did get a great deal of responses on the main forum, but this is one of the best bits I've heard, and if I'm not mistaken Dopeitup said something very similar. I basically have to find some way to be physically comfortable no matter what form variations I use or else I will eventually abandon the lift all together.

    Do what works for you (within reason). Hey, I'm pretty sure you've said this many times.

    Thanks SS. And also thanks again Dope!
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    I posted this on the general forums as well, thought I would get more quality responses from you guys though.

    The more I lift the more I understand that sometimes, barring any egregious form errors, one most tweak lifts to suit them. How do you know your squat stance is too wide. I generally ignore pain as I know I'm stiff in early sets and it will go away, however, I notice more and more that squats are causing me legitimate pain in, what I would describe as, the femoral head area.

    I have always tried to squat as wide as possible since that's what all low bar videos say to do. I just wonder if I could lessen the pain by narrowing a bit but still keep the low bar style?

    Thanks for your time.

    I would consider how it feels when you make a change and I'd consider how light it makes the bar feel and what position it puts you body in when you make a change.

    Some examples: I find it easier to drive my knees out when I externally rotate my feet a fair amount. So I do it. I find that if I go too wide with my stance it becomes harder to keep my knees out AND it causes discomfort in my hips, so I use a fairly moderate stance.

    Another random example: I would really like to widen my grip on bench to shorten my ROM but I can't manage to do so without pain in my shoulders, even when I tuck my elbows. So I don't go wide.

    Another random example: My limb lengths place my back almost parallel to the floor in a proper conventional deadlift. The result is that my room for error is very very small in that I end up injured. I'm stronger at conventional (at least I was) than sumo, and my mobility when I started sumo wasn't great. So I switched to a narrow stance sumo and worked on widening it over time. My mobility also improved and now I'm slightly stronger in a sumo position and much more mobile, and it's removed a LOT of stress off of my back so I'm able to deadlift more frequently.

    I realize this post doesn't directly answer your question. It's "mostly" personal preference on many of these technical aspects but you should also consider additional factors. I used the sumo deadlift as an example in that, my PREFERENCE was to pull conventional but after objectively looking at my situation sumo was a much better choice so I had to put the work in to get better at that method and acquire the mobility to execute it.

    I did get a great deal of responses on the main forum, but this is one of the best bits I've heard, and if I'm not mistaken Dopeitup said something very similar. I basically have to find some way to be physically comfortable no matter what form variations I use or else I will eventually abandon the lift all together.

    Do what works for you (within reason). Hey, I'm pretty sure you've said this many times.

    Thanks SS. And also thanks again Dope!

    <3
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    ^^Easy now Taylor Swift lol.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    ^^Easy now Taylor Swift lol.

    :laugh:
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    Without knowing my goals it may be difficult to answer, but, in general, would you consider the above "balanced"? I am still doing Strong lifts and am still progressing (very slowly), however I may like to switch it up in the near future. Thanks!
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