Super Strong Squatters - September check in and chat
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Looky look! I might have found my new gym!! http://www.fitnessacademybucks.co.uk/#!gallery/cv4p same price as the other one, but zero cardio bunnies and all sorts of interesting stuff (including atlas stones if I ever turn into a World's Strongest Woman!). Family run and it's a community project, so they will be capping membership at 250ppl, and some of the money goes to an African project. Met the brothers and their mum (who was cleaning mirrors in between her deadlift sets!!). Can have a free trial so might have a go!
they even had one of those sled thingyies ??Elaine?? was talking about. The only thing missing from my current setup is the assisted pullup machine.
Right at the end one of the brothers rushed over and said 'we do have a shower as well!' lol..0 -
Lydia - I would take them up on the trial and just see. Did they have AC??? As for the shoes, deck shoes mimic barefoot shoes and can take a while to adjust to or hurt if you wear them all day right off. You may be able to find some arch support shoe inserts that help relieve the pressure even in a flat shoe. Like Becca said, stretching is a good thing and you can roll your foot on a cold can of soda to get the cooling relief. If you wear flat shoes for lifting, but then switch back to a standard heel-toe-drop shoe, you may not notice the difference and only now noticed it with the deck shoes.0
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ooh that is an excellent question! it's cool here today, it's just a warehouse and they had the doors wide open. somehow I doubt it though if they are proud of their single shower lol.. something to ask when I go for the trial! tbh even if they had some fans they could put on in the summer it would probably be ok.
thanks for the shoe info, I've only been wearing the deck shoes to do my lifting in then changing into normal trainers for the HIIT etc but last night I didn't so all those kettlebell swings etc were in the flat shoes.. and naughty girl not stretching.
no idea where I'd even start looking for lifting shoes? any uk-ites got any ideas?!0 -
no idea where I'd even start looking for lifting shoes? any uk-ites got any ideas?!
I've been lifting in a pair of Nike runners and recently found a pair of Merrell glove-type shoes on sale which I now wear everywhere. They're not really pure "barefoot" shoes, even though I wear them barefoot and they fit very snugly, but they offer a large amount of support. My feet love them because they have a rather roomy toe box. You might try those if they sell them in the UK. I've been a Nike girl for years and was pleasantly surprised at how well the Merrells are built. Would never pay full price for them though cause I'm a cheapskate.
Here are the ones I have:
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-barefoot-crush-glove-black?ef_id=Ufbj5wAABGUbbgqQ:20130906134126:s&zfcTest=fcl:3
Not sure what the comparable UK model would be, but they sell Merrells in the UK also.0 -
no idea where I'd even start looking for lifting shoes? any uk-ites got any ideas?!
I've been lifting in a pair of Nike runners and recently found a pair of Merrell glove-type shoes on sale which I now wear everywhere. They're not really pure "barefoot" shoes, even though I wear them barefoot and they fit very snugly, but they offer a large amount of support. My feet love them because they have a rather roomy toe box. You might try those if they sell them in the UK. I've been a Nike girl for years and was pleasantly surprised at how well the Merrells are built. Would never pay full price for them though cause I'm a cheapskate.
Here are the ones I have:
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-barefoot-crush-glove-black?ef_id=Ufbj5wAABGUbbgqQ:20130906134126:s&zfcTest=fcl:3
Not sure what the comparable UK model would be, but they sell Merrells in the UK also.
I have a pair of Merrell barefoot shoes as well and LOVE them. I also wear them all the time, but it took me a while before I could run too far in them without sore calves. I've had the pair I wear for over a year now. My shoes are the 0mm heel-toe drop and only like 4mm of cushion. Despite being barefoot/minimalist, they have a decent arch support and allows the foot to get stronger. I'll have to get a new pair soon, but looking at the wear, I'm thinking I could get another 6 months out of them.0 -
First full week of lifting after my break! Today was *heavy* day for Texas.
Squats - 1x5 @170 (after a bunch of warmup sets). I really concentrated on going slow and low. The first 4 were pretty good, but the last one I don't think was quite to parallel.
OHP - 1x1 @95. :bigsmile: This equals my PR from a couple months ago, when I was doing Stronglifts for 3 months straight. Then I got a little burned out, deloaded a couple times and switched programs, so this is first time I've tried that weight since. No, I actually attempted it a while back after failing a 100lb attempt, but my muscles were already too fried.
Power Cleans - 5x3 @ 80 lbs. Getting more comfortable doing these.
Also, I started the You Are Your Own Gym phone app 10-week program yesterday. I also go the "Body by You" book from the library. Same premise and exercises, but the programs are somewhat different. Plus it's easier to have the phone tell me what to do than have to set my own timers and have to think about what exercise I'm supposed to do next.
I cut down on calories during my break, and haven't gone all the way back up to 1850. I wasn't shrinking the way I wanted to at that amount. I feel like I can eat most of what I want at about 1650. After logging for several months straight, it gets easier to see where small cuts here and there add up to a few hundred a day.0 -
oh I remembered! glute ham raise machine (a bit like a hyperextension except with bent legs??) and a prowler
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OHP - 1x1 @95. :bigsmile:
Wow. You're totally my hero!0 -
First full week of lifting after my break! Today was *heavy* day for Texas.
Squats - 1x5 @170 (after a bunch of warmup sets). I really concentrated on going slow and low. The first 4 were pretty good, but the last one I don't think was quite to parallel.
OHP - 1x1 @95. :bigsmile: This equals my PR from a couple months ago, when I was doing Stronglifts for 3 months straight. Then I got a little burned out, deloaded a couple times and switched programs, so this is first time I've tried that weight since. No, I actually attempted it a while back after failing a 100lb attempt, but my muscles were already too fried.
Power Cleans - 5x3 @ 80 lbs. Getting more comfortable doing these.
Also, I started the You Are Your Own Gym phone app 10-week program yesterday. I also go the "Body by You" book from the library. Same premise and exercises, but the programs are somewhat different. Plus it's easier to have the phone tell me what to do than have to set my own timers and have to think about what exercise I'm supposed to do next.
I cut down on calories during my break, and haven't gone all the way back up to 1850. I wasn't shrinking the way I wanted to at that amount. I feel like I can eat most of what I want at about 1650. After logging for several months straight, it gets easier to see where small cuts here and there add up to a few hundred a day.
Holy yikes! 95 OHP and 170 squat!!! You are officially my new hero.
I've been off SL for about 3.5 months. I'm finishing Phase 4 of Nia Shanks' (s)hero right now. I like it, and my body needed a break from SL, but I'm finding I miss getting under the bar regularly. So next month I'm switching to Nia's Beautiful Badass minimalist program, which is remarkable similar to SL but only squatting once per week.
I'm loving the lifting progress, but frustrated with the lack of fat loss. Part of it is that I just cannot force myself to log food anymore. I"m totally burned out on that after doing it for a year with minimum progress. I think I may just try to focus on getting stronger, eating healthy, and feeling good. Screw the stuipd scale and the stupid measuring tape----the point is to be fit and healthy, right?0 -
good arch support versus flat shoes for lifting? *confused*
thanks for the help, I'll stretch well tonight!
Sorry - not for lifting, but for all the other time on your feet! The more you can keep your arch stretched/supported when you're walking around, the better. Also, if you can reduce your time in heels (your job seems like a heels sort of gig, maybe) the better b/c that shortens the facia and promotes the inflammation. Mine gets bad when I go back and forth between heels and flats a lot.
I am lifting in brooks pure line shoes, which are their minimalist shoes - but the way the lacing works, it's tight across my arch and so it feels supported w/o padding.0 -
Hey ladies,
I lifted today and it was alright... I had a personal trainer come over and tell me that my DL form is all wrong.. That kinda bummed me out.
OHP (How I HATE thee)- 3X5 @ 55lbs 2X4 @ 55lbs
Squats- 5X5 @ 100lbs
Pendlay Row- 5X5 @ 95lbs (These are getting easier now that I don't lower my back so much)
Shoulder Shrugs- 5X5 @ 130lbs
Machine Crunches- 5X5 @ 70lbs
Romanian Deadlift- 1X3 @ 155lbs 1X3 @ 165lbs
I feel I can deadlift more but my grip is sucking badly.0 -
Yobecca comment: Fisherlassie - one of my fellow boot camp instructors always tells campers, when we're doing air squats "The more of these you do, the longer you'll be able to go to the bathroom by yourself! Squat for independence!" Have you tried, or looked into, using a foam roller for your butt issue? I have IT band issues, and started foam rolling those. But as my needs have changed, I'm rolling my quads, hammies, and butt now too - it hurts while you're doing it, but is so effective at working out muscle/joint issues.
Oh yes I hadn't thought about going to the bathroom!!! Very good point! I will try some sort of roller thing for my butt issues. Would a tennis ball work? Thanks for the suggestion.0 -
Hey ladies,
I lifted today and it was alright... I had a personal trainer come over and tell me that my DL form is all wrong.. That kinda bummed me out.
Did (s)he tell you what you were doing wrong? Do you trust their opinion? Did they show you the proper way to do it? I only ask because unless they powerlift, I don't trust their opinion. The "trainers" at my gym have no idea what to do and it's left me with a distrust of all trainers until they can otherwise prove themselves. I wouldn't be bummed out unless you value their opinion. In the mean time, you could submit a video and let us pick it apart.
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Ahhhh it's been a while since I pushed 1 RM deadlifts and forgot how fun those are. Only got to 125 but I'm a happy girl now. Sometimes ya gotta lift what ya gotta lift.
Oh yea there were power cleans and Pendlays too but only at 50 so ... whatevs.
TGIF !!! :drinker:0 -
Too much awesomeness going on in here! 5 pages in and it's only been one week!
I am getting reallllly itchy to get back under the bar - thankfully Monday is almost here, and I can start Wendler. Weee hoooooo!0 -
Oh yes I hadn't thought about going to the bathroom!!! Very good point! I will try some sort of roller thing for my butt issues. Would a tennis ball work? Thanks for the suggestion.
I use one like this: http://www.amazon.com/Exervo-Nimbus-EnduraBead-Roller-Round/dp/B004JOENI8/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_y
And I roll out my glutes the way this woman does:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Su5Svij_4 (except that I roll out the "center" of each butt cheek, and then angle more to get the side - but how she has her leg crossed is good form. Also the doctor here says 30 seconds, but I do 20 reps in each position. I do my IT bands slightly differently than him, but you can also roll out your hammies in this same way)
A tennis ball might be a bit soft to really get into the muscle. I know people who use PVC pipes - but that sounds painful to me. The foam roller is pretty firm, and it hurts like hell (in the moment - feels so good afterwards)0 -
Hey ladies,
I lifted today and it was alright... I had a personal trainer come over and tell me that my DL form is all wrong.. That kinda bummed me out.
Did (s)he tell you what you were doing wrong? Do you trust their opinion? Did they show you the proper way to do it? I only ask because unless they powerlift, I don't trust their opinion. The "trainers" at my gym have no idea what to do and it's left me with a distrust of all trainers until they can otherwise prove themselves. I wouldn't be bummed out unless you value their opinion. In the mean time, you could submit a video and let us pick it apart.
I kinda understood what he was saying. I was using too much of my back when I was getting to the heavier weight. I am going to deload and work on pushing up with my legs and glutes, not my back. I am going to do a video soon...0 -
Set A again
Question - rows. I struggle with rows and I'm sure it's a mental thing. I slipped a disc a few years ago in my back and ever sine have had ongoing back problems. Squats and deads don't bother my back, in fact when I'm lifting my back problem go away - I'm assuming it's due to my core getting stronger. But bending over for rows just feels wrong. Plus there's the fact the height is all wrong and yadda yadda. So as I am restarting I've been subbing dumb bell rows but it feels like an almighty cheat - and I know I'm going to end up hitting grip problems much earlier than I will with the barbell.
Any advice?0 -
I have to say that the point of true minimalist shoes is to eliminate external support. It is meant to mimic being barefoot, while keeping out dirt and keeping pointy things from cutting your feet (i.e. VFFs or Merrell Vapor Gloves). But that is a whole other discussion!Sorry - not for lifting, but for all the other time on your feet! The more you can keep your arch stretched/supported when you're walking around, the better. Also, if you can reduce your time in heels (your job seems like a heels sort of gig, maybe) the better b/c that shortens the facia and promotes the inflammation. Mine gets bad when I go back and forth between heels and flats a lot.
I am lifting in brooks pure line shoes, which are their minimalist shoes - but the way the lacing works, it's tight across my arch and so it feels supported w/o padding.0 -
Oh yes I hadn't thought about going to the bathroom!!! Very good point! I will try some sort of roller thing for my butt issues. Would a tennis ball work? Thanks for the suggestion.
A tennis ball might be a bit soft to really get into the muscle. I know people who use PVC pipes - but that sounds painful to me. The foam roller is pretty firm, and it hurts like hell (in the moment - feels so good afterwards)
At my Crossfit gym, they sell Lacrosse balls for doing this. I tried using a kids bouncy bouncy rubber ball at home (bought primarily because I was bored shopping one day and needed to bounce around Target to distract myself. Nothing like being a 7year old going on 47!) and it did ok. Mightn't have enough strength to keep pressure for long though. Just try one of your kid's balls (or your own, if you have an over active inner-child too!)
Edited to add... I got a foam roller online for $30. It hurts, so I don't use it often enough, but when I do, it makes a difference! Going to follow Yobekkas video tips later today...0 -
I kinda understood what he was saying. I was using too much of my back when I was getting to the heavier weight. I am going to deload and work on pushing up with my legs and glutes, not my back. I am going to do a video soon...
Try a mixed grip and tighten everything before you lift. The mixed grip will force you to use your legs/glutes a lot more and push up rather than yank. Your core and arms should be there to stabilize and guide the bar up, rather than yank it.A tennis ball might be a bit soft to really get into the muscle.
It's not. Tennis balls make me cry. They get into spots a foam roller can't and really help work out those trigger points very specifically. I swear by them now. Spend a few minutes with a tennis ball wedged between your back/glutes/shoulders/neck and a wall and try it. Also, a really great way to make yourself cry is to sit on the floor, put one ankle over the opposite knee to expose your piriformis, and then roll around on a tennis ball under your butt. EHR.MAH.GERD. :sad:
If the tennis ball keeps rolling down the wall because your arm isn't long enough to get it into that perfect spot on your upper back/shoulder/neck, put it in a pantyhose. Works great. Just make sure to keep it put until the pain lets up, because that's the point where the lactic acid is being released so that it can be absorbed by your body.0 -
Fisher for some reason I'm finding it awesome that you are skateboarding.
Nice ride Zanyzana!
Also what chubby said about the trainer times like...a billion.
More madcow today. Did squats 125x3, Bench 118x3, Row 80x3 and did assisted dips 3x8 supersetted with pushdowns 3x8 @40lbs. Then my triceps exploded.0 -
I have to say that the point of true minimalist shoes is to eliminate external support. It is meant to mimic being barefoot, while keeping out dirt and keeping pointy things from cutting your feet (i.e. VFFs or Merrell Vapor Gloves). But that is a whole other discussion!
Yeah, the Brooks line is definitely not actual minimalist shoes - just their more minimalist line. Which I am okay with. I had a good 2 years of active plantar fasciaitis, with daily pain that was usually tolerable, but sometimes unbearable, and even though I have it under control for the past 2 years, that's only b/c I baby the hell out of it. If I go a few days without taking All The Precautions (including sleeping in special sex-repellant socks), I start getting pain. It's a win for me that I am able to lift and now also run in a more minimalist shoe. Will prolly never go full minimalist and never ever barefoot - I can't even walk around the house barefoot without flare ups. Stupid PF sux.0 -
YAY! I did my second lift day this week, hitting my goal (2 days a week) and went up about 5 pounds in lifts since Tuesday. I should be BACK up to my pre-bronchitis lifts by the end of next week!0
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thanks for the shoe thoughts.. so, given that the foot is sore, something pure minimalist would probably be counterproductive. I therefore need something 'acceptable' for lifting (ie 0mm heel-toe drop) with a little cushioning for el heelo and some arch support I guess?!
*looks for magic shoe-giving unicorn*0 -
Got some sofsole gel arch supports to try in my deck shoes, at a fiver worth trying first!0
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I'm loving the lifting progress, but frustrated with the lack of fat loss. Part of it is that I just cannot force myself to log food anymore. I"m totally burned out on that after doing it for a year with minimum progress. I think I may just try to focus on getting stronger, eating healthy, and feeling good. Screw the stuipd scale and the stupid measuring tape----the point is to be fit and healthy, right?
*nods approvingly*
Also, welcome back!! :flowerforyou:0 -
Set A again
Question - rows. I struggle with rows and I'm sure it's a mental thing. I slipped a disc a few years ago in my back and ever sine have had ongoing back problems. Squats and deads don't bother my back, in fact when I'm lifting my back problem go away - I'm assuming it's due to my core getting stronger. But bending over for rows just feels wrong. Plus there's the fact the height is all wrong and yadda yadda. So as I am restarting I've been subbing dumb bell rows but it feels like an almighty cheat - and I know I'm going to end up hitting grip problems much earlier than I will with the barbell.
Any advice?
You lift from home, right?
Here's the thing: No program is worth you jacking up your back over. It doesn't matter if it "feels" like cheating, because your health is priority. And if I have to choose between health and some program ... well then health is going to win out. Period. Unless you really would love to end up in the hospital having your back operated on.
My suggestion to you would be to stick with dumbbell rows and do a mix of increased reps and weights, and take those up as heavy as you can. So you could start with 5x5, then do 5x6, etc up to 5x12 (I personally recommend no more than 12), and then increase weights at that point and start with 5x5 again. One-arm dumbbell rows are a great exercise, especially if you actually go heavy on those ("heavy" for me means like a 25 pound dumbbell to start with). If your back still gives you fits even with the support of the bench, try putting your bench upright and placing your upper body on it for support, like so:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dumbbell-incline-row
Every so often you could throw Pendlays into the mix, but certainly not aggressively, because they do put a load on your lower back, so be aware.
The only thing Pendlays do is a) give you a pulling movement (which any solid exercise program should have) and b) they work your upper back muscles.
You could also try maybe assisted pull-ups or chin-ups or whatever. There's no magic in barbell/Pendlay rows. It's just a rowing movement. They're fabulous, but if you can't do them, there's other equally fabulous rowing movements you can do instead, so no worries.0 -
Using a rolling pin to roll my arch out on, and dropping my heels for ten seconds each on every step up the stairs. Ow.0
