Strength Training PR's - Brag About Your Success

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Replies

  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    Oh and I am assuming that you've both tried reversing one hand on your deads?

    I do this.

    The last few weeks my grip has increased I think.

    I only really do farmers walks and I have a lacrosse ball which I use for massage, I have it down the side of my arm chair, and when I'm watching TV, I squeeze it with my weaker hand.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    Well, I've been on a bit of a hiatus to do some health issues, but I was doing Stronglifts 5x5 which I had just started doing with only the bar. I was up to 60/65 pounds on all of the lifts. 65 was easy on the deadlifts, but I figured I would just follow the program and go up in the 5 pound increments. One day my husband left the bar sitting on the floor w/ 45 pound plates on it. I jokingly said, "Let's see if I can deadlift this!" I actually did 3 reps at 135 pounds, thinking I was only capable of maybe going up to 70 that week!

    The thing is the linear progression model is designed so that you can progress for as long as possible and as a beginner you don't actually need to be up above 80% of 1rm to make strength gains. (and it appears that hypertrophy gains can be had with a lot less than that)

    So if you stick to the small increases then you can make gains in strength and hopefully it will then take longer to actually plateau. As well as that obviously more practice at lighter weights to practice the form is a good idea.
  • Lynxie83
    Lynxie83 Posts: 246
    Oh and I am assuming that you've both tried reversing one hand on your deads?

    I currently don't do deads or any of those lifting lifts... PT and I are mostly focusing on all round strength at the moment, so doing more body weight stuff with leg press, bench, curls, lat pull down etc.

    I think I'll look at the other things down the track, but at the moment I'm happy with what I'm doing, but I do need to fix the grip issues.

    I'll use everyone's suggestions too thanks guys!! :bigsmile:
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    a deadlift is like all of those exercise in one :happy:
  • Nataliaho
    Nataliaho Posts: 878 Member
    Oh and I am assuming that you've both tried reversing one hand on your deads?

    I currently don't do deads or any of those lifting lifts... PT and I are mostly focusing on all round strength at the moment, so doing more body weight stuff with leg press, bench, curls, lat pull down etc.

    I think I'll look at the other things down the track, but at the moment I'm happy with what I'm doing, but I do need to fix the grip issues.

    I'll use everyone's suggestions too thanks guys!! :bigsmile:

    What do you mean by "all those lifting lifts"? I'm kinda confused, what are you have grip issues on if you're not lifting?
  • Lynxie83
    Lynxie83 Posts: 246
    I don't do dead lifts, goblet lifts or squats (mainly no squatting coz of my knee), I have grip issues with my pull ups/dips mostly, but I am finding it's becoming an issue as I get heavier weights with my bench press and even sometimes with my lat pull down.

    I was looking into gloves/grips to help, but I figure if I fix the problem straight up I don't need to buy anything to 'assist'

    if that makes sense?!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I don't do dead lifts, goblet lifts or squats (mainly no squatting coz of my knee), I have grip issues with my pull ups/dips mostly, but I am finding it's becoming an issue as I get heavier weights with my bench press and even sometimes with my lat pull down.

    I was looking into gloves/grips to help, but I figure if I fix the problem straight up I don't need to buy anything to 'assist'

    if that makes sense?!

    Gloves are bad. They interfere with your grip rather than helping it. The grip exercises will help with everything except bench and dips- I'm surprised you're having issues with that. Usually it's pulling lifts that are grip trouble.
  • Lynxie83
    Lynxie83 Posts: 246
    I don't do dead lifts, goblet lifts or squats (mainly no squatting coz of my knee), I have grip issues with my pull ups/dips mostly, but I am finding it's becoming an issue as I get heavier weights with my bench press and even sometimes with my lat pull down.

    I was looking into gloves/grips to help, but I figure if I fix the problem straight up I don't need to buy anything to 'assist'

    if that makes sense?!

    Gloves are bad. They interfere with your grip rather than helping it. The grip exercises will help with everything except bench and dips- I'm surprised you're having issues with that. Usually it's pulling lifts that are grip trouble.

    I have a feeling that the problem with my dips is all over arm weakness (especially wrists) so hopefully all the grip exercises will help with that too.
  • Nataliaho
    Nataliaho Posts: 878 Member
    I don't do dead lifts, goblet lifts or squats (mainly no squatting coz of my knee), I have grip issues with my pull ups/dips mostly, but I am finding it's becoming an issue as I get heavier weights with my bench press and even sometimes with my lat pull down.

    I was looking into gloves/grips to help, but I figure if I fix the problem straight up I don't need to buy anything to 'assist'

    if that makes sense?!

    So with the bench, in what way do you think your grip is failing? Is it like the bar might roll back towards your head? If so you need to make sure that your wrist is straight. You want your arm and the top of your hand to be a continuous straight line so that the weight of the bar is not being concentrated onto your wrists.

    As for the lat pulldows, I don't do them but I imagine that chin/pull-ups would be helpful.

    I think there is a place for gloves, but not as a tool to help with grip.
  • Nataliaho
    Nataliaho Posts: 878 Member
    I don't do dead lifts, goblet lifts or squats (mainly no squatting coz of my knee), I have grip issues with my pull ups/dips mostly, but I am finding it's becoming an issue as I get heavier weights with my bench press and even sometimes with my lat pull down.

    I was looking into gloves/grips to help, but I figure if I fix the problem straight up I don't need to buy anything to 'assist'

    if that makes sense?!

    Gloves are bad. They interfere with your grip rather than helping it. The grip exercises will help with everything except bench and dips- I'm surprised you're having issues with that. Usually it's pulling lifts that are grip trouble.

    I have a feeling that the problem with my dips is all over arm weakness (especially wrists) so hopefully all the grip exercises will help with that too.

    Wrist weakness is a different thing and is reasonably common. I don't think there's anything wrong with using wrist wraps on bench. I have really weak and flexible wrists and I have to wear wraps for bench and squat.
  • Lynxie83
    Lynxie83 Posts: 246
    I have experienced that issue Nataliaho, but I also notice with heavier weights (particularly when doing the pulling type things) my grip actually failing, like my fingers can't keep the bar against my hand (if that makes sense) so I end up holding the weight with my fingers more than with the whole hand...

    Gee that kinda sucks as a description. Maybe when I get home I can find some pics to illustrate what I mean.
  • amy1612
    amy1612 Posts: 1,356 Member
    Deadlifted 75kg yesterday, 3 reps :)
  • ChrisGoldn
    ChrisGoldn Posts: 473 Member
    Well, I've been on a bit of a hiatus to do some health issues, but I was doing Stronglifts 5x5 which I had just started doing with only the bar. I was up to 60/65 pounds on all of the lifts. 65 was easy on the deadlifts, but I figured I would just follow the program and go up in the 5 pound increments. One day my husband left the bar sitting on the floor w/ 45 pound plates on it. I jokingly said, "Let's see if I can deadlift this!" I actually did 3 reps at 135 pounds, thinking I was only capable of maybe going up to 70 that week!


    With Stronglift 5x5 program, because you only do 1 working set of DL's if you make the 5 reps the next workout is suppose to increase 10lbs. All the rest are 5lb increments. Just FYI
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    It was a little ugly, but I finally got it - 500 lb deadlift! I just feel so pumped right now.

    Fantastic! You deserve to be pumped!!
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    I rocked 85kg squats on Wednesday and I'm up to 82.5kg deads - without wraps :) Slowly sorting my grip issues out.

    If your squats are that heavy, you have great potential to go much higher on your deads so its great you are getting your grip issues sorted out. Go you!!

    Yeah, my trainer agree's.

    Our current goal for deads is 100kgs and we are making great progress.

    I'm doing farmers walks and some other grip stuff ... it's mostly my left hand, my right seems better.

    Can I ask what else you're doing? And what you use for farmers walk? I've seen it on WSM etc but need to work on my left grip too as am finding it slipping. Was considering gloves but reading what is said here about them and given the fact I have really small hands (child sized) I could do without them stopping my hand going round as much as possible. Would be nice to do some work on this as I go along. :)
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    Must say, what a great thread this is! Well done everyone posting here, I'm new to gym weight / strength training but am loving the vibe here.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    I rocked 85kg squats on Wednesday and I'm up to 82.5kg deads - without wraps :) Slowly sorting my grip issues out.

    If your squats are that heavy, you have great potential to go much higher on your deads so its great you are getting your grip issues sorted out. Go you!!

    Yeah, my trainer agree's.

    Our current goal for deads is 100kgs and we are making great progress.

    I'm doing farmers walks and some other grip stuff ... it's mostly my left hand, my right seems better.

    Can I ask what else you're doing? And what you use for farmers walk? I've seen it on WSM etc but need to work on my left grip too as am finding it slipping. Was considering gloves but reading what is said here about them and given the fact I have really small hands (child sized) I could do without them stopping my hand going round as much as possible. Would be nice to do some work on this as I go along. :)

    What else I'm doing in regards to lifts or to help my grip? I have really small hands too, not slender, but short fingers.
  • kazzari
    kazzari Posts: 473 Member
    Well, I've been on a bit of a hiatus to do some health issues, but I was doing Stronglifts 5x5 which I had just started doing with only the bar. I was up to 60/65 pounds on all of the lifts. 65 was easy on the deadlifts, but I figured I would just follow the program and go up in the 5 pound increments. One day my husband left the bar sitting on the floor w/ 45 pound plates on it. I jokingly said, "Let's see if I can deadlift this!" I actually did 3 reps at 135 pounds, thinking I was only capable of maybe going up to 70 that week!


    With Stronglift 5x5 program, because you only do 1 working set of DL's if you make the 5 reps the next workout is suppose to increase 10lbs. All the rest are 5lb increments. Just FYI

    Well, true. But that doesn't really apply to women. Although starting with the bar, most women should be able to add ten lbs. In the beginning. Once I reached 160 lbs. I started moving up in 2 lb. increments. Mehdi doesn't really address women doing this program, whereas Rippetoe does for Starting Strength and he does say women will add less to the bar and need fractional weights to continue seeing progress.
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    I rocked 85kg squats on Wednesday and I'm up to 82.5kg deads - without wraps :) Slowly sorting my grip issues out.

    If your squats are that heavy, you have great potential to go much higher on your deads so its great you are getting your grip issues sorted out. Go you!!

    Yeah, my trainer agree's.

    Our current goal for deads is 100kgs and we are making great progress.

    I'm doing farmers walks and some other grip stuff ... it's mostly my left hand, my right seems better.

    Can I ask what else you're doing? And what you use for farmers walk? I've seen it on WSM etc but need to work on my left grip too as am finding it slipping. Was considering gloves but reading what is said here about them and given the fact I have really small hands (child sized) I could do without them stopping my hand going round as much as possible. Would be nice to do some work on this as I go along. :)

    What else I'm doing in regards to lifts or to help my grip? I have really small hands too, not slender, but short fingers.

    Yes :) sorry for confusing. :) I find it hard to put my thumb under my fingers like you see the professionals do.. and find my left hand is slipping and causing me to have to re-grip after a few reps. My right is fine but left is def weaker.
  • kiachu
    kiachu Posts: 409 Member
    For grip I don't use over under because of symmetry issues but I use straps. I maxed out on that because my fingers are really small and lame. Hook grip is superior to all I noticed but I wasn't willing to deal with the pain that comes with it.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    my deadlifting PR right now is a set of 9 at 105 lbs, cause I still consider myself new at this, Im going for 125 on Tuesday.
  • CharleneExtreme
    CharleneExtreme Posts: 372
    Ye all make me feel so weak!! My deadlift PR is 8 at 60lbs...
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    It was a little ugly, but I finally got it - 500 lb deadlift! I just feel so pumped right now.


    awesome job!!! congrats!!!
  • tuffytuffy1
    tuffytuffy1 Posts: 920 Member
    This was last month, but I bench pressed 110 pounds for 6 reps. Go me! And you guys are all inspiring I must say :drinker:
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Ye all make me feel so weak!! My deadlift PR is 8 at 60lbs...

    You're not weak- you're on your way! That's great!
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    You're not weak- you're on your way! That's great!

    I like this. I need to remind myself of that with some of the workouts I've had lately.
  • ChrisGoldn
    ChrisGoldn Posts: 473 Member
    Out of curiosity today, after my back squat sets.. i did a few box squats to test max. 365, 385 405, i think i could have gone little higher but i was spent after my 5 sets of back squats beforehand.

    i wanna say and think it may be easier for me due to the much wider stance.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Out of curiosity today, after my back squat sets.. i did a few box squats to test max. 365, 385 405, i think i could have gone little higher but i was spent after my 5 sets of back squats beforehand.

    i wanna say and think it may be easier for me due to the much wider stance.
    How does that compare to your regular back squat load? (sorry if you've already posted this and I missed it)
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    For grip I don't use over under because of symmetry issues but I use straps. I maxed out on that because my fingers are really small and lame. Hook grip is superior to all I noticed but I wasn't willing to deal with the pain that comes with it.

    Thanks :) not seen the hooks in use, but not liking the sound of pain! lol

    I did my first farmers walk tonight! Did a circuit training class and although I only carried 10kg kettlebells in each hand it was great, I was hot sweaty etc but really worked on focus and grip. Will def be adding these with dumbbells to my workout and up the weights as I can. :)
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Out of curiosity today, after my back squat sets.. i did a few box squats to test max. 365, 385 405, i think i could have gone little higher but i was spent after my 5 sets of back squats beforehand.

    i wanna say and think it may be easier for me due to the much wider stance.
    How does that compare to your regular back squat load? (sorry if you've already posted this and I missed it)

    I'd be curious too. It could be the wider stance as well. One thing I noticed is that my hip flexors feel like they engage differently on the box squat, perhaps they're not as strong. I'm not sure why because when I Back Squat I definitely hit parallel. Not sure...
    I only carried 10kg kettlebells in each hand it was great,

    That's great. Farmer's Walks are versatile because there are a couple ways to load them. Obviously you have KB's and DB's, but if your gym has the mini-olympic bars you can use those too. This will distribute the weight further away from your hands and should stress those muscles even more. They should weigh 25lbs, so that's about where you're at right now with the KB's.

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