Lifting advice

barrattandrew

Hi all - just wanted a tip really before I end up having to post vids and burning peoples time critiquing.

I'm fairly comfortable with basic lifting like dumbell curls however have never really done squats, deadlifts etc and from all the things I've read these are the best compound lifts to work with.
I have a bench etc at home that I picked up pretty recently but am wondering whether anyone would recommend that I spend an hour or so with a personal trainer to go through each of the lifts in a gym so I understand the form and more importantly have someone correct me when I get it wrong initially. That way I'm not lifting at home like a boss and actually getting it all wrong.

comments welcome

cheers

Andy

SideSteel

Hey Andy,

I posted on your wall but you probably were making this thread while I was doing that, so I'll answer here as well.

In my opinion, if you can find a trainer that you trust, who understands how to teach those techniques, then I think this is a great idea. I did this myself and I'm glad I did. I don't agree with my trainer on everything but he understands barbell techniques, he has experience in powerlifting, and he's willing to let me argue with him about stuff which to me is a good quality. Plus he makes crossfit jokes so that's a bonus.

So my vote is yes, do it. Just be very cautious before hiring and be very specific about your goals. You are hiring them to teach you barbell techniques and nothing more. If you end up doing db presses while sitting on an inflatable ball then fire him/her.

Hendrix7

Yeah I would recommend it..............assuming you know a decent personal trainer.....most of the PT's in my gym don't even squat or DL.

edit,

I would also recommend regularly filming your own lifts, so you get a good look at what you're actually doing. It;s hard to make a decent assesment of your DL form while actually deadlifting.

SideSteel

Yeah I would recommend it..............assuming you know a decent personal trainer.....most of the PT's in my gym don't even squat or DL.

^ And this right here reinforces what I was getting at about being cautious before you hire someone. My personal experience agrees with the above. But if you can find someone that knows how to teach the big lifts you want to learn then definitely do it.

Sarauk2sf

Yeah I would recommend it..............assuming you know a decent personal trainer.....most of the PT's in my gym don't even squat or DL.

edit,

I would also recommend regularly filming your own lifts, so you get a good look at what you're actually doing. It;s hard to make a decent assesment of your DL form while actually deadlifting.

^^totally agree. I would look for ones with power lifting experience on their resume.

I have never seen a PT at my gym get people to do any of the compounds, except a couple of times when I have seen them with their clients doing quarter squats.

barrattandrew

Great advice, thanks guys.

there are some power lifting competitors at this gym. Its not one of those pay a subscription and don't go places, its a fairly small low budget place with lots of lifters and so on. There is a guy there called "Brian Goddard" who seems to fit the bill. He's an ex Mr Universe (apparently) - have any of you guys heard of him?

I'll see if I can get a session with him to go through the compound lifts and then try to figure out some way of recording myself at home. Might also force me to clear out my garage!