A Giraffe Amongst Gorillas - My Strongman Log

[Raigs]

Nice thanks for the video. What I found that helps is pulling my elbows back right as I grab the bar and it keeps me tight and I dont need to focus on the lower back because that keeps it tight.

Why you start the bar so low or is it because your so tall?


Mirin the atlas stones

[FrmrHoss]

The first rep looked better on the second video but the 2nd rep had a big lean.

How did the close stance squat compare?

This.

[NC_Tarheel]

Nice thanks for the video. What I found that helps is pulling my elbows back right as I grab the bar and it keeps me tight and I dont need to focus on the lower back because that keeps it tight.

I think elbows back is a recipe for disaster...I definitely try and keep my elbows under the bar as much as possible. I switched to a higher bar position so the bar's not going anywhere.

Why you start the bar so low or is it because your so tall?

Because my training partner is 5' 10" Short people and their low J Hook needs

Mirin the atlas stones

The platform goes all the way back to the left and up to 66"

This.

My lean bro!!!

[Raigs]

I shouldve been clearer my bad I pull back and down. Ill get a video tom for you and you can see what Im talking about.

Damn how much the set of stones and platform run you?

[NC_Tarheel]

I shouldve been clearer my bad I pull back and down. Ill get a video tom for you and you can see what Im talking about.

That makes more sense

Damn how much the set of stones and platform run you?

They were free. My training partner made them It's 5 platforms set up on 6" increments from 66" to 42"

He's got all the molds from Slater. He's made stones from 70 pounds to a 535 stone for Adam Scherr

[thom2355]

Two things:

1) What is your plan with wraps? When trying to combat lean out of the hole, wraps will make things more difficult. If it is just occasionally to get use to them for a meet, awesome, but if you plan on them a lot for the next bit, correcting your form will be tough.

2) I don't know what you are trying to perfect with regards to your form. The bar is going to go over the middle of your foot. The wider your stance, the less distance between your foot and your a** in the down position. The closer the feet, the more lean you will have. This assumes that you don't let your knees travel forward, but still. Trying to fix form is great, but I don't think you will overcome physics here. How exactly are you going to fix the form is the question? Wider stance, more knee travel, or a constant back angle with a forward lean, or a combination of the three? I think you need to answer this question so you can begin to hammer on the finer points of the squat.

[NC_Tarheel]

1) What is your plan with wraps? When trying to combat lean out of the hole, wraps will make things more difficult. If it is just occasionally to get use to them for a meet, awesome, but if you plan on them a lot for the next bit, correcting your form will be tough.

I plan on using them for the meet and Wade suggested that I try using loose wraps for a few of my working sets. I'd have to let him explain why...I just do what he tells me.

2) I don't know what you are trying to perfect with regards to your form. The bar is going to go over the middle of your foot. The wider your stance, the less distance between your foot and your a** in the down position. The closer the feet, the more lean you will have. This assumes that you don't let your knees travel forward, but still. Trying to fix form is great, but I don't think you will overcome physics here. How exactly are you going to fix the form is the question? Wider stance, more knee travel, or a constant back angle with a forward lean, or a combination of the three? I think you need to answer this question so you can begin to hammer on the finer points of the squat.

I would have to let Wade answer here again. He suggested that I bring the stance in a bit and work from there.

So are you saying that because of my height/femur length that some lean will probably be present on my reps??

[thom2355]

I plan on using them for the meet and Wade suggested that I try using loose wraps for a few of my working sets. I'd have to let him explain why...I just do what he tells me.

You are just using them for practice then. If it isn't every set, I see no issue, but kee in mind that as they get tighter, your form has to be more dialed in. Otherwise the good morning will show its face rapidly....which may or may not be an issue.

I would have to let Wade answer here again. He suggested that I bring the stance in a bit and work from there.

So are you saying that because of my height/femur length that some lean will probably be present on my reps??

Femur length is the determining factor. It connects the hip to the knee, which are the two parts used to identify squat depth. The distance between the back of the a** and the mid foot combined with knee travel with determine forward lean. Unless you have a ridiculously strong core and upper back, the bar will travel to your mid foot and you really won't do a lot about it.

[bmontgomery87]

So are you saying that because of my height/femur length that some lean will probably be present on my reps??

I'm no biomechanics expert but I'd say everyone with your height is going to have either some forward lean or a good deal of knee travel, unless they're really mobile and squat fairly wide.

[NC_Tarheel]

^^Thanks for the input^^


The more I get into this the less I know

[thom2355]

^^Thanks for the input^^


The more I get into this the less I know

The other thing you can do is just keep a close(ish) stance and don't squat to depth....like me.

[NC_Tarheel]

The other thing you can do is just keep a close(ish) stance and don't squat to depth....like me.

ha ha ha

There is a reason squat usually isn't in a strongman contest. Squats are just accessory lifts right???

[thom2355]

ha ha ha

There is a reason squat usually isn't in a strongman contest. Squats are just accessory lifts right???

Yup. Precisely. There is also a reason that just about every solid strongman squats pretty high....but you are training for PL now....so we no go into that.

[bmontgomery87]

acquire multiply...disregard depth...


anyone else having speed issues with the site now that we have this new layout on the right side of the screen? mine is slow today

[NC_Tarheel]

Yup. Precisely. There is also a reason that just about every solid strongman squats pretty high....but you are training for PL now....so we no go into that.

Because most of the top strongmen are at least 6' 6" and lean really bad when they squat to depth????


trollface.jpeg

[NC_Tarheel]

acquire multiply...disregard depth...


anyone else having speed issues with the site now that we have this new layout on the right side of the screen? mine is slow today

inb4wadeusesyouasatoothpick



Mine is moving almost as fast as Paul in the 40 yeard dash

[thom2355]

Because most of the top strongmen are at least 6' 6" and lean really bad when they squat to depth????


trollface.jpeg

More so that there is enough posterior chain work in strongman training that you don't need to hit the bottom end of a squat. You hardly ever are in a position where you are in a full squat. The narrow stance with no knee travel does not allow for proper depth, yet has the most carry over to stuff like yoke, stones, farmers, throwing, pressing, etc. Just economy of training is all.

[Anthony21]

Nice progression on your squats NC. You can see the lean on that 2nd set @ 365 but i'm sure you're already well ahead of correcting this .

Nice work brother.

[bigwade800]

I plan on using them for the meet and Wade suggested that I try using loose wraps for a few of my working sets. I'd have to let him explain why...I just do what he tells me.

Ultimately, we train how we are going to compete. In the day long before most of you lifted, people would train, put on gear or wrap 2-3 weeks out of a meet and that was that. Or we heard how Eddy did it. This simply will no longer work. If you are going to compete with anything beyond a belt, you better train with it. The light wraps are to allow getting used to it. It is a process, albeit a small one, to get used to them.




I would have to let Wade answer here again. He suggested that I bring the stance in a bit and work from there.

So are you saying that because of my height/femur length that some lean will probably be present on my reps??

The femur is certainly a component. Thad's height will always present a squat challenge, just look at someone like Brad Gillingham. Elite of the elite but, he will tell you, his height and femur length create issues for him in the squat.

As for form, We were pushing Thad's stance out and seeing where he had the most power and the least lean. Out wider, he leans more and, in my experience with numerous lifts and athletes, it's actually the closer stances that allow the lifter to stay more upright and hit depth "easier". Thad was leaning and inconsistent with depth so, we pulled the stance width in. Not much but, as you can see from the video, he doesn't appear to labor with hitting depth and the lean has lessened. Is it perfect? Nope but, we are overcoming years of bad form and habits. It's not going to fix quick or even in a training cycle.

If a lifter can learn the set up and get the hips under and break at the knees first instead of dropping the chest and pushing the but out, that's the real secret to squatting a big number while hitting depth and being in a position of power.

The goal is to continue to work form while adding wraps. In most cases, not all, once the lifter adjust to the added component of wraps, they learn to sit against the wraps and actually get in a better squat position. The trick will be not to revert to bad habits sans the wraps. The raw strength training is still at a premium with the assistance movements which is why I always prescribe a multi joint movement. Don't mimic, do the lift. That's why you'll always see a squat movement or two.

[NC_Tarheel]

Thanks for the response Wade...it is definitely a learning process. Almost 3 years of bad habits isn't going to change overnight!!

[austin.j.taylor]

the other thing you can do is just keep a close(ish) stance and don't squat to depth....like me.

negged

[bigwade800]

inb4wadeusesyouasatoothpick

I'm going to let this one slide for now...



Mine is moving almost as fast as Paul in the 40 yeard dash

is that fast?

[thom2355]

is that fast?

....no.

I move faster with weight on my back or in my hands than I do from a three point stance.

[bigwade800]

I'd say me too but, I doubt it...I'm not sure I could get in a 3 point stance anymore...

[HARRYBEAST]

I'd say me too but, I doubt it...I'm not sure I could get in a 3 point stance anymore...

I thought about you when I deadlifted today, but mostly because I didn't look up at all again

[bigwade800]

imagine that...

If you ever do it and feel a difference in groove, it'll be a difference maker but, it may not be something mechanically that makes any difference for you. I have seen people do it but, my default would always to be looking straight ahead.

[NC_Tarheel]

I'd say me too but, I doubt it...I'm not sure I could get in a 3 point stance anymore...

Getting in one wouldn't be the problem...it's the getting out of one that's a b*tch

I thought about you when I deadlifted today, but mostly because I didn't look up at all again

I'm pretty sure Wade has permanent scabs on his forehead from banging his head against the wall every Thursday after I send him deadlift vids....don't feel bad

[HARRYBEAST]

Getting in one wouldn't be the problem...it's the getting out of one that's a b*tch



I'm pretty sure Wade has permanent scabs on his forehead from banging his head against the wall every Thursday after I send him deadlift vids....don't feel bad

lol its funny because I think about it everytime but can't seem to remember after I grip the bar

[thom2355]

Getting in one wouldn't be the problem...it's the getting out of one that's a b*tch

....and breathing while in one.

[bigwade800]

Focus

You must focus Danielson....or however you spell it

I guess that makes me not a good Mr. Myagi...