Becoming a HW Strongman

[thom2355]

I like the "DE"


I think my block pulls were a bit low last week...I think they were ~14"...I need to add a few mats into the mix somewhere.

14" is fine.

Unless you are going for 18"....or measuring biceps.

[bmontgomery87]

I agree with what you said. I was just saying that degree of elevation was probably too much to help my pulls much.

I've been liking the 4" pulls so far, they really hit my low back hard the way I pull. I guess because I'm short, so at 4" my leg drive doesn't come into play anymore.

[NC_Tarheel]

14" is fine.

Unless you are going for 18"....or measuring biceps.

Wade suggested a bit higher...but I think he uses them, of course, to increase the deadlift but also to acclimate to >max weight in your hands....much like the decline in his system

[thom2355]

I agree with what you said. I was just saying that degree of elevation was probably too much to help my pulls much.

I've been liking the 4" pulls so far, they really hit my low back hard the way I pull. I guess because I'm short, so at 4" my leg drive doesn't come into play anymore.

It does have to be a much more tight setup. Keeping that same tightness from the floor will make that pull explode.

Wade suggested a bit higher...but I think he uses them, of course, to increase the deadlift but also to acclimate to >max weight in your hands....much like the decline in his system

Well, if Wade is saying higher, then go for it. Anything below the knee wouldn't hurt. Above the knee is silly though.

[NC_Tarheel]

Well, if Wade is saying higher, then go for it. Anything below the knee wouldn't hurt. Above the knee is silly though.

Max hand/thigh lift a la Daniel Beauchamp

[bmontgomery87]

I'm gonna work on really getting tight before my block pulls next time.

I pulled the slack out of the bar yesterday, and my pulls felt solid and fast.

[thom2355]

Max hand/thigh lift a la Daniel Beauchamp

precisely

[thom2355]

I'm gonna work on really getting tight before my block pulls next time.

I pulled the slack out of the bar yesterday, and my pulls felt solid and fast.

tis a pretty important part. Working on my setup has paid huge dividends.

[NC_Tarheel]

tis a pretty important part. Working on my setup has paid huge dividends.

agreed...I haven't reaped the benefits yet....but it's coming....

[bmontgomery87]

tis a pretty important part. Working on my setup has paid huge dividends.

I used to spend a bit more time setting up, then bar humping, and I feel like i'd psyche myself out.
So for the past 6 months or so I've kind of dive-bombed. I think there's a balance between the two that I'm slowly finding.

[thom2355]

agreed...I haven't reaped the benefits yet....but it's coming....

Surely. Thursday is a decently big day for you, right?

I used to spend a bit more time setting up, then bar humping, and I feel like i'd psyche myself out.
So for the past 6 months or so I've kind of dive-bombed. I think there's a balance between the two that I'm slowly finding.

Take in air, take grip, get down, pull up.

[NC_Tarheel]

Surely. Thursday is a decently big day for you, right?

Had to move it to Friday due to a work meeting but I've got 485 X 6 singles with 90 seconds between sets...I've been doing all my deads and trap bar deads beltless for this 5 week cycle so no need to stop now.

Test time in 2 weeks...I've got 515 X 3 singles with the option to bump up the weight on 2 singles if I feel up to it

[thom2355]

Had to move it to Friday due to a work meeting but I've got 485 X 6 singles with 90 seconds between sets...I've been doing all my deads and trap bar deads beltless for this 5 week cycle so no need to stop now.

Test time in 2 weeks...I've got 515 X 3 singles with the option to bump up the weight on 2 singles if I feel up to it

I like it!

[thom2355]

RE Press

10" Log C&P

220 x 1 (2 sets)
240 x 1 (2 sets)
260 x 1 (2 sets)

*These felt awful today....until the last set....that one was pretty awesome

10" Log Strict Press

190 x 3 (2 sets)
190 x 5

*This made me very....very happy. On rep 5, I hit my chin with the log (you can see head go back in video), so I restarted the rep. May, maaaaaaay have gotted 6 if I didn't do that.

2 Board Hover Press

185 + 90 c x 5
205 + 90 c x 5
225 + 90 c x 5

*I love these. Very similar to a floor press, but you have to stay really tight to make them effective. Video cuts out after rep #2 cuz the battery died....whoops.

Band Pressdown/Band Pull Aparts/Lateral Raises

Light x 25/mini x 15/25 x 15

*Holy pump.


Wasn't feeling great at the start of this session, but felt progressively better as it went on. I like where my pressing is at for the time being.

[NC_Tarheel]

Your pressing is looking fast and just seems to get better by the week!!


So is that press just basically a board press where you don't touch the board??

[thom2355]

Your pressing is looking fast and just seems to get better by the week!!


So is that press just basically a board press where you don't touch the board??

Pressing feels strong. Hammering lockout has combined with my ability to produce leg drive to create something that is just slightly below par for a HW strongman.

Pretty much. DanG showed them to me (They shall now be know as Goodwin Presses). You have to keep your back really tight as there is no let off on your chest/board to get loose and rebound up. Basically teaches you to press properly and works on engaging the back. Add in chains and you add the requirement to really explode out of the pause. I really like them.

[bmontgomery87]

as usual, mirin the rap mix you have going in the vid.

I like the idea of the Goodwin Presses. I was gonna start pausing about an inch off my chest on my rep days. I need to learn to keep my back tight

[thom2355]

as usual, mirin the rap mix you have going in the vid.

I like the idea of the Goodwin Presses. I was gonna start pausing about an inch off my chest on my rep days. I need to learn to keep my back tight

I think they are a great assistance movement. Dan is real big on partial rep work done in a manner consistent with form utilized on the bench press. When combined with contrast, you get a great overload at the top of the movement, while having minimal impact at the lower portion. It forces you to engage your back to keep stable and really explode up. It is similar to the use of the decline bench press, but it will train the bench press directly and still work the hell out of your lockout.

[HARRYBEAST]

Pressing is looking great man!

I wish I had access to a log that looks like fun.

[thom2355]

Pressing is looking great man!

I wish I had access to a log that looks like fun.

Thanks.

I assure you....if I did not have to press a log because of competition, I would not be pressing a log. That sucks so bad.

[HARRYBEAST]

Thanks.

I assure you....if I did not have to press a log because of competition, I would not be pressing a log. That sucks so bad.

yeah I started to type that it was fun too watch but I wouldn't want to do it but then decided it would be fun to try

[thom2355]

yeah I started to type that it was fun too watch but I wouldn't want to do it but then decided it would be fun to try

Yeah....well....just keep in mind that it will want to crush you while sitting in the rack position. It will want to hit your chin. It will want to get in front of you. It will want to crush your dreams. It will want to screw you over in any way possible.

It is kinda like what I hear about ex-wifes.

[HARRYBEAST]

Yeah....well....just keep in mind that it will want to crush you while sitting in the rack position. It will want to hit your chin. It will want to get in front of you. It will want to crush your dreams. It will want to screw you over in any way possible.

It is kinda like what I hear about ex-wifes.

Well now I see why you like it so much

[thom2355]

well now i see why you like it so much

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGe!!!!

[bigwade800]

My shoulder/bicep injury came from the long...

I have an 8 and 12" and I remember when the standard was 8 and I could crush weight with it. The 12 sits on my chest and feels like it's going to crush me with the same weight.

[thom2355]

My shoulder/bicep injury came from the long...

I have an 8 and 12" and I remember when the standard was 8 and I could crush weight with it. The 12 sits on my chest and feels like it's going to crush me with the same weight.

Rule of thumb is that the larger the diameter, the easier to clean, but the harder to press. Basically because it is further out in front of you. You really have to keep the back tight and kinda lean back with it, removing you from a good stable position.

[bigwade800]

There is a few of us thinking on the Bluegrass contest near Lexington late May.

I need to start doing some log clean and press on Saturday...ug, I'm gong to be so sore.

[HARRYBEAST]

There is a few of us thinking on the Bluegrass contest near Lexington late May.

I need to start doing some log clean and press on Saturday...ug, I'm gong to be so sore.

I want no part of that, but if yall do it. I will make the hour drive to cheer yall on

[thom2355]

There is a few of us thinking on the Bluegrass contest near Lexington late May.

I need to start doing some log clean and press on Saturday...ug, I'm gong to be so sore.

Can you press out of a rack? The clean is all technique and unnecessary beating if you have it down. With your strength, just a few sessions outta do it.

I want no part of that, but if yall do it. I will make the hour drive to cheer yall on

p*ssy

[bigwade800]

I said I'd do one and I'd like to be a master guy that could total elite PL, and then qualify for natl events in SM and oly in the same year. That'd be cool for me.