Nut Misc Transformation Contest: JasonDB's Path To Aesthetics.

[likeawashboard]

I think that if you can't do a deadlift without straps, then your grip is not strong enough to lift that much weight and therefore you are not strong enough to deadlift that much weight. Grip is a part of the lift. If you can't grip it, you can't rip it. Grip strength is every bit a part of the deadlift as back strength, hamstring strength, etc.

My $0.02.

What's the primary reason you do deadlifts? to work your forearms?

[FitnessCPA]

What's the primary reason you do deadlifts? to work your forearms?

I see where you're going with it and I certainly understand that viewpoint. But the deadlift is a compound movement that requires a lot of muscles to complete. If one component is not strong enough, then the weight is too heavy.

Also, note the part I bolded. Back is the primary reason, but not the only reason. The main reason I do deadlifts and other compounds is to get my entire body stronger. That includes forearms. Using straps will not help them get proportionately stronger.

Again, just my opinion which probably is not even worth $0.02.

My $0.01.

[likeawashboard]

I see where you're going with it and I certainly understand that viewpoint. But the deadlift is a compound movement that requires a lot of muscles to complete. If one component is not strong enough, then the weight is too heavy.

Also, note the part I bolded. Back is the primary reason, but not the only reason. The main reason I do deadlifts and other compounds is to get my entire body stronger. That includes forearms. Using straps will not help them get proportionately stronger.

Again, just my opinion which probably is not even worth $0.02.

My $0.01.

Don't sell yourself short I actually agree 100%. However I also think using straps can be beneficial, especially if you're trying to bring up lagging body parts, in terms of bodybuilding.

Edit: I don't use them btw, I don't even use belts.

[joelash302]

The only time straps vs. no straps matters is if your grip goes pulling a 1rm, but then you should be on a sharp bar chalked to hell and back anyway. If you do separate grip work and this isn't an issue, who the holy hell cares.

[snrygo]

i rolled my ankle gettin onto the dip station today with +50 on a dip belt and fell on my face

I hope someone is posting about it on a forum somewhere

I'm too lazy to make my own log so im writing it here

Was there a cupcake there to catch your face ?

[miacanesfan25]

I've never used a belt or straps. The issue I was having with grip was in the higher rep ranges, but, I'm going for bigger weight, smaller rep range now so it's pretty much a non issue. Or atleast it's a non issue for now, I'll let you know how it goes tonight. I haven't been dl'ing very long at all and my form is terrible, so there's a lot of work to be done making straps and belts the least of my concerns. I'd rather make sure I'm doing it right and lifting heavy before I worry about accessories and all that jazz.

[snrygo]

Start training grip now so that it doesn't become an issue.

[miacanesfan25]

I'm on it, thinking the tennis ball idea is a good one. I could definitely use the stress relief having Colonels and Generals breathing down my neck everyday.

[FitnessCPA]

I'm on it, thinking the tennis ball idea is a good one. I could definitely use the stress relief having Colonels and Generals breathing down my neck everyday.

Will the tennis ball really do anything? I mean, squeezing a tennis ball is less taxing than holding a heavy ass bar and deadlifting, so how is that going to help grip strength to assist in a heavy deadlift?

To be more clear, the analogy that immediately came to mind was jogging a mile to train for a marathon.

[hcoyle545]

Dead hangs are also very good for grip I hear.

[MiscDemeanor]

Jason, your log moves entirely too fast for me to keep up with! I coulda swore we were just on page 5? I'm behind...

[hcoyle545]

Jason, your log moves entirely too fast for me to keep up with! I coulda swore we were just on page 5? I'm behind...

brb posting erry 60seconds in your log.

[likeawashboard]

Jason, your log moves entirely too fast for me to keep up with! I coulda swore we were just on page 5? I'm behind...

Good point, let's not clutter, back to you Jason!

[MiscDemeanor]

brb posting erry 60seconds in your log.

I don't mind

Good point, let's not clutter, back to you Jason!

For a sec I thought this was the "DYEL" thread. lol

[hcoyle545]

For a sec I thought this was the "DYEL" thread. lol

I find myself mistaking the two everytime I refresh my CP lol

Edit: Jason, I know you recommend accessory work to compliment the SL 5x5 despite the author not recommending it. Can you give me an example of accessory for each workout? I'd prefer to keep it simple, say two extra exercises on Workout A and B alternating like the primary lifts.

[DaBubzy]

i rolled my ankle gettin onto the dip station today with +50 on a dip belt and fell on my face

I hope someone is posting about it on a forum somewhere

I'm too lazy to make my own log so im writing it here

lold hard


@Jason: 455 shrugs for reps....niceeeee, definitely mirin'

2600 cals....my man you gotta be starvin

[JasonDB]

I find myself mistaking the two everytime I refresh my CP lol

Edit: Jason, I know you recommend accessory work to compliment the SL 5x5 despite the author not recommending it. Can you give me an example of accessory for each workout? I'd prefer to keep it simple, say two extra exercises on Workout A and B alternating like the primary lifts.

If you care at all about your future aesthetics you will do some type of curls in there. Good mornings are massively useful for both your squats and deadlifts. CGBP will help with tris (speaking of which I've got to go back to doing CGBP more on this cut I was doing 275x5 on it during my "bulk"...will throw it in on my brosculpting days). Throw in others as needed to fix weak points in your lifts or balance weak body parts as they develop.

[SimonThePieman]

I think that if you can't do a deadlift without straps, then your grip is not strong enough to lift that much weight and therefore you are not strong enough to deadlift that much weight. Grip is a part of the lift. If you can't grip it, you can't rip it. Grip strength is every bit a part of the deadlift as back strength, hamstring strength, etc.

My $0.02.

your 2 cents was spent poorly. Because you have a weakness in you forearm strength you would fore go the extra full body development and extra 100-150lbs on your deadlifts would give you? Unless you're WHOLE and ENTIRE purpose of training is to become a powerlifter this is just a silly stand point

[JasonDB]

your 2 cents was spent poorly. Because you have a weakness in you forearm strength you would fore go the extra full body development and extra 100-150lbs on your deadlifts would give you? Unless you're WHOLE and ENTIRE purpose of training is to become a powerlifter this is just a silly stand point

Also he isn't grasping that you only need to do 3 reps at a PL meet without straps. In training you are going to do a hell of a lot more than 3 reps. I consider myself a deadlift minimalist I do very little direct heavy pulling to increase my deadlift (I tend to rely on my box squats to carry over) but it still ends up looking something like (I'm currently a 545 deadlifter) and I rarely pull more than once a week unless I throw in a speed day:
405x5
495x3-4 (or 515x2)
405x8

Or

speed pulls
315-365x8x2

In any event you would be surprised how many serious powerlifters use straps in training then pull raw at meets. Or in the case of my gym we have extremely cheap, smooth (and slightly bent from the kids at night doing sill **** with them) bench bars that I can barely hold for 405 but months before I could rack pull 5 plates with chalk easily using a proper bar at another gym. The trick is to be certain you are training your grip. If you want to build up your back deadlifting, barbell rowing and shrugging with straps is fine if you are doing heavy grip work seperate.

Also I am going to need a serious deload after this contest. I've had two mini-deloads this year (3 days off 3 times... twice for dental work once for out of town on Easter)... cutting hard and hammering it out every day is going to force me to take a full 1-2 week long deload.

Today gym will not open until 9 am again which means 21 hour into my workout there will be 5 bros waiting in line for every bar, rack and dumbbell. I think I will do some benching, and make it a conditioning day again and kill it tomorrow.

Also I think I lack pec and chest flexibility and this is hurting my bench. I've started doing a great deal of pec stretching and pec foam rolling to see if this will help. I am entirely too big, and have too big of a chest to have only a 295x2 bench, considering that my CGBP is also as strong as my wide.

Side note: after yesterday my left bicep tendon is a little inflammed again and I saw a trend. I did the Olympic bar curls with a wide grip yesterday and it started really hurting a couple months back after doing incline curls with my hands fairly far out. I need to completely avoid any type of wider grip curling and stick with narrow.

[MarkVI]

I think that if you can't do a deadlift without straps, then your grip is not strong enough to lift that much weight and therefore you are not strong enough to deadlift that much weight. Grip is a part of the lift. If you can't grip it, you can't rip it. Grip strength is every bit a part of the deadlift as back strength, hamstring strength, etc.

My $0.02.

I'm curious, how much do you deadlift?

[MarkVI]

Jason, no deloads....just a week off - gain 12 lbs and then resume cutting lol

And I agree, you are too big for a 295 x 2 bench

[JasonDB]

Jason, no deloads....just a week off - gain 12 lbs and then resume cutting lol

And I agree, you are too big for a 295 x 2 bench

No clue why my benching is coming along so slowly. I repped 315 as a legit lifetime natty at 185-190 lbs when I was about 22.... and I've hit 405 probably no bigger than I am right now. I am less than 1pps from my lifetime deadlift PR but bench has been coming along insanely slow. After my cut I need to really just rethink my bench strategy and go back to what I've used successfully in the past (3x3 and 5x5 on bench).

I think when I hit 475 I was doing something like 3x3 once a week, 5x5 once a week and 3x10 once a week. Hard to remember though.

This pic was taken around the time I hit 475x1. I was probably 235.

[DTrulez616]

[JasonDB]

10 years ago bro... I doubt I'll be that big ever again. LoL

[MarkVI]

10 years ago bro... I doubt I'll be that big ever again. LoL

That's not a bad thing though....you're 35....there's no need lol. Love your heart, it loves you ....

[JasonDB]

That's not a bad thing though....you're 35....there's no need lol. Love your heart, it loves you ....

I wasn't on that much actual tech (mg wise... 500 or so... I've always been a believer of less is more on that), and I know how to keep my HDL high, but I would be more concerned about my pancreas from the diabetus supps, which I doubt I'll ever touch again.

[JasonDB]

BW: 224.8 again

Gym opened hours late so knew it would be full of brotards making it impossible to lift so did fluff and cardio.

Bench
225x2x10
135x30

Barbell curl
115x2x6

Barbell complexs
115 x 6 sets

Farmer's walks almost an hour of actual walks with a pair of 45s.

Calves

Kneeling ab work.

Tomorrow will be a real workout.

[FitnessCPA]

OK guys, I already said that my opinion probably isn't even worth $0.02!

[miacanesfan25]

J, how often are you weighing in? I've been doing it daily and the scale is toying with my emotions! I've raised 600 cals in 3 days. Edit: the daily thing is just to make sure I'm gaining I want to be doing it atleast once a week if that. I'm thinking the only way I'm gonna hit 20lbs in 12 weeks is just start packing it in and disregarding fat gains all together.

[psychodiver9]

J, how often are you weighing in? I've been doing it daily and the scale is toying with my emotions! I've raised 600 cals in 3 days.

He does it daily. I don't like it for the reason you listed. I'm doing twice a week right now.