Narvaez Family Starting Strength Log

[Tom Narvaez]

Haha, thanks Steve. As far as squatting goes, you should probably keep in mind that I weigh 40-50lbs more than you. I have quite the, uh, fatness advantage, lol.

There is definitely a bunch of tradeoffs both ways. Usually, I don't have just one partner. I have multiple partners. On the negative side of the coin, I'm almost always the most experienced lifter so I do all of the weight selections and I do everyone's programming. The workouts take twice as long. I have to be aware of what everyone's doing instead of just focusing on my next lifts. On the positive side, the atmosphere is certainly much better with other people. I always have way more fun and I usually get way better "psyche" ups. Well, I don't know. I get better psyche-ups before lifts when I'm alone, but I'd say I get bigger adrenaline rushes DURING lifts with a crowd. That's probably more important. There is also the competitive factor. I'm sure we could easily think of a lot more crucial tradeoffs, too.

Yeah, I don't know why I never made the shoe connection. I have both 0.5" heel shoes and 0.75" heel shoes. Maybe I'll have to try them both. I always figured that one of the reasons I was weak off the ground was because I was doing a mini-deficit deadlift due to the heeled shoe. I guess I thought that removing that would make the pull shorter and easier. I watched lots and lots of videos of myself pulling and I always had a way better starting position with the heel. It seems to be some kind of mobility thing, but I do a better job of keeping the bar closer, getting my knees out, and just generally setting everything nice and tight. Interestingly enough, I went from 396x5 to 405x0 the week I switched from shoes to no shoes. I find it ridiculous to blame 100% of that on the shoes, but, hey, it did happen.

[Tom Narvaez]

I got called out on my 415 squats on another forum. So, I uploaded the video as an answer:


I guess I might as well critique my form. On the fourth and fifth rep especially, hamstrings are failing to hold the back angle constant out of the hole. This is result in a little good morning action. This wasn't happening before my hamstring "injury" so I'm going to chalk it up to that and slow my descent down a little next week.

[SQUAT_316]

In other news, I passed the Coaching Certification process! I'm now a Starting Strength Certified Coach! I'm stoked. In the last line of my evaluation, Rip said that I was great on the platform and that he'd hire me. That is a huge confidence booster for me. I feel awesome about this.

Congrats Tom!

[Tom Narvaez]

Thanks!

[sking1001]

Well it sounds exhausting keeping up with everyone else's programming, but I guess that's the life of a coach/trainer.

FYI, I think your 415x5 squats look really good. I don't know who Floyd is, but I don't see how that wouldn't shut him up.

[Tom Narvaez]

the forum user's name was Mayweatherjr so I thought I was being clever, lol.

[LeonidasfromSparta]

In other news, I passed the Coaching Certification process! I'm now a Starting Strength Certified Coach! I'm stoked. In the last line of my evaluation, Rip said that I was great on the platform and that he'd hire me. That is a huge confidence booster for me. I feel awesome about this.

Congrats man, that's a huge accomplishment. Be proud of that.

[Tom Narvaez]

Congrats man, that's a huge accomplishment. Be proud of that.

Thanks, Leonidas!

[gummi_hulk]

In other news, I passed the Coaching Certification process! I'm now a Starting Strength Certified Coach! I'm stoked. In the last line of my evaluation, Rip said that I was great on the platform and that he'd hire me. That is a huge confidence booster for me. I feel awesome about this.

That's actually pretty awesome, congratulations dude.

[mwhities]

In other news, I passed the Coaching Certification process! I'm now a Starting Strength Certified Coach! I'm stoked. In the last line of my evaluation, Rip said that I was great on the platform and that he'd hire me. That is a huge confidence booster for me. I feel awesome about this.

Kick ass man. I wish I'd known more about the human body and coached before now. I'd love to take the test after my June seminar but, I doubt I'd be able to. (Currently studying for my CCNA and 100+ other things I need learn here at work (DataCenter)).

Ohh and the squats look great.