Madeleine Sharp goes 5-for-6 at her first weightlifting meet at this weekend's Testify Barbell MAYhem weightlifting meet in Omaha, NE. Here, she sets a PR with this 60 kg clean-and-jerk for her third attempt. [photo courtesy of Testify Strength & Conditioning]

Grace Hopwood cleans-and-jerks 21 kg for a PR on her 3rd attempt at the Testify Leprechaun Lift-off this weekend in Omaha, NE. [photo courtesy of Testify Strength & Conditioning]

Wyatt sets a PR on his second attempt with this 11 kg snatch at this weekend's Testify Leprechaun Lift-off weightlifting meet in Omaha, NE. [photo courtesy of Testify Strength & Conditioning]

70 year old Bobby with 135 on the rack pull at Starting Strength Denver. [photo courtesy of Jay Livsey]

Josh Wells explains and demonstrates hip drive on Cody Smith at this past weekend's Coaching Development Camp. [photo courtesy of JD Shipley]

JD Shipley points out what to watch for to Darin Lovat at the Coaching Development Camp held at Starting Strength Houston. [photo courtesy of Josh Wells]

Contractors installing first rolls of rubber on the gym floor of Starting Strength Boston. [photo courtesy of Arthur Frontczak]

Wood floor being installed by workers in rear lobby area of Starting Strength Boston. [photo courtesy of Arthur Frontczak]

Flooring installed and adhesive curing. Next we add bars, plates, racks and suddenly it will be a gym! [photo courtesy of Arthur Frontczak]

Meet Results

At the 2021 Testify Barbell MAYhem Weightlifting Meet, the women's Best Lifter Award (Morgard the Manatee) went to Bianca Irlbeck, and for the men, the Best Lifter Award went to Brady Parkis. The Best Lifter Awards were determined using Robi points. See complete results

Mmll

I read this: The Belt and the Deadlift

I agree that the 4 inch belt is a problem with deadlifts. I used a 4 inch belt the other day and it feels great doing presses but shit with deadlifts. It's too wide, and depending on where I put it, it either digs into my lower rib or hip area. I have bad red/purple bruising along the hip area now. It also makes it hard to set my back properly.

So, I'm looking at getting one of the SS 3 inch belts, but if I do, will the edge of the belt still dig into the skin and cause this bruising? I realise it will be narrower and therefore probably not dig into the hip area as much, but will it just cause the same kind of bruising an inch higher up on the stomach?

I’d only deadlifted with a 4 inch velcro belt before (which I actually thought worked pretty well, and no digging in/bruising, but it's shit with pressing and squats). Is digging in/bruising just an unavoidable thing that is part of deadlifting with leather lifting belts? Is it something that always happens initially until belts are worn in over time? Or will a 3 inch likely get rid of the problem altogether?

Mark Rippetoe

The bruising comes as a result of the position of the belt relative to your hip flexors. The narrower belt fixes this, if you wear it corrected.

Robin UK

I can’t let the Trap Bar conversation I had with that rugby strength coach in the sauna go. I'm afraid it’s not in my nature.

So I telephoned Northampton Saints Rugby Club and the guy is actually prepared to speak with me on the telephone which is a very pleasant surprise. I have an appointment scheduled with him next week. I’m concerned, however, that should the conversation get technical about evidence, he will “out cite me”.

My Masters degree is in History (not hard science which I know is your preferred “go to” recommendation to those considering University education choices). I’m fairly confident about my ability to outmuscle him on the specificity of barbell v trap bar safety due to your brilliant writings on the subject. My concern is that he’ll pull “Peer Review Hierarchy” in other areas of conversation should it get that far. I hate losing and need a Thor’s Hammer to his Scientism Sword. This is a duel.

Question: Do you think this constitutes an adequate blow?

Here’s my only peer review Mr. Strength Coach:

“Vikings were huge, powerful and sexy. They lifted very heavy things, kicked everyone’s ass and fucked like jack rabbits - with or without permission. They did not play rugby and did not use trap bars. I trust that the sample size and length of study is acceptable to you”.

Ref: History et al”

Wish me luck.

Mark Rippetoe

He'll have some smartass bullshit response like, "Well, the Vikings didn't have barbells either, Mister Archimedes."

Robin UK

I’ll just have to hit him with the Lindy Effect argument then a la Taleb. Barbells have been robustly proven over a very long time / Crossfit didn’t get you injured until it did etc.....

Szymon

If I may offer my advice:

• The Two-Factor Model of Sports Performance
• It’s Time to Stop Talking About “Supercompensation”

Show him this and tell him about the books. And offer an experiment - two or three guys from his youth team should follow SS Program as strictly as possible and let him see what will happen. Make a study of your own.

Easy trade as there is nothing weird in it - simple lifts, simple progression just basic stuff. If you have just a little bit of salesman in your blood you should succeed.

If he is open minded he will think about it, maybe even go for it. If he is not then there is nothing you can do and there never was.

Robin UK

Great advice and that’s exactly what I planned to do. Even if he takes nothing on board at the very least I’ll have raised SS awareness.