Question on Press Rules for CFT

[David M Tillotson]

Coach,
I attempted CFT last night after 3 weeks of Starting Strength. Felt great. My squat increased by 40 lbs, and my deadlift by 30. My weakest event was the press, and that's where I have the question.

On the SS program, my next workout would have been 3x5 at 140 lbs. Last night my first attempt was at 165. I got it to about eye level and then stalled. So I went down to 155, and had about the same results. Then I thought back to my workouts, and how the weight got easier as I went along.

On my 3rd attempt, using 155 lbs again, I did a Pushpress to get the bar overhead. From that position, keeping my feet planted, knees and hips fully extended, and back in the vertical position, I brought the weight down to my chest, and then up again with ease. My workout partner Chad, who has been to the barbell cert, said it's because I wasn't starting tight with the weight on my chest, but had to be tight with the weight overhead. Was this a legit lift?

Thanks for your time.

LT TILL

[Mark Rippetoe]

Was the push press a legal press for a CFT meet? Is this your question?

[Roland83]

Tightness might play a role, but most likely the reason is it's easier to start at the top and bounce out of the bottom, which what you described. Starting from a dead stop is harder. And no, I doubt puch pressing the weight up to start at the top and then pressing it again by boucing it off the bottom is legal.

Using that method works great in a rep workout for all reps after 1, its the way Rip shows in the video and one way he describes in the book. But I'm certain he also mentions the differences of the carryover affect on a one rep max, being that the one rep has to start at the bottom and that this is harder obviously than starting at the top.

Short answer, you weren't able to lift that particular weight from a dead stop at that particular time.

[David M Tillotson]

I realize that the push press wouldn't count at all, but I was wondering if a Press starting from the top is legal. As long as through the full range of motion down, then up, then down again, there is no "change in the position of the feet against the floor during the attempt, any bending of the knees, or excessive backward lean of the torso."

[Mark Rippetoe]

No, the rules are pretty explicit. Have you read them? They are on the CF website.

[David M Tillotson]

Sorry to waste your time coach. I have read them, just hoped I could get away with a little added weight. I don't understand why I can do 3x5 with 140, but couldn't get 155 up for a 1RM. Thanks for the answers. Hopefully after I redeploy from Afghanistan next summer I can get into your barbell cert.