Video: LTE: The Fourth Powerlift

[Mark Rippetoe]

The Fourth Power Lift | Mark Rippetoe

[Scaldrew]

Is it still fine if your butt comes off the bench a little bit on every rep?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Not a big deal. It's an assistance exercise.

[zft]

Rip,

In your earlier LTE video, you say: "Never finish this thing at the bottom unless you want to tear something up," at 11:58.

What am I going to tear up? With my bench/bumper set-up, I'm able to just reach behind my head and pick up the bar from the floor; the bumpers place the bar at almost the exact height of the bottom of the ROM. I start and end the movement on the floor.

Am I a fool for doing this?

[Scaldrew]

Cool, thanks, coach.

[Mark Rippetoe]

What am I going to tear up? With my bench/bumper set-up, I'm able to just reach behind my head and pick up the bar from the floor; the bumpers place the bar at almost the exact height of the bottom of the ROM. I start and end the movement on the floor.

If you're that flexible, fine. But you will handle more weight starting at the top with a handoff.

[BenBoskovski]

Are cable extensions done with movement at the shoulder and elbow a viable substitute if I'm getting elbow pain from these?

[zft]

If you're that flexible, fine.

Thanks for the reassurance.

But you will handle more weight starting at the top with a handoff.

There is a distinct lack of spotters-I-trust at my gym, unfortunately.

[Corrie]

Is there a practical way of doing these solo without a handoff?

I tried last night and couldn't reach the bar sitting on the ground even with bumpers and if I used the rack like you did in the video I seemed to collide with it on the way back. I resorted to using dumbbells and it worked but didn't quite feel right.

[Mark Rippetoe]

No. If you can't do the exercise correctly, you can't use it in your training. Like squatting without a rack, there are certain requirements that must be satisfied.