Next Deadlift Session

[Davide Salomoni]

Hi Coach!

Simple question, and obviously I searched the forum first, but came up with a lot of contradictory info...

I struggled with my deadlift setup for a while (especially setting the back hard, but also correctly using the belt), but once I got the knack of it I was able to make several 5kg jumps. Last week I pulled 145kg x 5 with good form, today at 150kg I did get all 5 reps, but form was less than perfect, and on the last one I rounded my upper back slightly. It seems clear to me it's time to switch to 2.5kg jumps, but I am not sure whether next time I should just do 152.5kg, repeat 150kg or indeed go back to 147.5kg or 145kg (my last "clean" weight). I don't want to be greedy and get stuck, but neither do I want to waste time...

I am: 31 years old, 98kg, 181cm
Squat: 130kg
Press: 48kg
Bench: 65kg
Deadlift: 150kg

I am trying to run out the NLP after switching to a modified/maintenance program during the cycling season. I don't currently train my cycling, I will resume once I am an intermediate.

Thank you, and by the way I think your input on the forums is great, I really appreciate it!

[Michael Wolf]

I'd go up to 152.5x5 and see what happens. Are you filming and basing your evaluation of what happened based on that, or solely from how it felt? When I was a new-ish lifter getting reasonably strong but not yet *that* experienced, I remember being sure my back was rounding when it wasn't. I'd be lifting with friends and they'd say it was fine. Good cameras weren't available on phones yet so I just wasn't sure. Subsequent technological advances allowed me to discover that my friends were right, and any rounding was either in my head or so minor as to be negligible.

[Davide Salomoni]

Thank you coach, I will do that. I was going on feeling, but I see your point, I'll try and film my next session. Still, even if it was just a feeling, you concur that it's time to move to 2,5kg jumps right?

[Michael Wolf]

Yes.

[Davide Salomoni]

So, I wanted to report my results so the thread might be useful for future reference.

Unfortunately I got sick and could not eat enough, so today the strength just wasn't there. I missed my third set of squats, the press was excruciatingly slow, and I decided to put 147.5 kg on the bar for the deadlift. I got 5 acceptable if somewhat belaboured reps, but in the context that's pretty much meaningless... still, thank you very much for your advice, and I'll keep at it!

Davide

[Michael Wolf]

I appreciate your follow-up, but - and maybe you're just not experienced enough to know this yet if you're still on LP - your actual results are completely useless for any type of collection into data of larger conclusions, because you got sick (and couldn't eat enough).

[Davide Salomoni]

Yes, that's what I meant : to apologize for not being able to provide a useful follow up. I guess my english needs as much work as my lifts... 😀

[Michael Wolf]

No worries man. Not your fault.