DL Check and Questions

[Falcon74]

Tom,
Here is a set from a couple of weeks ago. I was motivated to post this after seeing your set in the perla thread. Impressive...most impressive

315x5x1

Feedback would be appreciated.

Also, some questions:

1) I don't have a 3 inch belt, but I noticed you are using a 4 inch and we are the same height. Do I need to buy a new one for dead lifts?

2) My spine seems to be arched more than normal so I have a hard time setting my back even though it feels like I am rigid (never new it until I filmed myself). Will this pose a problem when I start lifting respectable weight in the DL?

3) I am having a hard time staying connected to the bar between reps. I don't feel like I am set up nicely unless I reset between reps 4 and 5. Does this still count? (haha...saturday night live short reference) Or should I just drop the weight back until I can complete 5 reps without disconnecting and resetting grip?

Sorry for so much worry. My back surgery has made me timid only in the dead lift. I would like to never use this excuse again for any of the lifts.

Thanks again!

Chris

[Tom Campitelli]

Tom,
Here is a set from a couple of weeks ago. I was motivated to post this after seeing your set in the perla thread. Impressive...most impressive

Don't be that impressed. 470x5 is nothing to get very excited about. Wolf curls that much.

315x5x1

Feedback would be appreciated.

These are perhaps the finest deadlifts I have seen submitted for critique to these boards. A fine demonstration of the model applied to heavyish pulls. Unfortunately, you linked to my deadlifts, instead of yours.

Also, some questions:

1) I don't have a 3 inch belt, but I noticed you are using a 4 inch and we are the same height. Do I need to buy a new one for dead lifts?

Not necessarily. I taught myself to pull in a 4" belt and I am 6' 2" tall. I have pulled in a 3" and prefer it, but I can make a 4" work. At some point, I may get a 3" from Dean because it fights me less as I get into position at the bottom. If your belt makes you happy, I would not get another, however.

2) My spine seems to be arched more than normal so I have a hard time setting my back even though it feels like I am rigid (never new it until I filmed myself). Will this pose a problem when I start lifting respectable weight in the DL?

I think you probably mean "flexed" instead of "arched." We'll wait for you to post your video to render judgment. I can say that you need to get used to holding your back together at lighter weights if you wish to do so when things get heavy.

3) I am having a hard time staying connected to the bar between reps. I don't feel like I am set up nicely unless I reset between reps 4 and 5. Does this still count? (haha...saturday night live short reference) Or should I just drop the weight back until I can complete 5 reps without disconnecting and resetting grip?

Depends what you mean by disconnecting. We'll see.

Sorry for so much worry. My back surgery has made me timid only in the dead lift. I would like to never use this excuse again for any of the lifts.

Back surgery is a legitimate reason to be conservative in your approach to lifting.

[Falcon74]

315x5x1

And that sir is the best someone has made me feel about lifting weights and then you hammered me!!

[Tom Campitelli]

You are taking too damn long down there. Not that I am the world's greatest deadlifter, but watch the cadence on my pulls. I don't go through any wiggling, or multiple rounds of squeezing my chest up and then relaxing while my butt goes up and down. I just do the steps in the sticky and get the reps over with. If you took your hands off the bar, it is no longer really a set of five. Do the steps in the sticky. Don't tighten up, then relax, and tighten up again. Go from relaxed to tight and then squeeze the bar off the floor. Widen your grip by about two finger widths on both sides. This will enable you to drive your knees out and get your back flatter. You are in flexion for the start of your lift. It would not surprise me if your belt is fighting you in that regard. You may be right about wanting to try a 3".

[Falcon74]

You are taking too damn long down there. Not that I am the world's greatest deadlifter, but watch the cadence on my pulls. I don't go through any wiggling, or multiple rounds of squeezing my chest up and then relaxing while my butt goes up and down. I just do the steps in the sticky and get the reps over with. If you took your hands off the bar, it is no longer really a set of five. Do the steps in the sticky. Don't tighten up, then relax, and tighten up again. Go from relaxed to tight and then squeeze the bar off the floor. Widen your grip by about two finger widths on both sides. This will enable you to drive your knees out and get your back flatter. You are in flexion for the start of your lift. It would not surprise me if your belt is fighting you in that regard. You may be right about wanting to try a 3".

Okay, thank you for the feedback. I'll make the changes and do the best I can with the 4" for now. I've tried to contact BBelts multiple times by email and phone, but from my understanding he's backed up. Need to look into other options. Thanks again. I'll re-read the sticky.

[Tom Campitelli]

Okay, thank you for the feedback. I'll make the changes and do the best I can with the 4" for now. I've tried to contact BBelts multiple times by email and phone, but from my understanding he's backed up. Need to look into other options. Thanks again. I'll re-read the sticky.

Looks like Dean is taking orders right now.

[Falcon74]

Tom,
I pulled 330 x 4 today using your advice and the sticky. Will film when I get my camera back. The most beneficial piece of advice you gave me was to not spend so much time at the bottom. I maintained connection with the bar for 4 reps. I'll try and get the 5 in next week at 332. Most of this is a confidence thing for me.

Thanks again!

[Tom Campitelli]

Well done.

[Falcon74]

Tom,
Ordered my 3 inch belt today and I am sending my 4 inch with the money order to have them add holes to it. My waist has shrunk considerably. Need a floating loop. Anyway, I didn't want you to lock this thread. I will have my belt back by my next DL day, so until then have a good one! By the way, Jackie and Dean are fucking amazing!
Chris

[Falcon74]

Question:

In PPST it states on pg 115, "Remember, the purpose of the volume day is to drive progress on the intensity day."

I have read through the TM part several times. I am having a hard time with the analysis on why this works. If our volume day is submaximal and we are trying to drive strength to hit our PRs, then what is the connection here I am missing? I keep coming back to the 5x5 and thinking in terms of endurance or some how the total volume is driving our strength. The problem is I don't know how to explain it to someone if asked. I understand the purpose of the TM is too make progress on a weekly basis vs novice training. Like I said, if you can shed some light on this question I would appreciate it.

In short, how does the volume day drive progress on the intensity day?