Member
Pressing in front of a mirror?
The only power rack in my gym is in front of a mirror. Normally I press out of the monolift to avoid the mirror, but it is occasionally in use and the powerlifters using it are not exactly eager to let me work in. Would cleaning the weight and then doing all my reps be my best option on these days?
Also, what is the best way to go about adjusting your grip width and elbow position after cleaning the weight?
Thanks!
TMPHBITEU
Just press out of the rack in front of the mirror and stare at a spot in the mirror that is a reflection of the background behind your head between your upraised arms. You can't effectively switch from a clean grip to a good pressing grip unless you have learned how to clean with your press grip. The mirror won't be that big a problem for the press.
Member
My squat rack is in front of a mirror, too. I put a yellow sticky with my daily training plan on the mirror, down low, so I have something to aim my eyes at. I've found that with practice, I use the mirror only to check my setup and then I become invisible for the actual lifts.
What's humorous is that everyone else in the gym is craning their necks to see their perfect incline bench/curl/smith rack shoulder shrug/other form in the mirror, and I'm right in front of it and completely blind to it.
Member
Coach, I have the same problem here. There is a mirror in front of both racks, but to press, I have just walked backwards out of the rack to avoid the mirror. Unfortunately, I am going to incorporate front squats soon, and I know I won't be able to walk the weight backwards to the rack after the set with that much weight. However, there is a rack of dumbells that blocks the mirror extending up to about 3.5 feet high. Should I just stare at the top of the dumbells to obstruct my view of the mirror, or is this too much of a downward eye gaze/ head position for the front squat?
TMPHBITEU
It would be fine to look at the dumbbell rack while you front squat as long as you make sure to keep your chest and elbows up while you do it.
Member
At last, I have a fantastic coaching tip:
The power rack at my gym is also in front of a mirror. To avoid squatting or pressing facing the mirror, I simply...are you all sitting down?...place the hooks on the inside of the rack (necessary since I squat alone anyway), on the side farthest from the mirror. I then position my body facing away from the mirror, address the bar, and, presto, I can squat and press without some bald bastard scowling at me the whole time (who is that fucker, anyway?!).
Send money.
Member
I probably misunderstood, but you press inside the rack? Do you mean a power rack? If so, I don't think many people will have access to a rack that is tall enough to allow this.Originally Posted by Ian Kovtunovich
Member
Coach,
Me and this girl keep doing it in her bed, and there's a mirror on the ceiling. She has a necrotic cyst on her right shoulder, and she likes to be on top, so when I look up I can't focus on my stroke because of her little shoulder buddy, which is staring down at me from the mirror. Should I move the bed to another room?
TMPHBITEU
Most power racks available in the United States are tall enough. I don't know about the EU. Probably just one more shortcoming our European friends have to deal with.
Jake, I think you should just beat off.
Member
That's it, the final straw. I'm emigrating...
Or... I could build my OWN rack!! I wonder if there is a Governmental Permission form I have to fill in or something first, or some European Directive on the DIY Construction of Power Racks No. 908364648120100238384 that I have to adhere to.
Maybe emigrating would in fact be simpler. I'll move to Wichita Falls, Texas; I hear they have a decent gym there.
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