Thanks, 1 Request & 2 Questions

[joshwaaa]

Hello Coach Ripp,

First of, A big Thank You! Your books and website have steered me on the right path after doing stupid shit (bb which I thought was strenth training) for 10 odd years. I have made some serious gains ( 154# to DL) and I am very happy. I never new of the adaption process or how to lift/program correctly until I stumbled upon your books looking for answers. I have read SS, PP, MOMG and SE. ( Mean old Mr. Gravity was freaking hilarious by the way, a good book to have in the bathroom as you say.)

Body weight: 86 kg (~ 190 lbs)
Height: 5'7
Deadlift 5RM: 190 kg (418 lbs)
Squat 5RM: 172.5kg ( ~ 380 lbs)
Bench 5RM: 110 kg (242 lbs)
Power Clean 5RM: 80 kg ( 176 lbs)
Oly Press 5RM: 75kg ( 165 lbs)
( i reset the press, bench and PC after some form and overtraining issues...)

1. Is it possible for you to make some more videos of yourself (or your proteges) training the lifts ? It it very inspiring to see the master at work ( http://vimeo.com/11913431 ). It is also good to see very good form with heavy poundages, something that we can aim to be like and study.

2. I have been doing the TM for roughly 7 weeks. I am really struggling with the DL on volume day. My 5RM before I started was 190kg/418lb, I started too heavy on TM with 185kg due to stubborness (200kg/440lb double) and obviously burnt out. I reset back to 175kg/385lb, (180/396lb now) but I am still struggling to get out the reps and my form is breaking down. I did some googling and I think you recommend doing haltings and rack pulls when you run out of room for DL. Unfortunately my gym does not have a cage/rack with adjustable pins for rack pulls.... Is it worth trying for 5 singles on volume day?

3. PC -I have been struggling with form and just doing the thing right so the PC poundage is very low. Should I program the PC on recovery and intensity day to A)catch up and B) keep form fresh? i.e 70kg * 3 * 3 recovery day and then 72.5kg * 5*3 intensity? or will I just burn out?

Thanks

Josh

[Mark Rippetoe]

1. Have you got our DVD?

2. It may be time to shift to haltings/rack pulls. Stack some boxes or something sturdy under the plates to get the bar up to the tibial tuberosity. Or try the singles. But make sure it's not a form problem first.

3. Quit being a pussy about your power cleans.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

Go buy some 4x6 stall mats at Tractor Supply store or some other feed/farm shop. While you are there get a big ass Exacto knife and then cut the mats up into squares. Stack the squares up under the plates until the bar is at the correct height. Ask the gym management if you can keep your squares somewhere in the gym. They should like the fact that the mat squares are very very sturdy and also very very quiet.

[joshwaaa]

1. Yes, good DVD. Im currently re-watching and re-reading SS.

2. Understood.

3. Fair enough ... will do. I tend to jump forward and the bar path is curving up. After watching some video's of myself I think I may be jumping to early and also banging the bar into my thighs too hard.