A comment on cutting, pressing and chinning

[LasseJakobsen]

'Ello,

I do not really have a question to ask here, but have an observation which might be of minor interest to a small subset of this forum who might fint themself in a situation alike mine.

A few months ago, after a long strecth of increases in bodyweight and weight on the bar, i reached a breaking point where i had to either get a second wardrobe or actually cut some fat off the belly. I have heard Rip state on the podcast that fat can always be cut 'later' - i never imagined i would actually reach this 'later' time. But our house unfortunately does not support another wardrobe

Before this i reached a 90 kg press at 102,x kg bodyweight, and i fully expected this number to take a hit downwards. I have not been getting any easy progress for a long time, and recall hearing about the presses being the first lifts to be impacted from caloric deficits.

In reality i have since done PR's every 3-4 weeks and are not at 93 kg on press while getting down to 96 kg bodyweight. Bench are about the same as before. Squats and deadlifts i struggle to get 1 rep of previous 5rep maxes, so hanging on by the teeth on those.

As far as i can tell this pressing strengt must correlate to me actually doing chin ups and pull ups. I have neglected these lifts in the past because ... i am,lazy, i guess. And though cleans and rows were about as good. Doing chins and pull ups 2-3 times a week and getting from barely-one chin up to 9 dead-hang chin ups really did wonder for upper body strength.
Of course pressing 3-4 times a weeks helps too, but i doubt this would spur progress without another somewhat "novelty" stimulus.

So, if anyone ever find themself in a tough spot with presses - i really recommend actually putting some work into these chin ups.

Good day to you guys.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I agree that chin-ups (supine grip) are an essential exercise. I see no use for pull-ups (prone grip).

[LasseJakobsen]

I agree that chin-ups (supine grip) are an essential exercise. I see no use for pull-ups (prone grip).

I have found them a really useful substitute while dealing with elbow pain.