Congratulations go out to Bob Weigel of Wisconsin, who is the lucky winner of the powerlifting gear giveaway brought to you by the Fortified Iron Powerlifting Store and Powerlifting Watch. Bob will receive a free set of starter bands and a John Davies training dvd from the Powerlifting Store. Be sure to check out the store for all your powerlifting supply needs.
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting? In lifting I think the old school guys are awesome(Cole, Kuc, Reinhoudt,) Karwoski and Coan are amazing. However Anthony Clark is my all-time favorite because he gave God ALL the glory and used his gift to reach others. Chris Taylor, Joel Toranzo, Lenny Spero, Eric Adolph and all the guys I train with inspire me every week.
Having a below normal workout is better than no workout at all.
I have heard that the Bench America program has been terminated and is no longer in existance. Can anyone verify or discredit this report or rumor? I have heard that they lost over $100,000.00 on the entire series and it is bankrupt now.
Some poster's experiences:NOT lowering the bar to the chest. Bouncing the bar out of the midpoint. "Bucking" the hips/ arching like an exotic dancer. Benching to the neck/ abs. Having a spotter who does all the work.
I once had to spot a guy who did just about all of those things - butt in the air, feet on the bench, stopping about 4 inches from the chest. Started with 225 and I had to help him get his 3rd or 4th rep IIRC. Then he bumped it up to 275 and I was like OMG and I had to help him a lot on all 3. I then went off to dead or something, and I saw him scouring the gym for me. I guess he liked my spotting. So anyway he's got 315 on it and I was pretty scared since it's kind of an awkward angle to be pulling up on the bar that much. 3 of the hardest reps of my life. There used to be another guy with this huge lifting belt who did the butt in the air thing - his flat looked like a decline and his incline looked like a flat, it was that pronounced. And then there's the guys who squirm around a lot on the bench, we call it 'the hooked marlin'.
The replies are a much needed wakeup call:I need some help with excuses to get to the gym, or I may be forced into retirement by the future Mrs. JohnnieO!
Either: You're making a mistake by marrying someone who won't support your lifting 100% OR: Lifting just isn't in your heart, and getting married is an excuse to slowly fade it out.
The newest issue of Powerlines(28), the online information journal for USAPL members, has been released. Highlighted in the issue are the IPF Worlds from Miami.
ABOUT A WEEK AGO I HAD A INTERESTING TALK WITH SOME USAPL LIFTERS ABOUT WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO PEOPLE WHO TEST POSITVE AT A USAPL POWERLIFTING CONTEST. THE GENERAL OPINION WAS THAT BANNING THEM FOR A FEW YEARS WAS NOT ENOUGH. THEY SHOULD BE PROSECUTED BY HAVING THE TEST TEST RESULTS SENT TO THE LOCAL ATHORITIES AND THUS BRINGING THE MATTER BEFOR THE LOCAL COURT.
For all you Gene Rychlak fans, word comes from Rychlak's partner, Amelia, that the next meet he plans to lift in will be the IPA Worlds. A final date for that event hasn't been set, but look for it sometime in June. There is a chance he will enter a meet before then as well.
Best Bench: 1) Matt Lamarque hits 800 @ 220. Best Squat: (I have 3) 1) Mike Miller hits 1200..He was the first, Judges said good lift, enuff said. 2) Jeff Lewis hits 1200...Without any questions about depth or power. 3) Becca Swanson 854...Easy with more in the tank. Biggest Surprise: (I have 2) Last year we weren't even talking about these guys. 1) Kutcher 2) Jeff Lewis Best comeback: 1) Joel Toranzo comes back from a horrible injury as a 3 lift lifter. 2) Candyass comes back after neck surgery as a 3 lift lifter and hits monster Pr's.
Here's another video in the Diesel Wiesel series. This ones a max deadlift. There probably should be some sort of disclaimer before watching it.
Thanks to the APF Outlaws forum.
Just wondering how all the strong benchers here decided on how wide of a grip to take. I compete with a shirt, but I am talking raw grip width here. If one wants to maximize their raw bench poundages, how wide should the grip be. the rule of thumb I have always gone by is to have my hands slightly wider than my elbows when the bar is touching the chest. Does this sound reasonable? Some people will say to adjust your grip width based on muscle strengths and weaknesses. I would rather simply correct my weaknesses. Hopefully that rambling made sense. So what do you guys have to say about raw bench grip width??
Oh yeah and to try not to be an ass at the gym when people come up and ask, "What is that shirt for?"..."Are you supposed to squat that low with that much weight?"..."Do the boards help you bounce the weight?"
