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[Jaladinozozo]

It feels good to read someone reaping the benefits of a simple bodyweight calisthenics routine. Are you primarily using pull-ups, pushups and squats to build muscular endurance or have you considered manipulating leverage to make the exercises more difficult as you progress? The latter will provide more resistance and essentially build strength moreso than the high rep routines yield. Mixing it up never hurt, even if they are within the same range of pulling, pushing and squatting with bodyweight movements.

Either way, congrats. Keep at it!

The thing I enjoy most about my routine is that I don't really have a goal in mind at the moment, as you ask if I am doing it for muscular endurance. I just know I want to have functional, real world strength, and keep increasing my reps per sets as I have been. And this has been a big factor in keeping me motivated and going, because I dont have the ideal end result body image or lift poundage or anything like that in mind. Its sort of like just keep doing what youre doing and see where it goes and what happens.

When I first started this routine I was doing 3 sets wide grip pullups x5, 3 sets chinups x5, 15 triangle pushups, 15 normal, and 15 widegrip pushups, and 5 sets of 15 deep, wide, no weight, squats.

I am now doing 4 sets of wide grip pullups x10, 4 sets chinups x10, 2 sets triangle pushups x20, 2 sets normal x20, 2 sets widegrip pushups x20, and 5 sets of 25 squats. I have also decreased my rest time between each set and exercise.

I am really not sure what my next move is. When I started I was about 195lb at 6 foot 1 inch, and now I am at 180lbs but I actually look much bigger than when I was 195 and a lot slimmer at the waist.

So right now I am kind of stuck. I was thinking about buying a dip bar and adding dips to my routine. And then perhaps a weight belt and do weighted dips, pullups, incorporate hindu pushups, and jump squats. But for my next few sessions I think I will lower my sets and see where I can max out on all my exercises in just 1 or 2 sets of each.

Anyway it has been a lot of fun. Like I said the best thing is not worrying about going to the gym, setting up equipment, worrying about injuries, etc. I am really enjoying it and I feel more motivated than I ever did when I was strictly weight lifting and I feel like I can keep this up with much higher consistency and volume than lifting.

Thanks for the encouragement and if you have any advice on where I can go next given my current routine and future ideas I would appreciate it as well.

 

[The Last Wizard]

Holding you back from what? There are varying degrees of food advice in this thread and online, what is your diet doing?

Holding me back from the weight gains I want to make, My weight has hovered around 150-152lbs and I want to get around 175lbs. I'm 6'1.

 

[Draft]

Do you have different belts for squat/DL? I got one of the econo belts at elitefts and it's great for squats but it throws my DL off. I find it more of a hindrance than a help on that movement.

I use the same belt for both. The Inzer belt pinched my fat belly like a bitch for about two weeks, but now that it's broken in there's no issues.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Well, it actually kinda feels like right where my neck meets my shoulder, at least that's where it has remained tight and sore. Perhaps I should work on warning up a bit more. If I'm at 205 a reset means what, bring it down to about 175 again?

When did the pain start? I would bump down to where the pain either wasn't there, or was minimal.

Are you doing any assistance work?

Do you have pain in any other lifts?

Do you have different belts for squat/DL? I got one of the econo belts at elitefts and it's great for squats but it throws my DL off. I find it more of a hindrance than a help on that movement.

Don't belts hinder your core development?

I see some guys use them and I never did because I don't want to become dependent on them and I don't want any outside influence on my lifts (why I don't use straps either).

 

[Petrie]

When did the pain start? I would bump down to where the pain either wasn't there, or was minimal.

Are you doing any assistance work?

Do you have pain in any other lifts?

Started on Friday when I did my bench, during my second set at 205. Doesn't seen to effect any other lifts, even my overhead press seems unaffected. No assistance lifts as I follow the beginner program in the OP pretty strictly. The pain wasn't there when I did 200 on Monday last week, so I guess I'll go back to that point?

 

[Draft]

Don't belts hinder your core development?

I see some guys use them and I never did because I don't want to become dependent on them and I don't want any outside influence on my lifts (why I don't use straps either).

http://startingstrength.com/articles/baby_bathwater_gear_gibson.pdf

I only wear my belt on the heavy sets. Yes, I'm dependent on it to lift the weights I do. I'm also dependent on a bar, squat rack, chalk, circular plates loaded evenly, comfy underwear and an iPod to blast my brain with encouraging sounds.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

http://startingstrength.com/articles/baby_bathwater_gear_gibson.pdf

I only wear my belt on the heavy sets. Yes, I'm dependent on it to lift the weights I do. I'm also dependent on a bar, squat rack, chalk, circular plates loaded evenly, comfy underwear and an iPod to blast my brain with encouraging sounds.

Snarkyness aside, I wouldn't put straps/belts in the same realm as the weights/barbell/rack. That's just silly.

I understand some people use them (obviously), I just can't see why they would do that from a personal standpoint since I see it more or less as "not really lifting that weight" since you're using assistance. I take a bigger issue with straps obviously.

Then there's my worry that those muscles will invariable fall behind as my lifts get stronger.

 

[Draft]

Snarkyness aside, I wouldn't put straps/belts in the same realm as the weights/barbell/rack. That's just silly.

I understand some people use them (obviously), I just can't see why they would do that from a personal standpoint since I see it more or less as "not really lifting that weight" since you're using assistance. I take a bigger issue with straps obviously.

Then there's my worry that those muscles will invariable fall behind as my lifts get stronger.

Suits lift a ton of weight because they store energy during the descent. Knee wraps do the same thing to a much smaller degree. There's an argument to be made that lifts using those aren't legit. The suit especially, since it can put literally hundreds of pounds onto a lift.

A belt doesn't store any energy. It's something for the stomach muscles to push against. The lifter still does all the work, it's just the work is a bit easier because muscles tense better with resistance.

Suits and wraps actually lift weight. Belts allow the lifter's muscles to work more effectively.

And while I was being a smart ass, there's a pretty clear parallel. I can squat hundreds of pounds, using a bar. The same weight in boulder form? Assuming it could even get on my back, it would be significantly harder to move. Everyone's geared, to a point.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

sorry for double.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Started on Friday when I did my bench, during my second set at 205. Doesn't seen to effect any other lifts, even my overhead press seems unaffected. No assistance lifts as I follow the beginner program in the OP pretty strictly. The pain wasn't there when I did 200 on Monday last week, so I guess I'll go back to that point?

Yeah, go back to 200 for a bit, and do slow increments up. If the pain is there again, go back down unless the pain is manageable. Pain like that (if it's what I think it is) is your body telling you something's not right. And isn't something you should "push through." I've made that mistake too many times with my elbows.

Suits lift a ton of weight because they store energy during the descent. Knee wraps do the same thing to a much smaller degree. There's an argument to be made that lifts using those aren't legit. The suit especially, since it can put literally hundreds of pounds onto a lift.

A belt doesn't store any energy. It's something for the stomach muscles to push against. The lifter still does all the work, it's just the work is a bit easier because muscles tense better with resistance.

Suits and wraps actually lift weight. Belts allow the lifter's muscles to work more effectively.

And while I was being a smart ass, there's a pretty clear parallel. I can squat hundreds of pounds, using a bar. The same weight in boulder form? Assuming it could even get on my back, it would be significantly harder to move. Everyone's geared, to a point.

Doesn't the belt keep the core from engaging as much as it would without? That's my main concern about them. I've toyed with the idea of using them, but I don't want to weaken my core while strengthening everything else.

And yeah, I read the article, I understand what he's trying to say, but the lift is the lift. You're not in a backwoods strongman competition lifting cars and throwing telephone poles. Sure the "parallel can be drawn" but it's still a silly one. (obviously in my opinion)

I've seen guys use wraps for everything and just let the damn bar rest on the tips of their fingers. I know there's no way they could do the lifts they do without those straps. I don't want to end up like that, and to me (especially when I see that) it's cheating.

If other people like it, that's fine for them, but when I say I lifted something, I want to be able to say I actually lifted it without assistance.

That's besides the point though, my hate for straps doesn't really matter now. The belt thing is what I'm curious about.

 

[Petrie]

Yeah, go back to 200 for a bit, and do slow increments up. If the pain is there again, go back down unless the pain is manageable. Pain like that (if it's what I think it is) is your body telling you something's not right. And isn't something you should "push through." I've made that mistake too many times with my elbows.

Thank you. It's nice to have someone with the results you've been getting tell me that it's ok to scale back. I just don't want to shit on all my progress you know?

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Thank you. It's nice to have someone with the results you've been getting tell me that it's ok to scale back. I just don't want to shit on all my progress you know?

Yeah, it's better to scale back when shit might hurt you though. Better to drop a few pounds off the bar than to be out of commission for a month or more.

And I wouldn't say my progress is because I "know what I'm doing," I'm still learning new shit all the time.

More than likely I just have really good "lifting genes." My body type makes it easier too. I'm still pretty new to lifting, only really been doing it for a little over year. (before that only off and on in the military with hardly any guidance, all of which I know way better now than I did then) and almost none of it was lifting weights.

 

[deadbeef]

If you don't want to use a belt, don't use one. I got one for safety/peace of mind after a few scary times of torqueing my back over the past year or so. I achieved a 500lb DL and a 400 lb squat before I ever put on a belt. I'm really not worried about my core being weak. I put it on for heavy sets, but still warm up and do high reps w/o it. Of course all assistance work is not belted as well, because it's assistance work.

 

[balddemon]

Oh god that track star girl is like my DREAM girl! Athletic, sexy, good build, perfect height, athletic. Damn I want a woman like her.

Also, my friend thinks those girls are ugly, and I quote "exposed abs, linebacker shoulders". So he makes fun of me for liking girls who look like boys. WHATEVER

 

[Draft]

Doesn't the belt keep the core from engaging as much as it would without? That's my main concern about them. I've toyed with the idea of using them, but I don't want to weaken my core while strengthening everything else.

Arguably it allows your stomach muscles to work much harder than they would unbelted.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

If you don't want to use a belt, don't use one. I got one for safety/peace of mind after a few scary times of torqueing my back over the past year or so. I achieved a 500lb DL and a 400 lb squat before I ever put on a belt. I'm really not worried about my core being weak. I put it on for heavy sets, but still warm up and do high reps w/o it. Of course all assistance work is not belted as well, because it's assistance work.

That's not the issue It's not that I don't want to use one. I just want more information before using one. I'm asking for more info on them. I have the thought that they might be in the same boat as straps for me, but I don't know for sure.

I'm asking if they hinder core development more than anything. If that's a yes, than I'll probably never use one, or wait until I'm going extremely heavy.

Arguably it allows your stomach muscles to work much harder than they would unbelted.

Is that true though? I've never heard that side of it, now I've heard conflicting stories.

Oh god that track star girl is like my DREAM girl! Athletic, sexy, good build, perfect height, athletic. Damn I want a woman like her.

Every woman on that thing is everyone's dream girl, lol.

 

[balddemon]

Every woman on that thing is everyone's dream girl, lol.

yeah ,but I guess that is the type of girl I want. Mostly just want her to have an athletic and super tight body. I know plenty of guys who like fat chicks/thick girls.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

yeah ,but I guess that is the type of girl I want. Mostly just want her to have an athletic and super tight body. I know plenty of guys who like fat chicks/thick girls.

Fuck that shit, they must be crazy.

 

[Draft]

Is that true though? I've never heard that side of it, now I've heard conflicting stories.

I don't see why internet squatting celebrity Gary Gibson would lie.

Again, the belt is unique among lift accessories. Suits and wraps store kinetic energy that is released on the rebound and helps lift the weight. Straps remove hand strength, or at least greatly reduce its importance. The belt doesn't produce any energy at any point in the lift, and it doesn't offset any of the weight. It's simply there to give your gut something to brace against.

 

[MrToughPants]

Snarkyness aside, I wouldn't put straps/belts in the same realm as the weights/barbell/rack. That's just silly.

I understand some people use them (obviously), I just can't see why they would do that from a personal standpoint since I see it more or less as "not really lifting that weight" since you're using assistance. I take a bigger issue with straps obviously.

Then there's my worry that those muscles will invariable fall behind as my lifts get stronger.

Straps are great to use when you're doing alot of pulling and you don't want your grip strength compromised. I've personally never used them but i'm gonna order some for when I get healthy.

 

[deadbeef]

That's not the issue It's not that I don't want to use one. I just want more information before using one. I'm asking for more info on them. I have the thought that they might be in the same boat as straps for me, but I don't know for sure.

I'm asking if they hinder core development more than anything. If that's a yes, than I'll probably never use one, or wait until I'm going extremely heavy.

No, they don't hinder core development. That is, assuming you use them when they are called for (your work sets or maybe just the heaviest work sets), and continue to do assistance work involving your core.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

I don't see why internet squatting celebrity Gary Gibson would lie.

Again, the belt is unique among lift accessories. Suits and wraps store kinetic energy that is released on the rebound and helps lift the weight. Straps remove hand strength, or at least greatly reduce its importance. The belt doesn't produce any energy at any point in the lift, and it doesn't offset any of the weight. It's simply there to give your gut something to brace against.

I don't know if the first post is a joke or what, I don't know who that is, and likewise I've never heard him say that.

As for what you're repeating, yes, I understand that. My issue is on whether or not it keeps your core from activating. You're saying that it makes it work harder, which if that's true I'll run out and fucking buy one right now. But I've always been told they are like knee braces and such, that the muscles become more dependent on them because other muscle groups weaken because they aren't needed.

Edit: ah, just got it, it's the author of that article, lol, man I'm slow today.

Straps are great to use when you're doing alot of pulling and you don't want your grip strength compromised. I've personally never used them but i'm gonna order some for when I get healthy.

That's my problem with them. If your grip fails, then you didn't (in my mind) actually lift the weight. Part of the "machine" wasn't ready. To that I would say "work on grip strength."

I understand though that not everyone wants to do that.

No, they don't hinder core development. That is, assuming you use them when they are called for (your work sets or maybe just the heaviest work sets), and continue to do assistance work involving your core.

If I did get one, that would be the only time I used it.

I just don't want anything holding me back, or making the lift "easier."

Safety I'm all for though.

 

[Jaladinozozo]

Fuck that shit, they must be crazy.

Ugh no...i would rather take a nice looking regular in shape girl with some thickness to her (in the right places) than those girls in the bodybuilding body type pics. I myself and plenty of other guys as well hate it when a girl is really cut looking like they are. It is also not healthy for women to have body fat percentages low enough to be cut like that. Its....just I dont know, not saying I wouldn't ravage the hell out of a girl that looks like that given the chance, but just preference wise I would prefer a softer looking body type on a woman.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Ugh no...i would rather take a nice looking regular in shape girl with some thickness to her (in the right places) than those girls in the bodybuilding body type pics. I myself and plenty of other guys as well hate it when a girl is really cut looking like they are. It is also not healthy for women to have body fat percentages low enough to be cut like that. Its....just I dont know, not saying I wouldn't ravage the hell out of a girl that looks like that given the chance, but just preference wise I would prefer a softer looking body type on a woman.

I'm at a completely opposite end of the spectrum from you. I love that shit. My wife is skinny as hell, I would kill a truckload of Christmas puppies if she was cut and had a "wightlifting woman's" ass.

Muscle > Fat on women IMO. Especially dat ass muscle.

 

[Mr.City]

http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2010/04/more-reasons-for-wearing-a-belt/
http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2009/12/belt-me-up-scotty/
http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2009/12/pr-friday-3/

Shogun and the rest: take a look at this to get the straight poop about belts.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2010/04/more-reasons-for-wearing-a-belt/
http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2009/12/belt-me-up-scotty/
http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2009/12/pr-friday-3/

Shogun and the rest: take a look at this to get the straight poop about belts.

Fucking buying a belt right now.

Thank you.

Also, looks like Draft was right. Thanks guys!

Lots of shit I learned in the military still lingering in my head. Glad to be able to dismiss more of it.

 

[balddemon]

I'm at a completely opposite end of the spectrum from you. I love that shit. My wife is skinny as hell, I would kill a truckload of Christmas puppies if she was cut and had a "wightlifting woman's" ass.

Muscle > Fat on women IMO. Especially dat ass muscle.


P.S Where the fuck did you come from? Do you post here or did you just stumble across this?

QFT (on the women part)

I got a questoin for all you personal trainers/athletic trainers/physical therapists. What's the best/a good way to get started in that field? My endgoal is (edit: what deadbeef said sorry it's late and I'm a bit tipsy) DPT and becoming a trainer for a college/pro basketball team, but that's a long way off. What are some steps I should take towards that goal? Internships with the teams, getting trainer certified, working at gyms, etc. Just wondering if anyone here has experience in those fields.

 

[deadbeef]

QFT (on the women part)

I got a questoin for all you personal trainers/athletic trainers/physical therapists. What's the best/a good way to get started in that field? My endgoal is PhD in PT and becoming a trainer for a college/pro basketball team, but that's a long way off. What are some steps I should take towards that goal? Internships with the teams, getting trainer certified, working at gyms, etc. Just wondering if anyone here has experience in those fields.

I don't know that you can get a PhD in PT. I believe it is a Doctorate of Physical Therapy, a DPT. I guess find a school near you that offers that degree and talk to them about it?

 

[sebajuNujabes]

Does your gym not have any? Mine usually rents them out for free.

I want to say the only things they rent out are towels but I've never asked.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SAK7O6/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Sweet thanks man. Reasonably priced too.

Snip

That's great man; glad to see a fellow body weight trainer. Personally I'm too cheap for a dip station, so I just use some metal chairs or my counter tops. All you really need is a couple adjacent surfaces. In regards to your routine, start working towards back levers, l-sits(do one of the progressions that's doable but challenging), pistols, and frog/crow stands. Back levers, l-sit progressions and frog stands can be held for 7 sets of 9 second holds. For pistols you can hold a door frame for assisstance; aim for 3 sets of 5 reps. Head over to Beastskills.com for in depth tutorials on some more stuff.

 

[ezrarh]

http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2010/04/more-reasons-for-wearing-a-belt/
http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2009/12/belt-me-up-scotty/
http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2009/12/pr-friday-3/

Shogun and the rest: take a look at this to get the straight poop about belts.

I just bought myself an inzer belt. I was actually going to ask a question on this but thanks for answering.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Was looking around and just an FYI, you can get that inzer belt cheaper on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028H00PS/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[deadbeef]

How is the Inzer belt? Do you guys have a 10mm or 13mm? The elitefts economy belt has this super thick plastic layer in the middle, with leather on either side. Kind of disappointing when I got it to be honest, but now that I've broken it in, it seems fine. Super sturdy.

I want an orange belt but I don't really look forward to breaking another belt in, and this belt is perfectly fine, and will probably last the rest of my life.

Was looking around and just an FYI, you can get that inzer belt cheaper on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028H00PS/?tag=neogaf0e-20

I don't believe that's an Inzer belt. Also, watch out for double prongs, I've heard they are a pain in the ass to adjust.

Here's the belt I have. It was slightly cheaper than the belt on Inzernet.com

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=114&pid=3495

 

[MrToughPants]

That's my problem with them. If your grip fails, then you didn't (in my mind) actually lift the weight. Part of the "machine" wasn't ready. To that I would say "work on grip strength."

I understand though that not everyone wants to do that.

Straps will help you do more volume. Just because someone is using straps it doesn't mean they have a weak grip or can't complete the lift without them.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

How is the Inzer belt? Do you guys have a 10mm or 13mm? The elitefts economy belt has this super thick plastic layer in the middle, with leather on either side. Kind of disappointing when I got it to be honest, but now that I've broken it in, it seems fine. Super sturdy.

I want an orange belt but I don't really look forward to breaking another belt in, and this belt is perfectly fine, and will probably last the rest of my life.




I don't believe that's an Inzer belt. Also, watch out for double prongs, I've heard they are a pain in the ass to adjust.

Shit, yeah you're right.

Straps will help you do more volume. Just because someone is using straps it doesn't mean they have a weak grip or can't complete the lift without them.

Then why use the straps?

They are there to keep your grip from failing, no?

The "more volume" would not happen if your grip failed, which is what straps are for right? That kind of contradicts the end of your post unless I'm misunderstanding.

 

[Mr.City]

How is the Inzer belt? Do you guys have a 10mm or 13mm? The elitefts economy belt has this super thick plastic layer in the middle, with leather on either side. Kind of disappointing when I got it to be honest, but now that I've broken it in, it seems fine. Super sturdy.

I want an orange belt but I don't really look forward to breaking another belt in, and this belt is perfectly fine, and will probably last the rest of my life.




I don't believe that's an Inzer belt. Also, watch out for double prongs, I've heard they are a pain in the ass to adjust.

Here's the belt I have. It was slightly cheaper than the belt on Inzernet.com

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=114&pid=3495

I got a 13mm. It's solid as a rock, but a tad bit overkill. All this talk of belts has got me thinking of lifting sans a belt for a bit. I'm working on recovering strength lost over the years thanks to stupid diets and injuries. Might be interesting to see how I lift without one.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

I got a 13mm. It's solid as a rock, but a tad bit overkill. All this talk of belts has got me thinking of lifting sans a belt for a bit. I'm working on recovering strength lost over the years thanks to stupid diets and injuries. Might be interesting to see how I lift without one.

Isn't that contradictory to what you posted?

Now you're confusing me!

I thought the belt was supposed to make you work harder/get stronger. Why would you go without one then?!?

Also, is the belt beef linked to usable with DL/Squat both?

Also, I wear size 36 pants but need a belt, should I go with the XL or the L?

I'm selling batman and Deus Ex back on Amazon (already beat them) and I'll get a belt with that money.

 

[deadbeef]

Which belt are you talking about regarding XL versus L? My waist is about the same size as yours.

I got the XL belt from elitefts.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Which belt are you talking about regarding XL versus L? My waist is about the same size as yours.

I got the XL belt from elitefts.

That's it.

Thanks bud!

Edit: Kind of worried about getting that belt since you said it throws your DLs off.

I want a belt I can use for both (possibly even press). Now I'm at another waiting point.

 

[Mr.City]

Isn't that contradictory to what you posted?

Now you're confusing me!

I thought the belt was supposed to make you work harder/get stronger. Why would you go without one then?!?

Also, is the belt beef linked to usable with DL/Squat both?

Also, I wear size 36 pants but need a belt, should I go with the XL or the L?

I'm selling batman and Deus Ex back on Amazon (already beat them) and I'll get a belt with that money.

It's just a thing for me. I've been issues with keeping tight on the lift (mental cues) and so I just want to relearn how to keep tight sans belt. I started belting when I had bad habits, so I'm just experimenting.

YOU, on the other hand, don't seem have to issues with tightness, based off of your numbers. You can belt for the squat, the deadlift (some love or hate this; you'll have to find out yourself) and the press. Some have belted up for the bench; give it a try and see how it feels.

As for size, do yourself growing up or leaning out?

 

[MrToughPants]

Then why use the straps?

They are there to keep your grip from failing, no?

The "more volume" would not happen if your grip failed, which is what straps are for right? That kind of contradicts the end of your post unless I'm misunderstanding.

I think you're misunderstanding. Just because someone is doing a high amount of heavy pulls with straps doesn't mean that they couldn't ever pull that weight without straps. The purpose can be to overload your back or CNS. Your grip should fail before your back does during heavy/high volume pull routines which is why wearing straps will help.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

It's just a thing for me. I've been issues with keeping tight on the lift (mental cues) and so I just want to relearn how to keep tight sans belt. I started belting when I had bad habits, so I'm just experimenting.

YOU, on the other hand, don't seem have to issues with tightness, based off of your numbers. You can belt for the squat, the deadlift (some love or hate this; you'll have to find out yourself) and the press. Some have belted up for the bench; give it a try and see how it feels.

As for size, do yourself growing up or leaning out?

Leaning out more than anything, but even at my thinnest 170 I was still wearing size 30 pants (and I was sickly thin).

Running shape I was 32 jeans. So I think lifting size the smallest I will ever get is 34. Between that and 36 is far more likely.


I may actually belt for bench, with the heavier weight it's harder to hold the arch, the belt may help.

I'm just wondering if that 13mm belt beef uses is going to hinder my DLs or if I'll even be able to use it to DL at all.

I think you're misunderstanding. Just because someone is doing a high amount of heavy pulls with straps doesn't mean that they couldn't ever pull that weight without straps. The purpose can be to overload your back or CNS. Your grip should fail before your back does during heavy/high volume pull routines which is why wearing straps will help.

Oh I see what you're saying.

I probably wouldn't ever do high volume DLs anyway. I'm the kind of guy that would rather do more heavy singles.

Also, (example) the type people I've seen that irk me and ultimately make me not want to use straps aren't doing really high volume they did maybe 3 - 4 sets of 5 reps or lower, and they were rack pulls.

It really bothered me when you could visibly tell the guy wasn't using any of his own grip at all (it seemed).

Perhaps that's just my limited knowledge messing with my perception though.

 

[Mr.City]

13mm is pretty thick. I have issues pulling with it myself. Other posters here can talk about their experiences pulling in the belt, especially deadbeef with his 500 pull. For me, I have issues getting my upper back tight before the pull with the belt on.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

13mm is pretty thick. I have issues pulling with it myself. Other posters here can talk about their experiences pulling in the belt, especially deadbeef with his 500 pull. For me, I have issues getting my upper back tight before the pull with the belt on.

Yeah, he doesn't use it for pulling.

I'm just a bit worried about my back given my Army time (ruck marches are bad for your back) so especially with my pulls getting heavier, I'd like a belt I can use for DLs too, unless I might have to get a DL specific belt.

I may have to just roll with it and see how it feels.

I've heard these things "break in" over time too, that may help, haha.

 

[Mr.City]

http://vimeo.com/8390351

How to break it in

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

http://vimeo.com/8390351

How to break it in

Again, much appreciated.

 

[snoopen]

Holding me back from the weight gains I want to make, My weight has hovered around 150-152lbs and I want to get around 175lbs. I'm 6'1.

at that weight dieting is easy: eat more :/

 

[J Tourettes]

Did anyone post the Rippetoe reddit? http://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/n13d8/i_am_mark_rippetoe_author_of_starting_strength/

 

[snoopen]

Did anyone post the Rippetoe reddit? http://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/n13d8/i_am_mark_rippetoe_author_of_starting_strength/

Great link..

some interesting things i've found in my skimming

how effective do you think weight-lifting can be for weight loss? And exactly how does it compare to cardio?

Do you actually know anybody who lost a lot of bodyfat through "cardio"? I think you'll find that cardio itself has never worked as a bodyfat loss method. Big muscles burn more calories than small muscles, and eating less carbs reduces fat storage. I know lots of fat runners and cyclists, and you do too. If it works, why doesn't it work?

 

[EviLore]

Do you actually know anybody who lost a lot of bodyfat through "cardio"?

Yes. Just not cardio + unrestricted nutrition if they already have bad habits.

 

[Glorious_Paradox]

Hey guys, after spending a few years feeling unhappy about my physical state, I've started going semi-regularily to the gym again. I used to be really well built and lean until my mid-20s, but after that I started going downhill - a combination of bad nutrition, a love for carbs and beer and a career that has kept me glued to a PC all day (I'm a programmer) soon started to show

So, I've been trying the low-carb diet for the last couple of months, and combined with going to the gym 2-3 times a week I've already lost a bit of my belly flab and noticed some (slight) muscle growth. I'm aiming to completely eliminate my belly fat and maybe put on a little bit of muscle, but mostly I'm just trying to feel overall healthy and fit.

A quick question about nutrition: I've been basically avoiding anything carb-heavy, although I'm not religious about it and still allow myself to enjoy the odd pizza or burger every once in a while. Since I'm also working out though, should I be trying to include more carbs in my diet to help muscle growth? I've read conflicting information about this and still feel unsure about it.