What kind of lifting are you doing/trying to do? Are you new to it or fairly acquainted with lifting?
I just ask because some apps do some things better than others. Some offer a ton of exercises, some craft workout plans for you, some give instructional videos, etc.
Hey Soup - what worked for me was starting a basic PPL (push/pull/leg) split to start and then tweak as needed as I got stronger and started figuring out what I wanted my more specific goals to be.
Could be an option for you. Lots of ways to go about it.
I'm still doing my split as I'm happy with my results and it's working for me. Lots of guys on here do Stronglifts and love it.
What kind of lifting are you doing/trying to do? Are you new to it or fairly acquainted with lifting?
I just ask because some apps do some things better than others. Some offer a ton of exercises, some craft workout plans for you, some give instructional videos, etc.
Thanks,
I've already got a program, just want something to better track and give data than using notepad. It looks like Hevy suggested on the previous page is what I'm looking for
When you say powerlifting do you mean the big 3 (dead's, bench, squats)? The bar I want for squats and bench is totally different than that for dead's or even bent over rows. I cannot stand any whip in the bar for squat and bench but it's good for deadlifts.
I'd also go a step further and say how much rotation occurs on the bar can also be detrimental to bench/squat. The bar I have in my garage is a 28.5 but the plates rotate a lot on it and it drives me crazy. I don't think that is about the thickness but more of the type of bar it is.
Hoosegow can chime in with more technical insight I'm sure. I just know what I like and don't like for each lift but I couldn't tell you which model/brand to pick out.
I'd say that, if I had to pick one, I'd prefer a bar that is best for my squat. I'm getting in the 400-500 pound range on my maxes and would prefer something that minimizes the whip. My Ohio bar also doesn't have center knurl and I think I'd like that just to feel like the bar is digging into my back a little more.
I think the Ohio bar I have is fine for my bench, I'm barely pushing over 300 there.
I think what I would want in a squat bar is probably completely different than what I'd want in a deadlift bar, so I may just ultimately end up buying a squat bar now that I think about it. But I'd like it to be close to what would be allowed at powerlifting competitions in the event I ever decide to compete.
Other than the knurling, the things I like in a squat and bench bar are the same. You're going to feel to much whip in your squat range. I can feel it starting around 4 plates and hate it. Stiff bar eliminates the plates from "flapping" much better.
So I may go with a Texas original power bar for squat/bench, then eventually a deadlift bar. Ultimately the goal is for my Ohio bar to be my beater I can use for landmines/starting off my kids. They have to earn their way to the nice stuff!
I have never seen him before but his response did come up on my feed. Guy has a right to say what he wants and give his opinion and just the lawsuit about his actual opinion is enough for me to not buy from Vulcan.
He has a gofundme for his legal expenses and the top two non-anonymous donors are competitors to Vulcan. That's just Chef's Kiss advertising.
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Iron Bull Strength $2,00014 hrs It's such a bad business practice to sue people just because you don't agree with their feedback. Anyone who actually builds and improves products knows that honest criticism is part of the product life cycle. It's how you make better gear and earn trust.
22. After receiving the product, Gluck had multiple communications with Vulcan about assembly. Among other things, Gluck stated that he was missing some parts. Vulcan advised that new and improved parts were on order, and would be forwarded as soon as Vulcan received them.
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23. Gluck also identified some issues he said he was seeing with the TALOS product, including concerns about the assembly instructions and the tautness of the cables, but acknowledged that he hadn't yet been able to fully test due to the missing parts
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24. In response, Vulcan re-sent a full copy of the assembly instructions, including four detailed schematic pages and a six-page step-by-step assembly guide, and pointed out that a full 3D virtual model showing every detail of the product was available on Vulcan's website.
He shows the pages in the review and they suck balls, imo.
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26. In mid-August, Vulcan learned that the new parts would be delayed longer than expected. Vulcan advised Defendants of the delay, and offered that Defendants could either continue to wait for the parts, or alternatively Vulcan would send someone to disassemble and remove the TALOS equipment, and the parties could try again later once the upgraded parts had arrived.
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27. Gluck responded by inviting Vulcan to retrieve the product, saying "I don't have any way of shipping it back or I'd do that."
LOL, their lawsuit even details the problems he had with their product prior to the review.
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b. Gluck claims in the video that the grooves of the pulleys are too small for "these big, thick cables." The cables are 5mm in diameter and the pulley grooves are 9mm wide, providing a proper fit.
In the video, he shows that the pulleys are different sizes and they go from the bigger ones to really small ones.
2m38s cued up here:
He shows and explains it and they are saying here the pulleys are all 9mm, which seems to be false as the other pulleys are clearly smaller. Are they lying on a court document submitted under oath?
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d. Gluck states that Vulcan's directions don't say how to install the rear crossmember, causing him to install it upside down. The crossmember only has holes on one side so it can only logically be installed one way, and the instructions clearly show the
The instructions (shown in video) were not clear, imo.
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f. Gluck claims falsely that the lat pull up bar doesn't fit properly. It does when the product is assembled per the instructions.
IDK, maybe create better instructions if someone who professionally puts this **** together and seems like a decently intelligent person is confused by it. He shows at 8:30 in his video how and why it doesn't fit.
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h. Gluck says the low row function is too low, calling it "the world's lowest low row." Some competing products have a lower low row, such as one offered by Rep Fitness which Defendants reviewed favorably.
Opinions are not defamatory, even if wrong.
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32. Each of the above statements, as well as others throughout Defendants' video, were objectively false, and upon information and belief were known by Defendants to be false at the time they were made, or alternatively were made by Defendants without reasonable basis and Defendants failed to exercise ordinary care to determine whether the statements were false
Based on watching this video, I think this assertion is false. He visibly showed the problems and the lawsuit details his problems with the company before filming.
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e. Gluck concludes by saying, "If I was one of the people that spent my money on this, I'd be pissed."
Yeah, I mean for $4500, I certainly would be pissed if it didn't have good instructions, didn't have all the parts, parts were backordered or didn't arrive promptly, etc. I think that is a valid opinion... and it is clearly opinion.
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Upon information and belief, Defendants have active affiliate relationships with Rogue Fitness, Rep Fitness, and other large equipment manufacturers, which generate significant revenue for Defendants. 35. These relationships create a dilemma for Defendants, because Defendants' appeal in the marketplace depends on cultivating a reputation for fearless, hard-hitting reviews, but negative reviews of products from the large manufacturers would impact Defendants' revenue. 36. Defendants' solution was to fabricate a negative and incendiary "review" of the product of a small manufacturer, enabling Defendants to portray themselves as crusaders while protecting the competitive interests of the dominant companies in the industry who generate most of Defendants' revenue.
He had a relationship with Vulcan in the same manner, though. So praising Vulcan would have likely gotten him more money by selling products.
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44. Defendants' video misrepresents the nature, characteristics, and qualities of Vulcan's TALOS product.
IDK, it seems to represent his experience.
I believe when he says his experience with Vulcan and their customer service was negative when they sue him for saying that and demonstrating the problems he had with the product.
Just use the Texas Power Bar. That is all you need in training and most feds only allow one bar. You ain't gonna bend it or break it with 2x that weight. Deadlift bar is useless for anything other than the DL and if you do compete, your at a disadvantage if they dont allow it. Squat bar, you aren't lifting enough to whip a Texas bar..
If you got the cash, go for it, but that is a lot of money for something that provides very little benefit if competing and none if your not. Can be a detriment if you are competing and your fed doesn't allow it...
My brothers in iron, Was traveling over Thanksgiving and the week before, and haven't squatted in two weeks. Longest I have gone without lifting in years.
Hit the squat rack yesterday, with dialed back intensity. EFF. Sore AF. Strength was there though, but legs hadn't fully recovered from being on airplanes, walking over 14,000 steps a day, and not eating enough.
BUT,
Elbows and other aches and pains havent felt this good in a year or longer.
Today's winner for the General Board Burrito Lottery is:
Been on Madcow for about 5 weeks now and this warmup seems crazy to me now. My heavy day today was 8,005 lbs with a top set of 3 at 285. Meanwhile including these "warmup" sets for SL added up to 9,025 lbs. That's wild.
Been awhile since I posted much of an update here, so here goes (sorry if it's a bit long). My son and I finally left commercial gyms last summer and switched to a powerlifting gym in Plano. Great little place. Owners are former powerlifters. If anyone happens to be in the area, Cratos Fitness is a great gym for more serious weightlifters / powerlifters or anyone who wants something different that the corporate gyms.
Anyway, my son is getting ready for his next meet in January. Basically just doing it to get is qualifying totals for the USAPL Texas State High School meet in February and the National High School meet in March. He competed earlier in the year equipped (basic suite and wraps and bench shirt, pretty minimal stuff by today's standards). He's since switched to raw and is using sleeves now. He hit a 165 kg squat yesterday in sleeves (about 363). Up from his 320 equipped earlier in the year. He's on pace for around the same on deadlift and around 250 on bench. His goal is around 400 deadlift / squat and around 260 bench or higher by March. We shall see.
This past year has been a bit up and down for me. But, I hit 170 kg (375) squat yesterday in wraps. The most I've done in awhile. Felt pretty smooth and was probably good for another 15-20 lbs if I really pushed it. Bench is coming along still and no shoulder issues, after I had some setbacks a year ago and couldn't bench for about 5 months and had to start back at square one last Jan. Starting to push past 250 with a pause. No pain or discomfort, so that's fantastic. But, I do spend time doing specific things to keep the shoulders healthy (and lower back for that matter). Seems to be working as things are moving along. Deadlift is getting close to 400 as well, so pretty happy with that. Not bad for just turning 49 at the end of November
My son is 16 and a sophomore in high school. He started 3 years ago this April at around a skinny 140 lbs. He's up to around 190 now. He's come a long way. Took him a bit initially just to be able to do barbell squats with the bar. Started with goblet squats until he had a good feel for squatting with some weight and then started working on an empty bar with back squats then progressed with weight.
He's still kind of on the thinner side being at around my height of 6'01", but he eats everything he can.
When life circumstances have you staying very physically active (lots of walking and other activity, not a sedentary lifestyle at all) on a daily basis, and your time for lifting is very limited and your energy tank is lower....
If my goal is to maintain as much strength as possible, am I better off keeping the intensity high, working up towards heavy singles, doing lower volume on the barbell lifts (maybe a 3x3?), then having maybe some circuit style accessories? Or am I better off continuing with submaximal 5x5 style lifting, and going lighter on accessories?
I don't plan on making much strength gains, just maintain whatever I can. I plan on trying to focus on my form, slowing down my reps, and going for things like rep PRs at a certain weight vs. maxing out for the time being.
Realistically, I'll be lucky to get 2 lifts a week in, maybe 3. And anything beyond 45 minutes won't be happening because this will be at 9 PM or later for the most part.
That's going to be tricky to maintain your strength and not fatigue when you're lifting heavy singles but only have 45 mins of total workout time. Ideally you need 2-5 mins between sets on heavy compounds for maximum recovery to lift heavier.
Regarding your ability to work out, just focus on when you can work out and do everything you can to find additional time if your goals require it. Nothing wrong with hitting the gym 2-3 times a week but you need to adjust your goals accordingly.
Yeah, my goal of hitting a 1500 total this year is not going to happen.
My squat seems stuck in the 425-435 range, and my deadlift is probably a comfortable 500. Bench seems stuck at 300.
I know I won't get over that plateau with my current circumstances, so I'm going to try to spend the time with technique work and ironing out my weaknesses there.
I think I'll try to cut some weight, maintain as much strength as possible, and then when life goes back to "normal" that will give me some runway to add weight while pushing the weight heavier. I'm probably due for a legitimate cut, so I can make it work. Just going into uncharted waters since I've basically just been pushing to go heavier for 3 years.
When life circumstances have you staying very physically active (lots of walking and other activity, not a sedentary lifestyle at all) on a daily basis, and your time for lifting is very limited and your energy tank is lower....
If my goal is to maintain as much strength as possible, am I better off keeping the intensity high, working up towards heavy singles, doing lower volume on the barbell lifts (maybe a 3x3?), then having maybe some circuit style accessories? Or am I better off continuing with submaximal 5x5 style lifting, and going lighter on accessories?
I don't plan on making much strength gains, just maintain whatever I can. I plan on trying to focus on my form, slowing down my reps, and going for things like rep PRs at a certain weight vs. maxing out for the time being.
Realistically, I'll be lucky to get 2 lifts a week in, maybe 3. And anything beyond 45 minutes won't be happening because this will be at 9 PM or later for the most part.
Man, I kinda just went through this. I started traveling in mid-November, didn't lift for almost two weeks, came back, work went absolutely crazy, only got, AT MOST two workouts (and even then, just the big stuff, squats, deadlft, OHP, bench).
Somehow my OHP stayed about the same. Deadlift is okay, bench is okay, but took about a 5lb hit.
HOWEVER,
My squat effing fell off a cliff. Lost probably 45 pounds of top end strength. I don't know if my legs haven't recovered (been on 13 flights in 3 weeks some where overseas), walked too much, too much work stress, not my usual workouts, but damn. Feels like Ive lost 5 months worth of progress.
I don't know what to do other than flat out reset my squat, and run 3x5 NLP back up to something north of 275. Then go back to top set/back off programming.
Feels bad man.
Today's winner for the General Board Burrito Lottery is:
I think my plan to structure my workouts is this...
I'm going reset all of my training maxes to more accurately reflect my actual max. On my upper body lifts I'm going to knock off an additional 20 pounds.
Workout A will be 3/5/1 programming and do a squat/bench day at 3x3, 3x5, and 5/3/1+, followed by 50-100 accessory reps depending on time/energy.
Workout B will be the same thing for a deadlift/OHP day.
Workout C will be a 3x5 with the first set weight from that week's 3x3/3x5/or 5/3/1 for squat/bench and workout D will be the same structure with deadlift/OHP. Same 50-100 accessory reps depending on time/energy.
This will have me doing upper/lower every workout so if I end up with 5 days in between workouts it won't end up being a week and a half between doing a lower or upper body exercise.
Workout A/B will help me keep some top end strength, and workout C/D will keep some volume on.
So, 3x3 squat/bench day + accessories, 3x3 deadlift/OHP press + accessories, 3x5 at FSL squat/bench + accessories, 3x5 at FSL deadlift/OHP + accessories. Repeat for 5s week, repeat for 5/3/1s week.
That should get me through March and then I can reassess.
