We continue to discuss powerlifting equipment during this week’s Technique Tuesday as we move on to wrist wraps and how to wear them for the squat, bench press and deadlift. Much like a belt, you want to wear your wrist wraps a bit differently for each lift to get you in the best position possible. …
Technique Tuesday: How to Wear Wrist Wraps for Each of the Big 3 Read More »
In this week’s installment of Technique Tuesday, I’ll discuss the subtle differences in how to wear a belt for each of the big 3 lifts. As we talked about previously, there’s lots to be learned from wearing a belt (and even more to be learned from NOT wearing a belt), and adjusting your belt placement …
Technique Tuesday: How to Wear a Belt for Each of the Big 3 Read More »
The deadlift countermovement is an advanced lifting technique that can dramatically improve your speed off the floor and help you lift more weight. However, I see a lot of lifters making mistakes with their countermovement that actually hurt their deadlift form. In this week’s Technique Tuesday, I cover three common deadlift countermovement mistakes, WHY you’re …
Technique Tuesday: 3 Common Deadlift Countermovement Mistakes Read More »
Last Saturday, I earned my first elite powerlifting total by totaling 1500 to win the 198 open amateur raw modern division (in knee sleeves) at the 2015 RPS Gate City Gauntlet in Nashua, New Hampshire. I went 9-for-9 and squatted 540, bench pressed 385 and deadlifted 575. All lifts were all-time PRs and the total …
Powerlifting Meet Recap: Elite Total at 2015 Gate City Gauntlet Read More »
I’ve struggled with the deadlift for years, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned that’s helped me and my clients improve our deadlifts, it’s this: the deadlift succeeds or fails during the setup. There are plenty of ways to set up for the deadlift, but I group them into two approaches: top down and bottoms …
Technique Tuesday – Deadlift Setup: Top Down vs. Bottoms Up Read More »
Last weekend I had the honor and privilege of coaching nine amazing lifters at the RPS Power Challenge powerlifting meet in Everrett, Massachusetts. It was a well-run, well-judged meet (as is the norm for RPS meets) and everyone had a great time. With a mix of first-timers and veteran lifters, CSP Powerlifting put forth a …
Video: CSP Powerlifting at the RPS Power Challenge Read More »
I don’t have an addictive personality, but recently, I went cold turkey. I’m not gonna lie, it was hard. I didn’t realize I had a problem. I thought I was just like everyone else. It wasn’t until I gave it up until I came face-to-face with my issue: I was addicted to my lifting belt. …
Many people struggle with the concept of “Chest up, ribs down” during squats and deadlifts. It’s tough to extend through the upper back without hyperextending the lower back and disengaging the core muscles. It’s equally tough to keep the ribs down and abs engaged without rounding the upper back. Well, turns out bench t-spine mobilizations teach …
I’m a day tardy with this week’s Technique Tuesday but I promise it’s worth the wait. We’ve broken down all three main powerlifts, so now it’s time to explore different accessory exercises to drive your strength to new levels. This week, we’ll talk about Pendlay rows and how they can improve your deadlift by increasing upper back …
Technique Tuesday: Pendlay Rows to Improve Your Deadlift Read More »
This week’s Technique Tuesday wraps up the deadlift, specifically how to find the right deadlift hip position. I’ve struggled with this in the past and when it clicks, it makes a huge difference in how much weight you can pull. Start with your hips too high and you’ll rely mostly on your lower back and …
Technique Tuesday – Finding the Right Deadlift Hip Position Read More »
