Blocks or rack

[Mr.Silverback]

When it comes to pulling, which do you prefer or feel has the most carryover? Personally,I do both being a raw lifter I feel that both produce the confidence to hold heavy weights in hand as well.

Here's where I have found the difference, since I pull sumo I can get into position easier when pulling off blocks. Because my rack doesn't allow me to completely utilize form so I modify it a bit. My rack pulls are usually conventional or modified sumo. however, pulling from blocks allows full form. So what are you guys thoughts on this? Can't wait to read all of you guys thoughts on this!

Silverback Barbell

[Off Road]

I like both but blocks feel more like a pull from the floor (probably psychological). Also, I've read that pulling heavy from pins can bend your bar.

[jslep]

i pull in conv. stance so the rack is not an issue for me to stand in so my normal form is utilized. if i could not perform in that manner i think i would switch to an exercise that i could. one downfall i feel to the rack though is that the spotting pins tend to bounce the weight a little if you set it down too fast and at a quiet gym tend to clang rather loud. blocks are much quieter but also are not found at many gyms so could limit some to goin that route. personal preference with all said.........blocks.

[BendtheBar]

Blocks if you have them big enough and on a flat surface. I've lost the bar off blocks way too many times, especially during rep sets. If the blocks are not completely level, or you're using smaller blocks, things can get hairy. My basement isn't perfectly level, so this probably isn't an issue for most of you.

I keep a layer of carpeting on the top block to help stay away from roll.

[Off Road]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I keep a layer of carpeting on the top block to help stay away from roll.

Excellent point. I do the same thing.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Blocks if you have them big enough and on a flat surface. I've lost the bar off blocks way too many times, especially during rep sets. If the blocks are not completely level, or you're using smaller blocks, things can get hairy. My basement isn't perfectly level, so this probably isn't an issue for most of you.

I keep a layer of carpeting on the top block to help stay away from roll.

Couldn't you slightly hollow out wooden blocks, that would stop some roll by letting the plates rest in a curve.

[Off Road]

Originally Posted by 5kgLifter

Couldn't you slightly hollow out wooden blocks, that would stop some roll by letting the plates rest in a curve.

But they might roll into the curve and throw off your form on reps. Just thinking out load, I've never tried it.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by Off Road

But they might roll into the curve and throw off your form on reps. Just thinking out load, I've never tried it.

Where the base sits solidly and snugly in the curve, I mean; the sort of things the Oly lifters use when using blocks, sometimes...can't seem to find any pics other than the flat top blocks but have seen them.

See 46 seconds in (also seen on the still at the start), pause and look behind and to the left of the lifter, that style curve:

You Tube

You Tube

[BendtheBar]

The issue with a curve is that when you're unloading a heavy weight, a slight roll like that could cause a lower back/whatever tweak. I've let my wife and daughters pull with the weights inside a step base, the purple part below, but the bar rolls on them every rep because they never lower it perfectly.



I think that idea could work with a very wide block and slight curve. I was thinking of building a slight pseudo-curve by using stepped layers of carpeting.

[5kgLifter]

I edited my post above, to show what I meant.