Sticking Points?

[Bodybygamma]

Step1: Film your sets, and fix your form.

For bench make sure you use this check list:
EFS Classic: 12 Steps to a Bigger Bench

For deadlift:
Going Deeper into the Deadlift with Mark Rippetoe, Part 2

Step2: Speed work is great to do, but I would do it during the Wendler phases, of a program, would switch in deficit work as need be, but would prioritize speed. Assistance work
and such, should be experimented with, after a solid base has been made. And the basic compound movements aren't enough.

As long as extra calve work doesn't screw up your lifting go for it.

[sneezingstardust]

Originally Posted by Bodybygamma

Step1: Film your sets, and fix your form.

For bench make sure you use this check list:
EFS Classic: 12 Steps to a Bigger Bench

For deadlift:
Going Deeper into the Deadlift with Mark Rippetoe, Part 2

Step2: Speed work is great to do, but I would do it during the Wendler phases, of a program, would switch in deficit work as need be, but would prioritize speed. Assistance work
and such, should be experimented with, after a solid base has been made. And the basic compound movements aren't enough.

As long as extra calve work doesn't screw up your lifting go for it.

I wish I could film at my gym! They've outlawed it I have to wait till I move in July.

Thanks for the links!

[dmaipa]

I've had the same problems when i was powerlifting. I was lucky enough to have training partners so we for bench; pin presses, different board presses, worked alot on triceps.

Deadlift; we focused alot on rack pulls from different heights, goodmornings, low box squat.

I know you are doing madcow's program, but i'm one who likes to experiment with things. In my opinion, which others may not agree on, is to substitute some of those lifts with ones that help in your weaker areas, like instead of doin full deadlifts, do rack pulls from below the knee. Its all about trying to figure out what works best for you.

I feel if you want to do calf work, go right ahead! there's no law saying that you can't train your calves just because the madcow program doesnt have it in there.

[bas781]

Great thread & in an Arnold voice, "good advices."

I've had good results power cleaning to improve the deadlift though I know it's a technical oly lift and not for everyone.

[sneezingstardust]

Originally Posted by dmaipa

I've had the same problems when i was powerlifting. I was lucky enough to have training partners so we for bench; pin presses, different board presses, worked alot on triceps.

Deadlift; we focused alot on rack pulls from different heights, goodmornings, low box squat.

I know you are doing madcow's program, but i'm one who likes to experiment with things. In my opinion, which others may not agree on, is to substitute some of those lifts with ones that help in your weaker areas, like instead of doin full deadlifts, do rack pulls from below the knee. Its all about trying to figure out what works best for you.

I feel if you want to do calf work, go right ahead! there's no law saying that you can't train your calves just because the madcow program doesnt have it in there.

I prefer deadlifts much more. I'd rather just work up to them rather than doing rack pulls, I think.

I did some calf work yesterday as well I don't want to sub too much, because I was advised by countless people not to, so I think I'll just stick it out and see how it goes I guess.

[dmaipa]

Originally Posted by sneezingstardust

I prefer deadlifts much more. I'd rather just work up to them rather than doing rack pulls, I think.

I did some calf work yesterday as well I don't want to sub too much, because I was advised by countless people not to, so I think I'll just stick it out and see how it goes I guess.

with consistent training im sure your numbers will go up, just gotta keep working at it.

[big valsalva]

Have you tried this variant of the deadlift?

YouTube - Halting Deadlifts

YouTube - Halting Deadlifts

I would be anxious to hear from the experts on this. I think Rippetoe suggests working up to 85% or so of your 1RM deadlift weight and going for work sets of 8 reps or so. Maybe try them after your deads, or alternate weeks. I suppose you could slip them in at the end of the "Friday" workout.

As to calves. This is just my very humble opinion, but to me, nothing works the calves like actual travailing under a heavy set of squats or deadlifts. They have to be max sets. Where you wonder if you can even keep your balance. You're running madcow now? Then your time for these sets are coming very soon.

[BendtheBar]

Those halting deads look like a 2/3rds Romanian deadlift. His legs are staying pretty much in the same spot throughout the movement. I am a big fan of RDLs in general. The only thing that would concern me with the halting approach is that you never get to stand up and take the weight/strain off your lower back. So I'm not sure that it's a good heavy weight movement. But I reserve the right to be wrong.

[big valsalva]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Those halting deads look like a 2/3rds Romanian deadlift. His legs are staying pretty much in the same spot throughout the movement. I am a big fan of RDLs in general. The only thing that would concern me with the halting approach is that you never get to stand up and take the weight/strain off your lower back. So I'm not sure that it's a good heavy weight movement. But I reserve the right to be wrong.

They resemble the RDL, except that the weight is deloaded on the floor each rep. It depends on your approach to RDL's though. I think of them more as an upper half exercise. Meaning that, for me, I lower the weight just below my knees, and work the upper half of the lift. To me, the haltings resemble a lower half of the lift. I'd be willing to use much more weight on the haltings than I do RDL's just because of the fact that the weight gets deloaded on every rep.

I'm not saying that haltings are a good exercise. I've never done them, but I think Rippetoe has some good things to say about them. So who's to argue? They may be a good exercise to help develop the pull off the ground. But then again they may be complete and utter crap. I just thought they might be worth a try for Sneezy, and they seem to make a whole bunch more sense to her issue than doing rack pulls.