Grinding my way to the top - video!

Jamie Rivera70 said:This random guy here... 😲

Out of everyone there, who actually stands out to you? 😁

Just look at that "little" Pat Mednes. The kid is only 19 and he's pulling a 770 lb ATG squat without even using a belt or a spotter... 😲

Here’s some deadlifts and a few pull-ups for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_vPsi2rRXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgGT4wpz_B0

John Moore51 said:Here’s some deadlifts and a few pull-ups
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_vPsi2rRXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgGT4wpz_B0

The weight is solid, but the form... not quite there yet.

You're setting up poorly at the start, immediately slipping into an RDL position with a rounded back...

You probably need to beef up those hamstrings and learn how to actually engage your glutes properly...

At least, that's my take on it...

Michael Rivera63 said:The weight is solid, but the form isn't quite there yet.

If you don't set yourself up right at the start, you end up slipping straight into an RDL position with a rounded back.

It feels like you might need to put some more work into those hamstrings and really learn how to engage the glutes properly.

At least, that’s my take on it.

So many lifters out there move with a slightly rounded spine.
I could easily drop my hips lower if I wanted to, but this feels right for me.
Still, I see where you're coming from. Thanks for the tip.

Michael Rivera63 said:The weight is solid, but the form—not quite there yet.

You’re setting yourself up poorly at the start, and you immediately end up dropping into an RDL position with a curved spine.

You really need to beef up those hamstrings a bit and figure out how to actually engage the glutes properly.

At least, that’s my take on it.

Look, I’m far from being some seasoned pro, but I have to agree—the execution just isn't quite right. That said, the weight itself and those pull-ups are impressive enough.👍

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnrdP...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qSeV...om=PL&index=53
It works for some people, I suppose. For instance, I don't really feel any of that weight pressing down on my shoulders or upper back at all; instead, it seems to settle right into my posterior chain.

John Moore51 said:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnrdP...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qSeV...om=PL&index=53
Hey, everyone's body is wired differently—some people just prefer it that way. For instance, personally, I don't really feel the load sitting on my upper back at all; it all seems to settle right into my posterior chain instead.

Is that second video meant to be a "what not to do" guide for deadlifts?🤷

John Moore51 said:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnrdP...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qSeV...om=PL&index=53
Some people just prefer it that way. Personally, I don't feel any load on my spine at all; it’s all in my posterior chain.

Don't use that first video as a benchmark.
That's an insane amount of weight where keeping your back flat is practically impossible...
And that second one? That's just straight-up bad form.
The real key is observing where the curvature in the spine actually occurs.

Here is what proper spinal rounding (upper back) looks like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GaZXCdVdpc

But you'd need freakishly strong back and core muscles to pull that off safely.
Honestly, I wouldn't even attempt it until you've mastered your deadlift technique.

For now, focus on keeping your back as flat as possible, otherwise things are going to go south fast...

Alright, alright... next time I’ll make sure my back stays flatter. 😁
But honestly, you have to consider that I was taking it easy on myself, so I didn't feel the need to be as precise with my form.
Come on, Michael Rivera63, just post a video. There's no need to be shy—just wrap a towel around your head if you're worried about being recognized 😉 (you see how these guys always try to mess with me...)

John Moore51 said:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnrdP...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qSeV...om=PL&index=53
Some people just roll with it that way—for me, personally, I don't even feel the load on my back; it’s all in my hamstrings.

Man, you pulled that weight like a beast! You've got enough strength to... well, like Mikey would say...
You're pulling way too much with your back, though—you could seriously wreck yourself doing that, even if it feels more natural for some folks to pull with their back rather than their legs.
Have you tried squatting deeper and really driving through your legs?
It looks like you're technically squatting, but right before you start moving up, you straighten your legs and shift the load onto your lower back.
Look, you clearly have a powerhouse of a back, but it might be a smarter move to try and engage those hamstrings more.

As for the weight you're moving... Absolutely killer.
Your pull-ups are looking solid too! 👍

Out of everyone here, Iced is definitely the pro to listen to. I've actually seen this absolute animal lift in person, so he can give you the best advice because the guy truly knows his stuff.
His legs are basically two massive logs.

Michael Rivera63 said:Of everyone there, he's the most impressive to you? 😁

Check out "little" Pat Mednes—this kid is only 19 and he's hitting a 770 lb ATG squat without a belt or a spotter! 😲

Oh man, this Pat guy is a total freak of nature; I saw him lifting just a few days ago.
It's just fascinating watching him—he's relatively lean, yet he overhead presses such massive weight. You've gotta have serious stability to hold that.

Speaking of Pat... the kid is an absolute unit. He makes lifting heavy look effortless, like it’s nothing to him.
Seriously though, what kind of career do you think is ahead of him? From where I'm sitting, if he keeps this up, he's going to be shattering records.

John Moore51 said:Here's some deadlifts and a few pull-ups
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_vPsi2rRXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgGT4wpz_B0

And we'll see the bench press too🙂

I posted a bench press video a few days ago, but honestly, it was a total bust.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone; I’ll definitely be more mindful next time.
As for my muscle-ups, right now I'm strictly sticking to the Olympic style—you know, high bar, basically touching the floor—and the front version.
I’m done with the parallel bars for now; that stuff is just not for me.
I'll probably upload a clip of that one day too, just so we can break it down together.

Jamie Rivera70 said:You’re pulling those weights alright, though you've clearly got just enough strength to... well, as Mike would put it...
You're relying way too much on your lower back. You could end up seriously injured doing that, even if everyone seems to prefer you pulling with your back rather than your legs right now.
Have you tried squatting deeper and driving through your legs?
Technically, you're squatting, but you straighten out just before the drive, shifting all the load onto your spine...
Sure, your back is obviously strong, but maybe try putting more fuel in the tank first.

As for the weight... impressive.
Pull-ups are looking solid too. 👍

Michael Rivera63 is definitely the expert here. I've actually seen the guy lift in person, and he's an absolute beast... he can give you the best advice because the kid genuinely knows his stuff.
His legs are like two massive logs.

🤣
Come on, don't lie to the guy... 😁

Jamie Rivera70 said:Look, Pat is a powerhouse. I saw him in action just a few days ago.
It's honestly fascinating watching someone who looks that lean overhead press such heavy weight. It takes serious stability to hold that.

Regarding Pat... the kid is pure fire. He makes lifting heavy look effortless, like it's no big deal at all.
But tell me, what kind of career do you see ahead of him? From what I can tell, if he keeps this up, he might just start breaking records...

He could actually be something special.
Brutally strong...
But his lifts aren't exactly proportional; his squats are easily his strongest link.
And his deadlift is "a little" light compared to that squat...
Still, he's got plenty of years left in him.
Though he's burning himself out quite a bit, especially with those twice-a-day squat sessions...

John Moore51 said:I actually filmed myself doing bench a few days ago, but the footage was a total disaster.
Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely be more careful next time.
As for squats, right now I’m strictly sticking to Olympic style (high bar, butt to the floor) and front squats.
I’m done with parallel bar work; that stuff is just garbage.
I’ll upload a clip of that one day too, just so we can tear it apart a bit...

The PL squat isn't even that bad...

It’s decent for building up the hamstrings and lower back, but you get way more carryover from an Olympic squat to a deadlift than you do from a PL squat.
Unless you're pulling sumo, which... well, you aren't... presumably.😁

Michael Rivera63 said:🤣
Come on, man, stop capping... 😁

He might actually be built different though
The guy is insanely strong
But his lifting ratios aren't quite there yet—his squat is definitely his powerhouse compared to everything else
Plus, his deadlift is "a little" light when you look at it next to that squat
But hey, he’s still got plenty of years ahead of him
Even if he's burning himself out, especially doing squats twice a day like that every single day...

Am I lying?
Seriously, you can barely even fit into a car with legs like those 😁

Mmm, true. And every time he hits a squat, you can hear this weird "click."
Is that just the plates rattling or his knees popping? 🤔

We're talking massive weights here; I was honestly just thinking his knees might give out on him.
Sure, solid technique and a killer diet work wonders, but there's a limit to what the human body can take, and seeing someone this young moving that much weight...
It could totally wreck him, don't you think?

Jamie Rivera70 said:Am I lying?
Come on, you can barely fit into a sedan with legs like those. 😁

Mmm, true. And every time he squats, you can hear this "click."
Is that the weight plates clanking or his knees? 🤔

We're talking massive weights here; I was actually wondering if his knees are going to give out.
Sure, technique and nutrition work wonders, but there’s a limit to what a human body can handle, and seeing him move this much at such a young age...
It could absolutely wreck him, couldn't it?

Alright, fine, you don't have to roast me right now... 😢

😁

And who knows what's actually happening.
It could very well be his knees, especially since he pushes so hard on that bounce from the bottom...
I'm not going to play fortune teller about his future,
but I know he's pushing himself to the absolute limit with everything. The question is whether it’ll leave him broken later on...

Hey, I’m not making fun of you! Who else is gonna teach me how to lift properly? 😁
From what I can see, every single dude ends up with a wrecked lower back (I mean, yeah, they're moving massive weight, but still). Doesn't look too healthy to me.
And those "popping" sounds... man, that gives me the chills every single time.

So good 😁

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd9amiLqIyc

Jamie Rivera70 said:Look, I’m not mocking you. Who else is going to teach me how to lift properly? 😁
From what I can see, every powerlifter ends up losing their glute shape (I mean, sure, they're moving massive weight, but still). Doesn't look healthy to me.
And those "popping" sounds... gives me the chills every single time.

That's great 😁

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd9amiLqIyc

He's doing that so-called "feder" style

Plenty of lifters do it... but you really shouldn't make it a habit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4hrk...layer_embedded 😲Check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7peb...layer_embedded 😲It’s actually quite fascinating...😲Just look at the way things unfold here.

Michael Rivera63 said:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4hrk...layer_embedded 😲

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7peb...layer_embedded 😲 😲

Man, these guys are just absolutely fascinating to watch 👍

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp_Dw0FAaZo

Seriously, they put powerlifters to shame.

The PWL crowd is a little too bulky for my taste, but I have nothing but
huge respect👍 for this guy.