Form Check - SQ, DL

[tweakxc03]

Charles:

I made some adjustments to my squat to allow for better depth. In case you don't recall, here is the "before" video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp4mf__Ue1M

After - 240
Set 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_TAGEUgevE
Set 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwa8C_seFZE


Deadlifts:
Still having some trouble with maintaining back angle, but I can't tell if it is setting up with my hips too low, or if it is more about driving with the quads and using the hamstrings to keep the butt down. I also strangely fell off balance on the first rep, which has never happened to me before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiMvMTjFnf4

Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.


(I should be getting my lifting shoes in the mail tomorrow)

[TempestTenor]

The pins for the bar are set very high for your squats. You almost have to tiptoe to rack and unrack. Is there a particular reason why it's up that high? Have you tried starting with the bar one notch down? It'll be safer and easier to tighten your upper back that way.

[tweakxc03]

I think that might be an optical illusion/camera angle thing. I'm 6'3", the "tip-toe" at the end was more of my leaning forward into the rack with the bar because i was tired as shit.

I'll try it a notch lower though just to check... but I've been using that same height for a while now with no problems.

[Charles Staley]

Squats are looking good- Rip would want you to look down a bit more and angle your feet/knees out more. You're going into a bit of lumbar flexion on the deads- not sure if this happens on lighter weights also

Stay with this- you're doing quite well considering your long levers



Charles:

I made some adjustments to my squat to allow for better depth. In case you don't recall, here is the "before" video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp4mf__Ue1M

After - 240
Set 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_TAGEUgevE
Set 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwa8C_seFZE


Deadlifts:
Still having some trouble with maintaining back angle, but I can't tell if it is setting up with my hips too low, or if it is more about driving with the quads and using the hamstrings to keep the butt down. I also strangely fell off balance on the first rep, which has never happened to me before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiMvMTjFnf4

Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.


(I should be getting my lifting shoes in the mail tomorrow)

[tweakxc03]

Thanks for the feedback. The flexion in the back isn't there on lower weights for the deadlift.
I'm reattempting the same weight today to correct the back angle issues as well as putting the bar down properly.

I failed on my last set of 245 the other day after 2 reps. Reattempting that today as well.

My lower back was totally fried, so I ended up bailing out of the cleans after the warmup.

It seems like my lower back is having trouble recovering between workouts.
I imagine its taking a higher level of stress considering how lanky I am.

[tweakxc03]

One other thing: Would it be wise to start training with a belt? I imagine that would help a lot in terms of my lower back recovery, etc. I figure I've gotten up pretty far without one... now may be the time to add that in.

[Phil Stevens]

Squats are looking good- Rip would want you to look down a bit more and angle your feet/knees out more. You're going into a bit of lumbar flexion on the deads- not sure if this happens on lighter weights also

Stay with this- you're doing quite well considering your long levers

I would add your on your toes to much as well thats pretty evident by how your tripped forward if you were back on your heals it would have been a trip back if one happened. Grab bar, get air, set back (chest UP without dropping your hips) and shift back on your heals. It should feel like your going to fall over if you let go of the bar THEN pull