Recent content by Shepherd4

That's terrific, but make sure you understand 5x5 before you start. If you're going to failure every set, every workout and every week - you're doing it wrong. Week 1 of a proper 5x5 cycle should have you lifting at somewhere between 80-85% of your max IN THAT REP RANGE (e.g., 80% of your...

Given your stated goals, I still don't see why you aren't a first-rate candidate for 5x5. As noted above, you can get a spotter in the gym if you really need one (which you shouldn't except in the hardest weeks), or you can use a power rack. Aside from that, it seems exactly what you're...

Let me answer your question by posing two questions: First, a routine is a routine, and they're all about 97% identical. The real question is: what are you going to do in Week 2? In other words, the mojo in the 5x5 isn't the set/rep scheme, or even the exercises themselves -- it's the...

Or alternatively, hold a barbell or curl bar behind your neck (about where you would a back squat). You won't be able to use as much weight, but the difficulty is increased significantly by the longer lever. Plus, it forces a much stricter movement. mpc

I posted recently on this forum regarding my own experiences and successes with it. http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=456095 Hope you find this helpful. mpc "Think of Tiger Woods out there hitting a bucket of balls. He's not swinging the 5-iron to get stronger -- he's...

And to make sure everybody is up-to-speed on their proper urinal etiquette... http://flasharcade.com/urinal_game.html

Thanks, and thanks for running another great meet over the weekend in Wichita Falls! BTW, I'm Michael Cooley (I took 1 lift each in the 85kg class). mpc

As a wise man once said, nothing is more effective at getting a jerk to start cleaning than a good snatch. mpc

Right. The clean is one movement and the jerk is another movement. Together, they are two movements. When you add the snatch, you get three movements (or 18 phases). I can't even tell if you guys are arguing with me or not anymore. mpc

I didn't say the snatch wasn't a fluid movement, but it is most definitely comprised of several distinct phases. The C&J consists of two separate movements (the clean and the jerk), each of which may be broken into several phases. The phases are important for several reasons. First, they...

All correct, although of course it depends on what you define as "1 motion." For example, in Artie Dreschler's "The Weightlifting Encyclopedia," Artie breaks EACH of the snatch, the clean and the jerk into six distinct phases. More simply, the snatch and clean may be seen as consisting of (i)...

In early October, I fell on my outstretched hand from a standing jump (leaving a first rate chalky hand print on the 9-foot ceiling of my garage). Hurt like bloody hell, and didn't get better. I continued working out normally for about a month before it finally occurred to me to go to the...

Try taping them more loosely -- just tight enough to wrap your thumbs. Don't tape them like you'd tape a wrist or ankle. That should help with the blood flow problem. mpc

Tape your thumbs. It will cut down the wear and tear tremendously. They'll still get squished with every pull (which you'll get used to), but at least the knurling won't keep shredding them down to the bone. mpc "Think of Tiger Woods out there hitting a bucket of balls. He's not swinging...

100% absolutely correct.