alongthelinesof

My gym/hangout, Midtown Strength and Conditioning, shares space with a powerlifting gym, Team Supertraining.  On a regular day, it’s not uncommon to see guys like Mark Bell bench and squat numbers well beyond 700lbs.  Just this week, I saw Donnie Thompson squat some ungodly amount of 1100+lbs.  And although, much of their training seems very foreign to me, I can’t help but try to get a general understanding of powerlifting methods.  The first and most obvious difference between weightlifting and powerlifting is the tremendous amount of variety that their training program encompasses.  In fact, it seems like the best powerlifters are the ones who incorporate the most diversity into their training.  These guys will use chains, bands, blocks, gear, wraps, no gear, elevated surfaces, partial movements, surprising and creative assistance work, kettlebells, bands with kettlebells, you name it and they use it.  So if you think about it, it’s kind of like powerlifters get to PR in something every workout.  Every once and a while, I’ll strike up a conversation with one of these guys and attempt to get a better understanding of what it’s all about.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Bell the other day, and we spoke about the similarities and differences between our respective sports.  I have always been open to the idea of possible carryover benefits between the two training systems.  Now, I’m not saying that I’m going to start squatting wide stance in full gear, but what if once every few squatting sessions, I wore some squatting briefs, or even some tighter knee wraps.  Full range of motion and full speed would still be emphasized because of the specificity of velocity/strength needed for the Olympic lifts.  However, Bell proposed that the overload on the body (due to the bigger numbers) could have a positive effect on the lifts.  After all, I squat with a belt even though I don’t snatch with one. On that same note, I also know a large number of lifters who also do goodmornings and reverse hypers to help expedite the recovery process and improve back integrity from the floor.

All I’m saying is, “what if?”  Thoughts?  Comments?

Here’s some raw footage of Team Supertraining gettin’ down. . . Heavy Duty.

AM

I wouldn’t even classify this as a workout.  It was more or less just an affirmation how bad my body felt when I woke up this morning.  Some Cassidy’s eggs, sausage, biscuits, and gravy were needed to improve morale for the very necessary 2^nd workout.

PM

Snatch: 130kgx2.

Clean and jerk:  made 150.  Missed 160 a few times again with no belt.

Squat:  Even though my legs felt like they were filled with poison, I felt the need to squat out my demons.  Made a super easy 220, thought it wasn’t too outrageous to go for a 240.  Took it out of the rack, bounced out of the bottom and nearly made it out of the sticking point.  It is inevitably going to happen within the next week or so.  Learn to lift without fear.  Boom.