Weight Training Blog

So about two weeks ago I was reading through Wannabebig.com (What else is new?) and I came across an article that outlined how to go about increasing your dead lift. After letting it sink it, it hit me that indeed what I had read was a good article. It served as a reminder to me that you have to focus on the little things in order for the big things to fall in place. I’ll admit even after being in the gym for as many years as I have I too can tend to forget the little things and get greedy and get ahead of myself when it comes to pulls.

In other words the sum of all of the smaller lifts will eventually add up to your main lifts – in this case the dead lift. They give you “what if…” scenarios that will help you pin point what muscles you need to target in order to move up to the next level. In essence, you’re only as strong as your weakest muscle so to attack that one muscle and make it stronger will allow you to move up the chain and attack the next link until you reach your goal of 300, 400, 500, or whatever it may be on the dead lift.

It’s been a while since I last took a break from lifting, and it was stupid of myself to let myself go this long without taking a break or a de-load session from the gym.

So what are some signs that a break may be in store from the gym? If you find yourself trying to come up with excuses as to why you shouldn’t train a certain body part today, then you may need a break. If you find yourself simply exhausted and run into the ground after your second set, then a break may be in order for you.

Of course, over time you will learn when you need to schedule a break from lifting into your training schedule.

Taking this break will not only ensure that ALL of your muscles have made a full recovery from their last workout session, but it will allow your central nervous system to catch a break from the stresses of being in the gym as well. Trust me, working in a week of rest every two and a half to three months or so is beneficial to your body. Your body will thank me later.

Here’s a video that’s been around for a while of a guy dropping 305 pounds right on his chest, from a locked position. All I have to say is that had to hurt afterwards!

Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSJCDcAKShA

For those of you wondering, he should have simply wrapped his thumbs around the bar. Sure, you can get away with not wrapping your thumbs around the bar when doing 135 pounds, but things change a little bit when you load on nearly 200 more pounds! This guy is lucky to be alive.