Manawatu Monster

[ManawatuMonster]

Hey all,

New to the site so thought id give a quick introduction.

Just made my debut to powerlifting a few weeks back at powerhouse which was long overdue. Was an awesome experience and am definitely hooked now. Am currently in training for nationals with HJP with the hopes of qualifying for oceanias.

My lifts in Wellington were:

Junior 120kg class (raw)

Squat 240kg

Bench 160kg

Deadlift 300kg

Was a good reality check in terms of bench (pause will get you!) and squatting without a mirror etc. Hoping to add a bit to all three by nationals and again by oceanias if i get the opportunity. Can't wait to get on the platform again and hopefully with less nerves this time!

[drizzt]

Hey bro, good to see you on the site! I was the back spotter that day, had a quick chat with you afterwards (and coined your nickname :pfft:)

Awesome lifting on the day, looking forward to seeing what you put up for Nats! See you there 8)

[ManawatuMonster]

Cheers bro! Thanks heaps for the spotting, appreciated all the spotters reminding about waiting for the calls too! Hayden had been talking me through them all week but i still kept forgetting...

[M.T]

Hey Jono good to see you on here bro keen to see what you got @ Nats train hard and keep Hayden honest

[tomleegolf]

300 deadlift at first comp :shock:

Smash it at Nats :clap:

[drizzt]

300 deadlift at first comp :shock:

Beltless too, just missed a 317.5 after it :shock: Hence the nickname!

The 160 bench was pretty much shoulder-width/close-grip also... scary potential :nod:

[teamfatboy]

:ditto: I'm with Drizzt - your appearance at the Novice was awesome.... I was spotter-loading that day and it was wicked to watch.

I'll be at Nats, all things going according to plan - so good luck!

[Wookie]

Welcome Jono (that's my name too)

Good work in your first comp. There was a thread a few weeks ago with you deadlifting, I left a little bit of advice if you don't mind. I honestly think you're good for more and have the proportions and strength to get into the 800lb club in the next 2-3 years, even remaining drug free.

"Nice lift, I like his start position, it came up really fast. There was no reason for it to be a 'slow' lift, I'd simply say that he should look to actively drive his hips forwards towards the bar once it gets to around knee level. Ie... begin driving the hips through for the lockout before the bar slows. With the speed it came up off the floor, 317kg should be there in a matter of weeks if the form is ironed out. It's a timing thing more than anything. Wish I had such a good start position."

[ManawatuMonster]

Hey wookie,

Thanks heaps for the advice. I do still feel my technique could come a fair way, I still resort to the just sit and rip tactic when it gets heavy! I am deadlifting on tues so will have a go at bringing hips through a bit earlier and get back to you.

What are your thoughts on getting a belt now? Obviously nationals is only a matter of weeks away and I have always deadlifted beltless. Few people suggesting getting one although not sure it would even arrive in time.

[Wookie]

Yeah, for the most part (unique body lever proportions aside) if a guy is blasting a weight off the floor like you do and then slowing, it's a technical issue or posterior chain weakness. I'd say based off your squat you do probably have a ways to go in ham and glute strength. After nats perhaps look at doing a cycle of box squats (sitting back to kill stretch reflex, with a wider stance for the hams); and reverse band deads (to put more work on the lockout, though don't use too much band tension as you're already strong off the floor). Another thing you could look at doing is pulling slower off the floor (say 80% effort while maintaining form) and then trying to speed the bar up once it gets to the knees.

In your case perhaps have a cue to really drive your hips through once the bar is just about at the knees. Once it gets there, push them through hard, and straighten out. Maybe it's just me, but I think of pushing my hips through to open myself up, kind of like how you open a book. The books spine being my hips and each side being my upper and lower body.

As for the belt... honestly, look into getting one, a nice solid 10 or 13mm powerlifting belt, experiment with where you wear it on your torso. That said, with Nat's being so close, I wouldn't worry about using one by then. You're clearly doing ok without it, and the last thing you want to do is go into a comp with knew equipment. Who knows, you may find the extra pressure from a belt causes you to feel dizzy the first few heavy deads. It's not unheard of for guys to lift big weights without a belt. In NZ, Dale Shepherd pulled 340 without one easily. I never used to put a belt on till I got to about 300.

Go hard. Hit me up if you're ever in Akl.

[Wookie]

Btw, if your gym allows it. Tape some cardboard or something over the mirror while you squat.

[tomsammce]

Strong bro! Good potential. :nod:

[hjp]

Btw, if your gym allows it. Tape some cardboard or something over the mirror while you squat.

We turn the rack around to face away from the mirror now :nod:

Good to see you on here Jono!