Ever notice that people sometimes adopt methods that are completely wrong for their goals! In the past I have noticed a lot of natural and non geared lifters fucking around with techniques that are focused on geared lifting.
The primary one is people doing lots and lots of box squats. Now I am no Dave Tate or Louie Simmons but for the average guy looking to get big and strong AND who doesn't use a squat suit the box squat is overrated. Sure it loads the posterior chain and keeps the lower leg upright but unless you replicate that form in your actual squat then whats the point. Again if you have a naturally narrower stance squat then I fail to see how your box squatting transfers other for deadlift hip drive (which is a different reason to be doing them).
Similarly guys that bench raw and start screwing around focusing on lock out techniques. Now that's fine if you actually have a lockout problem but I guarantee if you watch their work sets invariably they are getting stapled to the bench off the chest not in the last quarter of the movement.
Often the average guy is ignorant of the changes in the strength curve that occur when shifting from raw to geared lifting.
Bottom line: think about the technique and whether it has utility for your training before you include it in your next cycle.
Stay Strong
Thomo
Well said. Geared verses raw lifts (especially SQ and BP; DL mechanics aren't as affected by gear) are different lifts, with--like you said--dramatically different strength curves. As a former geared powerlifter trying to lift again (ahem...10 years later), I'm more attracted to raw lifting, but finding it to be very different. I certainly don't see how band and chains are going to help me. Likewise, rack work doesn't really seem necessary either, since all my sticking points are in the early stages of the lift rather than the lockouts/completions.
ReplyDeleteSo true, I think typically newbies get caught up in the whole powerlifting concept and as always evidence/logic doesnt get a mention. Drop me a note (to my e-mail) re your return to raw lifting as it would be intersting input into a post on this topic shortly
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