Deadlifts
162.5 kg x5
162.5 kg x5
162.5 kg x3 (grip failed, but I don't know if I would've finished either, it was pretty hard)
Thick Bar Deadlifts
180lbs x I dunno...
So while I was deadlifting, I got into the habit of dropping the weight at the top. When I hang on to it, I get whiplash, so I either control it hardcore, or drop it. So I drop it. Supposedly you can get hurt putting it down too. Well, a guest made his appearance after my 2nd set. It was the manager of the gym. He said I couldn't drop the weights because "you could feel it all the way over there (points to his desk) and sometimes things drop in the pool." He said I have to lower it down more gently. I said that's how people get hurt. He said its the same kinetic chain. I told him it doesn't matter. He then said "so don't drop the weights okay?" to which I responded "No, its not okay." He said its in the rules....
Well after my workout I stopped by the desk and tried to argue. I really can't talk crap because I didn't stay and argue much. But he knows a lot about weightlifting. He's a professional. He can't deadlift 400lbs, but another trainer can, and that trainer lowers it in a controlled fashion. He started talking about literature, to which I pointed out literature says leg press are better than squats, squats are bad, and literature can prove anything. He said this was the policy made up by the higher ups, to which I responded the higher ups don't lift weights. I was a bit conservative. I asked him to show me someone who deadlifted over 400lbs who didn't drop the weight...I knew I should've said 500. 400's too easy...In the end, I didn't feel like arguing because I was hungry and tired (he wasn't though, he was on his chair...), and confirmed that all I had to do was lower it a bit more gently. It should be noted that last time I had on real plates and was lowering (not dropping) 315lbs, when he told me "those aren't bumper plates, that's what bumper plates are for". Which is why my deadlifts are now all in kilos...
Chrome and fern land sucks...I also tore my hand so there is blood on my sweat pants, but I wiped the blood on the bar off =).
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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Hi Aaron,
ReplyDeleteas much as I would like to take your side on this matter, I cannot. We often enough get in trouble, and Z-center patrons have complained about us before. I admit that this is annoying and it potentially can hurt out training. However, we are not alone there and the mission statement of the Z depicts the institution as a recreational center, not a powerlifting club.
What do you want to achieve by arguing with The manager? I assume that you are aware that any of us can get kicked out at any time for dropping weights or being too loud. When you just drop the weight from the top without even following down the bar with your hands, it looks like you don't fucking care. All your arguing will be interpreted as lame excuses, even if you are right.
Next thing is, they don't fucking care about us. In the end, deadlifting will be forbidden and all of us suffer.
As a solution. Most of us use a set of blue bumpers inside and then stack blacks as needed. I always lift on the platform with bumpers, and it makes a huge difference regarding noise. Just yesterday I saw/heared a guy deadlifting with blacks on the ground in front of the platforms, and the noise was annoyingly loud. I am still surprised how low his awareness was. And yes, I am aware that I barely break the fall of the bar and that I cause loud noise, too. However, I try to keep it at bay, because I want to lift on the very same platforms in a year from now.
Thanks for putting it into perspective Kik. When you put it that way, I'll make sure to put it down gentler next time.
ReplyDeleteHi Aaron, I do not mean it in a bad way. I believe we all just have to be careful not to get in trouble with management. Looking forward to meeting you soon. Let us know when you lift the next time, so we can touch base.
ReplyDeleteLater!
PS: Drop it with your hands still attached to the bar; it is a competition rule anyway and indicates the effort!
I agree with Rene here. Whenever something like that happens to me, I keep in mind two things:
ReplyDelete1. They're trying to do their jobs. The majority of them probably don't give a damn, though they will defend themselves if you attack them. The rules are written by higher-ups, and *they* (floor trainers) will get in trouble if they don't at least try to enforce them.
2. Ultimately, we don't care much about being "right" relative to the managers/floor trainers. We just want to be able to lift. To that end, it helps to be as respectful as possible so they have no complaints. This means always putting back your weights, cleaning up excess chalk, not being too noisy, etc. If they want to make trouble for us, they easily can, no matter what we do. But they don't, so we should reciprocate by not being stereotypical meatheads.
And yes, I'm not exactly quiet when I lower heavy deadlifts, but as Rene noted, it *is* a competition rule to hold onto it until it touches the floor, and using bumpers/the platform helps deaden the noise a lot.
Don't worry about getting yelled at too much. We've all had our fair share.
Hi Aaron,
ReplyDelete-- I don't see any reason why you would get injured by lowering the bar (correctly) in a controlled way. No one said slowly, just controlled, and it's a competition rule anyway.
-- I was never approached by the desk people, personal trainers, etc. But it happened before in other gyms, and the best policy I found is: never argue and just say "sure, no problem" (should use heavy accent too). Whatever the situation is, it's always the best policy.
-- Now to the important stuff: Ask Frank / Nate / ... how to improve grip strength. I can't pull more than 305 with an overhand grip, but they should know.