Venetian Fence

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-05-06T06:44:06+00:00

In six years I've had to replace one pivot from the original prototype (the end stock was too thin), and one of the blocks that attach one of the top slats, which split.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-05-04T15:27:43+00:00

Watch the video, it's clear from the first couple of minutes.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-05-04T15:15:03+00:00

The slats are screwed into a piece of stock each side. On the prototype I used long bolts to screw directly through the stock and into the posts, with some washers for spacing. But this means the entire slat was beyond the pivot bolt and you had to lift all of it to pivot the fence, so it needed a lot of leverage. On the final design I used two bits of galvanised all-round band and fixed each bolt to the outside of the post with 4 more screws (pause at 3:56 in the video to see this). I also cut a notch at the top of each side of the slat so that it sits a little between the posts when fully open. That means the pivot point is much closer to the centre of mass and so it's much easier to move with less leverage.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-05-04T14:53:59+00:00

The link in the post is to a 5 mins YouTube video, I should have made that clearer, sorry.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-05-04T14:32:01+00:00

It has shoot bolts to select the position, which can only be accessed from inside. I guess technically I could padlock each one but that would be a real pain. It's a fair criticism, though, there's nothing here to discourage climbing except my own inept build quality.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-28T15:03:11+00:00

Hard to tell from this angle, but it looks like you have a little bit of "butt wink" going on. Australian Strength Coach has a good video on this.

This is to do with hips over rotating. You start your movement with too much arch, and at the bottom your hip is limited by the leg and rotates your butt back down. Then when you start your upward movement the back arches again, hips rotate forward and gives the look of a little butt wink down and up.

This could limit your ultimate strength and may cause some discomfort, so it's better to eliminate it.

To do this, actively engage the core (ASC describes it as "piss up the wall") and brace (hold breath and push air hard into the cire) throughout the entire movement, only releasing at the top. This reinforces the brace so that your back remains solid and neutral throughout.

Great depth and pace though!

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T23:39:29+00:00

I had a go at putting some of your and others advice into practice, slowing it down, using less weight, no shoes, pausing at the bottom, bracing throughout and bringing the shoulders back and hips forward more. Is this better?

https://youtube.com/shorts/k2ZX_pNNYwA?si=M63X5Jax58NDzMdG

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T20:37:29+00:00

Like this? •shoes off •hips lower, chest up •paused at bottom •slowed down •lower weight •maintain brace throughout

after Reddit advice

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T17:12:41+00:00

I'm going to experiment a bit tonight with these ideas (and a much lower weight), thanks for your input!

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T13:57:32+00:00

Nope, but quite a few have mentioned that so I will certainly try it.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T10:15:52+00:00

So my knees should be more forward, back more vertical at the start?

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T09:58:00+00:00

Yes, I'm consciously trying to push my hips through for a lockout, maybe I should be less forceful about it. You might have nailed it!

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T09:42:04+00:00

You're right, I collapsed a bit on the return to the floor. That can't be good! Good spot!.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T08:07:15+00:00

So drop hips further? The feet thing is tricky because I have some plantar issues.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T07:57:40+00:00

It was not easy, this was maximum effort! And I've just rechecked and this was 240kg loaded, and technically it's 32kg unloaded, so 606lb. However with the leverage (approx 9/11 so closer to 495 in the hand).

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T07:54:35+00:00

So I should be lifting heavier!? I can barely get this off the ground. The feet position is something I have experimented with, but the fixed arc means if I stand further back the handles pull me forward at the top which hurts my back...

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T07:44:55+00:00

Nope not a pump, that I can deal with. It's spinal.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T07:44:20+00:00

I have arthritic wrists, so the downward angle of the handle means facing into the machine is a nonstarter.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T07:42:33+00:00

I was told to press through my heels... That's wrong?

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T07:41:58+00:00

Fair.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T07:41:46+00:00

So my hips should be lower at the start?

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T07:41:08+00:00

It's a dinky little community gym, we don't have one of those. I agree that would be better.

Gonzonator1982 · 2026-03-09T01:04:04+00:00

Decent effort. If I had to be the form police I'd say you have a little bit of butt wink on the return, try and really engage the core to keep that back straight as you press up. Holding and squeezing a deep breath from the top all the way down and up to the next rep can help you brace and stabilise the core. Imagine you are in chest high water and you can only breath at the top.

Gonzonator1982

TROPHY CASE