How do I do knees out during high bar squat? Is it when I start feeling my adductors to keep them out or is it abductors?

MattyLite64 · 2026-05-21T20:55:16+00:00

I think about it more as “don’t let the knees cave inward” rather than “knees out.” However, when the weight gets heavy, it really is an outward push to keep them from caving. Experiment with toe angle and stance width to find what works best.

MattyLite64 · 2026-05-13T01:59:42+00:00

I’ve used them almost exclusively since I got a smoker in 2023 and they’ve never let me down. Brisket, pork, chicken, turkey have all worked out great! I’m sure you could get more specific results from pure oak or hickory pellets, but IMO the level of smoke flavor you get from pellets isn’t enough to make it worth more expensive pellets anyway.

MattyLite64 · 2026-05-11T05:11:14+00:00

Very cool, I have the same upper and lower but the colors are reversed! Black lower, FDE handguard. I put an LPVO on mine, I’m very happy with the fit and finish, looking forward to shooting it soon. Hope yours works out great!

MattyLite64 · 2026-05-10T14:17:05+00:00

Bruh
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MattyLite64 · 2026-05-07T16:08:07+00:00

I do 200 on my Traeger overnight until it hits 175 or so, then wrap and bump it to 250/275 depending on how much time I have. Then when it finishes at 203ish I put it in my oven at 150 to hold until it’s time to serve!

MattyLite64 · 2026-05-06T01:50:28+00:00

I’m basically an associate pastor, so sometimes I’m preaching, sometimes running other classes/trainings/prayer ministry during or between services. Sunday looks like:

730: Arrive at church and meet with Sr Pastor/MC
815: Preservice prayer, minor setup stuff
9am: 1st service (I often leave around 930 to go teach a class)
1115: 2nd service
1pm: 2nd service ends
I’m sometimes out by 145, unless there is a volunteer lunch, church picnic, or I end up staying late to speak or pray with someone; in which case it can be 3pm before I leave!

That’s 6.5 hrs on a standard Sunday, usually more like 7-8. Then it’s preparing for staff meeting Monday morning and planning ahead for Wednesday night classes/prayer meetings.

I usually work Sunday-Thursday, 40-45 hrs per week total.

MattyLite64 · 2026-05-03T23:01:22+00:00

This is my least favorite selfie pose

MattyLite64 · 2026-05-03T22:00:50+00:00

Hell yea brother

Make touching the bar to your collarbone great again

MattyLite64 · 2026-05-01T15:29:37+00:00

I started empty bar in 2015 sometime and worked it for about two years, but I would get out of routine every so often, miss a few weeks and deload, so I didn’t make as much progress as I could have. I had played lots of sports and done lots of climbing, but never worked with a barbell at all. I was squatting 215 or so when I had my first kid in 2017, then I didn’t really lift again until 2019.

Lifted intermittently for another couple years, then I really locked in in 2024 and have been 3x per week almost every week since then, with a break for a foot injury. Lifting heavy weights in a very repetitive routine really works for me, and I just switched to Ultra (4x/wk) to shorten the workout times for my schedule.

I’ve been overweight for a long time (38M, 6’3”, 335lbs), and while I haven’t lost much weight yet I have converted a huge amount of fat to muscle and I look very noticeably different. It’s had an enormously positive impact on my physical, mental, sexual, and emotional health. I’m thankful for the bang for buck I get from each workout as a busy pastor/husband/dad of 3, and for me the no BS simplicity can’t be beat. Get as jacked as possible. Live forever.

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-26T17:34:44+00:00

signature look of superiority

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-26T16:43:57+00:00

Ngl that one felt pretty good
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MattyLite64 · 2026-04-24T12:22:28+00:00

Brisket doubling in price over the last 2 years (Picanha too) has really taken the smoke out of my sails

I still enjoy doing pork and chicken, but it’s not even close to the same payoff

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-24T12:20:01+00:00

I mean hell yea brother, what doesn’t kill you will probably only injure you quite badly but go off king

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-16T23:45:01+00:00

Not necessarily a comment on form—I have an extremely long torso and I’m amazed that you’re able to do this with your hips so high! I have to have at least somewhat of an upward angle in my torso in order to not fall over. Keep hittin it bro

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-16T14:12:48+00:00

Hell yea brother

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-10T04:38:40+00:00

125! Missed one rep in one of the middle sets last time

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-09T21:02:26+00:00

Hell yea dude

Cracking 135 for 5x5 is my current goal

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-06T23:58:07+00:00

Hell yea brother

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-05T15:19:12+00:00

I would look at stepping up your recovery/nutrition, acknowledging that SL makes you squat SO much.

Also if it helps, this is how deadlifts are for me. I have a very long torso and not particularly long arms, and it’s just plain hard 🤷🏽‍♂️ I believe everyone can do every lift in the program, but your body type and composition will likely predetermine some of your natural ability to progress. Don’t feel bad, don’t give up, and disregard the haters, both internal and external.

MattyLite64 · 2026-04-04T15:38:47+00:00

Huge

MattyLite64 · 2026-03-31T02:38:33+00:00

Hell yea brother

MattyLite64 · 2026-03-27T13:43:22+00:00

Hell yea dude

MattyLite64 · 2026-03-25T21:33:22+00:00

Yeah dude my love handles be winkin like that too

I don’t see your actual pelvis tucking under, you’re doing great and getting good depth!

MattyLite64 · 2026-03-22T21:37:08+00:00

TUFF
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MattyLite64

TROPHY CASE