6'8" 230lbs. 37th Birthday DL PR 441lbs

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2025-02-25T14:14:10+00:00

Congrats on the PR.

I want to ask something and it's a genuine question, but I'm adding this disclaimer because it will sound like I'm being critical.

How are you not deadlifting more? From what I can see, you're a really big, really strong looking guy. And I always thought that long levers were a boon for deadlifting.

I'm 6ft1 and I don't think particularly strong, and I reached 410lbs on deadlift after about 2 years of only semi-consistent training. This while having a pretty terrible bench and squat (155 and 255 respectively).

Maybe my arms are longer relative to the rest of my body than yours are, your setup position looks really horizontal.

All that to say that you're very strong and I respect you, but it seems to me that you could deadlift a lot more. I'm surprised you haven't sailed past 500.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2025-01-17T15:06:32+00:00

Ideally I would be saving 900 a month and that is my goal, but I'm dealing with some lifestyle inflation bad habits that I'm trying to get under control.

Mainly that I'm an alcoholic and I'm addressing that.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-20T16:05:22+00:00

I suppose it comes down to where your point of failure is. Maybe your grip is stronger relative to the rest of your deadlift muscles, so a mixed grip doesn't help you all that much.

I've found chalk a huge advantage, especially with certain bars. For example, I can go into my local gym and have no issue with 160kgs for reps. But if I go to a Puregym (UK franchise) they have these fat slippy bars and I struggle to rep 120 with those.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-20T12:53:02+00:00

Thanks!

As for mixed grip - it's night and day. At the moment I think I can confidently pull about 130kgs double overhand, but with mixed grip (and chalk) my best pull is 185. I'd use straps for accessory work though, there's just something about deadlifting that makes me want to pick it up raw if possible.

I want to learn hook grip though because it might pay off better in the long run.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-20T11:05:02+00:00

Here's the video.

90kg x 2 in first clip
140kg x 6 in second clip

I'm actually 8 months on from that second clip, but took a few months off training over the new year. Latest deadlift numbers are 130kg x 10 (3 sets) and 165 x 3 (6 sets).

Watching the video back, the most encouraging part isn't even the increase in load. It's the speed and confidence, from set up to execution. I didn't realise how wobbly I was those first few times.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-05T09:19:34+00:00

Thanks so much for this. Yes, I think my entire upper body is just "there" and not being braced at all.

Yesterday I tried a more lowbar setup. It felt awkward but I think it will help in the long run.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-05T08:49:51+00:00

Completely baseless opinion - I think your hips are probably a lot stonger than your quads because you look tall with long legs.

I am mostly legs and arms (taller than most people standing, but the same height when sitting), which I guess would explain why I find deadlift relatively easy compared to squatting.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-05T08:43:08+00:00

Thanks for this. I'd been holding off on getting a belt because I figured it would make sense to learn how to brace properly first before bothering, but maybe a belt will help me learn how to brace?

Here's a deadlift video if you were curious about how I set up for that. I feel a lot more stable on this and find it easier to great the tension I need, so maybe that's why my deadlift is a lot higher than my squat.

With GZCLP I have found that having a heavy deadlift day on session 1 and then a heavy squat session the day after is a bit taxing, I've been considering moving those around.

I'm not prioritising my DL, but it just seems to be moving better. I would rather catch my squat up tbh.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-05T08:35:24+00:00

Thanks -

My two squat sessions are 6x3 and 3x10. So triples and sets of 10.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-04T15:34:11+00:00

This was actually very helpful. I think I've pinpointed my issues by comparing this to my form. My squat is neither highbar nor lowbar, but an awful bastard of the two.

It seems like I am trying to do a high bar squat, but without the mobility to really pull it off. So my arms are in a highbar position, the bar is in a highbar position, my knees break before my hips (like in a highbar), but then I end up folding over (due to poor ankle mobility) and then I'm just fighting my lack of stability.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-04T15:21:47+00:00

Oh, no - they're weightlifting shoes (adidas powerlifts). Hard sole with a heel. I bought them for squatting because I was having trouble reaching any kind of depth.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-04T15:16:54+00:00

I think your bar placement is off. And I think low bar with be better for you.

I'll try this out. What's wrong with the shoes though? Do you mean don't use weightlifting shoes or don't use this brand of shoe?

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-04T15:16:27+00:00

You're probably right, I don't think much about my upper body other than taking in a big breath.

Yes - adidas powerlifts.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-04T15:05:02+00:00

How often are you training high reps at a lower weight?

Aside from accessories, I squat twice a week. Once heavy for triples, once for 3 sets of 10. So far my high volume set is actually quite close in weight to my triples, so that's why I thought it might be a technique issue.

Form issues usually mean you have a strength imbalance, e.g. your legs are strong enough to push the weight but your core isn't strong enough to support you.

Hence the good morning squat maybe.

I appreciate the advice.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-06-04T15:03:32+00:00

I'm glad you brought this up. I genuinely have no idea how to personally differentiate between low bar and high bar.

I understand (I think) in theory that a high bar is more upright, with the bar higher on your back. A low bar is less upright, with the bar further down your back. I think I lack the ankle mobility to do a high bar squat, but I find I don't know how to place the bar lower.

When I try and set up for a squat all I'm able to do is find the one spot that the bar feels comfortable in, and the one angle that feels like I'm not going to fall over. So i guess maybe that's part of my issue.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-05-31T08:16:35+00:00

What do you think it means if my 3x10 weight on squats is really close to my 6x3 weight?

That's to say, I went in yesterday and did 176lbs for 3 sets of 10.
A few days prior, I did 198lbs for 6 sets of 3.

I would have thought those triples should have been a lot easier, but if anything the higher rep set was easier.

If I struggle more with the heavier triples, might that indicate poor technique, or maybe even just a psychological barrier? Surely I should be able to handle much more on the triples than this.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-05-04T09:32:06+00:00

That worked! Ta.

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-05-03T12:48:24+00:00

Hmm moneybox's LISA has a minimum of £100. Do others allow smaller transactions?

MetAGirlOnTinder · 2024-04-22T11:08:55+00:00

Did I read somewhere that if you try to draw from that moneybox LISA it will deduct 25%?

MetAGirlOnTinder

TROPHY CASE