Here's some info on "The Valsalva Maneuver" which Rippetoe mentions in his book for anyone who may read this in the future or is struggling with this and reading this now. This is a lot easier to understand and digest since Starting Strength is really technical.
[FONT="] Too long? Too technical? Need a Cliffnote? Your body is intelligent and knows what to do when you fill your gut with air and push it out into a belt.
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[FONT="] The increase in intra-abdominal pressure prevents your body from folding like a lawn chair, allowing you to move heavy weights more efficiently. If you're not using a belt while training, I suggest you get one. If you are using one, make sure you're using it to it's full potential. Breathe deep, push your belly out (lifting heavy shit isn't pretty, don't make it so), and keep that air in until you complete the lift. Or else suffer my wrath. Yeah, I'll come to where you are and punch you in the gut just to make sure you're doing it right. Or maybe I won't. I dunno, but why take that chance?
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[FONT="] Article written By Jay Stadtfeld for LiftBigEatBig.com
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