Thread: For the opinion of our powerlifters

im pretty sure your spine HAS to be in a compromised position to lift that much weight. I'm sure it's not the safest practice, but once you get up there in weight, I doubt there's anyone who lifts with impeccable form, it just ain't happening, you're just focusing on getting that weight up, not keeping a neutral back!

But, bones and joints strengthen too if safe lifting habits are followed. I could deadlift a hell of a lot more if I let my back go like that. While they're concerned with the biggest numbers possible, shouldn't that be within reason?

I understand that lifting that much weight would be very hard, but a lifter should increase weight only when their body is able to properly, safely handle it.

Looked like some great deadlifting to me.

Magnusson's 970 lift looked a bit rough. But other than that I thought they looked pretty good.

Powerlifting is about numbers, not safety. It's like any sport in that there's an inherent risk involved in participating.

But those lifts looked fine to me. Almost all powerlifters are relaxing their upper back like that. It just allows you to lift that much more.

Didn't see all of them, but they looked pretty good from what I saw.

On another note, I'm extremely jealous!!!

what is that shit the guy in the red socks is taking ?
I want some

Originally Posted by Flathead

On another note, I'm extremely jealous!!!

No doubt.

Originally Posted by Flathead

On another note, I'm extremely jealous!!!

flat ok your jealous, well iam jealous of your 645lb bench press to, so wat should u be jealous about brother, jk lol. but all those lifts looked really good to me, i mean they got that bar moving even the guy doing the watossie in the red socks, boy he was fired up, i love it.

Originally Posted by Phineas

I'm not trying to bash the pros. I love these guys. But, how is it that powerlifting competitions pass lifts like this when they're spines are in such compromised positions? I read a book on powerlifting recently and I was amazed at how regimented competitions are with rules, yet I read nothing of any back/form issues.

This looks painful.

What is wrong with their form?? I'm confused

Looked pretty spot on

-TG

I don't think their spines are in compromised positions. Even at those loads, they are keeping the lumbar region essentially in the proper position.

They're backs are incredibly rounded, and not just the upper back. They're heads are down, too.

Originally Posted by Phineas

They're backs are incredibly rounded, and not just the upper back. They're heads are down, too.

Like Flathead said earlier, Mags is a little sloppy at 970, but other than that these look like excellent lifts to me. I don't see their backs being rounded excessively at all, and they look up as soon as the weight comes off the floor. All pretty standard stuff. I'm really not sure what you are talking about.

Originally Posted by blazeftp

what is that shit the guy in the red socks is taking ?
I want some

Ammonia inhalants ("smelling salts"). Same thing used when someone gets knocked out. Burns like crazy, and your eyes water for awhile, but wow, do you get a clear head! We used to use them in hockey on the bench before going out for the opening faceoff or after you took a huge hit.

Of course, just like any other stimulant, you don't want to use them too much.

I can't really tell but it looks to me like it's mostly upper back rounding going on. Looking at their lower backs, they seem to be pretty neutral.

Upper back rounding is the way most of the top deadlifters are doing it these days. I do think that sumo takes a lot of stress off the back when pulling heavy weights and that's why I like to use it.

BTW this is the most impressive deadlift I've seen:

So upper back rounding is acceptable?

Originally Posted by Phineas

They're backs are incredibly rounded, and not just the upper back. They're heads are down, too.

Edit: their*

Originally Posted by Phineas

So upper back rounding is acceptable?

Yes, however:

Raises your chest and retracting the shoulder blades (without raising the hips) allows one to create more tension in the hamstrings and overall posterior chain. That tension, of course, leads to a more efficient power generation/transfer.

Regarding what Bolton is doing: I think the situation is that his timing, technique, and overall strength is at such a high level that even though he rounds the top of his back at a portion of the lift, he's still able to apply essentially the most force that he possibly can.

Rounding of the upper back is actually taught and preached by a lot of powerlifters. It allows you to pull the bar a shorter distance.

There are many factors to take into account here.

First of all, these guys are genetic freaks when it comes to handling heavy loads. Some guys are more prone to spine injuries, and some are less prone. I am willing to bet these guys are structurally "made" for these lifts.

Secondly, you have to question form sometimes. These guys are lifting, and have been lifting for several years like this...and they are still doing it. They are doing something right. There ability to keep pushing the envelope speaks for itself in a sense.

Thirdly, they aren't really rounding their lumbar. Their thoracic, yes, but not the lumbar. The thoracic spine is naturally in a posteriorly convex curve, so it is designed to transfer load through it with that curve (to an extent). It is much worse to round the lumbar than the thoracic due to the comparative structure of the vertebral joints.

Fourthly, yes they are looking down. Again, you have to question what you think is proper form. Many power lifters say to look slightly down, especially on the deadlift. This works as a form cue, because you want to push up and away from where you are looking. It works for some, and not for others. I would not say looking down is bad form, it just depends on how your body compensates due to head/eye position. I actually began doing this several months ago, and it actually helps me keep better form.

5th, there are inherent risks in any top level competition. Whether it is holding a football while cutting around at top speeds grass field while three 250 lb men try to steamroll you, or playing a several 3 hour tennis matches in a week. These guys are compromising their well being for the glory of the sport and being the best.

6th, I would not say their upper backs are "incredibly" rounded. They are rounded, but they have thick, dense and taught musculature in their backs, which acts as a bilateral support in itself to the spine. Another reason they can handle those loads without injuring themselves.

There are plenty of things you could criticize elite power lifting for but those deadlifts are not among them.

Originally Posted by gtbmed

Rounding of the upper back is actually taught and preached by a lot of powerlifters. It allows you to pull the bar a shorter distance.

^This

Originally Posted by Phineas

Edit: their*

Major props for spelling correction. Very nice.

Awesome fucking pulls!

Holding your upper back in a static rounded position is fine. Their low backs looked neutral to me.

Fufu was spot on here!

Pretty much sums it all up

-TG

risk vs reward. The reason I don't powerlift. The reward is not worth the risk for me.