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Let me set this up cause' I know some here will find this interesting...

...So I purchased a TDS Titan squat rack from a gym nearby for only $190 bucks and as I'm packing it into my truck the gym owner looks me up and down with a kind of concerned expression then stops and asks me a question...

Brad (gym owner): So may I ask exactly what you will be using this for?

me: mostly everything, Bench, Squats, pull ups and so on.

Brad: Ok, no offense but I can tell from your build that you are not made to handle the stress that some of the classical lifts will put on your joints.

me: ok, I know I have small bones.

Brad: I just don't want to sell you this thing to see you get hurt. Don't listen to all the meat heads out there. They talk big but most have had multiple back surgeries and are condemed to chiropractors and inversion tables the rest of their lives like me.

me: really?

Brad: Yes, I train football players and sprinters. You ever heard of Defranco?

me: yes.

Brad: his program is very popular and he trains lots of guys but did you know he's had 5 back surgeries and he refuses to change his teaching?

me: no

Brad: Just always remember this... Squat depth is not a one size fits all at 90 or below parallel. It is based on YOUR femur to spine ration. Look at my guys, they're all jacked, no injuries, and only a couple have the ratios to go parallel.

you can get very strong without going parallel or without doing a classical deadlift.

Don't get hurt kid.

me: I'll try not to.

Hey,

I don't know this Brad guy but I'd take what he's saying with a grain of salt.

First of all, for him to say he can tell by your build you can't handle it is nonsensical on so many levels. You can be pretty damn strong without being huge, and just because you have a rack doesn't mean you're throwing around 300lbs.

He just sounds like an opportunist. Be safe, but don't let that clown discourage you.

the_buffer wrote:Hey,

I don't know this Brad guy but I'd take what he's saying with a grain of salt.

First of all, for him to say he can tell by your build you can't handle it is nonsensical on so many levels. You can be pretty damn strong without being huge, and just because you have a rack doesn't mean you're throwing around 300lbs.

He just sounds like an opportunist. Be safe, but don't let that clown discourage you.

I don't know how accurate he was cause Im a noob, but I mostly think he said what he said cause apparently he injured himself years ago squating 420 lbs. He claims he was only 145 lbs body weight.

IMO, there's plenty of things to consider that may cause back problems that aren't simply related to how low you squat. Lack of rest periods is one of them.

Dragon wrote:

the_buffer wrote:Hey,

I don't know this Brad guy but I'd take what he's saying with a grain of salt.

First of all, for him to say he can tell by your build you can't handle it is nonsensical on so many levels. You can be pretty damn strong without being huge, and just because you have a rack doesn't mean you're throwing around 300lbs.

He just sounds like an opportunist. Be safe, but don't let that clown discourage you.

I don't know how accurate he was cause Im a noob, but I mostly think he said what he said cause apparently he injured himself years ago squating 420 lbs. He claims he was only 145 lbs body weight.

He was trying to help.

This post hit home with me, so allow me to give my $.02...

The power rack was a wise investment on your part. The safety it conveys alone (never mind versatility), is enormous. There is merit in what this man was trying to tell you. He wasn't necessarily panning the squat and deadlift, although it's easy to walk away with that impression. What he was really saying was, "there's more than one way to skin a cat...".

What does that mean?

It means if barbell squatting doesn't suit you, look into the hip belt squat - as I detail in 2.0. It means if the traditional deadlift doesn't suit you, look into the trap bar deadlift. It means if traditional barbell bench press/shoulder press bothers your shoulders/elbows, look into this lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W9GhAXyXq4

If weight training sidelines you altogether, look into Convict Conditioning:

https://bodybuildingsupplements.com/ ... php?t=1609

He likely ruined his back, in the pursuit of muscle and might. EVERYONE sustains injuries in this game, provided they're in it long enough. It's for this very reason, I bring you the above information. I learned all of this the hard way, and present it here to you in the hopes you don't have to.

BOTTOM LINE: There's ALWAYS a way, if you look long and hard enough. And if you can't find it, I'll be here to help you...

Rob, thanks for keeping it real.

re:

...for him to say he can tell by your build you can't handle it is nonsensical on so many levels...

and etc.
True it is individual, but many trainers and lifters can develop talents to instantly tell by a lifter's gait, biotensegrity, etc. things like how 'deep' he should go and what he "can't" (safely) handle at his current stage of development...

re:

If weight training sidelines you altogether, look into Convict Conditioning

or, if you can afford it, look into all the wings of Circular Strength Training for a much better full rehab in the long run... and then substituteTactical Fitness training for Convict Conditioning ... foundation of freedom vs a foundation of imprisonment for one...

I'll be sure to look into this stuff. In fact, I'll probably add some yoga type stuff to cruise.

I wasn't offended by the gym owner but I guess I'm tired of people limiting what I can do for me. He actually took the time to show me a couple of dead lift alternatives which I did for the 5 workout bridge instead of traditional deadlift. It was something like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByRt5R6n6LU

exept I grab the weight with my opposite hand, not on the same side. He showed me some other stuff too, but that caught my attention because deadlift is how I injured my lower back in the first place 4 months ago. I was lucky.

I was following rippletoes stuff, but now that I look back and know A LITTLE more than I did then, I can tell you his style of moving weight seems lower back dominant. IMO.

I will probably just take Rob's recommendation and use a trap bar, except theres none in the gym... and I'm a member of 2 gyms!!!