Deadlifts from the Top

I’ve been doing a lot of deadlifts out of my Monolift device – this means I start the move from the top rather than the bottom;

I think Vince Anello used to like starting this lift from the top?

The advantage for me is that it reinforces strong form and is less wearing on the back. Note that I finish with a couple of deadstops so as to remember how to do the lift from the bottom.

If a Monolift is not available this lift could still probably be done from hooks set low in the rack without stepping back. Note when I re-rack the weight how I don’t step forward, so perhaps reversing this motion from immovable hooks set low in a power rack might work for non-Monolift users who want to try deadlifts this way; if not, then just step back like in the squat from squat stands.

World’s Strongest Man 2007

For UK readers the heats for the World’s Strongest Man are currently running on Channel 5, 8:00 pm.

The first heat was yesterday, Phil Pfister got through easily only having to do token lifts for the last two events. Tarmo Mitt is also through.

Armwrestling Machine

Came across this armwrestling machine;

It is unusual in that it provides tension from two directions like in actual armwrestling – the cable at the back pulls the lever arm back (back tension) whilst the large cam puts lateral tension into the move. The inventor, John Cole, claims that a good armwrestler is good at the machine and a person good at the machine is good at armwrestling.

Jesse Marunde

A nice piece on Jesse Marunde can be found here.