wsb changes for raw trainers...

[powerlifting USA]

i have no interst in competing as of now.

ill be in law school soon, so that is out of the question.

my question is what would the main changes be, and does anyone have any real experience.

i have the most problem with the start of the bench press and dont want to hear well get a better shirt. doesnt do me any good.

i read louie a while back where he said that raw benchers should use a higher percentage for the their DE bench work. also i think tate says to emphasize chest far more than with shirted benchers where that isn't a concern as much.

 

[CytoMel]

Raw and shirted benchers train the same. Westside traiing will increase your raw and shirted bench at the same time.

 

[p03t1c]

chest was a big problem for me starting. i have so little chest strength it is ridiculous. i have not changed wsb methods at all. what i learned is that i don't really use my chest to a great degree. by using the elbows tucked form and picking up my speed i have raised my sticking point. now, i stick higher than i used to so i just work on my triceps more and it all works out.

i never thought i would bench much. i have horrible pec-delt tie ins. i used to wear myself out doing flyes and things like that to get my pecs more pumped but now i just beat the hell out of my triceps and my bench continues to jump. i do not own a bench shirt currently, but that doesnt stop me from continuing training the way i have been doing it.

 

[powerlifting USA]

cytomel,
i was reading a few tate articles in powermag.
he stated that raw benchers must focus on using narrower grips when maxing as a wide grip is more beneficial for shirted guys.
he also said that ...that raw guys should def do more db benches and wide grip benches...illegal grips

 

[benchmonster]

I wear a shirt. I will never compete without one, and I train specifically for maximizing the benefits of a shirt. My competition bench has gone through the roof since training westside. But so has my raw bench. The training does not need to be drastically different.

IMHO, you should stick with the basic format, use 55 percent of your max on speed day, work dumbells and illegal wides just a little bit more often than a shirted trainer, and other than that don't jack with the program much.

And the wide vs. narrow grip is because you can go wider wearing a shirt, because the shirt will keep your shoulders and pecs healthy even with a wide grip, while benching narrow, for most requires a little bit narrower grip to keep everything held together.

My condolences on starting law school soon. I am a lawyer. Cubanito's dad is one, and I think prometheus is a lawyer too. There is no reason why you cannot compete while in law school unless you just don't want to. One of the strongest guys in the U.S. is going to school at T.U. right now. It kind of irritates me, because the second he passes the bar, I will lose my status as the strongest lawyer in Oklahoma. Oh well, I will still be the best looking.

B.

 

[powerlifting USA]

hey benchmonster,
about competing in law school. i just will have to see how things go...esp the first year. im thinking that if i get great grades first there is a great chance that i will transfer to ...say a top 20 ish school.

i of course will never stop lifting bc of law school...wasn't saying that...i need to find some good spotters and such before i can think about it...

right now...at my univ gym...its pathetic and no one that id want to train with...

"strong" here is benching 205 with crappy form...lol

must be the weakest idiots ive ever seen...strutting after a monster 225 bench...wow...now that is lame...

 

[powerlifting USA]

benchmonster...

how was your training in law school.

im not really concerned about finding 3-4 hours a week to train but more concerned about getting some decent rest. i guess that is where strict planning and discipline come in. i know that napping and other leisurely activities are out however...

im gonna have to stake out the school and see what the training facilities are like. hopefully i dont have to join a commercial gym or anything like that...

 

[spatts]

I train WSB and all my lifts are raw.

...and I trained during med school. You've got 4 hours a week. No excuses.

 

[benchmonster]

Med school Spatts?

I get more impressed with you and Hannibal every time I read a post by either of you.

PLUSA,

I was not a powerlifter during law school. My first year of law school I was still fighting full contact karate tournaments. I gave up on that because training 2 or 3 nights per week for 3 plus hours was tough to pull off while married, working, having a kid at home, and going to law school.

I was at that time a weight trainer. I lifted 3 times per week, doing chest/tris, back/bis, shoulders/legs, on a monday wednesday friday split. I am ashamed to say it, but I took up golf after quitting competitive fighting, and actually got down to where I could shoot in the 70's. I really let my lifting slack during law school, and it showed.

I only took up powerlifting 10 months ago. I lift 4 hours per week, and do a lot of extra workouts for active recovery. The total time I spend training per week is probably about the same amount of time it would take to drive to the course, get warmed up and play one round of golf. I have never once regretted the trade off.

Unless you are wanting to work 80 hours a week in some billing mill, going to a top 20 school won't mean much after you pass the bar. What an employer wants is someone who can do the job, and will be honest and ethical. Those qualities are harder to find than you can imagine. Nobody has ever once asked me where I ranked in my class, and I have done just fine. Just my 2 cents on the subject.

B.

 

[spatts]

My husband went to law school, and although he's not a lifter, he played tennis regularly (and he's VERY good). He found that MAKING time for that kept his head clear, allowed him to release some tension, and kept his weight in control. More of a mental benefit than physical, for the most part.