Beltless, wrapless.....in others words...very..raw?

[heretostay13]

So I've been without a belt and knee wraps for the last week and the rest of this week because my gym (the University's I attend) is closed and I keep my equipment there. Last two leg workouts decided just to do some rep work on squats to compensate and keep everything else the same. Well, decided to go ass to grass, hamstrings touching calves style on each set. Considering I usually throw on knee wraps around 405 and a belt with anything above 495 I started with conservative weights. Here's how they went

Last week's squat sets
315x15
365x15
405x2x12

This week's
325x15
385x15
425x2x12

Let's just say the weights I usually use are a lot heavier (500-550 for sets of 8-10 with a belt and wraps), but this absolutely blasted my quads. I've always been one to kind of look down my nose at people who always preached, "Raw...ass to the grass, etc." because I've always had strong/big legs doing what I do...but maybe they are onto something...at least from a stimulation standpoint.

[mass 04]

550x10?

[wes]

550x10?

I hope Dave doesn`t see this thread!!  LOL 

[Bluto]

some guys are stronger than others

[heretostay13]

Wow, here we go. I figured I'd get called out on this. Somehow it's never conceivable that a guy that decides to contribute to a message board, on the internet could also lift some decent weights. I'm sure I'll see the "post some pics, videos, etc." comments...especially now that I've already anticipated the move and now there will be some that will say so in jest. Predictable. Anyway, yeah...at the beginning of a workout I usually go around 405x15, 455x12, 500x10, 545 (550..whatever)x8 or so. Not always the same, but using these numbers as reference. I guess I'm just more reliant on my wraps and belt than what I thought, plus going far deeper than I usually do also plays a part. Glad to see the nitpickers and haters already in effect.

[jpm101]

I believe SF/QO's/Dave was going to post a video of himself squatting 500+. Way over a year ago, probably 2 years ago in fact. And of course some updated pic's of him. Late breaking newsflash: there is a heavy frost warning in effect in Hell. When Hell freezes over than QO's will present the video and new pic's of himself. On his word of honor.

I believe that most lifters do not need the wraps, belts, etc as much as they think. As with HTS13 experience in squatting,  adding more reps and ROM to the leg workout can produce some unexpected good results without added equipment. Of course most guy's will wear wraps and a lifting belt out of pure habit rather than a functional part of heavy lifting. If going for a set of 2's or a PB of 1, than used the wraps and belt. But if either, or both, are worn correctly your breathing and circulation will be very hard to manage after those 2 rep or so. If you have a potential bad back or knees than you may be forced to have them on when lifting for any rep range. Good Luck.

Side Bar: rumor going around that SF/QO's is confined to a wheelchair. Too bad if true. That standing shot of him, in the reflection, only lasted a few seconds at best I have heard. Do not know if this all true or not. Let's hope not, Dave does have some good qualities about him. Basic good guy I think, though a bit addictive to the internet..

[wes]

Wow, here we go. I figured I'd get called out on this. Somehow it's never conceivable that a guy that decides to contribute to a message board, on the internet could also lift some decent weights. I'm sure I'll see the "post some pics, videos, etc." comments...especially now that I've already anticipated the move and now there will be some that will say so in jest. Predictable. Anyway, yeah...at the beginning of a workout I usually go around 405x15, 455x12, 500x10, 545 (550..whatever)x8 or so. Not always the same, but using these numbers as reference. I guess I'm just more reliant on my wraps and belt than what I thought, plus going far deeper than I usually do also plays a part. Glad to see the nitpickers and haters already in effect.

Dude,I beleive you,just kidding around..........but if Dave sees this,be prepared to videotape! 

Wraps do add some serious poundage to squats,but I use them since I`m older than table salt.

Keep pumping!

[heretostay13]

I believe SF/QO's/Dave was going to post a video of himself squatting 500+. Way over a year ago, probably 2 years ago in fact. And of course some updated pic's of him. Late breaking newsflash: there is a heavy frost warning in effect in Hell. When Hell freezes over than QO's will present the video and new pic's of himself. On his word of honor.

I believe that most lifters do not need the wraps, belts, etc as much as they think. As with HTS13 experience in squatting,  adding more reps and ROM to the leg workout can produce some unexpected good results without added equipment. Of course most guy's will wear wraps and a lifting belt out of pure habit rather than a functional part of heavy lifting. If going for a set of 2's or a PB of 1, than used the wraps and belt. But if either, or both, are worn correctly your breathing and circulation will be very hard to manage after those 2 rep or so. If you have a potential bad back or knees than you may be forced to have them on when lifting for any rep range. Good Luck.

Side Bar: rumor going around that SF/QO's is confined to a wheelchair. Too bad if true. That standing shot of him, in the reflection, only lasted a few seconds at best I have heard. Do not know if this all true or not. Let's hope not, Dave does have some good qualities about him. Basic good guy I think, though a bit addictive to the internet..

Thanks for the positive input. I think most of the time my use of a belt and knee wraps are more out of habit rather than true necessity. I totally agree with that. I think the reason I use a belt is it helps me keep upright better throughout the movement and the wraps help my knees with the heavy lifting. But what's funny is that with the last two workouts after the first rep set my knees don't hurt. Makes me wonder if stopping short is doing that to my knees in the first place. Needless to say it's refreshing to a certain extent. Not having to load up the weight that heavy to get something out of squats.

[iron_dawg]

I use belt and knee wraps when squatting just to protect my body and yes they do help out...mentally and physically......

by the way I have witnessed SF/QO squat heavy poundages....

[QuakerOats]

I use belt and knee wraps when squatting just to protect my body and yes they do help out...mentally and physically......

by the way I have witnessed SF/QO squat heavy poundages....

hahahhaa, i knew you came into the old gym at the same time i did, i just don't know who you are. when did you see this?

[iron_dawg]

hahahhaa, i knew you came into the old gym at the same time i did, i just don't know who you are. when did you see this?

The Dawg remains stealth....oh I don't know when... I just wanted to vouch for you in case there was some nay sayers.

[QuakerOats]

The Dawg remains stealth....oh I don't know when... I just wanted to vouch for you in case there was some nay sayers.

haven't been down there in a coon's age, i'm up closer to my house now for the past 9-10 months or so, you still goin' in there?

[jpm101]

SF/QO's is now talking to his other account.  Maybe I_D will set the video up while SF/QO's squats with that 500 PLUS. Or maybe SF/QO's will set the camera up for I_D? Please stay on your med's QO's.

Any way, any truth to the rumor that you are wheelchair bound? Hope not. Good Luck.

[QuakerOats]

SF/QO's is now talking to his other account.  Maybe I_D will set the video up while SF/QO's squats with that 500 PLUS. Or maybe SF/QO's will set the camera up for I_D? Please stay on your med's QO's.

Any way, any truth to the rumor that you are wheelchair bound? Hope not. Good Luck.

at least i've posted pictures unlike our wannabe Samoan strongman, 170 pound db shoulder pressing machine, "jpm".

[iron_dawg]

SF/QO's is now talking to his other account.  Maybe I_D will set the video up while SF/QO's squats with that 500 PLUS. Or maybe SF/QO's will set the camera up for I_D? Please stay on your med's QO's.

Any way, any truth to the rumor that you are wheelchair bound? Hope not. Good Luck.

trust me jpm the DAWG is real and does not have any other gimmick accounts...my word

[MisterMagoo]

is this like the time Adonis claimed to have lifted with sarcasm? or when Alex said he visited STL and lifted with Squadfather? the list of people who have "vouched" for workouts with Dave is a mile long. so, i'm going to say again... "bullshit or it didn't happen".

that said, i have NEVER felt that squatting beltless worked my quads better than with one. i think what's happening is you're not using KNEE WRAPS, and since knee wraps take pressure off of the knees, hence off of the quads (as they're the muscle that activates to extend the knee)... you're going to feel more quad activation. if you're trying to build up your legs, there's not really a good reason to use knee wraps unless you have phenomenally bad joints.

[heretostay13]

is this like the time Adonis claimed to have lifted with sarcasm? or when Alex said he visited STL and lifted with Squadfather? the list of people who have "vouched" for workouts with Dave is a mile long. so, i'm going to say again... "bullshit or it didn't happen".

that said, i have NEVER felt that squatting beltless worked my quads better than with one. i think what's happening is you're not using KNEE WRAPS, and since knee wraps take pressure off of the knees, hence off of the quads (as they're the muscle that activates to extend the knee)... you're going to feel more quad activation. if you're trying to build up your legs, there's not really a good reason to use knee wraps unless you have phenomenally bad joints.

I was thinking about the whole, "Is it the belt or wraps thing?" to be honest. I've noticed that a couple times I've squatted without knee wraps I've felt it a little more than usual. Needless to say I'm going to exhaust this for a while. Perhaps anything under 8 reps would merit wraps then...? We'll see when the time comes.

[QuakerOats]

is this like the time Adonis claimed to have lifted with sarcasm? or when Alex said he visited STL and lifted with Squadfather? the list of people who have "vouched" for workouts with Dave is a mile long. so, i'm going to say again... "bullshit or it didn't happen".

that said, i have NEVER felt that squatting beltless worked my quads better than with one. i think what's happening is you're not using KNEE WRAPS, and since knee wraps take pressure off of the knees, hence off of the quads (as they're the muscle that activates to extend the knee)... you're going to feel more quad activation. if you're trying to build up your legs, there's not really a good reason to use knee wraps unless you have phenomenally bad joints.

hahahaha, ok Mr. "355 bench but look like you've never trained a day in your life".

[jpm101]

Knee wraps will set you up for a feel of a comfort zone. That pressure and sense of security (false at times) obtains from them can help, but maybe just as much in a mental way as a physical one. If drawn tight enough (have someone do it for you...as with tightening a lifting belt) you will be restricted to only a few reps anyway before the knee circulation becomes a problem. Same with a lifting belt, with circulation and the more important breathing limitations. If you do have a lateral cartilage , ligament, tendon  or any other potential injury history, than by all means wear a knee wrap. Doing anything above 2's or 3's, a wrap is not really needed.

The other advantage of wearing a knee wrap is the increase in blood circulation and warmth that follows.  Important for better muscle/joint function. Some guy's will wear a wrap, or a pull on knee brace, with moderate tightness, throughout a workout. Just for the purpose of keeping a blood flow/area warm. The notion is  that a sense of warmth/light support in a muscle area can give some level of confidence to a lot of lifters.

On a personal bases I prefer lifting raw with either low or high reps. Always have. That would include Power Rack and heavy partial rep training. I do wear heavy sweats (top and bottom...sometimes a double layer) to insure that the muscle are ready for lifting  with regards to warmth and blood flow. Good Luck

Side Bar: Have to explain this once again to SF/QO's. In a workout I have used 170 for a DB side press. Not a DB press. Keep having to clear this up for the poor fellow. A side press is akin to the bent press but without the full twist. No big deal. Men in the past have done 230, or more, in this style of one arm overhead lifting. At least QO's spelled Samoan correctly.

[The Apprentice]

use knee sleeves, you can wear them throughout the whole workout if you want to, although i put them on only when i go for 80 percent of my max or heavier

[heretostay13]

Yeah, was looking at knee sleeves actually. Have them for my elbows for heavy chest and tricep movements, so figure...why not knees? Juts didn't know how tight they would be. I wear my wraps kind of looser since I'm obviously not doing 1 rep maxes, so I'm just wondering if it would be that much of a difference or not. I'll probably go this route though eventually, but just seeing how going completely without wraps for a month goes.

[JasonH]

I only use straps and that's it - no belt anymore, nor do I use knee wraps for squatting.

[Geo]

wraps are a pain in the ass unless you're dead set on impressing someone with a 2 or 1 rep max,and wraps for a 8 rep range set is pretty damned silly

[QuakerOats]

wraps are a pain in the ass unless you're dead set on impressing someone with a 2 or 1 rep max,and wraps for a 8 rep range set is pretty damned silly

exactly, too much fucckin' work and the one time i tried them they just interfered with my concentration.