Porky's Corner

SeanBrennan
Bantamweight
Posts: 9685
Joined: 12 Feb 2022, 12:45

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by SeanBrennan »

Oiky wrote: Yesterday, 11:52
SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 09:30
Oiky wrote: Yesterday, 08:46
What's your training like now Sean? do you still squat, bench or deadlift?
No compound movements for me, those days are long gone. I had a mess about with deadlift last week to see what it was like but went to 200kg and thought I’m not risking this malarkey. My training is very measured, I go at least once a day tho and twice at weekends.
That's it, nice, 200kg is still a good pull for a mess around. I haven't deadlifted for a few months now, been doing RDL's and back extensions instead.

Still squatting and benching, but I use a lot more machines as well nowadays than I've ever done, both the plate loaded and pin loaded Hammer Strength ones, do prefer free weights and probably always will but it's not one or the other for me, just do both, they all have their place.
Sounds like a good balance. I never enjoyed squatting even at my strongest as soon as it got to 260kg it just felt horrible, so I never maxed unless it was in contest prep. Loved benching, can’t free bar bench these days other than incline as my rotator cuff starts screaming. I use machines for main muscle groups but use dumbbells for shoulders, traps and biceps. And if it’s cold I change the machine bars so it’s a padded one not metal so I don’t get cold hands. I’ve definitely changed!
smiling assassin
Light Heavyweight
Posts: 3200
Joined: 05 Jan 2012, 13:12

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by smiling assassin »

SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 13:20
Oiky wrote: Yesterday, 11:52
SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 09:30

No compound movements for me, those days are long gone. I had a mess about with deadlift last week to see what it was like but went to 200kg and thought I’m not risking this malarkey. My training is very measured, I go at least once a day tho and twice at weekends.
That's it, nice, 200kg is still a good pull for a mess around. I haven't deadlifted for a few months now, been doing RDL's and back extensions instead.

Still squatting and benching, but I use a lot more machines as well nowadays than I've ever done, both the plate loaded and pin loaded Hammer Strength ones, do prefer free weights and probably always will but it's not one or the other for me, just do both, they all have their place.
Sounds like a good balance. I never enjoyed squatting even at my strongest as soon as it got to 260kg it just felt horrible, so I never maxed unless it was in contest prep. Loved benching, can’t free bar bench these days other than incline as my rotator cuff starts screaming. I use machines for main muscle groups but use dumbbells for shoulders, traps and biceps. And if it’s cold I change the machine bars so it’s a padded one not metal so I don’t get cold hands. I’ve definitely changed!
Sean a 200kg deadlift as a mess around, how much do you weigh? I got 155kg last week and felt like heman :lol:. Il never get anywhere near 200kg
SeanBrennan
Bantamweight
Posts: 9685
Joined: 12 Feb 2022, 12:45

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by SeanBrennan »

smiling assassin wrote: Yesterday, 14:11
SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 13:20
Oiky wrote: Yesterday, 11:52
That's it, nice, 200kg is still a good pull for a mess around. I haven't deadlifted for a few months now, been doing RDL's and back extensions instead.

Still squatting and benching, but I use a lot more machines as well nowadays than I've ever done, both the plate loaded and pin loaded Hammer Strength ones, do prefer free weights and probably always will but it's not one or the other for me, just do both, they all have their place.
Sounds like a good balance. I never enjoyed squatting even at my strongest as soon as it got to 260kg it just felt horrible, so I never maxed unless it was in contest prep. Loved benching, can’t free bar bench these days other than incline as my rotator cuff starts screaming. I use machines for main muscle groups but use dumbbells for shoulders, traps and biceps. And if it’s cold I change the machine bars so it’s a padded one not metal so I don’t get cold hands. I’ve definitely changed!
Sean a 200kg deadlift as a mess around, how much do you weigh? I got 155kg last week and felt like heman :lol:. Il never get anywhere near 200kg
It’s muscle memory mate I used to pull 300kg plus. I paid Andy Bolton to coach my form when I competed so much of it is technique, most people deadlift without activating their glutes. It’s mainly form not strength mate so I won’t pretend I’m strong. I don’t know what I weigh as I stopped weighing myself in January. I’ve put some muscle back on by increasing my protein a little (I was always a hyper responder to training and protein. And gear but those days are long gone as I like being alive). I probably weigh 14 stone something. I used to weigh 23 stone when I competed.

And 155kg is an excellent deadlift. I only did it for a laugh as my mate Rudie is getting into strongman so I was helping him with pulling his hips through to get the weight up quickly and not wobble or injure himself. Happy to message on training advice just drop me a message buddy or email me [email protected]. My advice is rubbish but free
smiling assassin
Light Heavyweight
Posts: 3200
Joined: 05 Jan 2012, 13:12

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by smiling assassin »

SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 14:31
smiling assassin wrote: Yesterday, 14:11
SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 13:20

Sounds like a good balance. I never enjoyed squatting even at my strongest as soon as it got to 260kg it just felt horrible, so I never maxed unless it was in contest prep. Loved benching, can’t free bar bench these days other than incline as my rotator cuff starts screaming. I use machines for main muscle groups but use dumbbells for shoulders, traps and biceps. And if it’s cold I change the machine bars so it’s a padded one not metal so I don’t get cold hands. I’ve definitely changed!
Sean a 200kg deadlift as a mess around, how much do you weigh? I got 155kg last week and felt like heman :lol:. Il never get anywhere near 200kg
It’s muscle memory mate I used to pull 300kg plus. I paid Andy Bolton to coach my form when I competed so much of it is technique, most people deadlift without activating their glutes. It’s mainly form not strength mate so I won’t pretend I’m strong. I don’t know what I weigh as I stopped weighing myself in January. I’ve put some muscle back on by increasing my protein a little (I was always a hyper responder to training and protein. And gear but those days are long gone as I like being alive). I probably weigh 14 stone something. I used to weigh 23 stone when I competed.

And 155kg is an excellent deadlift. I only did it for a laugh as my mate Rudie is getting into strongman so I was helping him with pulling his hips through to get the weight up quickly and not wobble or injure himself. Happy to message on training advice just drop me a message buddy or email me [email protected]. My advice is rubbish but free
Top man Sean thanks very much mate much appreciate that. Don’t put yourself down, form or not lifting 200kg is a strong as an ox
SeanBrennan
Bantamweight
Posts: 9685
Joined: 12 Feb 2022, 12:45

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by SeanBrennan »

smiling assassin wrote: Yesterday, 15:11
SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 14:31
smiling assassin wrote: Yesterday, 14:11
Sean a 200kg deadlift as a mess around, how much do you weigh? I got 155kg last week and felt like heman :lol:. Il never get anywhere near 200kg
It’s muscle memory mate I used to pull 300kg plus. I paid Andy Bolton to coach my form when I competed so much of it is technique, most people deadlift without activating their glutes. It’s mainly form not strength mate so I won’t pretend I’m strong. I don’t know what I weigh as I stopped weighing myself in January. I’ve put some muscle back on by increasing my protein a little (I was always a hyper responder to training and protein. And gear but those days are long gone as I like being alive). I probably weigh 14 stone something. I used to weigh 23 stone when I competed.

And 155kg is an excellent deadlift. I only did it for a laugh as my mate Rudie is getting into strongman so I was helping him with pulling his hips through to get the weight up quickly and not wobble or injure himself. Happy to message on training advice just drop me a message buddy or email me [email protected]. My advice is rubbish but free
Top man Sean thanks very much mate much appreciate that. Don’t put yourself down, form or not lifting 200kg is a strong as an ox
You’re welcome and thanks a lot mate.
johnmanchester
Light Flyweight
Posts: 257
Joined: 12 May 2025, 04:36

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by johnmanchester »

SeanBrennan wrote: 06 Jun 2026, 04:44 I caused all this through abusing my body so I’m super grateful and felt embarrassed for using NHS resources after having multiple surgeries for damage caused by competing in strongman and powerlifting again all self inflicted. Let’s just say I never mind paying NI.
I feel the same. Riddled with injuries, had a few surgeries, will never complain about paying NI

NHS is an unreal service and I am sad to see it being slowly privatised

One of the many reasons Reform are a Trojan Horse from a working class perspective is that Reform are pure "unrestricted business" party and would privatise the NHS first chance they got.
Coco
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 28319
Joined: 08 May 2007, 05:42

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by Coco »

johnmanchester wrote: Today, 04:42
SeanBrennan wrote: 06 Jun 2026, 04:44 I caused all this through abusing my body so I’m super grateful and felt embarrassed for using NHS resources after having multiple surgeries for damage caused by competing in strongman and powerlifting again all self inflicted. Let’s just say I never mind paying NI.
I feel the same. Riddled with injuries, had a few surgeries, will never complain about paying NI

NHS is an unreal service and I am sad to see it being slowly privatised

One of the many reasons Reform are a Trojan Horse from a working class perspective is that Reform are pure "unrestricted business" party and would privatise the NHS first chance they got.
Whereas Labour and the Tories only outsource NHS services to the private sector.
We are just numbers on a calculator
Oiky
Super Welterweight
Posts: 7237
Joined: 16 Feb 2015, 09:22

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by Oiky »

SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 13:20
Oiky wrote: Yesterday, 11:52
SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 09:30

No compound movements for me, those days are long gone. I had a mess about with deadlift last week to see what it was like but went to 200kg and thought I’m not risking this malarkey. My training is very measured, I go at least once a day tho and twice at weekends.
That's it, nice, 200kg is still a good pull for a mess around. I haven't deadlifted for a few months now, been doing RDL's and back extensions instead.

Still squatting and benching, but I use a lot more machines as well nowadays than I've ever done, both the plate loaded and pin loaded Hammer Strength ones, do prefer free weights and probably always will but it's not one or the other for me, just do both, they all have their place.
Sounds like a good balance. I never enjoyed squatting even at my strongest as soon as it got to 260kg it just felt horrible, so I never maxed unless it was in contest prep. Loved benching, can’t free bar bench these days other than incline as my rotator cuff starts screaming. I use machines for main muscle groups but use dumbbells for shoulders, traps and biceps. And if it’s cold I change the machine bars so it’s a padded one not metal so I don’t get cold hands. I’ve definitely changed!
Yeah maxing too much is where a lot of people go wrong with strength training I feel? Especially amongst normal gym goers, I said to a pal of mine competitive powerlifters probably max out 3 times a year, and that's at meets :lol: and you're trying to max out every other week an wondering why youve hit a plateau.

Lot's of people struggle with flat bench don't they in the end, the plate loaded hammer strength flat press is a great alternative for benching imo ,much prefer it to a smith machine, always hated smith machines, people say about the bench being rigid and too much of a fixed path for the shoulders but for me that's the smith machine, feels horrible.
Oiky
Super Welterweight
Posts: 7237
Joined: 16 Feb 2015, 09:22

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by Oiky »

SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 14:31
smiling assassin wrote: Yesterday, 14:11
SeanBrennan wrote: Yesterday, 13:20

Sounds like a good balance. I never enjoyed squatting even at my strongest as soon as it got to 260kg it just felt horrible, so I never maxed unless it was in contest prep. Loved benching, can’t free bar bench these days other than incline as my rotator cuff starts screaming. I use machines for main muscle groups but use dumbbells for shoulders, traps and biceps. And if it’s cold I change the machine bars so it’s a padded one not metal so I don’t get cold hands. I’ve definitely changed!
Sean a 200kg deadlift as a mess around, how much do you weigh? I got 155kg last week and felt like heman :lol:. Il never get anywhere near 200kg
It’s muscle memory mate I used to pull 300kg plus. I paid Andy Bolton to coach my form when I competed so much of it is technique, most people deadlift without activating their glutes. It’s mainly form not strength mate so I won’t pretend I’m strong. I don’t know what I weigh as I stopped weighing myself in January. I’ve put some muscle back on by increasing my protein a little (I was always a hyper responder to training and protein. And gear but those days are long gone as I like being alive). I probably weigh 14 stone something. I used to weigh 23 stone when I competed.

And 155kg is an excellent deadlift. I only did it for a laugh as my mate Rudie is getting into strongman so I was helping him with pulling his hips through to get the weight up quickly and not wobble or injure himself. Happy to message on training advice just drop me a message buddy or email me [email protected]. My advice is rubbish but free
Yes 200kg for a mess around and considering what you've been through is a great pull, and that's very true about technique, that's why you can see big lumps (which to be fair are probably more hypertrohpy based) with a terrible deadlift and then you can get someone who is a lot smaller and leaner but strong as f*ck, it's about manipulating your leverages and the CNS adjustment over time providing you dont burn it out. You can add KG's to any of the compound lifts by getting your technique better, the approach to building muscle and building strength are totally different for me imo, making a light, or lighter, weight feel heavy is key for building muscle but getting a weight from point A to point B that's about the best technique possible and you're CNS firing on all cyclinders
johnmanchester
Light Flyweight
Posts: 257
Joined: 12 May 2025, 04:36

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by johnmanchester »

Oiky wrote: Today, 05:20 making a light, or lighter, weight feel heavy is key for building muscle
That's an interesting concept. Never thought of it like that before.
Oiky
Super Welterweight
Posts: 7237
Joined: 16 Feb 2015, 09:22

Re: Porky's Corner

Post by Oiky »

johnmanchester wrote: Today, 05:39
Oiky wrote: Today, 05:20 making a light, or lighter, weight feel heavy is key for building muscle
That's an interesting concept. Never thought of it like that before.
yeah the thing is for strictly bodybuilding purposes it's not how much weight you're lifting it's how much you can actually feel the muscle you're targeting working, you want to be spreading the load as little as possible

for power and strength purposes it doesn't matter, it's a compound movement so every link in the chain needs to be working and strong
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