Lifter problems
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I just read {glanced, really} through this entire thread, and I'm surprised there's no mention of shirts.
I'm not a "big" guy by any means 5'-11", 185+/- lbs. I have a harder time fitting shirts than jeans. I prefer a more fitted, tailored fit for my clothes, even for denim-wear (which is all I ever wear). I really don't like boxy, baggy, over-sized clothes anymore. Work shirts are usually too boxy in the mid-section and waist, and why I prefer westerns for the slimmer body.
What I never see mentioned in any discussions of shirts of any type (tees or L/S button front) is the proportion of shoulder-to-chest measurements. I find that most shirts' shoulders at the top of the sleeve seam are too narrow compared to the chest width at the arm pit. Extra shoulder width would do a lot for comfort and ease of motion without changing the body width.
The best fitting shirts I have are The Flat Head westerns, in XL/44. The are cut like they are tailored specifically for me. Wide in the shoulders and chest, narrow in the waist, perfect length body and sleeves. If anything, the arms are a bit tight. It seems they don't work for most western guys though. Kyle, on SuFu, used to work for TFH in Japan some years ago, and he said Masa-san develops patterns cut for his own body, which even for a small Japanese man he has a large shoulder-to-waist ratio. Then the pattern is scaled up and down for other sizes. (Correct me if I'm wrong). However TFH does it, it works for me.
The other shirts I've found that fit me well are Wranglers Retro and Western Cowboy Work cut. They're super cheap - in price and quality - but they fit me well. A L gives me more room in the shoulders and chest, but are too long in the body, so I wear a M.
I wear an XL in IH westerns, and they are not ideal for me. I LOVE the styling, fabrics, details, etc. The chest and shoulders are tight, too wide in waist width, the body sometimes too long. Not including the collar button, the top 2 snaps pull outwards and the fabric looks distorted. Dean DelRay mention this too in his podcast interview w/ Giles. I need an XXL in the chest and shoulders, and a L everywhere else. I don't have an IH Work shirt, because the measurements look too wide in the waist and opening for me.
First world problems, I know, LOL!
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I have a similar problem but not exactly. I have a big chest measurement compared to my shoulders so if the shirts were made like you suggest I’d have extra material at the shoulders. Now I ALSO think that the body is too big relative to the chest, but if the shoulders went up as well it’d create a different issue for me.
I only wear workshirts because the front yoke looks silly on my shoulders. My chest has plenty of topography/visual interest so breaking it up with an additional piece of fabric makes everything too busy. I think they look awesome on guys that have a very flat chest to shoulder transition for the very reason that they give the area some visual interest.
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We're all built differently. There's no ONE perfect cut of jeans or shirts that'll work for all of us.
I much prefer half-westerns, without front shoulder yokes. Full westerns can come off as too costume-y, regardless of brand. Unless your true vide is the cowboy aesthetic. Mine isn't, and I still wear mainly full westerns… :o
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I got a new Pioneer belt today. It's the orange alligator one, the US flag belongs to a friend who goes to the gym.
The belt is 13mm, about half an inch, thick. That's the cutoff for powerlifting competitions. However I went for a 3" rather than 4" width because I'm very short waisted, so it fits into the tight gap between my ribs and hips. Besides, Rippetoe reckons 4" is too wide for most people to deadlift properly, and I think that I made the right choice.
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I was recommended to get a lever belt. They're easier to pull tight, but they're a struggle to adjust as they need a screwdriver or coin to do this! There are a pair of screws holding the buckle assembly on, and they have to be removed first.
SBD sell a reassuringly expensive lever belt that can be adjusted without a screwdriver. They look pretty good.
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Going to phoenix this thread as I am back in the gym after a two year (:o) absence. Covid, injuries and life all got in the way.
Having been advised by some "helpful" people that at my age and with my injuries I probably should just do yoga, I was a little unsure how to start. My previous programmes have been quite intensive with 4 sessions a week, using the push/pull/leg model, and mixing the big moves with isolation work. I blame the latter for irritating my shoulder injury.
Given that, my need for a quick start, and the fact that I'm basically back to beginner strength levels, I'm going for StrongLifts 5x5. Starting with 30kg (squat/back row/deadlift) and 20kg (bench/ohp) It is ridiculously and insanely light, but I'm going to stay loyal to the programme. The adding of weight each session is fun, but I still feel like I could bump everything a lot and do fine.
Any thoughts or experiences on 5x5?
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Welcome back to the gym, R!
I used 5x5 for at least a year. It's been a while but the issue I had, in hindsight, was the lack of accessory lifts and 5x5 deadlifts. Heavy 5x5 deadlifts is a horrible idea. That's how I screwed up my back. 5x5 deadlifts is fine if it's light, but I learned the hard way, that you should not do high reps of heavy deadlifts. Your lower back just won't take it.
I eventually found a good trainer online who sends me a routine and answers questions. Wish I would've done it sooner. Been using him for about 2 years now.
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I should add that 5x5 is a great program for someone getting started in lifting, like a teenager. However, even for a young lifter, I would recommend a more balanced program after a few months of 5x5. In my opinion, it wasn't sustainable.
I have my doubts about the longevity of the programme too. At the moment I am attracted by the focus on squats (I love squats), and the simplicity of it.
The lack of isolation exercises than employ the shoulder is a bonus for me as I have a permanent structural instability in my right shoulder caused by a couple of dislocations when was younger. That easily becomes inflamed and endless bench variants, skull crushers, curls, presses and pull ups is what interrupted and finally ended many consecutive years of successful training.
As for deadlifts (I'm built well for them too), I'm going 5x5 instead of 5x1 and seeing as I'll only be adding 2.5kg a week it will take a while before they get heavy or interfere with my squats (where I'll be adding 7.5kg a week). I can't see it being a problem. I read a while back that if you are going to do both then building your squat and maintaining your deadlift is a good strategy. It has worked for me before.
At the end of the day I see the 5x5 as a way back into the discipline of lifting weights, and a way to build my general body strength. It is relatively low impact too, compared with other programmes. As long as the shoulder holds up I'll add some lifts to it later (incline dumbbell bench, some biceps and triceps work, maybe some abs).
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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That’s right @Alex. My two 18 year olds have just started that programme and are doing really well on it.
It is what I’ve started with twice previously and all Jay’s intermediate programmes build on it. I’ve used two of them with great success, but it is at that point that the aforementioned shoulder instabilty is gets to be a problem. This is why I’m trying something new now.
If you haven’t, get hold of his ebooks/pdf’s. They are cheap and cheerful, but what he says about diet and progressive overload is really useful for getting results.
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Fuck all that, I'm got a MTB..
Adjusted for personal nuances
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