Brandon Campbell Diamond Ayyyyy my boy Brandon stopping by and showing love. Damn yo I'd like this video again but I already liked it even before watching lol.
I will watch literally anything this dude posts rather or not it applies to me. Knowledgeable, strong, funny. Seems like a genuinely good dude. Favorite fitness youtuber as of now. Keep at it man. Great video as always. Looking forward to watching your channel grow.
Agreed. Brian and Alan Thrall are pretty much in a tie for best lifting youtubers in my opinion. The only way to break that tie is another burrito challenge.
This channels blown up. It literally had like 5000 subs a few months ago. well done Brian, you are definitely one of the best fitness creators and my personal favourite.
I only use belts, sleeves yada yada at the minute for my heavy close to 1RM sets or my 1RM attempts. Also have to thank you greatly, my arms have not changed with all the curls I was doing and yet since I put more work into weighted pull ups after watching your video my arms are now showing growth (also think I broke them haha)
Even if u know a lot of this knowledge this video is just nice to watch, kinda like making a check list in my head while I listen to u, keep it up man!
Mano, oque você acha sobre o knee wraps? No meu caso comprei uma knee sleeve para evitar os varios estalos que meus joelhos fazem agachando com o próprio peso do corpo mesmo. E tipo, ja fez varios aquecimentos específicos mas ainda ss continua. Estava pensando em pegar esses wraps para usar nos agachamentos com 150kg, que geralmente eu busco fazer até 5 repetições. Você acha uma boa idéia? Tenho artrite e lúpus tbm, por isso creio que algo mais apertado e com mais compressão ajudaria.
As a member of the old man crew (and after 25 years of abusing my body in the military) you won't see me squatting or deadlifting without knee sleeves or pressing/pulling without elbow sleeves. The belt (as you mention) goes on depending on how I feel during warm ups. Great video, great information, thank you.
Never use a condom, though: the gym needs more members. You first have to spot a female -- on invitation only. A 101 video on that might be forthcoming. Or another video on bear attacks and what to do in such a calamity. Wear every protection possible on the soft tissues, to prevent mauling, multi-ply. If it's a circus bear, use the circus dumbbell somehow. Video explanation badly needed.
Tomorrow is heavy day (Squat, Deadlifts and OHP) and I will use my brand new powerlifting belt for the first time. I will use your advices mate. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this very informative post! Most importantly thank you for the clean language!!! You show that you can speak intelligently without vulgarity and understand that impressionable young people watch this information! God bless
You mention you broke your back twice but you still do strongman and lift heavy. I recently got microdiscetomy surgery to fix a herniated disc(L4s1, herniation is ten years old not lifitng related) in my lower back. doc says I should never deadlift, squat, or overhead press again...or flip a tire, or farmers walk or anything awesome. Just use isolation machines at the gym he said. How did you feel coming back from the injury you had and/or do you have any training clients or members at your gym that have come back from herniated discs how did they hold up? having recently had surgery I have a bunch of time to watch your channel and it kicks ass, also why I'm posting this question because you seem to always respond to comments on your channel which is super cool. Also anyone else reading this chime in if you have any experience with it.
fred c My back didnt require surgery, but I have recovered twice from disc problems. First was a disc buldge which after a couple months of chiro and lots of stretching I recovered. Second was a little worse, but was again a bulging disc. It took 3 months of chiro and some physio combined with a lot of stretching at home. I lost some function in my left foot for about 2 months, but am now back to 100%. It takes time, and all you can do is focus on recovering. Everyone is different, but you can heal with time. Keep your head up, and youll be back to it! Good luck
Everyone will be slightly different, and many doctors prefer to err on the side of caution. I would highly recommend taking it slow for a good long while in recovery, don't rush to put strain on your back, but I think eventually you might want to get the opinion of other medical professionals, we don't know your exact situation but a sports physiotherapist, for example, might be a bit more proactive. I never had corrective surgery for my slipping discs (surgery for the condition alone is controversial, hence why multiple opinions matters, it's a quicker recovery but many think surgery for a bulging disc isn't necessary and may cause damage in the long run). I spent many years in recovery, but that did eventually lead to laziness, which wasn't helping. lifting, for myself, is actually what helped me as it provided core strength that was seriously neglected, I've been essentially back pain free for some time. If you do go the lifting route, use a belt more often than others in the gym no matter what they might say, I think light weight is fine but for my own usage, going over 225 on squats it's not worth the risk. Deadlifts, if performed right, I think we're the greatest thing for my back. unlike a squat, the weight is not compressing your spine, but solid bracing is a MUST (so check your ego), which is what really helps strengthen the core. I'd say use a belt going 60% of your max, and maybe even get a Velcro belt for lighter weights, that's what I did, even used them for curls and stuff early on, it's really spine instability that puts you at the most risk, idgaf what others say, it helped protect my spine for sure early on. But start with the machine rehab and take it slow, it might be a year or even years to get back to lifting properly. Keep in mind doctors "orders" are opinions and recommendations, they often know what they're talking about but aren't always correct, and they do err on the side of caution since they don't actually know you (they have no idea if you're some tool that uses horrible form, flings around the weights and goofs off while lifting, and most people they see fall in that category).
I dislocated a vertebra in my lower back twice in high school for no discernible reason, and have had some other minor lower back issues since then. The only thing it's changed is that I have to be a lot pickier with my form, since I know that bad form on heavy squats/deads is a recipe for aggravating that issue, but in reality shouldn't we be super picky about our form anyway if we want to stay healthy? Let's be honest, most doctors aren't experienced weightlifters, and while they're great in their field they don't necessarily know what you're capable of later on. If you want to get back in the gym, take it slow, take it easy, be super diligent about your form, and PAY ATTENTION to your body. You might never squat 500kg, but there's no reason you shouldn't be able to still enjoy your gym time after a while.
I had had low back pain when I was 16-19 years old and I had a couple of bulging discs although the bulges were probably not the reason of pain at the time. That was also the time just before I started doing "fitness". As my core strenght improved (it was very poor at the beginning), the pain improved a lot. I used to have the pain from time to time and when I started lifting seriously (the real thing with the barbell) almost a year ago, the pain improved even more and it's virtually gone now. Long story short; core strength helps a LOT. Also, as a physician, although I don't know your exact situation and I'm not a specialist, I don't agree with your doctor. If you can't ever pick up things from the floor, squat, put things in places above your head, carry things, you shouldn't be doing anything then. How is that life? At this point you should consider if the doctor's knowledgeable enough in strength training. As we all know, for instance, deadlift gets an unwarranted bad name when in fact it's one of the few best exercises a human can do. You should get opinions from other specialists. And of course, you shouldn't give up. After all, this is the comment section of a video from a beast who says he broke his back twice and continues to throw hundreds of pounds all over the place.
I was literally just looking at belts / straps online and was about to look through your videos to remember which ones you have. Youre a psychic, man. The timing of these videos is always perfect.
another quality video. this man needs subs. He deserves just as much as people like omar or scott herman as his videos are of just as high quality. It's only a matter of time I hope
Sometimes when squatting a get a pop in my left knee and it starts to hurt, forcing me to stop squatting. Could a knee sleeve help reduce the risk of that. My foot placement might be the culprit in this situation but I would still like to know.
I need knee sleeves, I’m always squatting and using my legs and I always have some sort of knee pain sometimes, old people knees, plus I’ve been squatting for years.
going trough your videos lately and keep learning so much. having some issues with my knees, mostly in tendons, even when doing body squats, made me think how to get around that issue, because I really want to squat. hearing you saying how sleeves helped you with your elbows and knees and how it actually works, with keeping them warm and compressed, solidified my intent to try knee sleeves to get around that issues, at least until my tendons and quads get stronger. it is a problem I used to have, that I usually "solved" doing leg extensions for a few weeks before commit to the squats, but since I recently started working out again and it's in my home gym, no leg extension machines for me :) thank you for sharing your experiences and your thoughts.
I bought a belt AFTER I hit 315 on Squat. Will be buying knee sleeves when hitting 405 in a month even though I failed it this month. Here's my reason: There's a funny feeling in my right knee and I think keeping my joints warm would probably reduce the risk. This video was very informative. Thank you.
I really like wrist straps for barbell rows... Allows me to focus on a more concentrated row for more reps rather than just trying to hold onto the bar and since I typically do rows after deadlifts (for which I don't use wrist wraps) my grip is weakened.
I had wanted to ask this question, then I realised I love wearing my SBD elbow sleeves so I don't think about it and just wear them. My compression cuffs on the other hand... Hate them, but they're a necessary evil when somethings flare up. Definite incentive to get and stay healthy!
There are 2 sanctioning bodies: Strongman Corporation that runs the majority of shows and then United States Strongman who is growing slowly but steadily. Neither is tested. It kind of sucks, but people don't want to see regular people do strongman, they want to see inhuman weights moved fast. So it puts butts in seats. i wouldn't expect that to change anytime soon. Some individual contests will run drug tests but often they are too expensive for the promoters to afford.
Good stuff ....The sling shot is also good for training your nervous system for heavier weight...You can use it a few workouts leading to a PR attempt .... Helps with that "Feels heavy in the hands" you were talking about week.Thanks again for being you
Totally agree - sick of these heros saying they are for weak people, Im 58yrs old and I dont GAF what others think - if I want to protect myself and be sensible and lift without injuries then I will use straps/belts whatever it takes :)
I totally agree 100% with you. Im 45 and safety matters to me. I lift for longevity not for ego. If people think wrist straps and belts arent cool that's their problem.
I had to get a belt because lifting is my second sport. Being a lacrosse goalie I need my back to stay tight and not hurt in my stance. Greatly helped me go heavy in all my lifts
Are sleeves only to add weight to your lifts. I am X highly competitive soccer player with old injuries. My knees aren’t great. Nothing acute just old wear and tear. Because I’m a strong girl with a good foundation I’m doing heavier weight but I have no interest in power lifting specifically. So are the sleeves adding any protective elements or is it really just to add a couple pounds of weight to your squat? A.k.a. something that intermediate and advanced lifters will be better suited for?
So I'm only 16, but I'm starting to have major elbow issues. My elbows have always clicked but lately my right elbow has been hurting and swollen and my right arm is lower than my left when I press because of the elbow. It hurts so bad that at the end of a push workout I have to cut it short because I cant finish. Should I get loose elbow sleeves?
www.elitefts.com/education/how-stuff-works-the-knee-sleeve/ well written article about sleeves - not much actual research out there, but what there is seems to imply that sleeves do not actually give any direct strength benifits. instead, they provide proprioceptive feedback that improves technique. Example: you are more likely to feel your knee start to cave so you cue your glutes for external rotation. She has an article on wraps; these are different because of how tight they are worn. If worn correctly you are scrambling to take them off after each set and these do provide strength benifits, specifically out of the hole. I think these statements are supported by the fact that federations raw divisions include sleeves where Classic-Raw includes wraps as a separate division. Even without scientific data, the federations intuitively know that sleeves do not make a big difference...if any...in strength.
workout in a commercial gym Chalk is a NO NO NO! Other day went to bench and saw the bar full of baby powder ¬¬ had to spend a lot of time just to take that shit off
I look at a lot of this stuff as remedial tools to allow you to gain strength. What that mean? Well your core might be weak and you need to use a belt to get to the next deadlift, but I dont train with the belt on, I use it to push through. My core is obviously what is holding up progress else where and the extra support allows me to push through.
Great video I trained about 6 years with no protective gear whatsoever. I just got a belt and I am getting used to it. I found I have to adjust where I wear the belt depending on if I'm deadlifting or squatting. I think the belt has actually improved my bracing even when I'm not wearing it.
Is it dumb to hope a lifting knee sleeve might help the ache in my knee when I ride a motorcycle?? It's only my left knee and it bothers the hell out of me. It doesn't bother me DURING lifting but definitely after, and flares up when I ride...
Hey Brian, I know your subs have skyrocketed since I started watching, so you might not read this, but if you DO, consider checking out a post entitled "Fitness Music" on my page. Another subscriber of yours and I had the same thought of including you in one of my videos, which many times highlight the work and contributions of UA-cam fitness personalities (other videos poke fun or are completely unrelated). In any case, I am a huge fan, and am glad to have found your channel when I did. Peace!
If I'm squatting twice my weight or deadlifting,do I need the belts? I weigh 72kg and I've deadlifted up to 85kg(1RM) without belt. If I want to squat more than that do I need a belt to avoid breaking my back,hernias?
Yea man! i have had the ability with my new camera for a while now, but the rendering and upload takes so long that sometimes it isn't worth it, sadly.
9:25.. then how the hell am i getting wrist pain from weghted pull ups/rows ..my hole palms would go completly numb specialy during sleep ...saved my self with powerlifting hooks though..:)
I know I'm a bit late in posting this. This is a personal question, I injured my spine and it has been straight (spines has curves). Doctors do not recommend me to work out my back, but I want to work out my back. I have not worked my back since I've been injured, I'm afraid I might break them and might cause me to lose function on my legs, and I used to sqaut 435 (i was 135, quit lifting weights for 3 years[probably more], I am 180 lbs atm) do you think it's possible to do at least 100 lb squat without injuring my back? I can't even do deadlifts. I tried lifting a box of books and I couldn't get up for 2 days. (I imagine the same motion of lifting the box and holding it at the same place and walking would be considered a deadlift with motion) That's how badly I have been injured. Any recommended work out related to my lumbar section of spine would be great. I've been terrified losing mobility, but any encouragement, any suggestion, anything that would help me regain back my back strength would be nice. I want to be able to like I used to, not exactly but not to the point that I can't get up for a day...
I guess I'm one of those 99.99% guys in regards to belt. But that was not the belt per se or its capacity to help me lift. It was because I've been deadlifting without it since I started but after reaching a 550lbs deadlift I wanted to start utilizeing a belt. I've been using it only in some strongman events like to yoke and such, but never in the deadlift. It just became a thing. So when I started using it I struggeled with like 450lbs, which I without a belt could manage to do something like 10 reps on. This was of course due to my lack of experience with a belt so I felt that my form went to hell. Slowly I got used to it and now I feel that it really helps me pull bigger. I think a big point is that the belt is something you also have to learn to use in order to get the best out of it! Maybe you covered that in this video as well... I was not paying attention.. I have the yokeflue from todays session.. so... Great video though! This quickly became my favourite strengthchannel a while back and I'm glad to see your subscriber count go up every day. You deserve it man! Cheers from Sweden! (Hence some spelling errors maybe..)
I put on a belt when I get to 405 squat or 405 for deadlifts. But I'm like 165lbs. I use straps for deadlift sets over 3, or if I have a 5x2 for the day, I'll do the first set raw, and the last 4 with straps. Knee sleeves every squat day at 315+. Wrist wraps only on bench and Ohp sets that are heavy.
Great video man! Thanks! Do you have an opinion on nylon belts like the Element 26 lifting belts for bodybuilding? I'm 52 and no longer do barbell squats or deadlifts but I do a lot of machine squats, rack pulls, etc. Do you feel such a nylon belt will do much good? Thanks so much!
I’ll put it this way man. I’m an electrician, I have a very physical job. I use then ppe after certain weights (400lb on deadlifts and squats, 275 on bench) because my body is used heavily all day every day. So in order for me to stay in this game I gotta do it to help myself. I don’t think it’s cheating, and I’ve notice people who go raw all the time and I’ve noticed they have more Injuries.
My rule, find it works well: I throw everything on in the last warmup set. I want that set to be exactly like the work sets, being that it is the final rehearsal. Don't need to calculate percent. Just, on last warmup set, put on everything that's gonna be on for the work sets. Probably got that rule from somewhere I forgot. I also grip train deadlift (double overhand) all the way up to second last warmup set; similar line of thinking - up until last warmup set, more playing around allowed. Might use longer pauses in the bench, etc. Might do 3 pauses on way up in deadlift. For me, warming up I can almost use as an accessory exercise, might as well, makes me hurry less too when I feel I get some value out of it more than just warming up. Whether I actually DO get any value of it though .. dammit, weak AF :'( But I enjoy doing this.
Brian, as of yet I have no elbow or knee pain however my weights are increasing. A lot of my work is now in the 300's for bench and 500's for skwats. Would you advise investing in a pair or would you wait until issues start to arise and treat them accordingly? Im 19 years old if that makes a difference.
Hands down the only 'gear' you need in the first 4 - 8yrs is a weight belt.......A simple weight belt, not the double lock ultra stiff over under one. A simple leather one from the local academy will do.......
I just started following your page and think all the content you put out is amazing! But I had a question about training biceps. I can’t remember which video it was but you said you don’t believe in doing curls for strongman training because it doesn’t benefit strength athletes. However, like you said in this video, biceps tears are a very common injury for strongman athletes. So wouldn’t it be good to hit biceps at least once a week as an injury prevention?
My understanding is "keeping your joints warm" is a big myth. Just logically looking at it, it doesn't make sense that sleeves will make your joints warmer somehow when they're so deep inside your muscular skeleton.
I'm 41 years old, but my body doesn't feel or perform any worse than it did when I was 25, for the most part. I use a belt more often than I used to, primarily because I squat and deadlift more weight than I did when I was younger, and I also use elbow sleeves because I tend to get epicondylitis easier, but I've never needed knee sleeves. I wish more manufacturers made long elbow sleeves like the ones Mark sent you. The ones I have feel way too short.
I had a groin hernia from lifting and BJJ and a belt around the waist is probably not going to prevent that, perhaps it would prevent an abdominal hernia. I wear these truss belts under my compression shorts that keep constant pressure on both sides of the groin that I got from amazon to continue lifting and martial arts, i have no plan to get the surgery. If I could do it over again, I would wear one as a preventative measure, it keeps intestine from getting pushed out through your muscle and causing a tear or making an existing tear worse. I can pretty much do anything while I'm wearing it and there is no bulge when I take it off, the only drawback is that the straps are uncomfortable on the skin for extended use.
Can elbow wraps be used to lift heavy if the person has snapping elbow syndrome (clicking sensation in the elbow /tricep when doing bench press, push ups, etc)
whats about lifting shoes ? whats your toughts of then? (maybe i missed one video were you talk about then). Never considered buying a pair but a friend of mine was talking about it and thinking about buying it.
When you have a strongman competition, do you bring a coach or someone to help you with things, or do you go by yourself? I want to do a strongman comp some day in the future, and I am not sure if it is like Weightlifting where you need a coach to come with you to count your attempts. Congrats on 33K subs btw bro! you're the man!
Lift with wrist wraps n knee sleeves on any weight I always bench with belt to help stay tight I only deadlift n squat once I start working with 400ish lbs I only use elbow sleeves when I'm hurt
Could you elaborate a little bit more on the knee wraps...having some pain in one knee so i used a wrap as i dont have any sleeves...good thing or bad? Thanks
few days ago i tried a 3 rep pr for squat. now, i saw a belt lying around and tried it for the first time and holy shit that pr just became a working set. belt is damn good.
Here is the highlights.
Belts 2:38
Sleeves 6:20
Wraps 8:59
Straps 10:52
Compression Shorts 11:50
Sling Shot 12:24
Thanks man!
Thanks man
My hero.
Maaaaaa man
You are the MAN god bless you brother
If your gym doesn't allow chalk.. find a better gym.
Carver i workout at the YMCA because they have great child minding for my 3 kids. No chalk though. Boo
@@paigethefarrier6243 liquid chalk?
Another solid video. GIVE THIS MAN A LIKE.
Brandon Campbell Diamond Ayyyyy my boy Brandon stopping by and showing love. Damn yo I'd like this video again but I already liked it even before watching lol.
Hahaha thanks fellas!
Brandon Campbell Diamond I've liked the video before I've watched it because Brian = quality content. (Will watch it later)
well then do a fucking collab bro
Collab would definitely be dope. SQUAT SESSION.
I will watch literally anything this dude posts rather or not it applies to me. Knowledgeable, strong, funny. Seems like a genuinely good dude. Favorite fitness youtuber as of now. Keep at it man. Great video as always. Looking forward to watching your channel grow.
Thank you so much brother, i really appreciate that!
Agreed. Brian and Alan Thrall are pretty much in a tie for best lifting youtubers in my opinion. The only way to break that tie is another burrito challenge.
Still don't have a belt and I've been lifting for 14 years. I dunno, maybe I'm just a cheap fuck.
i was like that as well man!
Bob Johnson fuck belts the good ones theyre expensive lol
1:00 lmao. That's basically how I feel I look when I need to use more than one or two things out of my gym bag.
Hahaha!
hahahahah that John Cena homage "the champ is here". Another great vid dude. Shine one
Hahah i had no idea man! i was referencing Ali!
Allan Thrall got me into HYDRO 20 and did wonders for me, can I mix it with TRYACTIN and use it as a pre-workout drink? Thanks.
Hahaha indeed you could be be prepared for the potential heart attack!
Tryactin is real, yes. It's a type of testosterone supplement that it sounds like you're not taking.
Brian Alsruhe alphadestiny kinda gave you a shout out in his last qna
This channels blown up. It literally had like 5000 subs a few months ago. well done Brian, you are definitely one of the best fitness creators and my personal favourite.
I only use belts, sleeves yada yada at the minute for my heavy close to 1RM sets or my 1RM attempts. Also have to thank you greatly, my arms have not changed with all the curls I was doing and yet since I put more work into weighted pull ups after watching your video my arms are now showing growth (also think I broke them haha)
Haha that is so great man!
Even if u know a lot of this knowledge this video is just nice to watch, kinda like making a check list in my head while I listen to u, keep it up man!
Thanks so much man!
Awesome video as always!! Thank you for every knowledge you give us. Greetings from Brazil.
Thank you so much man!
Mano, oque você acha sobre o knee wraps? No meu caso comprei uma knee sleeve para evitar os varios estalos que meus joelhos fazem agachando com o próprio peso do corpo mesmo. E tipo, ja fez varios aquecimentos específicos mas ainda ss continua. Estava pensando em pegar esses wraps para usar nos agachamentos com 150kg, que geralmente eu busco fazer até 5 repetições. Você acha uma boa idéia? Tenho artrite e lúpus tbm, por isso creio que algo mais apertado e com mais compressão ajudaria.
As a member of the old man crew (and after 25 years of abusing my body in the military) you won't see me squatting or deadlifting without knee sleeves or pressing/pulling without elbow sleeves. The belt (as you mention) goes on depending on how I feel during warm ups. Great video, great information, thank you.
Completely agree brother! Old man crew united!
I'm 39 and have degenerative back disease and bad knees from my Military service. I wear a belt and knee sleeves.
Another great vid! Covered so many questions. Your channel is the encyclopedia of gainzz
Thanks so much Tony!
Never use a condom, though: the gym needs more members. You first have to spot a female -- on invitation only. A 101 video on that might be forthcoming. Or another video on bear attacks and what to do in such a calamity. Wear every protection possible on the soft tissues, to prevent mauling, multi-ply. If it's a circus bear, use the circus dumbbell somehow. Video explanation badly needed.
Hahaha
lmao the amount of "what the...fuck?" in this comment
he high AF
Hahahahaha I was thinking the exact same thing from the beginning
Tomorrow is heavy day (Squat, Deadlifts and OHP) and I will use my brand new powerlifting belt for the first time. I will use your advices mate. Thank you.
Thats awesome, go get after it man!
And here I am a 27 year old who can’t even squat and hamstring curl without the most painful knee pain ever 👀
Thank you so much for this very informative post! Most importantly thank you for the clean language!!! You show that you can speak intelligently without vulgarity and understand that impressionable young people watch this information! God bless
Ha ha. LET'S DO THIS! I had to go back and pause the video just to see all of that glory.
Hahah that was a lot of time to set that joke up!
You mention you broke your back twice but you still do strongman and lift heavy. I recently got microdiscetomy surgery to fix a herniated disc(L4s1, herniation is ten years old not lifitng related) in my lower back. doc says I should never deadlift, squat, or overhead press again...or flip a tire, or farmers walk or anything awesome. Just use isolation machines at the gym he said. How did you feel coming back from the injury you had and/or do you have any training clients or members at your gym that have come back from herniated discs how did they hold up? having recently had surgery I have a bunch of time to watch your channel and it kicks ass, also why I'm posting this question because you seem to always respond to comments on your channel which is super cool. Also anyone else reading this chime in if you have any experience with it.
fred c
My back didnt require surgery, but I have recovered twice from disc problems. First was a disc buldge which after a couple months of chiro and lots of stretching I recovered.
Second was a little worse, but was again a bulging disc. It took 3 months of chiro and some physio combined with a lot of stretching at home. I lost some function in my left foot for about 2 months, but am now back to 100%.
It takes time, and all you can do is focus on recovering. Everyone is different, but you can heal with time. Keep your head up, and youll be back to it! Good luck
Right on man, well I made a video explaining it called "Dealing with injuries" that may help you out man! I hope you feel better soon!
Everyone will be slightly different, and many doctors prefer to err on the side of caution. I would highly recommend taking it slow for a good long while in recovery, don't rush to put strain on your back, but I think eventually you might want to get the opinion of other medical professionals, we don't know your exact situation but a sports physiotherapist, for example, might be a bit more proactive.
I never had corrective surgery for my slipping discs (surgery for the condition alone is controversial, hence why multiple opinions matters, it's a quicker recovery but many think surgery for a bulging disc isn't necessary and may cause damage in the long run). I spent many years in recovery, but that did eventually lead to laziness, which wasn't helping. lifting, for myself, is actually what helped me as it provided core strength that was seriously neglected, I've been essentially back pain free for some time. If you do go the lifting route, use a belt more often than others in the gym no matter what they might say, I think light weight is fine but for my own usage, going over 225 on squats it's not worth the risk.
Deadlifts, if performed right, I think we're the greatest thing for my back. unlike a squat, the weight is not compressing your spine, but solid bracing is a MUST (so check your ego), which is what really helps strengthen the core. I'd say use a belt going 60% of your max, and maybe even get a Velcro belt for lighter weights, that's what I did, even used them for curls and stuff early on, it's really spine instability that puts you at the most risk, idgaf what others say, it helped protect my spine for sure early on. But start with the machine rehab and take it slow, it might be a year or even years to get back to lifting properly. Keep in mind doctors "orders" are opinions and recommendations, they often know what they're talking about but aren't always correct, and they do err on the side of caution since they don't actually know you (they have no idea if you're some tool that uses horrible form, flings around the weights and goofs off while lifting, and most people they see fall in that category).
I dislocated a vertebra in my lower back twice in high school for no discernible reason, and have had some other minor lower back issues since then. The only thing it's changed is that I have to be a lot pickier with my form, since I know that bad form on heavy squats/deads is a recipe for aggravating that issue, but in reality shouldn't we be super picky about our form anyway if we want to stay healthy?
Let's be honest, most doctors aren't experienced weightlifters, and while they're great in their field they don't necessarily know what you're capable of later on. If you want to get back in the gym, take it slow, take it easy, be super diligent about your form, and PAY ATTENTION to your body. You might never squat 500kg, but there's no reason you shouldn't be able to still enjoy your gym time after a while.
I had had low back pain when I was 16-19 years old and I had a couple of bulging discs although the bulges were probably not the reason of pain at the time. That was also the time just before I started doing "fitness". As my core strenght improved (it was very poor at the beginning), the pain improved a lot. I used to have the pain from time to time and when I started lifting seriously (the real thing with the barbell) almost a year ago, the pain improved even more and it's virtually gone now. Long story short; core strength helps a LOT.
Also, as a physician, although I don't know your exact situation and I'm not a specialist, I don't agree with your doctor. If you can't ever pick up things from the floor, squat, put things in places above your head, carry things, you shouldn't be doing anything then. How is that life? At this point you should consider if the doctor's knowledgeable enough in strength training. As we all know, for instance, deadlift gets an unwarranted bad name when in fact it's one of the few best exercises a human can do. You should get opinions from other specialists. And of course, you shouldn't give up. After all, this is the comment section of a video from a beast who says he broke his back twice and continues to throw hundreds of pounds all over the place.
“...or if you get a little bit older...”
what do you know, Brian.
I was literally just looking at belts / straps online and was about to look through your videos to remember which ones you have. Youre a psychic, man. The timing of these videos is always perfect.
Hahah thanks man!
another quality video. this man needs subs. He deserves just as much as people like omar or scott herman as his videos are of just as high quality. It's only a matter of time I hope
Man i hope so too!
You gotta protect your lower back to all costs, or it will haunt you for the rest of your life.
I have really bad back issues so I just started using a belt all the time I’m only 22 but I have had several bad motorcycle accidents
I rather just invest at the age 25 instead of being 40 and had my back broke twice
Sometimes when squatting a get a pop in my left knee and it starts to hurt, forcing me to stop squatting. Could a knee sleeve help reduce the risk of that. My foot placement might be the culprit in this situation but I would still like to know.
If warmth and compression are the main factors wouldn't getting a pump work? Then you lift heavy like a madman
I need knee sleeves, I’m always squatting and using my legs and I always have some sort of knee pain sometimes, old people knees, plus I’ve been squatting for years.
going trough your videos lately and keep learning so much. having some issues with my knees, mostly in tendons, even when doing body squats, made me think how to get around that issue, because I really want to squat. hearing you saying how sleeves helped you with your elbows and knees and how it actually works, with keeping them warm and compressed, solidified my intent to try knee sleeves to get around that issues, at least until my tendons and quads get stronger. it is a problem I used to have, that I usually "solved" doing leg extensions for a few weeks before commit to the squats, but since I recently started working out again and it's in my home gym, no leg extension machines for me :) thank you for sharing your experiences and your thoughts.
The warmth absolutely helps brother! If you go with the Cerberus.us brand of sleeves, use the code neversate at checkout and you will save some money
I bought a belt AFTER I hit 315 on Squat. Will be buying knee sleeves when hitting 405 in a month even though I failed it this month.
Here's my reason: There's a funny feeling in my right knee and I think keeping my joints warm would probably reduce the risk.
This video was very informative. Thank you.
Thanks John Cena! Awesome video. New sub
I really like wrist straps for barbell rows... Allows me to focus on a more concentrated row for more reps rather than just trying to hold onto the bar and since I typically do rows after deadlifts (for which I don't use wrist wraps) my grip is weakened.
I had wanted to ask this question, then I realised I love wearing my SBD elbow sleeves so I don't think about it and just wear them.
My compression cuffs on the other hand... Hate them, but they're a necessary evil when somethings flare up. Definite incentive to get and stay healthy!
Absolutely man!
I still use my Lee Hany belt...20 years old lol
Are there different federations for strongman link there are in powerlifting? For example tested and untested federations?
TJ Cannon I second this!
There are 2 sanctioning bodies: Strongman Corporation that runs the majority of shows and then United States Strongman who is growing slowly but steadily. Neither is tested. It kind of sucks, but people don't want to see regular people do strongman, they want to see inhuman weights moved fast. So it puts butts in seats. i wouldn't expect that to change anytime soon. Some individual contests will run drug tests but often they are too expensive for the promoters to afford.
Very interesting. Cool video !!
love your videos! Next time I'm visiting my family in Eldersburg I'll have to come check out neversate
Good stuff ....The sling shot is also good for training your nervous system for heavier weight...You can use it a few workouts leading to a PR attempt .... Helps with that "Feels heavy in the hands" you were talking about week.Thanks again for being you
Great tip, thank you so much!
Cracking video was thinking I'd have to watch a couple to get the answerers I needed just literally answered every single question I had in one.
Totally agree - sick of these heros saying they are for weak people, Im 58yrs old and I dont GAF what others think - if I want to protect myself and be sensible and lift without injuries then I will use straps/belts whatever it takes :)
I totally agree 100% with you. Im 45 and safety matters to me. I lift for longevity not for ego. If people think wrist straps and belts arent cool that's their problem.
I had to get a belt because lifting is my second sport. Being a lacrosse goalie I need my back to stay tight and not hurt in my stance. Greatly helped me go heavy in all my lifts
Great sense of humor at the beginning with all the joint protectors...had me laughing almost to half of the video...!!
How does he have such huge delts?
Whitefang log press
Have you ever watched him overhead press?
All overhead pressing my freind. I have a lot of videos about it on my channel.
sling shot is the best! i recently bought a few of their products, love them too much :D
Hahah they are great!
Have you ever done bench in a bench shirt? It looks uncomfortable as hell.
Also your forearms are f**king HUGE 😱
Nah man, i have never had access to one.
Hey Brian what do you think of neck training?
I like it but i think a lot of people hurt themselves by doing it incorrectly
Are sleeves only to add weight to your lifts. I am X highly competitive soccer player with old injuries. My knees aren’t great. Nothing acute just old wear and tear. Because I’m a strong girl with a good foundation I’m doing heavier weight but I have no interest in power lifting specifically. So are the sleeves adding any protective elements or is it really just to add a couple pounds of weight to your squat? A.k.a. something that intermediate and advanced lifters will be better suited for?
So I'm only 16, but I'm starting to have major elbow issues. My elbows have always clicked but lately my right elbow has been hurting and swollen and my right arm is lower than my left when I press because of the elbow. It hurts so bad that at the end of a push workout I have to cut it short because I cant finish. Should I get loose elbow sleeves?
I've been wondering this question for about a week now. Super glad you decided to make this video!
I hope it helps!
www.elitefts.com/education/how-stuff-works-the-knee-sleeve/
well written article about sleeves - not much actual research out there, but what there is seems to imply that sleeves do not actually give any direct strength benifits. instead, they provide proprioceptive feedback that improves technique. Example: you are more likely to feel your knee start to cave so you cue your glutes for external rotation.
She has an article on wraps; these are different because of how tight they are worn. If worn correctly you are scrambling to take them off after each set and these do provide strength benifits, specifically out of the hole.
I think these statements are supported by the fact that federations raw divisions include sleeves where Classic-Raw includes wraps as a separate division. Even without scientific data, the federations intuitively know that sleeves do not make a big difference...if any...in strength.
But I don't wanna hit myself in the head with a hammer! 😔😜
workout in a commercial gym
Chalk is a NO NO NO!
Other day went to bench and saw the bar full of baby powder ¬¬ had to spend a lot of time just to take that shit off
I look at a lot of this stuff as remedial tools to allow you to gain strength.
What that mean? Well your core might be weak and you need to use a belt to get to the next deadlift, but I dont train with the belt on, I use it to push through. My core is obviously what is holding up progress else where and the extra support allows me to push through.
Lifting heavier and I'm 42. My guess is by the time I'm 45 Ill be in bubble wrap :D
Hahaha you and I both my friend!
Great video I trained about 6 years with no protective gear whatsoever. I just got a belt and I am getting used to it. I found I have to adjust where I wear the belt depending on if I'm deadlifting or squatting. I think the belt has actually improved my bracing even when I'm not wearing it.
Absolutely agree man!
I Use belt when I go past 225lbs deadlift. I just have a fear now when I got hurt back then ego lifting without a belt.
Bro your vids are on fire. Love your style and please keep going (y)
Started following you a week ago and I'm wondering to my self where the heck have you been??? Great Channel
Is it dumb to hope a lifting knee sleeve might help the ache in my knee when I ride a motorcycle?? It's only my left knee and it bothers the hell out of me. It doesn't bother me DURING lifting but definitely after, and flares up when I ride...
i'm the minority. . . i squat less with a belt smh
How is that possible?
*goes to hit self with hammer* I havent used lifting straps or sleeves yet. I just got my belt last month. This video came at a perfect time!
Hahaha save the hammer!
Hey Brian, I know your subs have skyrocketed since I started watching, so you might not read this, but if you DO, consider checking out a post entitled "Fitness Music" on my page. Another subscriber of yours and I had the same thought of including you in one of my videos, which many times highlight the work and contributions of UA-cam fitness personalities (other videos poke fun or are completely unrelated). In any case, I am a huge fan, and am glad to have found your channel when I did. Peace!
That is awesome man, i will check it out!
Thnx man
You cleared my doubt about which should i buy wraps or sleeves for my elbow pain.
If I'm squatting twice my weight or deadlifting,do I need the belts? I weigh 72kg and I've deadlifted up to 85kg(1RM) without belt. If I want to squat more than that do I need a belt to avoid breaking my back,hernias?
Call me a big baby, but knee sleeves, and elbow sleeves pinch me, and leave little bruises, do I need to man the fcuk up.
Lifting straps? Have you considered tryactin? Lmao thanks Brian!
Why do you say knee wraps will hurt you more then help you unless your an advanced powerlifter?
Brian you've gone 4k!!! I've popped a Manx flag in the post for you too. Great video!
Yea man! i have had the ability with my new camera for a while now, but the rendering and upload takes so long that sometimes it isn't worth it, sadly.
how to we breath and brace when doing a barbell row ?
9:25.. then how the hell am i getting wrist pain from weghted pull ups/rows ..my hole palms would go completly numb specialy during sleep ...saved my self with powerlifting hooks though..:)
If you need chaulk, I find Dry Hands to be even better. It's mess free and easier to use.
I loled so hard when he had all of those straps on haha, good stuff
I know I'm a bit late in posting this.
This is a personal question, I injured my spine and it has been straight (spines has curves). Doctors do not recommend me to work out my back, but I want to work out my back.
I have not worked my back since I've been injured, I'm afraid I might break them and might cause me to lose function on my legs, and I used to sqaut 435 (i was 135, quit lifting weights for 3 years[probably more], I am 180 lbs atm) do you think it's possible to do at least 100 lb squat without injuring my back?
I can't even do deadlifts. I tried lifting a box of books and I couldn't get up for 2 days. (I imagine the same motion of lifting the box and holding it at the same place and walking would be considered a deadlift with motion) That's how badly I have been injured. Any recommended work out related to my lumbar section of spine would be great.
I've been terrified losing mobility, but any encouragement, any suggestion, anything that would help me regain back my back strength would be nice. I want to be able to like I used to, not exactly but not to the point that I can't get up for a day...
GREAT VIDEO...!!! GREAT STUFF...!!!
I guess I'm one of those 99.99% guys in regards to belt. But that was not the belt per se or its capacity to help me lift. It was because I've been deadlifting without it since I started but after reaching a 550lbs deadlift I wanted to start utilizeing a belt. I've been using it only in some strongman events like to yoke and such, but never in the deadlift. It just became a thing.
So when I started using it I struggeled with like 450lbs, which I without a belt could manage to do something like 10 reps on.
This was of course due to my lack of experience with a belt so I felt that my form went to hell. Slowly I got used to it and now I feel that it really helps me pull bigger. I think a big point is that the belt is something you also have to learn to use in order to get the best out of it! Maybe you covered that in this video as well... I was not paying attention.. I have the yokeflue from todays session.. so...
Great video though! This quickly became my favourite strengthchannel a while back and I'm glad to see your subscriber count go up every day. You deserve it man!
Cheers from Sweden! (Hence some spelling errors maybe..)
I put on a belt when I get to 405 squat or 405 for deadlifts. But I'm like 165lbs. I use straps for deadlift sets over 3, or if I have a 5x2 for the day, I'll do the first set raw, and the last 4 with straps. Knee sleeves every squat day at 315+. Wrist wraps only on bench and Ohp sets that are heavy.
Great video man! Thanks!
Do you have an opinion on nylon belts like the Element 26 lifting belts for bodybuilding? I'm 52 and no longer do barbell squats or deadlifts but I do a lot of machine squats, rack pulls, etc. Do you feel such a nylon belt will do much good? Thanks so much!
I’ll put it this way man. I’m an electrician, I have a very physical job. I use then ppe after certain weights (400lb on deadlifts and squats, 275 on bench) because my body is used heavily all day every day. So in order for me to stay in this game I gotta do it to help myself.
I don’t think it’s cheating, and I’ve notice people who go raw all the time and I’ve noticed they have more Injuries.
My rule, find it works well: I throw everything on in the last warmup set. I want that set to be exactly like the work sets, being that it is the final rehearsal. Don't need to calculate percent. Just, on last warmup set, put on everything that's gonna be on for the work sets.
Probably got that rule from somewhere I forgot. I also grip train deadlift (double overhand) all the way up to second last warmup set; similar line of thinking - up until last warmup set, more playing around allowed. Might use longer pauses in the bench, etc. Might do 3 pauses on way up in deadlift. For me, warming up I can almost use as an accessory exercise, might as well, makes me hurry less too when I feel I get some value out of it more than just warming up. Whether I actually DO get any value of it though .. dammit, weak AF :'( But I enjoy doing this.
Brian, as of yet I have no elbow or knee pain however my weights are increasing. A lot of my work is now in the 300's for bench and 500's for skwats. Would you advise investing in a pair or would you wait until issues start to arise and treat them accordingly? Im 19 years old if that makes a difference.
Hands down the only 'gear' you need in the first 4 - 8yrs is a weight belt.......A simple weight belt, not the double lock ultra stiff over under one. A simple leather one from the local academy will do.......
I just started following your page and think all the content you put out is amazing! But I had a question about training biceps. I can’t remember which video it was but you said you don’t believe in doing curls for strongman training because it doesn’t benefit strength athletes. However, like you said in this video, biceps tears are a very common injury for strongman athletes. So wouldn’t it be good to hit biceps at least once a week as an injury prevention?
My understanding is "keeping your joints warm" is a big myth. Just logically looking at it, it doesn't make sense that sleeves will make your joints warmer somehow when they're so deep inside your muscular skeleton.
I'm 41 years old, but my body doesn't feel or perform any worse than it did when I was 25, for the most part. I use a belt more often than I used to, primarily because I squat and deadlift more weight than I did when I was younger, and I also use elbow sleeves because I tend to get epicondylitis easier, but I've never needed knee sleeves. I wish more manufacturers made long elbow sleeves like the ones Mark sent you. The ones I have feel way too short.
Had me laughing @59 seconds.
How'd you break your back?
MMA and a Work Related thing.
I had a groin hernia from lifting and BJJ and a belt around the waist is probably not going to prevent that, perhaps it would prevent an abdominal hernia.
I wear these truss belts under my compression shorts that keep constant pressure on both sides of the groin that I got from amazon to continue lifting and martial arts, i have no plan to get the surgery.
If I could do it over again, I would wear one as a preventative measure, it keeps intestine from getting pushed out through your muscle and causing a tear or making an existing tear worse.
I can pretty much do anything while I'm wearing it and there is no bulge when I take it off, the only drawback is that the straps are uncomfortable on the skin for extended use.
Can elbow wraps be used to lift heavy if the person has snapping elbow syndrome (clicking sensation in the elbow /tricep when doing bench press, push ups, etc)
whats about lifting shoes ? whats your toughts of then? (maybe i missed one video were you talk about then). Never considered buying a pair but a friend of mine was talking about it and thinking about buying it.
When you have a strongman competition, do you bring a coach or someone to help you with things, or do you go by yourself? I want to do a strongman comp some day in the future, and I am not sure if it is like Weightlifting where you need a coach to come with you to count your attempts. Congrats on 33K subs btw bro! you're the man!
I start using a belt when the weight is heavier than my body weight. Plus i'm 42. Gotta play safe. Great video, Brian! Thanks!
Lift with wrist wraps n knee sleeves on any weight I always bench with belt to help stay tight I only deadlift n squat once I start working with 400ish lbs I only use elbow sleeves when I'm hurt
now you really look like john cena with all those belts con your shoulder.ha
Hahaha
15 trying to do 405 by the end of 2020 I’m thinking using knee wraps what do you think I’m at 335 rn only belt @173 bw
Pounds btw
What is your preference and why? Double ply or neoprene?
Could you elaborate a little bit more on the knee wraps...having some pain in one knee so i used a wrap as i dont have any sleeves...good thing or bad? Thanks
At 61 it's a matter of whatever it takes dude. Great job.
Scotland flag!! Yes mate!! :p
few days ago i tried a 3 rep pr for squat. now, i saw a belt lying around and tried it for the first time and holy shit that pr just became a working set. belt is damn good.