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Should I use chalk for deadlifts?

Should I use chalk for deadlifts?

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Personally i think MOST people who want to get stronger SHOULD use chalk when deadlifting occasionally. Chalk serves to dry our hands out and make our grip on the barbell really strong and consistent – it does not LIFT or ASSIST with the lift at all, it simply DRIES our hands… Here’s all you need to know about deadlifting with chalk! At a glance… Chalk absorbs moisture from our hands and equipment increasing the friction in our grip  It is therefore ideal for deadlifts where the bar will be heavily loaded and we’re reliant on our grip to complete the …

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The best alternatives to chalk for weightlifting

The BEST alternatives to chalk for weightlifting…

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Chalk is a fantastic tool when lifting weights to give your grip a helping hand (if you excuse the pun) – BUT for some people regular chalk just isn’t an option. Some gyms ban it and some people just find it agitates their skin too much. Here are some awesome chalk substitutes you can use for weightlifting! At a glance… The best alternative to regular chalk powder for weightlifting is liquid chalk Liquid chalk creates less mess and is therefore more discrete in use and can ‘fly under the radar’ in many commercial settings which frown on regular chalk use …

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At what weight should I use a belt for deadlifts?

At what weight should I use a belt for deadlifts?

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Wearing a belt is REALLY personal – me? I love my belt and wear it for the main compound lifts with my FAVOURITE lift being the deadlift… Before we dive right in just remember that lifting weights can be dangerous if not done properly so if you are unsure or uncomfortable please speak with your doctor or coach to get tailored advice.  At a glance… Belts typically become useful when deadlifting around double your bodyweight You can still deadlift regularly and HEAVY without a belt – so don’t feel pressured to wear one if you don’t want to Belts are …

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What is the difference between a rig and a power rack?

What is the difference between a rig and a power rack?

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When you’re looking for home gym equipment trying to decipher the subtle differences between specifications and equipment becomes an art! One with a VERY steep learning curve! So you might know your Westside hole spacing from your standard fare, but what about rigs vs racks? Just what are the differences?! Daisy chains?  Lost? Let’s run through the key differences between squat or power racks and rigs. At a glance… Racks are typically better for home gyms Rigs are usually aimed at the commercial market, designed to have multiple stations set up side by side Rigs are also typically taller than …

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Can you put a squat rack outside? Yes, but…

Can you put a squat rack outside? Yes, but…

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So you’ve heard of a GARAGE gym – now what about a GARDEN gym?! If you’ve got more space outside than you do inside then setting up a squat rack outside might be a great way to start working out at home. Here is all you need to know about putting a squat rack outside! At a glance… The Bulldog BSSR3 is a great squat rack for your garden gym Use a tarpaulin or shed if possible to protect your squat rack from the rain as much as possible RUST can kill gym equipment kept outside Galvanised equipment is the …

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Want a TV for your garage? Just do it!

Finding the BEST TV for your Garage: GUIDE

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Introduction I use my garage almost every day – whether it’s the home gym, storage or the gardening tools – for one reason or another I ALWAYS end up in there! One of the best things I’ve done in there is installing a TV on the garage gym wall! It might seem daft initially, but having the TV on in the background is AWESOME for catching up on programs and sports while using the gym or working in the garage. It’s nice to have some company when I’m in there! Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of …

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Weight belt bruising: the causes and CURES!

Weight belt bruising: the causes and CURES!

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Do you have bruising on your abdomen caused by your weight belt? You are not alone. Many of us weightlifters have ended up with all manner of weird and wonderful bruises from our weight belts! Some more hardcore lifters wear them like a badge of honour – the rest of us tentatively try to avoid them! Here’s all you need to know about weight belt bruising. At a glance… Bruising from wearing a weightlifting belt is common It is usually caused by the belt being TOO TIGHT It can also be caused by the belt being TOO WIDE for the …

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What if your weight lifting belt hurts your stomach?

What if your weight lifting belt hurts your stomach?

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A lifting belt CAN be uncomfortable (particularly if new) and if you’re not used to wearing one it can hurt some your stomach area unintentionally! BUT the upshot is wearing a belt when weightlifting helps increase the intra-abdominal pressure when lifting. In English – you can get higher pressure in your core when lifting weights by providing a solid hoop (the belt) to hold your stomach in. So the reward for wearing a belt is generally higher weights lifted – the secret is knowing just WHAT is causing your stomach pain and fixing it so you can keep wearing the …

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What exercises to use a weight belt for?

What exercises to use a weight belt for?

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Knowing when to use a weightlifting belt is the rung below rocket science in complexity terms… Just joking 🙂 I’ve been there though – knowing which exercises to wear a belt for and when to go without can be a tricky. Let’s dig in to it here. At a glance… Weight belts are best for powerlifting exercises or any others where achieving maximum weight on the bar is the goal A belt is less important where goals are not based on absolute weight lifted – hypertrophy for example A belt can still be helpful in this situations as another tool …

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When should I START wearing a weight belt?

When should I start wearing a weight lifting belt?

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So you’ve seen people in the gym wearing a belt and they seem to be able to lift some serious weight… But just when did they START wearing a lifting belt?! I’ve been asked this several times now so lets explore when you should start wearing a weight lifting belt in the gym. At a glance… Beginners can start using a belt when they squat around 100kg and deadlift around 140kg Belts are best saved for heavy compound lifts – there is no need to wear them for accessories or light warm ups A good belt will help you increase …

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