http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79rrtqN_pME

This might help?

That is EXACTLY it. :-)

Not "planned" per se, Pete, but I do try to train instinctively and listen to my body when it needs a rest. Generally 2 or 3 vacations or travels herfs a year get me those rest weeks by default. :-)

Sounds like a good reason to me ::-) :-)

The best, Pete. :-)

So lets talk about my new wrist straps. I don't think I'm using them correctly. It doesn't feel like it is helping me grip the weight anymore than I was without them.. The thing is I don't think there is a way to put them on wrong. :-)

Are you wrapping them around the bar tightly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB4-L...eature=related

Benched my balls off last night
395x5,8
lockouts 565x5

only things of note

wowthatsalottabench

quick morning because I have BJJ tonight.

20 minutes of walking at 10% and 3.4mph. Jogged a minute before cool-down, too ... just because I thought someone was chasing me. :-)

50 (assisted) pull-ups

lots of stretching of my lower back/pelvis/hips

50 triangle drills

Feel like my strength is finally starting an upward cycke again...rocked chest today.

Good luck in JJ Dokk.

Good on ya, Admiral. :-)

I noticed today that my the strength in my leg is messed up. I have an appointment with the doc for Monday morning and will hopefully get a lower lumbar or sacral adjustment to fix that. It's the same feeling I had two years ago when I tweaked my back ... except my back is feeling relatively fine right now. Such is life. I'm not too worried about it.

Yea, definitely cutting off some circulation in my hands...

Thanks for the video Frank. I'm doing exactly that. Maybe I just need to trust the straps a little more. It's just frustrating because I know I can lift more, especially on deadlifts.

Good luck, Dokk. Hopefully it is nothing and you can get back under the bar :-)

Deadlifting from the floor with straps is something I wouldn't recommend. I only use straps for rack pulls, rows, etc. That is unless your grip strength is severly underdeveloped or you have some issue (disability) that prevents you from gripping the bar.
One of the main reason I was taught was when you set up for the deadlift, you want to remain tight up top then set up fast then explode. Spending time strapping up on the bar and getting set, takes time you loose the tightness you need and you more often than not do not get your hips low enough, and keep your shoulders back. It ends up turning into a shitty stiff leg deadlift instead.

Thanks. I rolled (BJJ) last night and lost one match from laughing so hard when my opponent (who knew I couldn't hold guard because of my hip) insisted on trying to force himself into my guard. :-) I really lost it. :-) Everything else in BJJ went well, though ... it's just like I have no strength in my right leg/hip -- like I can't hold it up in the air even for very long.

Regardless, appointment is scheduled with the doc for Monday morning. :-)

Yup -- I've totally had that experience when I used straps to DL. I'm like Frank and only use them on accessory lifts like some rows, shrugs, lockouts, etc.

Good time in BJJ today. Started with UNassisted chins 3-4 sets of 5. Not great; but a small victory for me. :-) Rolled with a couple of advanced belts and got manhandled ... especially by this big slow guy who is just very deliberate and technical with his movement. After some instruction and drills, rolled with the other new guy and won 4 of 5 rounds. :-)

Well even on Bent over rows and rack pulls, the wraps just didn't feel like they were helping me. It felt as if I wasn't even using anything. I'll take a closer look as to how I'm using them.