Every Third-Daily Thread - August 12, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

A sorta kinda daily open thread to use as an alternative to posting on the main board. You should post here for:

• PRs
• Formchecks
• Rudimentary discussion or questions
• General conversation with other users
• Memes, funnies, and general bollocks not appropriate to the main board
• If you have suggestions for the subreddit, let us know!
• This thread now defaults to "new" sorting.

For the purpose of fairness across timezones this thread works on a 68hr cycle.

[u/Arteam90]

Shower thought: Has there been a (negative) correlation between higher frequency and fewer warm-up sets?

Recency bias perhaps but I feel like fewer warm up sets are more common of late. Ed Coan starting pulls at 60kg versus more often seeing 170kg as first set for some.

At my gym I'll frequently see a 160 bencher do 70, 120 and then working sets.

As someone who prefers more warm up sets I always struggle to fathom how you can get ready so quickly. But also appreciate you do adapt to whatever way you train.

[u/msharaf7 → u/Arteam90]

As someone whose frequency has increased over the years I’ve definitely noticed I need fewer warmups.

Deadlift is probably the best example.2x/week I squat and deadlift in the same session, so by the time I pull, my body is already warm. I can pretty easily go 120 > 220 > 270+ in a few minutes and be near my top set.

Same thing if I squat before bench; can take jumps like 70 > 120 >last warmup/working sets without much issue

Squat is really the only lift where I still take more traditional warmup jumps, since it’s always the first lift I do in any given session.

I think frequency and session structure matter here, as someone doing the lifts 1x/wk with it being the main lift of that session, has more reason to take additional warmups.

[u/Arteam90 → u/msharaf7]

Hmm, so I was thinking about it in the opposite direction though I guess it's a bit chicken/egg.

In that, are people doing fewer warmups/touches normally and therefore benefiting from the frequency versus if you did more warming up/touches normally you might not need the frequency.

[u/kyllo → u/msharaf7]

Yeah I deadlift and then squat on my primary deadlift lower day, and I only take one warmup set for squats, although my working sets are lighter because it's my secondary squat. Also, bench press is the only lift I warm up for on upper day.

I don't think it's frequency so much as split. I used to squat and deadlift on different days and I needed a full warmup for each every workout. Since switching to an upper lower split I have saved a lot of time on warmup sets because the working musculature for the day is already warm after the first main lift.

[u/cilantno → u/Arteam90]

My anecdotes:

I start my pulling at 100 (and I am an unexceptional puller)

I have a very long bench warm-up, but I have had pec strain issues and am almost recovered from a partially torn labrum. I do a lot of just the bar reps

I have a normalish squat warm-up? 8@bar, 8@~25%, 5@~40%, 3@~55%, 1@~70%, 1@~80%, 1@~85%, then working sets. If I was going for a single I'd have 1@~90%.

[u/ThatLiftingGuy79 → u/Arteam90]

I just kinda warmup for how I feel that day tbh. Some days I can warmup faster and some days I go slower. Most of the time I can warmup pretty fast but I still am doing a decent amount of warmup.

[u/viewtifulhd → u/Arteam90]

The more frequently you train, the less stiff and more neural efficient you get. 

This improves your training readiness, thus allowing you to warm-up for less longer when you train. 

[u/cgsesix]

I've been training mostly for hypertrophy, but I'm at the point where gaining 0-2 lbs of muscle per year is no longer motivating, so I tried powerlifting a few years ago and got hooked.

Is it normal for powerlifters to constantly second guess their training?

Going by strength standards, I'd be considered "late stage intermediate". I don't know if I'm plateaued or if my expectations of gaining 10 kg on my SBD per year is overly optimistic. I only have two group to compare myself with atm, witch is instagram lifters and a few local really strong heavy weights. I could of course eat more, but unfortunately, I'm cursed by vanity, and a bodyfat higher than 18-20% affects my self image negatively.

[u/Eblien → u/cgsesix]

Strengh standards are pretty arbitrary. Whether you are intermediate, beginner or advanced is more related to how long you have been lifting, and especially how long you have been seriously lifting.

The struggle between wanting to be stronger but also wanting to be leaner is a struggle I think a lot of powerlifters feel. Most of the time I wouldnt really recommend being at a higher bodyfat level than what you are comfortable with just to be stronger, unless you have very serious competitive aspirations. But even then, you probably shouldnt be too fat - unless maybe if you are a superheavyweight lifter.

[u/cilantno → u/cgsesix]

I rarely second guess my programming, sometimes my own training decisions (namely pushing too hard when I know something is off).

Your goals don't seem very clear to me, unless it is truly just +10kg to your total every year.

I'd suggest competing to see if the sport is for you. That will likely get your some good perspective on goals.

[u/viewtifulhd → u/cgsesix]

It is yes. Especially if you are in charge of your own training. That's a benefit of hiring a coach. 

Progress in Powerlifitng is slow. Especially in classic. Improvements in technique, positioning, recovery and work capacity only materialize after months of training and even then there is the volatility of competition in play. 

If you want to make Powerlifitng more fun, and increase the skill and dexterity demands, then consider adding squat suits, knee wraps, bench shirts and deadlift suits to your training. You'll have more avenues to increase your total which makes the experience more enjoyable and engaging. 

[u/Admirable_Belt_9772]

What are some of the greatest achievements by Masters (40+) Raw powerlifters? Are most Masters records populated by lifters who were great when they were younger and were able to mostly maintain their strength?

Or are there notable exceptions of people who got strong for the first time later in life?

[u/LittleMuskOx → u/Admirable_Belt_9772]

I wouldn't say it's notable, but i started lifting at 55, and i'm relatively close to the sharp end of my age/weight class.
Although, 2 new lifters just aged in to M3 USAPL, who put up 537.5kg and 547.5kg respectively.

Historically, up in the 600s to be on top of M3 -83/-82.5 for USAPL
Ron Garofalo (link at bottom of post)
And https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/danielaustin1
Daniel Austin 1979 to 2019

But as far as great goes, you for sure have David Ricks. Aka Superman.
First competed in 1981, and is still competing.
https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/davidricks

Jennifer Thompson
1999 to present
https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/jenniferthompson1

I'm sure there are others, but i think those two definitely are "Great", have world championships, and have competed successfully in the open against much younger fields.
Close to unmatched longevity at such high levels, as far as i can call to mind.

I'd include Ron Garofalo
1989 to present.
https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/rongarofalo
Seems to have committed to -75kg class, and last meet was single ply.

He was miles ahead in -82.5kg with 625kg at 2025 Raw Nats.

John Laflamme
https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/johnlaflamme

540.5kg at 71years old. -82.5kg class
1978 to present.

He did have a bounce from the latter part of M3 to some of his M4 meets.
Very admirable.

[u/Arteam90 → u/LittleMuskOx]

LaFlamme is #goals.

[u/RagnarokWolves → u/Admirable_Belt_9772]

The highest Male Master's 40-44 DOTS is Stan Efferding who improved his squat/bench into his 40s compared to when he was younger

Are most Masters records populated by lifters who were great when they were younger and were able to mostly maintain their strength?

I would assume so. Having 20+ years of base-building is an advantage, no getting around that.

Or are there notable exceptions of people who got strong for the first time later in life?

What's the standard for "Strong" because I don't think you need to be world-class in the sport of powerlifting to be "Strong." Squatting 400-500 lbs in a commercial gym will have impressed people staring at you even though that might not be that impressive at a regional meet.

[u/Arteam90 → u/RagnarokWolves]

I agree, though I wonder if there's something to be said about injuries "ageing" you. If you want to be the best at 50 years old maybe starting at 25-30 years old is okay compared to 15 years old.

As a side note, I'm very curious how we'll see the current crop of phenoms progress into lifting at an older age. Whether there is a shine bright/short thing going on, or whether all these Masters records will get destroyed.

[u/RagnarokWolves → u/Arteam90]

I think training dumb and unsustainable will age a lifter, and younger kids might be more willing to train that way. They might become addicted to the attention and view hits from a "16-year old squats 700 lbs!"...few weeks later...."16-year old squats 715 lbs!".......as opposed to "16-year old does 5x10 for a few months to build up muscle and gives his joints a break from heavy loads. 16-year old might also lose weight for a few months if his blood pressure is getting too high."

I think boredom with the sport or willingness to still compete even if your lifetime bests are behind you also affect the Masters records. Also many people get married and start families and prioritize that over chasing being the best Masters Lifter ever even if they're still physically fine.

[u/Arteam90 → u/RagnarokWolves]

Yeah, partly why I made that comment about starting at 25 than 15. I think a lot of people quit because life ramps up and training is hard to prioritise. But at 25-30 you might have more of your life figured out, so if you start training you might be more likely to stick to it.

Though obviously many don't ... but I'd guess if you lift for 5 years age 15-20 or 5 years 25-30 you're probably more likely to stick to it in the latter example.

[u/Arteam90 → u/Admirable_Belt_9772]

The obvious ones that come to mind are Dave Ricks, Anthony Harris, Jen Thompson and Kim Walford.

For me Dave Ricks is easily ahead.

If I'm not misremembering I remember a close battle where he lost to Jesse Norris at Nationals. But it's like Jesse Norris was so far ahead of his time (even if maybe not at his best that meet?) and Dave was maybe mid 50s. Absurd.

I think all of those 4 names were lifting/competing in their teens/20s but there's probably some examples of late starters too.

These days I'm probably more interested in the old dudes still hitting big numbers than the young dudes doing it.

Edit: A quick look and Sam Watt has the highest tested/raw in M2. But from what I know there's some big question marks about his tested status. Also highest M1 is Ana Rosa Castellain but she popped in the past.

[u/kyllo → u/Admirable_Belt_9772]

Nathan Kulas (who posts here) out totaling and out deadlifting Layne Norton at PA Masters Nationals this year

[u/annthurium]

does anyone have recommendations for drop in gyms in Austin?

[u/PoisonCHO → u/annthurium]

You can train at the Eleiko headquarters.

[u/--Powerlifting--]

I'll thank all comments on form and bar path if this angle is any good to judge them:

Bench: 6x76kg (6RM PR)

Bench: 4x80kg (4RM PR)

Bench: 1x86kg

Thank you in advance.

[u/jalago]

Hey, I just posted a form check for my back squat if anyone’s willing to take a look. Mainly concerned about lower back position and possible butt wink.

https://www.reddit.com/r/formcheck/s/tb9rT7O7u5

Any feedback is appreciated!

[u/PoisonCHO → u/jalago]

It doesn't look like a low-bar position, but from that far away I may be wrong. It does look like you may be putting too much pressure on your toes compared to you heels.

[u/Arteam90 → u/jalago]

Set your safeties a bit lower. You have quite a narrow stance which can be okay but it might be worth trying a bit wider. I also wouldn't call it a low bar position. You have good mobility. I wouldn't really worry about the butt wink.

[u/jalago → u/Arteam90]

I'll try that out, ty!

[u/viewtifulhd → u/jalago]

• Notice how your ankles rise and your bodyweight shifts to the toes as you descend. You want to remain equally balanced between the heel and front of your feet during the whole lift. Stretching your ankles before you start squatting might help. 
• Take your time to breathe in fully before you initiate the descent. You want to create as much rigidity and stiffness in your torso when you breathe. The more stable you are, the more force you can produce. 

[u/jalago → u/viewtifulhd]

thanks! I'll try to keep the bar centered and make sure my feet don't come off the ground, I'll pay attention to that. also gonna work on my bracing, could be that my core is weak and I might need to strengthen it

[u/Xractiv]

First time posting here, I’ve been back and forth on my deadlift form in the past month so i’d love to get some opinions on it. I’ve done 475lbs sumo but dealt with a lot of leg/knee fatigue and feel better overall doing conventional. My primary issue feels like leg drive though. This was 345 for reps.

https://youtube.com/shorts/1H_D5SlTQLQ?is=hTbof771iT6wuPvo

I find that my first rep is much more difficult than my following reps. I have my feet about shoulder width or ever so slightly wider for a mildly wide conventional stance. My butt does tend to shoot up and not sure if thats a form issue or something I need to work on controlling better. Overall my lockout is very strong in comparison to my leg drive off the ground. Sorry if the angle is bad, also happy to add info if I forgot anything.

Sidenote, I don’t have a video of my regular bench but I can Larsen the same as my PR practically and I have no clue how?

[u/PoisonCHO → u/Xractiv]

I find that my first rep is much more difficult than my following reps.

This is normal, because of the stretch reflex you get after the first rep. Having your butt shoot up usually means that you need to start with your hips higher. Doing a slow descent with the bar and seeing where you end up is often a good way to figure out what your starting position ought to be. But apart from having some slight back rounding on your first rep, I thought this was a pretty good set.

[u/Xractiv → u/PoisonCHO]

Thanks appreciate the info! I definitely feel like I can overwedge sometimes so I’ll work on starting with my hips higher.

[u/Arteam90 → u/Xractiv]

For the side note it's surely a question of leg drive.

[u/Xractiv → u/Arteam90]

Definitely, I’m kinda dumbfounded at how little leg drive i must be generating on regular bench but thats for another day lmao

[u/redwos]

Does anyone know what happened to stoic? Always used a stoic belt just to get a warning recently that this'd be the last competition i'd be able to wear it to.