[Al Myers]

The stiffer the bar the better. Randy is right – high carbon steel has less deflection when placed under loading stresses. As for the harnesses – the hay baler belting is the best. It doesn’t stretch at all. They have it here in Kansas at most farm stores. Is there a tractor supply around you??? I made my new Hip Belt out of a tow strap that I doubled over and had sewn together. I really like it, and it doesn’t seem to stretch like I originally worried about. Frank Ciavattone had one like mine (he gave me the idea) and used it on Hip Lifts over 2000 pounds!!! Good luck. Al

[Al Myers]

Way to notice things!!!

For years in the Neck Lift lifters added collars wider than the center sleeve to allow for wider foot placement. I made the pipe sleeves to serve the same purpose. There is not any rule violations stated in the rulebook where the plates are to be located on a bar, only “the plates must fit soundly on the bar as to not pose safety concerns when lifted.” You could do the same thing if you wanted to on a regular bar. And for some lifts this would help – I have noticed when doing the continental to belt if big bumper plates are put on the bar it gives the bar more bend (because more wt is out towards the ends) and it comes to the belt easier. So theres an idea! Instead of using bumpers – place the steel plates out farther!! As for the center board – it serves a couple of purposes. The board I made is a couple of 2x4s thick covered with a sheet of 3/4″ plywood. It gives better leverage by moving the bar closer to the feet, and it adds safety by keeping the insides of the plates from landing on the feet.

Thanks for these questions. The old adage about rules is true – “if its not disallowed in the rulebook then it’s allowed”. New rules come about when someone finds the “loopholes” that they use for their advantage. (Not that I have ever done that!!! haha) Al

[Al Myers]

Tom, That is an interesting story about Bill March! I don’t know if he was at York or not that weekend. Like I said, we were so busy with our meet that it didn’t give us much time to mingle with those there. Guys I wish I got to talk to include Jedd Johnson, John Wood, Pat Povalitis and Greg Matonick. Some “oldtimers” that you might know Tom that was there (which I ALSO wish I got to visit with) include Bill Hinbern, Jan Dellinger and “Smitty” Smith. I’m sure there were many others there as well. Al

[Al Myers]

YouTube does that automatically. It lists the day they were uploaded, not taken. That is why I always try to list the day of the meet in the YouTube description. Al

[Al Myers]

James, Great lifting at the Heavies!!! I know how you feel – nothing leaves you sore like a Heavy Lift Meet. Forget the sore muscles, it’s the bruising that hurts!!! I have the official scoresheet and it has your three Neck Lifts listed as 250, 300, and 350 – all made. I will check with Denny on this, but 400 is not listed, even as an extra attempt. Al

[Al Myers]

Thanks Tom! I hadn’t seen that YouTube clip yet, and really enjoyed it. I especially liked the bending stunt over the throat. David also has a great blog – http://irontamerblog.com/

I was amazed at his flexiibility for his size. He weighed in at 284#, and when he was stretching prior to his bent press he was bending his legs in ways that mine would NEVER bend!

At the meet, I didn’t make the connection about who he was. I thought I “recognized” him, and afterwards realized it was from videos of him I have watched before on YouTube. That is how the day in York was. It was a “who’s who” of lifting, and now since I have been back home I hear of lifters that were there (I didn’t know it at the time) I wished I would have talked to. What a great day!!! Al

[Al Myers]

I just put a few videos from the York Meet on YouTube. Included his Chad’s record Neck Lift. You can find them on the right side of the home page. Al

[Al Myers]

Jedd Johnson, of the Diesel Crew blog, did an outstanding writeup of the day in York last weekend. You can check it out here –

Slim Farman & Mighty Atom Inducted into York Barbell Hall of Fame

It made me realize how much I missed!!!! Dinoman

PS I WILL have the meet writeup up tomorrow!!

[Al Myers]

Abe – I really like pause squats where I take them really deep and then pause for a two-count. I do a few sets of triples with pause squats every week. I have found these to be alot less stressful on my hips because the weight on the bar is not as much as regular squats in order to get a good workout. I have never experimented with the squats you described, but might give them a try now. Al

[Al Myers]

GREAT NEWS!!!!! AMERICAN AIRLINES FOUND MY BAG!! IT JUST SHOWED UP (I GOTTA WONDER WHERE IT HAS VISITED. EVERYTHINGS THERE.)

[Al Myers]

Chris, Not a problem since everyone wasn’t informed of this ahead of time. Just go to “forms and applications” and fill out both the membership app and drug waiver and send them to me with the membership dues. Once I get them, I wil get you added to the results. Al

[Al Myers]

Climber, I received the meet results and I was wondering why only 5 of the 9 competitors were USAWA members? All current USAWA member are listed on the membership roster on the left under “USAWA Information”. The USAWA allows meet directors to let non-members compete in their sanctioned USAWA meets if they want to, but lifters must be USAWA members in order to be listed in the website meet results and eligible for USAWA/IAWA records. Maybe this wasn’t clearly stated at the meet??? I usually give a week buffer zone after a meet in which I will still take in membership applications, but after that I assume that the individual did not want to become a USAWA member. Al

[Al Myers]

Congrats on doing your first USAWA meet!! I hope to have the meet writeup and results up tomorrow on the website. Being gone this past weekend at York has got me behind!! Al

[Al Myers]

Chad – Your 900# Neck Lift was one of the most impressive lifts I have ever seen. You are a natural in this lift. I really believe that 1000 pounds is a possiblility for you. I have a couple of ideas on how to improve the harness a little more, and you still have room to improve with your technique. Let’s make the Neck Lift a training priority this summer!!!! Al PS And I WILL take credit as your coach!!! haha

[Al Myers]

Thom – I have no idea what you are talking about. Al

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