Thom Van Vleck
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I know that at my meet, John push pressed 300 (he can easily push jerk 350) and out of habit he lifted his feet just ever so slightly (he disagreed..hahaha)and two other judges might have been so focused on his pressout they may have missed it. I was looking for it because I know his habits.
Just my opinion, Al….take it easy!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderOk, this is NOT intended to rock the boat. I’m just trying to brainstorm here and when you have a brain like mine that’s usually a light rain more than a monsoon. What’s the saying, “Don’t pee on me and tell me it’s raining”.
At any rate, my “opinion” is that records be allowed only at regular meets where at least two officials are present (2 for 2 or 2 of 3) and that one official be allowed at postal meets but no records be allowed. The Straight Weight Challenge made me wonder about the disparity in some of the lifting relative to what I know all these men can do. I wondered if it had to do with a differential in the judging. For example, I judged the JWC team and I think I may have been more lenient than the Dino Gym judges, and the converse on the push press. Now, I think it might be OK to say that judges who have passed the test AND have judged the number of meets to be grandfathered in as a judge could possibly be a sole judge. But hey, we got enough to worry about…..let’s go lift.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderI have this “active recovery” routine I do before working out that involves nothing more than an empty bar on a lot of stuff to warm up. Involves some stretching, not too extreme, and basic movements. I then go and throw, usually at 100% after just a couple throws.
I also recall my Uncle Phil talking about his all time best PR on the powerclean (300lbs at 181lbs of bodyweight) which had eluded him for a long time. He said one day he walked in wearing “street clothes” and my Uncle Wayne was doing sets and reps on the clean with 300. Phil said he walked up and cleaned it as easy as you please.
I don’t think doing 5 warm up sets is essential, but doing some is pretty wise….especially past 40. I think you might set that long jump record, but in the process you might get hurt!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderI remember ordering Tom Platz’s leg training routine and almost killing myself trying to follow it. Years later I found out he didn’t even use it. He made up this crazy routine because he figured nobody would believe all he did was squat to one high rep set a week….because he was genetically gifted and on the juice.
I agree with Al and Dave…..
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderI have a pretty sizeable collection of Iron man, S&H, MD mags and going back to the 30’s and that’s were I get them.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderI’m just honored you are so threatened by JWC……
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderOh, I see how it is! I’m going to have to call up some of my good friends, like Phil Pfister or Mark Henry that obviously are JWC members because I met them a couple times and they acknowledge me when I said “hello”. HAHA
I love the fact that the formula comment had the desired impact…you guys are too easy.
Al, the Dino Gym will have it’s day of reckoning, I have a “war room” set up in the gym and my members gather around like the knights of the round table preparing our plan to battle the evil empire from Kansas!!!!……BWA HA HA HA
For now, I will relish the role as underdog.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder…and now that I know it’s a competition, LOOK OUT!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder….Al…..
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder….and nice “double post” to finish your thought……
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderThat’s because I actually WORK for a living and don’t have time to be on all day long! HAHAAHAHAHAHA
I envy you, Al, being semi retired and Al….good for you. Now you just need to get wealthy enough you can afford and entourage and we’ll tour the world of strength!!!!!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderHey, Al, you know I had to needle you a little at the end on the forumula stuff!! You know me, I will use every advantage within the rules to win….even if it mean interpreting the rules in my favor! Wayne Smith, ole timer USAWA and JWC member once told me, “I’ll stoop to any depth to reach any height”!!!
…..and I did have that up BEFORE your prompt! You must be getting old…starting to forget things! HAHA
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderI don’t know what you are talking about, Al. I have them one the “approve” list just waiting for the web master to post them! I guess it takes him awhile. So be patient! HAHA
BTW John Conner won……haha
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderI have a fake one….it was a gift.
Is Matt hook gripping that! haha He has some really long fingers and his clean and jerk of the inch DB was one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderI will say this about Josh.
1. He works at a commercial Laundry business owned by his Dad. His Dad is a workaholic that works like he’s killing snakes. The guy is a machine! Josh told me when he was a kid his Dad made him and his brother work hard and expected them to keep up with him. He also credits his grip with pulling the rubber mats and sheets out of the giant washers and dryers. They load about 200lbs a load and that’s DRY weight, imagine pulling those out by hand over and over and the type of grip it would require. The heat in that place is overwhelming in the summer with giant dryers going all the time. It’s OLD SCHOOL hard work!2. Josh is a prodigy. I’ll never forget the first strongman contest he came to. We were doing the overhead lift and he came up and said to me and Tedd, “Hey, how much do you think I should start with?” I said, “How much have you done”. Josh says, “Well, the only time I ever remember doing anything like this I did 275 for a set of 5”. Tedd and I looked at each other and I said, “Let’s warm up and see what you can do”. Josh proceeded to hit 225 like a ram rod and I told him to stop as he was up to 5 or 6 reps and was going to keep going. He threw a couple of quarters on and did it a couple of easy reps and then did 300-325-355 in the contest. He then took 370lbs for an extra attempt at a record and easily drove it to arms length but lost it on balance. In other words, the second time he EVER did overheads, he did 355!
I think a lot of those old timers were gifted, but their shows were their real workouts! Plus, I’ve found in doing the performance strongman, it is so motivating to be in front of a loud, cheering crowd, no pressure of competition, it brings out the best in me!!!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder -
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