265lb thick bar X 5

[Mac Smith]

It's not Zavickas pressing 440lbs, but I figured I'd post pics of my new thick bar that I just finished having made. It's a 2 1/4" steel bar with an 1 1/4" bar welded inside of it. It weighs roughly 55lbs. and it's only a little over 6ft in length. I'm pretty proud of how easy I cleaned it. The press was easy, but I've never been much of a cleaner. Any suggestions?

[AaRoNSnider]

Good job Mac!The overheads looked easy for you

[dave barron]

I hate cleaning. Ask my fiance.

[Eric Johnson]

I hate cleaning. Ask my fiance. LOL:D

And to think all this time when the wife said your cleaning sucks, I thought she was talking about my form, huh go figure!

[Eric Johnson]

Damn Mac that looked easy and the bar looked really solid, took the throw no prob. Question, how did you get the plates on the 2 1/4" bar?

[Jesse Marunde]

the power clean looked fast and easy. the presses looked solid too. I would suggest bring your head through on your push presses to solidify your lockout. leave no doubt that the weight was fully and completly pressed. do that, and you got an A+ in my opinion.

Jesse

[Mac Smith]

Damn Mac that looked easy and the bar looked really solid, took the throw no prob. Question, how did you get the plates on the 2 1/4" bar?


I honestly don't think that it's a 2 1/4" bar, I think it's a 2". Either way, the weights go on without a problem. It's a snug fit though. The weights don't slide on the way they do on my regular bar. It's pretty solid though. I was concerned about the throw, but after that attempt and a failed attempt at 285 and 275, I knew it could take a pounding. And a special thanks to you Eric for converting the video format. I appreciate the help.

Jesse, I'll remember to push my head through from here on out. After watching the vid I realized there may be some question about some of the lockouts because of the speed at which I came up and down. Thanks for the advice!!!

[patrick w.]

awesome job!! Looked like you were tossing that weight around like nothin'.

also, about pushing your /headchest through to complete the lift, it will not only finish the lock out but make the press a lot easier on your lower back as once it gets over your center of gravity you are less likely to have to lean back (like you would if the weight were left out infront of you), placing extra pressure on the spine as you hyper extend.

[wj19]

That clean looked real good...pretty quick for someone who doesn't consider themselves a good cleaner...nice job

[CharlesDMickey]

I want to know how big a hole you put in the wall? THat bar looked like it wasnt ready to stop any time soon! :eek:

Do you have something solid to catch it?

[Clint Darden]

The clean looked solid to me as well...

Clint

[Dan Harrison]

Mac,

Did you use straps to grip the bar for that clean or was that just your manly grip power?

[Mac Smith]

That clean looked real good...pretty quick for someone who doesn't consider themselves a good cleaner...nice job


If you notice how I 'catch' the weight, I don't really dip in the hips or legs, I just rely on brute strength and explosive power to bring it up to the shoulders. I need to feel more secure about dropping at the hips and quads to get under the weight. It scares the shit out of me when I see the olympians drop that fast to get under the weight. I've had some major knee issues in the past (eight knee surgeries, including two reconstructions), so I'm scared to drop that fast. Any suggestions?

[Mac Smith]

I want to know how big a hole you put in the wall? THat bar looked like it wasnt ready to stop any time soon! :eek:

Do you have something solid to catch it?


I throw the weights on a pair of tires. It seems to stop the weight enough. So far so good. I did knock some pics off the wall in the living room which is on the other side of the garage wall. Wifey was pretty pissed, but I made amends... if you know what I mean!!!

[Mac Smith]

Mac,

Did you use straps to grip the bar for that clean or was that just your manly grip power?


ALL ME BABY... ALL ME!!! I try not to use straps on any thick bar lifts. I don't have very many grip training implements, so I rely on thick bar lifts, towel wringing, pinch gripping, and thick bar farmers walk to improve my grip, which sucks compared to most of these pro strongmen. Especially considering that I have fairly large hands (9 3/4" from middle finger tip to wrist crease and 10" from pinky tip to thumb tip). But years of discolations and broken fingers from football has really screwed my grip strength.

[Jay O'Neill]

looks great Mac! I just got a new Axle from Newyork Barbell and played with it saturday! Lot differant then a regular bar, that's for sure!
I am working on my clean technique. Pressing is not the problem. But as you know, if you can't clean it, you can't press it!
Keep up the good work!

Jay