Derek Pounstone press for reps

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

Any other videos of Derek Poundstone one motion"type" log clean and presss?(as on The Viper vid).
Just looking for other videos and angles to study.
Teenagers i work with essentially want to "learn"how to do that.
Is there a video of Tom mcClure? or any other good videos of athletes that uses a similar method/motion?
Thanks

[Ryan Brown]

Any other videos of Derek Poundstone one motion"type" log clean and presss?(as on The Viper vid).
Just looking for other videos and angles to study.
Teenagers i work with essentially want to "learn"how to do that.
Is there a video of Tom mcClure? or any other good videos of athletes that uses a similar method/motion?
Thanks

I think that method only works when it is a very easy weight for you. Even poundstone, when the weight gets heavier, will clean to the shoulders first and then push press. See the Team World contest in Philly for example. Most guys don't have the raw strength to do viper video technique with a contest weight.

It is not difficult to do though in terms of the technique; just difficult in terms of getting the strength required to do it with heavy weight. Just deadlift to the legs and clean as if you are going to throw the log over the back of your head--when it gets to shoulder level start pressing with all you've got.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

I think that method only works when it is a very easy weight for you. Even poundstone, when the weight gets heavier, will clean to the shoulders first and then push press. See the Team World contest in Philly for example. Most guys don't have the raw strength to do viper video technique with a contest weight.

It is not difficult to do though in terms of the technique; just difficult in terms of getting the strength required to do it with heavy weight. Just deadlift to the legs and clean as if you are going to throw the log over the back of your head--when it gets to shoulder level start pressing with all you've got.
That makes sense.I think for their purposes(the football kids) Derrick's technique would be a great "exercises".Just so darn quick and explosive.Amazing really.

The kids i work with are 15/16 year old football players and they really liked the way Derek "apppeared"to make it just one continuous and explosive motion on those 13 reps.Actually we were all slack jawed.
Right now they do straight bar power cleans one work out(no press)snatch pullls on another day and log cleans on another work out.Various push press,military presses,bench and incline days too.

We'll play with it though.
Might be a good exercise to throw in on their out door 'strongman'style training day.

Origianlly they were inspired by Dereks video-but then they thought it would be cool to duplicate in weight and reps what the kid in this video( college football player) @ the De Franco training center LINK: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYFiU_gUPbY&NR=1

Obviously not Poundstone type strength but a strong athletic looking kid.
Dereks form might (a the weightused by kids of this level)be more efficient.
We'll try both methods tonight for reps/

Thanks for the insight.

[Derek Poundstone]

This is a rather interesting thread to stumble upon and I'm a bit flatered!!

As Ryan Brown said, this pressing technique is not effective as the weight gets ever closer to you one rep max. I started pressing in this matter after watching video's of Zadrunas on the log. He presses in the manner I do or very similar with no leg drive on all his max lifts which is very impressive. I figured I'd give a try last year and found that I obviously couldn't press as much weight but found that on the lighter weight I was able to "throw" it up and not waste much energy holding the log on my chest and using leg drive. I thought nothing of this technique until I started training the 280 lb log for nationals after qualifying in March of this year. I started to think that I would be able to conserve energy and time by utilizing a press right from the lap. The first time in in training I hit 10 reps with the 280 lb log. I've never been very comfortable pressing a log from my chest and this was a welcome change of pace. I found that I was saving a bunch more energy by utilizing this technique but it was a bit more taxing on my shoulders as I didn't get the leg drive associated with a push press from the shoulders. The whole idea of me using this technique was to save the energy used for the push press and the time needed to pull the log to the chest the push it up. After only a few training sessions I was hitting 12 and 13 reps in under 60 seconds. This didn't happen overnight thought. I changed all my pressing around to accomidate the strict press. I worked on high rep strict presses both seated and standing for several months and was able to improve my all around shoulder power by doing this. Just last week I did 13 reps in under 60 seconds with a wooden 284 lb log in Scoland and the next day set a new World Record in the Block Press by nailing 145 kg or 319 lb block. This beat out the Big Z's record of 140 kg! So I guess the change was was for the better! As far as heavier logs, I still find it more efficient to press from the shoulders any log over 310 lbs. Anything over this weight causes me to struggle a bit to much on the press and waste a bit to much energy. I hope this helps and I appreciate the inquiry and the post Paul. I don't however have any more vids of me pressing the log in this manner.

[Chris Mathison]

So you wanna press logs like lbstone. Ok..
step 1. get ridiculously strong.
step 2. press.

[Billy Wolt]

Origianlly they were inspired by Dereks video-but then they thought it would be cool to duplicate in weight and reps what the kid in this video( college football player) @ the De Franco training center LINK: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYFiU_gUPbY&NR=1


Had he picked up from the floor each rep and waited for a down command, i'm sure he wouldn't hit that many reps...very explosive though.

I've been doing 3 sets of max reps with a given weight each week, clean once. I find it much harder to press for reps with the log sitting on your chest rather than cleaning each rep because it's so difficult to breathe.

example of my progress (one weight per week)
155 x 10
165 x 8/8/7
175 x 8/8/6

[Adam Keep]

That kid in the video isn't even locking out the reps at all. These look like the vid that Ryan Rhodes posted a few weeks ago, no offense to Ryan. The are a good training tool for going to burnout, but not a single actual full rep was performed. If he had to lock it out and wait for a down signal he would have only gotten 8 at most.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

That kid in the video isn't even locking out the reps at all. These look like the vid that Ryan Rhodes posted a few weeks ago, no offense to Ryan. The are a good training tool for going to burnout, but not a single actual full rep was performed. If he had to lock it out and wait for a down signal he would have only gotten 8 at most.
Your'e right about those lock outs Adam.
I think? DeFranco is just having them use the hang clean and "push Press"of the log as an explosive exercise.As you said "a training tool"for athletes.
It's also interesting to see more strongman implements being used by other athletes these days.
Again,I didn't mean to compare this video to a judged contest lift---but at the same time it was a nice balls to the walls performance from a kid who probably hadn't had much time with a log.(and appeared to have a generous helping of fast twitch muscle fibre :eek: !)

BTW one of the kids i train(he's 15)did 22 reps with 105# log via the Derek Poundstone Method.he was strong enough to just throw those on up there like Derek described.

We rested 5 minutes and tried it with 145(just to duplicate the exact weight of what this college linebacker was doing in the DeFranco video).
145 was too much weight for him to "throw"over his head.He hit 6 reps that way and was gassed.
We rested 5 more minutes and then tried the hang and push press 'style'of the college kid in the DeFranco video and he got 14 reps in about 50 seconds.

I videoed it...but haven't viewed it on anything but the view finder of the Sony Handy Cam---but I think he actually got many of the reps locked out pretty well?
Whatever the case i was happy to see him @ 6'3',214 lbs,age 15 get the 14 reps @ 145. :D
We only had 35 minute to train last night so we also got video of 110lb dumbells up and down a flight of 20 steps.130lb dumbells up/down.And then with 150 per side near disaster--he slipped.Fell.Picked up the 150 (obviously still on the stair case)went all the way up and came down.
Then,because he slipped,he did the stairs with 150 a side again.
Next was 185lb stone loaded to about 48 inches for 3 reps9never loaded a stone just wanted to )and that was it.
Not that it is Viper material :o but if i ever figure out YOU TuBe i'll post the vid.
Walking up stairs with 150 a side,falling,picking them back up and finishing showed me some guts.

[Richard Reynolds]

At the first SS event last year (the one where Hugo got injured), the first event wat a 150kg axle clean and press each rep (on tires). I remember seeing Hugo lift at least one rep up in a continuous motion. That might be available somewhere on the web.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

This is a rather interesting thread to stumble upon and I'm a bit flatered!!

As Ryan Brown said, this pressing technique is not effective as the weight gets ever closer to you one rep max. I started pressing in this matter after watching video's of Zadrunas on the log. He presses in the manner I do or very similar with no leg drive on all his max lifts which is very impressive. I figured I'd give a try last year and found that I obviously couldn't press as much weight but found that on the lighter weight I was able to "throw" it up and not waste much energy holding the log on my chest and using leg drive. I thought nothing of this technique until I started training the 280 lb log for nationals after qualifying in March of this year. I started to think that I would be able to conserve energy and time by utilizing a press right from the lap. The first time in in training I hit 10 reps with the 280 lb log. I've never been very comfortable pressing a log from my chest and this was a welcome change of pace. I found that I was saving a bunch more energy by utilizing this technique but it was a bit more taxing on my shoulders as I didn't get the leg drive associated with a push press from the shoulders. The whole idea of me using this technique was to save the energy used for the push press and the time needed to pull the log to the chest the push it up. After only a few training sessions I was hitting 12 and 13 reps in under 60 seconds. This didn't happen overnight thought. I changed all my pressing around to accomidate the strict press. I worked on high rep strict presses both seated and standing for several months and was able to improve my all around shoulder power by doing this. Just last week I did 13 reps in under 60 seconds with a wooden 284 lb log in Scoland and the next day set a new World Record in the Block Press by nailing 145 kg or 319 lb block. This beat out the Big Z's record of 140 kg! So I guess the change was was for the better! As far as heavier logs, I still find it more efficient to press from the shoulders any log over 310 lbs. Anything over this weight causes me to struggle a bit to much on the press and waste a bit to much energy. I hope this helps and I appreciate the inquiry and the post Paul. I don't however have any more vids of me pressing the log in this manner.
Thanks for the description and the explanation of your technique.
The kids found out--as you described--there is a point where ,with enough speed ,it's 'easier'to throw it up and back and then lock it out.
As the weight get's heavier they all had to change their form.

Of course these are teenagers and the weights are significantly lighter :p but the same rules seemed to apply.
We'll do "both'methods and train shoulders from all angles.
Congratulations on the 13x284 with the wooden log and on setting the the new Block Press record!

[Terry_hollands]

This is a rather interesting thread to stumble upon and I'm a bit flatered!!

As Ryan Brown said, this pressing technique is not effective as the weight gets ever closer to you one rep max. I started pressing in this matter after watching video's of Zadrunas on the log. He presses in the manner I do or very similar with no leg drive on all his max lifts which is very impressive. I figured I'd give a try last year and found that I obviously couldn't press as much weight but found that on the lighter weight I was able to "throw" it up and not waste much energy holding the log on my chest and using leg drive. I thought nothing of this technique until I started training the 280 lb log for nationals after qualifying in March of this year. I started to think that I would be able to conserve energy and time by utilizing a press right from the lap. The first time in in training I hit 10 reps with the 280 lb log. I've never been very comfortable pressing a log from my chest and this was a welcome change of pace. I found that I was saving a bunch more energy by utilizing this technique but it was a bit more taxing on my shoulders as I didn't get the leg drive associated with a push press from the shoulders. The whole idea of me using this technique was to save the energy used for the push press and the time needed to pull the log to the chest the push it up. After only a few training sessions I was hitting 12 and 13 reps in under 60 seconds. This didn't happen overnight thought. I changed all my pressing around to accomidate the strict press. I worked on high rep strict presses both seated and standing for several months and was able to improve my all around shoulder power by doing this. Just last week I did 13 reps in under 60 seconds with a wooden 284 lb log in Scoland and the next day set a new World Record in the Block Press by nailing 145 kg or 319 lb block. This beat out the Big Z's record of 140 kg! So I guess the change was was for the better! As far as heavier logs, I still find it more efficient to press from the shoulders any log over 310 lbs. Anything over this weight causes me to struggle a bit to much on the press and waste a bit to much energy. I hope this helps and I appreciate the inquiry and the post Paul. I don't however have any more vids of me pressing the log in this manner.
Just out of curiosity, I do a similar type movement on Log for reps when it's light enough, at what points do you take breaths?? Do you inhale when on your lap then exhale as you get to the press section?? The problem I'm finding is I tend to hold my breath all the way through the movement until the last few inches of lock-out.

[Garrick Daft]

Congrats on your victory in Collander Derek! Very impressive to do that and then run right into WSN and do as well as you did. Heard Travis and Tom did well also. Congrats to all of you guys.

[Derek Poundstone]

Just out of curiosity, I do a similar type movement on Log for reps when it's light enough, at what points do you take breaths?? Do you inhale when on your lap then exhale as you get to the press section?? The problem I'm finding is I tend to hold my breath all the way through the movement until the last few inches of lock-out.
Terry, I breath after I lock out each rep and as the log hits the ground. Then I clean it to the lap and get another breath just before pressing. This way works good for me.

Congrats on your victory in Collander Derek! Very impressive to do that and then run right into WSN and do as well as you did. Heard Travis and Tom did well also. Congrats to all of you guys.

Thanks Garrick, the American Team did a great job and Brian Shaw also did outstanding. I can tell he, as well as the other guys, has a ton of potential!

[Joshua Davis]

I saw the thread title and assumed someone was pressing Derek for reps. That would be a feat, for sure...

[Terry_hollands]

Terry, I breath after I lock out each rep and as the log hits the ground. Then I clean it to the lap and get another breath just before pressing. This way works good for me.

Thanks mate!!!

[Brian Schoonveld]

Not to toot my own horn. I would not wear a belt on clean and press for reps it hinders breathing to much. And when I would row the weight to my lap I would launch it hard enough to almost lock out position. Very easy way to save energy and get alot of reps before you actually have to press them. On the log I'm talking about. Axle is a different story. Maybe break into that another time. Thinking about doing a article on some of my secrets on how I built my press if anyone is interested. Just looking for feed back on what guys think they need help on. Schoonie

[Jay O'Neill]

Not to toot my own horn. I would not wear a belt on clean and press for reps it hinders breathing to much. And when I would row the weight to my lap I would launch it hard enough to almost lock out position. Very easy way to save energy and get alot of reps before you actually have to press them. On the log I'm talking about. Axle is a different story. Maybe break into that another time. Thinking about doing a article on some of my secrets on how I built my press if anyone is interested. Just looking for feed back on what guys think they need help on. Schoonie

Interested.....? Hell yeah! No one has forgotten the 396 pound axle clean and 4 reps! By the way, when are headin out west?

[Ryan Brown]

Not to toot my own horn. I would not wear a belt on clean and press for reps it hinders breathing to much. And when I would row the weight to my lap I would launch it hard enough to almost lock out position. Very easy way to save energy and get alot of reps before you actually have to press them. On the log I'm talking about. Axle is a different story. Maybe break into that another time. Thinking about doing a article on some of my secrets on how I built my press if anyone is interested. Just looking for feed back on what guys think they need help on. Schoonie


Brian, I'm sure everyone would be interested. Your press is unreal. I hope you can find some time to train and compete again.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

Not to toot my own horn. I would not wear a belt on clean and press for reps it hinders breathing to much. And when I would row the weight to my lap I would launch it hard enough to almost lock out position. Very easy way to save energy and get alot of reps before you actually have to press them. On the log I'm talking about. Axle is a different story. Maybe break into that another time. Thinking about doing a article on some of my secrets on how I built my press if anyone is interested. Just looking for feed back on what guys think they need help on. Schoonie

Would be great to read an article and learn your methods.
396 axle x4 :eek: Amazing.

[Brian Schoonveld]

I am training. I am in turtle mode right now. I tried to push to hard and strained my right erector while squatting. My lower back on the right side is inflammed big time. I had it worked on this weekend and doing some therapy on it to help it along. Current weight 303 pounds. I would like to lean up a little more. My speed is back to where it was when I first started in 99. I want to be in the best possible shape when I decide it is time. I'm only 33. Karl Gillingham was 33 when he started. He is my inspiration. I have learned from my mistakes. I'm starting to pick-up where I left off. I'm in no hurry. Just want to be the best I can be and not be a shadow of what I was and have people say should have hung it up. I promise one day I will come back. And as Wyatt Earp said " you tellem I'm comin and hells comin with me."
Schoonie

[Mike Westerling]

Not to toot my own horn. I would not wear a belt on clean and press for reps it hinders breathing to much. And when I would row the weight to my lap I would launch it hard enough to almost lock out position. Very easy way to save energy and get alot of reps before you actually have to press them. On the log I'm talking about. Axle is a different story. Maybe break into that another time. Thinking about doing a article on some of my secrets on how I built my press if anyone is interested. Just looking for feed back on what guys think they need help on. Schoonie


But you where supposed to give me the secrets when I interviewed you! Holding back eh?-lol!
-Mike

[Brian Schoonveld]

I can't throw them all out right away. How's everything Mike. My truck got stolen in Detroit. Slowed up my travel plans. Actually killed them. If anybody sees a red Cardillo belt Stitched with Schoonie. It was in truck. I don't know if any body surfs e-bay or other sites like that. Just want my belt back. Truck was found stripped. and totalled
Thanks Brian Schoonveld

[Aaron Ramsey]

When I first read the part you said "Actually killed them." LOL I thought you was talking about the people who stole your truck not your travel plans! :M: How have you been? Is it the same red truck you drove to my show in Lafayette? Messin' with a mans truck is just as bad as messin' with his food, hat, and his wife!! I hope you are doing great, and I also would be very interested in learning from you to press better.

[Jared Enderton]

I'd love to read an article!!!

sounds like you've had some tough luck man.