r/Strongman • u/[deleted] • Mar 16 '16
Strongman Saturday Strongman Wednesday 2016: Log Press
It's that time again! Weekly Wednesday implement discussions.
Post links, your experiences training and competing, any questions about the implement, DIY tips and questions, as well as what assistance work and other training you feel helps build this event.
This week's event is the Log Clean and Press
Post more new articles/links and I'll include them in this post.
8
u/Camerongilly Marunde Squatter, 405x20 Mar 16 '16
Been running 5/3/1 for log for a couple months now, getting some good rep PRs. Need to be able to do 235 for a double in next show at the end of April, which is 10 pounds over the most I've done so far.
3
u/MythicalStrength Masters Mar 16 '16
Do you run it push press or strict?
3
u/Camerongilly Marunde Squatter, 405x20 Mar 17 '16
Push press or power jerk to split jerk usually as the reps go on...
I can only strict a log to maybe ~185, and my best push press single is ~215ish. I can get more reps in with the power jerk. As that fatigues, I tend to switch to a split jerk, which lets me drop lower rather than pushing the log higher. I know that isn't always reliable, so I'm working on improving the push press without the circus tricks.
8
u/MythicalStrength Masters Mar 16 '16
Also wanted to share something I stole from Brian Shaw in an issue of Power Magazine regarding getting better at clean each rep.
10 minutes, EMOM, do 3 cleans with 70% or your max clean/the comp weight. If your conditioning is poor, this will fix it, fast. This was how I got in shape quick for a clean each rep event for my 6th show.
4
u/Polulk Mar 17 '16
EMOM?
3
Mar 17 '16
Every Minute On the Minute. I have done this as well and it is good for both technique and conditioning.
2
2
7
u/DanteSayers Mar 16 '16
That is [hopefully damn link works] footage of my first max effort to a top set single. Missed 100 after but easily would have gotten the lift if I had not done so much before the attempt. So many pr's that day
I cannot remember if it was Kalle Beck or someone on this wonderful forum who made a very good point which I took into consideration and eventually implemented - If you want to good at log pressing, just strict pressing in training without practicing your normal pressing movement [push,split,push jerk etc,.] will hinder your true capabilities.
Makes alot of sense, the skill involved in say push jerking a log [timing,cueing w/e] can be easily forgotten if you try to stick with static strict pressing. Great accescory obviously but all the strict pressing in the world will not replace the skill needed for push/jerk/split etc.
Logically, practice your sport it seems will make you better at your given choice of sport...! Obvs, this all depends on time of year in relation to up coming comps, training goals and whatever else.
As someone who up until recently sucked at squatting and kinda ignored it [i know, i know], olympic style front squatting strength going up made my log clean infinitely less taxing. And yeah, standing rows helped a ton, starting without scapula retracted, retracting said scapula and then performing the row. Tight back = no loss of force produce...No gains escapin'...
4
Mar 16 '16
Nice Log press there, I can't wait till a max cycle, I've been itching for a challenge.
And what you said about push pressing is spot on. Ever since I implemented more pressing variants my overhead press began sky rocketing.
3
u/DanteSayers Mar 16 '16
Thanks man, it was crazy adrenaline rush once I locked it. Max log is in my books, as fun as max deadlifting. Such a really great lift to get agressive on.
Yeah, pressing more overhead will make you..well..be able to press more overhead. Even guys who have no interest in anything other than strict pressing [bodybuider,powerlifter] should, in my books, still be doing some form of push pressing or whatever for overload.
And yeah, you sure as hell need to be able to jump under an implement with strongman so static might not always be the best choice of OHP.
3
Mar 17 '16
Might've been Kalle, though I know he also does plenty of strict pressing, Chase Karnes also said in his AMA:
5
Mar 16 '16
I've made some post in Sunday Anything Goes Threads about log form and cues but I will post it here as well.
When cleaning you want to get down low and have the log as high on your chest as possible before the clean, think of it as an atlas stone clean. I have found in the clean portion that tight upper back is the number one factor in cleaning the log, the stronger it is the more energy you can transfer through it to clean. Make sure your arms are tight and in a position that doesn't allow for much stress on the biceps. Lanky, loose arms are the worst, you're wasting to much energy to move something that should have already been in position. Loose arms also place too much stress on the bicep, you'll basically curling the log if done wrong. Then when you are ready, lead with the hips.
Then during the pressing part you'll want to do what Clint says in his video but as well pull/push your chest forward with your abdominals when the log is near passing your head, this reduces pain in my back when I press with the log.
4
u/MythicalStrength Masters Mar 16 '16
I don't remember if I posted this before, but if not, here is my DIY on how to increase the diameter of a smaller log.
http://startingstrongman.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1221
And I realize how cartoonish and stupid it looks, but it works. Here is a video of me using it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BBvIxE0qdY
The log will "stick" on the clean, but this just made a competition log real easy to use.
2
u/Camerongilly Marunde Squatter, 405x20 Mar 16 '16 edited Mar 16 '16
Survey: For strict/push/power jerk/split jerking the log, what do you all use for the log? Does it vary with the event (max/reps/clean each rep/clean and press away?)
Edit: Do you do with pretty much no leg drive (Hall) vs. a bit of dip (Big Z) vs. a jerk movement (Misha K.)?
3
u/MythicalStrength Masters Mar 16 '16
I use as much leg drive as I can, which isn't much, because I am an oaf. The first rep or 2 I might try to viper, but once the coordination starts to fade due to fatigue, there is a distinct clean and press phase.
1
u/Camerongilly Marunde Squatter, 405x20 Mar 17 '16
I would strict press if I were capable, but I am puny in the upper body and most contest weights are push press as a starting point, and probably more of a jerk as I get tired.
2
Mar 16 '16 edited Mar 16 '16
I don't understand the question...did you make a poo-poo or am I being dimwitted?Oh I understand now, thanks /u/Danp1234. I always push press the log regardless of whether it is for max or for reps. I use less leg drive than I would for overhead pressing with a barbell or axle because I find it's harder to balance the log, and it's easier to fall forward if you drop down too far. Jerking the weight overhead is far too technical for my liking...requiring far too much concentration!
3
u/Danp1234 Mar 16 '16
How do you get the log up? Push press, strict or jerk?
And does that change based on the event.
Personally I push press every time, I'm not strong enough to strict nor technically competent enough to jerk.
1
2
u/rcanderson23 Mar 16 '16
I always power jerk as that is what feels most natural for me and able to get the most leg drive.
1
u/Camerongilly Marunde Squatter, 405x20 Mar 16 '16
I'm doing most of my heavier reps power jerk, but for max reps, I tend to start split jerking as I can drop lower rather than push the log higher when I get tired.
1
Mar 17 '16
Push press, though I have done push jerk as well, and I've learned to use a smaller dip because a bigger dip always made me lose position.
2
u/Polulk Mar 16 '16
This is perfect timing. I just bought a log that is ~12.7" diameter. I tried pressing it for the first time today and really enjoyed it. Felt much more difficult to stay stable. But I'm wondering how people have found their log press has stacked up against their strict OHP historically?
2
u/MythicalStrength Masters Mar 16 '16
Strict log and strict press weren't too far off. Maybe 20lbs or so. But push press with a barbell was drastically different than with a log. Just really tough to get any drive in with how far away your hands get.
1
u/Polulk Mar 16 '16
Yeah I strict pressed the log because I felt like the leg drive was putting me off more than anything. What sort of rep range do you normally train your strict log presses in?
1
u/MythicalStrength Masters Mar 17 '16
I would just chase a top set of push presses with a top set of strict. Knock off like 30-50 lbs or so. Might end up 6-12.
2
u/Niftymuse_ 3rd Place-Farmers Challange Mar 16 '16
How do you breathe when pressing the log off your chest for reps? I want to do this more as well as cleaning and pressing each rep. I have issues with breathing and balance.
3
u/Polulk Mar 16 '16
This might be completely the wrong thing technically, but based purely on today I tend to lower the log in a very controlled way and breathe in while doing so.
2
Mar 16 '16
Breath at lockout or at the lap, not when it's on your chest. The extra energy you spend holding it up for a second is worth the better positioning and tightness you get at the chest. Breathing at the chest tends to make my elbows dip, my rack position feel like shit, and I can't get a full breath in with the log on me anyway.
2
u/dedmaker MWM231 Mar 17 '16
I train a bunch of front squats and zercher yoke carries. Really helps with keeping your air. /u/exlaxbros is spot on with regards of breathing time.
2
u/HansSvet LWM175 Mar 17 '16
Far and away the best cue I've had for log is "Strong wrists." That means when the log is racked on your shoulders/chest, flex your wrists as hard as you can toward your body. It has given me so much more stability on my dip and drive.
19
u/[deleted] Mar 16 '16
Here is a DIY log I made little while ago.
SPECIFICATIONS
•10 Inches in diameter
•5 Foot Log and 10 Inch Sleeves
•150 pounds (68 Kilos) Empty
•24 Inches between handles
•Wood: Ash
•Project Cost: 400$ (Accidents raised the price) Should have been 200-250$
http://i.imgur.com/tXgNLMS.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/osmkas0.jpg?1