new pr squat but I do need input....

[beretta96]

I went for a new PR squat tonight. I managed a 455 at 2 inches below parallel. I know it's a little pedestrian compared to some of you but have to start somewhere right? Anyhow, my trainer sets up a surgical tubing across the rack so my butt has to touch the tube to count. I like that idea since I know I can't cheat.

Long story short, but in another thread I mentioned some knee pains and he's aware of this so he wanted me to wear knee wraps from 405 and up. What is the consensus on wraps? Do any of you use them? Is it cheating? I'm wondering if I could have done it without. I won't lie, it's bugging me now...

[Talo]

Is it cheating? Cheating who, you? I would say NO, but that is something you have to decide- If you are doing a competition then there are many different feds that let you use them and some that don't. 100% raw says NO to knee wraps or sleeves, GPC raw says yes you can use them (this is one reason there is so many different feds.... Raw, single ply, multi ply, raw but wrapped...etc.). If your just doing this for yourself and you can lift more pain free then go ahead and use them , but get some good ones don't cheap out.

I just posted a video of me doing a 505 with knee wraps - I used them because I have a bad knee and when I get up high I wrap. I don't wrap so tight that I get much more weight I do it so my knee doesn't give out. Could I have done 500 without them? I doubt it, but I don't care because my knee is not hurting right now :) and that's what matters. The way I see it is I will squat with a belt, knee wraps and even a single pair of briefs when I'm getting high up. I will do this for two reasons. 1) it will let me go heavier with out putting to much stress on my joints (hips and knees) and 2) If I manage to get up to 600 with these, then I'm sure I will be able to do 500 or 550 without (just as I did when I was at 400) because my body and brain will know that I can use this weight no problem.

Get them - try them out and love them. Also, once you start going heavy (and you are, 455 is no joke) and the wider your squat the harder it is on your hips. When I first started my hips took a beating because they were very weak - I bought a pair of single briefs from Inzer and always trained with them, did some hip work and now I don't need them. I do like to train with them because it will save them in the long run.

[Gloomy-bearr]

I think it's a good idea better to be safe then sorry in the end
Btw good job on the pr :)

[beretta96]

Thanks for the compliments and input. The wraps he had me use are from Inzer and he had me overlap by half. Would this constitute a double ply? You're right talo, no knee pain today but i do stand wide and my hips are tender but not sore today. After max he had me follow up with 2 sets of 20 reps at 225 then the weighted mountain climber then vertimax. That stuff was raw of course. 505! Seems miles away for me but definitely my goal. Good job and thanks again.

[Talo]

No it wouldn't be double ply.