Mike Hedlesky | 13X Arnold Classic, 10X IPF, Gold Medalist, Table Talk

[@turbopower4361]

You have had a lot of great guests on here, but I think Mike is one of the best. Down to earth and speaks the truth about powerlifting in general. I agree about how everyone these days seem to think they need an I phone coach who can’t possibly relate to an athlete in person. And some of these so called great coaches have 4 or 5 meets under their belt. Back in the day 40 years ago we got our coaching from your group of 5 or 6 people that you trained with. That aspect of the sport blew me away when I came back 37 years later

[@Sizen_nepal]

Man Elitefts you guys are awesome for doing this , Thank you for this podcast , true food for strength weebs. Great insight as always

[@burkeadam57]

This is so awesome!! Mike is the man!

[@Oho159]

agreed

[@Drakussian]

HAMBURGER TRAIN!

[@koleary1798]

The bench arch is an interesting question. As mentioned, in one sense it shouldn't be a big issue, because only a handful of lifters can replicate the crazy arches. On the other hand, it's a bad thing because it gives those very same lifters an inherent advantage which is divorced from strength. I've seen the basketball argument. Sure. Taller people have an advantage in the NBA. That's like saying stronger folk have an advantage in powerlifting. Both are a minimum criteria for participating at the highest level. Ultra arches are like, in this analogy where height is the determinant, the freakishly tall players, 7 2 or something. Those players aren't in anyone's conversation about best player of all time or even MVP for the season. Whereas ultra archers can be super competitive, particularly in the lower weight class and in women competition. So, the analogy presented with regards to arching falls apart. Instead of flat backed benching, they should just determine some point on the bench pad, be it the top, the bottom or some designated mid point that would allow a manufacturer to draw a line and become "IPF approved" where the elbow needs to pass. Ultimately, its parity of ROM we're all looking for, maybe something that allowed fair comparison in a way that wouldn't wreck shoulders when trying for PRs and world records would be best.

[@patoleary2042]

Nicely done Mike!

[@davidfranks5543]

I’m a 58-year-old lifter. Been lifting weights all my life. Mostly just bodybuilding stuff and bro science! Last three years I’ve gotten into powerlifting and hired a coach. I understand about being involved with your own programming. However, I feel like I don’t know enough about how I’m supposed to feel etc. and that’s why I just allow my coach to program for me. Luckily, I have a starting strength certified coach. So I think I’m doing OK. Just wanted your opinion. Thanks for all the great content.

[@forcela000]

Great episode! Interesting to hear someone who lifts heavy with scoliosis

[@Dr_Footbrake]

1 name: Lamar Gant

[@jhelms87]

Mikes Laugh > Seth Rogans

[@Beecels]

great episode, the RPE talk was a bit disappointing though

[@heloisemoise8179]

Great podcast. Excellent episodes of late. Couple of things: One) Mike’s remarks regarding “what is natural” are a bit on the poor side. Come on, it’s standard in the vernacular that when we say “natural” we’re referring to “drug free.” Two) Remarks from both Dave & Mike in reference to altering bench rules seem less than thought out. It’s not a binary topic. While it’s correct that, on one hand, rules are rules: You’ve got a big arch, the bar travels less distance; same if you’re a fat fuck. Sure, it is what it is. And while that’s not anybody’s fault, the leaner lifter, or one with less capacity to arch, is clearly at a disadvantage. The distance a bar travels in the bench is a relevant factor that should not be readily dismissed as negligible. Sorry to say it this way but suggestions this issue has arisen because a few people on the Internet have complained or that it affects only a minority of people … is really on the ignorant side. The old ‘helping people to see over the fence, rather than lowering the fence’ advice simply does not apply here. Basketball hoops are 10 feet from the ground; 100m sprints are 100m. Things are what they are. And some things, over time, upon further reflection and examination, come to be modified. Usually for the better. And yes, before I get jumped on, I understand both leverage advantages and disadvantages also apply to the squat and deadlift. But it should be self evident in regards the bench, things are clearly different. Should the bench rules change? Maybe. Quite likely. How exactly? Well that remains to be seen. But it’s worth the discussion.

[@richt5986]

Mike is a smart guy but he loves the word.... like. Like like like lol

[@HamburgerTrain]

Left over dyslexia/learning issue stuff that's hard to shake. It's interesting, it's definitely gotten worse over the years. I've read some literature on concussions exacerbating stuff like this over a decade after they occur. I'm aware of it and it drivese fucking nuts. Haha.

[@richt5986]

@@HamburgerTrain I grew up with dyslexia. Lower case Bs and Ds always fcked me up big time. Life is 1 sick joke sometimes haha

[@lanidrac]

I didn't even notice. Many people are much worse with repetitive words

[@richt5986]

@@lanidrac absolutely.

[@Oho159]

3.2.1 lift OFF

[@sriramyatam2463]

🕵️⛄⛄🌝

[@MrJason9142002]

This guy lifts?

[@Beecels]

He’s VERY strong

[@afafadsbbrs5503]

We all remember Mike rrom the good days of T Nation Forum and him explaining the conjugate method for every ipf lifter

[@MasoNowa]

if you're not meming he deadlifted 700 with chains while he was there

[@MrJason9142002]

@@MasoNowa they should show a little of that. The conversations are great but a little video would help

[@Yeomannn]

Open Powerlifting shows he has an 1,829 total.

[@AllPainNoGains]

52:03 Yeah, when someone's "bench press" looks more like a supine reverse barbell shrug is it any wonder why people are complaining? This contortionist spine press bullshit is the equivalent of a quarter squat where the femurs are 65 degrees above parallel, or a rack pull that starts 2" below lockout. It's an absolute joke.

[@MarkiMcMark]

No it's not the equivalent lol. Everyone can cut squat depth or put the bar on a rack, not everyone can arch like that though (and it doesn't happen overnight either...). Some are gifted to take advantage of bench rules, some are gifted to have a short deadlift rom, some have perfect leverages for squats. Tall people do better in basketball than short people. It do be like that.

[@AllPainNoGains]

@@MarkiMcMark the fact that it requires a high level of spinal mobility doesn't make it any less of a joke. When your bench press technique doesn't involve any actual pressing movement, your technique is a joke and so are you.

[@CyberdarkHellKaiser]

Dave Tate and Mike Hedlesky: we're talking about 10 people or 2 out of a thousand? That's ridiculous Trans athletes: 🧍