Julio Castilla

I'm actually gonna have to give you props for that post Goalkeeper. It was insightful and I got the point. Had I not done the Max-OT program that forced me to push myself, I guess I wouldn't be as big or strong either. I'm just glad I had a few years of training behind me so that I knew form was important when pushing some serious weight.

Marc C. David
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I definitely see your point of view when it comes to motivation- Of course, we all need it- But no one needs injuries. You said you've injured yourself along the way- What if one of those injuries had done permanent damage and took you out of the game altogether? I'm not trying to criticize you personally, you've obviously done great things for yourself (Still waiting to see pics, btw) but I can't agree with any advice given that could lead to injury. Some people, when they first start out, just aren't capable of lifting 200 pounds, period. Since they don't have the experience of what a good lift should feel like, they could easily end up hurting themselves- Perhaps they have strong legs, but their lower back isn't up to it- So they get the weight halfway up, and then their back gives. Another variable kicks in- You said that you've been back to lifting weights after a day's rest from an injury- But everyone heals at different rates too. There's no way to know how an individual's body, especially someone you've never even seen in person, will be able to handle different amounts of stress. What might mean a slight injury for you might cripple someone else for the rest of their life. What works for you, could be harmful to others. Sure, lifting heavy weights is the best way to build size and strength, but you have to agree that for most people, getting the proper form down and then adding weight when you get a better idea of what you can handle is the smartest way to do it.

Yes, I again state that I agree that injury should always be avoided if possible. I also believe that through my gym experience, I have seen many people give a half assed effort, and I know they can do better, because you see them act serious for a second, then stop, go talk to friends, come back 15 min. later, try it again and decide they've finished their workout for the day. Given this, anyone I see, or come in contact with, I will push them to do as much as they can WITH OUT INJURY. Maybe I wasnt making myself clear in my previous posts when I said you shouldnt lift the weight if you fell your going to hurt yourself, if I didnt make it clear then, I hope I just have now. 60 Lbs for a newbie on a deadlift, a lift that you use multipule joints in doing it, in a month is reasonable, in fact if not more so because they have just started out. I know when I started out, I could only bench 185, a few weeks later I was at 200, and by a few I mean about 3. And that was just 15 Lbs I know, not 60, but it was also a bench, not a deadlift. On the average person, their legs are the strongest part of their body, makes sense since we use them every day, so newbies have their whole life up until now to have formed their legs, not so much or the chest, tri's or delts. I dont have my beginning records for deadlift, but I'm sure as a newbie I was lifting heavyier weights than I could have imagined a few weeks after beggining. Now of course, a month or so after I leveled out and had a more steady progress. I guess the moral of my entire point all together is, dont hurt yourself, but dont be afraid to push yourself as well, dont cheat yourself out of weight you could be lifting because your afraid, just give it a shot, and if you cant do it, then by god, you have a new goal to work for.

Hey mda..nice one...the thingy under your posts