| EliteFTS

My hope is that my coaching log will help you by:

Showing the benefits of high intensity/low volume training that I’ve followed injury free for over 20 years which has developed into the The Minimalist/M2 Raw Training Method and the The M2 Equipped Training Ebook
Teaching through the experiences of my training partners and I.
Helping to show how to overcome adversity, regardless of what it may be.
Demonstrating the equipment I’ve designed to help benefit lifters such as yourself.

I have been competitively powerlifting for over 20 years. Within that time I have competed raw, single ply and multi ply. I hold the highest all time total of 1930 at 148, the third highest total of 2045 at 165 and have broken over 35 world records, over 25 of which I still hold. Through the years in this sport I have learned a great deal from various training methods, met and formed long lasting friends, as well as learned the importance of balancing life, work, and training.

Elitefts accepted me as a team member over ten years ago and I am currently the longest standing still competing powerlifter on the site. I appreciate Dave Tate and Elitefts for giving me the opportunity to learn from and teach others through the Q&A and my training log.

In 2005 I opened Orlando Barbell – a 24 hour powerlifting friendly gym. As well as running Orlando Barbell I designed and sell the Home GHR, the OBB Power Handles and wrote the 12 Weeks to a Bigger Bench EBook.

My latest contributions were writing the M2 Method EBook, designed to be the quintessential Raw Powerlifting training manual for beginners to advanced lifters looking to get stronger and prevent injury while incorporating the powerlifts and The M2 Equipped Training Ebook, the only ebook designed specifically for equipped lifters.

What happens when most people squat for the first time? It’s not like those memes where the little kids squat with perfect form with a broomstick. People usually lead with their knees, look awkward and go about half the distance they should.

I always start all of my clients with box squats, usually slightly above parallel. This gives them comfort in knowing that there’s a stopping point, forces them to sit back to better learn proper technique, teaches them to stay more upright, helps them to strengthen their hips and force their knees out, reduces the strain on their knees and better recruits the hamstrings and glutes. Sometimes I’ll have them exclusively box squat if they’re obviously too uncomfortable to incorporate full squats.

The ongoing question is, are box squats beneficial to raw lifters? I believe the answer is unequivocally yes. Squatting is always beneficial to improve the squat, regardless of the variation, as long as they’re done properly. Box squats have all of the benefits listed above for both the inexperienced and experienced lifter. Ultimately I think the best option is a combination of both, which is why I designed the M2 Raw Training Method to have three interchangeable programs so that you can focus on what you need most.

I’m convinced that my knees have stayed healthy since I’ve always incorporated varying heights of box squats for the majority of my squats. However, some people can handle performing full range squats for every training session. I’m just curious as to know how their joints will feel years down the road.

7/27- Squats

10 mins treadmill

Prehab
PVC rolled on:
Lower back, shifted to right and left
Upper back, shifted to right and left scapula w/hips up
Armpits
Hamstrings
Glutes
Adductors

Cambered Bar Low Box Squats w/soft foam pad-
135x5
225x3
w/Metal Ace briefs-
315x2
405x1
w/Metal all black knee wraps-
425x1
455x1