Monkey see monkey do.

These days the monkey sees monkey do mantra is running rampant in the powerlifting "community." I use the word "community" lightly. The reality is more like a bunch of blocks that post up against the opposing neighborhoods. You got Raw with Wraps Blvd. at war with Classic Raw St. It's the Walk Out Posse vs. the Mono Lift gang and last but not least the All-raw-Ville vs. Multi-ply-hood.  I use the cheesiest analogies I could think of because it's pretty fucking lame if I say so myself.

Needless to say, that's how it all begins. You take a new lifter who trains with a buddy, who is raw with wraps, so naturally, he is going to get into raw with wraps. That's acceptable, but he also inherits the "fuck the next style of lifting" attitude because of that's squad and it's ride or die with the squad. I hope I said that right 36 years of age has me using Google to stay borderline "IN."

The spillover of the "ride or die" squad mentality continues to infiltrate the thought process of most. Pick your favorite "big" powerlifter, and go to one of their YouTube or IG page's and scroll through the comments section. The comment section shows the thought process of these new age lifters; it's littered with questions such as; "song?" That's one of my favorites might I add. "What does your diet look like?" "Just getting into lifting what belt and wraps do you recommend?"

Now answer me this. What in the fuck does listening to the same song Eric Lilliebridge does when he squats have to do with anything? If that worked I'd be smoking a thousand and however the fuck, much Eric squats right along with him. If you're the cynical type I get it some people like music, me being one of them, but the "this song adds 100lbs to your squat" bullshit is almost as bad as the beard comments. Let's be honest even if you get the same belt, wraps, diet, and playlist as Eric, your 165lbs ass will still suck sorry, the truth hurts.

What you don't see asked is "Hey how much have you missed out on in your life?" "How bad does your body hurt?" "What amount of time do you put in at the gym?"  Nope, it's the magic fucking cure era. Fancy socks, cool belt, matching shoes, coffee and a box of donuts is more important than a total these days.

Kids see a 1000lb Deadlift and the next thing you know their feet are wider, their grip is out farther, and they try to mimic a giant with only a troll's stature.  They start using straps and following this lifter's accessory protocol with no logical reason why other than the individual has a 1000lb pull.

Kids see a 600lb. Bench and next thing you know a guy with no muscle development in his chest is trying to drop and heave their bench press, he has no understanding why he just knows he saw someone else do it. Never taking the time to think about what said bencher had to do to get that 600lb bench.

I'll save us all the time of reiterating the same point with squats. It's time to drop that moral of the story portion of my rambling, especially since some of you A.D.D fucks scroll to the end first lol.

Do the fucking work; there are no shortcuts. Find what works for you. I understand this has been said over and over, time and time again. Sadly it is starting to be farther and farther from the norm these days. Trial and error will always trump all. Always has always will, don't be a fucking monkey.

JP Carroll SHW training out of Barbell Central in Aurora, Illinois.

I mostly train with Ernie Lilliebridge Jr. and Kevin Anderson aka my son.  I run the fifth set program, and I pay Swede Burns to keep a close eye on my training.

Hopefully, my blog and my ranting and rambling help, motivate you and educate you further in the sport we all love.