4 weeks out from my DL only meet at The Arnold Expo. I made the hour drive north to elitefts on Saturday. I trained with Lily Starobin and hit some squat speed work. We did 8x2 box squats with minimal rest between sets. I like speed squats to wake my nervous system up before I deadlift. I only used 325 so it wasn't very taxing on me but I felt great going into deadlifts.
4 or 5 warmup sets then 8x2 at 325.
After our speed work Lily worked up to a couple heavy sets of 2, I believe 235 + 3 chains per side.
Ted Toalston, who I normally train with hit a pretty easy 830 with straps down on his suit and no knee wraps. The environment in the gym was pretty good that day, and it was the first time I saw Dave back in the gym since his hip surgery.
Ted and I moved on to deadlifts. I have been trying to get as much help from the equipped lifters on the team as I can. We warmed up to 405, after that I put the suit on and we messed with it a little bit to help make it a little less restrictive.
495 was my first single with the suit on, straps down. At this point I am starting to get a little more used to the suit so lifts are moving a little better.
585 was next with the straps loose, again moved well. I just have to get used to the pressure that builds up at the start of the lift.
675 - straps tightened a little, but not to the point I cant get to the bar. This one was a little more uncomfortable but still easy.
That was my last pull of the day. After that I spent a little time working on getting set up and pulling the slack out of the bar, which I think was a great idea to help me get used to the most awkward and uncomfortable part of the lift.