Lowering the Barbell
July has been super busy, so posting has taken a back seat. Hope to get back on track in August. I recently hosted and helped teach a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach course at my new facility with my friend Derrick Crass. The course went well and 24 people learned a boatload of good information. One of the issues that came up over the weekend was lowering the bar. This is a pet peeve of mine. Lowering the barbell from overhead or from the clean rack position is a skill everyone should know how to do. You learn to move around and with the bar in a safe manner. You gain strength and learn eccentric control. You save wear and tear on the equipment. You limit unnecessary noise in the facility. You will look like you actually know what you are doing. Back in the day before bumpers, everyone HAD to lower the iron weights and they even did it in competition with maximal weights. Showing control of the barbell was part of the deal and in my mind, should still be a part ...
