“You got a fork, Adventure Boy?”
Justin and JP
This past weekend I got to hang out with my buddy John Sheaffer while we coached at Rippetoe’s barbell seminar. We’re both on the quest to getting 70’s Big; I just started competing in weightlifting and he’ll compete in powerlifting. JP is the owner of Greyskull Barbell in Pennsylvania, home of many obnoxiously strong men, women, and kids. He’ll be a regular contributor to this site.
The seminar was at Front Range CrossFit. Despite the name on the door, this gym has the equipment to get 70’s Big. Their facility is set up for Olympic lifting with 10 platforms, jerk blocks, and a couple of squat racks. They are also building a weightlifting team, so if you’re interested and live in the Denver area, check them out.
Your gym can be featured and eventually added to a list of “70’s Big Gyms” as long as it has the proper equipment. If you’re interested, e-mail me.
Here is a video from the WFAC of my friend Chris pulling 600 and 625 (with a bit of hitching on the latter):
I am still on the road, so the Rippetoe interview will continue when I get back into town tomorrow.
Nice,I can see pics of people with milk being a mainstay in this community. Hey Justin, I bet a mustache would add 10lbs to your squat.
Jerad Allen from the Minn Vikings would be a good rep for 70”s big. Dude is a beast!
I almost died with laughter when I can across your site. As for Jared Allen, he was my roommate for a year after his lic got revoked for his 3rd DUI. Probably one of the best individuals you could hope to meet. I couldnt agree more about 70”s big, when I was 14 years old I trained with the US Powerlifting coach, I got to meet Bill Kazmaier, he is massive. The other guy that was beyond big was Lyle Alzado. Being big like those dudes takes a walk on the dark side.
Wow, good to see John here. If Im not mistaken, I believe Jared Allen SPEARED an elk. That is bad ass.
We’ll have to get a hold of Jared Allen. Welbourne ain’t necessarily 90’s small, though.
Mr Welbourne is massive elk himself…By the way Justin…awesome site man. I”ve been a recent follower of Coach Rip”s system…user name is SSgt Boyle on Strength Mil. Been doing S.S. for the past 6 weeks. Love it! My marines love it! Were the only ones on base low-bar squatting below that pussy partial level and our “combat conditioning” level as gone up! I”m working on getting to the 210lbs. Currently 195. Was 180lbs. Can”t do the GOMAD..wish I could..but I”m improvising! Thanks for the solid motivation!
Jared Allen does interviews in a Viking helmet. Not a Vikings” FOOTBALL helmet, mind you, but one that may have been used to plunder various Scandinavian villages centuries ago.
He certainly qualifies under any definition of “70”s Big.”
That”s a nice freakin pull. How big is Chris? I”m 6”4″ and 260 and don”t have that in the tank… yet.
Freakin” awesome website! A co-worker and I were talking a few weeks back about creating a cult based on the “70”s big” lifts because we are absolutely sick of pinhead members who do nothing but curl. Anyways, this website could not have come at a better time. I have found my new home.
Quick question about Chris” insane deadlift. What the hell does he do for grip work? A double overhand 600+ lbs deadlift is insane. I want that kind of grip strength. Thanks in advance and I”m looking forward to what this website becomes.
Stay Strong,
Shinebox
Shinebox,
Thanks for noticing Chris and his grip. He is actually using a hook grip (middle finger over the thumbnail). He’s got pretty big hands, but he’s mainly just manly.
Most mortals start to feel some pain when they start hooking past 400, but for some reason he doesn’t.
Try it out. Your thumbs will probably have to adapt over time, but it will create a more symmetrical pull off the floor with a double overhand.
Insane grip strength.
Very nice and the grip immediately impressed me as I watched it. Do you know if he specifically trains his grip with any tools?
I, in fact, do know, because we train together and I coach him. He has not done any grip work. He will start now the he is in intermediate programming because he wants to compete in strongman competitions.