What It Means to “Pull the Slack Out of the Bar”
In today’s brief video blog I discuss what a coach is really saying when he or she says to “pull the slack out of the bar.”
It’s a common cue, and one I feel tends to elicits looks like this from people receiving it:
A blank, emotionless void.
All kidding aside, it’s a cue that does hold a lot of weight (<– sick pun1) and accomplishes many things:
- Teaches people to get and maintain tension.
- Teaches people to get and maintain tension.
- Teaches people to get and maintain tension.
- Improves your Spanish.
But for real, it’s a good one.
Comments for This Entry
Rachel
Sweet first video in the new place woo! Good tips...I've never heard someone cue to use the bar as a counterbalance but that makes so much sense.December 10, 2015 at 1:43 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Thank you Rachel. It's small, but I'm still able to get a lot done. I've had three people in there at once training, easy.December 11, 2015 at 7:39 am |
Josh Sternin-Moser
Tony, I'm a trainer in the central LA area, looking for another trainer to help me pinpoint my wonky mechanics/imbalances. Do you have any recommendations for anyone in LA proper (not Long Beach, like Dean gave me--silly Canadian)? Thanks, Josh Sternin-MoserDecember 10, 2015 at 6:40 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Hmm, Ben Bruno is in West Hollywood. Sean Hyson is out there too.December 11, 2015 at 7:41 am |
Josh Sternin-Moser
Ben Bruno is in West Hollywood!?!? That BEAST of a man is in WeHo!? Brb, running there as fast as I canDecember 11, 2015 at 12:27 pm |
TonyGentilcore
You're welcome......;o)December 14, 2015 at 8:55 am |
Thomas Hlubin
Awesome video! I don't deadlift much, but the "constant tension" awareness seems like a sure way to effectively and safely perform the lift with optimal results. I feel like every time I see someone deadlift, they are jerking it up. Especially with their upper torso and head. Very potentially dangerous obviously. Once again, proper form and technique prevails haha. Great article man. http://www.fitnessinterest.com/December 12, 2015 at 7:11 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks Thomas, appreciate it.December 14, 2015 at 8:58 am |
TUESDAY’S GOOD READS – ISSUE #19 – December 15th, 2015 - Healthy Living, Heavy Lifting
[…] What it Means to “Pull the Slack Out of the Bar” by Tony […]December 14, 2015 at 12:04 pm |
Do You Even Read, Bro? 12/14/15 — Fulton Training Systems
[…] What It Means to “Pull the Slack Out of the Bar” – Tony Gentilcore […]December 14, 2015 at 2:35 pm |
Megan
Any tips for helping someone maintain tension when they are first learning to deadlift using a kettlebell or trap bar? I sometimes have a hard time getting people to feel that tension when I'm introducing them to deadlifts, especially if we are using lighter weights and they can't really use it as a counterbalance...December 14, 2015 at 9:21 pm |
Niels
Great video Tony, as said before, the counter balance point is wonderfully simple and elegant. I've often understood the cue similarly to the "bend the bar" of squatting, in order to engage the lats. This has essentially meant that the mixed grip was not an option, since bending would require more rotational rom of my supinated arm than I had. This might actually help me drop the straps when deadlifting heavy. Thanks!December 30, 2015 at 5:24 am |
Rack pulls vs deadlifts debate| Which is king? | Mindtomusclefitness
[…] Tony Gentilcore describes this perfectly in his article. […]October 3, 2017 at 11:00 am |