yeah, I've been looking at those too.... I'm not sure what I want, what I want to spend, etc.

Thanks - I'll look that stuff over. That might be exactly the kind of info I'm after.

The bar ends up in a reasonably appropriate spot when I begin my 2nd pull in everything but really heavy weights (for me). I don't really believe in the sort of voodoo that Rip espouses where you can get the bar into the correct position, but then impart some sort of weird force of it to completely **** your second pull. (I think this was talked about in the LC thread or somewhere.)

I second tbk's recommendation.

I use the Burgener/Rip bar for squatting and anything with racking and it's overkill - I'm sure a cheaper bar would work just fine, but it is nice as it
-still spins well if I want to jerk from rack
-has both oly and pl knurling marks
-will probably last forever
-etc.

It definitely qualifies as a nice bar.

ETA: The B&R bar is a York bar

Squat
75%x3x10 - 150 (resetting my max off of 200 since I'm definitely detrained a little from when I was in the 210+ range)

Snatch Pull
90%x3x2 - 105
Hips shooting up pretty badly - tired from the squats or just weak.

Snatch DL
100%x3 - 120
Added a little here, better with not letting hips rise

Snatch Push Press
3x5 (light/med weight)
50,70,70
Still hating reracking, even btn and light weights.

I read some stuff from that link. The one thing I do not like about the B/R bar is that it requires cleaning because its raw steel. The reviewer says he cleans it with WD40 once a week. I dont want to have to do that ever.

Do you clean yours?

No. I think it's just a look thing. I could be wrong, I didn't read anything about this. My B&R bar is faded (just part of the knurling, not the sleeves) from steel-colored to bronzish a little, I guess, but it doesn't look bad.

The Eleiko bar has some sort of coating and still looks brand new, which it basically is.

thanks!

I suspect I have a mild case of plantar fasciitis in my left foot. It has hurt very sharply Tuesday-yesterday, but only a few times a day for 1-2 mins, so I took a few days off hoping it will heal quickly.

I've never had this before, so hopefully it just has to do with me jumping back in after doing very little for a month or so.

I've dealt with plantar fasciitis for ~3 years. I've tried basically every treatment there is. The most effective thing, by far, is ART. http://www.activerelease.com/providerSearch.asp
The providers that are certified at the biomechanics level are the most qualified ones to deal with athletes.

It sounds weird, but the pain in the bottom of your foot is likely caused by muscle adhesions in your calf.


Here's a very good site with tons of great info about PF, and some good products as well:
http://heelspurs.com/index.html

If you put athletic tape on the bottom of your foot, especially when you work out, that will help. Do it the way they suggest on heelspurs. Their tape is very good for this. That half round calf stretching device they sell is pretty good too. I use that before my workouts.

oh yeah, it doesn't heel quickly, and resting it does very little.

I bought this bar:

http://www.jesupgym.com/products.php?cid=12



Olympic Power Bar B. $165 shipped. Love it.

Thanks for the plantar fasciitis links.

I have some sort of horrible GI **** going on for the past 7 days and haven't been able to train, or occasionally even stand. Weight down to 269. Dark times.

I've still been really worn down and sick. I've done stuff like pullups, pushups, KB swings, etc a few times, but no real training.

Squatted up to 160x2x3 today just to do something. Felt bad and weak.

Still feeling about 70-80%.

Power snatch
up to 100x1x5 with min rest between sets (~30-45 seconds)
Would have done more reps, but I tore my hand due to the pussified nature and frequency of my December training.

KB Complex with 24kg KB
Left Hand:
8 Single Kettlebell Cleans
3 Single Front Squats

Swing and Switch Hands

8 Single Kettlebell Cleans
3 Single Front Squats

Swing and Switch Hands

5 Single Kettlebell Cleans
2 Single Front Squats

Swing and Switch Hands

5 Single Kettlebell Cleans
2 Single Front Squats

Swing and Switch Hands

3 Single Kettlebell Cleans
1 Single Front Squats

Swing and Switch Hands

3 Single Kettlebell Cleans
1 Single Front Squats

Pretty easy, will have to try with 32kg next time.

KB swings
3x30x24kg (30 sec rest between sets)

Oh also should add that I think I have a minor left oblique strain. Prob from working out last time in sub-freezing garage and not warming up enough/extra. Might have to look at globo gym again... post new years... ****.