Jem

I do not, but can record next testing day (currently scheduled for August 13th)! Could also be helpful for watching how form progresses over time so I should probably be recording anyways

Thanks, just trying to keep up with the rest of you! Haven't been able to do a competition yet due to a nagging shoulder impingement putting bench on hold but I'm hoping to make it into a local meet that's IPF sanctioned in November. Really looking forward to seeing what competition is like and meeting all the neat people who compete!

Currently weigh 121 lbs, pull 365lbs, aiming for 600lbs+

Deadlift five times my bodyweight, currently at a sloppy triple so I have a veeeeery long way to go. But where's the fun without lofty goals that mean something to you!

I'm a big fan of just boiling it, if I feel like I need a little more flavor I put a bit of ketchup on it. Not complicated, quick, and still tastes fine to me!

I suppose it depends on what the goal with training mobility is and how you choose to define it. If we're defining mobility as the ability to simultaneously have ROM and strength then needless to say it predicates any form of stability, and stability should always predicate strength. In regards to the goal of training mobility it's such a broad idea that we need to define it a bit more, or else we run into the hammer is not a screwdriver situation. What we call a mobility problem can signal any number of things but it almost always means that we are looking at a problem that is causing issues in terms of our proprioceptive feedback. Improvement there can often increase neural drive, much in the same manner that removing shoes can. Personally I would argue that before you even look at mobility you set up a qualitative standard to see where said training is necessary. Once you've identified the problem areas test, try a corrective strategy, and then retest. If there's improvement congratulations you're on the right track, if there isn't keep digging until there is. However, if there is pain you are now dealing with a medical issue and not a pure mobility issue. If you try and tackle pain on your own almost 100% of the time you will not solve the issue, at best you will make it asymptomatic and ready to get better, but you will not fix the issue. See a physical therapist, doctor, or chiropractor to avoid the ticking time bomb scenario. In regards to timing of mobility work there are a few things to be considered. Mornings are a good choice for movement based work as they optimize your movement for the day, we're not just moving in the gym after all. During your warmup focus on areas that are normally problematic for you (again to optimize them for the task at hand), stretching beforehand for a short duration is perfectly acceptable and depending on what research you choose to believe has minimal impact on force generation, in some cases it is actually prescribed based on history of injury or presence of mechanical tension (foam rolling is useless with mechanical tension). Post workout foam rolling or stretching will both be beneficial, same deal before you go to bed. As a final note on the subject the main thing to remember regardless of stretching, rolling, mobility, or actual lifting, it is absolutely vital you take ownership of your breathing.

I'm aiming to have mastery of my movement, deadlift five times my bodyweight, and to learn a martial art

If you've ever thought to yourself 'I can't do that' when it comes to anything like committing to a workout program, a nutrition plan, or even a business model, just find someone who has been successful at it and repeat this simple mantra: 'They thought the same things. They found a way. It's not impossible. I can do this too.'

In regards to both joints and general hypermobility tension development is a frequent course of action. In other words taking ownership of the hypermobile range which results in it being an asymptomatic mobile range. If that doesn't work on occasion medical intervention is used. How is your glute strength? Feet pronate to involve the glutes in responsive actions such as running or jumping so that would be another suspect. Alternatively Primal rolling patterns can also cause deficiencies in balance, how do you perform on a hurdle step test? Ankle circles are useful for general strength in end ROM, deep squat position rocking back to to wall can be used for eccentric neural grooving of the anterior compartment, and half kneeling work will statically improve ankle strength. A simple but effective drill for wrist extension is to stand with your hand in a supinated position, place it palm against the wall just beneath shoulder height so it's in an extension position, keep a slight bend in the elbow the entire time, step away from the wall and while keeping the bend try and reach your fingers as far back towards your forearm as possible. Expect cramps on your extensors and metacarpals but maintain inhalation through your nose and exhale through your mouth twice as long as you inhale. To progress go higher up the wall before stepping away, to regress go lower.

How have you concluded that you're hypermobile? Have you done a Beighton Laxity Test? Ankle mobility is necessary for any kind of true unipedal balance. Check unipedal balance with eyes open and eyes closed, if there's an asymmetry or either foot comes in beneath 10 seconds take a look at available motion then, a locked mortise is a common issue. Do you have a history of ankle injuries? If you're wearing special insoles (ala orthotics) it may be worth investigating intrinsic foot strength. Can you lift your great toe independent of your lateral toes? Can you do vice versa? Are you able to evert your toes without flexion or extension? If the answer to any of those is no it may be valuable to spend time working on it. It sounds like your wrists are having trouble when put under load in heavy extension. Some people find easy relief by putting something beneath the heel of their hand to reduce extension (ie. a towel or bike gloves). A lot of people find value in isometric contractions in an end range extension position for metacarpal and extensor strength, the key there is to avoid finding the extension from your elbow, so a bent arm is necessary in such an endeavor. It may also be worth seeing a physical therapist if these actions are presenting with pain. Hope something in there is of some sort of use to you, though I wouldn't say it's any substitute for a professional consult, nor does it constitute medical advice.

Depends how deep the rabbit hole you'd like to go. Many people will refer to training energy systems, increasing mass, and of course there is efficiency in movement. The argument I personally prefer is that the organ targeted by all training is the brain, meaning that the trainable human system is the nervous system. There are outliers like Richard Hawthorne or Jordan Syatt who deadlift 5 times their bodyweight with very little change in body composition, so muscle is definitely not the only factor. Typically speaking the fastest results we see are in the initial phase of training, the NSCA defines this as increase in strength due to 'neurological factors' which basically means that you are moving more efficiently. A lot of people will also see greater success on lifts simply by using all of their fingers when they grip which increases volitional drive, change in breathing which again increases voltional drive, or changes in joint position which result in increased CNS output. The topic is actually phenomenally interesting and would take forever to begin answering. In regards to the mobility aspects of strength it's dependent on your definition of mobility. If we are defining mobility as not just available ROM but the ability to have control in it as well then it is a starting point for strength. To me, mobility means that the joint can exist in any range you choose and you are choosing for it to be at that spot, factor this in with motor control and coordination and you have the basis through which all strength occurs. If you work on mobility by creating tension and moving in controlled patterns based around normalized movement at articulations you'll likely find greater success in strength. In short, I am of the opinion that strength is training your body to take ownership of a position within set parameters. I'll cut off my explanation there before I end up writing a novel on the topic!

I'm pretty much the worst at setting goals. Let's gain muscle. Nope powerlifting. Nope running a marathon. Nope gonna go olympic lift. Nope agility training. Just kidding, let's gain muscle. Etc. I've flopped around for about a year now before realizing I basically want to be like Captain America and able to do anything. Coming to terms with this has been nice and gotten me back on track with my eating and training, much to the relief of my supportive, if somewhat exasperated, friends and family. After all, I don't have a good excuse to skip workouts, I'm a personal trainer so I basically live in the gym. Fortunately my dog only guilt trips me if I don't share my food, so that's a silver lining in life. To clarify something, I am not your stereotypical trainer. I am quite underweight which has been an ongoing struggle for as long as I can recall, and I mainly work with injuries and medical conditions. In other words my job is to comfort the disturbed, not disturb the comfortable. So not really a hulking bodybuilder or anything of the like, I leave that to my colleagues. I just love fitness for the sake of knowledge and how it gets me out of my comfort zone. Talking to people, pushing myself, and generally just not hiding away from the world and my goals. I suppose you could say that's part of why I'm here, I'm hoping this will be a fun and supportive community and that it'll provide me with a sense of accountability and infect me with some sense of adventure. Right, well, that concludes my awkward and disjointed introduction. Pleasure to meet all of you ladies and gentlemen of the rebellion.