Semi-scary 1-rep Squat

Mack said:

I wonder if anyone else has had this kind of experience. I did 2 sets of 8
rep boxsquats. Failed on the last rep of the second set, so to punish
myself, I decided to do a couple single rep sets at around 85% of my 1 rep
max. The first single rep set went fine, I waited two minutes and started my
second set. I descended, and came back up, but I don't remember the ascent
because something really weird happened. I could hardly rack it back up
because I was dizzy and I felt close to blacking out. I wasn't breathing too
hard (it was only a single rep, for god's sake) and I'm in reasonably good
shape, though this was my first time back in the cage after a 3 week layoff.
I was using a squat rack, so if I had blacked out, the only bad thing that
could have happened is that I could have racked myself on the box.

Well, there is the 'fall to one side and smash your throat into the safety as
the barbell slams into the back of your neck' scenario. ;-)

In article <E85bf.1837$Bx.1452@trnddc01>,

Mack said:

I wonder if anyone else has had this kind of experience. I did 2 sets of 8
rep boxsquats. Failed on the last rep of the second set, so to punish
myself, I decided to do a couple single rep sets at around 85% of my 1 rep
max. The first single rep set went fine, I waited two minutes and started my
second set. I descended, and came back up, but I don't remember the ascent
because something really weird happened. I could hardly rack it back up
because I was dizzy and I felt close to blacking out. I wasn't breathing too
hard (it was only a single rep, for god's sake) and I'm in reasonably good
shape, though this was my first time back in the cage after a 3 week layoff.
I was using a squat rack, so if I had blacked out, the only bad thing that
could have happened is that I could have racked myself on the box.

"Only a single rep"?

85% max you had better be focused on what you are doing. I think you
approached it as punishment and didn't focus. Valvalsa effect hit and
you almost blacked out.

Plus you screwed yourself neurally going to failure. Your recruitment
pattern isn't geared to expressing itself in heavy singles.

--
Keith

Mack said:

I wonder if anyone else has had this kind of experience. I did 2 sets of 8
rep boxsquats. Failed on the last rep of the second set,

So you were having an off day, it happens.

Quoted message said:

so to punish
myself,

You decided to push too hard even for a good day on a day that your body
wasn't up to it. What lessons have you learned from this?

Quoted message said:

I decided to do a couple single rep sets at around 85% of my 1 rep
max. The first single rep set went fine, I waited two minutes and started my
second set. I descended, and came back up, but I don't remember the ascent
because something really weird happened. I could hardly rack it back up
because I was dizzy and I felt close to blacking out. I wasn't breathing too
hard (it was only a single rep, for god's sake) and I'm in reasonably good
shape, though this was my first time back in the cage after a 3 week layoff.

Ah, having an off day after a layoff and you decided to push even
harder... does this sound like an incredibly well thought out idea?

Quoted message said:

I was using a squat rack, so if I had blacked out, the only bad thing that
could have happened is that I could have racked myself on the box.

LOL ... ummm ... yeah, on TV where people get beaten up and never even
have a black eye the next day.

Losing control of a heavy weight during a blackout can lead to all sorts
of severe and permanent injuries. Perhaps it's time to reflect on
today's events! :-) I'm very glad you're not hurt.

Cheers,

Ari

--
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I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my
neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in
hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone
marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow
transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
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