Dave Tate on going RAW

**Firehawk** · 08-Jul-06, 05:15 PM

Assumptions?

So what is your carry over?

This seems to be the question of the decade. What can you do RAW? I am asked this just about once a week. I am sure there are many of you who are reading this that know exactly what I mean. Will this ever end?

It is always those who have the least experience in the prone position who ask such things. They are really the ones at risk. RAW is just plain dangerous. We are in a different world then we were years ago. We have more knowledge, technique is better, strength and endurance is better optimized and the stakes are higher. going raw is just not worth the risk. I have seen the news and see the stats. It is those who go raw that are ending up seeing the doctor wondering how they put themselves in such a position. They knew better but did it anyway and now they are paying the price.

Why can't tell wake up and see what is going on?

Single Ply, Two ply, Triple ply, who cares? Just wear something!

I have though long and hard on this and have come up with a few reasons why these pricks stay raw.

1. They do not understand the issues we have to deal with.

2. They have never had had their performance interrupted because of a hamstring cramp?

3. They have never had to stop short because their lower back was in knots?

4. They have never been so tight they felt like they were going to pop only to find they could have been tighter?

5. They have never had their staying power compromised.

Have they ever tucked as hard as they could only to find they missed the sweet spot? I don't think so.
Do they know what it is like to push and drive as hard as you can to have a blow out and then spend the next 30 days wondering how they will deal with it? Nope! They have no idea.

Look I know we are in the up and coming age of the Ultra this and Ultra that, Titan, Magum, Viking, Max, Trojan and whatever knight they come up with next. We have so many options. We have single, double and triple ply. You can get the in any size to fit anybody. They are meant to keep you jacked and tight and defiantly make you stronger. We have push harder and have a little more at the peak to finish strong. I will not lie. Being Anti Raw is not only safer it helps. It helps you feel better and lets you take it to the next level.

I can't sit here and make it sound like this is all good and does not have its negatives. Years ago many records were set and they were all RAW. Were these legends better than the ones of today? This can be debated but how long did they really last. There were many that died before there prime. Sure there names will go on forever and legands like Holmes will last forever. There are many Frank, Dick, and Harry's out there that think this is all easy business. It is not as easy as it looks. First getting it on right takes skill and experience. If it is not put on right you will not get the biggest carryover. Second, they can tear you up and can actually somewhat hinder your ability to feel the stroke. But I can say this. I have personally gotten close to 30% on single ply and 50% with double. Now what does this mean in real terms.

What this means is when I have sex and wear one condom I can actually make it for 13 stokes. My RAW max is around 10 so I am getting a 30% carry over. Now when I wear two condoms it goes right up to 15 strokes or 50%.

Did you assume this was about Bench Shirts? Hum. Never trust you assumptions.

Now go back and read this again. It is much funnier the second time.

tekmoney · 08-Jul-06, 06:21 PM

I had a feeling it was about rubbers the first time around. BUt what's this one, two and three ply business

also, Wearing 2 rubbers at once is acutally more dangerous than just one

not that i would know about that ....

DaRkAnGel · 08-Jul-06, 08:22 PM

Rofl at the article and the comment above me.

Maxgain · 09-Jul-06, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekmoney

I had a feeling it was about rubbers the first time around. BUt what's this one, two and three ply business

also, Wearing 2 rubbers at once is acutally more dangerous than just one

not that i would know about that ....

Yeah thats very serious they rub off each other creating friction causing them to wear down so much for you can never be too safe,

**Firehawk** · 09-Jul-06, 10:49 AM

Just pull out and squirt then...that's the safest, didn't you knwo?

abarlament · 09-Jul-06, 12:19 PM

When I saw Trojan I was thinking "man... gear sounds just like condom brands..."

Glad to see I was justified. But if anyone comes out with the Leviathan condom I'll be flabbergasted.

luke.w · 10-Jul-06, 10:05 AM

raw/gear it's all dangerous when your going for an attempt the body isn't prepared for.........IMO the "best" knows what he can or can't do, the "best" know how to prepare the body for heavier lifts, the "best" understand spritual strength. Geared lifting will send a lifter to the docs just the same.

A lot of the older RAW lifters I've investaged seemed to have a inside the box way of thinking, I think thats their problem..........I've met some middleaged guys who are still going stronger, and still raw, and they think outside the box. it's mindset,100% pure powerlifter/strongman ect. isn't a great mindset.

btw, I know what it's like haveing the knotts in the upper/lower back,more than one can imagine, and I didn't decide to through a suit on to work through the pain, or really work through the pain eithier, it was a learning experiance.

**Firehawk** · 10-Jul-06, 10:07 AM

I thought the article was funny.

luke.w · 10-Jul-06, 11:24 AM

At the AOBS this year there was a seminar held by former "worlds strongest man" and "world powerlift record holder" Don Reinhorld.......on the drive home I was asked what I thought of the seminar, I said I was not impressed, however I actually did learn alot.

I learned that he basically had no idea how to train, he really didn't know what he was doing, he admitted all this, he stated all did was worry about lifting the weight, his wife (who is an olympic lifter) (and was the one who suggested he powerlift, because he was bad at olyimpic lifting) designed his program, and everything.

heres a guy who lifted at a time when knee wraps weren't allowed, just belts only (the wraps came later in his career), he stated how he couldn't walk after his sessions, and just continuted his wifes coaching.

he also addmitted his drug-use even though in his pamphlet it states, "I always have, and always will be drug-free" (just thought I'd throw that one out there, he might not of admitted it, if not asked????).

so here I saw this man (who doesn't look like he's got much time left) talk about his glory days, and how he was in pain, and didn't really know what the hell he was doing...........but he seemed like a really nice though, very approchable, and would be honored to sign or take a photo with anyone.

**Firehawk** · 10-Jul-06, 12:05 PM

Yep I'm sure those types are out there...

F_Mac · 10-Jul-06, 12:37 PM

There's definite potential for problems either both geared or raw. If lifting heavy weight is your passion, then you are going to do it regardless of the inherrent risks. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't take precautions.

Belts, wraps, suits/shirts, proper warmups, stretching, taking your efa's and a joint supplement are all things that can reduce your chance of injury and general wear and tear on your body.

If you've ever read Dave Tate's article on T-Nation where he lists all of his injuries over his career, you will see what "working through the pain" will get you.

I'm all for lifting heavy, just don't be a dumbass about it. Use a spotter, warmup properly and learn how to use your support gear.

:

BTW that was some funny stuff FH!