Posted on Wednesday, 9th September 2009 by Eric Cressey
I received this email this weekend from a very satisfied female Maximum Strength customer. It should put to rest any doubts about whether or not this program works for females:
Dear Eric,
Hello, I’m Kelsey Doucette. I’m a 22 year old (female) powerlifter and aspiring Olympic lifter. I just finished your Maximum Strength program. I made splendid gains.
Beginning: End:
Body weight: 113 Body weight: 115
Squat- 200 Squat: 205
Deadlift: 265 Deadlift: 260
Bench: 115 Bench: 135
Pull-ups: 15 lbs extra Pull- ups: 25 lbs extra
Broad jump: > 5 ft Broad jump: 7.5 ft
You’re probably wondering about the squat and deadlift numbers (and why I’m ecstatic about them). Allow me to explain. Right before I began your program, I just started physical therapy for my hips. Among a myriad of problems (I was considered “a train wreck” by the therapists) one was that I had weak adductors, hip flexors and poor (I mean REALLY poor) glute activation. I also had horrendous hip mobility. I started your program and noticed a difference within the first two weeks just from doing the mobility warm-ups and foam rolling. Not only did your program inspire me to lift like a real strength athlete (I am a former body builder. I decided I liked lifting better than posing) but also to aggressively attack my hip issues both with knowledge and actions.
It was about half way through your program when during a squat I felt my glutes activate. I was so excited I jumped up and down in jubilation once I finished my set. The same thing happened with deadlifts. So I guess you could say I squatted 205 and deadlifted 260 WITH glute activation, which I consider a major accomplishment from where I started.
My conclusion is that even though my numbers didn’t change a whole lot (at least on the two lifts I really care about. I think i was just sick of benching less than a plate and that’s why my bench went up so much) I feel like a much more efficient lifter. My muscles are firing in synchrony like they’re supposed to and I’m now on my way to busting my former lifting plateaus. I also understand my body a lot more and I’m enthusiastically devouring as much knowledge about strength and conditioning as I can.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Kelsey Doucette
Click here to pick up a copy of Maximum Strength yourself!
Tags: Bench Press, Deadlift, Female Fitness, Female Weight Training, Flexibility, Maximum Strength, Rotator Cuff Exercises, Rotator Cuff Rehab, Shoulder Exercises, Shoulder Health, Shoulder Impingement, Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Rehab, Weight Lifting Program
Posted in Blog | Comments (1)
September 21st, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Started Day 1 of Maximum strength today and by the 3rd set of my walking lunges i could feel my glutes being lite on fire. I look for to week 16! Thank you.