Mankel Over Matter - Strength Coach

How far could you take your strength with the right coaching?

If you're serious about getting stronger, I've got coaching spaces available.

Whether you're looking to compete, push your numbers or simply get more out of your training, your coaching is built around you, your goals and where you want to take it.

📲 Online Strength Coaching — spaces available

🏋️ 1-1 Strength Coaching — Peak Physique, Hull
Limited availability

Worked with me before and thinking about getting back into it? Get in touch.

If you're interested, drop me a message and tell me what you're working towards.

Nerve pain has been causing me a few problems with my bench lately.

It’s been running around my shoulder and into my biceps, and certain positions under load have been setting it off.

Rather than just hoping it disappears, I’ve started putting a bit more work into what I’m doing before I bench.

These are 3 exercises I’ve been using:

W-Y raises — getting the upper back, rotator cuff and muscles around the shoulder blade working.

Banded distractions — getting a bit more movement through the shoulder before loading it.

Nerve glides — gently getting the nerve moving without aggressively stretching or irritating it.

Still early days, but things are moving in the right direction and I’ll keep these in while I work through it.

Save this if your bench warm-up could do with a bit more attention.

I’m probably closer to the end of my powerlifting career than the beginning…

But then i remember hitting a 235kg deadlift PB back in 2018 and being absolutely buzzing with it.

Back then 300kg seemed miles away.

Then 300 became 320.

320 became 325.

Then 340.

Then 342.5kg in competition.

And eventually 355kg in training.

Now I’m chasing 800lb.

I’m 40 now and realistically I’m probably closer to the end of my powerlifting career than the beginning.

But that doesn’t make me want to slow down.

It makes me want to see how far I can push this while I still can.

235kg once felt like a massive number.

I’m not done finding out where the limit is yet.

After 6 years competing high bar, I’ve finally got a reason to change it.

At British Nationals I was getting pulled forward as the weight got heavy, so I’ve started trying low bar. The aim is to improve the moment arm and not get pulled forward at heavier loads.

Second session I irritated a nerve through my biceps. Nerve glides sorted it and I’ve changed how I’m spacing bench around it.

Third session today. 245kg x3 with no issues.

Still figuring it out but it feels promising 🙏

What's your prefered bar position?

The first few times I competed, the clock got in my head.

Sixty seconds suddenly felt like ten.

I'd hurry my setup because I thought I was running out of time.

Looking back, I wasn't short of time.. I was short of experience.

Now I use those 60 seconds to make sure everything feels tight, locked in and on point before the bar leaves the rack.

What's your best cue for setting up under the bar?

This was 195kg at British Nationals.

That was a milestone, but it isn't the destination.

The goal is 200kg on the platform.

Every training block, every session and every decision from here on out is about earning those 5kg!

I'll be documenting the journey.. the highs, the setbacks and everything in between.

Who's chasing a big fish this year?!