Pin Presses & Valsalva

[AaronB]

For those of you who have incorporated pin presses into your programming, did you experience increased bouts of light-headed feelings and if so, anything you changed up to correct? I take big valsalva, in belt, with same tension throughout, just like I would for the press, but that first rep will can be anything from a quick flutter to a full, hang-on-to-the-bar-and-dont-fall-down moment.

My guess is it has to do with increase in tension to get the bar moving vs. having it held in your hands.

[mgil]

where is the pin in relation to your normal rack/hand position?

[AaronB]

Yeah...that might have been good info...primarily at forehead height. With pins at shoulder height it's been very slight, but at forehead height is where it comes on strongest.

[mgil]

Yeah...that might have been good info...primarily at forehead height. With pins at shoulder height it's been very slight, but at forehead height is where it comes on strongest.

At that height, the sudden contraction might be putting a little too much pressure on the circulatory system.

[Jay870]

Even with standard presses I cannot take a "full" valsalva without feeling faint a rep or two into the set. Definitely have to take a smaller breath than I take for squats.