Deadlift 5 Plates Like a Champion - New Article!

[Joe Black]

by Bret Contreras

There aren’t many things you can do in the gym that are “manlier” than deadlifting a heavy barbell loaded with five plates per side. It’s the ultimate cool factor, the one movement everyone stops to watch (plus it means you’re strong as hell).

And the answer to getting a big deadlift isn't always to just keep grinding out set after set on deadlifts. If you are able to identify your weak link, fix it and get stronger on the assistance exercises, you'll be smashing Deadlift PR's in no time.

READ HERE

I'd also like to officially welcome Bret as a new Wannabebig writer. He is a very knowledgeable trainer and we're lucky to have him here!

[Daniel Roberts]

Brilliant! Really good article.

[KoSh]

Awesome article. I think I discovered I have weak glutes, quads and forearms. That's depressing as hell. Good news is, with those weaknesses I'm still closing in on a 470 deadlift @ 189-190 pounds.

So, thanks for depressing me.

[IronDiggy]

Awesome article. I think I discovered I have weak glutes, quads and forearms. That's depressing as hell. Good news is, with those weaknesses I'm still closing in on a 470 deadlift @ 189-190 pounds.

So, thanks for depressing me.

I'm with you there. I have really weak glutes and hams, so time to work on those and bring up my DL!

[Bret Contreras]

Awesome article. I think I discovered I have weak glutes, quads and forearms. That's depressing as hell. Good news is, with those weaknesses I'm still closing in on a 470 deadlift @ 189-190 pounds.

So, thanks for depressing me.

KoSh, if you can deadlift 470 at 180, probably nothing on you is "weak." It just means that these are your weak links. Sure it's just semantics, but there's definitely no need to be depressed; you're kicking ass! Keep up the good work.

[Coqui]

Now I just need someone to watch me to tell me what I'm doing wrong since I can't take video.
EDIT: Although I do know my forearms limit me to 405. Now I just need to find out what's limiting me to 445 (when using straps)

[J.C.]

I thought this was a great article! Really good style and a nice clear list to think about. Need to go strengthen my forearms, quads and upper back now.

[joey54]

This was a good one. All should read.

[Off Road]

Sounds like I have some glute work to do...

[f=ma]

yar. very good read, i liked this article

[tom183]

Great article.

[soclydeza]

great article, it shed some light on why my squats are lacking, now i have an idea of what to work on next time im in the gym. thanks!

[Drew92]

Very nice article. Its nice to read something about increaseing one of the big three that isn't bench related.

[confidenceb122]

anyway, awesome article

[Steve Colescott]

You left out one section: You have weak character if you:
- Don't deadlift

[Coqui]

You left out one section: You have weak character if you:
- Don't deadlift

A-Fricken-men

[Off Road]

You left out one section: You have weak character if you:
- Don't deadlift

Haha...you crack me up Steve

[zk001]

excellent articel. can we also have 2 more like this on benching and squatting?

thank you


zk

[berfles]

(plus it means you’re strong as hell).

I wish, I feel like a weak POS.

Will read when I get home.

[Bret Contreras]

You left out one section: You have weak character if you:
- Don't deadlift

A-Freakin'-Men to that as well!

[tnathletics2b]

Excellent article...however, I searched for my "weak point" and couldn't find it in the list. I did 435 x5 last week, and have done 455 for one. I tried 500 about 3 weeks ago and got stuck at the knees- does anyone know what my weak point is with that symptom?

I don't consider that weakness off the floor or trouble locking out...it's kinda somewhere in the middle.

[ThomasG]

Excellent article...however, I searched for my "weak point" and couldn't find it in the list. I did 435 x5 last week, and have done 455 for one. I tried 500 about 3 weeks ago and got stuck at the knees- does anyone know what my weak point is with that symptom?

I don't consider that weakness off the floor or trouble locking out...it's kinda somewhere in the middle.

Do you do rack pulls? Where do you set the pins?

[IronDiggy]

Excellent article...however, I searched for my "weak point" and couldn't find it in the list. I did 435 x5 last week, and have done 455 for one. I tried 500 about 3 weeks ago and got stuck at the knees- does anyone know what my weak point is with that symptom?

I don't consider that weakness off the floor or trouble locking out...it's kinda somewhere in the middle.

I would say probably weak glutes. They aren't activating and pushing your hips through you lockout.

[Keith]

Excellent article...however, I searched for my "weak point" and couldn't find it in the list. I did 435 x5 last week, and have done 455 for one. I tried 500 about 3 weeks ago and got stuck at the knees- does anyone know what my weak point is with that symptom?

I don't consider that weakness off the floor or trouble locking out...it's kinda somewhere in the middle.

Start doing pin pulls just below knee level.


Great article, BTW!

[Phenom]

Good article. But why 5 plates per side? Why not 4? or 6?