How to Increase Deadlift Intensity
Why use chains in deadlifts?
The point of the chains is to strengthen the sticking point around my knees. As I initiate the lift, I pull 245kg off the floor but then the chains raise making the lift heavier and forcing me to get stronger throughout the lift.
At lockout, there would be approximately 40kg of added weight as not all the chains are off the floor.
The aim is to complete a 245kg deadlift triple with 50kg of chains.
My chained deadlift session goes as follows:
Chained deadlifts
Add 50kg of chains to all sets.
| Intensity | Sets and Reps | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Warm Up | 1 x 1 | 70kg |
| Warm Up | 1 x 1 | 120kg |
| Warm Up | 1 x 1 | 170kg |
| Warm Up | 1 x 1 | 220kg |
| Working Sets | 3 x 3 | 245kg |
| Working Sets | 3 x 5 | 225kg |
Low barbell squats
| Intensity | Sets and Reps | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Warm Up | 1 x 1 | 70kg |
| Warm Up | 1 x 1 | 120kg |
| Warm Up | 1 x 1 | 170kg |
| Warm Up | 1 x 1 | 220kg |
| Working Sets | 3 x 3 | 240kg |
Single-arm dumbbell rows
| Intensity | Sets and Reps | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Warm Up | 1 x 10 | 40kg |
| Warm Up | 1 x 10 | 50kg |
| Working Sets | 3 x 10 | 60kg |
Lat pulldowns
| Intensity | Sets and Reps | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Warm Up | 1 x 10 | 70kg |
| Warm Up | 1 x 10 | 80kg |
| Working Sets | 4 x 10 | 90kg |
Dave Napper is a world record breaking personal trainer, nutritionist, powerlifter and business owner.
He is the owner-operator of Brisbane North Barbell, helping to train the next generation of powerlifters and strongmen.
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