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goergen1
09-29-2007, 09:41 AM
Deadlifting Crusader Style

by Rus Lewis

Our school's Powerlifting Team, ""The Iron Crusaders"" competed throughout the summer a various deadlift championships in California. We are using 8 week cycles, which really seem to work for the high school athletes.

A couple things to consider when training the deadlift and high school athletes in general.

1. The majority of our lifters are playing multiple sports, limiting their time in the weight room.

2. Being young athletes, their life is very hectic, family friend and school are all priorities.

3. Specific workouts...sorry, no conjugate training here! I am old school!

4. A lot of single attempts. Remember...you don't win sprints by running marathons! We train doing singles, not the "grind out leg quaking, back breaking, shooting your L4 vertibrea across the weight room" type. Fast, explosive, no-belt singles using minimum rest on 80% days.

5. The 8 week cycle is actually 6 weeks in length, for a rest week and competition day is accounted for.

"The deadlift takes more mental toughness to accomplish than any other athletic movement in the world." We teach our lifters to attack the bar...be explosive! Whether a quiet rage or raving lunatic is their thing, individual expression is applauded. I have watched and trained with some of the greatest military deadlifters.

Big Bob Whelan, Dusty Caldwell, Rick Bivens, Mike Drew, Wayde Barnes, Willie Bell, Major Byas and the incredible Gene Bell. All have the "I will never quit until this sucker is locked out or I pass out!" attitude. This simple deadlift cycle works well for our athletes. Try it!

Lucenut
04-01-2008, 10:54 PM
Hey Rus. I used to train with a guy named Rick Bivens in the Air Force in 1985-6, and Wayde too I think. Both were 220 or better at the time. Rick was in the 450lb bench range at the time and ~ 700+ squat. Is this the same guy? Do you know how to get ahold of him? I thought his wife was from Florida. Feel free to pass along my email and/or phone number if you know him.

Greg Luce
Sebring, Florida
(863) 273-0289