Former WSM champion Mitchell Hooper shared how to get the most out of your deadlift workouts.
Mitchell Hooper continues to be one of the strongest men on the planet. He has found great success in recent years while also helping others reach their full potential. In this post, we detail how Mitchell Hooper can help you deadlift 600 pounds.
“I truly believe anyone can deadlift 600 pounds.”
[RELATED: Mitchell Hooper Shares 5 Tips For Avoiding Plateaus In The Gym]
After his win at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, many believed the sky was the limit for Mitchell Hooper. With a brand of humor all his own and a marketable personality, Hooper appeared to be taking his career to the next level. And while he may not have won the 2024 WSM, his subsequent victory at the 2024 Giants Live Strongman Classic showed that his ranking hasn’t fallen off whatsoever.
Mitchell Hooper Shares Tips For Deadlifts
Hooper began to break down what it takes to build a better deadlift and there were three categories specified.
Core Strength
The first is core strength. This is true of many lifts in the gym but Mitchell Hooper picked it out for deadlifts as well. It is important to keep your back stiff when making big-time lifts as a rounded back means a weaker core.
“If you had a stronger core and could stiffen your back, you could deadlift more weight.”
Hooper expressed that using a weight belt is beneficial as well because it increases core activity and pressure in the midsection.
Leg Strength
It is no secret that strong legs are key when deadlifting a large amount of weight. The deadlift is a movement that requires all parts to be working together.
“An over-reliance on your back and omission of the legs will leave you weak off the floor and put more load on your core.”
Hooper explained how other lifts are also beneficial to improving your deadlift, such as barbell squats. He expressed how your squat max should be two thirds of your deadlift max. There is also a formula behind leg presses.
“Your leg press one-rep max should be a minimum of two times your deadlift max. If we’re trying to deadlift 600 pounds, your leg press should be at least 1,200 pounds without wraps.”
Patience
It is important to remain patient when chasing all fitness goals and this is true of a heavy deadlift as well.
“Be patient for five to 10 years before you can say something is possible or not.”
Technique
- If you’re weak off the floor, narrow your stance
- If your hips shoot up immediately, the bar is too far in front of you
- If you have no power off the floor, the bar is too close to you
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