Tom Platz believes the mental side of training is the most important thing.
If you have felt stagnant in the gym at times and it has led to a lack in production, you are not alone. Many gym goers eventually hit the dreaded plateaus that can impact your workouts in the gym. Bodybuilding legend Tom Platz shared a video on Thursday explaining how to get through those plateaus and it begins with your mentality.
[RELATED: Tom Platz Shares Diet During Early Years Of Training]
“Everyone gets to that point and overcomes it, guaranteed. No matter who they are, period, in any field. You have to realize nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Platz, who also goes by the names “The Golden Eagle” and “The Quadfather”, was a 70s and 80s era bodybuilder. He even stepped on the Mr. Olympia stage from 1979 to 1986, even competing against Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1980. He is known as one of the greatest bodybuilders to never win an Olympia title. He finished third in 1981, which was a stacked lineup.
Even in retirement, Platz maintains a formidable physique. On his 69th birthday, he shared a side-by-side photo on Instagram, comparing his shredded quads from 1988 to 2024, demonstrating his enduring fitness and the success of the practices he implemented decades earlier. Needless to say, he’s still got it.
| Full Name: Tom Platz | ||
| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 225-235 lbs | 5’8″ | 1955 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| Bodybuilding | 1970, 1980 | American |
Who is Tom Platz
Tom Platz actually started weight lifting back when he was just 9 years old. At age 11, Platz had cemented the idea of becoming Mr. Universe in his mind, writing to Joe Weider asking for critiques of his physique. Surprisingly, he wrote back and back then, Joe Weider actually told Platz that he needed to work on his legs.
Platz later by the age of 15 moved to Kansas city had become a personal trainer. He was illegally employed but the trainer saw so much enthusiasm from Platz about lifting that he had to hire him. Once he was settled in as a trainer, he began to train his legs, learning to do squats properly to avoid inflaming his injury even more. Although he was only able to do about 95 pounds for 3 sets of 10 reps, and he actually did not even enjoy doing legs, so he did not focus on each rep, which left him with skinny legs.
Tom Platz stated that he met Arnold Schwarzenegger, and told him that he would be moving out to Los Angeles to train at the infamous Gold’s Gym, amongst other bodybuilders, and he said that Arnold seemed to somewhat not believe him almost. Well, Platz eventually made it out to L.A. to train, after completing his degree in 1978.
Tom Platz Competition History
Despite never taking home a first place title, Tom Platz gave it his all and many argue that he should have had better placings throughout his career than he did. Let’s take a look at Tom Platz’s competition history:
Contests
- 1995 Honorary Mr. America – AAU
- 1987 Detroit Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
- 1986 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 11th
- 1985 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 7th
- 1984 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 9th
- 1982 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 6th
- 1981 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 3rd
- 1980 World Pro Championships – IFBB, Mr. Universe
- 1980 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 8th
- 1980 Night of Champions – IFBB, 12th
- 1979 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 8th Place
- 1978 World Amateur Championships – IFBB Mr. Universe
- 1978 Mr. America – AAU, Short, 2nd
- 1977 Mr. Southeastern USA – AAU
- 1977 Mr. America – AAU, Short, 2nd
- 1976 Mr. America – AAU, Short, 3rd
- 1975 Mr. Michigan – AAU
- 1974 Junior & Senior State Powerlifting Championships – AAU, 220 Class Champ
- 1974 Teen Mr. America – AAU, 2nd
- 1973 Mr. Adonis – AAU
- 1973 Mr. Ironman – AAU
Tom Platz Shares Methods to Bust Plateaus
There are many physical attributes that can come into play here but Tom Platz believes that it begins with getting your enthusiasm back for training.
“The joy of human movement has to be understood. Until you have the enthusiasm of a small child in the candy store or a toy store, until you’re craving to get that barbell on your hands once again, then go. Time your workouts every week so you never lose that.”
While it can be frustrating and may even deter you from going to the gym, the changes are rather simple and can make or break your gains for the better. By focusing on what matters and giving yourself the best chance at seeing effective change, you start to realize that a plateau is just one of those things you can break right through with ease.
Platz continued to explain this mentality. If you lose the enthusiasm to train, Platz believes that you will just go through the motions and this will not benefit you in the long run.
“You cannot merely do the required number of reps to be successful but to continue doing bodybuilding forever and ever. You have to be eager, you have to have passion. The enjoyment, the enthusiasm, provides energy to overcome those kinds of obstacles.”
A plateau happens because your training has stalled out and your muscles have adapted enough and gotten used to your workouts. The problem with sticking to the same old exercises is that your body gets used to this and it becomes second nature. Growth won’t occur because your muscles are just out for a walk.
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