The Importance of Accessories

There is a common tendency for lifters to just hit the “big three” (squat, bench, deadlift) when they train. Accessories are exercises that support the big three. They are actually very important for powerlifters, not only do they help you avoid injury and muscle imbalances, but they can increase your total. Choosing what accessory exercises to perform should reflect your weaknesses. Ask any elite powerlifter if they just do squats bench and deadlifts and they will tell you no, accessories are pivotal to your powerlifting success and overall strength.

Accessories that help powerlifters:

· Pull-ups/Chin-ups – This exercise helps various muscle development and strength such as lats, rear delts, rhomboids, and traps. These muscles are important across all three lifts as they help keep the upper body tight.

· Dips – Dips help the development of strength in both the chest and triceps

· Dumbbell/Barbell Shoulder Press – Performing this exercise helps shoulder strength, this helps stability and the ability to get ‘tight’ in the upper body and helps avoid injury in all lifts.

· Lunges or Bulgarian Split Squats – These exercises will help you find any strength and muscle imbalances as well as help with stability and mobility.

· Good Mornings – Performed in a slow and controlled manner, this exercise strengthens the posterior chain and thus help your deadlift and squat.