I recently started doing deads with the Madcow 5x5 intermediate program; did them once a week for about nine weeks. Went from a beginning 1rm of 315 to 405 x 5 a few weeks before the end. Because of my long legs I changed to Sumo stance in the middle and it saved a lot of stress on my back and allowed me to come way up in weight.
I use straps because of a grip weaker than my lifts and I can't use chalk at home over the mats. Too much mess for my house. I'm trying to do hangs when I have time to bring the grip up. I've just never thought about it or cared about grip, but one could say, it's just as much of an ego thing to go strapless as to use straps with big weight.
I may go as low as 3 reps at the end of this
HST cycle, but I'd rather not do singles at my age unless I'm really feeling my oats.
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