If you’ve been reading my Bodybuilding for Powerlifting series, you probably have a whole big stack of assistance exercises to add to your routine. Don’t. Here’s why. In case you don’t have time to watch the whole thing, here are the cliff notes:
- Only about 20% of your total effort should be devoted to accessory work (things that aren’t a close variation of the squat, bench, or deadlift).
- It’s very important that when you are training accessories, you focus on training the muscle involved, not the movement.
- To focus on the muscle, try using very high reps, and make sure you’re putting your body in a position that emphasizes your weaknesses while not causing any pain.
