This method takes the concept of a "drop set" and applies it to range of motion instead of weight changes.
Instead of reducing the weight, you're going to reduce the range of motion of the trap bar deadlift.
This is a fantastic way to work on the top, lockout part of the range of motion with greater volume without needing a power rack to do rack pulls in (which are very commonly done wrong).
As well, doing more reps holding a heavy load conditions your body to deal with that heavy loading, improving the strength of all the supporting structures of your body. This lockout technique allows you to do that without beating down your overall recovery too much.
How To Do Range-of-Motion Drop Sets for Trap Bar Deadlift Strength
To perform this technique, you'll need a trap bar and some bumper plates (or a rack that has pins that can be set up outside the rack...and a trap bar that can be racked).
Stack 3 bumper plates even with the plates of the trap bar. I've got a 45 and two 35's stack on each side to get the right height. You're going to setting the trap bar on top of the stacks of plates to perform the technique.
I've got 495 lbs on the bar, set a little in front of the stacks of plates.
Do a 1-3 reps of full-range deadlifts.
At the top of the final rep, do a Farmers Walk forward with the bar.
Stand directly in between the two stacks of plates then set the bar on the stacks.
Now perform partial range lockouts in that shortened range of motion. Set the bar down fully on the plate stakcs between each rep to unload then reload the spine.
Perform 4-6 reps of lockouts in this position.
On the final rep, walk the bar back to your original position, then set it back down on the floor.
That's it! Take 3 minutes rest or so, then go again for 2-3 total sets of this.
Why not just leave the bar on top of the plates while doing these drop sets?
Two reasons...
First, round plates roll and we don't want the trap bar rolling off the stack of plates. Second, picking the weight up, walking forward and walking back further challenges the support structures of your body with dynamic loading (via a very short Farmers Walk).
This has benefits just on it's own.
This technique is going to help you build strength in the top range of motion of the trap bar deadlift while developing the connective support structures critical to overall strength in the deadlift. In order to deveop those, you need to spend time under load, and this is a good way to do it without having to do full reps of the deadlift with very heavy weight.
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