Dr. Mike Israetel Explains The Origins of Tom Platz’s Leg Day Workout | BarBend

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Tom Platz Training

Dr. Israetel recognizes Platz’s unique fitness style. He discusses how the brain often prevents people from exercising vigorously. He says that this limitation is caused by fear, which is produced by two special situations: pain and failure.

Dr. Israetel describes pain as an inevitable part of training, suggesting that embracing discomfort is essential to putting in enough effort in the gym.

The pain in your muscles when you lift, the good kind of pain, is a sign that the stimulus for growth is being given.

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Dr. Israetel Explains Tom Platz’s Leg Day

Dr. Israetel criticized Platz’s leg curl, calf raise, barbell squat, hack squat, and leg extension.

Leg Curl

Dr. Israetel praises Platz’s strength over the leg gap. However, his criticism emphasizes that the execution of Platz during eccentrics raises the risk of hamstring injuries and fails to connect the lower muscles sufficiently. In addition, Israetel does not believe that the Platz model using long sections is suitable for hypertrophy.

Raise the Calf

Dr. Israetel suggested that non-elite people trying to replicate Platz’s calf may struggle to get the benefits they seek.

Tom did whatever it took to build muscle.

Platz’s spotter would hang the machine during calf raises to add more resistance.

Barbell Squat

Israetel asserts that although Platz did not invent the squat, he developed it for bodybuilding. He notes that Platz has used a variety of techniques over the years, with one technique that stands out: high squats. Platz landed on his heels and his body was straight. His knees were on his toes.

The video shows Platz squatting 525 pounds for 23 reps, while Israetel gets closer to 500 pounds for 10 reps. Although Israetel praises Platz’s technique, he advises taking it slow.

Hack Squat

Israetel explained the variation of Platz’s hack squat, which changes from a hack squat to a sissy squat, as it becomes a proper leg extension that targets the center of the quadriceps.

Train this hack squat in the 10 to 15 rep range, aiming for failure. There, change to regular hack squats. This will provide greater tension to the length of the long muscle, which can result in greater muscle hypertrophy. (1)

Leg Extension

Israetel emphasizes that Platz has integrated different energy systems at the same time. To increase the effectiveness of leg extensions, Platz used long sets, partial reps, and myo reps.

Finally, Dr. Israetel advised bodybuilders who do any exercise to use proper technique and put more effort into training. While he acknowledges that most people can increase their exercise intensity, he cautions those who should avoid vigorous exercise like The Quadfather.

Reference

1. Nunes, JP, Jacinto, JL, Ribeiro, AS, Mayhew, JL, Nakamura, M., Capel, DMG, Santos, LR, Santos, L., Cyrino, ES, & Aguiar, AF (2020). Putting Greater Torque on Short or Long Muscle Lengths? Effects of Cable vs. Barbell Preacher Curl Training on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy in Young Athletes. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(16), 5859. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165859

Featured image: @tomplatz on Instagram