Building the Big Three: The Art of Accessory Work with Andrew Clute

Everybody loves the big lifts.

But what happens after the squat, bench and deadlift may determine how much those lifts actually improve.

On this episode of The Platform, Chris Whittaker and MHSPLA Executive Director Chris Gillum are joined by Andrew Clute, Head Powerlifting Coach at Onsted High School, for a deep dive into the role of accessory work in powerlifting and strength development.

The guys start by defining the difference between a competition lift, supplemental movement and true accessory exercise before getting into the real question: Why does accessory work matter?

From there, it's a full coaching discussion on identifying weak points and selecting movements that actually address them.

They break down common problems in the squat, bench and deadlift — knees collapsing, the chest falling forward, poor shoulder stability, weak triceps, hips shooting up during the deadlift and difficulty finishing at lockout — and discuss how accessory programming can help build stronger, more technically sound lifters.

The conversation also goes beyond high school powerlifting. The coaches discuss training age versus biological age, programming for adult lifters, managing recovery as athletes get older, training around busy schedules and why the amount of work you can recover from matters more than the amount of work you can survive.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Main lifts vs. supplemental exercises vs. accessory work
• Why accessories matter for the Big Three
• Building General Physical Preparedness
• Teaching athletes to buy into the "boring" work
• Using video to diagnose technical weaknesses
• Fixing knee cave and the "stripper squat"
• Knowing when the weight is simply too heavy
• Building the posterior chain
• Face pulls, rows and upper-back development
• Developing shoulder stability and healthy rotator cuffs
• Building triceps for a stronger bench press
• GHRs and reverse hypers
• RDLs, hip thrusts and hamstring work
• Deficit deadlifts, block pulls and rack pulls
• Fixing deadlift speed off the floor and lockout
• Bands and accommodating resistance
• Accessory programming for high school athletes
• Training age vs. biological age
• How accessory training changes as lifters get older
• Recovery, joint health and mobility
• Keeping ego out of accessory exercises
• Training to failure vs. leaving reps in the tank
• Tracking progress beyond the competition lifts
• Managing accessory work when training time is limited
• Why good reps matter more than impressive-looking weight
• And a challenge for Michigan's powerlifting coaches to get back on the platform themselves

The message is simple: your weak points don't disappear because you ignore them.

Identify them. Train them. Track them. Get stronger.

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM & MHSPLA

Enjoying The Platform? Subscribe, follow, rate, review and share the podcast. Every share helps us reach more athletes, coaches and supporters of high school powerlifting.

Support The Platform Podcast and the Michigan High School Powerlifting Association by visiting the MHSPLA Fourthwall Shop for MHSPLA and Platform gear.

Shop: mhspla-shop.fourthwall.com

Follow the MHSPLA on social media for meet information, records, results, association updates and more.

The Platform — where the stories weigh a ton.