Don Reinhoudt Training Routine

Don Reinhoudt, The World’s Strongest Man 1978, is considered to be one of the greatest powerlifters of all time, Reinhoudt setted over forty powerlifting records throughout his career and held all four of the powerlifting records in his day

Routine

Monday: heavy benches
Tuesday: heavy squats
Wednesday: off
Thursday: off
Friday: light benches
Saturday: heavy deadlifts and very light squats (just working form)

Here’s the routine that he has used in the past:

Bench Press
135 x 10
225 x 3
315 x 3
405 x 3
505 x 3
550 x 2

Inclines
135 x 10
225 x 3
315 x 3
405 x 3
450 x 3
530 x 2

Flyes
120 x 6
120 x 6
120 x 6

Pullovers
150 x 8
150 x 8
150 x 8

Curls
250 x 6
250 x 6
250 x 6

Triceps Extensions
135 x 10
205 x 3
255 x 3
300 x 3
315 x 3

Squats
245 x 6
445 x 3
645 x 3
750 x 2
830 x 2
905 x 2

Deadlifts
245 x 6
445 x 2
645 x 2
730 x 2
805 x 2
855 x 2

Cheat Upright Rows
135 x 10
225 x 3
255 x 3
305 x 3
350 x 2

That’s the kind of training he used to do weighing 355-365.

Philosophy

“To overcome the fear of big weights one must lift big weights and get used to the feel of them. The greatest bench presser ever, Jim Williams, used to say this and it’s so very true. You must conquer the fear and do it. Jim used to bench 600 pounds five days a week. He conquered the fear of the bench press by doing this. 

I did the same with my squats and deads. I would squat 900+ six to seven weeks for reps and deadlift 800+ six to seven weeks for reps to conquer the fear. My mind and body would always be ready and able to lift max contest lifts if I put it to the test. 

I think it’s a breakthrough in one’s thinking . . . you must believe in yourself. When I started out competing I wanted so badly to be the best powerlifter in the world. I made up my mind . . . that’s what I want to do. I worked hard for 15 years on my goals and dreams. I’m sure I was never the greatest but I reached my dreams and won four World titles and set 24 World Records. 

You must have goals in lifting and lifts. You must pay the price to reach the top. We have all had our ups and downs on the lifting platform or in the gym with injuries or missing lifts and blowing our minds . . . but to be a real champion you must pick yourself up and keep moving ahead . . . setting new goals and dreams for for yourself. 

I reached my goal when I won my first World title in 1973. All my life I wanted to be a World Champion and my dreams came through God . . . but then I thought, well, anyone on a God given day could win one championship, so I wanted another crack at the title. I kept setting new goals every year for myself. I was very lucky . . . without God, my wife Cindy, my Mom and Dad and friends, all these goals never would have come true.”

– Don Reinhoudt

 

source: PLUSA May 1978