It looks cool. It sounds cool. But what’s the point of it, really? We’re talking about lifting with chains.

We all feel like a total badass when we do it, but it goes so far beyond that. Let’s talk about this for a minute.

Lifting With Chains: Why?

Let’s using squatting as an example, to help illustrate this more. You have your loaded barbell, plus the chains on each end. You take the bar out of the rack with it on your back.

At the top of your squat, you’re supporting as much of the chains as possible, meaning this is when the barbell will be the heaviest. As you squat down, the chains start gathering on the floor. This means that some of the load is being taken off, and the weight is actually getting lighter.

At the bottom of the squat is when the barbell will be the lightest. Why is this a good thing, you ask? Because the bottom of the squat is where most of us will fail. So, you get a little bit of a break there while still building strength.

But!

As you stand up out of the squat, it starts to get heavier again, since you’re once again picking up the chains. So, you’re not totally off the hook.

As an added bonus, you have to work on being more stable, since the chains tend to swing a little bit. Check out this demo.

It’s the same concept with any other lift, like the deadlift.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CADqHyPpNyT/

You can throw chains into the mix whenever you want. Use them for dips, pull-ups, you name it.

So, yes, they look hardcore. But there’s a serious benefit to lifting with chains. Give it a shot!

Main image: Brent Fikowski/Instagram