Brad Gillingham – Man amongst Men

Brad Gillingham – Man amongst Men

My favorite powerlifter currently
active (other than Incredible Eddie) is Brad Gillingham…son of all-pro
offensive guard Gale Gillingham of the Lombardi-era Green Bay Packers,
Brad is a genetic wonder (high jumped 6-8 in high school) who took up
powerlifting rather late in life and went on to win numerous national
championship and two IPF world titles. Brad did it the hard way –
some would say the impossible way – drug free in a ‘risk’sport.
Because Brad was without chemical aides and because he is super-tall
(6-3) in a short man’s sport the training (and eating) became all
important: he can teach us much about the art and science of getting
freaky strong. His lifts were technically pristine, his equipment minimal,
no monolifts or denim bench shirts and his training approach sophisticated
and rooted in embracing effort as opposed to avoiding effort. A reader
sent me an inquiry on Brad’s training wondering how Big G could move
850 in the squat without handling more than 780 in training….anyone
serious about strength training should pony up $31.95 for Brad’s DVD
on squat and deadlift training. Call 1-800-448-7693

To: 'Marty Gallagher'


Subject: RE: Brad Gillingham

Gillingham said he essentially
uses the following percentages during his squat cycle. He does a true
5 x 5 system. (5 sets of 5-reps using the same
static weight) But look at the low percentages for the program
– How is it that you could make big strength gains using such low
percentages? Wouldn’t you think that doing a max single in week 15
would have you below what you used to do, just from a neurological aspect?

Thanks for passing this along
in this format...Actually this is pretty 'on the money' again you have
to remember that this is done with NO GEAR at all; not even a belt.
Second point: Brad is looking to hit an 850 squat. Here is the punch
line: if you can squat 605 with no gear for 5 sets of 5 reps then guess
what? You’ll be able to squat 850 wearing gear...please keep in mind
that Brad weighs 310 and this influences his approach which would be
modified if he was a 148-pound guy looking to squat say 600. Still I
find this approach sound as do I virtually everything I hear from or
about him.

This would be what I would
call a “staggered wave cycle” i.e., three weeks of 5x5 moving from
52% to 62% of a 780-pound “no gear” projected maximum. Then Brad
takes a “break” in week 4 using the ‘active rest’ approach –
he likely has a big deadlift scheduled for this light squat week. Brad
is back in the saddle in week 5&6 and pushes up to 70% of his projected
1-rep max before taking a break in week 6 with another 60%-8x2-active
rest week. Weeks 10 and 11 his pushes upward to 72.5% before another
active rest week on week 12. In week 13 he maxes out will 5 sets of
5-reps with 77.5% or 605 pounds. A final active rest week with 60% for
8x2 in week 14 before the grand finale: 3 singles wearing his squat
suit, knee wraps and a belt.