Adding the Powerclean

[dbingham]

What are the benefits of adding the powerclean if my deadlift is still progressing every training session? I have been following NLP for 8 weeks and am adding 2.5 lbs every training session.

I'm 42 years old. 6' 204 lbs. Deadlift has gone from 125 to 195, so obviously still a long way to go.

[Mark Rippetoe]

The reasons are discussed in the blue book. If you don't want to power clean, don't power clean.

[dbingham]

“The power clean is the best way to keep the ability to display power on pace with increasing strength.”

Thank you sir.

[Aaron Robnolte]

I am only at the end of week 6 in my NLP, but the power clean has proven very useful to my wife and I. After reading both the blue and grey books, I was really liking the example NLP from page 90-93 in the grey book. So, that is what I am doing or basically copying. We started power cleans mid week 3. Both my wife and I hated them as we just plain sucked at the movement. Now that I have gotten comfortable, I feel the power clean is my strongest lift even though I am still at light weight, it is effortless. I am currently at 145lbs 5x3. My deadlift got to 305lbs 1x5 and I was going to get 315lbs, but had a recent back issue that is causing issues.
I wasnt even going to do PC's because i tried all the lifts before starting NLP and PW's were my worst and I hated them. Glad I went ahead and added them, as prior to my back issue I was adding 10lbs to every deadlift and 5lbs to my power cleans. I feel like getting decent at power cleans has added something that I would be lacking if I didnt do them. Part of the PC is essentially a deadlift, so in my mind they go hand in hand.