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Originally Posted by
FatButWeak
Dropping cleans and deadlifts is not necessary. I know we see it all the time in videos and those Crossfit douches are always throwing their shit down, but every time you drop the weights you are depriving yourself of the "negative" or eccentric value of the lift. A controlled lowering of the weight is preferable to dropping it. Yes, I understand that a 1RM dedlift cannot be set down gently. Just keep your hands on the bar as it "drops" and that will slow it down enough. Also, unless you are cleaning or snatching world class weights, there is no reason or need to drop a successful clean or snatch. (A missed clean or snatch, well those might land anywhere!) Just reverse the second pull so that the bar is at your waist, then lower it slowly.
I read that one reason why the "old time" weightlifters before rubber plates were so much more muscular than current competitiors is the fact that they received the beenfit of the negative. It may also have been the fact that the press was also part of the game back then. But we cannot rule out the value of the eccentric contraction in hypertrophy. You tube some old weightlifting to see how those guys would lower world class snatches and cleans with iron plates.
Finally, there is no need to construct an elaborate platform. If you are really concenred about chipping concrete floors or damaging iron plates by setting them down roughly on concrete, just lay down a single 6X8 sheet of plywood. That should be fine for deadlifts and cleans. Dont squat or press on it, though, since the edge of the wood will create a tripping hazard when you take the bar out of the racks.