Bodybuilding icon Tom Platz is revered not only for his golden era physique but for his undying devotion to intense exercise, even at 69 years old. In a recent Instagram reel shared on July 12, 2024, Platz was critical of how people work out today and underscored why it’s so important to reach failure during training.
Known as ‘The Quadfather’ in bodybuilding circles, Tom Platz is considered one of the greatest IFBB Pros to not win the prestigious Sandow trophy. Nevertheless, he cemented an all-time great résumé and has placed as high as third on the Mr. Olympia stage (1981), having tested himself against timeless icons of the sport like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbu, and Chris Dickerson.
Inside the training room, Platz boasted a ferocious attitude, often training to absolute failure. And even in retirement today he continues to motivate and inspire countless individuals, including popular standouts in the industry such as Sam Sulek. He has watched intense training fall by the wayside through the years, which has prompted him to discuss the pressing issue on social media.
“I Never Got It That People Couldn’t Train To Failure” — Tom Platz
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Platz, who made a career out of pushing well beyond failure in training, is perplexed as to why more people don’t train with such intensity today.
“I never got it that people couldn’t train to failure. I’m like, ‘Really? How do you not train to failure?’ How do you just stop? ‘Oh, I’ll stop now.’ Really, what are you going to do, get a cup of coffee or something? Bodybuilding is more about going to failure. Getting all the drops of water out of the muscle, out of the towel, and I don’t know, it’s satisfying for me to go there.
Hang on to the bar. If you can’t do any more reps, just do baby reps. If you can’t hang on to the bar, have someone push your elbows and keep it up there for you. Get to a point where ‘I challenge god. Give me five more! Give me more time under tension. Come on god please!” shares Tom Platz.
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Whether he is breaking down his use of performance-enhancing drugs with bodybuilding legend Dorian Yates or showcasing his timeless physique and shredded quads at 69 years old, Platz remains adored by the community who never miss an opportunity to sponge up his training wisdom.
While science-based training has certainly taken off as of late in the fitness community, there’s something to be said for Tom Platz’s style of exercise, which undoubtedly helped him sculpt a legendary physique during his time on stage.
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