Build Raw Strength Beyond the Big 3
Squats, bench, and deadlifts get you started, but this is what makes you a beast. Whether it's grip strength or the Zercher squat, we train to conquer the weaknesses that stop your progress.
A year ago, I struggled with a 603kg belt squat. Today, I crushed 702kg for 5 reps. Belt squats are a game-changer for building leg strength without stressing your spine.
Hitting a new personal best of 306kg on the glute bridge machine. This exercise is underrated but crucial for strengthening the entire posterior chain and improving hip mobility.
Heavy belt squats are a powerhouse exercise. They activate the quads and improve hip movement, which is crucial for my sumo deadlift. The overload mechanism pushes our limits.
Day 13 of my challenge. A 423kg belt squat that moved with power and control. No shortcuts, just pure focus on getting stronger where it matters most.
My first ever Zercher squat PR at 150kg. This unique lift, holding the bar in the crook of your elbows, builds the quads, upper back, and core like nothing else.
A 160kg Zercher squat. It wasn't planned, but even on a bad day, I got it done. Pushing through the tough days is what builds true strength.
A 250kg axle bar deadlift. I missed this grind. The thick bar and no whip make it a different kind of challenge. Time to bring back that raw strength.
From sumo to conventional, I push my limits. Here I am conquering the axle bar deadlift for the first time with 230kg and 250kg.
After a long time, I got back to the 200kg axle bar deadlift. I am focusing on building more strength and improving my grip.
Hitting a milestone with a 200kg axle bar deadlift. This marks my return to the game. The powerlifting and strongman journey begins now.
About Beyond the Big 3: Accessory & Strongman Training
If you think a big total comes only from heavy SBD sessions, you are missing the engine room. I use belt squats and specific grip training not just for volume, but to overload your posterior chain without wrecking your spine. It is not about doing more reps. It is about doing them with the right intent and technique to fix your weak points.
Accessory movements are not just 'extra' work. They are the difference between a stalled plateau and a new personal best. When we train at Balarka Fitness, we focus on movements that build your foundation.
Why Accessory Training Matters
- Belt Squats: We utilize these to push volume for your quads and glutes while keeping your spine safe. It is a game-changer for anyone struggling with lower back fatigue during heavy sessions.
- Zercher Squats: Holding the bar in the crook of your elbows builds upper back, core, and quad strength like nothing else. It is a brutal movement, but it forces your body to stabilize weight in ways a regular squat does not.
- Grip & Strongman Elements: Your deadlift is only as strong as your grip. We use axle bars and iron plate holds to build real-world, functional strength that translates to the platform.
My Approach
I do not give out generic templates. If you are struggling with your sumo deadlift, I will look at your hip mobility and accessory work, like RDLs or glute bridges, to correct it. If your bench is stuck, we address the triceps and upper back. We diagnose the breakdown and prescribe the movement to fix it.
Whether you are joining for 1-on-1 personal training in Jayanagar or remote championship coaching, the goal remains the same: we get stronger by doing the work others are afraid to touch. Kyonki giving up was never an option.
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