Look around the weight lifting area at the gym and you might find a heap of metal chains. They’re a tool typically used by power lifters , but chains are a great way for anyone to break through a plateau on the main lifts: bench press, squat, and deadlift. Picture a deadlift , with a chain draped over the middle of the barbell, between the weight plates. At the beginning part of the lift (when you’re first raising the barbell off the ground), most of the chain is resting on the floor. But as you pull the bar up, the chain comes up too, continuously adding to the pounds being lifted. Getting Fit From Scratch: Your First 5 Moves This is important because, for many people, the most challenging point in a lift is the beginning, when you’re first trying to get the weight moving—something that’s especially true when working on a one-rep max. With a chain, you’re able to get the bar going at the outset, then lock out a heavier weight at the top. The other advantage is that a chain