Didnt know legs got strength so quick

[luke.w]

oh now I see, he's got an interview also, I thought the article was written by the guy doing the shrugs (he didn't look "drug-free") why the hell is there a pic of a guy doing shrugs there? to get attention or something?


Dan I remember your first 20repper, when you layed on the floor for like an hour, and had a headache for 3-months, where you able to get another 20repper in the same week?

[Dan C]

Originally Posted by minime

well i am certainly not interested in a squat set that has me puking ontop of myself and then out of it for several hours! However, I should probably aim to at least do my bodyweight on the 20rep set, last time it only started getting hard after 10 and I experienced no desire to puke or pass out during.

That man has a good wife, if it were me I'd say get your own damn meals, my legs hurt more than yours do

Like I said, a lot of BS, a lot of hyperbole. Puking is a reality for some people when working really hard (I have never puked and not because I don't work hard) but the being out of it for several hours is bull. I think the main thing you want to take away from that article is that 20 rep squats is one of the most difficult things you will ever do physically (and mentally). So difficult, that you *would* not be able to repeat the effort again for 7-10 days.

(I seriously doubt Amy would wait on him hand and foot like he's making it seem either.)

[Dan C]

Originally Posted by luke.w

Dan I remember your first 20repper, when you layed on the floor for like an hour, and had a headache for 3-months, where you able to get another 20repper in the same week?

That was actually several weeks into a rigid "20-rep-squat-every-Wednesday-and-increase-the-weight-by-5lbs" program. That's part of the reason I think "20 rep squats" should be done at the MOST once a week, and even then only for 4 or 5 weeks at a time. Unless that is your one and only workout, it quickly becomes too much to recover from.

That shouldn't have happened though, something went wrong there. I believe it was because I got distracted and moved my head at the wrong time, pinching a nerve or straining a muscle or something, but I was talking to Kim Wood a couple weeks back and he said the very same thing happened to him once. He had a much more scientific explaination that I didn't quite fully absorb though.

[ihaveadog]

anyways i have a question, do squats exercise the hamstrings

Originally Posted by ihaveadog

anyways i have a question, do squats exercise the hamstrings

Good. Questions mean you are willing to learn.

And yes, they work your hamstrings, as well as your quads, glutes, abs, lower back and a few others indirectly.

Originally Posted by Dan C

That was actually several weeks into a rigid "20-rep-squat-every-Wednesday-and-increase-the-weight-by-5lbs" program. That's part of the reason I think "20 rep squats" should be done at the MOST once a week, and even then only for 4 or 5 weeks at a time. Unless that is your one and only workout, it quickly becomes too much to recover from.

I've been thinking of this from the 20 rep challenge you posted. If it was done intelligently (as described above) do you think it is a reasonable goal? And a fairly safe workout?

[CF-OC_gal]

The Chad Waterbury full body workout that I was following 2 years ago included 2 or 3 sets of 15-18 rep compound exercises. I remember dreading those higher rep workout days.

[ihaveadog]

so i dont really have to do hamstrings if i do alot of squats right

[Dan C]

Originally Posted by IronMan

I've been thinking of this from the 20 rep challenge you posted. If it was done intelligently (as described above) do you think it is a reasonable goal? And a fairly safe workout?

What's the goal?

A fairly safe workout, yes. A safe workout, not really. High rep, to failure squatting is definitely an advanced form of training. As much as I tell people to "listen to your body" you really have to do the exact opposite here. Yes, you still have to listen to your body about *when* to do the workout (I was dreading that session that hurt me, and I should have listened to that and pushed the workout back a couple days) but when actually performing the workout, you really need to override all your minds signals to quit.

And let's be honest, when you start to fatigue, technique suffers. That's why you need to be advanced to the point where you are a "good squatter." They say amateurs practice until they don't make any mistakes and professionals practice until they can't get it wrong. You need to lean toward the professional side for total safety. You need to be strong enough all over that even if your form does slip a little it's no big deal.

We watched a stone lifter (Steve Jeck) do 20 reps with 450 or something. He basically did a goodmorning with the last 3 or 4 reps. But the guy is built like a tank, it didn't even phase him.

So I guess what I'm saying is, high rep squatting is a safe workout if you are either a) strong or b) a good squatter. Regardless, it's a good fullbody muscle/strength building workout.

[maverick]

Originally Posted by ihaveadog

so i dont really have to do hamstrings if i do alot of squats right

I wouldn't ignore your hamstrings as they are a major player in most compound and dynamic exercises. I don't do much hamstring work, but the stuff I do takes care of them. Deadlifts and good mornings are about all I do for hamstrings directly, but squats, other pulls, and olympic lifts are all other indirect work.

[ihaveadog]

Squats hit claves too right

[maverick]

Originally Posted by ihaveadog

Squats hit claves too right

Not really, if if they do, you are pushing through your toes which is a no-no (simplified, but applies to a beginner). Again, apply the same advice I gave for hamstrings to calves. Olympic exercises will do a great job on them if you don't want to work them directly.

[ihaveadog]

thanks man

Originally Posted by Dan C

What's the goal?

Well, I had enough left in me when I had to stop on my high rep set and it really bothers me. The problem is my lungs. I've been an ex smoker for 15 years, but the years I smoked took their toll unfortunately.

I enjoy working hard in the gym. And I'm at the age where I've learned to work around my limitations rather than try and bull through them. No matter how hard I work I'm not sure I'd be able to hit a 40 rep set, so I'm thinking adding 5 or 10 pounds per workout would be challenging as well as fun and rewarding.

Originally Posted by Dan C

And let's be honest, when you start to fatigue, technique suffers. That's why you need to be advanced to the point where you are a "good squatter." They say amateurs practice until they don't make any mistakes and professionals practice until they can't get it wrong. You need to lean toward the professional side for total safety. You need to be strong enough all over that even if your form does slip a little it's no big deal.

While I am no professional (nor built like a tank, unfortunately) I have been very dedicated over the past 10+ years of lifting. I'm confident without being cocky of my abilities and strength to work safely and recover from the inevitable errors.

Originally Posted by Dan C

We watched a stone lifter (Steve Jeck) do 20 reps with 450 or something. He basically did a goodmorning with the last 3 or 4 reps. But the guy is built like a tank, it didn't even phase him.

20 reps with 450 -- I can only wish, lol

Originally Posted by Dan C

So I guess what I'm saying is, high rep squatting is a safe workout if you are either a) strong or b) a good squatter.

If the definition of "strong" is never shirking from compound exercises while striving to always add weight, then yeah, I've got that covered. And I've been squatting since almost day one. When I made the transition from running to lifting I built my workout habit by doing 1 set of bench 3 times per week, increasing the work load as I became more comfortable. Within three months I was working full body (including squats) regularly.

Originally Posted by Dan C

Regardless, it's a good fullbody muscle/strength building workout.

Yep. That's exactly where I'm going. It should work well well with my clean & presses.

Sorry for the hi-jack ihaveadog. Just got carried away.