The high rep squat thread

[tim_mcf]

Well, like I said a few posts above, my PR for bw squats is 38, so 100 sounds pretty good to me!

[CF-OC_gal]

Did rounds that included 100 BW squats tonight(500 in total). the first set I got to 40 or 45 without a break! After that it was mini sets of 5-10 at a time with a 2-3 breath break.

Fairly strict form going low with arched back, on heels, knees out, butt out and tight hams. (the quads were holding up well)

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Last Saturday my worst experience in a WOD yet called for 5 rounds of 45 rep overhead squats with 35 pound bar. I got thorugh the first set without putting the bar down but once. I must have gone about 25-29 reps without stopping.

I did 209 OH squats in total that day.

[luke.w]

Dan and I went to the annual AOBS dinner in new york this weekend (honoring the old-time strongmen), I was fortunate to tag along with Dan and Kim and John Wood over to "the good doctors" annual feast (dr. Ken).

I had a hunch I may be doing squats, as he is the "king" of high rep heavy squats. Also he didn't even know me, so I had to earn right to feast at that house I believe.

so at around 9:30ish in the morining Ken decided we stood around and talked enough and wanted me to start squatting (how surprising!!!), without any warming up or anything he just threw on a pair of reds (155lbs) and told me to just squat 100reps.



155x59 failed at 60.

[.V.]

Originally Posted by luke.w

155x59 failed at 60.

I certainly wouldn't consider 59 at 155 a failure. But I do know what you mean, failed to get the next one.

Still, this is an impressive feat. Congrats on what I call a success. People around here say I'm nuts for squatting 3x a week. So although my squats are only 70 or so each week, I do understand what you are doing and see the value of these high rep squats.

[TomG]

Luke, how did Dr. Ken move? Did he appear painfree? Did he get up smoothly and easily after sitting?

I was a big Ken Leistner fan. The only reason I say it in the past is because I don't frequent the magazines and articles he used to write in (Hardgainer, Milo, etc.).

I used to be inspired by his intense squatting and workouts. At one point I did the 20-rep Super Squats workout up to 150% bodyweight. I watch this thread with nostalgia.

However, my last impression was that Dr. Ken was feeling the effects of his extreme past. That's why I want to know what you saw.

I'm older now - been there, done that, don't feel it's the thing to do. I would have laughed and not squatted what you did, although I think I could probably get to about 50 - 60. No thank you.

I wish him the best, a real name in weightlifting history. It's cool that you got to meet him.

[luke.w]

Ken is a very tough man, and seems a very cool person, not only in his articles will you read about high rep squats, but also some fighting that he has encountered.

Theres very few people I've met in middleage in the "irongame" that are not 100% like in their twenties anymore, however they still seem to "do what they do" and are still stronger than myself.

Ken seemed to move fast and quick, he was moving all kinds of things that day, plus he cleaned an approx. 150lb engine block to the shoulders!!!

but lets face it high rep squats are tough, and yeah, you need to be tough to do them.

I believe you can train yourself for these things, and be smart about it, I was def. prepared for Kens workout for me, and was more than happy to do it.

[Dan C]

"PS - Luke says next time he'll get 100"

That was the post script in the thank-you letter that I mailed out to Dr. Ken.

[Motivated]

So any articles arise on proven benefits of high-rep squats???

Just wondering -- If anyone has any good ones, please PM me. I'd appreciate it.

From Dave Draper's web site

From Purposefully Primitive Fitness web site

There are many more that I'd love to post but I have to go to work now.

[.V.]

Motivated, I can't give you any articles or studies. Don't like that stuff anyway, just interested in anecdotal, "this worked for me, this didn't work for me" information mostly. However, I can tell you that although my squatting comes nothing close to what these folks are doing in this thread. I only do 20-25 squats in 4-5 sets of 5 three times a week for a total of 70 squats each week. My size has increased, my strength has increased in all lifts, my frequency of injuries has decreased, and my endurance has gone up. Squatting is the cornerstone of all my training.

Even the bodyweight training I do includes things that includes at least part of the squat movement. Walking lunges and burpees are examples.

I know, nothing impressive like these other folks are doing, but it does show the benefits of squatting to some extent.

[Stang281]

Would this be considered high reps? Or do I have to hit 20 to achieve this barrier
Squats
1x10x135
1x10x155
1x8x175
3x6x185
My max is 275

[tim_mcf]

Stang, the idea is to take a weight you can do for ten reps, and then do twenty or more without setting the bar down in between. Keep the weight on your shoulders the whole time.

[Stang281]

Originally Posted by tim_mcf

Stang, the idea is to take a weight you can do for ten reps, and then do twenty or more without setting the bar down in between. Keep the weight on your shoulders the whole time.

So I can do 10 reps, stand there with it on my shoulders for 30 secs and bust out 10 more and thats 1 set?

[Your_Crazy]

202 in 5 minutes using a resistance band squat bar.

[tim_mcf]

Originally Posted by Stang281

So I can do 10 reps, stand there with it on my shoulders for 30 secs and bust out 10 more and thats 1 set?

Well, basically, yeah, but that's a lot harder than it sounds, it won't be nearly as easy to "bust out" that second set. What I do is, do a rep, take a breath, do a rep, take a breath, etc. until I just wish Flanders were dead.