The high rep squat thread

[Dan C]

I understand this isn't something most people can relate to, but over the weekend I carried a 780lb yoke for 55ft. I haven't done a yoke walk for about 11 months. I've never done that much weight for that distance. I attribute my ability to set this PR to my recent squatting efforts.

Interestingly enough, it's not my legs or back that is most sore, it's my neck, from straining and grimacing under the weight.

[IronMan]

Originally Posted by Dan C

To be fair though, you need to rest in the standing position, with the bar in your hands

There is no other way I would even consider resting! Bar or plates on the ground means the end of the set. :

[Dan C]

Originally Posted by IronMan

There is no other way I would even consider resting! Bar or plates on the ground means the end of the set. :

Nice!

[IronMan]

Man, that is one excellent carry, Dan. Who would have thought that squatting could help you move a 780 pound yolk? Lifting it is one thing, trying to balance it for 55 feet is another. Understandable why your neck hurts.

[LINDA]

Well it got me in my weak spot, my heart!

75# x 20

I was panting and so breathless one of the trainers smiled and made a comment that "that must have been a good set ".

The trouble is that the weight was too light. I couldn't relax because of how crowded it was and I knew going in that everything below my waist was quite fatigued and not recovered from other workouts and things going on so it wasn't going to be my best effort.

So I guess I will have to try again. 95# I suppose on a better day.

[minime]

woohoo, way to go brat!

[Dan C]

Nice work... both of you ladies!

Originally Posted by Dan C

Nice work... both of you ladies!

You know, when one sees big strong guys doing this stuff it's pretty cool, but not unexpected.

When I visit a gym though, I see ladies using the pec deck, doing leg extensions, and some little dumbell curls.

When the ladies here do somthing like this it's quite impressive. Especially using 75, 95, or more for 20 or 20+ reps.

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by Brat

[/i]The trouble is that the weight was too light. I couldn't relax because of how crowded it was and I knew going in that everything below my waist was quite fatigued and not recovered from other workouts and things going on so it wasn't going to be my best effort.

So I guess I will have to try again. 95# I suppose on a better day.

I feel the way you did it is alot tougher prefatigue then going right into your 20repper, this sounds like the method (I've read about) Arthur Jones using.

[luke.w]

that gave me an idea, I have high rep squats on my mind now, my next yoke day, I'm going to do a heavy walk under my deck (780ish) and then do a high rep squat (190-200?) and see how far I can get over 20reps.

this will be good on sat. since I'm going to a pre-easter dinner, it all depends if the boss has other plans for me, eithier then or monday, eithier way I'll shut my trap and post when the work is done.

[Cort]

Sounds fun. I'll throw this in a couple of weeks down the line once I'm feeling a bit tougher and get back to you =)

[luke.w]

the first thing I've done sofar (lastnight) was play around with how my style is going to be, first as of late I'm squatting super-low, I mean I actually sit and try to strech (sink) lower with my butt between my legs, this is the best way for myself, it makes my knees feel great.

lastnight I threw 185 on and tried another way, I've noticed while watching dr. Ken, Steve Jeck, and yourself Dan that you guys use fast decents and fast on the way up, I did that for practice lastnight, and I gotta say this doesn't feel good on my knees, my knees bending fast and quick like below parallel, I don't like it.

I like to use a much slower decent, so this is going to be really hard, and my form will most likey break down faster this way, so I'm going try 185, I should be great for 15+ but even with my style I'm worried about my knees doing this for 20-30reps, I don't see this as going to be consistant workout plan. my bodyweight is also down to close to 189 (I haven't seen under 190 for over a year)

I feel better on my joints dragging a sled until I'm dizzy (did that thursday) or flipping a tire until I'm ready to hurl.

[Dan C]

Yes, I try to utilize the stretch reflex, which requires a faster descent and even faster turn around time (amortisation phase). The concentric portion isn't a grind (well, maybe the last 5-6 reps are), but I'm not moving so fast I'm in danger of becoming airborne at the completion of the lift either. When I say olympic style squat, I'm literally trying to emulate an olympic weightlifter squatting.

This doesn't bother my knees. I had an minor issue last year, but I think that was a matter of getting used to my lifting shoes. All good this time around.

An interesting thing about your post, Luke, is how you say the stretch at the bottom of your squat makes your knees feel great. The one thing that the full squat vs parallel squat camps agree on, is that you should not "rest" or take tension off the quads while in the bottom position. I don't know if this is what you're doing, but one thing you should be cautious of is sinking your "butt in between your legs".

Keep in mind that the knee is a hinge joint, it's only supposed to move in one plane. If your thigh is not folding directly over your lower leg, you're getting some lateral movement in there that might actually be weakening the joint. Just like how bowing the knees in when you squat is not a good practice, if I'm understanding you correctly, what you're describing is not a good practice for the very same reasons.

Originally Posted by luke.w

it all depends if the boss has other plans for me

LOL!

[luke.w]

[quote=Dan C]
An interesting thing about your post, Luke, is how you say the stretch at the bottom of your squat makes your knees feel great. The one thing that the full squat vs parallel squat camps agree on, is that you should not "rest" or take tension off the quads while in the bottom position. I don't know if this is what you're doing, but one thing you should be cautious of is sinking your "butt in between your legs".

Keep in mind that the knee is a hinge joint, it's only supposed to move in one plane. If your thigh is not folding directly over your lower leg, you're getting some lateral movement in there that might actually be weakening the joint. Just like how bowing the knees in when you squat is not a good practice, if I'm understanding you correctly, what you're describing is not a good practice for the very same reasons.






I don't feel I'm resting my quads, but when I go that low, they don't seem to NOT get hit as directly, and I should have said I "sink my butt lower" my butt still stays in line with my heals.

My style (that I feel good about) is more towards Ivan C. (the no,no,no guy) slighly wider stance allows me to go lower. it's much differant than the way I saw on the Steve Jeck vid. thats the way I was doing it lastnight for a 5 quick ones.

well, I will not sink so low when doing it, but I'll most likely use a more slower decent.

My style seems to feel good with very low reps. I overhead squat like that once a week 3-singles over 135, up to the 160's (easier than it's ever been)
and works nice on triples for steinborn style, several sets, little rest.

[Motivated]

Okay, read the thread, now I'm up for the challange. You all are always inspiring me to do crazy things.

Haha while my newbie stats arent so good, I'll shoot for 155 x 20 today.

Let's see if I can do it, wish me well!

I plan on lifting around 2:30PM EST, so think of me around then rofl.
I'll play Eye of the Tiger or music from Gladiator to root me on, I think i can do 20 reps of 155; I think..........

I can already do 10 reps with not so much strain. Then again, 20 is a lot. :/ rofl

I've done 185 x 10.......perhaps Ill shoot for 10 reps more. Who knows? lol

WHatever, I'll try what do I have to lose?

Hmmm.... Hopefully it'll help me gain mass. I'm only 18, so my test levels are already high as hell no?

Would high rep squatting benefit anythign besides ego, at least for my goals (getting cut, losing bf and gaining muslce, see journal for more )?