Squats vs Deadlifts Ratio

[missjane]

I've noticed a lot of newbies are posting much higher squat weights than deadlift weights. Most would say that this means the squats aren't deep enough. MOST people should be able to deadlift more than they squat. Sure, there are exceptions, but that's the general thought. Make sure you are getting full range of motion on your squats and breaking parallel (and make sure you know what parallel is, too!). You should be feeling it in your glutes.

If you haven't checked out the squat rx series on Youtube, do so. Also, if you get a chance to read Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength (and/or the video of same), I highly recommend to get a strong foundation on your major lifts. Made a huge difference for me and I'm sure others will chime in with the same thoughts.

Also, these charts are a neat way to compare your lifts and your progress, too. Again, not meant to be the be all and end all, and YMMV.

http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLi...Standards.html

http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_a..._you_lift_wimp

and, of course, LisaS's great thread:

Do this not that - squats

[Lil Messi]

Thanks MissJane!!

I've been noticing rounding on my squat and been trying to correct this - so frustrating!

[Evie]

MissJane, I got Starting Strength just lately b/c I saw your posts about it. I'm very impressed with it. Wish I'd bought it long ago. I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Amblus]

I'm really glad to hear this. I'm doing Power Training still and my deadlift is quite a bit heavier than my squat. I was afraid I was doing something wrong.

[hazeldazel]

i'm so glad you posted this! I thought it was the other way around and was bummed that my squats were much less than my deadlifts.

[Camazama]

I guess I am the abnormality for the group. I can squat a lot more than I can deadlift. I was wondering if anyone else found that they feel A) Squats working more of the quads and glutes and B) Deadlifts working more of the hamstrings.

[missjane]

If you ARE squatting more than you are DLing, make sure you are truly breaking parallel. Know what parallel really is and show someone without weight. Then, have them watch you with weight.

[Evie]

Originally Posted by Camazama

I guess I am the abnormality for the group. I can squat a lot more than I can deadlift. I was wondering if anyone else found that they feel A) Squats working more of the quads and glutes and B) Deadlifts working more of the hamstrings.

There was a time when my grip strength was significantly holding me back on DLs. (Still does, to an extent, but not like it used to.) While my grip was catching up to my legs, I could squat slightly more than I could DL. But now I can definitely DL way more than I can squat.

[nancysmithwp]

Have you tried a mixed grip, so that one hand faces forward and one hand faces backward? It helps, especially on the high rep sets.