400 lb Squat Challenge - JP Fitness Forums

DKing · 12-14-2004, 01:49 PM

Alright guys, in another post Newlife and I were talking about how we both want to hit a 400 lb squat. So we decided to have a little informal race. Nothing really to serious but just some place we could keep track of how everyone is doing and add updates. This is that place. I know GQ said he was game and everyone else is welcome to join it.

Can't squat anywhere near 400? Way past us weak mortals? Feel free to post your squat updates anyway. Lets get everyone shooting for PRs on this here log.

Danny

DKing · 12-14-2004, 01:50 PM

I will start.

2 weeks ago I hit a below parallel 365 lb squat that felt pretty good. 385 flattened me hard. Haven't heavy squat since then.

Bodyweight is 190 right now.

Danny

Relentless · 12-14-2004, 02:40 PM

Sweet, what type of squat are you doing? Assuming low bar wide stance for you D? I will be shooting for 315 high bar shoulder width stance. I am extremely far away from this, my squat is almost the same as my damn bench press, I have always been horrible at the squat but just two weeks ago did I incorporate hamstring training other than a damn leg curl, so I hope this really pushes my numbers through the roof on the squat, good mornings are really waking up me to some sore mornings (have done them only twice in my life as of now), have the ham raise going on as well. Lets get this shit started, heavy squats for everyone, no excuses!

Relentless · 12-14-2004, 02:50 PM

oops, my current bdy weight: 162lbs

Ian Kay · 12-14-2004, 03:26 PM

A few weeks back I did a 2x305. I'm pretty sure if I warmed up for a straight 1RM I could do more (especially after 5 weeks of periodization to add on to it). Maybe next week!

For now, though:

305 at 170 lbs.

GqArtguy · 12-14-2004, 05:08 PM

Just to clarify, Im going to be doing deep olympic squats, not the wide stance PL squat. My main goal is to front squat 315, but if Im able to do that then a 400lb back squat wouldnt be too far away. I can do 335 but its not pretty, kinda GM it on the way up. So Im going for form. I think this will be a good thing for next year, esp since thatll be when I start a new routine and start squatting 3 times a week

DKing · 12-14-2004, 10:03 PM

GQ, I am also shooting for more of an Oly squat, although not that strict of one. It will be much higher bar, closer stance than what I used to be squatting. The 365 was deep shoulder width and high bar. I think if I went low bar wide stance I could probably hit 400 in about two weeks, but I am much weaker on oly squats and I have found that the stronger I get at them the more it helps my strongman stuff.

Danny

Newlife · 12-15-2004, 07:05 AM

12/13/04
186.4 lbs 5'9"

Squat below parallel, Mid bar, slightly wider than shoulder width for stance.

Prior Max was 350 on 12/6/04

New max is 360.

warm-up 135x5 & 225x5
work set 355x1, 365xfail, 360x1

Thanks for starting the thread Danny.

Chris D · 12-16-2004, 10:50 AM

I think I'll throw my hat into the arena here, although compared to the other people that have posted, I'm a relative whimp (started seriously lifting again in September 04 and I've never been that strong or at least lifted a lot).

5'10" @ 193 (a bunch of fat around the middle..BF I'd like to think is around 16-17...know for a fact it was 18.7 in October)

Goals:
Bench: 185 (my max bench in high school...that was 8 years ago...ugh!)
Squat: 225 (my max squat in high school)

The last time I did bench I did 165 x 10 I believe (currently training with Training for Max Size (see fitness area) which doesn't have a bench day in it)

Squats I just did 5 sets of 11 @ 155...So I suspect that if I maxed I'd be pretty close to my goal, but probably a bit short (I go about parallel on my squats).

I'll try and do a max sometime in the next week to give me a better idea of where I stand on these goals.

kmwest · 12-16-2004, 11:05 AM

OK, I'll join in. It'll be a long time before I hit a 400-lb squat. My immediate goal is 225. My current max is a 200lb box squat. Hopefully I will hit 210 on my next MES day. BTW, I have a log on Rugged Forums, "A Study in Contradictions." The link is also in my signature.

Johnka · 12-16-2004, 02:38 PM

Great idea Danny. I won't join in, as I don't ever see myself hitting 400, but I'll enjoy watching this thread.

I do have one recommendation though: post pictures! One man's "ass to the grass" squat is another man's quarter squat. If you guys have digital cameras, have someone take a picture at the bottom of your squat, so we have a point of comparison.

kmwest · 12-16-2004, 03:39 PM

When it is just sitting on the ground, my box sits 12" above the ground. I stick a couple hex dumbbells under one end to bring it up to 14". That's about an inch or two below parallel for me.

RLP71586 · 12-16-2004, 06:48 PM

My max squat right now is 345. That's going as low as I can, my thighs touch my calves on the bottom of the squat. My goal is 405 in the squat (and deadlift). When I was still playing football 3 years ago I got a 365 squat, so getting to that and at least a little above should be easy. I'm 6' and 185 lbs (and pissed that I'm nt squatting at least 370, it hurts my ego to not be able to squat twice my weight

)

ninja · 12-16-2004, 07:47 PM

I'll join, although I doubt I will have 400 within the year.

RoadRash · 12-17-2004, 10:48 AM

I got up 315 a couple times in a high bar about shoulder width stance after 20 minutes hiit on the cycle and doing a few sets like 8x135lb 5x275lb 5x285. I prob used my back a little too much though.

400 seems so far away

I've never tried any other type of stance on squat(like front or low bar). Does it make a lot of difference in one's max weight?

Cougar5143 · 12-21-2004, 10:45 PM

what if we squat more than 400 do we shoot for 475?

DKing · 12-22-2004, 02:13 PM

Wow, a lot of people joining in, thats awesome. Johnka is right, we need to get picture up if we can. I should be able to post one eventually.

Roadrash - If I got back to it, I am sure I could squat more with a really wide stance, although than I can't go as low and its not really an Oly Squat anymore. But I change my stance up a lot. Variety is good, it teaches you where you are weak.

Cougar - Sure, go for whatever goal you are trying to hit, 475 is a huge squat.

Danny

Cougar5143 · 12-22-2004, 08:57 PM

This could turn out to be a good motivator. So who alls in? I know Im gonna try and Ill post my gains and failures.

Newlife · 01-03-2005, 10:49 AM

365 went up on 12/26/04. Failed on 370 2 times. Might try to go wider stance next workout and see where my numbers go. Started squating in just a tee shirt vs. sweatshirt and still working on bar position now. I seem to be letting the bar sit too low on my back and is affecting balance a bit on my max lifts.