.bmp)
Powerlifting
involves three main lifts… SQUAT, bench press and deadlift. Big numbers in back squatting pretty much
indicates your manhood (only in the strength world). Who wants chicken legs right? I agree to a degree. I don’t think the back squat is a be-all
exercise though. Here’s why…
I
watch Youtube videos of a great strength coach Elliot Hulse a lot. He has a no nonsense approach to “being a
stronger version of yourself” and has many videos online. He is a successful businessman, trainer and
strength athlete. Those are three great
reasons to believe what he says.
One
video hit me and it was about front squatting.
He explains that back squatting is great BUT front squats are better for
athletes. I will post the link to the
video but first I want to explain why it hit me so hard…
A
few years ago I decided on my own that I was going to replace regular back
squats for front squats. I felt I could
keep a more upright position and go deeper while squatting and really get a
killer ab workout in without stupid crunches.
Actually, my legs and core were more sore than doing back squats and a
more direct abdominal exercise.
I
hammered away at fronts for months and months.
Every once in awhile I would add some progressively heavier singles of
back squats AFTER my front squatting sets.
I started competing in Strongman and had the idea of doing a
powerlifting meet in my head so I wanted to keep the ‘groove’ on my back
squats. Simple.
One
day I was curious and wanted to see what my back squat max was and started
working my way up. All alone in the
local gym’s power rack I got up and smoked a 485lbs squat! I know… Nothing crazy…BUT I didn’t do
endless sets of back squatting to get there.
I went from a 405lbs struggle to a solid 485lbs. Why?
I fixed my weak points. The
weight of the bar did not crush me as the weights got heavier because my core
and upper back were so much stronger. I
was able to go deeper so I had stronger hamstrings.
Speaking
of stronger hamstrings, what happens when you increase their strength? STRONGER
deadlift! Many people train squats and
deadlifts on the same day but I found deadlifting and back squatting on one day
just too taxing. One or the other would
suffer depending on the order of exercises that day. I am now back to FRONT squatting on it’s own
day and deadlifting on it’s own as well.
Result? My back gets more rest after deadlift day and I still can blast
my quads and increase their strength for stuff like transport pulling. Front squats have an extreme functional
carryover and also fix your weak areas.
Check
the Elliot Hulse video here … it has even more info than my experience with
front squats! (more scientific too)
And
of course… follow each workout with some BCAA’s and NutriWhey!!
Stay
“ALL NATTY” folks, your goals can be reached naturally!!
Rich
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