20 Reps Squat Challenge

Training Powerlifting
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Yes, I read up about Ken Leistner. He has been high rep-squatting his entire life apparently, and he says he only max out with a slightly bigger weight than he does for 20 reps.

I can believe his feat, but his video is unlike anything I have ever seen before, and I could almost swear it did not look like it was an all out effort from him or that it was 405lbs on the bar. But maybe that is just the way he do it? Never seen anything like it.

What seems very odd to me is that rep 23 is very easy, then he get crushed on rep number 24 like there’s nothing left in him. All other high-rep squat videos I’ve seen the lifter is breathing like crazy, body shaking and pacing is getting slower and slower as the reps go by.

I am working my way up to a 172.5x20 squat, and I may duplicate his feat (180kg x 23), but then my bodyweight might be closer to 242lbs…

Does anyone know if there exists more videos with this man?

edit: I just saw his video again, and as far as I can see, his form breaks down a little in the end, but as far as I can judge he still have some more reps in him from what I can see. That’s the easiest 23 reps of 180kg I’ve ever seen. And I still have a hard time believing it. lol…

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Check out this:

http://www.gridironincny.com/videos/#

Squat Fest Spring 08

Here is an interesting read.

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I don’t believe it either, and most don’t. There is just too many signs showing its fake, rather then showing its real.

The best high rep squatter was definitely platz, doing over 500lbs for 23 solid reps out of retirement was amazing. He has proven himself, and no one can doubt his results.

There are men who have squatted over 1000lbs yet they could not duplicate his feat in high reps.

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Well, 180kg x 20 reps is by no way an out of this world performance. Heck, I am almost there myself. I’ve done 167.5kg x 20 and on my way to 172.5 x 20 now. Then there is still 7.5kg left untill I do 180kg x 20. That will be difficult, and it will take some time, but it is not impossible. I am by no way any professional lifter, altough it is just as important for me to lift as to breathe air. I have been training for about 8 years in total. Always loved to do legs, but I haven’t done serious high-rep training all of these years, to be fair I have mostly trained with a lot lower reps. So if I can do this, then I guess there must be many others that can do it as well.

I’ve read alot about Kevin Leistner on the net, and he seems to have many believers. But the video of him squatting 23 reps at 405lbs just does not seem like an all out effort to me. That’s a bit odd, as he is preaching all out efforts in the squat.

I however believe it is possible for a man of 161lbs to squat 405lbs x 20.

I read his story, and he was actually a lot heavier, around 230lbs+, then het got very sick and lost a lot og weight. When he started training again, he continued to train hard, but did not eat that much, hence strength without size.

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We have a new man in the club!

Check it out! This is for real! Damn impressive. Looks more real than the Ken-video as well, no disrespect to Dr. Ken, but this man sounds like he is going to die in the end, Ken doesn’t.

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[quote]stallion wrote:
We have a new man in the club!

Check it out! This is for real! Damn impressive. Looks more real than the Ken-video as well, no disrespect to Dr. Ken, but this man sounds like he is going to die in the end, Ken doesn’t.

[/quote]

great video almost as good as your 167kg effort.

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[quote]shizen wrote:
stallion wrote:
We have a new man in the club!

Check it out! This is for real! Damn impressive. Looks more real than the Ken-video as well, no disrespect to Dr. Ken, but this man sounds like he is going to die in the end, Ken doesn’t.

great video almost as good as your 167kg effort. [/quote]

Absolutely! I loved watching it!

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I was trying for 20 with 172.5kg today, but made “only” 16 reps. I was afraid not to get back up on the next rep, and was pretty sure I wouldn’t reach 20, so I stopped there.

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you’re squatting my 1rm for 16, that’s sick. Stallion, I was wondering if you gained any weight or noticed anything else in that direction? those 20 reppers must have started some muscle growth…

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[quote]arnoud verschoor wrote:
you’re squatting my 1rm for 16, that’s sick. Stallion, I was wondering if you gained any weight or noticed anything else in that direction? those 20 reppers must have started some muscle growth…[/quote]

Yes! I have started growing. I was 101kg when I started this insanity (been around 108kg previously tough). I just stepped on the weight, and it read 105.5kg. So something obviously has happened. But I am not so concerned about it. I just train hard, and then I eat and sleep, then the weight will come naturally, but I don’t overeat. I think I have developed a bigger belly, but who cares as long as the squat goes up! :smiley: I will put out a link to the squatting from today later. Editing the video now…

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[quote]arnoud verschoor wrote:
you’re squatting my 1rm for 16, that’s sick. Stallion, I was wondering if you gained any weight or noticed anything else in that direction? those 20 reppers must have started some muscle growth…[/quote]

It is all relative arnoud verschoor. I am sure you can 16 rep someone elses max as well, and they probably think you are sick, and there is probably someone that can 16 rep my 1RM as well, and THAT I think is very sick! So it is all relative. lol.

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Nice work on the 172.5 for 16, that sounds hellish.

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Video: - YouTube

What do you think? Did I quit too early? I felt like there was no way I’d get to 20 reps today. Since I am not in a powerrack I was afraid to miss the next rep, I’d probably gone for it if I had already done 18 or 19 reps. But 20 reps will be for a later workout I guess…

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I love watching these videos. Quality stuff.

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www.cyberpump.com/preview/sean010.html

"Step into my cage, nest the bar into position, rise and test the flex. The day that bar gets too whippy is the day it retires. One step back, check my foot placement and immediately soften my focus. I always know the first rep. It feels much like an amusement park ride that has just begun to move. Down in the hole and up, 5 reps, no rest, lots of breathing.

I’m actually feeling it at the end of that 5th rep. I mentioned before that the psyching starts now, and I play a mind game that allows me to psych for one rep and ride the coat tails for another. SIX! C’mon… get Six! SIX… FOCUS! Down, up, down, up. Six and seven are history and gone from my mind. Pumpers that can out squat me in pounds would rack the bar now, its heavy enough. EIGHT DAMMIT!! GET IT NOW! Bang, Bang. Chalk up 9 reps.

My back is getting pumped and the burn is starting. “God Almighty, help me get these reps! Keep that burn AWAY!” More reps… and I notice that the rise from the hole is getting fearsome. By 12 reps I can see the doubt in my mind but I cannot even pay a split second of attention to it or I am done. THIRRRRTTEEEEEEENNNN!!! Ahhh yeah… that hurts.

Fourteen and fifteen come after coaxing myself not to die. Sixteen and seventeen just plain suck. I can’t say enough about the horribleness of those reps. There is no end in sight for them so you have nothing to anticipate. They hurt because your body is just mashed like a pancake. Your back and legs are screaming at you to let them out of this hell, and they take too long to complete the mission. Your abs are flexed enough that if that bar came off your shoulders you would puke – the only thing keeping the contents intact is the weight you are fighting. And at this point I know that if I rack the weight I have failed.

I also know that every rep I continue through from here is my reward. I like rewards, and I strive on. “YAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!” The breath forces itself out now and 18 is done. Nineteen is always doubtful and I’m never sure I will make it given how long 18 takes to complete. The rise out of the hole is pure agony and made all the more miserable by the fact that I’M STILL NOT DONE! Keep your FORM!!! ONE MORE!! ONE MORE!!! YEAH!!! And down I go. The rise out of 20 is fueled by one sentence: “RACK THE BAR!!!” I always get 20 if I get 19. And I rack the bar. I have a hard time adjusting to the feeling of empty shoulders at this point, and my entire body gives out.

With luck I land on the bench a mile away from me (1/2 step) and do a few pullovers to assist my breathing. I usually cannot see for a minute or two, and I can literally feel the heartbeat in my neck as I lay on the bench or floor. My thighs fibrillate from the shock and my back is screaming in agony. The pain is severe and immediate. As it subsides I lay there on the ground, thoughtless and empty. My dues are paid and I get to be a lifter for another week. Just to make sure I’m approved I nod at my bar.

It nods back.

And I’m redeemed.

"

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Sorry camera angle isn’t the greatest but here is 20reps at 190lb at BW of 188. This was at the end of my hour long leg workout so I didn’t go heavy. Not every rep was extra deep but it still kicked my ass. Going to try 220 next week with a slower rhythm .

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I’m almost there. I think this would be approved by Dr. Ken Leistner. :slight_smile:

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[quote]jdarkraget wrote:
Sorry camera angle isn’t the greatest but here is 20reps at 190lb at BW of 188. This was at the end of my hour long leg workout so I didn’t go heavy. Not every rep was extra deep but it still kicked my ass. Going to try 220 next week with a slower rhythm .

[/quote]

well done to accept the challenge. Depth was not good enough unfortunately.

Refer to figure 4 for proper depth. Preferably a bit deeper.

http://www.marylandaau.com/images/squat.gif

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[quote]stallion wrote:
I’m almost there. I think this would be approved by Dr. Ken Leistner. :slight_smile:

Damn Stallion, that shit was awesome! You definitely could have got that last rep had you took in some more air before attempting it. It seemed you only took in about 5 or 6 breaths. How many days a week are you squatting? Two high rep squat days in a row would kill most mortals.

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[quote]TornadoTommy wrote:
stallion wrote:
I’m almost there. I think this would be approved by Dr. Ken Leistner. :slight_smile:

Damn Stallion, that shit was awesome! You definitely could have got that last rep had you took in some more air before attempting it. It seemed you only took in about 5 or 6 breaths. How many days a week are you squatting? Two high rep squat days in a row would kill most mortals. [/quote]

I’m squatting almost everyday, but not all out everyday. The 16 reps from the day before were clearly present in my body at this attempt. I honestly did all that I could, and I wasn’t strong enough for 20 reps this time. I gave all that I could. Today I am a bit destroyed.