as the title states, how can i get used to a heavy weight quickly,when i squat 295 is light but i put on 315 and it just feels so much heavier than it should, causes me to think i need to do more than i should while squatting with it. Help me out here cuz i think my legs are definitely strong enough for it just not ready?
Sounds like your problem is mental. 295 and 315 is not that much different
Do quarter squats with 315 for a while. You’ll get used to it and gain confidence, then you’ll be able to ATG 315 with no problem.
thanks alot, i have been alternating in high box squats in which i just did 335 so hopefully this will help, ill add in even more sets of 315 i think thanks alot
[quote]arnoud verschoor wrote:
http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1849795[/quote]
I’d be careful with the %'s in that article. I agree with the approach, but as a ~300lbs squatter, I doubt I could unrack 600+lbs…nor do I think that is necessary.
[quote]bignate wrote:
as the title states, how can i get used to a heavy weight quickly,when i squat 295 is light but i put on 315 and it just feels so much heavier than it should, causes me to think i need to do more than i should while squatting with it. Help me out here cuz i think my legs are definitely strong enough for it just not ready? [/quote]
Keep on lifting heavy. As you get stronger, heavy weights get lighter and now you have new heavy weights.
20 pounds is about 6-7% less. 500+ seems heavy to me, 450-475 doesn’t seem to bad. And that’s about the same % that you’re talking about. It’s just that simple.
Heavy walkouts.
I don’t know anyone that can unrack and/or stand (with knees not locked) 200% or their max.
I’m going to assume that’s a typo, and guess that should be 100%, 110%, and 120% of max. Or maybe I’m a pussy for thinking a 500lbs squatter shouldn’t be attempting to hold 1100lbs (or greater, according to the article).
My example is finish out all your 295s
then try the 315 and if you do 1 or 2 great
if you cant then atleast unrack it hold it a while get a feel for it try it if you dont get it,screw it try again just as hard next time.
thats all strength is after all adapting to stuff.
and also stop thinking in terms of being ready or not ready,
learn the phrase screw it.
if you try your best no matter how heavy it is and you fail,its not realy a fail because you will be able to do it if you keep on with it.
lol I sounded like I was telling my kid how to ride a bike.Im sorry lol but it stands true though same concept
[quote]T3hPwnisher wrote:
Heavy walkouts.[/quote]
Also, just working on your walkout helps. That initial load dump on your spine gives you the first impression of the weight. Don’t go crazy and lose your balance, but get your feet set, get a big breath of air in your belly, and unrack that weight like you mean fucking business. A good strong walkout for me always mean a good strong squat set.
Get small plates from ironmind and build up.
Slowly Slowly
hm
when i back squatted 120kgs i used 190kgs for quarter squats of 3 once. my legs were shaking like crazy like the article said. thats a bit over 150% though, not sure about 200%
so idk… i think its possible to unrack 200% and hold it for just 8 seconds. but if i tried it i’d slowly build it up starting from 150% now that i know i can unrack.
Rhanks guys this has been a great help, im looking foward to my first powerlifting meet at the end of July ill post the results after, looking to come in with at least a 325 squat
I’m surprised no one’s suggested reverse band squats in a power rack. You can load a lot more than your typical max and get used to it while knowing it’ll be a lot lighter in the hole.
Its mental more then anything, thats why I like to wright down what I’m going to lift before hand. Its definitely in the range that I CAN lift. So I get to the gym look at the weight I HAVE to do and then lift it like any other wight.
[quote]lordstorm88 wrote:
hm
when i back squatted 120kgs i used 190kgs for quarter squats of 3 once. my legs were shaking like crazy like the article said. thats a bit over 150% though, not sure about 200%
so idk… i think its possible to unrack 200% and hold it for just 8 seconds. but if i tried it i’d slowly build it up starting from 150% now that i know i can unrack.[/quote]
Please post a video when you try 200%. I’m sure it will be highly entertaining. Remember, don’t lock your knees…
So someone who can walkout and raw squat 700 pounds should be doing walkouts with 1400? As an equipped lifter, and not even a particularily good squatter, I’m regularily handling weights in the range of 120-140% of my raw max. Even with this preparation, and practising walkouts up to a heavy weight, I’m still at least 80kg, or 175lbs, off a 200% walkout. What the hell am I supposed to do if I squat 500, as opposed to just over 400?
It’s a good idea to do walkouts and quarter squats to get accustomed to heavier weight, but in my mind if you can comfortably walk out and handle more than 225lbs over the heaviest you can squat (equipped), then you’ve spent too much time working on it instead of squatting.
[quote]smokotime wrote:
So someone who can walkout and raw squat 700 pounds should be doing walkouts with 1400? As an equipped lifter, and not even a particularily good squatter, I’m regularily handling weights in the range of 120-140% of my raw max. Even with this preparation, and practising walkouts up to a heavy weight, I’m still at least 80kg, or 175lbs, off a 200% walkout. What the hell am I supposed to do if I squat 500, as opposed to just over 400?
It’s a good idea to do walkouts and quarter squats to get accustomed to heavier weight, but in my mind if you can comfortably walk out and handle more than 225lbs over the heaviest you can squat (equipped), then you’ve spent too much time working on it instead of squatting.[/quote]
Good post. However I wouldn’t even bother to do walkouts. To the OP just get on and work away at your squat. You said you thought you were strong enough, so you should be able to lift it if your tech is good. Just take you time and work up to it over a few weeks.
[quote]saps wrote:
Sounds like your problem is mental. 295 and 315 is not that much different[/quote]
Yup. What I have found to work is doing a heavier single before my working sets. So, if you’re squatting 295, do a single of 315. Once you get up to 315 for sets, you would be doing a heavy warm-up single of 325 or 335. It’s supposed to be completely taxing, but enough to get you mentally prepared for the battle you are about to undergo.