So I have moved my squat stance out quite a bit...for the better. But I think this has impacted my Deadlift. when my deadlift and squat stance were the same, I was quite strong and fast off the floor, Now I struggle to break the weight off the floor.
Should I add in squats in a closer stance as an Accessory? Or should I just deadlift standing on mats or a 2"-4" in block?
Do you ever use box squats? or dont you feel they carry over much to single ply squats
Closer stance squats are a possibility. I would keep it more of a squat exercise than a DL exercise so you don't end up overworking your squat. Paused Deadlift (aka ISO MIO Deadlifts) are another possibility that would be good for you.
I personally quit doing box squats a year or two ago when I sprained my SI joint. My squat has never been better. I've *read* before that box squats kill your stretch reflex, which is definately important to squatting. I can see where they would say that, but I'm not sure entirely. The bottom line is that exercise selection is an individual process much like the rest of programming is. That's my advice, but what makes sense to you will ultimately make a big difference.
So you dont feel box squats worked for you at the time? Did it work up until your injury?
What has been the greatest exercise to improve your squat? Deadlift and Bench?
-- Edited by deanredzic at 09:57, 2008-08-19
I don't think they did THAT much good. I feel like when I switched to regular squatting, it was just what my squat needed.
The greatest exercise to improve the squat, bench, and dead is the squat, bench and dead. Strength is a highly, highly specific trait and using a different exercise is not as specific as it could be. Let me say this: the "Brief Maximal Tension" (aka ME work) might be the best way to develop strength, but if you're not developing strength in the contest lift, who cares? Chew on this:
Squat 2004: 730-ish 2005: 750-ish 2006: 771 Spring 2007: 830-ish Fall 2007: 850-ish ...then I started Squatting in my gear a lot... Fall 2008: 960-ish
Bench 2004: 500-ish 2005: 550-ish 2006: 585 2007: 585 Started doing a lot of shirt work 2008: 650-ish, hit 700 in the gym
Deadlift 2004: 630-ish Started doing some DL variations instead of GM's 2005: 733 2006: 750 2007: 780 Stopped with "variations" and did actual DL's 2008: 835
Thats why I am liking this template so much. I do get to include the actual competition lifts.
I feel more comfortable squating now. When I was using traditional westside approach, It felt really bad to go back to regular squats and deadlifts. But now I get to train them every week. My technique is getting better...and low an behold I am developing more specific strength in the right areas!
Sheiko was okay...but I didnt get to hit heavy enough weights.
