Topic: Sqts

[Jerry Lee Morales]

Ever try a max attempt in either of the sqts with only 7-10 warms ups?  If you like me and take forever to warm up, it isn't pretty. I've only recently been doing more fronts/back sqts in warm up just prior to lifting at the meet.  I now go in with atleast 20 reps (very light weight) prior to snatching and C&J and have had an easier time recovering.  Just me though.

[gordon yard]

Whatever you do for back squats, do note that I had the misfortune of merrily squatting one day and having the spinous process of the C7 break off.  Did not see that coming at all.   Position bar well and a pad is not for wimps.   Have not heard of anyone else that may have had this but would like to know

[Jerry Lee Morales]

Gordon, my response in this thread was meant as a response to another post.  No idea how it got here under a new heading.  I was suggesting more sqts prior to doing the snatch and C&J during meets.  

On a side note, I do do quite of bit of warming up before I sqt. and any other exercises.  I take forever... Later...

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Jerry,

I am sorry if that was confusing. I split your post from the thread you responded to as I didn't see the relation between what you said and the thread discussing the relationship between squats and the lifts. Could you explain the relationship to me? I think it would be interesting. Of course, I can merge this thread back the original, but thats not the point. I just want to learn.

Christopher

[Jerry Lee Morales]

While reading the other post, I noticed that it the same question I've heard since day one of entering the sport.  Sqt maxes vs. C&J maxes.  

I always wondered this myself and could never figure out why so many of us struggle out of the bottom of a clean given the surplus strength we have.  Then I looked at the number of cleans I do at any given meet.  I usually do about 7-8 C&J before I take my first attempt and when I take my first attempt, it tends to be a little on the tough side even though it's well below my best front (like 40 kgs.).  Now I do realize that there is a big difference between fronts and the clean but I had to ask myself, how much could you (I) front sqt if I only did 7-8 progressive reps.  I put it to the test and you know what, I ended up struggling at the very same weight as my first clean.  All I'm saying is that "I"  need a lot more sqts incorporated into my warm ups for the clean to do better.

I'm in the testing mode right now and will let you know what works for me.  To front sqt 175-180 and only be able to clean 140 is quite embarrassing.

[michael cooley]

That's a REALLY interesting observation on warmups, Jerry.  I'm guessing that you typically warm up the squat for a max or near-max effort the same way I do -- starting with lighter warm up weights for 5-ish, dropping to 3 as the weights increase, and then singles as you near your max for the day.  Of course, in a meet, I usually warm up the C&J like this:  40x3, 60x2, 80x1, 90x1, 100x1, 110x1, 115x1.  Nowhere near the number of warmups my legs get during a squat workout.  And, now that you mention it, I find that I usually have a better squat workout with more "reps per warm up set", rather than fewer.  

It might be worth trying a C&J warm up where you insert a few extra front squats between the clean and jerk to fully warm up the legs -- say, up to 80% or so -- before dropping back to single C&J's.  I know I'm going to try it.

mpc

[Jerry Lee Morales]

I max out in the sqt maybe 2-3 times per year and try to leave room for a little more.  My last max (b. sqt) was a few weeks ago and the warm up went something like: 70x5, 90x5, 110x3, 130x2, 150x2, 170x2, 190x1, 200x1 and 205x1.  Prior to this my best was 200 and I used the same rep scheme and %.

I've only started experimenting with added sqts and I've noticed that the recoveries are a little easier but I'm still around the 75% range for now.  Will know sometime in April if I've unlocked the secret to OL.  Later..