Topic: Relationship of squats to clean & jerk

[Guy Greavette]

Hi J,

I just had a quick look at this topic and wanted to give you my thoughts on what your lifts could be at if your technique was fairly proficient. This is based off of a 245kg Back Squat. Knowing that your background is Powerlifting it would all depend on how you are performing the back squat. Is it a Powerlifting Squat or an Olympic lifting Squat? Here is what I came up with off of 245. This is based off of percentages and I found that these percentages calculated off of my best Back Squat were very close to my personal best lifts in training.

Front Squat - 218kg
Clean & Jerk - 196kg
Power Jerk - 180kg
Power Clean - 166kg
Snatch - 156kg
Power Snatch - 135kg

[Mike Cook]

Thank for the spreadsheet Chris. 

My numbers are pretty close to the formulae, so that means my technique is pretty close, but could use some improvement.   I can squat a little bit more than the formula would suggest.  No surprising, given that I'm a self-taught masters lifter with only a year of experience.  I would think that national level weightlifters are quite a bit more efficient with their technique than I am. 

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I would think that national level weightlifters are quite a bit more efficient with their technique than I am. 

Maybe. We had some near total beginners as subjects that had managed to qualify in the lighter weight classes which are not as difficult as the heavier ones. Some had fairly sloppy technique by my standards. Everyone still fits the line within a small margin. Guy's numbers have me actually thinking of going to look at the data. I suspect he may be close to as efficient as anyone we collected data for, off the top of my head. Obviously, he is a great technician.

[Franklin Herman]

Hi Mike,

At 84kg, age 56,  I reached the 100kg c&j three weeks ago .. it took fifteen months starting at around 75kg c&j. My ft/bk squats are 110/125 up from 90/100 when I started. As for reaching it by April that depends on where you are now ..

Good luck, train hard and smart and you will reach it.

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

Thank for the spreadsheet Chris. 

My numbers are pretty close to the formulae, so that means my technique is pretty close, but could use some improvement.   I can squat a little bit more than the formula would suggest.  No surprising, given that I'm a self-taught masters lifter with only a year of experience.  I would think that national level weightlifters are quite a bit more efficient with their technique than I am.

Mike,
 I too am a self-taught masters lifter with only a year of experience.  I'm sooooo far under the formula it's a bit embarassing.  But, that is because I come from a powerlifting/power bodybuilding background.  I'm just happy that my deadlift is not part of that formula or I would be hiding with my tail between my legs.  I love this stuff because it is very humbling and compliments my performance obsessive compulsive personality perfectly.

  And Guy - those are some wicked and I mean WICKED impressive numbers.  Much respect and admiration. 

  Not sure about Judas, but I can high bar what I can low bar back squat.  Foot stance is pretty much irrelevant as I purposely change my foot stance from set to set because, given my novice nature, I never land the same way twice.   
It's my way of preparing myself for the inevitable.

All the best,
 Arden

[Guy Greavette]

Thanks Arden, but those #'s are based off of J's (Judas) Back Squat. I was trying to show him what his lifts could be at with a 245kg Squat if he had good technique, was fast, flexible, and efficient for his strength. Here is what my best were when I was between the age of 24 - 28 as a 90kg lifter. I started lifting at the age of 13 and a bodyweight of approximately 42kg.

Back Squat - 262.5 x 2
Front Squat - 235
Jerk (Rack) - 215
Clean & Jerk - 202.5
Clean - 205
Power Jerk (Rack) - 190 (front) 200 (back)
Power Clean - 182.5 x 2 (Hang)
Snatch - 165
Power Snatch - 150
Split Snatch - 140
Narrow Grip Snatch - 122.5

I turn 50 in a few months, weigh around the same and have been back training consistantly for about 6 months. Last competition I went to was last month and I did 110 + 130. I cleaned 138 twice quite easily but still need more work in the Jerk. The Jerk seems to be the hardest movement for me presently.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Ahhh, those numbers fit much better, much less surprising. Incredible lifting.

[Dustin Oranchuk]

Wow Guy those are some pretty huge numbers in the classics!!  U were obviously very efficient, the craziest one for me is the 140 split snatch.  how often did you do them, and why?  Same thing goes for the narrow grip snatch.

Thanks Arden, but those #'s are based off of J's (Judas) Back Squat. I was trying to show him what his lifts could be at with a 245kg Squat if he had good technique, was fast, flexible, and efficient for his strength. Here is what my best were when I was between the age of 24 - 28 as a 90kg lifter. I started lifting at the age of 13 and a bodyweight of approximately 42kg.

Back Squat - 262.5 x 2
Front Squat - 235
Jerk (Rack) - 215
Clean & Jerk - 202.5
Clean - 205
Power Jerk (Rack) - 190 (front) 200 (back)
Power Clean - 182.5 x 2 (Hang)
Snatch - 165
Power Snatch - 150
Split Snatch - 140
Narrow Grip Snatch - 122.5

I turn 50 in a few months, weigh around the same and have been back training consistantly for about 6 months. Last competition I went to was last month and I did 110 + 130. I cleaned 138 twice quite easily but still need more work in the Jerk. The Jerk seems to be the hardest movement for me presently.