Squats, Heavy Squats And Squatters (Part 2)
A great proven way to gain weight and having been so since the times of Mark Berry, Roger Eells and others are breathing squats and pullover combo. They have been backed up by Peary Rader of Iron Man for many years and what really makes them stand out is the fact that they don’t put any strain on the spinal column like heavy squats do.
Nearly always in any of the pre-mentioned breathing squat, weight gain routines, “approx bodyweight poundages” are always suggested, and for most that is all that is needed. Japanese Sumo, and equally bulky Indian wrestlers, gained better results than some of the colorful adverts now abounding in modern mags after using Joe Blog‘s latest chemical drink.
It really doesn’t seem to make sense that by doing a more simplistic workout you get bigger gains, so there is nothing wrong at all with light squats. One of the first to use this form of exercise was as previously mentioned Roger Eells, who when not training spent his time in bed, but only for the purpose of resting.
If you are looking at progressing on from doing ‘free squats’ and I am talking about the ones without weights, it is time to move onto single leg bends on a bench. You may not even see this on modern day schedules but the guys before could reach some really amazing poundages in this difficult style, because you also need to maintain some balance.
It really is amazing that One of Britain’s best wrestlers ever Bert Assirati, who while in his 30’s managed to do 10 reps with 55Olbs/249.4kg in basic squats, and did single leg style with an additional 2OOlbs/9O.7kg on his shoulders, and Grimek was able to do the same.
Squatting without additional weight, George Eiferman, who was around at the same time as the late Steve Reeves, could manage I5O consecutive reps on one leg. Reeves didn’t really like basic squats, preferring front squats, or ‘hack’ squats, in an attempt to avoid developing to large a posterior. Even Vince Gironda was under the same opinion when it came to less butt.
SQUAT AND YOUR OUT! Gironda, self styled ‘Iron Guru’, totally discouraged basic squats, and squat racks were simply not allowed in his gym and anyone seen practicing barbell squats, weight held behind neck, was literally thrown out on his ear. Gironda, like Reeves considered squats built up big buttocks and for thigh development recommended instead the unhappily named ‘Sissy Squat’ a sort of highly controlled lean back free squat, or light weights could be added (to a belt) if you wished.
One of the best was Roy Callender and he used to just workout by instinct, and did squat 100 reps or more on sissy squats and after that would do high reps lunges, and would finish off with work on the leg extension machine. I am sure he did his fair share of basic squats to get those massive legs. Boyer Coe also did sissy squats, as he had already got plenty of power built up by basic squats, and he could squat with 5OOlbs/226.7kg at the early age of I8yrs old.
The moment the racks became common, the poundages just rocketed, and experienced bodybuilders soon began to use at first bodyweight, followed by double bodyweight, with eventually powerlifters managing the magic IOOOlbs/453.5kg mark. It is suggested that Anderson squatted with II6Olbs/526k of silver dollars twice a night while performing in Las Vegas. (Coming Soon Part 3)
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