Do squats require more strength?
So you’ve spent a bit of time answering the important questions in part one of this article. What do I think is important for strength and endurance? What do I know or have access to? What fits me? Well here are some more thoughts and questions for you.
Each individual style of strength has its own pathway but all the paths are similar. Let’s compare and see. Say your idea of super leg strength is mine, squatting 1,000lbs or it could be Steve Cotter’s, doing double racked Kettlebell pistols with more than bodyweight. Both are perfectly valid, yet lend themselves to different bodies. Neither one of us is very tall, but our torso to thigh length and body type/builds are very different. They fit the expression of strength (exercises) and the exercise fits us. Steve is light, I’m heavy. The pistol leans more toward explosive training, balance training, and reps. The back squat to lower reps and heavy overloads/partials. Both require technical skill, mental skill and practice. Both require long term progressive training. Everything you want to achieve will require these things.
Or do pistols?
Always start with (and for the most part keep) things simple. Especially if your goals are progression in strength and endurance at the same time. Probably the biggest mistake made in this area is trying to do too much. All at once and too fast. Yes, you can and most of the time should make fast progress, but you can’t jump full force into opposite goals at the same time. Start with one big movement per muscle pattern. (Squat, press, pull, carry, etc). Often the best combined progress is made by just doing this. These movements will be your “yard stick,” testing movements. Whatever routine you do if these don’t go up you’re probably not going in the right direction. Start by testing yourself at least moderately in these movements. You have to know where you are to get a clear path to where you want to go. Then spend some time “breaking in.” Spend a few weeks getting your technique right, getting used to the movement. Then you can start adding weight and intensity.
You’ll need to basically repeat this process with endurance. Pick one or two movements that will be your “yard stick.” Get an idea of where you are and then spend a few weeks getting used to them and perfecting technique. When you know where you are on strength and endurance and are getting comfortable with the movements then you can start to make a plan for progression. You’ll also be able to see if one area is really behind or particularly hammers you and requires more recuperation. You’ll begin to be able to see if a specific part of a lift or training is holding you back. (i.e., always lost deadlifts because of grip or hamstrings, cramp and stop you before everything else during kettlebell swings, etc.)
From this you can get a plan and make smart simple decisions. More later. Till then the most effective plans for this training have already been laid out for you here. In the original books that combine super strength and endurance.
God bless,
Bud Jeffries
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Getting Started In Super Strength And Endurance Part 2
Do squats require more strength?
So you’ve spent a bit of time answering the important questions in part one of this article. What do I think is important for strength and endurance? What do I know or have access to? What fits me? Well here are some more thoughts and questions for you.
Each individual style of strength has its own pathway but all the paths are similar. Let’s compare and see. Say your idea of super leg strength is mine, squatting 1,000lbs or it could be Steve Cotter’s, doing double racked Kettlebell pistols with more than bodyweight. Both are perfectly valid, yet lend themselves to different bodies. Neither one of us is very tall, but our torso to thigh length and body type/builds are very different. They fit the expression of strength (exercises) and the exercise fits us. Steve is light, I’m heavy. The pistol leans more toward explosive training, balance training, and reps. The back squat to lower reps and heavy overloads/partials. Both require technical skill, mental skill and practice. Both require long term progressive training. Everything you want to achieve will require these things.
Or do pistols?
Always start with (and for the most part keep) things simple. Especially if your goals are progression in strength and endurance at the same time. Probably the biggest mistake made in this area is trying to do too much. All at once and too fast. Yes, you can and most of the time should make fast progress, but you can’t jump full force into opposite goals at the same time. Start with one big movement per muscle pattern. (Squat, press, pull, carry, etc). Often the best combined progress is made by just doing this. These movements will be your “yard stick,” testing movements. Whatever routine you do if these don’t go up you’re probably not going in the right direction. Start by testing yourself at least moderately in these movements. You have to know where you are to get a clear path to where you want to go. Then spend some time “breaking in.” Spend a few weeks getting your technique right, getting used to the movement. Then you can start adding weight and intensity.
You’ll need to basically repeat this process with endurance. Pick one or two movements that will be your “yard stick.” Get an idea of where you are and then spend a few weeks getting used to them and perfecting technique. When you know where you are on strength and endurance and are getting comfortable with the movements then you can start to make a plan for progression. You’ll also be able to see if one area is really behind or particularly hammers you and requires more recuperation. You’ll begin to be able to see if a specific part of a lift or training is holding you back. (i.e., always lost deadlifts because of grip or hamstrings, cramp and stop you before everything else during kettlebell swings, etc.)
From this you can get a plan and make smart simple decisions. More later. Till then the most effective plans for this training have already been laid out for you here. In the original books that combine super strength and endurance.
God bless,
Bud Jeffries