SolidBrawn
Level 5 Valued Member
Greg Nuckols also has a high frequency program for the big three 5 times a week. (However he reccomends either squat or deadlift but not both).
Yeah..... Ouch. That sounds like torture. I did 3 sets of 2 reps last Friday, lol, at a 7 RPE. Now that, my friends, is easy strength! Lol!
Eric
On the heavy day is that a 1/2/3 ladder? Sounds like a easy strength style program.Best progress I ever made with squat was during a twice weekly split. Heavy 1/2/3 one day, lighter CAT work few days later. Squatting for me definitely takes more than it ever gives. Ended up squatting little over twice bodyweight near end of that cycle.
That seems to be what I’m hearing as well about the volume.I'm going to say "no".
Like of other competitiveweightlifters, I squat every day, in one form or another, and practice sitting in a squat for 30 min, cumulative, every day
So, given all that...why am I saying no?
Because "Easy Strength" doesn't have enough volume to keep the pattern and flexibility necessary to get really good at squatting.
A GTG approach is much better.
That seems to be what I’m hearing as well about the volume.
Although 2 sets of 5 reps 5 days a week add up. It would be the same total volume as someone doing a 5x5 two times a week.
Just an FYI, but Dan John does Olympic weightlifting (and discus).I have a lot of respect for Dan John and Pavel, but neither shot putters nor combat trainers are known for needing truly excellent squats.
So a lot of the recommendations will come down to how good at squats you need to be.
Better than you are now?
Or really, really good?
As a weightlifter, I have to be really good at squats, not just in weight, but also form, depth, mobility, speed, etc.
For GPP.....nah, people don't need to do what I do.
I appreciate the honest information.I have a lot of respect for Dan John and Pavel, but neither shot putters nor combat trainers are known for needing truly excellent squats.
So a lot of the recommendations will come down to how good at squats you need to be.
Better than you are now?
Or really, really good?
As a weightlifter, I have to be really good at squats, not just in weight, but also form, depth, mobility, speed, etc.
For GPP.....nah, people don't need to do what I do.
If I were to choose what would work and not wreck me, I'd choose Easy Strength over Smolov any day of the week and twice on Sunday.I appreciate the honest information.
I guess for me personally I would like to continue to push my squat and make progress at a fast pace.
But I was also curious as to why many didn’t seem to agree on the easy strength style approach working well for squats.
I have to admit though any easy strength style approach mixing the minimum amount of work while still getting fast results is appealing.
Seems like I’ll be sticking with the USSR yearbook routine or Smolov for a while.
Smolov is definitely brutal. I’ve ran it a couple times in the past. But I’ve always seen great results after running it.If I were to choose what would work and not wreck me, I'd choose Easy Strength over Smolov any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Just an FYI, but Dan John does Olympic weightlifting (and discus).
I guess for me personally I would like to continue to push my squat and make progress at a fast pace.
The $1m question is how relevant are the approaches of elite level coaches training elite level athletes to trainees who are not elite level and never will be. Trying to train like Arnold Schwarzenegger has injured or burnt out more lifters than it has benefited. If an average ability lifter went to a professional powerlifting coach do you honestly think they'd be put on Smolov? No, they'd be pointed to something that looked a lot like Easy Strength.I don't think Dan has competed in quite a long time, and it was never has main sport.
His advice is probably find for GPP, track and field athletes, etc.
But, as a weightlifter, I don't give his opinion on squats much gravity compared to weightlifting-specific coaches who have a strong track record at the international level in Olympic lifting, which he isn't.
But, again....most people don't need to squat like barbell athletes do.
How so?If you're an intermediate / advanced lifter, then...
"push my squat"
and this...
"make progress at a fast pace."
....are not really compatible.
How so?
I’m 6’3 tall and squat atg over 400 pounds and front squat a little over 375lbs. Not exceptional numbers by power lifter or Olympic lifting standards but I wouldnt call them beginner numbers either.
I used to compete in local amateur Olifting meets here in tx. So I’m familiar with all the lifts I’ve also been a personal trainer in the past. But now I am older and work a demanding job so my goals have changed as far as how I approach things. Sometimes something simple like “make progress at a fast pace” and “push my squat” is exactly what I want without being too detailed for the sake of this thread.
But I suppose if I had to give more concrete goals it would be to push my front squat a little past 405lbs.
I understand that. Just not sure how that applies to me saying I would like to push my squat and or make progress at a fast pace. It’s all relative. But I do agree with you in that knowing a clear goal is helpful.Because the more advanced a lifter becomes and the higher the training age, the harder it is to progress and the longer it takes.
It's one of the basic truths of resistance training.
The $1m question is how relevant are the approaches of elite level coaches training elite level athletes to trainees who are not elite level and never will be. Trying to train like Arnold Schwarzenegger has injured or burnt out more lifters than it has benefited. If an average ability lifter went to a professional powerlifting coach do you honestly think they'd be put on Smolov? No, they'd be pointed to something that looked a lot like Easy Strength.
I understand that. Just not sure how that applies to me saying I would like to push my squat and or make progress at a fast pace. It’s all relative. But I do agree with you in that knowing a clear goal is helpful.
I think DJ probably knows as much about squat training as any other OLer. But whatever, we're getting into the weeds here. Not sure why it's even relevant.His advice is probably fine for GPP, track and field athletes, etc.
But, as a weightlifter, I don't give his opinion on squats much gravity compared to weightlifting-specific coaches who have a strong track record at the international level in Olympic lifting, which he isn't.
But, again....most people don't need to squat like barbell athletes do, so his guidance is probably fine for non-specialists.