Squats, Squatters and More Squatting (Part 2)
One of the most popular ways to make heavy gains is by doing breathing squats and pullover combo. They were first introduced by guys like Roger Eells and Joseph Hise and later made popular by Peary Rader of Iron Man and the great advantage with this exercise is that it doesn't apply any strain on the spinal column compared to heavy squats that do.
The breathing squat is a great for bodybuilders and regardless of the version preference, the poundage that is always recommended is total bodyweight, which is quite enough to get going with for most people. This exercise is obviously just too much for those giant sumo guys and the Indian wrestlers, who in general have to rely on potent chemical cocktails in order to make any serious muscle gains.
This simplistic workout resulted in huge bodyweight gains, but few desire such ponderous physiques, it is just proof of the value of light squats. Roger Eells by the way, who conducted the premier experiments with his breathing squats for weight gains, often forgot to mention he also spent most of his non training time in bed.... resting.
SINGLE LEG SQUATS...A progression of 'free squats', especially for those without weights, is to do single leg bends, preferably on a bench, seldom seen today in schedules, yet old timers could work up to some scary poundages in this difficult style, because you also have 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.
Gironda, who was better known as the "Iron Guru" was totally against basic squats, and in his gym squat racks were banned and if he should have seen anyone doing barbell squats; with weight held behind neck, well they were literally thrown out. Gironda was on the same wave length as Jeeves as he considered big buttocks as a result of squats, so he always recommended the so called "sissy Squat" for thigh development, which can be described as a highly controlled lean back free squat, although you could add light weights to a belt if you liked (without getting kicked out).
Roy Callender, who used to workout by instinct, used to squat 100 reps or more on sissy squats followed by high reps lunges, finished off by work on the leg extension machine - no doubt he also did his share of basic squats for such legs. Boyer Coe used sissy squats, having plenty of power already built by basic squats, able to squat with 5OOlbs/226.7kg when just I8yrs old.
Once racks became common, so poundages rocketed, experienced bodybuilders soon used at first bodyweight, then double bodyweight, with eventually powerlifters reaching the magic IOOOlbs/453.5kg mark. It is said Anderson squatted with II6Olbs/526k of silver dollars twice a night when he was performing in Las Vegas. Equally famous as a pioneer of heavy squats is Frederick C Hatfield PhD. or Dr Squat. (Coming Soon Part 3)
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By Top International Bodybuilding And Anabolic Steroid Expert Mick Hart. Find out how to Build Lean Muscle At Micks new Blog
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