Big Squat

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I’m travelling; lots o’ driving. Interact with me on Twitter. ooga booga.

Here’s a video of Beverly Crawford, a young powerlifter who will is preparing for the IPF sanctioned North American Powerlifting Championships (to put it in perspective, it’s the single ply version of what Chris/Mike/Alex did in the raw version at the Arnold Sport Festival). She’s squatting 365 for two singles and then 335×2. Bev is coached by the unbearably handsome Brooks Conway at Quest Athletics. The front angle may throw you off, but the Quest lifters are using the same mechanics as what we call “the low bar squat”, yet note the differences. The more narrow hand placement allows the lifter to lock down their trunk, particularly the lats, before descending. The upward eye gaze is pretty different, but it doesn’t inhibit the emphasis on hip drive. I’ll note that I coach a 45 degree downward angle at the lowest (as opposed to looking near the feet). Here’s another video of Bev smoking the SHIT out of a 425 reverse band conventional deadlift and then squatting 355×3.


34 thoughts on “Big Squat”

  1. Sweet squats. Does anyone here squat looking forward or up? I used to religously do the Rippetoe “look six feet ahead” but I’ve found looking forward fits my stance better. And if you watch any IPF events, a shit load of their best guys look forward or up.

    • I find myself looking just a few feet ahead so i can watch my knees in my lighter sets. Once I get to my working/intense sets I then only look forward. Looking forward helps me keep my chest from caving in (could be mental i dunno).

      • Generally speaking, I wouldn’t recommend changing your eye gaze in different sets. It’ll have an effect on the mechanics, even if it’s subtle.

    • I also feel better looking straight ahead throughout the squat. I think Rippetoe has his lifters look six feet ahead on the ground to help keep the head in line with the spine.

      • The idea is a neutral cervical spine, which I agree with, but it’s dependent on the torso length (which changes the degree of inclination). Some people will be better with a 45 degree angle, but I’m more concerned with their consistency and their actual squatting mechanics.

    • I pack my neck and don’t move it once the bar is on my shoulders (I’m looking about a few feet ahead). When I start the decent I close my eyes. My reps are stronger and they feel better than when I keep my eyes open and watch myself in the mirror, too many distractions and too many technique cues to think about. With eyes closed I can just do the movement as if there wasn’t a bar on my upper back.

      • I stare at a wall.

        It’s a visual metaphor for my lack of progression.

        Blank, and empty. Unforgiving. Khaki-colored.

        I need to get out more…

    • Looking down in gear is an invitation for disaster. The supra-physiological weights will crush a downward gaze like Sasquatch standing on a soda can.

  4. Some very nice, very symmetrical squats.

    Just looking at that close grip makes my shoulders want to asplode though. People with good shoulder mobility blow my mind.

  6. Is there a general rule of thumb on the increase one sees with geared lifting vs raw? How much can Bev squat raw? Either way, that looked very easy.

  10. I narrowed my grip in the spring in order or get a tighter upper back but ended up with tedonitus in my elbow. Working on internal rotation mobility and finding a balance now, but my grip isn’t super wide…

    I look down. Maybe two feet in front. More neutral neck position for me.

    To me, her left knee is doing something funky, but I’m not sure why.

    The redesign has blown My mind. As has TM Part 2.

  11. The new design threw me for a loop, I thought I was on the wrong site for a second or two….
    I do like the ‘nested’ comments though…. Makes it more conversational and easier to follow.

  12. Pingback: Q&A – 33 |

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