Squats..

[gcguiness]

Strongs 5x5 has you squating each workout, any advice to the frequency of squats or is it alittle overkill to be doing them each workout? Im not looking to be a powerlifter, just adding as much muscle as possible.

[stpete]

You must be speaking of an EOD routine. And it involves chest and back? If that's the case then yes. You're ok. Well, for a little while. haha....But no, if you squat everyday there's something wrong. Your legs won't allow you to squat that much. Especially if your at 80-90% of your max. Forget maxing out....It won't happen.
I used a routine where i squatted eod. But i was only at 60% of my max and i repped out. I worked m,w,f and was wore the hell out. But i got stronger.
If you want to mix your workout up, check out Pinnacle's routine and Doc Sust's.....

[kaju]

Rest and recovery is as important as diet and any other part of this. Your muscles need time to recover I do not know the frequency of your routine but rest is very important. Your muscles will not grow if you do not rest.

[gcguiness]

Thanks stpete/kaju, Yes Im doing just that, MWF, with 30 min cardio after lifting weights, and on T, TH, Im just doing about 45 min cardio. I have been lifting heavy as possible, I pick up the workout on stronglifts 5x5. Check it out if you have not. I've gained alot of strength naturaly, but yes it definately drains you. Thanks www.stronglifts.com

[yannick35]

Be very careful doing squats and make sure your form is perfect, always go for forms before poundage. I got injured doing squats with back pain and upper back pain too, the heavier you put the more pressure on neck and lower back.

I do dumbell squats today because they are a lot safer and they don't put the extra pressure on the neck, also switched to deadlifts which are very good.

BTW thanks for that website stronglifts.com its quit good and free

[gcguiness]

No problem, lots of good info on that site. Hey I started really light on the squat weight, just wanted to have the good form down. Stronglifts recommends adding 5lbs per workout, and I started at 135lbs. to get the most of the ligament strength built up first. Thanks for the imput....

[yannick35]

No problem, lots of good info on that site. Hey I started really light on the squat weight, just wanted to have the good form down. Stronglifts recommends adding 5lbs per workout, and I started at 135lbs. to get the most of the ligament strength built up first. Thanks for the imput....

That is very good also on squats you dont need to go that heavy to feel it, in kyokushin karate the bodyweight squat is done every class, and your legs will get bigger and a lot stronger.

I injured myself with 5 plattes on each side but my form was attrocious.

Now i squat with 40 pounds db in each hands.

A good way to pack on some serious mass is to do squats with 220 pounds and shoot for 20 reps after that go straight to the db pullover this is the shit right there.

[gcguiness]

yea, i was concerned about just that yannick35, started light-Im now working out with 225lbs for 5 sets of 5. Starting to see thickness throughout my intire body now. im really getting into squats, its a great exercise- it's helping even in my cardio....

[nunyabizness]

I am currently coming close to my goals at the end of one year of Starting Strength. I found that squatting heavy every other day started to kill me. Eventually I decided to squat heavy on Monday, then use a lighter weight x 10 on Wed, and heavy on Friday. The Wed weight for me is the last warm up weight in the ramp for my heavy days. Anyhow, that's what I do, and I'm making slow improvements in my squats again - but thats better than no improvement, which is what I had when I plateaued and squatted heavy EOD.

[nunyabizness]

BTW: I've been on a cut for a year now, which has begun to hamper my gains. I would say after about the ninth month my gains slowed considerably.

[gcguiness]

Yea, good input thanks for the above words.. I seem to have hit a plateaue in Febuary, my mind isn't into it for some reason.. Need to refocus..