DL: good. squat: bad. why?

[tfranc]

m, 28 yo, 6', 227 lbs, SS LP

My DL is currently 360x5, but my squat is a difficult 265 3x5 after a recent reset due to illness and momentum loss. I'm getting online coaching for my diet and sleep is good @ 8hrs a night.

I've had form checks for both and had thumbs up for both lifts, with some minor suggestions here and there for the squat. However, while my deadlifts have hardly given me any problems along the way, my squat has given me a ton and required more than a few resets. At this point I just don't get it. Why do I suck at squats, but have a decent novice deadlift? Could it be my anthropometry? - long legs, short torso, long arms.

What do you think? Thanks for your time.

[Steve Hill]

I always wondered why I was good at cycling but not rowing or speed skating

[tfranc]

I always wondered why I was good at cycling but not rowing or speed skating

Just one of those things, eh?

[crookedfinger]

m, 28 yo, 6', 227 lbs, SS LP

My DL is currently 360x5, but my squat is a difficult 265 3x5 after a recent reset due to illness and momentum loss. I'm getting online coaching for my diet and sleep is good @ 8hrs a night.

I've had form checks for both and had thumbs up for both lifts, with some minor suggestions here and there for the squat. However, while my deadlifts have hardly given me any problems along the way, my squat has given me a ton and required more than a few resets. At this point I just don't get it. Why do I suck at squats, but have a decent novice deadlift? Could it be my anthropometry? - long legs, short torso, long arms.

What do you think? Thanks for your time.

Meh. Anthopometry.

My deads hover around 100-110 pounds more than my squat. I have had to work significantly harder on my squat. And I struggle with squat form more than I do with deads. It is what it is. There is hope, just keeping training.

[Chris Lippke]

I always wondered why I was good at cycling but not rowing or speed skating

It has to do with the amount of force multipliers between your body and the medium, Steve. Rowing has 1 force multiplier, and skating has 0. Cycling has, what, 3 (the crank arm, the drivetrain, the wheel)?

Likewise, you're probably terrible at canoeing/kayaking, walking/running, board games not involving catching mice, and rock climbing, but really good at winding clocks and using chain hoists. Because of this - and I hate to be the one to break it to you - you're not cut out for this barbell stuff. There just aren't enough external force multipliers. I'd even steer clear of dandy horses and penny-farthings if I were you. Them's the breaks.

[Tom Campitelli]

Just one of those things, eh?

Long arms and long legs with a short torso tends to work well for deads and less well for squats, although anthropometry is not destiny. You can look at this from the glass-half-full perspective. You are a decent deadlifter.

[tfranc]

Meh. Anthopometry.

My deads hover around 100-110 pounds more than my squat. I have had to work significantly harder on my squat. And I struggle with squat form more than I do with deads. It is what it is. There is hope, just keeping training.

Thank you, oh crookedest of fingers, for the wise encouragement. Glad to know I'm not alone. (cue that Michael Jaskson song)

Long arms and long legs with a short torso tends to work well for deads and less well for squats, although anthropometry is not destiny. You can look at this from the glass-half-full perspective. You are a decent deadlifter.

Damnit, you're right. I'm being an whiny lil beh beh. Thanks.