Casey Sumner at STRONG Gym walks out, and squats 750x3 easy...

[Matt Reynolds]

Just wanted to post this. I was not in the room and I feel like the first rep might have been a smidgen high, but really all three (and especially the second two) look pretty damn good.

Casey has squatted 800 raw in competition, and will be looking for 850 or so at his USPA meet Oct 5, here in Springfield, MO.

Here's the link to the video:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151801190190750

Matt

[Mark Rippetoe]

Lovely. How many at Strong now deadlifting 700?

[Matt Reynolds]

Lovely. How many at Strong now deadlifting 700?

11 guys who are current members of the gym have deadlifted over 700, with 3 more right on the cusp. We also have 9 women over 300 with 5 or 6 within 20lbs.

[tweakxc03]

Why are his hands placed out so wide? I see this a lot with power lifters but don't understand why. Seems like that would make for a less tight rack for the bar.

[curlrackhog]

You know you squat a lot of weight when you have nose plugs to prevent or manage nose bleeds. (I assume that's what they're for?)

[Matt Reynolds]

Why are his hands placed out so wide? I see this a lot with power lifters but don't understand why. Seems like that would make for a less tight rack for the bar.

Shoulder inflexibility.

[Matt Reynolds]

You know you squat a lot of weight when you have nose plugs to prevent or manage nose bleeds. (I assume that's what they're for?)

Yep. Lol.

[Dunk]

Why are his hands placed out so wide? I see this a lot with power lifters but don't understand why. Seems like that would make for a less tight rack for the bar.

Because hes a large man and you can outstretch your arms and still keep your back tight. Novices can't think about keeping their backs tight because of the millon other things they're concentrating on, thus the closer grip so they dont have to think about it.

[Cody]

Why are his hands placed out so wide? I see this a lot with power lifters but don't understand why. Seems like that would make for a less tight rack for the bar.

Lower shoulder flexibility as well as having wider shoulders in general makes a wider grip more comfortable. Covered in Starting Strength 3rd ed page 32.

[Bif]

...all three (and especially the second two) look pretty damn good...

Hi Matt.

Agree mucho with you here; that man owned that weight. I was, however, curious about one thing: How much, in terms of poundage, do you think the knee wraps contribute? Please know that by asking this I am in NO WAY being an internet church lady. I honestly could not give an ounce of fecal matter as to how anyone chooses to train/compete. My question comes purely from intellectual curiosity.

Thanks!