20-rep squats

[howardw]

Hey Mark,

Can you tell me what you think about the 20-rep squat routine (squats and milk, Super Squats, etc) as compared to SS?

I would assume SS would be preferred, but I'm just curious why? Since you referenced 20-rep squats in an article, I suspect you at least have an appreciation of it...hence the curiosity.

Thank you,

howard

[Mark Rippetoe]

The 20-rep squat workout originally recorded by Perry Rader decades ago works well for lifters at the intermediate level as a six-week or so program. The SS novice progression works better for novices, because it can be done for much longer before a plateau. 20s, when done correctly and as intended, are so psychologically and physically difficult that it's very hard to do them for an extended period of time at the intensity they require for the effect they produce. They do work, and they work well, for the right lifter at the right time in his training advancement.