Obese untalented middle-aged guy switching to low-bar squats

[SKURLAND]

So back in late 2003 my workout routine was squatting 4 singles 3 times a week: 140, 230, 280, 330; done. Same 4 45s and 4 25s on the same 50# bar every time, same garage squat, barefoot, cutoff sweats, no shirt, chalk, belt, wraps, or spotters. Pretty minimalist, but it kept me big and strong. On a particularly good days I might single 330 two or three times, even. The overwhelming form priority was getting my ass as close to the ground as possible, that old Ironmind Chakarov squat poster was on my fridge. Flat back - accordion squats suck - and really low. Rip talks about how other cultures spend the afternoon squatting; down was like that.

Then William Vandry beat the crap out of me for a year and I quit squatting; bjj was more fun.

Last year or so I hooked a few friends into lifting with me, read Rip's argument for low-bar squatting and thought it compelling enough to give it a shot. Squatted 350 two Sundays ago, fun, and 308x5 last Sunday, less fun but interesting. Still no belt or wraps, though I'll wear Chucks if the concrete garage floor gets cold enough. Low-bar kinda feels like cheating, and I have to think about going to the right depth, but I'll give it a fair try.

[Mark Rippetoe]

An obese, untalented, middle-aged minimalist, eh?