Well i swear i am genetically deficent when it comes to the squat. I can squat 350, but i bench 375 and can deadlift 425. I’m not too sure why that is but i do know that every male in my family has been blessed with chicken legs. Fortunatly i have gotten the mass to come with hypertrophy…
Maybe someone can give us their take on the influence of the stretch shortening cycle on the difference between Squat and DL (at Westside or elsewhere). Too me it would seem that the obsession to establish a world record wouldn’t just stop at the point “Oh, so now we have record benches and record squats, so lets stop there …” I have heard that the Deadlift is difficult to include in the Speed /Max effort philosophy, but I also know that the chains and bands techniques have been succesfully used for the DL as well. Which brings me back to my suspicion that one major factor (leaving out grip) could be that the DL starts with a concentric while the squat starts with an eccentric. Any comments?
working weight is exactly the same
This is quite an interesting thread. So here’s my two-cents, when one looks at the record books the squat is above the dead, if this is a because people regard the squat higher than the dead? But I think it probably plays a factor. The streatching shorting cycle does have some effect, and I believe that squat suits could poteniate this effect, not to mention that there really isn’t anything that helps the dead short of straps, which can’t be used in meets anyway. And lastly one needs to look at genetics. The lengths and ratios of individual limbs can greatly affect these two exercises (long arms+short legs=good dead, smaller femors and long backs help out the squat.
Squat has not always been held in higher regard than deadlift. There are more deadlift specialists. This is not why squat records are 100 lbs higher. One of the reasons is that a big gut gets in the way of a big deadlift but helps a big squat. This eliminates a lot of the “Mr. Squats” out there who look like they ate a 165 pounder who hasn’t been digested. If you can’t figure this out, try standing a foot back from the bar before you start because you can’t get any closer because your stomach is in the way. Another reason is that the ideal frame for a 900+ lb deadlifter is about 6’8 and 350 pounds. 1000 pound squatters seem to be about 5’8 and 300 lbs. Now which is there more of? Not to mention that if you were that tall and big and athletic, powerlifting would be your last choice sport. Powerlifting is the refuge of the unathletic, the injured and those who started out too fat, short, skinny or weak to do anything else. There is nothing wrong with this, in fact it’s wonderful, but it explains why for a 6’8 350 lb guy his choice of sports will be 1. NFL Football 2. Canadian Football 3. Arena Football 4. Semipro Football 5. Sega Football 6. WWF Wrestler 7. World’s Strongest Man competitor 8. Olympic Weight thrower 9. Highland Games…111. Alligator Wrestler 112. Deadlift Specialist.
And grip plays some role as well.
i have to disagree with your comment about
“Powerlifting is the refuge of the unathletic, the injured and those who started out too fat, short, skinny or weak to do anything else. There is nothing wrong with this”
until recently, there was no money or scholarships for powerlfting. that’s why it is not a popular sport. there are some very out of shape lifters, but also many who are in great shape. those who do compete do it for the love of the sport, not money or fame.
I wasn’t talking about powerlifters as they currently are being fat, unathletic or out of shape. Obviously there are many who are in fine shape. I think I’m in pretty good shape. I’m talking about no one starts out wanting to be a powerlifter. They get into it through another sport, or a “handicap”. For example, used to be a football player, but was too slow, but could squat a ton of weight. Or was tired of being 110 lbs soaking wet and wanted to be a big strong guy. No-one from a young age has their heart set on being a powerlifter. Maybe if your dad was Ed Coan or something.
my deadlift is more. i like to deadlift more than squat. that may account for it.