Should Box Sqt Be Stronger Than Regular Sqt?

[Nick2413]

My paused box squat slightly below parallel (using a regular bench from the DB area) is easier and stronger than my regular squat. I also don't rock back and forth for momentum.

This is true whether it's high bar or low bar. Maxes are about 335 high bar regular and 355 low bar regular, with box being 20 lbs higher for each, same stance. I realize using the box as a trampoline would make the max go up but I always pause slightly.

I will try to get a video up of both lifts asap.

[flipcollar]

There is no such thing as 'should' in this case. Your lifts are what they are. This is not something worth worrying about. People get too caught up in ratios. If you're using good technique on both lifts, you're fine.

[lift206]

flipcollar wrote:
There is no such thing as 'should' in this case. Your lifts are what they are. This is not something worth worrying about. People get too caught up in ratios. If you're using good technique on both lifts, you're fine.

I agree. It's more important to know whether improvement in the box squat will improve the competition lifts.

[cparker]

flipcollar wrote:
There is no such thing as 'should' in this case. Your lifts are what they are. This is not something worth worrying about. People get too caught up in ratios. If you're using good technique on both lifts, you're fine.

Yep, I think it is pretty common that someones box squat would be a little stronger than their regular squat though but thats not like a rule or anything.

[Reed]

Nick2413 wrote:
My paused box squat slightly below parallel (using a regular bench from the DB area) is easier and stronger than my regular squat. I also don't rock back and forth for momentum.

This is true whether it's high bar or low bar. Maxes are about 335 high bar regular and 355 low bar regular, with box being 20 lbs higher for each, same stance. I realize using the box as a trampoline would make the max go up but I always pause slightly.

I will try to get a video up of both lifts asap.

I have NEVER seen a DB that allowed me to hit depth when squatting to it.... So....

[Reed]

To be fair I am short as hell

[Nick2413]

I'm more concerned with the technique and mechanics rather than what the ratio is. My squat has always felt a lot more natural on a box and I want to know why.

The box isn't ATG but it's past parallel, and some might say the stretch reflex from going deeper equals out the extra couple inches.

[lift206]

Nick2413 wrote:
I'm more concerned with the technique and mechanics rather than what the ratio is. My squat has always felt a lot more natural on a box and I want to know why.

The box isn't ATG but it's past parallel, and some might say the stretch reflex from going deeper equals out the extra couple inches.

Have you tried squatting the exact same way without the box and recording yourself to see if that's possible. Maybe you have less forward lean with the box?

[MarkKO]

Reed wrote:

Nick2413 wrote:
My paused box squat slightly below parallel (using a regular bench from the DB area) is easier and stronger than my regular squat. I also don't rock back and forth for momentum.

This is true whether it's high bar or low bar. Maxes are about 335 high bar regular and 355 low bar regular, with box being 20 lbs higher for each, same stance. I realize using the box as a trampoline would make the max go up but I always pause slightly.

I will try to get a video up of both lifts asap.

I have NEVER seen a DB that allowed me to hit depth when squatting to it.... So....

That's exactly what I was thinking. On a bench I'm about an inch or two above legal depth, and while I've got short-ish legs I'm around 5'9.

[Fletch1986]

I'm not weighing in until I see a video because there's so many factors that could be involved.

[StrengthDawg]

Fletch1986 wrote:
I'm not weighing in until I see a video because there's so many factors that could be involved.

Exactly, but if I were a betting man, I'd say your box squat and free squat form look totally different. You may also be 5"2" tall and squatting to an 18" high bench at planet fitness and when free squatting actually getting to depth.

( sup FLETCH!)

[Fletch1986]

YO!

[tsantos]

20 bucks on the box being higher than your regular squat depth