Am I over squatting?

ChickenLegs · 05-31-2007, 08:04 PM

Yeah, as the name implies, I got pretty weak legs for some damn reason, especially when it comes to squatting. Check out my numbers

Body weight: 160
Deadlift: 315
OHP: 185
Squat: .....185 for 2 rep max
Bench: 135... lol I never bench and don't care for it

Yeah, it's pretty bad, I don't know wtf I'm doing wrong, but I think I may be on to something. I think I'm doing TOO much squatting? My deadlift and OHP have been making really nice progress since I've started the 5x5, improving much faster than my squat.

I squat 3 times a week on squat weeks, and two times a week on deadlift week. It varies in intensity, but whenever I can, I always go my 90% max and do singles and doubles for reps. Deadlift and OHP, on the other hand, I only do once a week, and always on saturday, my off day from work. I think it may just be a case of not resting my legs enough? Not giving it enough time to recover before my next squat session?

Should I only hardcore squat once every 2 weeks like with my deadlift? In between those days where I used to squat, I'll fill it with plyometrics instead, to keep my legs active?

**Lusst** · 05-31-2007, 08:28 PM

Sounds like you are just taxing your CNS man...squatting heavy 3 times a week is a little much. Read into some training logs to see how other guys stagger their workouts.

Brad Morris · 05-31-2007, 08:30 PM

Chicken legs, my step sisters used to call me that when I was 15, they were right!

Mate I would back off from doing heavy squats 3 times per week! Try some 20 rep squat sets they are great for building strength and size!

ThinkGreen · 05-31-2007, 08:31 PM

I personally don't see why you'd want to squat more than twice a week. You should also try some OH squats and front squats. Mixing in high reps(15-20) every so often also helps.

Klotz · 05-31-2007, 08:36 PM

In my opinion, yes.
I squat heavy once a week, but that's me.

IrishAssassin · 05-31-2007, 08:46 PM

i only do heavy taxing lifts once a week, i would consider backing off doing squats that often

feezy · 05-31-2007, 08:50 PM

I squat heavy 2x a week and squat light @ high reps (sets of 20) 1x a week. It works well for me.

JPC · 05-31-2007, 08:58 PM

A 185x2 squat sounds like there is a lot more of a problem than too much frequency. Like a form problem, or a mental block.

Your overhead press is very good btw.

ChickenLegs · 05-31-2007, 09:02 PM

The problem is if I stop squatting on those squat days is... I seriously don't know what else to do, lol. The only things I'm always 100% on is my deadlift/OHP day. Since now that I know I'm over squatting, I'll also be sure that my squat day is also 100% on saturday. The problem is in between those days. I'm thinking of doing nothing by plyometrics and some form of olympic lifts, such as dumb bell snatch and cleans?

Here's what I think my new routine will look like.

Squat week:

Tuesday dumb bell snatch
broad jumps/box jumps
depth jumps

Thursday Cleans
BOR
chin ups

Saturday Squat
Front squat
Lunge

Deadlift week:

Tuesday Pull ups
Good mornings
Core/abs

Thursday random plyos. Light work out on this day in preparation for Sat.

Saturday: OHP
Deadlift
Random grip works
Watch Youtube videos of Katharine Mcphee and jerk off (grip work on the side)

What you guys think of this new routine? Still taxing my CNS too much? I work 5 days a week, lifting heavy ass doors (80-100+ pounds a door by myself)? Again, inputs are appreciated

And yeah, my shoulders/OHP has always been strangely strong. I was never a bencher, but my shoulders are strong. Weird.

Klotz · 05-31-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

The problem is if I stop squatting on those squat days is... I seriously don't know what else to do, lol.

Do nothing then. Rest and recovery are just as important as lifting when it comes to getting stronger.

Alternatively, you can take up the bench press.