Feeling sick after squats?

[ZeroRemorse]

Hi, I've been doing 120-130kg 3 x 10-12 to fail. I got fairly comfortable with that weight so I put it up to 140.

But the last few workouts after doing squats (after 10 minute cardio warm up + stretches which I always do) I felt sick/totally wrecked and couldn't get through the rest of my work out at a decent level and could barely do my deadlift so I didn't do them incase of injury.

I even gave myself a 20 minute rest, had plenty of water and a Gatorade, still no energy. As I type this I feel I could jump into bed and sleep for hours.

I got up around 5am after a good nights sleep. Hit bed at 9pm. I had a good breakfast which consisted of Oats, 6 egg whites and my ON protein shake with a banana added into it 45 minutes before going to the gym, then took my caffeine and creatine supplements. I drank plenty of water.

But yeah, after my squats 140kg x 3. 10 - 12 fail. I just couldn't do anything.

Have I been wrecking myself by lifting too heavy? I feel fine after doing 120-130kg. Is this extra weight taking all my energy and killing the rest of my work out? Should I just revert back to 120-130 so I can complete the rest of my work out. Or should I just have a warm up squats session before I do my deadlifts and rest of my routine, then hit the 140+ squat after my full work out?

Thanks in advance.

[lee__d]

High rep squats are pretty taxing. Also, watch your breathing when doing high reps.

Maybe time for a deload.

[ZeroRemorse]

High rep squats are pretty taxing. Also, watch your breathing when doing high reps.

Maybe time for a deload.

I think this might be the only solution. It sucks because you feel like you're not making progress. Maybe I could push through this barrier and my body will get used to it, should I give it another 1-2 work outs see how I feel? Or do you suggest immediate deload, I definitely don't want to cause injury and it's killing the rest of my body just to supplement one work out.

[lee__d]

Pushing through the last few sessions seemingly hasn't helped the problem. If it were a one time thing, okay, but it's becoming a trend.

[ZeroRemorse]

Alright, deload it is.

What about the suggestion of warm up (120kg) before deadlifts. Then I can hit the squats hard as my final work out?

[lee__d]

I wouldn't squat after deadlifting. Squatting would a fatigued lower back is potentially risky.

[ZoranM]

squats 140kg x 3. 10 - 12

I believe you not.

[ZeroRemorse]

I wouldn't squat after deadlifting. Squatting would a fatigued lower back is potentially risky.

Alright dude, thanks for your help. Are there any strength work outs I could do to help fight this fatigue so I can increase my lifts? Or do you think I've just hit a wall and can no longer increase my lifts to a progressive level without wrecking myself.

[ZeroRemorse]

I believe you not.

It's with Smith Machine.

[Seank22]

stop squatting to failure. theres your problem

[ZeroRemorse]

stop squatting to failure. theres your problem

Most of my work outs are to failure.

But should I not do this with squats?

[DizzyPhyziks]

Deload man, your cns is shot.

Back off, build it back, and bust through

[HarryFlashman]

The powerlifting saying is don't lift to failure, lift to success. If you manage to add weight progressively over time, you don't need to be lifting to failure. If you manage to lift say 3 sets of 8 for example so you're not lifting to failure but can creep the weight up over time to 180kg, then you'll be much stronger without needing to fail.

Why are you doing it on the smith machine? Have you tried doing them properly?

[mrpushup]

It's with Smith Machine.

I don't know why that dude didn't believe you it's a good weight but it's not unbelievable. I am curious if there is any reason you are using the smith machine? Does your gym have another option? Also, if increasing the weight is too much at the moment why don't you just increase the reps?

[ZeroRemorse]

I don't know why that dude didn't believe you it's a good weight but it's not unbelievable. I am curious if there is any reason you are using the smith machine? Does your gym have another option? Also, if increasing the weight is too much at the moment why don't you just increase the reps?

I just find it safer over all in the gym, because it's generally busy and I don't want to drop the weight back or release dangerously. Also I prefer it just for stability and form.

[NicholasKlug]

I just find it safer over all in the gym, because it's generally busy and I don't want to drop the weight back or release dangerously. Also I prefer it just for stability and form.

During your deload you may want to consider moving to free weight barbell squats. Squatting in the smith machine will NOT help your form and as far as stability...it will actually weaken your core stabilizing muscles.

If you are that uncomfortable with free weight squats using a barbell, you may even want to consider trying out KB squats or Goblet squats, but the hip patterns, knee patterns, stabilizing muscles, etc., etc., are completely different in a smith than during a free weight squat. If you've been squatting in a smith for a long period of time, it wouldn't surprise me at all if this was part of the issue. Unfortunately you're making yourself less efficient and sacrificing results.

I'd challenge you to try it out with either a barbell, KB, or using a dumbbell for goblet squats and let me know how it feels!

[Lastman13]

It's with Smith Machine.

STOP. Right now.

Smith machine squats are murder on your knees. Its better to not squat at all, than to squat with the smith machine. You are MORE likely to injure yourself on the smith machine.


Squatting in a power cage is very safe. If you drop the bar or can't get the weight up, the safety bars catch the bar and you're fine.




Also, time for a deload.