squat strength

[Workout Maniac]

Hey guys I am trying to get my leg strength up. I did a 5x5 on squats for 6 months and had grat results but I hit a plateau. I did 4x20 just for something new and to shock my legs for 2 months. But I am ready to get heavy again and was wandering if box squats and half suats would be good for a while. Any suggestions welcome I just want more weight.

[AMG]

Train explosive and stop going to failure.

Also start doing things like Good Mornings, box squats and zercher squats. I also find Sumo Deadlifts have a good carry over to my squat by making my hips and glutes stronger.

Good luck.

[Workout Maniac]

hey thanks man

[chris mason]

When you first go heavy you will probably find you are weaker than when you went to the 20 rep squats. This is nothing to worry about, just the S.A.I.D. principle in action. After a few heavy sessions you should find yourself breaking into new territory.

[AMG]

hey thanks man

Glad to help.

[beefcurry]

5x5 isnt optimal for strength gains. if you really want to train for strength you should be doing nothing over 3. right now my leg routine looks like this

squatx8 - start with a weight i can do for 3, then add 10 pounds every set going from triples to doubles, to singles until i dont think i can get any more. (usually 5-6 sets) then drop 10-20 lbs and do enough singles to make 8 sets

SLDL 8x3

smith calf pressx5

AMG hit it on the head. if you want squat power, train explosively. every other leg workout for me is dynamic.

-beef-

[sculli]

I also find Sumo Deadlifts have a good carry over to my squat by making my hips and glutes stronger.

Yup, I have to do sumos b/c of a prior back injury and the bonus is that it's working my hips and glutes. This is good because my quads overpower my hips and glutes since I trained as a bodybuilder for so long with close squats and my hips are a weakpoint when doing a proper powerlifting squat.

[thanatopsis]

I dunno about you guys but my squat went up after a month off off-time from them and concentrating HARD on dead-lifts. I did a weight that was previously hard for me (350 lbs) for 10 reps last Friday and then I managed 405 lbs for 2 reps today (my personal best heavy lift so far). Before my month squat hiatus I could manage 350 lbs for about 6-7 reps. A break is sometimes a great idea.