Business Information

BREATHING SQUATS…The ‘breathing squat’ and pullover combo to gain weight proven and in favor since the days of Mark Berry, Roger Eells (who usually gets the credit for it’s invention), Joseph Hise, who added the rest pause, and pushed for decades by Peary Rader of Iron Man, does NOT require the trainee to strain or place the spinal column in a poor position, as in heavy squats.

It doesn’t matter which form of breathing squat that you may undergo, the suggested poundage is always total bodyweight, which is normally enough for anyone. This exercise is obviously quite tough on Sumo wrestlers and big Indian wrestlers, so they have to rely on the latest chemical cocktail to match breathing squat results.

This simplistic workout resulted in huge bodyweight gains, but few desire such ponderous physiques, it is just proof of the value of light squats. Roger Eells by the way, who conducted the premier experiments with his breathing squats for weight gains, often forgot to mention he also spent most of his non training time in bed…. resting.

SINGLE LEG SQUATS…A progression of ‘free squats’, especially for those without weights, is to do single leg bends, preferably on a bench, seldom seen today in schedules, yet old timers could work up to some scary poundages in this difficult style, because you also have to maintain some balance.

One time Britain’s best wrestler Bert Assirati, who could make 10 reps with 55Olbs/249.4kg in basic squats back in the I93O’s, could do the single leg style with an added 2OOlbs/9O.7kg on his shoulders, and Grimek could do likewise.

Squatting without additional weight, George Eiferman, who was around at the same time as the late Steve Reeves, could manage I5O consecutive reps on one leg. Reeves didn’t really like basic squats, preferring front squats, or ‘hack’ squats, in an attempt to avoid developing to large a posterior. Even Vince Gironda was under the same opinion when it came to less butt.

SQUAT AND YOUR OUT! Gironda, self styled ‘Iron Guru’, totally discouraged basic squats, and squat racks were simply not allowed in his gym and anyone seen practicing barbell squats, weight held behind neck, was literally thrown out on his ear. Gironda, like Reeves considered squats built up big buttocks and for thigh development recommended instead the unhappily named ‘Sissy Squat’ a sort of highly controlled lean back free squat, or light weights could be added (to a belt) if you wished.

Roy Callender, who used to workout by instinct, used to squat 100 reps or more on sissy squats followed by high reps lunges, finished off by work on the leg extension machine - no doubt he also did his share of basic squats for such legs. Boyer Coe used sissy squats, having plenty of power already built by basic squats, able to squat with 5OOlbs/226.7kg when just I8yrs old.

Once racks became common, so poundages rocketed, experienced bodybuilders soon used at first bodyweight, then double bodyweight, with eventually powerlifters reaching the magic IOOOlbs/453.5kg mark. It is said Anderson squatted with II6Olbs/526k of silver dollars twice a night when he was performing in Las Vegas. Equally famous as a pioneer of heavy squats is Frederick C Hatfield PhD. or Dr Squat. (Coming Soon Part 3)

Popularity: 3% [?]