Bringing up squat max

RyanWilson1993

What are some tips you have for increasing your squat max?

wmagoo27

The easy answer is to squat more often. Hit more singles at 80% or more of your 1 rep max. Running a good strength based program is a good place to start. I liked Madcows 5X5, which is a slightly modified variation of an old Bill Starr routine. I've had good luck running 5/3/1 as well. If you're only interested in working on squats, look at Smolov Jr. It's a 3 week routine that focuses on 1 lift. It works exceptionally well on bench, however, it will work on squats as well. Set goals, and keep track of your PR lifts. It will give you something to shoot for when you're under the bar. Just as important as pushing your limits is to take care of your legs. When you're lifting heavy, learn to do prehab work around your lifting so you don't strain something.

RyanWilson1993

Thank you man yeah I've been thinking about doing 1 strength week and then 1 hypertrophy week

wmagoo27

Thank you man yeah I've been thinking about doing 1 strength week and then 1 hypertrophy week

For mixing strength and hypertrophy, give Layne Norton's P.H.A.T. a try. 2 power days and 3 hypertrophy days each week, and it hits each muscle group twice in a week for added volume.

ilovedeadlifts

Thank you man yeah I've been thinking about doing 1 strength week and then 1 hypertrophy week

Thats probably your problem.
Get on a solid strength program, and use your assistance work to bring hypertrophy.

I'm with the other guy, Madcows 5x5 is great. my squats went from 275x5 to 330x5 in 9 weeks.

Train your main lifts for strength then do some higher rep work if you want to put on size.

Cyclink

Thank you man yeah I've been thinking about doing 1 strength week and then 1 hypertrophy week

Thats probably your problem.
Get on a solid strength program, and use your assistance work to bring hypertrophy.

I'm with the other guy, Madcows 5x5 is great. my squats went from 275x5 to 330x5 in 9 weeks.

Train your main lifts for strength then do some higher rep work if you want to put on size.

I agree.

Without more background info it's hard to say for sure, but it's highly unlikely that your problem is not enough muscle. You might be surprised at how much strength you can get out of the muscle you already have.

At my peak, I was doing 4 sets of 5 reps at 425 pounds when I weighed 170 pounds (at 5'9", not a big guy by anyone's definition).

waldo56

What are some tips you have for increasing your squat max?

Eating a (scale verifiable) calorie surplus >>>>>> everything else.

Helps to know were the squat max is. If it is still in the linear progression area, there is no need for anything but a linear progression. A calorie surplus will prevent stalling on up to fairly high strength levels when on a linear progression.

... chances are if you are asking this question on MFP, you are in the linear progression area.

dzarello

Eat, squat, eat, squat, accessory work, eat, squat, eat, squat, accessory work, etc...................................

wellbert

What is your current max, and how long have you been doing it?