But who cares how many times they can squat with a barbell. Functional strength is far more impressive to me than what can be done with a barbell. And I was pretty strong with a barbell. I also took gymnastics and ballet in So. Cal for 3 years. Moores Dancewear in Torrance was my home for 2 days a week and So Bay Gymnastics and Dana Jr. High was my second home. In 8th grade I was doing giants and IC's. Shit in 5th grade I was doiing Giants. It wasn't till the summer between my freshman and Sophmore year did I lift my first barbell.
Keith, how can you tell me that squatting bodyweight on bar for 20 repetitions is not "functional"
Notice I did not mention anything about one rep max, as to me, that is purely a demonstration of strength, which invites injury.
In my eyes, in order to be considered a "complete" athlete, you must have leg strength. Without sufficient leg strength, you simply don't have an "athletic base" upon which to build "functional muscle".
Hence why I said "20 repetitions with bodyweight on the barbell".
Now, I wish someone would have shown me the light regarding high repetion squats in good form while I was in my early 20's. Instead, I had to go through the aches and pains associated with "going heavy", and not getting the overall metabolic effect of high repetition squatting in good form.
