Did Dorian Yates Squat?

[Slapper]

In Blood and Guts he insinuated that squats were a waste of time.

[Royalty]

At 4:03 Dorian finishes his quad workout with high rep partial squats with 225LB

[pellius]

I don't think it would be a stretch to say that everyone that was ever serious about weight training has done squats.

And everyone knows that squats and a gallon of milk a day = HUGE!

[Lustral]

I have always been very strong in the squat. I love doing squats. But I am being haunted now from two herniated disc's from when I was younger. To the point where my legs go almost completely numb from the compressive forces.  The seems to come and go after a squat. Just getting old I guess. I'm hoping this episode clears up soon and I'm just gonna stick with heavy leg presses and accessory exercises for a while.

I don't believe Dorian squatted I'm assuming that you can still build or maintain impressive set of quads I just doing leg presses.

Giving up squatting, when I used to powerlift and it was a strong movement for me, hurt. I kept trying to do it despite repeated injuries and time on physio table. Eventually gave up and settled on killing myself doing leg press/other compound exercises with disgusting intensity. Legs have grown and look far better since... and no injuries, bar odd muscle injury from training too heavy.

[pellius]

When you kind of analyze it the squat has the resistance that first goes through you spine and lower back before it hits your legs. It's passing through a very unstable structure that's design more for mobility (twisting and turning). When the resistance is on your feet it is going through and being supported by the biggest, sturdiest bones in your body design for stability and is much more solid and doesn't twist and bend like you spine and lower back does.

People can do leg pressing movements well into old age and until they become a cripple. I rarely, actually have never seen, an older person, say 60+, still doing full squats.

We all start out doing squats but it takes it's toll and eventually everyone has to give it up.

I am a big believer in body weight squats and always do them right after a set of a leg press movement. Being able to do a full body weight squats is a very valuable and functional movement. Resting a heavy bar on your spine not so much.

[flinstones1]

Granhed et al. (1987) found that powerlifters were able to sustain 4,824 lbs of compressive loading during the deadlift. Theoretically this load is too high for the spine to handle. According to the authors, “the study showed that intensive training will increase the bone mineral content (BMC) to an extent that the spine can tolerate extraordinary loads.”

Karlsson et al. (1993) showed that weightlifters possess 10% greater total body bone density and 13% greater lumbar bone density than controls. Studies by Sabo et. al. (1996), Granhed et al. (1987) and Bennell et al. (1997) confirm this research. A study by Karlsson et al. (1995) suggests that these increases in bone density are maintained for many years following cesation of lifting.

Research by Brinckmann et al. (1989) and Granhed et al. (1987) support the notion that the axial compressive strength of the lumbar spine is directly related to bone density. Researchers showed that the greater the annual loads lifted, the greater the lumbar bone density adaptations.

[mr.turbo]

At 4:03 Dorian finishes his quad workout with high rep partial squats with 225LB

dorian has long femurs

as you can see his knees come forward so I imagine he has knee issues

hey dorian hit me up if you need some help squatting with correct form

[Lustral]

Granhed et al. (1987) found that powerlifters were able to sustain 4,824 lbs of compressive loading during the deadlift. Theoretically this load is too high for the spine to handle. According to the authors, “the study showed that intensive training will increase the bone mineral content (BMC) to an extent that the spine can tolerate extraordinary loads.”

Karlsson et al. (1993) showed that weightlifters possess 10% greater total body bone density and 13% greater lumbar bone density than controls. Studies by Sabo et. al. (1996), Granhed et al. (1987) and Bennell et al. (1997) confirm this research. A study by Karlsson et al. (1995) suggests that these increases in bone density are maintained for many years following cesation of lifting.

Research by Brinckmann et al. (1989) and Granhed et al. (1987) support the notion that the axial compressive strength of the lumbar spine is directly related to bone density. Researchers showed that the greater the annual loads lifted, the greater the lumbar bone density adaptations.

I can still deadlift, though the effect on my joints and knees are growing. I think i have an overdeveloped vastus medialis.

I often wince climbing a staircase cos of knee pain. I am 31, that is not good. I do high reps, avoid squats etc. Started cycling again will see if that helps. Otherwise deadlifts are going. Fuck it... i know i wont stop them....

[BBSSchlemiel]

In Blood and Guts he insinuated that squats were a waste of time.

When in the video did he imply that. He has always stated they are great for those suited for them. His legs were pretty damn good in the mid-80s from squats, good enough to wreck all comp he came across.

[calfzilla]

Dorian never did squats as a pro.

[lilhawk1]

^^^this.

so do leg press. IMO its superior to squat for leg development as you can isolate the quads.

the real issue is that people equate inefficient exercises with reduced effort.

the squat makes you work hard. so you grow.

put that same energy into leg presses, or any leg movement and you'll grow the same, in fact more as you arent also working obliques, core, etc.

Biggest bunch of crap ever.  Put forth maximum effort on squats and front squats, you'll have big legs.  Put for the same effort doing leg presses and leg extensions, you're not gonna have the same legs, period.  All the pros squatted and deadlifted early on, it's what built their foundation of size, well most of them.  To say you're going to get the same growth from leg extensions or leg press as you will squats is just misguided.  Of course, the way most people squat(going down 4 inches), it's no wonder they feel it doesn't build size.  Most people are simply to lazy to squat, or deadlift because it requires a lot of effort, so they make every excuse in the world to justify not doing them.  Ex.  I'm to tall, or the exercise doesn't suit me, or my back hurts.  Leg press puts far more stress on your back than squats do.  As for the knees, that's bullshit as well.  A former doctor for the Olympic team works out at the gym, and guess what skiers use to rehab knee injuries?  Squats. 

[The Ugly]

Probably already mentioned, but Dorian said he only squatted initially, deciding later that his structure (longer legs, maybe) was more geared for leg press. Didn't squat at all in his latter years, aside from hacks.

[Tennisballz]

This thread is full of useless tit for tat.  So what, squats will give you 1 more inch on your thighs as opposed to leg press?  Who gives a shit if you get numbness in your legs from doing it.  It's insanity.  Your back health is way more important.  Hang it up on squatting man.  Do accessory work or leg press or whatever.  Just do something that doesn't hurt your back.  Work your legs as much as you can if its that important to you and be well.

[BIG DUB]

Of course he did..

[The Abdominal Snoman]

Any video's of Dorian squatting 5+ plates or more or deep reps? Surely they must exist somewhere.

[Royalty]

When in the video did he imply that. He has always stated they are great for those suited for them. His legs were pretty damn good in the mid-80s from squats, good enough to wreck all comp he came across.

Dorian had a book called "Blood and Guts" too. Slapped was referring to the book (not the video).

[Tha Grim Lifter]

Squats and milk was all anyone needed in 1955 to gain 50 pounds of muscle in a year. Anyone doing more than that is using dangerous drugs.

[Raymondo]

When you kind of analyze it the squat has the resistance that first goes through you spine and lower back before it hits your legs. It's passing through a very unstable structure that's design more for mobility (twisting and turning). When the resistance is on your feet it is going through and being supported by the biggest, sturdiest bones in your body design for stability and is much more solid and doesn't twist and bend like you spine and lower back does.

People can do leg pressing movements well into old age and until they become a cripple. I rarely, actually have never seen, an older person, say 60+, still doing full squats.

We all start out doing squats but it takes it's toll and eventually everyone has to give it up.

I am a big believer in body weight squats and always do them right after a set of a leg press movement. Being able to do a full body weight squats is a very valuable and functional movement. Resting a heavy bar on your spine not so much.

[BBSSchlemiel]

Granhed et al. (1987) found that powerlifters were able to sustain 4,824 lbs of compressive loading during the deadlift. Theoretically this load is too high for the spine to handle. According to the authors, “the study showed that intensive training will increase the bone mineral content (BMC) to an extent that the spine can tolerate extraordinary loads.”

Karlsson et al. (1993) showed that weightlifters possess 10% greater total body bone density and 13% greater lumbar bone density than controls. Studies by Sabo et. al. (1996), Granhed et al. (1987) and Bennell et al. (1997) confirm this research. A study by Karlsson et al. (1995) suggests that these increases in bone density are maintained for many years following cesation of lifting.

Research by Brinckmann et al. (1989) and Granhed et al. (1987) support the notion that the axial compressive strength of the lumbar spine is directly related to bone density. Researchers showed that the greater the annual loads lifted, the greater the lumbar bone density adaptations.

Is this Bret Contreras mish mosh?

[pellius]

I expected this which is why I said I have personally never witnessed.... but that discount exceptions. And he is an exception.

But if you like squatting have at it.

I have squatted for decades and at 6'2" it has never been a comfortable movement for me. But I did it because that's what you are suppose to do. And I'm paying for it. If I had to do it again I would never squat with a weighted bar on my neck.

[Donny]

was talking to a physio about Squats recently and he said squat with the bar in your lap.. I then thought about an article i read from Vince Gironda about this...
http://www.ironguru.com/balanced-legs/page-4

[Slik]

This thread is full of useless tit for tat.  So what, squats will give you 1 more inch on your thighs as opposed to leg press?  Who gives a shit if you get numbness in your legs from doing it.  It's insanity.  Your back health is way more important.  Hang it up on squatting man.  Do accessory work or leg press or whatever.  Just do something that doesn't hurt your back.  Work your legs as much as you can if its that important to you and be well.

agreed. If anyone wants to check out my leg size bitd check out the teenage thread. I regularly deep squatted 495 and could be reading the funnies doing it. But I suspect the answers here that are saying those that don't squat just are making excuses and for many that may be so but not all, I suspect those are kids in their teens or twenties. I've squatted good form heavy weight well into my 50s. I can deep squat for ez reps weight the 20 somethings in the gym can't. But my legs aren't the problem. It's the two herniated discs in my back. I don't even have much back pain.  But I woke up with absolutely no feeling in my legs. I mean my phone is vibrating in my pocket for calls and no sensation. I'm hoping this time the feeling comes back and I'm hanging up squats. We'll all die someday. It's not like we are able to do everything we could as s kid then suddenly die at 85. As u get older were going to have to modify things. Drop some things etc. in fact I don't know how much in this case IS age related since it's a long time injury. I'd rather work around it I guess.

[Donny]

He does not say much about Squats but on the Decline Bench press i agree