Why Tom Platz Rules

[MarvinEderFan]

Let's talk squats. No, not powerlifting style parallell squats, but narrow stance, high bar, ass to the grass squats.

Ever wondered about Platz's numbers? Well, I've done the research I can, and have found the following:

635 for 15 quote "perfect reps"    (in 1986)
635 for 12 in 1984
23 reps with 585, drop setting down to finally 135 lbs.
Sets of 100+ reps with 225 lbs
Sets of 50 reps with 350 lbs.
20 reps with 600 lbs.
Regular sets of 30 reps with 500 lbs.
38 reps with 405 lbs.

And in that vid everyone links to, "23 with 495" - well, it's NOT 495. I asked Dr. Squat (Fred Hatfield), and he said it was 539.
Meaning, weighing less than 200 lbs, YEARS after his peak, he does 23 reps with 539..!!

Platz also (without ever training specifically for 1RM strength) did 775 with Fred Hatfield. In an interview, Platz estimates he could do between 800 and 900 realistically with enough specificity training. Of course there are lots of people who are stronger in low rep max strength squats, BUT speaking of medium-high rep (and HIGH rep) narrow stance high bar rock bottom squats, I believe Platz stands unbeaten.

[davidpaul]

240 or bust did 405 for 20 reps.

[SS]

240 or bust did 405 for 20 reps.

hahaha! ok "dp"

[Scott Markey]

He has said that he would bring a timer in the gym and squat for ten minuets straight. I don't remember the weight but it was not that light !

[Bluto]

if he didnt squat so much maybe he would've had a symmetric body

guy should've stayed with leg extensions

[The Squadfather]

Let's talk squats. No, not powerlifting style parallell squats, but narrow stance, high bar, ass to the grass squats.

Ever wondered about Platz's numbers? Well, I've done the research I can, and have found the following:

635 for 15 quote "perfect reps"    (in 1986)
635 for 12 in 1984
23 reps with 585, drop setting down to finally 135 lbs.
Sets of 100+ reps with 225 lbs
Sets of 50 reps with 350 lbs.
20 reps with 600 lbs.
Regular sets of 30 reps with 500 lbs.
38 reps with 405 lbs.

And in that vid everyone links to, "23 with 495" - well, it's NOT 495. I asked Dr. Squat (Fred Hatfield), and he said it was 539.
Meaning, weighing less than 200 lbs, YEARS after his peak, he does 23 reps with 539..!!

Platz also (without ever training specifically for 1RM strength) did 775 with Fred Hatfield. In an interview, Platz estimates he could do between 800 and 900 realistically with enough specificity training. Of course there are lots of people who are stronger in low rep max strength squats, BUT speaking of medium-high rep (and HIGH rep) narrow stance high bar rock bottom squats, I believe Platz stands unbeaten.

that weight in the video wasn't 539 it was 495 you could see clearly the five plates and nothing else on there, still very impressive given the style he did them with.

[dseiler]

He knew exactly how hard to push without injuring himself. With those weights it's a wonder he didn't pop something.

[The Squadfather]

He knew exactly how hard to push without injuring himself. With those weights it's a wonder he didn't pop something.

i had an old video of him squatting 335 for 40 at Gold's Venice with that close stance and low depth he was known for, his legs were shaking so hard at the end that he could barely put the weight back on the rack.

[Bluto]

i had an old video of him squatting 335 for 40 at Gold's Venice with that close stance and low depth he was known for, his legs were shaking so hard at the end that he could barely put the weight back on the rack.

thats normal for all my leg workouts

[MarvinEderFan]

that weight in the video wasn't 539 it was 495 you could see clearly the five plates and nothing else on there, still very impressive given the style he did them with.

Well, I disagree with you that one can clearly see that nothing else is on there.

The camera is placed in front of the barbell, center.

At what point do you see the end of the barbell giving you a glimpse of the 10 kg plates that are or are not there?

As I see it, you don't... The thing is, I remembered it like you could see "only" 5 plates on there, but the video does not show you whether or not there are more plates on there, and Dr. Squat wouldn't lie about it.
He also describes it in his book, some book.. don't know the name. And he wouldn't exactly lie about an exhibition that thousands of people were at and about a feat everyone saw

The reason why everyone says "495" is because that's what people would assume - it's a nice "rep weight" and you see 5 plates. (You're forgetting about collars, too.)

[The Squadfather]

Well, I disagree with you that one can clearly see that nothing else is on there.

The camera is placed in front of the barbell, center.

At what point do you see the end of the barbell giving you a glimpse of the 10 kg plates that are or are not there?

As I see it, you don't... The thing is, I remembered it like you could see "only" 5 plates on there, but the video does not show you whether or not there are more plates on there, and Dr. Squat wouldn't lie about it.
He also describes it in his book, some book.. don't know the name. And he wouldn't exactly lie about an exhibition that thousands of people were at and about a feat everyone saw

The reason why everyone says "495" is because that's what people would assume - it's a nice "rep weight" and you see 5 plates. You're forgetting about collars, too.

[MarvinEderFan]

i had an old video of him squatting 335 for 40 at Gold's Venice with that close stance and low depth he was known for, his legs were shaking so hard at the end that he could barely put the weight back on the rack.

Dude, any way you can get this back and upload it? Would be gold man!

What style did he use once the reps got high. Breathing style, or non-stop (like in the exhibition vid)?

[MarvinEderFan]

haha well feel free to disagree but I believe I am making a valid point. You believe it's 495. Why? One just assumes it is because the camera shows you 5 45 plates. But surely you will agree with me that the camera position does not allow once to tell whether or not there is a 10kg plate on both sides.

PS - I am not looking to pick a fight about it, I actually think you're a pretty sensible guy

[The Squadfather]

Dude, any way you can get this back and upload it? Would be gold man!

What style did he use once the reps got high. Breathing style, or non-stop (like in the exhibition vid)?

i wish i still had it, it was one of those Powerlifter Video tapes that Powerlifting USA used to advertise on their inside cover, he did them the same way he always did them, not really fast but really deep bouncing out of the hole and locked out at the top, close stance, high bar.

[Bluto]

not really fast but really deep bouncing out of the hole and locked out at the top

wtf is this fag talking about

no need for that kinda talk here

[MarvinEderFan]

i wish i still had it, it was one of those Powerlifter Video tapes that Powerlifting USA used to advertise on their inside cover, he did them the same way he always did them, not really fast but really deep bouncing out of the hole and locked out at the top, close stance, high bar.

Would be golden to get that on youtube. Thinking about it, there must be a lot of people sitting around with vids or even photos that the internet doesn't know about.

thanks for the description. One quick question: the very last, final reps (like 35 and onwards) were they also done with lille rest between the reps..? :O

[BroadStreetBruiser]

you're really asking for it with this fanboy type of thread

[The Squadfather]

Would be golden to get that on youtube. Thinking about it, there must be a lot of people sitting around with vids or even photos that the internet doesn't know about.

thanks for the description. One quick question: the very last, final reps (like 35 and onwards) were they also done with lille rest between the reps..? :O

he rested about 10 seconds between rep number 33 on, the last 4 were brutal.

[The Squadfather]

I don't care.

I think Platz is awesome for his brutal leg development, strength, and intensity. So what.

don't worry about "broad street" he's too cool to care about anything, he hates bb'ing and lifting yet he logs on to getbig every day.

[Wombat]

As great as Platz was, i believe the best squatter of all time is indeed Bodybuilding.com's very own Scott Donald...The man is a machine..

[MarvinEderFan]

As great as Platz was, i believe the best squatter of all time is indeed Bodybuilding.com's very own Scott Donald...The man is a machine..

Haha yes. Scott_donald.  He and Brad Castleberry own the world.

I can see this becoming a new joke a la Castleberry.

Squad> lol. i laugh at all these clowns who are SO into lifting yet distance themselves from it in front of others, to look "cool".

[MAXX]

anyone have his full trainingvideo??

have been searching for it but guess its rare. nobody has uploaded it.

[MarvinEderFan]

anyone have his full trainingvideo??

have been searching for it but guess its rare. nobody has uploaded it.

There are some training videos around- I haven't seen them though.

But, are you thinking of the new one to be released at some atrocious price (like 120 bucks for the dvd)?
Not released yet.

But. there MUST be video footage out there.

[Bluto]

here's a short clip

[disco_stu]

haha well feel free to disagree but I believe I am making a valid point. You believe it's 495. Why? One just assumes it is because the camera shows you 5 45 plates. But surely you will agree with me that the camera position does not allow once to tell whether or not there is a 10kg plate on both sides.

PS - I am not looking to pick a fight about it, I actually think you're a pretty sensible guy

i see 5 x 20 kg plates each side + a 20 kg bar and 2 x 2.5kg collars...all metric weights.

total = 225kg. i.e. 495lb...mind you i CANNOT see anything on the end....HOWEVER, it might be that the 220kg claim was just the plates...which would mean that its actually 245kg (539lb)...i.e. there doesnt need to be any 10lb/10kg plates..