Tom Platz: 495 for 23 reps, or was it 585?

[England_1]

I just came across this Muscletime picture. It's always been assumed that in the 1992 video Platz did 495 for 23 reps. I searched this forum and came across a post by MarvinEderFan saying that according to Dr. Hatfield it was 539 pounds. In this picture you can clearly see what appear to be 6 45lb plates.

[gordiano]

In any case.....fucking impressive!

[Bear]

I've been wondering about that, if Jesse Marunde did sets of 20 x 405lb and he was one of the top strongmen before he died (doing a set of 20 x 405lb in his shed!), then wouldn't Platz in his prime have been a front-runner for strongest man in all the events involving legs?!?! All the strongmen are juiced up freaks too right??

Either way Platz was seriously fucking strong, what were his other lifts like? Could he bench anything good?

[Pecs]

I've been wondering about that, if Jesse Marunde did sets of 20 x 405lb and he was one of the top strongmen before he died (doing a set of 20 x 405lb in his shed!), then wouldn't Platz in his prime have been a front-runner for strongest man in all the events involving legs?!?! All the strongmen are juiced up freaks too right??

Either way Platz was seriously fucking strong, what were his other lifts like? Could he bench anything good?

Nope, Platz was only known for his squatting ability.. and legs of course

[ToxicAvenger]

500 for 23 reps

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1025507612696059244&q=tom+platz&ei=qB6HSPjsEYO8rwKiooGyCA

[MONSTER_TRICEPS]

I just came across this Muscletime picture. It's always been assumed that in the 1992 video Platz did 495 for 23 reps. I searched this forum and came across a post by MarvinEderFan saying that according to Dr. Hatfield it was 539 pounds. In this picture you can clearly see what appear to be 6 45lb plates.

On that particular day platz also went for a max 1rm.

I bet this was part of the "warmup" before getting to his max.

[MONSTER_TRICEPS]

I've been wondering about that, if Jesse Marunde did sets of 20 x 405lb and he was one of the top strongmen before he died (doing a set of 20 x 405lb in his shed!), then wouldn't Platz in his prime have been a front-runner for strongest man in all the events involving legs?!?! All the strongmen are juiced up freaks too right??

Either way Platz was seriously fucking strong, what were his other lifts like? Could he bench anything good?

The squat isn't half as important as deadlifts when it comes to strongman.

[Pecs]

The squat isn't half as important as deadlifts when it comes to strongman.

Yep, Deadlifts and 'Clean and Press' are the two most important exercises for strongmen competitors

[Fortress]

Yeah, the day in question had Platz (and Hatfield) going for max sets for both reps and a single. Fred beat Tom for a single, but Tom beat Fred for reps. Naturally. If I recall, The Golden Eagle's max rep was ... 855?

Tom is a friend and told me if he had spent time training for a one-rep max he believes he would have hit a grand. I believe it.

As far as the guy asking if Platz was strong in other movements ... yes, he was. His deadlift prowess and pressing strength was undeniable. 

[Necrosis]

gotta love the guys standing on the side outside the view of the camera

[JohnnyVegas]

It was 495 abnd I thought some chaneg on the end, maybe not.

I doubt ANYONE on the planet could hit 585 for 23 reps.

[spinnis]

[Fortress]

It was 495 abnd I thought some chaneg on the end, maybe not.

I doubt ANYONE on the planet could hit 585 for 23 reps.

To further clarify, READ MY POST above.

[JohnnyVegas]

To further clarify, READ MY POST above.

I did read your post-what is it you are trying to say "Fortress"??

[Fortress]

I did read your post-what is it you are trying to say "Fortress"??

Don't really know. I thought you were suggesting the weight Tom repped with perhaps wasn't 495 (give or take several pounds). It most definitely was. The picture posted in this thread has Platz standing with 585. As someone mentioned, perhaps this was on his way to his max single.

Sorry for the confusion.   

[JohnnyVegas]

Don't really know. I thought you were suggesting the weight Tom repped with perhaps wasn't 495 (give or take several pounds). It most definitely was. The picture posted in this thread has Platz standing with 585. As someone mentioned, perhaps this was on his way to his max single.

Sorry for the confusion.   

I thought the Platz vid was 5 plates (495) with a 2.5# or a 5 # on the end....which would put the weight at 500-505#.

[MAXX]

Yeah, the day in question had Platz (and Hatfield) going for max sets for both reps and a single. Fred beat Tom for a single, but Tom beat Fred for reps. Naturally. If I recall, The Golden Eagle's max rep was ... 855?

Tom is a friend and told me if he had spent time training for a one-rep max he believes he would have hit a grand. I believe it.

As far as the guy asking if Platz was strong in other movements ... yes, he was. His deadlift prowess and pressing strength was undeniable. 

yes, however i think you can argue Hatfields form compared to Platz.

[Fortress]

yes, however i think you can argue Hatfields form compared to Platz.

Well, Platz does possess PERFECT Olympic squat technique. Fred tried to teach him power squats, but Tom could not cop to it after all those years squatting like a weightlifter (bodybuilder).

The difference between squatting 800 with one style versus the other is monumental. Tom's reps with, say, 600, wiped the floor with most powerlifters' attempts with 800-plus.

What passes for "good" lifts in many meets these days is a joke. Eight-mile stances ... monolifts ... very questionable depth = joke. 

[Fortress]

I thought the Platz vid was 5 plates (495) with a 2.5# or a 5 # on the end....which would put the weight at 500-505#.

So, like I say, give or take several pounds ...

[QuakerOats]

Well, Platz does possess PERFECT Olympic squat technique. Fred tried to teach him power squats, but Tom could not cop to it after all those years squatting like a weightlifter (bodybuilder).

The difference between squatting 800 with one style versus the other is monumental. Tom's reps with, say, 600, wiped the floor with most powerlifters' attempts with 800-plus.

What passes for "good" lifts in many meets these days is a joke. Eight-mile stances ... monolifts ... very questionable depth = joke. 

never seen any proof of Tom doing "reps with 600", read about him supposedly doing 10 with 600 but never saw any pics or video so who knows, the clip that is pictured in the Muscletime pic was him working up to a max single.

[Camel Jockey]

That's texbook perfect squatting. The reason why so many have lowerback problems or never squat is because many never really master a good technique.

To me what Tom Platz was able to do is far more impressive that a musclebear doing good mornings with 900 lbs and 8 spotters.

[JohnnyVegas]

That's texbook perfect squatting. The reason why so many have lowerback problems or never squat is because many never really master a good technique.

To me what Tom Platz was able to do is far more impressive that a musclebear doing good mornings with 900 lbs and 8 spotters.

Loading a bar up with 315, 405 or 495 is going to fuck with your back no matter how good your technique is.

[Method101]

Rare training footage of Platz.!

[QuakerOats]

Loading a bar up with 315, 405 or 495 is going to fuck with your back no matter how good your technique is.

i agree, it's impossible to do a barbell squat without leaning forward a little bit, the only way to squat flat backed is on the smith with your feet out in front of you.

[Camel Jockey]

Loading a bar up with 315, 405 or 495 is going to fuck with your back no matter how good your technique is.

I used to have lowerback problems with squatting. Now I don't have those problems anymore but I squat every week during leg day and my back has been the best it's ever been.

There's just a certain thing about getting into a groove where you legs and lowerback are in sync and you don't feel that much pressure and there's no pain. But when you squat to failure you feel that little pressure and you know it's time time to rack the bar. I also think having a stronger lowerback/overall back than legs can cause lower back pain. My lowerback pain has vanished since I started bringing up my legs, although I'm still able to deadlift more than my max squat.

What Tom Platz is doing can teach a person more about how to squat than a 5,000 word essay. It's just that perfect.