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

[QuakerOats]

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.

the key to not having lower back problems with squatting is not moving your back DURING the actual squat, take the bar off, set your feet, set your back position and KEEP IT THERE during the set, leaning forward a little is fine as long as it doesn't move during the set.

[JohnnyVegas]

the key to not having lower back problems with squatting is not moving your back DURING the actual squat, take the bar off, set your feet, set your back position and KEEP IT THERE during the set, leaning forward a little is fine as long as it doesn't move during the set.

There is still 315#-500# of weight on your lumbar vertibrae.

[England_1]

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.

According to MarvinEderFan, Platz did 600 for 15 perfect reps. That's perfectly believable given Platz's leg development and the fact that he is doing 500 for 23 a decade out of his prime. Platz was probably the only bodybuilder who could out squat Ronnie. Yates did claim barbell squats in excess of 600lb s

[JohnnyVegas]

According to MarvinEderFan, Platz did 600 for 15 perfect reps. That's perfectly believable given Platz's leg development and the fact that he is doing 500 for 23 a decade out of his prime. Platz was probably the only bodybuilder who could out squat Ronnie. Yates did claim barbell squats in excess of 600lb s

500# for 23 does not= 600# for 15. Sorry.

[Fortress]

500# for 23 does not= 600# for 15. Sorry.

Tom squatted the "famous" set with 495 (shown in the too-often posted clip) WAY past his prime. Fact is, in the mid-80s, The man squatted 12 reps with 635 about a month out from one of his Mr. O appearances. He told me to my face, he could, on any given day during his prime years, hit a fairly easy 10 with 600.

All things considered, Platz was one of the very finest squatters of all time. 

[JohnnyVegas]

Tom squatted the "famous" set with 495 (shown in the too-often posted clip) WAY past his prime. Fact is, in the mid-80s, The man squatted 12 reps with 635 about a month out from one of his Mr. O appearances. He told me to my face, he could, on any given day during his prime years, hit a fairly easy 10 with 600.

All things considered, Platz was one of the very finest squatters of all time. 

I know Rich Gaspari and Platz were very close in strength on squats, both could hit in the 800's for a max rep.

[MONSTER_TRICEPS]

I know Rich Gaspari and Platz were very close in strength on squats, both could hit in the 800's for a max rep.

hahahahaha fucking bullshit, platz never did more than 775, and I seriously doubt gaspari could do a 700 pound squat.

[onlyme]

I know Rich Gaspari and Platz were very close in strength on squats, both could hit in the 800's for a max rep.

Not sure about this one.  But Ray Mentzer could squat 900.  I ruptured my L4 and L5 in 1983 from squatting.  Still bothers me to this day.  The xcess beely blubber don't help much either.  I was a fit 247 or so when I did it.

[MONSTER_TRICEPS]

Not sure about this one.  But Ray Mentzer could squat 900. 

No he couldn't.

[Fortress]

I know Rich Gaspari and Platz were very close in strength on squats, both could hit in the 800's for a max rep.

There is no way Gaspari ever squatted with 800 or more pounds. And this is not to suggest he wasn't strong. By all accounts, he was a tremendous squatter. Tom did, I think, 855 in that squat-off with Hatfield, and if I recall, he told me it's the most he ever squatted, by far. He also told me he thought 700 was just a little too dangerous for training purposes, and this is why he mostly stayed under 650 or so pounds.

Ray Mentzer would have gotten KILLED under 900. Again, no disrespect intended. No one squats a legit 900 pounds without major compromises to the purity of the lift(ex. support gear, heavily modified stance, questionable depth, etc.). Besides, Ray was well under 300 pounds bodyweight, as well. Let's keep shit straight here, folks. Please.     

[MONSTER_TRICEPS]

There is no way Gaspari ever squatted with 800 or more pounds. And this is not to suggest he wasn't strong. By all accounts, he was a tremendous squatter. Tom did, I think, 855 in that squat-off with Hatfield,   

Tom did 775 in the squat-off.

[Fortress]

Tom did 775 in the squat-off.

Yeah, that does sound more plausible. Thanks. I couldn't remember what he told me, and when I wrote 855, I thought, That might be a little too much. 

[kyomu]

There is no way Gaspari ever squatted with 800 or more pounds. And this is not to suggest he wasn't strong. By all accounts, he was a tremendous squatter. Tom did, I think, 855 in that squat-off with Hatfield, and if I recall, he told me it's the most he ever squatted, by far. He also told me he thought 700 was just a little too dangerous for training purposes, and this is why he mostly stayed under 650 or so pounds.

Ray Mentzer would have gotten KILLED under 900. Again, no disrespect intended. No one squats a legit 900 pounds without major compromises to the purity of the lift(ex. support gear, heavily modified stance, questionable depth, etc.). Besides, Ray was well under 300 pounds bodyweight, as well. Let's keep shit straight here, folks. Please.     

Very logical

[onlyme]

No he couldn't.

Sure he couldn't you were there along with the other guys in his gym.  I must have missed you.  And obviously you haven't seen him squat or the size of his legs.  But since you say it isn't so, then it must be right  Thanks for the confirmation

There is no way Gaspari ever squatted with 800 or more pounds. And this is not to suggest he wasn't strong. By all accounts, he was a tremendous squatter. Tom did, I think, 855 in that squat-off with Hatfield, and if I recall, he told me it's the most he ever squatted, by far. He also told me he thought 700 was just a little too dangerous for training purposes, and this is why he mostly stayed under 650 or so pounds.

Ray Mentzer would have gotten KILLED under 900. Again, no disrespect intended. No one squats a legit 900 pounds without major compromises to the purity of the lift(ex. support gear, heavily modified stance, questionable depth, etc.). Besides, Ray was well under 300 pounds bodyweight, as well. Let's keep shit straight here, folks. Please.     

Again someone who must have seen him.  You need to stop I am laughing so hard at this.  You obviously too never saw him around 1985 to 1986 or so.  he was at 300 and rarely got under 290 when I was training with him.  And I wegihed 300 even.  I can't argue with people like you two cause you can't argue with people who just shit without knowing anything.  Thanks for playing though

[MONSTER_TRICEPS]

Sure he couldn't you were there along with the other guys in his gym.  I must have missed you.  And obviously you haven't seen him squat or the size of his legs.  But since you say it isn't so, then it must be right  Thanks for the confirmation

So you're saying that a bb'er like Ray Mentzer had a bigger raw squat than powerlifting legends like Bill Kazmaier or Kirk Karwoski?

You're full of shit and we both know it.

[Charlys69]

the rep-out with 495 lbs. was in Germany at the Fibo (big BB-Expo) where he squatted "against" Fred Hatfield for max. and for reps.
Hatfield won the max. Platz the "rep-out".

In Germany we are not using 45īlbs plates, it was an Olympic barbell (20 kg/44 lbs. + 5 44īs each side which is 220 kg + on every side an olympic 2,5 kg secure) thatīs 225 kg = 495 lbs  225 x 2 = 450 + 10 % = 495 lbs !!!

The Fibo in the 80īs where in Cologne, later in Essen

[Fortress]

To suggest a man weighing around 300 pounds squatted to appreciable depth with 900 pounds, and without massive support gear, is to expose one's ignorance. As has been said, the greatest strength athletes in the world would be crushed under such a weight if they were to attempt such a feat raw and to "legal" depth. Captain Kirk hit a mid-sevens raw squat several years ago and he is one of the legends of powerlifting, known for his ... squatting prowess.

It's ignorant buffoons like you who perpetuate nonsense and stupidity.

[JohnnyVegas]

There is no way Gaspari ever squatted with 800 or more pounds. And this is not to suggest he wasn't strong. By all accounts, he was a tremendous squatter. Tom did, I think, 855 in that squat-off with Hatfield, and if I recall, he told me it's the most he ever squatted, by far. He also told me he thought 700 was just a little too dangerous for training purposes, and this is why he mostly stayed under 650 or so pounds.

Ray Mentzer would have gotten KILLED under 900. Again, no disrespect intended. No one squats a legit 900 pounds without major compromises to the purity of the lift(ex. support gear, heavily modified stance, questionable depth, etc.). Besides, Ray was well under 300 pounds bodyweight, as well. Let's keep shit straight here, folks. Please.     

Gaspari could squat in the 800# range, and was with the exception of Platz the strongest squatter at WG in the early 80's.

[onlyme]

So you're saying that a bb'er like Ray Mentzer had a bigger raw squat than powerlifting legends like Bill Kazmaier or Kirk Karwoski?

You're full of shit and we both know it.

It's a gym squat not competition moron.  I am pretty sure it wasn't all the way level.  A guy who benches 600 in the gym doesn't mean he can do it in competition.  Why don't you admit it.  You have never seen anyone in a gym squat over 400 cause you don't live somewhere that has anyone who is strong.  Because you have never seen anyone strong you can't comprehend someone being able to do it.  And if you think Ray wasn't built at the time to able to squat that amount then you truly are very ignorant.  You gotta love guys like you.  I am just happy I'm not like you.  And I am not full of shit.  Maybe food but not shit

[shiftedShapes]

To suggest a man weighing around 300 pounds squatted to appreciable depth with 900 pounds, and without massive support gear, is to expose one's ignorance. As has been said, the greatest strength athletes in the world would be crushed under such a weight if they were to attempt such a feat raw and to "legal" depth. Captain Kirk hit a mid-sevens raw squat several years ago and he is one of the legends of powerlifting, known for his ... squatting prowess.

It's ignorant buffoons like you who perpetuate nonsense and stupidity.

I would like to hear onlyme's response

[shiftedShapes]

You obviously too never saw [Mentzer] around 1985 to 1986 or so.  he was at 300 and rarely got under 290 when I was training with him. 

got any pictures of him in this condition, I would love to see them.

[JohnnyVegas]

I would like to hear onlyme's response

I wonder what Ray's drung cycle was........ Platz told his cycles at seminars-was very open about drug use.

[onlyme]

got any pictures of him in this condition, I would love to see them.

I don't have any pics.  Max Rep trained back then at Rays gym.  Back then we didn't have camera phones or carried around cameras like they do today.  Ray had absolute HUGE legs and arms.  His legs were easily at least 30".  He was not a tall guy and very very thick.  To look at him and not think he even had a chance to squat that weight is just dumb.  I bet I have seen  more powerlifting meets than most people on here and I have seen 170 lb guys squat close to 700.  By the way I not only watched them I was the emcee.  I am far from being an expert on this stuff but I have seen strong and I have been strong.  I don't need to lie about anything.

[Fortress]

I don't have any pics.  Max Rep trained back then at Rays gym.  Back then we didn't have camera phones or carried around cameras like they do today.  Ray had absolute HUGE legs and arms.  His legs were easily at least 30".  He was not a tall guy and very very thick.  To look at him and not think he even had a chance to squat that weight is just dumb.  I bet I have seen  more powerlifting meets than most people on here and I have seen 170 lb guys squat close to 700.  By the way I not only watched them I was the emcee.  I am far from being an expert on this stuff but I have seen strong and I have been strong.  I don't need to lie about anything.

Huge wheels don't necessarily mean a thing. To squat 900, leg strength is the least of your concerns. Oh, I have won powerlifting meets and have befriended a few of the true legends of strength (Coan, Kazmaier, Gillingham, etc.), so I'm not a fool. I am training for a raw and drug-free 700-pound squat, as well.

The guys you have seen do close to 700 at under 200 pounds bodyweight were using advanced and extensive support gear. BIG difference. Did Ray have 900 on his back? Perhaps. However, I can state without pause, the man did NOT squat the weight in any way that would resemble a lift that would approximate one that would garner two or three white lights in a powerlifting meet. No way, no how.

He likely squatted in a rack with the crossbars set to a height that would stop the barbell at a depth that would still have him well above parallel if he dumped. His stance was probably like what his brother used ... a hybrid power/Olympic style.

Even with these concessions I still question the accuracy of what you report to have seen.     

[onlyme]

Huge wheels don't necessarily mean a thing. To squat 900, leg strength is the least of your concerns. Oh, I have won powerlifting meets and have befriended a few of the true legends of strength (Coan, Kazmaier, Gillingham, etc.), so I'm not a fool. I am training for a raw and drug-free 700-pound squat, as well.

The guys you have seen do close to 700 at under 200 pounds bodyweight were using advanced and extensive support gear. BIG difference. Did Ray have 900 on his back? Perhaps. However, I can state without pause, the man did NOT squat the weight in any way that would resemble a lift that would approximate one that would garner two or three white lights in a powerlifting meet. No way, no how.

He likely squatted in a rack with the crossbars set to a height that would stop the barbell at a depth that would still have him well above parallel if he dumped. His stance was probably like what his brother used ... a hybrid power/Olympic style.

Even with these concessions I still question the accuracy of what you report to have seen.     

He was in a rack I know that much and also he had no gear on.  He was on gear but not wearing any.  I also stated I am sure it would not come close to a legal lift in competition.  I was at the other end of the gym so I did not see much of anything.  Also, we had a guy in my gym in Kona.  He could squat 800 fairly easy.  When I looked at him I just thought he was a pretty good size white guy.  But he actually competed some.  Forgot his name and he moved to Hilo.  And to tell you truth this is kind of stupid arguing over what a dead guy squats.  Especially arguing with people who have never met Ray, seen him lift or know what he can do.  All I can say I was there I heard others who were there and thats that.  But really I could care less one way or the other.  It does nothing for me.  I never put more than 405 on a squat bar and barely do that a couple times.  So looks don't mean much.