Seeing people squat big weight at several gyms around me... I spotted a dude hit 500lbs ass to grass for 3 the other week there are atleast 6 others I know of there that can do this another dude hit over 700lbs last week I didn't witness it but a lot of people saw it and he told me himself what's weird is its not a hardcore gym has dance classes and Katy perry music while u train best I can do is 315 for 18 reps when I'm fresh and that's not ass to floor just parallel squats some monsters are out here
For sure, I've trained with guys who could squat 600+ for reps. It's just very rare. There are hardcore gyms all over the nation that have some strong people in them, but in the average gym it's rare for me to find someone using really big weights, but i agree they are around.
Training at an Olympic gym was an eye opening experience, seeing 180 pound guys sling weights around that most people couldn't imagine. Guys doing perfect ass to grass front squats with 400+ pounds for speed reps. Nothing done for more than 2-3 reps, mainly singles. It was different, repeat repeat repeat, until perfection. The setting typically focused and don't act too aggressive. It's almost like watching a gymnast prepare for an event. Almost a thing of beauty to see someone snatch 300+ pounds overhead with perfect form and then do it again and again and again, trying to do it faster and better.
Training with world class power lifters was much for intense, they trained like animals, that's how i always trained too. Snorting ammonia caps and smacking each other before lifts Ronnie Coleman style, screaming, deep intense focus but driven by rage. Each lift is all or nothing, failure cannot be inside your mind. Sure perfect form is preached and followed, but when max attempts are on the rack it's balls out, move it from A to B at any cost. Lots of injuries, many pissed off men on high doses of AAS acting like every lift is their last. Pretty crazy environment, death metal blaring, guys pacing back and forth like they are about to fight someone. Seeing guys warm up with my max bench was humbling and i was a strong guy. Guys using 100-pound plates like 45's on deadlifts; pulling 700+ for triples with perfect form, like a piston in an engine.
Today i train alone at a local commercial gym, i don't even want to train with people. I just want to listen to music and get in a good workout. Not much intensity anymore, my joints are fucked. The flexibility is there and i still do cleans and snatches if there is open room to do them without some idiot standing next to me during the attempt. I train more like a bodybuilder these days, my strength is nothing like it was, but i feel great and look good. Most of all I'm healthy. I know guys who lost a kidney from AAS abuse, I've seen guys break bones and tear ligaments/muscles many times over during lifts. I'm lucky it wasn't me, i had a few partial tears, but mainly my joints are just worn out.
Yev, when people tell me they understand balance and flexibility, i always ask them to do an overhead squat with just the bar. Nobody can do it their first try without falling over or dumping the bar, it's quite funny to watch. But i was there once and started off with a stick for weeks until they let me use a bar. I didn't do my first good form snatch for 6 months after that, but once i had it down i made improvements fast. It's funny because i get more endorphin's off a nice snatch or C&J attempt than a heavy squat or deadlift. I haven't tried a max attempt on anything in 3 years.
Almost 20 years of consistant training. These days it's all about health and looking good. most of the guys i competed with in years past don't touch weights and lost everything they had. Only a few of my friends still lift, it's great to drink beer and talk about the good times in the past. I'm far from being old, but my glory days are way past me now.
Good luck to everyone and their goals, take it slow and do it right. Stay smart and injury free. Most of all enjoy every minute of it.
