Just consider how many of you or your training partners are likely to stick to this program for 52 weeks of a year and be able to continue to pack weight onto the bar.One of the strengths of this book however is that it does provide some great history behind the development of the squat as a key strength tool and provides many great little anecdotes or stories of former strong men. The author has also referenced many of these stories and where they where first published which is a nice addition providing the reader with further options to go and research if they wish.In summary for a "classic" this book did fall short however I would not hesitate to recommend this book to either the beginner who is just starting out on the quest for ultimate strength or for those avid readers of strength material who like to read about the former greats at the start of the 20th century. Finally these thoughts may have been skewed somewhat as I have also read "The Complete Keys to Progress" by John McCallum who coincedentally had Randall J. Strossen edit his book. The interesting point is that "The Complete Keys to Progress" provides a more entertaining read and many various programs and advice as well as containing the same principles as "Super Squats" so for that reason I believe "Super Squats" is not what the promotion hypes it to be.
Much has been written about this book as been "A cult classic" and the only book you will ever need if you are serious about gaining true strength and size. Whilst I would acknowledge that this book if followed to the letter of the law will provide the trainer with the stimulus to grow, the book is too simplistic and I would only recommend it for the beginner to intermediate trainer.It cannot be argued against that making squats the foundation of any strength training program goes without saying. If a trainer ensured they included heavy squats, ate everything in sight and got adequate rest they would definietly put on weight and strength. Where this book falls down is that the program is entirely based on doing one set of 20 rep breathing squats and then a a series of your basic compound movements like bench press, bent over row's, curls and millitary presses. You may ask yourself, what is wrong with that? In response the answer would be "nothing but....." and the "but" is that for a trainer who is more advanced one set of 20 rep squats whilst challenging is not necessarily going to continue to provide the trainer with incredible strength. The trainer will likely begin to crave some variety or else the outcome is likely to be that this program becomes too monotonous and as a result would require extremely strong mental fortitude to continue to pack weight onto the bar.There is no doubt as stated at the start of this book review that a program that incorporates heavy squatting is going to increase strength. Many of you would likely use this as a counter argument to my criticism of why this book should only be recommended to the beginner and that's fine.
Just consider how many of you or your training partners are likely to stick to this program for 52 weeks of a year and be able to continue to pack weight onto the bar.One of the strengths of this book however is that it does provide some great history behind the development of the squat as a key strength tool and provides many great little anecdotes or stories of former strong men. The author has also referenced many of these stories and where they where first published which is a nice addition providing the reader with further options to go and research if they wish.In summary for a "classic" this book did fall short however I would not hesitate to recommend this book to either the beginner who is just starting out on the quest for ultimate strength or for those avid readers of strength material who like to read about the former greats at the start of the 20th century. Finally these thoughts may have been skewed somewhat as I have also read "The Complete Keys to Progress" by John McCallum who coincedentally had Randall J. Strossen edit his book. The interesting point is that "The Complete Keys to Progress" provides a more entertaining read and many various programs and advice as well as containing the same principles as "Super Squats" so for that reason I believe "Super Squats" is not what the promotion hypes it to be.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Into all things Strength and Conditioning. A bachelors degree in Leisure Studies and an M.B.A. Certified Elite Trainer with the ISSA - PT, Specialist in Strength and Conditioning & Sports Nutrition. Published author on Powerlifter Today and The Iron Exec. I compete in IPF sanctioned powerlifting competitions and am a former professional Rugby player. Archives
February 2023
|