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A bodyweight front squat with good form ought to be the achievable standard for anyone without serious health issues, and for a lot of people even that would take plenty of focused training to get there. Going beyond that is quite unrealistic, but that's what you get from being immersed in the gym/strength culture.
@@hiidenkirnui cant even do 30kg on front squat but can do 100kg on zercher squat and 180 on back squat i think front squats are the most difficult excercise tbh
@@nihalbhamrah4726 Try overhead squat for some extra challenge! But if one can do the movement of front squat properly, the max numbers should not be that far down from a (proper) back squat. The movement of the front squat itself however would be more beneficial in this context of average people and setting some standards.
@bdegrds some can, I'm 28 and my best squat is 550, I've squatted over 500 for 4 years in a row and even at this age and lifting weight relatively low to them (I'm 198lbs) I feel it for a long time lol
That is wild. I might not know anyone who could even squat 450lbs let alone 800lbs. There is no age range where the starting age +27 even makes sense let alone seem possible.
3:50 I am VERY glad you spoke about this. Especially coming from the WSM. I hate hate when fitness people say that the average man should be able to squat 405 lbs in his first year of training, etc. Just because YOU know one person who did, doesn't mean that's suddenly the new standard for the average person. It is super discouraging to people, especially because it's completely untrue.
I always laugh when I hear that. I hadn't been to the gym in 12 years and back then I was maxing at 325lbs for 2 clean reps. That was at 3 years of lifting from absolutely nothing and being in track & cross country. That was 2.1x my body weight. Currently, literally as of today, I hit 285lbs which is 1.5x~ body weight. This is after 6 months of retraining my body. To hear people say "oh yeah you should be able to do double body weight or more" is obsurd. There are so many factors when it comes to body weight. Ideally you should be able to do at least what a "healthy" (healthy body weight for your height) weight squat in your first 6 months of training. But then you also have to look at what people are shooting for. I want some strength but mostly I want the appearance. Some people want pure strength and they should be shooting for the 2x+ type strength goals, but a normal person doesn't need to do high weight squats. Hitting that 285 felt fucking good though not gonna lie.
The problem is in the ambiguity of the question. What does "should" mean? Should expect to squat? Should be able to squat for health? Should expect to squat eventually? Should try to aim for? What does should mean? That's why I see some very different attitudes in the comments. People are understanding the question in different ways.
I kinda agree but also disagree. It's absolutely doable for late beginners/early intermediate lifters, but you do need to have good genetics and train with strength in mind specifically rather than physique. I personally first squatted 180kg after 2ish years of training, maybe a bit less, as a ~83kg lifter and I consider myself average.
Average at a strength-focused gym or average of the population? A lot of *young male* gym rats with a bit of athletic background could probably get to double bw squat, but your average from the street...nope. Even some national-level female olympic lifters will have hard time reaching and maintaining that.
Fun fact about one of the greatest squatters you've mentioned with regards to cardiovascular fitness: Andrey Malanichev would run a 10 km track every week during off-season; he switched to a 10 km walk during comp period.
People believing that the average person should be able to do a double bodyweight squat is madness. If you can squat your body weight alone, you're stronger than 95% of the general population. Mitch was spot on with his assessment.
I'm so stoked for the interview segment follow-up. I keep having this conversation, I squat more than my body weight now, but 2 years ago I tried to squat the bar and fell right on the ground. Everyday life for most people just doesn't train it, we've gotta build up to it.
For anyone around 200lbs and below, 2x bodyweight is NOT at all elite or very high for powerlifters or even just very serious gym goers. Half of the people I know at my gym can do this or almost.
@@mac5917 yeah it just depends on the person really, like i barely squatted for first few months i was going back to gym and after just a week short of a year, at 217 im doing over 600
Thank you for keeping your words clean! It’s refreshing to find content without all the unnecessary beeps. Squats are my biggest struggle. Thank you for all the encouragement and tips!
While I appreciate and agree with the notion about the average person at 3:48... the question was how much do you think the average person SHOULD be able to squat, not how much do you think the average person can actually squat. Personally, I think the average person SHOULD be able to squat their bodyweight, male or female. Squatting is such a basic, essential movement that having a decent level of strength in it will benefit you massively as you get older. Now, that is pretty broad of a statement as things like age and physical limitations (e.g. missing a leg) will change that answer, but again, we are talking about the average person and not those on the edges of the bell curve.
Is squatting a 'basic, essential movement'? In real life, there are basically zero scenarios where you need to do a weighted back squat. The only reason westerners may 'need' to train squats is to help retain the strength and mobility to stand up into advanced old age. It's a good exercise for training the legs, lower back/core and to some extent overall strength, which has decent carryover to various athletic pursuits up to a certain point, but that doesn't make it some mythical 'foundational human movement', and there is no logical reason to chase a heavy squat unless a) you want to or b) you think it will improve your performance in your chosen athletic endeavour.
You forgot to mention some powerhouses in Strongman, Eddie and Zydrunas. Both were monstrous squatters, and even when they couldn't peak for max weight, were repping 330kg+ like nothing for double digit reps, and Eddie's gym pb of 345x7 with great depth, and last rep paused is out of this world strength. And Zydrunas was 1000 lb capable for sure if needed.
Z never squatted anything to parallel at 400's. He did 440 for 3 HALF REPS. Eddie never squatted anything over 360 in his back. Show a video if you can.
Is squat is solid! Below parallel. He’s mentioned a few times his ankle mobility is absolute trash and so he’s probably worked very hard to get where he is with squats.
I love your answer about "average" person. I'd say I "was" an average > 1/2 century old person before going to the gym. I started going to the gym just before 50 and was unable to do 50 lbs goblet squat for 10. Now I'm 315 lbs for a few reps or 265 for 10. I no longer consider myself "average" as 4 years of going to the gym twice a week (all I can accomplish with life in the way) has made a world of different.
Love this video. Thank you for putting this topic into a realistic perspective as the difference in strength between a trained and untrained average lifter is incredible. Spot on explanation.
When it comes to squats JF caron always pops into my head. He probably wouldn't make it up there to the best of all time, but the 966 he did at the Arnold looked shockingly easy, and he was pretty much always good for an event win when there was a squat in an international competition. I would have loved to see someone push him in the max squat before he retired.
JF never went for an outright max in comp . But that 966 squat at the arnolds 2022 was so easy he could absolutely have done a minimum of 1000 pounds .
The average person probably “could” squat 2x body weight, but that’s assuming everyone trained enough to get there. I’ve been there, but now I’m training for distance running, both for PBs over 5km, and training for a half marathon this fall. I just do lots of really light squats with a focus on muscular endurance and flexibility (deepest squats since my competitive weightlifting days). I’m also over 40… injury avoidance is a definite priority at this age too.
That isn't what he is asking though. He's asking what they could (or should) squat right this second, right off the couch. My answer would actually be about half their body weight.
You are so much better in front of the camera now, genuinely night and day from your first WSM win. Really encouraging to see that kind of development! Nice job mitch
I believe that you are a superior squatter to the world population, and a great example of leadership in strongman to re evaluate the communities of strength and Nutrition and fitness antusiast, that might see in other angles that never seen before and reconsider updating trainings from the Moose world strongest men...
I remember the last time I did a 2x bodyweight squat at my local gym (closed down in March 2020 and never opened up again). It turned heads! We mere mortals who see the Mitchells and Björnssons and Stoltmans of the world tend to think that the average is far above ourselves.
Twice your body weight is absolutely ridiculous for an average person. Extremely optimistic. As a gym owner, he has to see that…. The average person should be able to squat their body weight..
@@tomels8 , there is also misinterpretation. What does average person mean? Average person genetics with couple years of training or just take average person from street and make them squad 1 rm?
@@Flahtort yes i agree with that too. Ok lets say avarage gym bro, who trains pretty offten. Still i don't think avarage gym goer squats twice his bodyweight. 80kg guy 160kgs / 100kg guy 200kgs, thats not that offten.
Kirk Karwoski's 1002 at 245lbs in old single ply gear of the early 90's. This was the best powerlifting sqaut of all time and still stands as a record today in the IPF
Brother. It can be hard to subtract the ego when you look at a gifted / super successful persons advice. But, this video, been one of the more genuinely enlightening views into how grounded of a dude you is.
I think it is incredibly discouraging and deflating to people outside the fitness sphere to dramatically over estimate what the average person should be able to bench / squat / deadlift. Most people can’t even squat 135 untrained. I feel like it robs them of the accomplishment of their milestone. I felt so proud of myself after a month when I could squat my body weight, I imagine if someone had been there like “pfff the average person should be able to squat twice their body weight” I would’ve felt like all the progress and sacrificing I made was essentially worthless because after all of that I was still so far away from “average.” So I appreciate your kinda outlook and mild expectations of the population that are probably a lot more in tune with reality.
I think it'd be super interesting to see research on the potential effects on high weight work capacity from the increase in both total blood volume and oxygenation seen from high intensity cardiovascular training.
For the average person, I think 2x is a bit much, but to be fit I'd say something like 1.25 -1.5 x body weight would be fit. Did you see the roundtable discussion of the squat event for SMOE? This is going to be an incredible event! Epic even!!! I'm predicting a Moose win in this one! Thanks for the great content!
I think Ray Williams (490 kg in sleeves) is the best squatter of all-time, but I do think Jesus Olivares (478 kg in sleeves) will eventually pass him. Also, up there and a guy I think should be mentioned here is Vlad Alhazov (525 kg in wraps). Also, according to Kaz who was there, Platz record squat was a fake. Whether that's true or not, I have no idea.
@@philforde5871 Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure Ed did that squat in a suit. Still an incredibly impressive display of strength, but not quite the same as a raw lift.
@@dyelbodybuild5601 Personally I'm not a relative to body weight guy. I'm an absolute weight guy. So the size of Ray Williams doesn't matter to me. The fact that Ray had to walk his weight out and done in sleeves is more impressive to me than Eric squatting in a monolift with wraps. Where would you rank Eric's old nemesis Zahir Khudayarov's 500kg squat?
Martins is my favorite squatter. Its not just about weight for me but also the arstetetics and ability. Deep mobility giving rise to things like the steinborm record
Steve Goggles 1102 at 265 bodyweight with single ply suit and wraps should have been mentioned. Your squats were really smooth and impressive too! What a beast!
Martins.... his squats are picture book perfect and this is more valuable than the weight. and Martins can do all forms of squat, not only barbell squats.
Its really interesting when Mitch asks the gym staff and goers questions about weight, totally agree with mitch gym goers forget how strong them and there mates are compared to average people. When I was a good triathlete I fell for the same thing. Cos I was training and competing against really good people I sometimes forgot how good I was compared to normal people.
Before you change my mind, I wanna say that my favorite competition squat was Malan in Big Dogs 2016, and my favorite squat ever is Cpt. Kirk Karwoski 1000lbsx2- watching that shit instantly adds 40lbs to my squat hahaha Also, cannot forget about Harry Squatter, Clarence Kennedy's squats are a work of art.
I agree. I worked as a personal trainer for 10 years. For some women getting up to squatting 40kg for reps is great. Men 60kg. It's not great in the training community, but compared to dying of soreness for a weak after some leg exercises almost without weight It's great.
One of best squats ever was Bill Kazmaier blasting 850 pounds like a warmup at a powerlifting meet in 1981 or so. It looked like he had more in the tank.
I think you’re thinking of the 385kg ~850lbs at IPF World’s in 1983 in Sweden. Absolutely smoked. He said he left “many KGs” on the platform in 1981 when he hit 1100kg total
My favorite squatter was Magnus V, back in the mid-90s. He just had it. Back then, WSM often had squats with increasing kegs or a bunch of people on a contraption and Magus just found a way to win.
Finally hit a 2 plate squat last week after 6 months in the gym, first time I've been able to squat over my own bodyweight.... I'd love to get to 2x bodyweight someday, but I'd agree the average person would need to train seriously for years to be able to do that
Congratulations! I still haven't gotten past 6 reps of one plate after about 8 months of training legs. Wrong side of 40, long legs, and my knees constantly feel like they're going to blow out on me again. I think it may be time to switch to leg press for awhile until my legs actually feel strong enough for squatting
"people who do fitness don't understand how unfit people are outside fitness" I remember I used to think that a 100lb squat, or like a 25lb plate each side, was easy and everyone should be able to get it no problem. Yet, I met lots of newbies that couldn't, literally couldn't, squat an empty barbell. It taught me to be objective and expand my perspective.
As a beginner lifter at 46 years old. I think 2x body weight is a good goal and a decent measurement of health. I am approaching that now after 12months and feeling so much better than before. So much better. I have my sight set on 2.3x body weight as my first BIG goal.
The question how much "should" the average person squat definitely depends on interpretation of the question. For some, "should" is replaced with "can", and your numbers on the goblet squat are fairly representative of this. For others, "should" is a metric to strive for in terms of health, and for others "be able to" gets added to mean with training this is attainable. If you ask about a barbell bench press, I think 80% bodyweight for reps is a good measure to hit, I think most people could get 150% bodyweight, I think most people can do not a pushup.
Gadz.. I can't believe I forgot to mention him. He is rumored to have squatted 1200 raw. Sadly most of his stuff is "unofficial" but nobody can disputed he was incredibly strong.
My deepest respect for your squat performance, Colin calls you not for nothing "Quadzilla" ;-) Seen your Tom Platz challenge: 24 reps was insane, well done ! ! I wish i could squat 2x Bodyweight it would be 240Kg = 530lbs ! ! at the moment i can do 180Kg =400lbs x 4, BUT i got ONE excuse: i am 63 Y/O ;-) ;-) My personal favorite squatter is Jesus Olivares: 478Kg IPF approved
@5:25 - Ed Coan squatted more than 947 lbs at 220 lb body weight. I think his best at that weight class was 961 lbs but he did squat 959 lbs / 435 kg when he totaled 2402 lbs / 1090 kg at the 100 kg weight class in 1991. His best equipped squat was 1019 lbs / 462.5 kg when he moved up to the 110 kg.
Squats Bench and Deadlift are the only exercises where people brag about what they “used to do” and I truly believe that’s because those exercises are so injury prone that people avoid them after the age of 30
Ed Coan definitely has to be on the list as a great squatter. I of course have to mention Dr. Squat (Fred Hatfield) who officially crossed over the 1000 pound barrier. Also I think Jesus Olivares needs to be mentioned as somebody who is definitely going to make his mark.
Ray's squats were absolutely mind blowing when he burts onto the scene about 10 years ago. I've never seen anyone with speed out of the bottom like his
I think Ray Williams is the best squatter of all time, although Jesus Olivares might be able to surpass him one day. However, some my favorite squatters you did not mention are: - Zahir Khudayarov: Recently made a comeback and hit a 500kg squat in wraps while only weighing 125kg, as a masters - Shane Hamman: Also in wraps, but back in the 90s this guy would go up to 450kg while going ass to grass and divebombing so fast you would miss the squat if you blinked - Kirk Karwoski: He competed in wraps and a squat suit, although in the 90s so the suits were not as advanced back then. This absolute psycho would do 800lbs for sets of 5 and 1000lbs for a double - Mart Seim: Did a 400kg speed rep with a high bar. Enough said. -Jezza Uepa: Probably one of the most underrated powerlifters of the modern era. He did a 470kg in a tested competition in sleeves, and there's training footage of him hitting a 405kg front squat, which might be the heaviest front squat ever.
Been training my friend who just recently got into yhe gym 4ish months ago and he COULD NOT squat or deadlift the first 2 months because of mobility and flexibility but he just started squatting and deadlifting heavy about 2 months ago and he just hit a 225 squat and 315 deadlift this week. He just bought his first belt and he's HOOKED.
My biggest issue while squatting is cardio. I have been working on it but its hard. Ill keep pushing. I also got an air bike and i have been consistent on using it
My favourite squatter is Tom Platz. The maginficent technique he had and this insane determination to train so hard, that he couldn't fucking walk properly anymore, is something that always inspires me and keeps me going, even though i hate leg training with a fiery passion.
Vlads squat in wraps at 1157 is the most impressive and best squat of all time in my opinion. 1157 pounds in wraps.... insane. Doesn't get talked about enough!
Hooper being a relatively dominant world strongest man is wild for how normal he seems in comparison to a hafthor or a brian shaw from a size and freakiness perspective
Regardless of the efforts involved in making these videos, I'd appreciate if you could feed us content EVERY day lol. I get so excited to see Mitchell Hooper pop up in the feed
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I think Halfthor is the best I have seen so far...show Me where You are at Mitch...All the best
Thinking 2x body weight for the “average” person is wild. Most people that go to the gym regularly can’t even do it.
A bodyweight front squat with good form ought to be the achievable standard for anyone without serious health issues, and for a lot of people even that would take plenty of focused training to get there. Going beyond that is quite unrealistic, but that's what you get from being immersed in the gym/strength culture.
Thats more down to the state of society
@@hiidenkirnui cant even do 30kg on front squat but can do 100kg on zercher squat and 180 on back squat i think front squats are the most difficult excercise tbh
@@nihalbhamrah4726 Try overhead squat for some extra challenge! But if one can do the movement of front squat properly, the max numbers should not be that far down from a (proper) back squat. The movement of the front squat itself however would be more beneficial in this context of average people and setting some standards.
Yeah true took me a lot of years to get to 2x bodyweight which is 200kg in my case, and im one of best squatters in my gym. That is not average
Just thought of another one Nick Best squating 800LBs 27 years in a row is impressive !!
Young generation cannot appreciate that
Beware of an old man in a profession where men usually die young
@bdegrds some can, I'm 28 and my best squat is 550, I've squatted over 500 for 4 years in a row and even at this age and lifting weight relatively low to them (I'm 198lbs) I feel it for a long time lol
That is wild. I might not know anyone who could even squat 450lbs let alone 800lbs. There is no age range where the starting age +27 even makes sense let alone seem possible.
@@bdegrds Well I can.
3:50 I am VERY glad you spoke about this. Especially coming from the WSM. I hate hate when fitness people say that the average man should be able to squat 405 lbs in his first year of training, etc. Just because YOU know one person who did, doesn't mean that's suddenly the new standard for the average person. It is super discouraging to people, especially because it's completely untrue.
totally agree
I was floored when those guys answered 2X body weight.
That is about right for an Olympic athlete in an endurance sport.
I always laugh when I hear that. I hadn't been to the gym in 12 years and back then I was maxing at 325lbs for 2 clean reps. That was at 3 years of lifting from absolutely nothing and being in track & cross country. That was 2.1x my body weight. Currently, literally as of today, I hit 285lbs which is 1.5x~ body weight. This is after 6 months of retraining my body. To hear people say "oh yeah you should be able to do double body weight or more" is obsurd. There are so many factors when it comes to body weight. Ideally you should be able to do at least what a "healthy" (healthy body weight for your height) weight squat in your first 6 months of training. But then you also have to look at what people are shooting for. I want some strength but mostly I want the appearance. Some people want pure strength and they should be shooting for the 2x+ type strength goals, but a normal person doesn't need to do high weight squats. Hitting that 285 felt fucking good though not gonna lie.
The problem is in the ambiguity of the question.
What does "should" mean?
Should expect to squat? Should be able to squat for health? Should expect to squat eventually? Should try to aim for? What does should mean? That's why I see some very different attitudes in the comments. People are understanding the question in different ways.
I kinda agree but also disagree. It's absolutely doable for late beginners/early intermediate lifters, but you do need to have good genetics and train with strength in mind specifically rather than physique. I personally first squatted 180kg after 2ish years of training, maybe a bit less, as a ~83kg lifter and I consider myself average.
Average at a strength-focused gym or average of the population? A lot of *young male* gym rats with a bit of athletic background could probably get to double bw squat, but your average from the street...nope. Even some national-level female olympic lifters will have hard time reaching and maintaining that.
Why is no one mentioning Moose calling out that guys 405 squat for 15 reps? Freakin love this man's bluntness!
Fun fact about one of the greatest squatters you've mentioned with regards to cardiovascular fitness: Andrey Malanichev would run a 10 km track every week during off-season; he switched to a 10 km walk during comp period.
woah that's a cool fact! would not have thought that
@Glazenbol-uo2ni it’s a long boi
People believing that the average person should be able to do a double bodyweight squat is madness. If you can squat your body weight alone, you're stronger than 95% of the general population. Mitch was spot on with his assessment.
That's weak as hell
@JosephFarrier-c8q general population standards, i.e., people who don't lift. Context matters.
@@JosephFarrier-c8q most people arent even built to squat anatomically
@@JosephFarrier-c8q funny how you say this but struggle to talk to a 60kg woman
I'm so stoked for the interview segment follow-up. I keep having this conversation, I squat more than my body weight now, but 2 years ago I tried to squat the bar and fell right on the ground. Everyday life for most people just doesn't train it, we've gotta build up to it.
squatting 2x body weight is very high even for weight lifters. I think you are right, 50 pounds for a man is about right.
my first response. 2x BW is a crazy expectation for average, but a good expectation for an advanced-elite lifer
For anyone around 200lbs and below, 2x bodyweight is NOT at all elite or very high for powerlifters or even just very serious gym goers. Half of the people I know at my gym can do this or almost.
@@mac5917 yeah it just depends on the person really, like i barely squatted for first few months i was going back to gym and after just a week short of a year, at 217 im doing over 600
@@mac5917Wheres ur gym bro, where every 90kg man can squat 180 kg, i would love tô train there, tô feel the energy
Doesn't seem like they know the meaning of average. Interesting that none of them could do that either.
Thank you for keeping your words clean! It’s refreshing to find content without all the unnecessary beeps.
Squats are my biggest struggle. Thank you for all the encouragement and tips!
I appreciate it, thanks for watching 🙏
Ray Williams‘ 490 is just pure brute strength
and he natty from IPF!
Thors 460 was easily as deep as Ray Williams and was disallowed! Awsum you mentioned it!
The ref apologised.
Yeah that squat was good from Thor.
While I appreciate and agree with the notion about the average person at 3:48... the question was how much do you think the average person SHOULD be able to squat, not how much do you think the average person can actually squat.
Personally, I think the average person SHOULD be able to squat their bodyweight, male or female. Squatting is such a basic, essential movement that having a decent level of strength in it will benefit you massively as you get older.
Now, that is pretty broad of a statement as things like age and physical limitations (e.g. missing a leg) will change that answer, but again, we are talking about the average person and not those on the edges of the bell curve.
100%
Very true, i think mitch messed up should and can. Completely changes the question.
Is squatting a 'basic, essential movement'? In real life, there are basically zero scenarios where you need to do a weighted back squat. The only reason westerners may 'need' to train squats is to help retain the strength and mobility to stand up into advanced old age.
It's a good exercise for training the legs, lower back/core and to some extent overall strength, which has decent carryover to various athletic pursuits up to a certain point, but that doesn't make it some mythical 'foundational human movement', and there is no logical reason to chase a heavy squat unless a) you want to or b) you think it will improve your performance in your chosen athletic endeavour.
My favourite would be someone like lu xiaojun or Clarence Kennedy. More aesthetic than just raw weight on the bar
Add Toshiki to that list then too :)
Clarence forever! His 306kg deeeep ATG pause squat without belt nor knee wraps @ around 100kg bodyweight is just insane.
Yes, Clarence Kennedy is a Bad Ass.
That video is what ended the depressed alcoholic era of my life and got me into lifting @@filipsikora1973
Exactly. These guys go below parallel. Very few power lifters do.
You forgot to mention some powerhouses in Strongman, Eddie and Zydrunas. Both were monstrous squatters, and even when they couldn't peak for max weight, were repping 330kg+ like nothing for double digit reps, and Eddie's gym pb of 345x7 with great depth, and last rep paused is out of this world strength. And Zydrunas was 1000 lb capable for sure if needed.
Z never squatted anything to parallel at 400's. He did 440 for 3 HALF REPS.
Eddie never squatted anything over 360 in his back. Show a video if you can.
Big Z was the first to come to mind. But then, Im a huge fanboy
@@giovannicupello1977Because Strongman never had a max squat, so peaking for one is dangerous to their prep and possible injury.
@@deanomecI'm not a fan boy of Zydrunas, but he was always the number one or two squatter in Strongman. He was a monster.
I've always thought Mitch has such a good looking squat for being as big as he is. I'm certainly no expert, but it looks great.
Is squat is solid! Below parallel. He’s mentioned a few times his ankle mobility is absolute trash and so he’s probably worked very hard to get where he is with squats.
Thank you 😊
Dude what lmao I had no idea you were a strength sports fan three. Post some lifts!
I love your answer about "average" person. I'd say I "was" an average > 1/2 century old person before going to the gym. I started going to the gym just before 50 and was unable to do 50 lbs goblet squat for 10. Now I'm 315 lbs for a few reps or 265 for 10. I no longer consider myself "average" as 4 years of going to the gym twice a week (all I can accomplish with life in the way) has made a world of different.
3 plates for reps is a great lift for the average person that isnt 50 let alone 50 props to that G
Love this video. Thank you for putting this topic into a realistic perspective as the difference in strength between a trained and untrained average lifter is incredible. Spot on explanation.
When it comes to squats JF caron always pops into my head. He probably wouldn't make it up there to the best of all time, but the 966 he did at the Arnold looked shockingly easy, and he was pretty much always good for an event win when there was a squat in an international competition. I would have loved to see someone push him in the max squat before he retired.
dude looked ready for 1100 that day
JF never went for an outright max in comp . But that 966 squat at the arnolds 2022 was so easy he could absolutely have done a minimum of 1000 pounds .
That lift was soooo impressive
At the time, he said he was there to do 1000lbs if needed. It wasn't needed for the win
The average person probably “could” squat 2x body weight, but that’s assuming everyone trained enough to get there. I’ve been there, but now I’m training for distance running, both for PBs over 5km, and training for a half marathon this fall. I just do lots of really light squats with a focus on muscular endurance and flexibility (deepest squats since my competitive weightlifting days). I’m also over 40… injury avoidance is a definite priority at this age too.
That isn't what he is asking though. He's asking what they could (or should) squat right this second, right off the couch. My answer would actually be about half their body weight.
@@rdizzy1 agreed… or less. Lots of people have never picked up a weight and/or exercise at all.
the average body weight in american is 197 for men. meaning according to the trainer the average american should be squatting 390
Mitchell Hooper and Brian Shaw are such great ambassadors for Strongman. Both provide great information and seem to be such great people.
You are so much better in front of the camera now, genuinely night and day from your first WSM win. Really encouraging to see that kind of development! Nice job mitch
I believe that you are a superior squatter to the world population, and a great example of leadership in strongman to re evaluate the communities of strength and Nutrition and fitness antusiast, that might see in other angles that never seen before and reconsider updating trainings from the Moose world strongest men...
I remember the last time I did a 2x bodyweight squat at my local gym (closed down in March 2020 and never opened up again). It turned heads! We mere mortals who see the Mitchells and Björnssons and Stoltmans of the world tend to think that the average is far above ourselves.
The fact that your X2 turned heads means that 95% of people would say that it is far ABOVE the average, so COnTRARY to what you just wrote
@@maciejguzek3442 Read my comment again, but more slowly.
Twice your body weight is absolutely ridiculous for an average person.
Extremely optimistic.
As a gym owner, he has to see that….
The average person should be able to squat their body weight..
Yeah thats completely out of question for avarage people. Avarage people cant even squat their own bodyweight.
@@tomels8
Agree
@@tomels8 , there is also misinterpretation.
What does average person mean? Average person genetics with couple years of training or just take average person from street and make them squad 1 rm?
@@Flahtort yes i agree with that too. Ok lets say avarage gym bro, who trains pretty offten. Still i don't think avarage gym goer squats twice his bodyweight. 80kg guy 160kgs / 100kg guy 200kgs, thats not that offten.
I technically can squat my body weight- I can stand up lmao
Kirk Karwoski's 1002 at 245lbs in old single ply gear of the early 90's. This was the best powerlifting sqaut of all time and still stands as a record today in the IPF
0:20 Kyriakos Grizzly, the debate is not who's best but who's best after Kyriakos
Dude, not mentioning Vlad Alhazov in top 5 best squatters is absurd..525kg raw with wraps and 566 multiply i mean come on
Don't forget he did this after a catastrophic injury requiring a total knee replacement.
Seriously!
Brother. It can be hard to subtract the ego when you look at a gifted / super successful persons advice.
But, this video, been one of the more genuinely enlightening views into how grounded of a dude you is.
I love the feeling of going to failure on squats. That last one that I can't get.. I don't know what it is but I love that moment
Amazing! When you were running marathons, you had no idea you were destined for such greatness!
Dr Squat,Fred Hatfield!!!
I think it is incredibly discouraging and deflating to people outside the fitness sphere to dramatically over estimate what the average person should be able to bench / squat / deadlift. Most people can’t even squat 135 untrained. I feel like it robs them of the accomplishment of their milestone. I felt so proud of myself after a month when I could squat my body weight, I imagine if someone had been there like “pfff the average person should be able to squat twice their body weight” I would’ve felt like all the progress and sacrificing I made was essentially worthless because after all of that I was still so far away from “average.”
So I appreciate your kinda outlook and mild expectations of the population that are probably a lot more in tune with reality.
Your content is fresh, keep it going!
P L A T Z
Not for max weight, but for endurance. Most still cannot do his 525 for 23 reps…except our man The Moose!
I think it'd be super interesting to see research on the potential effects on high weight work capacity from the increase in both total blood volume and oxygenation seen from high intensity cardiovascular training.
Production quality off the roof. Good job!
Cool video, really appreciate your perspective on the topic
Tom platz was the first dude I thought about and I'm happy you brought him up 👌
For the average person, I think 2x is a bit much, but to be fit I'd say something like 1.25 -1.5 x body weight would be fit. Did you see the roundtable discussion of the squat event for SMOE? This is going to be an incredible event! Epic even!!! I'm predicting a Moose win in this one! Thanks for the great content!
I think Ray Williams (490 kg in sleeves) is the best squatter of all-time, but I do think Jesus Olivares (478 kg in sleeves) will eventually pass him. Also, up there and a guy I think should be mentioned here is Vlad Alhazov (525 kg in wraps). Also, according to Kaz who was there, Platz record squat was a fake. Whether that's true or not, I have no idea.
Ed Coan - lifting 462 kg at 100kg bodyweight is the most impressive in my opinion.
More impressed with Eric Lilliebridge squatting 1036 at 310 lbs
Ray Williams weighed 410+ lbs.
Also, Dave Pasanella squatted 1030 at 275.
There's no reason for the Platz record to be fake. That's just Kaz talking out of his rear. Tom Platz was incredibly strong.
@@philforde5871 Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure Ed did that squat in a suit. Still an incredibly impressive display of strength, but not quite the same as a raw lift.
@@dyelbodybuild5601 Personally I'm not a relative to body weight guy. I'm an absolute weight guy. So the size of Ray Williams doesn't matter to me. The fact that Ray had to walk his weight out and done in sleeves is more impressive to me than Eric squatting in a monolift with wraps.
Where would you rank Eric's old nemesis Zahir Khudayarov's 500kg squat?
Gotta give some love to Sonita Kyen Muluh! 1st woman to hit 300kg!
I was there when she squatted 311kg at worlds, vibe was insane!
Tatiana Kashirina 275kg for a double, no wraps way way below parallel
Martins is my favorite squatter. Its not just about weight for me but also the arstetetics and ability. Deep mobility giving rise to things like the steinborm record
Steve Goggles 1102 at 265 bodyweight with single ply suit and wraps should have been mentioned.
Your squats were really smooth and impressive too!
What a beast!
Another great video always full of information
Another Great Video! I'm a long time Ed Coan fan.
Loved the video Mitchell and I love Squatting .
My favourite squatter of all time is Russel Orhii
Martins.... his squats are picture book perfect and this is more valuable than the weight.
and Martins can do all forms of squat, not only barbell squats.
him and big z doing 500lb zombie squats..... ridiculous!
Imagine having a panel of judges scoring them on their form.
@@ChriSX13 in a Hotel Gym 🤣🤣🤣 that was crazy to watch
Its really interesting when Mitch asks the gym staff and goers questions about weight, totally agree with mitch gym goers forget how strong them and there mates are compared to average people. When I was a good triathlete I fell for the same thing. Cos I was training and competing against really good people I sometimes forgot how good I was compared to normal people.
Brett Gibbs squat and form is next level. Legend 83kg IPF champ.
Before you change my mind, I wanna say that my favorite competition squat was Malan in Big Dogs 2016, and my favorite squat ever is Cpt. Kirk Karwoski 1000lbsx2- watching that shit instantly adds 40lbs to my squat hahaha
Also, cannot forget about Harry Squatter, Clarence Kennedy's squats are a work of art.
I agree. I worked as a personal trainer for 10 years. For some women getting up to squatting 40kg for reps is great. Men 60kg. It's not great in the training community, but compared to dying of soreness for a weak after some leg exercises almost without weight It's great.
Andrey Malanichev is by far my fav. He paved the way and his 490kg attempt was something else
That 392 was sick!
Žydrūnas Savickas at WSM 2014 event - 329 kg for 15 reps. 15 reps Carl !!!
Yes Mitch. You are one of the best squatters of all time.
One of best squats ever was Bill Kazmaier blasting 850 pounds like a warmup at a powerlifting meet in 1981 or so. It looked like he had more in the tank.
I think you’re thinking of the 385kg ~850lbs at IPF World’s in 1983 in Sweden. Absolutely smoked. He said he left “many KGs” on the platform in 1981 when he hit 1100kg total
My favorite squatter was Magnus V, back in the mid-90s. He just had it. Back then, WSM often had squats with increasing kegs or a bunch of people on a contraption and Magus just found a way to win.
Finally hit a 2 plate squat last week after 6 months in the gym, first time I've been able to squat over my own bodyweight.... I'd love to get to 2x bodyweight someday, but I'd agree the average person would need to train seriously for years to be able to do that
Congratulations!
I still haven't gotten past 6 reps of one plate after about 8 months of training legs. Wrong side of 40, long legs, and my knees constantly feel like they're going to blow out on me again. I think it may be time to switch to leg press for awhile until my legs actually feel strong enough for squatting
Ray 1080 in sleeves moved really well!
Love watching top tier Olympic weightlifting athletes squat. The depth and speed is incredible.
"people who do fitness don't understand how unfit people are outside fitness"
I remember I used to think that a 100lb squat, or like a 25lb plate each side, was easy and everyone should be able to get it no problem. Yet, I met lots of newbies that couldn't, literally couldn't, squat an empty barbell. It taught me to be objective and expand my perspective.
I rock all cerberus strength knee wraps and sleeves. Great gear.
As a beginner lifter at 46 years old. I think 2x body weight is a good goal and a decent measurement of health. I am approaching that now after 12months and feeling so much better than before. So much better.
I have my sight set on 2.3x body weight as my first BIG goal.
I just did squats today too. Will use these next time.
Pound for pound, definitely John Haack
Dan bell should have been mentioned when speaking in all time best squatters. 1113.3lbs
The question how much "should" the average person squat definitely depends on interpretation of the question. For some, "should" is replaced with "can", and your numbers on the goblet squat are fairly representative of this. For others, "should" is a metric to strive for in terms of health, and for others "be able to" gets added to mean with training this is attainable.
If you ask about a barbell bench press, I think 80% bodyweight for reps is a good measure to hit, I think most people could get 150% bodyweight, I think most people can do not a pushup.
So many to choose from but im going going Paul Anderson. If anyone was built to squat its him.
Gadz.. I can't believe I forgot to mention him. He is rumored to have squatted 1200 raw. Sadly most of his stuff is "unofficial" but nobody can disputed he was incredibly strong.
My deepest respect for your squat performance, Colin calls you not for nothing "Quadzilla" ;-) Seen your Tom Platz challenge: 24 reps was insane, well done ! !
I wish i could squat 2x Bodyweight it would be 240Kg = 530lbs ! ! at the moment i can do 180Kg =400lbs x 4, BUT i got ONE excuse: i am 63 Y/O ;-) ;-)
My personal favorite squatter is Jesus Olivares: 478Kg IPF approved
I knew an old black guy who lived in a house rent free for 4 years before they got him out. A world class squatter! 🤣💪🇨🇦
Blaine Sumner had a pretty monster squat...
@5:25 - Ed Coan squatted more than 947 lbs at 220 lb body weight. I think his best at that weight class was 961 lbs but he did squat 959 lbs / 435 kg when he totaled 2402 lbs / 1090 kg at the 100 kg weight class in 1991. His best equipped squat was 1019 lbs / 462.5 kg when he moved up to the 110 kg.
Squats Bench and Deadlift are the only exercises where people brag about what they “used to do” and I truly believe that’s because those exercises are so injury prone that people avoid them after the age of 30
I didnt get that memo
Carl Yngvar Christensen 490 kg
He was single ply. Shame his career ended so soon.
Ed Coan definitely has to be on the list as a great squatter. I of course have to mention Dr. Squat (Fred Hatfield) who officially crossed over the 1000 pound barrier. Also I think Jesus Olivares needs to be mentioned as somebody who is definitely going to make his mark.
Ray's squats were absolutely mind blowing when he burts onto the scene about 10 years ago. I've never seen anyone with speed out of the bottom like his
3:05 average gymbro moment "the standard is me"
Ray Williams 490 is my greatest squat of all time, to do that in just sleeves and a belt is unreal
LH BK on the front of your new shirt, big moose horns on the back. Nice vid
I think Ray Williams is the best squatter of all time, although Jesus Olivares might be able to surpass him one day. However, some my favorite squatters you did not mention are:
- Zahir Khudayarov: Recently made a comeback and hit a 500kg squat in wraps while only weighing 125kg, as a masters
- Shane Hamman: Also in wraps, but back in the 90s this guy would go up to 450kg while going ass to grass and divebombing so fast you would miss the squat if you blinked
- Kirk Karwoski: He competed in wraps and a squat suit, although in the 90s so the suits were not as advanced back then. This absolute psycho would do 800lbs for sets of 5 and 1000lbs for a double
- Mart Seim: Did a 400kg speed rep with a high bar. Enough said.
-Jezza Uepa: Probably one of the most underrated powerlifters of the modern era. He did a 470kg in a tested competition in sleeves, and there's training footage of him hitting a 405kg front squat, which might be the heaviest front squat ever.
Awesome that you mentioned Kirk. "LET ME HOLD IT!". My all-time favorite squatter.
A living legend
Ed Coen the GOAT.
Great video! Good education always from you!
Been training my friend who just recently got into yhe gym 4ish months ago and he COULD NOT squat or deadlift the first 2 months because of mobility and flexibility but he just started squatting and deadlifting heavy about 2 months ago and he just hit a 225 squat and 315 deadlift this week. He just bought his first belt and he's HOOKED.
My biggest issue while squatting is cardio. I have been working on it but its hard. Ill keep pushing. I also got an air bike and i have been consistent on using it
Ray Williams for sure!
Im 81.5kg and 52 yrs old. My best squat is 130kg pre covid. 2 yrs no gym, getting older my best now is 105kg 3x5.
Great video. My vote is Pat Mendes' 800lbs high bar.
Fred Hatfield, Paul Wrenn, Ray Williams
Ivan Chakarov's "no, no, no" squat ass to grass of 270kg at 91kg bodyweight for a triple is my favorite squat of all time.
My fav is definetly Big Ray. 490kg raw squat with good technique. He is built for it.
My favourite squatter is Tom Platz. The maginficent technique he had and this insane determination to train so hard, that he couldn't fucking walk properly anymore, is something that always inspires me and keeps me going, even though i hate leg training with a fiery passion.
Ray Williams 490 is incredible, one of my favourite squats of all time
Ray Williams squatted 1080lb/490kg raw with sleeves at his best. Better than you even describe here.
Lee Moran/Dr. Fred Hatfield. Two legends.
Vlads squat in wraps at 1157 is the most impressive and best squat of all time in my opinion. 1157 pounds in wraps.... insane. Doesn't get talked about enough!
I’m 256 … woohoooooo ❤.
Love all the technical info thx .
Hooper being a relatively dominant world strongest man is wild for how normal he seems in comparison to a hafthor or a brian shaw from a size and freakiness perspective
Regardless of the efforts involved in making these videos, I'd appreciate if you could feed us content EVERY day lol. I get so excited to see Mitchell Hooper pop up in the feed