Post: #1

Hi guys,

Just wondering if someone can offer any insight as to why my squat always lags so far behind my deadlift?

At my recent peak strength levels, I could deadlift 385 lbs for 5 reps but struggled with squatting 275 lbs for 5 reps. It's always been this way too. My squat has consistently lagged behind by deadlift by 90+ lbs.

Is this normal?

Post: #2

Squat is almost always weaker than deadlift, look at these strenght tables:

http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLiftin...dards.html

http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLiftin...dards.html

Post: #3

My deadlift is also much stronger than my squat, similar numbers as yours lately. I squat high bar ATG, no idea what I'd squat low bar as I've never tried it, but the gap would presumably be narrower if I squatted low bar.

From what I understand it has to do with individual physiology. Some people are built to squat, some to deadlift, just has to do with all the different lever lengths in the body. I'd expect deadlift to be stronger generally, but some guys do squat the same or more than they deadlift, just depends on build and how they train.

Post: #4

It depends on your build like the guy said above.

My squat and deadlift are pretty much even. Max squat is 400 pounds. Max deadlift is 415

Post: #5

Do you have rather long arms? That would be part of the reason.

Post: #6

That's seems pretty reasonable.

My deadlift one rep max is 405 and my squat is 345.

Post: #7

(10-01-2014 01:07 PM)weambulance Wrote:  From what I understand it has to do with individual physiology. Some people are built to squat, some to deadlift, just has to do with all the different lever lengths in the body. I'd expect deadlift to be stronger generally, but some guys do squat the same or more than they deadlift, just depends on build and how they train.

There's a lot more to it than just leverage. I'm built to squat at first glance and built all wrong for deadlift, but my deadlift is by far my strongest, and gains come really easy. Gap is currently about ~60kg, or ~130lb.

And vice versa, I've seen guys in powerlifting who are built to deadlift and built terribly for squats, but have amazing (even records) in squat but have pretty poor deadlift in comparison.

The reasons for those are pretty complicated so I won't get into details here.

For the OP: as long as both lifts continuously improve, you don't need to care.

Post: #8

^

Well, I'd be interested in hearing more, or if you just want to post a link to some solid info that'd be cool. I'm certainly no expert.

Post: #9

Yeah maybe I'll write up something when I have time.

Just keep this in mind: if leverage is all there is to it, lifters at powerlifting meets would just get their limbs and torsos measured, handed out medals accordingly then sent home.

Post: #10

My max squat was 365x3 and deadlift 365x5. No idea why they were so close.

Form might be a big reason. Body type. Maybe you just prefer one over the other. Etc.

I wouldn't worry about it much.

Post: #11

That's normal. Only recently I was able to match my dead lift weight only because i slowed down adding the weights.

Post: #12

Same for me. My numbers:

265 bench
315 squat
500 deadlift

I haven't really pushed my squat 1RM. Plus, deadlift is way more fun.

I'm guessing that most guys who squat more than they deadlift either never try deadlifting, or have spaghetti arms.

Post: #13

(10-02-2014 09:00 PM)polymath Wrote:  I'm guessing that most guys who squat more than they deadlift either never try deadlifting, or have spaghetti arms.

Or no hamstrings. Or they're not squatting past parallel (related to the no hamstrings).

Post: #14

Post: #15

I lifted a record in the deadlift when I completely threw the deadlift from the program I worked among others exercises, squat 2x a week for the program 3x5 with a weight of 90 to 95 percent so that sometimes i was not able to finish the series with all the repetitions , I also each week raised the weight on barbell for 5 kg

Post: #16

(10-02-2014 09:00 PM)polymath Wrote:  I'm guessing that most guys who squat more than they deadlift either never try deadlifting, or have spaghetti arms.

Or....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvr7c19Zjhc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUsXu9Q8f8w

You get the idea.

Post: #17

(10-01-2014 03:46 PM)RexImperator Wrote:  Do you have rather long arms? That would be part of the reason.

^^^What he said


My deadlift is more than 2x my squat

Post: #18

I'm the opposite. I can squat more than I can deadlift. Note that I'm still a beginner at this. I can squat 85 kg (187 lbs) x 10 reps. And deadlift 80 kgs (176 lbs) x 10 reps. I do 4 sets at 10 reps each set.

I'm progressing more on my squats than deadlifts also. I guess it is different for every person. For me, squats feel more natural.

DavidZRH