For the last few months of training I've been performing 20 rep squats once weekly, and ever since starting them I've grown to love the intensity and fire needed to complete the set. I started pretty low in the weight department, to conservatively measure my leg strength, with what if I recall correctly was a 120 pound (plates only) set. That was quite the change from the 300 pounds I was squatting with poor form and a drastically less than stellar range of motion.
Since starting up on the 20 rep squat sets, a pre-existing knee injury I suffered from last summer has been progressively improving, from the point where it used to bother me almost all the time, to now where I almost can't notice it most of the time. I've only had one week where I failed to make the full target 20 reps without racking the bar for a few moments, but that was because my phone rang after a few reps into my set, and I just couldn't properly get myself fired back up after anwering the call. It just threw me out of the world of focus and intensity that I tend to immerse myself in before attempting these sets.
Mental preparation is even more key than the physical preparation of warming up with light sets and stretching that I utilize before attempting the set. I tend to put on the vilest, angriest raging death metal that I have at my disposal, as it tends to put me into the place where I need to be mentally, literally seething with energy and waiting to explode into the bar as if it's my worst enemy.
On Monday I'll be attempting 200 pounds of plate weight for the first time (I use a 15 pound standard bar at the moment), and this is a number I didn't expect to see quite so soon, but with the lack of setbacks I've seen each week, and the positive progression of weights even during my last pct, and current cutting phase, I'm ready to tackle this weight headon!
I'd just like you guys to throw out your own personal methods for prepping for these brutal, murderous 20 rep squat sets. I know that for me personally, this quickly became my favorite exercise, and the last few times have been the hardest I've ever pushed myself, both physically and mentally.
Since starting up on the 20 rep squat sets, a pre-existing knee injury I suffered from last summer has been progressively improving, from the point where it used to bother me almost all the time, to now where I almost can't notice it most of the time. I've only had one week where I failed to make the full target 20 reps without racking the bar for a few moments, but that was because my phone rang after a few reps into my set, and I just couldn't properly get myself fired back up after anwering the call. It just threw me out of the world of focus and intensity that I tend to immerse myself in before attempting these sets.
Mental preparation is even more key than the physical preparation of warming up with light sets and stretching that I utilize before attempting the set. I tend to put on the vilest, angriest raging death metal that I have at my disposal, as it tends to put me into the place where I need to be mentally, literally seething with energy and waiting to explode into the bar as if it's my worst enemy.
On Monday I'll be attempting 200 pounds of plate weight for the first time (I use a 15 pound standard bar at the moment), and this is a number I didn't expect to see quite so soon, but with the lack of setbacks I've seen each week, and the positive progression of weights even during my last pct, and current cutting phase, I'm ready to tackle this weight headon!
I'd just like you guys to throw out your own personal methods for prepping for these brutal, murderous 20 rep squat sets. I know that for me personally, this quickly became my favorite exercise, and the last few times have been the hardest I've ever pushed myself, both physically and mentally.