Help with Squat Max

[Yanks]

I'm trying to figure out my max pretty soon on my squats. I'm coming up on last week of a routine I started little while ago, has me doing
4x8 week 1 mon/fri
4x6 week2
4x4 week 3
4x2 week 4

Last workout I did 325-4 reps, 335-4reps, 345-4reps, decided on last to do 325-10 reps. 345 is heaviest I've moved on squats and prob will go up to 360 next week for 2 just to start with maybe more. I'm wondering if you guys think I can hit 405 for 1RM? Confident that I can prob will try after this next week, also any tips on maxing optimal weight jumps and warming up?

Normally I hop up 135,185,225,275,315 etc, also I've never maxed out on squats only deadlift not on bench either I've just been training and not going to failure and have been gaining a lot.

The 345 was pretty surprising first rep went back up like nothing and the last 3 were smooth no sticking points or struggle to push them out. Confident I could do 355-4 and prob 365-4 just didn't wanna push it too crazy when I haven't dealt with these waits especially walking them out.

Thanks for the help

 

[Cole Dreyer]

I feel that often times people over think trying maxes. At some point you need to just "go for it".

I'm not saying do something stupid but if you think you can hit a number then try it. Just be wise about it and don't risk injury.

If 360 is a grinder then I wouldn't try something like 405. If 360 feels easy and goes up well then try 370 or 375.

 

[Yanks]

I feel that often times people over think trying maxes. At some point you need to just "go for it".

I'm not saying do something stupid but if you think you can hit a number then try it. Just be wise about it and don't risk injury.

If 360 is a grinder then I wouldn't try something like 405. If 360 feels easy and goes up well then try 370 or 375.

Yeah sounds about right it's just weird thing for me I've only been powerlifting and lifting in general for 3 months, and the thing is deadlift if you can't pull it just drop it. Even with bench it doesn't give same feeling before Doing reps like squats will.

Training Ive been progressing from 4sets of 8 then 6, 4, 2 etc over last 4 weeks and I'm on the final week so after I warm up I'll start with 360-2 reps then go 370-380-390. If I can complete the workout at least with the 380 I should be pretty damn close.

Let me ask this if you or anyone can help, say Im going to max out and try 405 potentially a little more after that if I can what type of weight jumps would you guys do for that? Just to warm up I'd go 135,185,225,275,315 but after 3 plates I've just been going up by 10 but it seems to me like I def can't do that when I try to max it would prob Effect my 1RM maybe like 335-375-405? I'm saying this only if I am
Able to hit 370+ for my workout this week, I'll know at least I can handle something more than 370 and then go for 405.

 

[PaulBlack]

what type of weight jumps would you guys do for that? Just to warm up I'd go 135,185,225,275,315 but after 3 plates I've just been going up by 10 but it seems to me like I def can't do that when I try to max it would prob Effect my 1RM maybe like 335-375-405?

A couple things... If it does effect your top max, then you were probably working hard enough to elicit a progressive change anyway, so the training is not wasted. Maybe don't get too caught up in certain numbers. You may come back the next week and go up over your desired max by a few percent or so!?
My opinion is, just because I list my approaches, #135x5, #225x3, #275x1, #315x1, #345x1... as warm-ups, does not necessarily mean they do not help build or add to momentum for overall tonnage/reps or volume to the workout. Now, I try not to waste a lot of energy warming up to top work sets, but I still think the overall work adds to the W/O.
I also seem to find that, my rep numbers go down on average & depending on exercises but about 1 rep per anywhere from 7 to maybe 20 pounds, but my rep to single ratio may be a bit different than yours!? Which can also change by styles or approaches to higher reps vs heavy singles, doubles or triples training, maybe depending on your certain fiber types etc.
I know a guy who can hit #700x1 dead but only pull #500x9-10. When I did #500x10, I could only do about #615-#620x1, so YMMV.
As far as jumps towards the max or top work set, that experience can come with time knowing full well what you are capable of and still keeping them out of the grinder stage. As I got stronger with my deads, I jumped higher near the W/U starts...
#135x7
#225x3-5
#315x1-2
#365/#405x1
#455x1
#495x1
#525-530x3 say or along those lines. 87%-90%
#505x3x2 maybe...

Guys do %'s too, of their current maxes. 70%, 75% 80% 82% 85% 87% 90%...

Certain numbers can be more mental barriers also. ie: #315, #405, #500, #600 like, that. It is like our subconscious, worries about those more than just a simple new top number like #398 but #398 sounds a good bit less than #400

Cole mentioned grinders...
As far as grinders, there can be a few differing schools on those as well. Some guys can do okay really slow grinding heavy near maxes for a string of W/O's, while others find they effect their energy levels rather quickly and beat them and their CNS/PNS up. So again, YMMV and you will most likely learn your niche as you go. I have had stints where I could grind some, but then after a bit, my mood changed and hormone levels seemed to get hammered some. DL grinders and squat grinders, can also be different animals. And deadlifts from mine and others experiences, just seem to really beat people up more on average.

The best advice I got was, don't overthink things too much. Put your energy and focus into the lifting of said weight(s).

 

[Yanks]

A couple things... If it does effect your top max, then you were probably working hard enough to elicit a progressive change anyway, so the training is not wasted. Maybe don't get too caught up in certain numbers. You may come back the next week and go up over your desired max by a few percent or so!?
My opinion is, just because I list my approaches, #135x5, #225x3, #275x1, #315x1, #345x1... as warm-ups, does not necessarily mean they do not help build or add to momentum for overall tonnage/reps or volume to the workout. Now, I try not to waste a lot of energy warming up to top work sets, but I still think the overall work adds to the W/O.
I also seem to find that, my rep numbers go down on average & depending on exercises but about 1 rep per anywhere from 7 to maybe 20 pounds, but my rep to single ratio may be a bit different than yours!? Which can also change by styles or approaches to higher reps vs heavy singles, doubles or triples training, maybe depending on your certain fiber types etc.
I know a guy who can hit #700x1 dead but only pull #500x9-10. When I did #500x10, I could only do about #615-#620x1, so YMMV.
As far as jumps towards the max or top work set, that experience can come with time knowing full well what you are capable of and still keeping them out of the grinder stage. As I got stronger with my deads, I jumped higher near the W/U starts...
#135x7
#225x3-5
#315x1-2
#365/#405x1
#455x1
#495x1
#525-530x3 say or along those lines. 87%-90%
#505x3x2 maybe...

Guys do %'s too, of their current maxes. 70%, 75% 80% 82% 85% 87% 90%...

Certain numbers can be more mental barriers also. ie: #315, #405, #500, #600 like, that. It is like our subconscious, worries about those more than just a simple new top number like #398 but #398 sounds a good bit less than #400

Cole mentioned grinders...
As far as grinders, there can be a few differing schools on those as well. Some guys can do okay really slow grinding heavy near maxes for a string of W/O's, while others find they effect their energy levels rather quickly and beat them and their CNS/PNS up. So again, YMMV and you will most likely learn your niche as you go. I have had stints where I could grind some, but then after a bit, my mood changed and hormone levels seemed to get hammered some. DL grinders and squat grinders, can also be different animals. And deadlifts from mine and others experiences, just seem to really beat people up more on average.

The best advice I got was, don't overthink things too much. Put your energy and focus into the lifting of said weight(s).

Posted a decently long response and it didn't post for some reason. Will respond a little later, good information thanks.

 

[Yanks]

Today did bunch of heavy singles
Worked up to
355x2
365x2
375x2
385x2

All the reps were easy enough by the end I was fatigued the weight didn't feel too heavy so I think I'm good decent amount more over 405 I may not max now if I can rep 405x2 this week or next I don't think there's any need to.

 

[Yanks]

A couple things... If it does effect your top max, then you were probably working hard enough to elicit a progressive change anyway, so the training is not wasted. Maybe don't get too caught up in certain numbers. You may come back the next week and go up over your desired max by a few percent or so!?
My opinion is, just because I list my approaches, #135x5, #225x3, #275x1, #315x1, #345x1... as warm-ups, does not necessarily mean they do not help build or add to momentum for overall tonnage/reps or volume to the workout. Now, I try not to waste a lot of energy warming up to top work sets, but I still think the overall work adds to the W/O.
I also seem to find that, my rep numbers go down on average & depending on exercises but about 1 rep per anywhere from 7 to maybe 20 pounds, but my rep to single ratio may be a bit different than yours!? Which can also change by styles or approaches to higher reps vs heavy singles, doubles or triples training, maybe depending on your certain fiber types etc.
I know a guy who can hit #700x1 dead but only pull #500x9-10. When I did #500x10, I could only do about #615-#620x1, so YMMV.
As far as jumps towards the max or top work set, that experience can come with time knowing full well what you are capable of and still keeping them out of the grinder stage. As I got stronger with my deads, I jumped higher near the W/U starts...
#135x7
#225x3-5
#315x1-2
#365/#405x1
#455x1
#495x1
#525-530x3 say or along those lines. 87%-90%
#505x3x2 maybe...

Guys do %'s too, of their current maxes. 70%, 75% 80% 82% 85% 87% 90%...

Certain numbers can be more mental barriers also. ie: #315, #405, #500, #600 like, that. It is like our subconscious, worries about those more than just a simple new top number like #398 but #398 sounds a good bit less than #400

Cole mentioned grinders...
As far as grinders, there can be a few differing schools on those as well. Some guys can do okay really slow grinding heavy near maxes for a string of W/O's, while others find they effect their energy levels rather quickly and beat them and their CNS/PNS up. So again, YMMV and you will most likely learn your niche as you go. I have had stints where I could grind some, but then after a bit, my mood changed and hormone levels seemed to get hammered some. DL grinders and squat grinders, can also be different animals. And deadlifts from mine and others experiences, just seem to really beat people up more on average.

The best advice I got was, don't overthink things too much. Put your energy and focus into the lifting of said weight(s).

Hey thanks for the advice. I've def gone through some grinders I feel like I train and gain better when my workouts I have a little bit I hold back and can recover and perform well again and again and again. Like I mentioned above I did heavy singles I hopped up by 10lbs from 325-385 so it fatigued me a little but I could hit my doubles I wanna b able to hop up little more weight at a time and be properly warmed up.

My program I do percentages
Week 1 75% 4x8
Week 2 80% 4x6
Week 3 85% 4x4
Week 4 90% 4x2.
This has been helping me a lot plus I'm running Follidrone 2.0 and its pretty crazy idk what else is helping me so much:

Your rep to single ratio is prob slot different than mine your numbers are prob much higher

405 is def s mental thing but I don't think I will hold me back I'm going to get through it the big one for me down the road will be 500!!

And also damn I really wanted to do heavy walkouts and I forgot again gonna really try to remember on Friday!

Thanjs

 

[Cole Dreyer]

Today did bunch of heavy singles
Worked up to
355x2
365x2
375x2
385x2

All the reps were easy enough by the end I was fatigued the weight didn't feel too heavy so I think I'm good decent amount more over 405 I may not max now if I can rep 405x2 this week or next I don't think there's any need to.

To your point earlier, I think that only jumping by 10 pounds each set certainly takes away from your ability to hit close to your true 1 RM.

For example if 355 felt good then I would have jumped 20-25 pounds and did 1 and depending on how that I felt I might jump another 20-25 (especially if I had done 385 before and it felt good) and gone for the 400-405.


It is certainly possible to over do it on warm up and potentiating sets in power lifting

 

[Yanks]

To your point earlier, I think that only jumping by 10 pounds each set certainly takes away from your ability to hit close to your true 1 RM.

For example if 355 felt good then I would have jumped 20-25 pounds and did 1 and depending on how that I felt I might jump another 20-25 (especially if I had done 385 before and it felt good) and gone for the 400-405.


It is certainly possible to over do it on warm up and potentiating sets in power lifting

Yeah it definitely effected me negatively doing all of those singles. Up until 2 weeks ago I never had gone above 300 for 5 reps. So recently anything I've been lifting over 300 has been a pr for me.

My routine is in the final week and it called for 4 sets of 2 reps so I decided to just finish out the program before testing my max. So after 355-365-375-385 I might start at 375 for my doubles on Friday I think I'll be a good amount stronger and be less sore and better recovered than I was today.

I'm going to try and make different jumps maybe somethin like 135,185,225,275,315,345,375?? I think I'll do it like this up until 315 at least, than 20-30lbs jumps