Olympic Squats vs. Powerlifting Squats

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Maloney Performance
http://www.maloneyperformance.com/

A back squat is a back squat right? Well, it’s not quite that simple. There are two general schools of squatting; the Olympic, high-bar style and the powerlifting, low-bar style. These two variations differ significantly in both execution and rationale so let’s have a look at each in bit more detail.

The Olympic Squat

The Olympic squat - note the high bar position, upright torso, full depth and knees over toes

The high-bar squat is primarily an assistance exercise utilized by Olympic weightlifters for strength development. High tension, max effort lifts are used sparingly with squats generally performed without any sort of emotional arousal or supportive gear (belts, wraps, etc.). Olympic lifters will squat 3-5 times a week in most instances; much more frequently than powerlifters. Here are a couple of examples of Olympic style squatters:

 Chinese Lifters at the 2008 Arnold Pat Mendes squats 350kg.

Read the rest of the article:

http://www.maloneyperformance.com/Blog/?p=189