Con
tent for class USA Powerlifting of Minnesota
What is the squat?
The squat is the first lift of a Powerlifting contest and often what sets the pace for the athletes. The beauty and simplicity of the full squat is often overlooked by recreational exercisers, but most elite and pro athletes use the squat as the basis of a well-rounded weight training program. With Powerlifting this lift is used to test quad,lower back, glutes and an overall central nervous system abilities.
The lift starts with the lifter standing erect and the bar loaded with weights resting on the lifter's shoulders. At the referee's command the lift begins. The lifter bends his knees and lowers himself into a squatting position with the hips slightly below parallel position. The lifter returns to an erect position. At the referees command the bar is returned to the rack and the lift is completed. In Minnesota we have top ranked athletes in this lift and below is examples on how its preformed.
Maura Shuttleworth at the Arnold Sports Festival. Maura is a frequent member of the IPF World Bench team, but as we see here shows her power in the squat. Read more about Maura Shuttleworth at www.littlesupergrrrl.com
Nick Tylutki as a multi national champion and World Games team member demonstrates near perfect technique in the squat. This technique along with freakish strength allows him to lift heavier weights then athleates who outweigh him by 40+ pounds. You can read more about Nick at www.jackalsgym.com