Oliver Bateman Does the WorkVerified account

A truly fat gut is perfect insulation for the back squat, but can actually impair deadlift ROM. I’ve watched lockouts fail when the bar smacks hard against the gut, which is hanging well below the thighs along which the weight is supposed to track

Even at 300 pounds, I’ve never had the sort of gut needed to allow me literally let the weight lean forward onto my pillowy fat, compressing my stomach instead of my spine. You can sit forever at the bottom with that type of arrangement

@EnduringLearner, a great taller squatter who lacks said cushion, is an exception to that rule

Thanks! Just competed on Sunday and witnessed a lot of this phenomenon. Many of those big guys deadlift similar or even less weight than they squat, especially when you throw knee wraps into the mix.

How'd you fare?

Pretty well. 550 sq, 402 b, and 622 dead for approx. 1574 total. Power outage right after squat for over an hour made for a long day. Quite the adventure.

I'll sign up for something at some point. Last one was 2016. This time...385-400ish bench, 475-500 squat, deadlift could be anywhere from 600 to 650. I weighed in at 240 the other day, pretty heavy for me