Squat:Deadlift ratio

[Fuglydude]

Is there any "norm" for 1RMs w/ the squat:deadlift ratio for power athletes?

Personally for me I'm at like 330:430 or, 0.76.

What are your guys ratios like? Does a higher/lower ratio indicate strength or muscular imbalances?

 

[Quagmire911]

This is a subject I am very interested in. I have thus far been unable to find a ratio for the squat/deadlift. However, because of how your torso/limb length will affect these lifts, I am not sure that you would be able to have a "one size fits all" ratio. The deadlift should be higher in those that are unequipped.

There is something Poliquin uses called a Klatt test to look for imbalances in the lower body. I have tried searching a number of times and have been unable to locate it. He uses other tests as well.

Here is an article for upper body testing, which I have found to be useful:

http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=459454

My own ratio is 302.5/368.5 which puts the squat at 80-85% of the deadlift. Thats a powerlifting squat done 2-3" below parallel. Using high bar and going as low as I can, would be more like 265-270 which would make the ratio 70-75%.

Quagmire

 

[Fuglydude]

Thanks for the article Quag. Good point on the use of equipment and individual biomechanical variations gentlemen...

 

[Quagmire911]

I have also seen Poliquin state that the back squat should be 160% of your bench press.

Also, that the front squat should be 85% of the back squat.

I don't know if this is a high or low bar squat and whether it is just below parallel or as low as possible.

The bench is probably his 14" close grip version as well. This seems to be the one that he uses to test for imbalances.

There are some good articles here too:

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/

You can get a premium subscription for $15 a month or something, there may be more articles on imbalances in there. I reckon I am going to buy a months subscription and see. You could also look at doing one of his seminars. He definitely covers imbalances in it.

 

[Warboss Alex]

This isn't something you can put a number on, nor that I would worry about.

Some guys squat more than they deadlift even when doing a full squat and with no equipment. Just how they're built.

You also have to take in account how long you've been training the exercises. If you've been squatting five years and only deadlifting two then your squat, even if lower numerically than your deadlift, is still more 'advanced' than your pull.

 

[I-tallionStallion]

I agree Alex. I think the reason why mine is off is cause at my old gym all we had was a smyth machine for squats. I did that for about 8-9 months while I was deadlifting normally. So I think it had a big effect on my normal squats. My ratio is pretty much equal with fugly's.

 

[Lifeforce]

My ATG squat is 102% compared to my deadlift (assuming calculated max). As Alex says it depends on the guy. Im a natural squatter while some other guy can deadlift alot more. My friend is a natural deadlifter who can lift heavy deads easy but struggle with the squat, we're both jealous of each other. So it all comes down to how your body handles the forces.