High Box Squats For Deadlift Assistance?

[UncleAl]

We old school guys found the rack squat (bottoms up squat with pins set at sternum height) to be a very productive deadlift assistance movement, and you young guys swear by low box squats. How do you feel about something in between, like a paused squat from an 18" box? Worth a shot or just a jerk yourself off lift, like rack pulls from above the knees?

 

[PillarofBalance]

We old school guys found the rack squat (bottoms up squat with pins set at sternum height) to be a very productive deadlift assistance movement, and you young guys swear by low box squats. How do you feel about something in between, like a paused squat from an 18" box? Worth a shot or just a jerk yourself off lift, like rack pulls from above the knees?

Not for conventional IMO no. Well really getting stronger in the posterior chain will help yeah. But a box squat is about pushing out. Not pulling back. Get what I mean?

I do high box squats for overload work often. I love them. But I also pull sumo. Maybe more carry over there

 

[UncleAl]

Not for conventional IMO no. Well really getting stronger in the posterior chain will help yeah. But a box squat is about pushing out. Not pulling back. Get what I mean?

Yea. Good point. I pull with a deadlift only guy who is unable to squat deep, so I'm trying to find a variation we can use for assistance.

 

[BrotherIron]

Front squat is a better lift for a deadlift builder.

 

[UncleAl]

Front squat is a better lift for a deadlift builder.

Yes, it is. However, my training partner is unable to squat anywhere near parallel. I was hoping the consensus would be that paused high box is a viable alternative, since it still works the quads and rear chain nicely with sufficient weight on the bar. If not, barbell hack and rack squats will work.

 

[Rottenrogue]

What is keeping him from squatting full range? Would a trap bar deadlift be do able for him ? Even a possible raised up trap bar.
I find it hits my quads well.

 

[PillarofBalance]

Curious what the parallel issue is. Knees?

Barbell hacks, front squat to a high box, zercher squat off pins or walked out, deficit pulls, box deadlift, chair deadlift. But hell do the high box squats. Why not? Leave no stone unturned!

 

[UncleAl]

What is keeping him from squatting full range? Would a trap bar deadlift be do able for him ? Even a possible raised up trap bar.
I find it hits my quads well.

Double knee replacement and limited mobility. I'm going to try some correctives, but want to do workarounds in the meantime.

Love TBDLs, but unfortunately, the gym doesn't have the bar.

Thanks, Rotten.

 

[UncleAl]

Curious what the parallel issue is. Knees?

Barbell hacks, front squat to a high box, zercher squat off pins or walked out, deficit pulls, box deadlift, chair deadlift. But hell do the high box squats. Why not? Leave no stone unturned!

He has had both knees replaced and has mobility issues. I am going to have him try the squat and in-line lunge portions of Gray Cook's functional movement screen to see where he's at, then (hopefully) recommend correctives. He was intrigued when he watched me do paused goblet squats, so we may start there.

Thanks for the list. I'm too much of a pussy to do Zerchers, but we'll try some of the other stuff. As always, appreciate your advice.

 

[BrotherIron]

Double knee replacement and limited mobility. I'm going to try some correctives, but want to do workarounds in the meantime.

Love TBDLs, but unfortunately, the gym doesn't have the bar.

Thanks, Rotten.

How old is your training partner?

 

[UncleAl]

How old is your training partner?

He's pretty young...only 63.

 

[BrotherIron]

He's pretty young...only 63.

That's awesome he's still working hard. I would suggest pool runs and other prehab work to keep those knees strong.