The squat is another of the king exercises and therefore also an objective indicator of overall strength, especially of the lower half of the body. How much can you squat? Anyone who has ever trained regularly has come across this question at least once. Data from the Strengthlog website show that the average man who trains regularly and is not a complete beginner has his squat „max“ at around 120 kg. Advanced women squat on average around 70 kg in their max.1 But how much do the strongest men and women in the world „squat“?So we looked at the biggest documented world records in the squat during competition, regardless of weight class or governing organisation. To break the world record in the squat, official measurement of the loaded weight and correct technique, which is checked by the judges, are important.
The squat is a basic movement that people have been able to do instinctively since childhood. During an attempt, the competitor with a fully loaded bar descends from the starting position into a squat deep enough to pass the 90 degree angle and then returns upwards with the bar. During the squat, engaged at the same time are the glutes, quadriceps, back and core.2
As with the world record in the bench press , the squat discipline is also divided into two categories - raw and equipped. In the raw category the competitor uses no equipment apart from wraps as support for the knees. In the equipped category the competitor may use a belt, knee wraps and above all a special lifting suit, which provides support for the torso, for example, and therefore helps to generate greater upward force.
World record in the squat - men
| Name | Record | Category | Year |
| Dan Bell | 505 kg | Raw | 2021 |
| Nathan Baptist | 594.7 kg | Equipped | 2021 |
Since 2021 the world record in the squat in the category without any equipment and only with knee wraps (so-called raw) has been held by the American Dan Bell, who lifted 505 kg. The current world record in the squat with equipment (equipped) is held by Nathan Baptist, who on 6 February 2021 at the 2023 IPA Tristar Bash competition successfully lifted 594.7 kg and, at the age of 36, became only the second person to break the 590 kg mark. Baptist beat Brian Carroll's previous record by 2.7 kg.2, 3
World record in the squat - women
| Name | Record | Category | Year |
| April Mathis | 320 kg | Raw | 2017 |
| Leah Reichman | 419.5 kg | Equipped | 2021 |
The world record in the women's squat in the raw with knee wraps category has belonged since 2017 to the lifter April Mathis from the United States, who lifted 320 kg.4 The women's world record in the squat in the equipped category has also been held since 2021 by the lifter Leah Reichman, who lifted an incredible 419.5 kg. With this record of 11 September 2021 she beat the 16-year-old record of Beccy Swanson from 2005 by 99.5 kg.2
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Comments (1)
When in my 40s and 50s, I was swimming four miles, and bench pressing 400lbs. For three reps. Does anyone top that?