Chuck squats 550 wearing just a lifting belt

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14 October 2005

Written by: paperboy Posted under Purposefully Primitive People, Training and Exercise,

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I’ve been keeping this in my hip pocket for a few weeks this guy squatted 250-kilos despite getting injured in the process guts personified

A Month to Remember
Meet Report 100% Raw Hagerstown Open
September 24, 2005
By Chuck Deluxe

I just achieved a milestone squat Ive been chasing, and as I come down off the high, I find myself slightly injured and with a bit of time to reflect on the last month. I turn 36 tomorrow, so its a good time to assess my life. The word I keep trying to wrap my mind around is achievement. What goals in life are really worth pursuing? Is being driven a good thing or just an unhealthy waste of energy? In fact, does anything we do really matter? The way I see it, were all going to die someday, maybe sooner than we realize, and no matter how much importance we may place on our little achievements, its doubtful theyll be remembered by a soul. On that uplifting note, lets all break into a chorus of Dust in the Wind before we slit our wrists.

My two big September achievements that led to this moment of introspection were doing a raw 550 squat in the 220 class at a bodyweight of 215 (I weighed in light but lied to Marty cause I knew hed be pissed at my failure to fill the weight class) and passing the West Virginia bar exam a full ten years after finishing law school. To the average person on the street, these two accomplishments arent even in the same ballpark in terms of importance. Passing the bar means income potential, status, closure, and truly has the potential to change the direction of the rest of my life. Squatting 550 is, well, I suppose its nice if thats what you want to do. No, I take that back; its not really nice; its actually pretty weird. Why would anyone care how much weight they can support across their shoulders and do a deep knee bend with? Youre not a damn pack mule. Youre a freaking lawyer now. If you need to move a piano, hire someone!

As logical as that assessment sounds, I dont see it that way at all. Im just not feelin ya man, nor do I even want to. You see, to me that 550 squat ranks right up there with passing the bar. Sure, I studied hard for the bar, and Im relieved to have passed it. Hell, Im ecstatic to finally put that behind me. But I busted my ass for that squat, too. Ive been lifting for a good 20 years. Ive been injured numerous times, including even on the very lift Im writing about today. Ive been frustrated with lack of progress. Ive cursed myself over lousy workouts. Ive been asked many times why I train, and over and over again Ive tried to explain my passion for lifting heavy stuff. I usually receive only blank stares for the effort.

But guess what? I wouldnt change one damned thing. Ive loved every minute of this ride. Ive met some real characters, seen some of their crazy deeds, heard and told some tall tales, and even contributed my own little bit of goofiness to the powerlifting lore.

So have I achieved anything lasting or meaningful? I dont know. Ive made myself into a decent lifter, but Im not much of a philosopher. What I do know is that I rarely feel more alive than when Im under a weight Ive never tried before and Im pushing with all I have to see if I can stand up with it. I also know whats important to me, and it doesnt have much to do with acquiring stuff to impress the neighbors. Id rather define my achievements by pushing my limits, preferably my physical limits, but every decade or so I also like to exercise my mind just to make sure its still functioning properly. When I challenge myself in some way, I really feel like Im making good use of the precious time Ive been given on earth. For me, happiness pretty much boils down to family, friends, and trying to get a little bit stronger each time I step into the garage to lift my weights. To hell with conventional notions of achievement and with anyone who doesnt get my priorities.

Enough babbling; here are the official meet numbers.

Squat
490-523-551 (PR previous best was 540)

Bench
330-352-369 (missed 3rd attempt)

At this point, I withdrew from meet with a minor back injury incurred on my 3rd squat. Dont worry though; Im feeling much better, and Ill resume training soon. Most importantly, I attacked my goal and nailed it.