Supports / Walkouts & Partials / Yoke Walks / Future Method

Half the battle with squats is the weight feeling very heavy as it comes out of the rack.

This can create a feeling of threat that makes us miss the lift or not want to attempt out of fear.

These methods can help to re-calibrate what heavy is.

Truth is that most people can support and even walk with around double what they can squat.

Fred Hatfield was the first man to squat over 1000lb. He was a big advocate for heavy walk-outs.

Chinese Weightlifters use heavy supports on the front squat. This is most likely a specific isometric for the jerk position but it also makes sense from the same perspective that Hatfield was using walkouts.

It’s a similar logic to rack-pulls before or as an assistance movement for heavy deadlifts.

Yoke walks might be part of the key for strongmen unlocking new strength gains.

Future Method this method popularised by Louie Simmons also known as reverse bands uses band tension to help out of the bottom position on the squat. This allows above maximum weights to be used through full range of motion. Knee Wraps create the same impact but take more effort to apply. Once you’re using full range you’re going to have more fatigue and tissue strain generated than the partials.

Bands and Chains also make the top part of the lift heavier but are generally used as tools to improve acceleration and strengthen the top range closer to its potential.