There are few lifts that gain as much respect as a heavy squat. The squat is a movement that’s used in almost every strength sport, and it’s often considered the gold standard to building bigger stronger legs. It would be impossible to list all of a squat’s benefits, but here are 17 to start.
We’ve written about countless female athletes who squat weight that make spectator jaws drop, so we made a list of some of our favorites. These are female athletes who can be described in many ways, but usually incredible is the best word for it.
These athletes frequently break societal stereotypes, records, and even the internet (move over, Kim K). Below is a list of some of our favorite female squatters who deserve recognition. Keep in mind, this list isn’t definitive, and if we missed an athlete you feel deserve a spot – comment below.
1. Chen Wei-Ling
Chen is possibly the definition of strength phenomenon. She holds multiple powerlifting records, has Olympic medals in weightlifting, and has won more competitions than we can count during her storied carrer. Possibly her most impressive squat to date was at the IPF Open World Championships last November. Here she squatted 210kg (462lb) in a single ply suit, which is 4.5 times her bodyweight at 46.75 kg (102.85lb)
2. Larysa Soloviova
Soloviova is a dominant force in the 63kg weight class and continues to set world records at just about every big competition she competes in. Last November, at the IPF Open World Championships, she squatted 241kg (530lbs) equipped for a new world record in the 63kg weight class.
3. Crystal Tate
Tate is a -198lb powerlifter who holds records for her epic deadlift and can squat insane weight. Her heaviest squat recorded in competition on video was a raw 700lb attempt at a meet last December. Was it to depth? That’s for viewer discretion, but there’s no question behind her squat strength.
4. Jeanine Whittaker
Whittaker competes in the 181lb weight class and has some epic competition squats on video. Below is a video of a 600lb squat at a weight of 180lbs, which she performed with knee wraps. We’ll leave the call on her depth up for the viewers, but they gave her the call in competition.
5. Isabella Von Weissenberg
Weissenberg is a -72kg powerlifter based in Sweden and recently recorded a new Open Raw World Record with a 192.5kg (424lb) squat. She smoked the 192.5kg attempt, and definitely looks to have more in the tank. She’s a consistently dominant force in the -72kg category.
6. Becca Swanson
Swanson is typically classified in a class of her own. She’s often credited with the heaviest deadlift (672lbs) to be performed by a female strength athlete to date. Below is a video of an equipped 843 lb squat, which is absolutely insane.
7. Nikki Gunz
Gunz is an American powerlifter and is a dominant force for the 132lb weight class. Below is a video of her hitting a USPA record 410lb squat.
8. Kristy Hawkins
Hawkins is a multi-sport strength athlete and was a former professional female bodybuilder. She now competes in powerlifting and holds the current 165lb weight class squat world record with her 225kg (496lb) squat.
This list isn’t end all be all, and chances are we missed a few athletes who deserve squat recognition. These are the first eight athletes that quickly came to our minds when composing this list of epic female squats.
If you have a female strength athlete in mind that should have made the list, reach out and comment below.
Feature image from @9for9media Instagram page.
