Widowmaker Squat

A widowmaker set is simple to explain and miserable to execute: load up your approximate 10-rep max and do 20 reps without reracking the bar. You can rest-pause at the top as long as you need, but the bar stays on your back until all 20 are done. 225 lb put me at Tier 3 on the Strength Origins scale. At 165 lb bodyweight, that's a 1.36x BW widowmaker — not a number that jumps off the page, but anyone who's done a true 20-rep squat set knows the weight is almost beside the point. The first 10 reps felt like a normal working set. Reps 11-15 got honest. Reps 16-20 stunk. No specific prep went into this — it fell during a normal squat day and I decided to send it. Years of consistent squatting under 5/3/1 meant the strength was there.