Tom Platz never let hard work and suffering get in the way of bodybuilding greatness. On Dec. 17, 2025, he discussed the ferocious mentality that helped him master squatting throughout his career.
Platz, nicknamed ‘The Quadfather,’ was celebrated for his massive and conditioned legs. Though he never laid claim to the prestigious Mr. Olympia title, Platz cut his teeth in the Golden Era, having battled against legends like Frank Zane, Samir Bannout, and Franco Columbu.
From wearing high socks to using higher reps and heavier weights, Platz tried just about everything under the bar. However, he believes squatting today has been ‘bastardized,’ pointing out that lifters are recruiting their hips more than their quads.
Tom Platz Talk ‘Ferocious Mentality’ That Helped Him Stack Squat Progress
In the Instagram reel, Platz emphasized that while squatting, he was always trying to one-up himself in the gym.
“Every workout, especially the squat workouts, I used to look in the mirror and point to myself and say okay, you’re good, but I can be better. I can do better than you ever did. You hear me?
I’m coming after you, Tom Platz. I was the guy in my way, and I realized that, and I had to really perform and train super hard to become better than my expectations or better than what Tom Platz was,” he shared.
He had to adopt a ferocious mentality because day after day, he was trying to improve.
“It’s really hard to do that every day because you’re not just going to the gym, you’re not just going to talk to the girls, get a few numbers, connect with them, it’s a ferocious, overwhelming mentality that takes you over. It takes over your existence, and then you do beat yourself.”
He revealed that true gym progress lies in discomfort:
“When I beat Tom Platz in the squat, I was like holy smokes, I’m so happy. Life is good. Then, I realized the next squat workout I have to beat him again. I put pressure on myself, always, always. I wanted to be uncomfortable.”
Whether it’s squats or a different body part, Platz has solutions for achieving muscle growth. He recently unpacked how to break through training plateaus. He is adamant that lifters should time their workouts to develop consistency.
Platz remains a living legend in the sport with valuable insights. He believes a strong mentality inside the gym is key to lasting progress.
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