Thread: The almighty SQUAT

Squatting all the way down is how we are biomechanically designed to do it going back to primitive times. That being said, most of us can't do that properly because of muscle imbalance and dysfunction. I'm working on this right now with very low weight and a full and long range of motion.

Take someone who can squat 300 lbs. to only parallel and ask him to do a free standing full squat with no weight and he'll probably fall on his ass because his muscles aren't developed properly.

We have been over this many times....

I have always squatted below parallel, and I have never had a knee problem. However, some poeple do have knee problems and it's not feasible for them to squat below 90, and they should not.

If you're able to and it does not bother you then I say you should. Going deep will incorporate more muscles, especially the glutes, overall I just feel that it's more effective.

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...FullSquat.html
http://www.exrx.net/AnimatedEx/Quadr...BFullSquat.gif

This article says no obvious risk of injury from full squats
http://www.stumptuous.com/learnsquat.html

At parallel (where the thigh is parallel to the floor, higher than the depth of a full squat by about 30 degrees), the compressive forces on the patella (kneecap) are actually at their highest (Huberti & Hayes, Journal of Bone Joint Surgery, 1984: 715-724). Decelerating, stopping, and reversing direction at this angle can inspire significant knee pain in even healthy people, whereas full squats present no problem.

Ass to heels is the way to go.

partial squat = partial leg IMO

going ass to the floor makes a lot of sense.. i may drop the weight a 100lbs and start doing them that way

Me to Prophet.

I got legs tomorrow so I will give this new way a try. I have always went to 90 degrees so I will see how my leg squats go with going all the way down. (less weight of course)

Thanks guys.

Jeff
:>)

as that article says...
hey
i usually do squat with smith machines....and i could add more weights....
I can't do squat with free weights beacause the bar is quite long..and it causes nasty momentum....which makes me to care more to keep balance than the push of my quads..
i will be with a small weight if i have to go back to that free weight squat....(a blow to my illusive pride)

i respect those guys who do perfect squat with free weights...

f) squatting in a Smith machine which does not allow proper shifts in weight through the movement, and results in shear on knee and spine

gosh!!

Last night I was doing squats and going as far down as I could go within my range of motion with only 135 on the bar...due to my shortened hammies and hip flexors this was just past parallel, but they still felt great!

Hopefully by stretching more I will be able to go all the way down. I'd rather do them properly with less weight than load myself up and screw up my legs.

BTF squats...balls to the floor...actually I alternate...BTFs for a month or two then 90 for a month or two. I actually find deep squats easier than 90...but I am a goofball.

Yall may have seen this but a buddy of mine sent it to me recently:

The Squat

Down the road in a gym far away
A young man was heard to say,
"No matter what I do, my legs won't grow"
He tried extensions, curls and presses too
He tried to cheat, these Sissy Workouts he would do.

From the Corner of the gym where the big men train,
Through a cloud of chalk and a midst of pain,
Where the iron rides high and threatens life,
Where the noise is made with the big 45s
A deep voice bellowed as he wrapped his knees,
A very big man with legs like trees,
Laughing as he snatched another plate from the stack,

As he chalked his hands and monstrous back was heard to say

"Boy, stop lying and don't say you've forgotten,
It's so simple,
The trouble with you is
YOU AIN'T Been SQUATTING"