Thread: Squats

Originally Posted by ChrisROCK

Yes, I've searched...try entering "squats"...you get a hit in like every single thread...

Anyways, what is it that makes squats such a great full-body exercise, and a staple of so many routines?

I had always done smith squats till reading recently that they're bad. I don't wish to debate that point here...but what can i expect now that i'm doing them the "right" way?

Thx

the big three give a workout to most of your body. But the big three use many stabilizers and reflect overall strength as opposed to isolation exercises. Also compound exercises provide a better overall overload as opposed to isolation exercises as stated by www.ast-ss.com .

The main point is what he said...stabilizers...you recruit more muscles when doing compound movements where the only restriction are the walls and the ground ( if you fall ) ... smith machine isolates you and you generally have to have your feet in front of the maching which is good form and puts more stress on the quads...squatting generally focuses on the glutes and hams if u have a wide stance and quads narrow...do free weights for strength...ancillary or stabilizers baby

It is the incorporation of the bodies largest joints and muscles that makes squats what they are. Hip/knee/ankle flexion and stress on the quads/hams/glutes and back.

Also, because of this, they require great concentration and focus, inclusion of many stabilizing muscles and affect the CNS like few other exercises.

Why are they better than leg press? It's the same argument that compares pull ups to pull downs. You're pushing your bodyweight (for starters) against gravity in the vertical plane, no pulleys, sleds or other devices that alter the exercise, just you and gravity.