Thread: Question on squatting

ah. i don't mind buying textbooks. especially those books.....they were very informative.

I've yet to see any definitive evidence to suggest that squatting below parallel is harder on the knees, quite the contrary in fact.

http://www.michaelboyle.biz/videos.html

Fatcat, also check out the two videos at the bottom of this page. They are exercises for improving ankle mobility.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

http://www.michaelboyle.biz/videos.html

Fatcat, also check out the two videos at the bottom of this page. They are exercises for improving ankle mobility.

Thanks. I already do 2 of 2. I can't tell what's going on in the 1 of 2 video, it looks like their heels are hanging off of a platform and they are bending at the knees to stretch out the ankle?

Originally Posted by FatCatMC

Thanks. I already do 2 of 2. I can't tell what's going on in the 1 of 2 video, it looks like their heels are hanging off of a platform and they are bending at the knees to stretch out the ankle?

It's the same idea as the second video, except your ankles are dorsiflexed. You achieve this by putting something under your toes to elevate them. I just throw a couple of 5 pound plates under my client's feet if I have them do this drill.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

It's the same idea as the second video, except your ankles are dorsiflexed. You achieve this by putting something under your toes to elevate them. I just throw a couple of 5 pound plates under my client's feet if I have them do this drill.

Sweet, I'll give it a go tonite. Thanks CowPimp.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

http://www.michaelboyle.biz/videos.html

Fatcat, also check out the two videos at the bottom of this page. They are exercises for improving ankle mobility.

Thanks for that, exactly what I need. The other vids are pretty good as well.

One legged SLDL looks interesting. What's the benefit doing the SLDL via one leg movements....improve imbalances, mobility? Break a plateau?

Originally Posted by Gordo

Thanks for that, exactly what I need. The other vids are pretty good as well.

One legged SLDL looks interesting. What's the benefit doing the SLDL via one leg movements....improve imbalances, mobility? Break a plateau?

I think one of the main benefits is improving knee and ankle stability. As well, it requires your adductors and abductors (Glutes are big here) to fire like crazy so you don't tip over. Another advantage is that you don't have to place such a great load on your spine in order to provide adequate resistance for adaptation. Unilateral exercises are generally more functional as well.

If ATG squatting hurts, don't do it; if it doesn't hurt, do it and reap the benefits. I do overhead Bulgarian ATG bottom pause squats and my knees don't have any problems; I've been doing one kind of ATG squat or another for a couple years now. Considering I'm seventeen this probably says nothing, but I always like to throw that in there because it's fun to say.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I think one of the main benefits is improving knee and ankle stability. As well, it requires your adductors and abductors (Glutes are big here) to fire like crazy so you don't tip over. Another advantage is that you don't have to place such a great load on your spine in order to provide adequate resistance for adaptation. Unilateral exercises are generally more functional as well.

Gave it a try last night. A little humbling when doing the movement slow and controlled. Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by FatCatMC

My form is spot on. My genetics are what don't allow me to go below parallel without discomfort. There is ample evidence to support either theory btw.

It is my understanding that parrellel squats are far more stressful on the knee joint than Olympic full range squats all other things being equal.
Ubercoach

Originally Posted by CowPimp

http://www.michaelboyle.biz/videos.html

Fatcat, also check out the two videos at the bottom of this page. They are exercises for improving ankle mobility.

That video of the girls doin cleans......





really did it for me.



That video has reminded not to settle....I want a hot girl who powerlifts....cleans, cooks, and is a doctor.

those are all college girls and one of them (the smaller one I believe he said) is a high school senior. All of them are hang power cleaning 135lbs for sets of 5.

God dammit, I wish I could see the vids. These may help me as well.

I am pretty focused on keeping my feet FLAT when doing ATG and I can do sets of perfect heel placement, but I do believe that I have to make it a point to keep them flat. Would this be causing problems? In other words, if my heels arent naturally staying flat, BUT I can keep them flat without too much 'work,' is this something I should still look into or just keep up the "focused form?"

the videos are of hang cleans not squats.


anyway.....if your heels are coming up it sounds like you are tight in your hip flexors and plantar flexors.

Ya know, i confuse hip flexors with hip adductors... What stretches are good for these as I think I AM tight there.

I have that one stretching link filled with stretches, but I cant look at it right now cuz of my work computer. Are there stretches for hip flexors/extens. listed? Which ones (or do they say)?

yes, they should be listed in there.