squat techniques

[heaz1ski]

i train legs once a week and always do squats. I am not a fan of smith machine squats cause i think that is cheating. Noramally on leg day i will do squats and sometimes do front squats as well to blast my quads. But I have seen guys do squats without shoes. Is that any good?? Also I have seen guys put a 2x4 under thier heal. What does that effect?? Any info will help...

 

[jlacap]

why dont you just ask the guys at the gym why they do that.

 

[Marat]

For most cases, putting something under your heals is unnecessary -- it makes it difficult to properly transfer force through your body due to a lack of stability.

Barefoot squatting is fine/ a good idea. Your bare feet provide the most stable surface relative to wearing shoes. If hygiene is an issue, weightlifting shoes, wrestling shoes, or Chuck Taylors are good alternatives.

 

[Work IN Progress]

anything with a flat sole. No air soles or shox. Something that dosent give as much.
You would think squatting with no shoes would kill your arches.

 

[MDR]

Love me my Chuck Taylor's. Wearing 'em since H.S. 'Course back then they were around 15 bucks. Avoid the board under your heels. nothing but a crutch, IMHO.

 

[Merkaba]

I used to squat in socks but the gym stopped it. They brought up insurance! I told my friend who works there that shit, your crap "personal trainers" and the shit I see them doing to your clients will affect your insurance LOOOOng before me dropping a weight on my foot. Or the fact that you rack 45's at 6 feet high....

Now I squat in $15 flat bottom "deck" shoes. No soft soles. Nothing feels as good with squats, deads, lunges or anything with heel pad driving going on.