squats: go as low as possible?

[hope7]

Go as low as possible, or just when my thighs are parrellel to the ground?

 

[simon]

Go as low as possible, or just when my thighs are parrellel to the ground?

As low as possible.

 

[Hitman10000]

Isn't that hard on your knees though, or even a chance of messing it up?

 

[Potbelly]

hitman I have the same question. sometimes after squat workouts my knees hurt the next day. i am only 17 tho

 

[TyTe`EyEs]

"Ass to the grass" isn't that great on the knees, especially when you start getting heavy. Personally, I just go to parallel.

 

[mrRuckus]

"Ass to the grass" isn't that great on the knees, especially when you start getting heavy.

Prove it, please?

Or did you just hear that from some "big guy" in the gym?

 

[TyTe`EyEs]

Prove it, please?

Or did you just hear that from some "big guy" in the gym?

I'm speaking from personal experience. It might have something to do with that sharp shooting pain I get. Or maybe it was what that big guy was saying.

 

[simon]

1.) Anyone who tells you Oly squats are bad for the knees is a certifiable moron. The knee is at its most disadvantaged and dangerous possition at parallel. By squatting to parallel, you stop and reverse the movement RIGHT at its most fragile point. THIS is very dangerous, which is why parallel squats should only be done by competitive powerlifters. Squatting past parallel is much safer, as you reverse the movement deep in the hole, where your knee is pretty damn stable.

2.) Generally, if volume/frequency isn't the issue, its a form issue. How are you squatting? Are you sure your form is correct? What kind of footwear are you wearing? Whats your stance? We can talk about this more in depth if you'd like.

Quote from Freddy at:

http://forum.mesomorphosis.com/training-forum/how-to-oly-squat-134233514.html?highlight=squat+form

 

[DrSassyPants]

Am I the only one who lacks the flexibility to go farther than parallel?

 

[Hockey Playa]

dont go 90 degrees, its bad on your knees Scrapes away at it, doctor told me

 

[kickureface]

someone told me, knee shouldn't go past the toe. so how would you do squats to the ground with this?

 

[simon]

someone told me, knee shouldn't go past the toe. so how would you do squats to the ground with this?

That's just a general rule. Everybody's squat is different though. Try to sit back with your hips more. Hips should move first, then knees.

Am I the only one who lacks the flexibility to go farther than parallel?

Try different stances and sitting back more.

 

[KillaCam]

Depending on how flexible you are, the lower you can, often the better. But as has been said, flexing to parallel does the trick.

My old Phys ED teacher is a former bodybuilder, he swore by the theory of "The lower the better". Shame about the athritis that followed!

 

[manuva]

dont go 90 degrees, its bad on your knees Scrapes away at it, doctor told me

Most doctors I've spoken with readily admit to knowing little about physiology. My education regarding the human body and it's components was not nearly as intense or long lasting as that done by medical practitioners, but the focus is on different areas.

Doctors learn a lot about the way the body works, but seem to have limited knowledge of how it moves.

Generally speaking, when squatting you should go as low as possible whilst keeping your knees level with or behind the level of your toes to prevent shearing force through the knee.

Ass to grass squats only become dangerous (assuming proper technique is enforced) when the squatter goes so low that he can relax on his haunches. If the knee joint is relaxed at the bottom of the squat whilst under loading, then bad things can happen.

 

[Celadus]

I was reading an article by John Berardi the other day and he says most bodybuilders say go deep but this is ineffective for some people. Depends on your body type and how long your legs are relative to other parts of your body, etc. He says this is true of other lifts like bench and deadlifts.

I don't think he's a quack, he seems like a pretty respectable trainer. His eating program gets a lot of attention. He has a few articles on bodybuilding.com. You should research it some.

Celadus

 

[Celadus]

I packed the book with the article in my car and can't get to it for a week, but it had something to do with optimal mechanical advantage and injury prevention. He suggested changing up feet stance too.


Celadus

 

[Celadus]

Its called "From Scrawny to Brawny" by John Berardi. It's a pretty good book if you are tall and naturally thin. Only the section on posture and the deadlift, squat and bench press positioning sections are unique though.

Once I get it out, I can make the good sections "available" to you.

Celadus