Squating depth

[MrPerfect]

i get alot of mixed reviews on this topic...

some people pefer to go all the way down, others stop half way

i usually just go till im in a good seated position and then xplode up


how about you guys?

 

[Chris-Winfield]

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[MrPerfect]

ok xploding isnt what i was getting at... read the topic title

WHAT DEPTH is the best for everyone

 

[Chris-Winfield]

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[NAIR]

always down. But I mainly focus on the hack--which I take down until the machine hits the ground. Back and fronts, while "ass to grass," are usually much lighter (225) due to pre-exausting. So, I always go down pretty damn far. I love it

 

[irish2003]

i'm long torsoed/upper compared to my legs so i tend to lean forward alot when i go below parallel....even with plates under my heels so i do still go at/below parallel with the tops of my thighs and try to pause quick before coming back up but i have to limit the work to 1 or two heavy sets due to the lower back pumps

 

[franconian]

I go just below seated. Always done em that way. Alot of guys I know don't even get to the seated position.

 

[NAIR]

I thought we already established that people who don't squat deep, "like ass to grass" are pussies?

 

[dreww]

my grass is on a bench at parallel.

but seriously, i think each varation has advantages. i dont go past parallel. mainly due to lower back issues

 

[sam935]

When I started weight lifting in high school, I was always told to go ass to floor. Thats the way I trained up until 4 months ago. I was squating one day, I had warmed up properly, stretched, etc. As I came up i felt a tear in my left knee. The pain was tolerable so I kept training as I was. A few weeks later I tore my right knee. Needless to say it got worse as time went on. I finally took a few weeks off, and came back lifting light on quads. Now I keep my range of motion a little above parallel. Unfortunately I didn't learn about range of motion restrictions on any exercise until after this event happened. Trust me when I say this: limiting range of motion on squats to parallel or a little above parallel is more for tendons and ligaments rather than muscle obviously.

So, those of you that lift heavy (6-8 reps) on squats may not notice anything now, or next week, or next year, but it will catch up to you one day. If you want to keep lifting without complications, take a second thought to range of motion. Im sure if you talk to seasoned lifters they'll be more than interested in talking to you about their bullheaded injuries.

 

[Chris-Winfield]

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