How low can you go ?

I am a certified trainer and I was always taught that any leg exercise(ex:squats)that go beyound a natural seated position are not necessary or safe. Instead, leg exercises should be done with the heaviest weight possible(with good form) to fatigue the muscles properly. This is how I've always done it, but I would like to hear what others have to say. I know everyone achieves results differently.

Thanks Body...I appreciate the info. I'm trying to attain different results, so I think I'll give the other method a try. I'm just very cautious. Do you think that will also help me get rid of a litle fat in the hamstring region?

anything below 90 degrees is completely glutes doing all the work. I like going low, as well.

SamRose114 said:

Thanks Body...I appreciate the info. I'm trying to attain different results, so I think I'll give the other method a try. I'm just very cautious. Do you think that will also help me get rid of a litle fat in the hamstring region?

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do stiff legged dead lifts or leg curls to work the hammies...

Yes you can easily go below 90 with out problems. BUT,,,,, The strain from concentricly contracting both the Psoas Major and the TFL can lead to loss of lordosis in the lumbar spine. This in turn will cause the Quadratus Lumborum to become hypertonic. When this happens you begin to change the proper positioning of L5 S1 creating an imbalance on the coronal plane. This will then increace preasure by 60% Basicly what this means is that you can easily cause disc herniation. It may happen at once or take 5-8 years. If you want to work your glutes do donkey kicks. The Quad will only activate at or around 90 degrees. Just trying to help prevent a problem before it starts. I won't even go into what happens to the patella bursa and retinaculum.

radical_P said:

Basicly what this means is that you can easily cause disc herniation.

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Thanks Radical_P. WHat's your background in fitness, if you don't mind me asking?

No problem for asking. I have a degree in exercise phys. I have a masters in Physical Therapy. I have been in the field for 14 years. I have been the sports medicine director of three practices. I was the Physical Therapist for one of the teams in the NFL. I have been training profesional athletes for 7 years. As well as many other things.

WeirdAl said:

anything below 90 degrees is completely glutes doing all the work. I like going low, as well.

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I am going to disagree with you on this one, bro. Alot MORE glute work - yes, but there is still a tremendous amount of stress that is focussed on the quads.

I say that the lower you squat, the lower the stress hits on the quads. When I am asked about how to stress the lower quad area more, I always tell them to squat, leg press, hack, etc., very deep. The main thing you have to watch when squatting or pressing very deep is to make sure that your body will allow it. By this I mean, if your hips start to turn under you (coming anterior) at the bottom of the squat or press, you need to back off on your depth to the point that the hips do NOT turn forward. You will not be able to see this in a mirror that is in front of you. It is best to have someone you trust and someone that knows what to look for, check you from the side as you perform the squat or press.

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I go a little past 90 d but not all the way to the floor. that hurts my knees