Squating...

Hey guys!

When you do your squats, how far do you go down?

Often, I use a flat bench, and squat down until I reach the level of the bench, before coming back up again...

as low as you possibly can.

anything that bellow parallel is fine.

6'3"  @213

Squat 1x20x275

press:200, Deadlift:475, Bench:300, P.clean:235, Squat:385

"The only failure that is final is to stop trying to improve"

Guys,
   Will further down result in more size gains?  In other words I should be trying to achieve parallel for a particular weight before upping the weight?

Further down with activate more muscles, primarily your hamstrings and glutes.  This not only results in "more size gains", but it protects your knees.   Anything above parallel is really not worth doing at all.

"True genius, in many fields of human endeavor, is often revealed in elegant simplicity."

- A smart man

Journal: http://www.wannabebigforums.com/showthread.php?t=117358

brihead301


Further down with activate more muscles, primarily your hamstrings and glutes.  This not only results in "more size gains", but it protects your knees.   Anything above parallel is really not worth doing at all.

Bri,
   Protects your knees because you're using less weight?  I did Rip's SS squats today and I'm getting the hang of it, I think.  Feel like falling over backward sometimes.  All the force is through the heels, not the toes.  Is that good?

Do you have the book?  If not, definately read it.

You are supposed to lean forward, and the bar remains directly over mid-foot during the entire squat. 

No, not because you are using less weight, but because the hamstrings and the quads both work together, in unison to balance out all the stresses on your knee.  Above-parallel squats don't engage the hamstrings nearly as much, and therefore there is tons of stress placed on your knees.  This is explained in the book 100x better then I could ever explain it.  Definately check it out if you are serious about learning proper form for all the main barbell lifts.

"True genius, in many fields of human endeavor, is often revealed in elegant simplicity."

- A smart man

Journal: http://www.wannabebigforums.com/showthread.php?t=117358

Bri,
   Thanks!  It is getting to the point where I should read that book.  He has several, right?  What's the title of the one everyone's talking about:  Starting Strength?  Thx Bri!
 
edit:  just ordered it on amazon.

well it depends if your going so low as to force your lower back to arch...that could lead to injury.

As bri said anything above parallel is just wasting time. You want to go as low as you can past parallel for gains and safety without compromising form. Your hamstrings and glutes and hips sort of create a rebound effect and take most of the pressure instead of your knee's. When stopping above parallel, I.E quarter squats that joe bob does in the gym...his knee's are taking most of the pressure when he is at his lowest point.

And the books. Yes starting strength is what you want to read, later on you will want to read practical programing, but I dont think it is nearly as important as reading starting strength.

6'3"  @213

Squat 1x20x275

press:200, Deadlift:475, Bench:300, P.clean:235, Squat:385

"The only failure that is final is to stop trying to improve"

I squat till my hamstrings touch my calves i have relatively little forward lean. If your going for mass especially if your trying to hit the Vastus medialis and lateralis muscles then full squats are a must.

while i would advise that you go below parralel with regular squats, but from personal experience i would advise anyone to stay away from hack squats all together. parallel or not, low weight or not, the pressure on the knees in unbelievalbe.

Bench Press Max - 170kg @ 100kg
Squat Max - 220kg @100kg
Deadlift Max - 275kg @100kg

Weight - 90kg

squat as low as you can to where your still on your heals and your back is straight and knees follow your toes

YOU GOTTA EAT BIG, TO BE BIG!!

NASM certified trainer
NFPT certified trainer

Winter Bulk goal:245-250 by dec 31
Current weight: 235

I go down until it hurts like bejeeezus hehe. My chest is only like an inch or so from my knees. That's fine, right?

Age: 18
Supplements: Whey Protein
Sport: Long Distance Running (5-10k++)
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CarlosJesena


I go down until it hurts like bejeeezus hehe. My chest is only like an inch or so from my knees. That's fine, right?

no. :D

BULKING LIKE A BEAST! AND IT FEELS SOOOOO GOOD!

Supps: 100% Whey protein, Creatine Ethyl Ester, Fish Oil, Jack3d

JMBS


Bri,
   Thanks!  It is getting to the point where I should read that book.  He has several, right?  What's the title of the one everyone's talking about:  Starting Strength?  Thx Bri!
 
edit:  just ordered it on amazon.

JMBS, take 50 mins to watch this carefully, hopefully it'll help.
 
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6529481301858251744&hl#