My friend and I had an argument the other day about our squat 1rm because he said he could get 350 but he doesnt go that far down in my eyes.  I have always went down to the point where my hams touch my calves or ass to the grass when im squatting for reps or a new max.  Many people tell me theres no need to go down that far though.  So how far exactly should one go for it to be considered one good full rep?

the top of ur thighs should be atleast parallel to the ground, that or lower is fine.

While I agree with what you're saying regarding Parallel being accepted as a full squat, I did them that way from many many years.. recently, I have started doing full, ATG squats and can say first hand, I'm feeling muscles soreness and experiencing growth that I didn't think was possible at my age.. 8 or 9 months ago I would have aruged that gong ATG is pointless and you can achieve the same strength and mass growth going parallel, but now I have to admit, I was wrong.. deep squatting is incredible and anyone physically capable of doing them should give it a go..

ORIGINAL: David1991

the top of ur thighs should be atleast parallel to the ground, that or lower is fine.

ORIGINAL: smoundzou

While I agree with what you're saying regarding Parallel being accepted as a full squat, I did them that way from many many years.. recently, I have started doing full, ATG squats and can say first hand, I'm feeling muscles soreness and experiencing growth that I didn't think was possible at my age.. 8 or 9 months ago I would have aruged that gong ATG is pointless and you can achieve the same strength and mass growth going parallel, but now I have to admit, I was wrong.. deep squatting is incredible and anyone physically capable of doing them should give it a go..

ORIGINAL: David1991

the top of ur thighs should be atleast parallel to the ground, that or lower is fine.

i make sure to go all the way down as well i was just saying that going parallel still "counts"

ORIGINAL: smoundzou

While I agree with what you're saying regarding Parallel being accepted as a full squat, I did them that way from many many years.. recently, I have started doing full, ATG squats and can say first hand, I'm feeling muscles soreness and experiencing growth that I didn't think was possible at my age.. 8 or 9 months ago I would have aruged that gong ATG is pointless and you can achieve the same strength and mass growth going parallel, but now I have to admit, I was wrong.. deep squatting is incredible and anyone physically capable of doing them should give it a go..

ORIGINAL: David1991

the top of ur thighs should be atleast parallel to the ground, that or lower is fine.

100% agreed

ORIGINAL: mr. 209

ORIGINAL: smoundzou

While I agree with what you're saying regarding Parallel being accepted as a full squat, I did them that way from many many years.. recently, I have started doing full, ATG squats and can say first hand, I'm feeling muscles soreness and experiencing growth that I didn't think was possible at my age.. 8 or 9 months ago I would have aruged that gong ATG is pointless and you can achieve the same strength and mass growth going parallel, but now I have to admit, I was wrong.. deep squatting is incredible and anyone physically capable of doing them should give it a go..

ORIGINAL: David1991

the top of ur thighs should be atleast parallel to the ground, that or lower is fine.

100% agreed

 
 
i go WAY past parallel. I'm getting way better gains and my knees hurt alot less than when I stopped at parallel.

i currently go as far down as i can however for some reason thats not much past parallel. like even at the very bottom the top of my thighs are just getting past parallel

Yes you are doing it right.I have judged squatting at powerlifting meets.Of course full squatting is better.Nothing more i hate than people squatting alot of weight and not going full.If your knees hurt wrap them.
I always wrap and use wrist wraps.Why not?Why get hurt.You have only have two knees and two wrists.

ORIGINAL: Beefcake
i go WAY past parallel. I'm getting way better gains and my knees hurt alot less than when I stopped at parallel.

That makes me want to attempt beyond parallel squats... I always just assumed my knees would be more strained that way than by stopping at parallel...

This is probably a really silly question, but do any of you find balancing really difficult? I'm new to this, and short, skinny and female, and so have decided that I'll get my form right with an unloaded barbell before trying anything more intense, but I always feel like I'm going to fall over backwards (I go as low as I can, as in hamstrings meet calves). Help please?

ORIGINAL: Shadowcat

This is probably a really silly question, but do any of you find balancing really difficult? I'm new to this, and short, skinny and female, and so have decided that I'll get my form right with an unloaded barbell before trying anything more intense, but I always feel like I'm going to fall over backwards (I go as low as I can, as in hamstrings meet calves). Help please?

two quick thoughts and hopefully some one else will come along and really help.....

1, flat shoes help quite a bit with stability, if you are wearing sross trainers, or something with a very sloped, wedged or curved heal, that might play into it. Try something like chucks instead.

2, check how wide your stance is, if your feet are too close togethe that might can your stability off, your pitching because your body is desperatly trying to find balance, on to narrow a base.

well.. i'll tell you that the same rules apply to doing squats as when i'm having sex with a girl..

the deeper, the better.

haha.....

seriously though, take those squats deep.  the reason people talk trash about them is b/c YES>>> they're HARD to do.    but i've gotten so much NEW growth from doing ATG squats (below parallel).  my legs are getting nice and full.  i used to have chicken legs... so yea

flat shoes help quite a bit with stability

*examines trainers*

Ah, I think I have it. Now where are my Chucks...

Thank you!

ORIGINAL: David1991

i currently go as far down as i can however for some reason thats not much past parallel. like even at the very bottom the top of my thighs are just getting past parallel

 
(i know this is an old quote)
 
I have the same problem. I know its not the weight because I tried doing ATG with like 10 lbs on each side just to see if it was possible for me and I couldnt get very far past parallel. I dont know if its my bone structure, or maybe I need to stretch?

ORIGINAL: StockJockey

ORIGINAL: David1991

i currently go as far down as i can however for some reason thats not much past parallel. like even at the very bottom the top of my thighs are just getting past parallel

(i know this is an old quote)

I have the same problem. I know its not the weight because I tried doing ATG with like 10 lbs on each side just to see if it was possible for me and I couldnt get very far past parallel. I dont know if its my bone structure, or maybe I need to stretch?

some people have extremely bad flexibility due to VERY tight hamstrings.  they may work on flexibility for years, and it just doesn't seem to get any better.

I know this b/c my flexibility isn't worth siHt.  i've been working on it for a while, and I can barely touch my toes on a good day.