Parallel/ Below Parallel/ OR Ass to Grass?
and waht do you consider the most efficient for the population
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Parallel/ Below Parallel/ OR Ass to Grass?
and waht do you consider the most efficient for the population
As low as possible. The lower you get the more it stretches the hamstrings and gives you a better workout for more muscles. The higher you go the more quad dominant the exercise is.
[QUOTE=patriotsfan8;609425513]Parallel/ Below Parallel/ OR Ass to Grass?
and waht do you consider the most efficient for the population[/QUOTE]
[img]http://new.laxcrossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/jackie-chan-horse-stance.jpg[/img]
this low
I have always heard different opinions and been told it is personal preference. However, in reading a few different articles on the site, I have seen mentions that going to low is bad for the knees, and that just above parallel is sufficient.
[QUOTE=jpk14;609504593]I have always heard different opinions and been told it is personal preference. However, in reading a few different articles on the site, I have seen mentions that going to low is bad for the knees, and that just above parallel is sufficient.[/QUOTE]
That is absolutely not correct. Weightlifters do ass to grass squats their whole lifting carrer. And it works for them. Technique and flexibility is important and it may be the factor that limits you to go full depth. Squatting above parallel can create muscle imbalance if posterior chain is not trained enough. With deeper squats you get an exercise for whole posterior chain and aterior as you get above parallel.
Not saying that you shouldn't do quarter squats, just saying that full squats aren't bad for knees.
Quarter squats can be used, but should be limited. And posterior chain work must be a priority to most athletes, because majority of athletes have some weak link in posterior chain. I have seen few guys who are hamstring dominant, but it's rare.
[QUOTE=dave****;609668803]That is absolutely not correct. Weightlifters do ass to grass squats their whole lifting carrer. And it works for them. Technique and flexibility is important and it may be the factor that limits you to go full depth. Squatting above parallel can create muscle imbalance if posterior chain is not trained enough. With deeper squats you get an exercise for whole posterior chain and aterior as you get above parallel.
Not saying that you shouldn't do quarter squats, just saying that full squats aren't bad for knees.
Quarter squats can be used, but should be limited. And posterior chain work must be a priority to most athletes, because majority of athletes have some weak link in posterior chain. I have seen few guys who are hamstring dominant, but it's rare.[/QUOTE]
I actually read where full/deep squats are better for you than working the quads on a leg extension machine. they say it puts to much pressure on your knees at the point where you legs extend beyond the seat that it creates a shearing action at the joint and where leg rests on the seat.
Ass to grass. There is no other form of squatting IMO. There are too many people that don't even get to parallel though and tell me that they "squat" 300+ . I laugh.
AS said before go as low as you can. ATG squats are ideal but some people can't do them because of mechanical limits. I know this will start sh88 storm of posts but any squat that is 2 to 3 inches below parellel activats all muscles suficantly any squat parelle or above places to much stress on the knees.
[QUOTE=dave****;609668803]That is absolutely not correct. Weightlifters do ass to grass squats their whole lifting carrer. And it works for them. Technique and flexibility is important and it may be the factor that limits you to go full depth. Squatting above parallel can create muscle imbalance if posterior chain is not trained enough. With deeper squats you get an exercise for whole posterior chain and aterior as you get above parallel.
Not saying that you shouldn't do quarter squats, just saying that full squats aren't bad for knees.
Quarter squats can be used, but should be limited. And posterior chain work must be a priority to most athletes, because majority of athletes have some weak link in posterior chain. I have seen few guys who are hamstring dominant, but it's rare.[/QUOTE]
Show me a powerlifter who squats deep and doesn't have a knee issue
[QUOTE=jpk14;609504593]I have always heard different opinions and been told it is personal preference. However, in reading a few different articles on the site, I have seen mentions that going to low is bad for the knees, and that just above parallel is sufficient.[/QUOTE]
Mark Rippetoe has a very good write up on this in his book. He breaks it down biomechanically and physically.
Squatting above parallel pits much more stress and rotational stress on your knees. You should break parallel if only for the sake of your knees
I squat to just above parrallel. It's a preferance based on your sport.
Come my offseason, I'll go ATG.
[QUOTE=desteph;609757853]Show me a powerlifter who squats deep and doesn't have a knee issue[/QUOTE]
I haven't heard of many that do...
[QUOTE=ven33;609693173]Ass to grass. There is no other form of squatting IMO. There are too many people that don't even get to parallel though and tell me that they "squat" 300+ . I laugh.[/QUOTE]
Many olympic throwers only use half or even quater squats - these guys can beat elite sprinters in the 40m dashe.
[QUOTE=desteph;609757853]Show me a powerlifter who squats deep and doesn't have a knee issue[/QUOTE]
if im not mistaken he said weightlifters, not powerlifters. sorry ur argument is invalid.
I used to squat 3 inches below 90, but now I do 90
my overall goal is to get more explosive after my read as I play OLB, what do you guys prefer? 90, or a bit below 90?
i squat parallel but its because i go with a wider stance if your going with a narrower stance you generally squat deeper than with a wider stance.
[QUOTE=Willhu12;609765943]I squat to just above parrallel. It's a preferance based on your sport.
Come my offseason, I'll go ATG.[/QUOTE]
I used to have cycle on texas method or even with the starting strength where I started with relativly low weight and did atg squats, when I stalled on them I switched to a little bit higher squat, but it was below parallel. After that I did gew session with sth slightly above parallel just to drain everything from that given cycle. This is a good way to use them.
As you said, a lot of throwers and shot putters, high jumpers and voleyball players use half squats, quarter squats. But you must make sure to do sufficient volume for hamstrings and glutes.
And, deep squats can always be done after your regular half/quarter squat by stripping some weight off and pumping few sets.
To opener: If you don't want to bother about knee issues and volume done for posterior vs anterior chain then go for deeper option, something below parallel.
[QUOTE=boykid28;609785543]if im not mistaken he said weightlifters, not powerlifters. sorry ur argument is invalid.[/QUOTE]
damn, good call sir
these threads always crack me up. only because if youre going to be squatting then theres one depth that needs to be used.
ask the guys who train this kid-
[youtube]WK7m6I5m6gY[/youtube]
actually when i did go parellel my knees started hurting and i had this knee pain when i squatted and then i went deeper and within a couple months ive had no pain
Squatting to parallel is the best for non-olympic weightlifters. Squatting ATG limits your quad development which is important to lots of sports.
I squat ATG. It's more natural.
Squat as low as you can while maintaining full body tension and an arch in your lower back
[QUOTE=DCSpartan;863039141]Squatting to parallel is the best for non-olympic weightlifters. Squatting ATG limits your quad development which is important to lots of sports.[/QUOTE]
So let me see if I got this straight. Going to parallel develops the quads, but going deeper than parallel somehow limits quad development despite the fact that you're still doing the same as a parallel squat + a little bit on the ROM? I guess going past parallel somehow takes the quads out of the equation on the concentric.
IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE!
/facepalm
I'm not even going to waste the keystrokes to pick apart your argument with things like developing the posterior chain or how "quad development" is a silly notion and has nothing to do with sport specific training unless you play bodybuilding.
[QUOTE=lhprop1;863151121]So let me see if I got this straight. Going to parallel develops the quads, but going deeper than parallel somehow limits quad development despite the fact that you're still doing the same as a parallel squat + a little bit on the ROM? I guess going past parallel somehow takes the quads out of the equation on the concentric.
IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE!
/facepalm
I'm not even going to waste the keystrokes to pick apart your argument with things like developing the posterior chain or how "quad development" is a silly notion and has nothing to do with sport specific training unless you play bodybuilding.[/QUOTE]
I'm definitely arguing for his point, but I think he means to say that if squatting is important because it develops the quads, then going to parallel is better because it allows you to use more weight than going ATG. Again, I'm not taking his side, just saying where he might be coming from.
Ijprop1: Oveously you no nothing about training. i bet you think the guy recommending gas masks for trianing is one of the cutting edge guys on this forum :)
Just kidding, I htink DC is correct thought wrong (how tha tfor confustion). If the squater only goes half way the quads have to activate more to over come the momentom, there by working them harder. Of cource thats a good thing if you don't care about your knees or working the whole chain properly. Who know I look forward to his defence.
[QUOTE=NewbieX2;863156861]I'm definitely arguing for his point, but I think he means to say that if squatting is important because it develops the quads, then going to parallel is better because it allows you to use more weight than going ATG. Again, I'm not taking his side, just saying where he might be coming from.[/QUOTE]
I can see that point, but squatting only to parallel not only reduces hamstring flexibility, it creates shear on the patellar tendon by stopping at an unnatural point. If you want to watch what a squat should look like, watch a 2 year old child. They have perfect form because they haven't developed any bad habits or imbalances.
The reason powerlifters 'only' squat to parallel is because that's the means by which they're judged in competition.
And if squatting ATG limits 'quad development', why is it only ideal for Olympic lifters? Does this imply that they have inferior quads to other athletes? Chakarov's 270kg x 3 would disagree with you.
[IMG]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/lhprop1/chakarov-270x3_lg.jpg[/IMG]
[QUOTE=carl.c;863158241]Ijprop1: Oveously you no nothing about training. i bet you think the guy recommending gas masks for trianing is one of the cutting edge guys on this forum :)
Just kidding, I htink DC is correct thought wrong (how tha tfor confustion). If the squater only goes half way the quads have to activate more to over come the momentom, there by working them harder. Of cource thats a good thing if you don't care about your knees or working the whole chain properly. Who know I look forward to his defence.[/QUOTE]
Is this post in english? Even if you're saying what I think you're trying to say (and that's a big 'if'), it's incorrect.
[QUOTE=patriotsfan8;609425513]Parallel/ Below Parallel/ OR Ass to Grass?
and waht do you consider the most efficient for the population[/QUOTE]
Depends on what you're training for. Remember that all exercise yields a specific response. If you're training for activities that are rarely going to require a full knee bend, then there is literally no reason to go that deep on a squat.
[QUOTE=hockeyd13;863198071]Depends on what you're training for. Remember that all exercise yields a specific response. If you're training for activities that are rarely going to require a full knee bend, then there is literally no reason to go that deep on a squat.[/QUOTE]
We (at least I don't, I'm unsure about you) don't do exercises because they specifically mimic our sporting motion, we use them because they strengthen the muscles involved.
[QUOTE=NewbieX2;863231811]We (at least I don't, I'm unsure about you) don't do exercises because they specifically mimic our sporting motion, we use them because they strengthen the muscles involved.[/QUOTE]
If you're training for power/speed, you're not going to focus solely on standard tempo lifts. While it's true that before you move onto sport-specific resistance training programs that you want to build a base of strength that will prevent injury, if you're not utilizing a full knee bend in any competition activities, then there is literally no point to doing them when training for that specific sport/competition.