Are ATG squats really necessary?

[LIVEStrong4Life]

My weight training/football coach says that anything below parallel is a waste. He claims that the only thing that can be gained from it is possible injury and is not needed to train for any type of strength/sport. I feel as though I should go just below parallel, parallel at very minimum. Thoughts?

[Davidthefat]

Are you lineman? if you get into your 3 pt stance, its pretty much a squat

[LIVEStrong4Life]

Are you lineman? if you get into your 3 pt stance, its pretty much a squat

Yeah I'm starting D-line (noseguard) and backup center. In my defensive stance my hams r actually touching my calves. This is also the same coach that said Dlifting w/o ur shoes does not decrease ur ROM at all.

[dizzay20]

below parallel is fine, ATG isnt really nessasary.

[jmt92]

Okay let me put it this way:

ATG=past parallel.That is how it is meant and anyone who says they touch their ass to the floor or whatever is retarded.

Parallel=all you need to get a lift passed in a meet/9.99/10 it is enough for muscle growth.

Claiming a squat is atg=a bunch of flaming over what is and what isnt atg, then an oly lifter comes in who actually probably has experienced true to the letter atg and pwns everyone in said thread.

Go to parallel, ipf legal parallel(look it up).

[SandMayne]

At least parallel is necessary. It's not hard to learn to full squat. It's better imo.

[LIVEStrong4Life]

"ATG=past parallel.That is how it is meant and anyone who says they touch their ass to the floor or whatever is retarded." - test_titan92

I know the phrase ATG is an exaggeration. I was more just asking if anything past parallel is a waste. At the moment, I personally squat how Rippetoe shows in his videos, and I go just slightly past parallel. I'm just curious as to what others think and perhaps take their advice and change my form if necessary. Thanks for the reply.

[jhbart]

squat parallel. A bunch of people here swear by it but its utterly retarded given that its not working your muscles much more than a regular squat plus its harder to get to higher weights to work the important muscles more plus you're just asking to get knee injuries

[jmt92]

"ATG=past parallel.That is how it is meant and anyone who says they touch their ass to the floor or whatever is retarded." - test_titan92

I know the phrase ATG is an exaggeration. I was more just asking if anything past parallel is a waste. At the moment, I personally squat how Rippetoe shows in his videos, and I go just slightly past parallel. I'm just curious as to what others think and perhaps take their advice and change my form if necessary. Thanks for the reply.

fair enough good luck

[the1satanfears]

squat parallel. A bunch of people here swear by it but its utterly retarded given that its not working your muscles much more than a regular squat plus its harder to get to higher weights to work the important muscles more plus you're just asking to get knee injuries

It hits the exact same muscles. But this also impacts your glutes more. Which is important in football. It definitely makes you more explosive to squat ATG.

OP, I would recommend alternating between the two if you can. I swear by only using ATG squats. But I do understand that they max out on parallel in high school football, so you want to train that to.


Btw. ATG squats are better for your knees. Physics says so. Check my sig.

[longhorn_350]

ATG is.......ass touches ground im guessing??

[Gold_Adapter]

ATG is.......ass touches ground im guessing??

ATG, works your ass(gluts) I got a nice ass from squatting ATG, I get notice about it almost every day. I suggest you squat ATG or a inch or two from ATG, I like to stay around a 1-3Inches ATG cuz I have bad knees. Some people say it's hard on your knees and it's easyer, I find it's harder on my knees to keep my form good doing so deep.

[jhbart]

the number of studies I could pull up about atg squats being worse for your knees far passes your one "physics" one. Also, every physical therapist, who generally know more than an average bb.com user has told me squatting is fine but atg is much harder on your knees

[CharlieYo]

Rippetoe, a powerlifter of 10 years and a powerlifting coach of 30 years, says that ATG squats are effectively safer then parallel. Not only do they include more glutes, but it really is down to physics.

In the parallel position, there is an enormous amount of torque on your knees. Then, you have to push back up in the position with the most amount of strain on your knees. When you squat deeper, the weight is more evenly distributed throughout your lower body.

When a lot of people squat deep, they relax too many muscles near the hip, leaving room for injury. It's simplest to say "squat as low as you can (at least parallel) while maintaining tight hamstrings, abductors, and spinal erectors."

Most people simply don't know how to squat correctly, and safely. And when that happens, of course you're going to **** up.

[DanielBeauchamp]

I used to Squat Parallel, but it was hurting my knees when I got up to 225 and 230. The reason I'm guessing is that my knees had to balance a lot of the weight.

So I cut back to about 185 and started going past parallel; right now I have no problems with my knees, my Glutes have gotten stronger, and my Hammies are getting stronger as well; which has been helping my Deadlift.

So it's ATG for me.

[whiteboyy09]

Yeah I'm starting D-line (noseguard) and backup center. In my defensive stance my hams r actually touching my calves. This is also the same coach that said Dlifting w/o ur shoes does not decrease ur ROM at all.

lol 170lb lineman? Im 220 and im D end

[James1247]

It's great for muscle building, but a little harder to go up in weight because of the greater range of motion. It's a different movement. I had to start back at 135 for atg and am now at 205 for sets of 8 but my legs have grown 2.5 inches in about 3-4 months.

[SeanP35]

ATG Squats are not absolutely necessary, but some prefer them over Parallel Squats.

By ATG Squatting, you will most likely experience better strength and growth in the Glutes than you would otherwise.

With Parallel Squats, you could do Wide Stance Squats if you're worried about Glutes, and obtain about the same level of strength and growth gains in the Glutes.

Some people will find ATG Squats are better on their knees, while others will find the exact opposite. Do what you feel is comfortable, not what everybody else is telling you to do.

[hydroquinone]

parallel squats are perfectly fine

atg is overrated

[jhbart]

So you guys are saying that by some miracle every physical therapist I've ever been to is somehow dissolusioned and that you guys in the teen bodybuilding section know more about this **** than someone who went to school for it... makes a lot of sense to me. Don't get me wrong, I used to squat ATG, until, after reading about it and talking to my doctor/personal trainers/physical therapists/coaches, the only people who said ATG was better were the people on this website linking random other websites.

[NewbieX2]

lol 170lb lineman? Im 220 and im D end

lol bro, super awesome. See you in the NFL!

[SandMayne]

parallel squats are perfectly fine

atg is overrated

It's not overrated, it's a matter of preference. Both have their benefits.

[DMB2012]

It's not overrated, it's a matter of preference. Both have their benefits.

SandMayne you are the smartest guy on this forum.......

510 Ass To Grass

[Venewigger]

SandMayne you are the smartest guy on this forum.......

510 Ass To Grass

proof of said weight?

[DMB2012]

LOL, when man numbers are thrown around, people alwayz demand proof. I have no camera.

[IEatPowerRacks]

My weight training/football coach says that anything below parallel is a waste. He claims that the only thing that can be gained from it is possible injury and is not needed to train for any type of strength/sport. I feel as though I should go just below parallel, parallel at very minimum. Thoughts?

Your coach is wrong. Possible injury? Any lifting has the possibility of injury. The full squat actually puts less stress on the knees than parallel as shown in various studies. Regardless, you should be focusing on power cleans rather than solely squats.

[erick15]

My weight training/football coach says that anything below parallel is a waste. He claims that the only thing that can be gained from it is possible injury and is not needed to train for any type of strength/sport. I feel as though I should go just below parallel, parallel at very minimum. Thoughts?

For sports you want to lift with the biggest ROM as possible in every lift.

[Venewigger]

LOL, when man numbers are thrown around, people alwayz demand proof. I have no camera.

so u have no phone 80

[IEatPowerRacks]

For sports you want to lift with the biggest ROM as possible in every lift.

This. Being flexible makes you less injury prone and a full ROM doesn't neglect muscle groups. Also realize that a strong squat does not necessarily mean you'll be fast or explosive. Sprints, Oly lifts, box jumpers will help you a lot.

[DMB2012]

so u have no phone 80

Nope....