Should I Try to Squat Lower Or...

[EnsCausaMei]

So I'm fairly new to the world of weightlifting/bodybuilding. I started lifting in late June after three months of HIIT style sprint cardio training. As such I know not to expect much from my lifting abilities; however, I've found that I'm pretty good at back squats and leg press (My 1RM on Leg Press is probably close to 500lbs, and my squat 1RM was around 300). So I was kind of upset when I heard from a bodybuilding friend that squats only count if you can reach parallel.
Now I have some of the shortest hamstrings out there. And I'm stretching them, I do yoga twice a week as well as different hamstring stretches at least once a day. Most days I can touch my toes, but some days I'm still at my ankles. Anyway for the past two weeks I've been trying to get to parallel on squat. I tried lowering the weight, and it didn't help. I'm still stuck about five degrees above parallel. I even tried wider and narrower stances, but other than aggravating my pelvis they didn't help me get any lower.
I really want to go back to squatting the way I used to squat, without worrying so much about how deep I could go, but I'm worried that I may be shooting myself in the long run with bad form and what not.
Anybody know what to do, or feel like taking a stab at guessing?

[justinvb_657]

If you care about reaching depth then keep dropping the weight and stretching untill you can squat deeper. If you like squatting high then squat high. Alot of people would say squating to parallel isn't even good enough.

I have super tight hamstrings/calves foam rolling has helped me alot along with static stretchs. After my main sets to atleast parallel I drop the weight 50lbs and do 3x10 of atg its amazing how light the weight feels and how easy it is to drop into a full squat.

[gboue]

Is it better to go lighter and squat deeper than to go heavier and squat as much as you can?!

im not trying to build mass here

[justinvb_657]

Is it better to go lighter and squat deeper than to go heavier and squat as much as you can?!

im not trying to build mass here

What is your goal then?

[Partyrocking]

If you can't reach parallel, then you probably have poor mobility. Try mobility drills for your hips and ankles.

[EnsCausaMei]

Thanks Partyrocking! I tried some of the mobility exercises on T-nation, pretty much first thing that pops up if you google mobility drills, and reevaluated my foot position and now I can reach parallel much more easily.

[Brandon270]

Thanks Partyrocking! I tried some of the mobility exercises on T-nation, pretty much first thing that pops up if you google mobility drills, and reevaluated my foot position and now I can reach parallel much more easily.

Good to hear, man! Keep it up and soon you will do it without even having to think about it