Getting flack for not Getting Low

[Polarhound]

Having an issue that has cropped up a couple of times lately.

Due to birth defects, resulting in tarsal coalitions in both feet, even after a subtalar fusion in one foot,I have less than 20% normal flexion, and even less dorsiflexion, in my feet. As a result, my squat depth is limited. On a wide stance low-bar squat, I finally hit 300lbs on Sunday (training only since February). I have had people come up to me on two separate occasions to tell me that "it didn't count" because I didn't get well below parallel. With the severely restricted ankle mobility, getting there even at bodyweight is a challenge.

How do I respond to these people? I'm proud of reaching the milestone that I have, only to get talked down to over it.

... it doesn't help that one of them, minutes before doing so, asked to work in on the single squat rack at my gym only to do SHRUGS on it, then leave the weight sitting loaded on the bar so they could head to the abductor machine! (Yes, I'm still pissed about that)

[vadimmmo]

Tell them to "show you how it's done then" then laugh when they get crushed by 300lbs

Or you can avoid the situation completely by not taking out your headphones to even acknowledge them

[TouaregV8]

Tell them to mind their own phucking business.

[Corbi]

Seriously tell them to "fuk off", put your earbuds back in and ignore asshats.

[Polarhound]

Tell them to "show you how it's done then" then laugh when they get crushed by 300lbs

Or you can avoid the situation completely by not taking out your headphones to even acknowledge them

I actually don't wear headphones or channel music for the most part. Despite being far from hardcore, my gym does have it's share of serious lifters (more than a few which still bench a fair amount more than I squat) that are both serious and supportive of others pushing their limits. It is just the occasional asshats and, this time of year at least, the school-sports-team BHBs (Bench Press Brigades) that really start to bother me at times...

[SteveWright1]

300lbs off the pegs for a walk out and hold would take a lot of effort for some of us - never mind attempting to squat it
so congrats for getting that done to any depth at all in my opinion

if your in a competition or going for a world record- then obviously there are rules you have to follow and if you do not get what the organisers or judges consider full ROM - then the lift does not count or the world record is not broken

if on the other hand you are training to get stronger for your own personal ambition- then your ROM is your ROM and as long as you are happy that the depth you hit at 300 is the same or very close to the depth you got at 280 or whatever your last milestone was, then its all good in my opinion

[Polarhound]

300lbs off the pegs for a walk out and hold would take a lot of effort for some of us - never mind attempting to squat it
so congrats for getting that done to any depth at all in my opinion

if your in a competition or going for a world record- then obviously their are rules you have to follow and if you do not get what the organisers or judges consider full ROM - then the lift does not count or the world record is not broken

if on the other hand you are training to get stronger for your own personal ambition- then your ROM is your ROM and as long as you are happy that the depth you hit at 300 is the same or very close to the depth you got at 280 or whatever your last milestone was, then its all good in my opinion

Oh, I'm training alright... training to never return to being the 360lb disgusting fatbody I spent my entire adult+ life living as up until 18 months ago. Down close to 190 now, never intend on going back!

[Polarhound]

Quick rundown of my last workout:

Back squat
45 x 5
135 x 5
185 x 5
225 x 8
245 x 6
265 x 4
285 x 2
295 x 1
2 x 300 x 1
300 x 2
225 x 8

Strict Military Press:
45 x 5
95 x 5
105 x 5
3 x 110 x 5

Superset:
Weighted back extension (45lbs), weighted oblique extension (35lb), bodyweight dip
3 x 10

[Tmax55]

Just be the best version of you. If they have to tell you chit like that, they aren't the best version of them.

[latebloomingmom]

ass to grass is not the only way to do a squat..tell them to kiss yours and do what ya do

[Edman316]

People are like crabs in in a bucket. Every time you start to climb out they try to pull you back in. Ignore them and keep grinding. Congrats on hitting 300 lbs.

[drudixon]

Do whatever you want to do. Just don't go around talking about how much you squat.

[cardassian]

Oh, I'm training alright... training to never return to being the 360lb disgusting fatbody I spent my entire adult+ life living as up until 18 months ago. Down close to 190 now, never intend on going back!

Awesome progress bro. 360 - 190 is a massive effort. Props to ya.

[InternetTuffGuy]

Oh, I'm training alright... training to never return to being the 360lb disgusting fatbody I spent my entire adult+ life living as up until 18 months ago. Down close to 190 now, never intend on going back!

Props to you for this. That's an amazing accomplishment.

As for the main topic. I might be inclined to say to them, "No sh*t. Have you considered there might be a reason for going this depth?" Then go about your business. Or just go about your business without the colorful language.

Either way there is no reason to worry about things said by stupid people.

[21infantry]

As a previous poster said your ROM is your ROM, medical reasons trump standards man. If you where capable of doing it and just didn't want to that would be one thing but its not. And who the hell goes out of there way to tell somebody that it doesn't count, in my book that is BS. The only way I offer input is if somebody ask for it, or what there doing is unsafe.

[JimmyJonny]

Why don't you just tell them what you told us ?

Was you tryin to sneak in some bragging with us...... come on be honest, lol.

[Brackneyc]

Having an issue that has cropped up a couple of times lately.

Due to birth defects, resulting in tarsal coalitions in both feet, even after a subtalar fusion in one foot,I have less than 20% normal flexion, and even less dorsiflexion, in my feet. As a result, my squat depth is limited. On a wide stance low-bar squat, I finally hit 300lbs on Sunday (training only since February). I have had people come up to me on two separate occasions to tell me that "it didn't count" because I didn't get well below parallel. With the severely restricted ankle mobility, getting there even at bodyweight is a challenge.

How do I respond to these people? I'm proud of reaching the milestone that I have, only to get talked down to over it.

... it doesn't help that one of them, minutes before doing so, asked to work in on the single squat rack at my gym only to do SHRUGS on it, then leave the weight sitting loaded on the bar so they could head to the abductor machine! (Yes, I'm still pissed about that)

You don't. Simple really.