Squats

[suk_my_chuddys]

Hi, I'm new to the pling thing. I've been looking at some pics and it looks like u guys use a real wide stance when squating. Is this standard practice, coz I have been using a just wider than shoulder width stance. I know by going wider i could go heavier I just thought this was wrong? yeah sorry I'm a full novice.

[JackBags]

By going wider you can use more of your hips, glutes, and hamstrings! These are the stronger muscles for the squat.

[marco187]

bump

[momotheglutton]

This might be unique to me, but I used to do them roughly shoulder width and it always hurt my lower back. Now that my stance is very wide, I haven't had any problems.

[suk_my_chuddys]

Thanks momo. I find when I go wider I don't have to leen as far forward when I come down low also.

[AJ Roberts]

As said by JackBags going wider activates the hips, glutes, and hamstrings. It also reduces the range of motion of the lift!!

[suk_my_chuddys]

. It also reduces the range of motion of the lift!!

So it does. So u power lifters don't do A-to-the-G squats then? more box squats.

[AJ Roberts]

box squats, band squats, chain squats. Most do not go ass to grass, because in competition you only need to have the hip joint in line with the knee, so no need to train deeper with max amount of weight IMO.

[lifterg]

With a wide stance, if you can break parallel by more than 3 inches you should be a yoga instructor.

wide stance is easier on the knees (and back too). Try moving your feet out until you can keep your lower leg prependicular to the floor. It takes the valgus, varus and shear forces out, and delivers a more efficient transfer of force to the floor.