Squats: Form and Quad Isolation

[Ceolin]

I have found that I am able to take on much more weight and go deeper when taking a wider stance in my squat while using my abs, hips, etc, to perform the lift.

While I feel this is giving me a great lower body workout, I'm wondering if I compromise on quad development by using this form.

My quads are always more sore afterwards when I take a closer stance (6 - 8 inches), but as I add weight I can not go as deep and I push down on the balls of my feet too much.

Thoughts?

[Flex500]

heres the thing I am all about going low as hell. But when I do I feel like I am all hips. When I get me feet a little closer and go just to parallel my quads get rocked.

[niceasey]

I have found that I am able to take on much more weight and go deeper when taking a wider stance in my squat while using my abs, hips, etc, to perform the lift.

While I feel this is giving me a great lower body workout, I'm wondering if I compromise on quad development by using this form.

My quads are always more sore afterwards when I take a closer stance (6 - 8 inches), but as I add weight I can not go as deep and I push down on the balls of my feet too much.

Thoughts?

Try front squats-much better for your quads when you become accustom to them

[jamieo]

Try front squats-much better for your quads when you become accustom to them

I agree... It took me a few days to get used to doing front squats, but I do them regularly now.

[Ceolin]

Try front squats-much better for your quads when you become accustom to them

Do you have suggestions on form for these outside of the myriad of animated pics out there?

[Berserkersdmf]

You should be able to go lower with a closer stance,than with a wider stance.If thats not happening,you may have some form or flexibility issues.The wider you go,the less your quads will be involed.The front squats are pretty basic.Just keep the bar racked across your delts(you should feel the bar touching your neck)Thats where alot of people slip up.Other than that the biggest difference from a back squat is that you wont sit back so much.Your upper body should stay slightly more upright.
Practice with a broomstick,or empty bar and you should be able to get the form down.

[niceasey]

Do you have suggestions on form for these outside of the myriad of animated pics out there?

I hold my arms out in front of me and rest the bar on my shoulders. I then cross my left hand and hold the bar on my right shoulder and vice versa.

I use a mirror to check form. Before squatting I stand with my back straight look into the mirror and mark it. I always look at this mark when squatting.

[Ceolin]

You should be able to go lower with a closer stance,than with a wider stance.If thats not happening,you may have some form or flexibility issues.The wider you go,the less your quads will be involed.The front squats are pretty basic.Just keep the bar racked across your delts(you should feel the bar touching your neck)Thats where alot of people slip up.Other than that the biggest difference from a back squat is that you wont sit back so much.Your upper body should stay slightly more upright.
Practice with a broomstick,or empty bar and you should be able to get the form down.

I think it's that my rear is closer to the ground when my legs are further apart. Regardless, the power is not there when I need it on heavier sets when approach parallel, so I don't go any deeper. Maybe I should drop the weight on the closer stance until I gain more strenghth?

I will practice front squats this evening and try a set tomorrow morning since it's leg day. Any advice on foot position for these? Wide or close?

[$AJ]

back squatting will always be about hips/hams/glutes; not quads to a heavy degree. for betst quad work, do front squatting.

[lonewolfshome]

if you want to hit the quads more put in the front squat , excellent leg exercise . i use to do 3-4 sets after squats but you can figure out yourself when to do them .

[$AJ]

if you want to hit the quads more put in the front squat , excellent leg exercise . i use to do 3-4 sets after squats but you can figure out yourself when to do them .

yea, fron squatting is very good