Squats for BB

[Emerald]

Watching an old BB tape, Craig Tutus I believe. He has some interesting training ideas, one is squats are an accident waiting to happen. That to develop large cut legs doesn't require this dangerous exercise. We are not power lifters trying to gain strength for the next meet. It's about looking good so why risk your back, spine, knees, hips etc. Any thoughts?

[HeadAndArm]

There's always going to be people who swear off certain exercises and still have a great shape to them. That being said however I know of a lot more big guys who swear by squats. I think sometimes it good to listen to the majority.

[MotoLifter]

I love squats, but having broken my back afew years ago i an exremely careful when doing them. My doc says no squating or DLing but I cant imagin not doing those. I do however know some pretty big guys who dont squat, DL or flat BP because they say those lifts are potential life changers if they go badly. Just my .02


Moto

[kelkel]

Any compound movement is potentially dangerous as it involves multiple muscle groups and joints. A bench press is no different in that respect. Proper form is key. I will say though that there are some people that just don't do well with certain exercises either due to their structure / body mechanics or other factors. Basically if you like them do them. If not, don't. If you don't like an exercise and have a negative attitude toward it I would doubt you will make gains from it.

kel

[marcus300]

I think you mean Craig Titus and I would think killing your personal assistant would be more dangerous than squats lol

But, if squats dont agree with you and cause your serious problems dont do them, I haven't done flat bench for years and I use other exercises to stimulate the area which hasn't cause me any less development.

[Armykid93]

Pretty much everyone here told you what you need to know lol, nothing else needs saying. I will say I no longer do bench press but only because of my shoulder dislocation

[Emerald]

My legs are strong but having 275 plus on my traps seems to compress my vertebrae, it feels like that anyways. And, at 52 , I need to be more cautious. . Thanks fr feedback,

Em

[stpete]

I only squat occasionally. And it's only because i like to keep up w/where i am on all exercises. I go heavy w/leg press and there's plenty of times i have difficulty walking for a couple days. And like marcus, i don't bench that much either anymore. I prefer flat bench db.

[Jonnyg419]

I have been squatting for years, basically because from early on the general consensus that I had felt is that if you don't squat you are a *****, I have recently stopped squatting and I have put much more focus on heavy leg presses and lunges, I am still getting great workouts and my knees feel much better. I had been videotaping myself squatting, and even though I had been doing them for years and if people watched and critiqued my squat they would say it looked fine, but i actually had fundamental errors in my squatting technique that were causing me pain over time along with stopping my progress in its tracks. I would like to go back to squatting eventually, but at this point i don't intend to do it unless I completely start from scratch with a serious squat veteran who can tear my form to shreds then build it back up.

[kelkel]

When it comes to squats and form. If your knees are travelling to far out over the foot then the amount of shearing force on your tendons is extremely amplified. You need to make sure your knees are tracking properly over the foot as well as not moving out to far. When you start the movement think about pushing the hips back and down instead of bending the knees. Stand up and try it with body weight. Simply starting properly will make a big difference in your form and ease the pressure on your knees.

kel

[Squats33]

Squat form. Squat is a hip exercise, you need to back down and sit on your butt. Basically chest out, butt out. Sit down on. Box and have all the weight on your heel to mid foot. Your toes should be able to wiggle. That's how I was taught.

[Far from massive]

I am far from an expert on biomechanics but IMHO the first thing we need to do is to determine why we are squatting? If we are squatting for poundage then the squats need to be done with a much wider stance than if we are trying to build muscle for body building asthetics.

I think way too many people get hung up in how much weight is on the bar and think because a change in form allows them to do more poundage its a good thing. To me using form where the feet are closer together and the ass not quite as far out and the back not bent quite as far forward will allow the legs to be stressed with at least 30% less wieght than the typical pwr lifters style. Keep in mind I am talking about minor changes, I am not talking about having the feet a foot apart and the back dead vertical...form of this type is even more damaging. I also don't feel its nessacary to lift the types of poundages many do to see good growth, rather by maintaining form and going light for a few more reps one can see good gains with half the wieght and the benefits to the back and heart (enlargement) will be well worth any small loss of size for the average Joe.

Just my 2 cents....you may have been overcharged.