Parallel Squats?

[ilovesus]

Just wondering how many of you guys go all the way down to parallel when squating or just far enough down to where it feels right.?

[ArmedHammerd]

i go parallel to were my thighs r a little bit lower than being level with the floor

[M302_Imola]

I go down to just above parallel

[ilovesus]

I seem to get the same results when i stop a little above parallel. Ive always hit parallel but just started stoping a little short and iam hurtin 2 days later!

[ilovesus]

Alot of football camps ive been to stress that you have to hit that low point to get good results. I cant 100% agree with that.

[ArmedHammerd]

Alot of football camps ive been to stress that you have to hit that low point to get good results. I cant 100% agree with that.

yup i was told the same in high school when i played football do you do front squats as well??

[FireGuy]

If you arent going to at least parallel you arent squatting.

[ArmedHammerd]

If you arent going to at least parallel you arent squatting.

x 2 here at my gym everyone likes to box squat to me that isint a true squat

[ranging1]

x 2 here at my gym everyone likes to box squat to me that isint a true squat

very true but a box squat is amazing for building strength fast in squats

and also helps prevent alot of injuries generated from squating heavy

aswell as they help assure you ur hitting parrelel and making sure u do squat to low and risk injuring yourself

i squat right on parralel when i squat heavy with low reps (e.g 220kg 6 reps)

ill go just below parralel when i train light with higher reps (e.g 180kg 12 reps)

i always find this approach helps prevent injury, and helps build strength and size

but like fire guy said u need to get to atleast parralel, the squat requires mainly lower back, glute and hamstring strength, to hit these muscle groups u need to hit the parrellel level

if you dont go this low your cheating, and using more of ur quads then anything else, which isnt correct and ur targeting the wrong muscle groups

it s also wickedly horrible on ur knees if you to half squats

[FireGuy]

very true but a box squat is amazing for building strength fast in squats

and also helps prevent alot of injuries generated from squating heavy

aswell as they help assure you ur hitting parrelel and making sure u do squat to low and risk injuring yourself

i squat right on parralel when i squat heavy with low reps (e.g 220kg 6 reps)

ill go just below parralel when i train light with higher reps (e.g 180kg 12 reps)

i always find this approach helps prevent injury, and helps build strength and size

but like fire guy said u need to get to atleast parralel, the squat requires mainly lower back, glute and hamstring strength, to hit these muscle groups u need to hit the parrellel level

if you dont go this low your cheating, and using more of ur quads then anything else, which isnt correct and ur targeting the wrong muscle groups

it s also wickedly horrible on ur knees if you to half squats

I would disagree with that. I think the increased spinal pressure from a loaded stop is to be avoided at all cost. If you want something to stop you use the rack and safety bars. This way if you fail the load is released from your back and spine.

[T4o3n2y1]

IMO its best to go as low as you can without your back rounding. For me this is just about the parallel position or slightly above.

[Mr.Rose]

Wtf, i dont get this, am i the only one that squats down to the floor, i do deep squats always, till my hams touch my calves, thats all the way to the floor. IMHO thats the only way to squat, that shows true strength, i believe that half squats (90 degrees) is cheating. But thats just IMHO.

[MuscleScience]

I would disagree with that. I think the increased spinal pressure from a loaded stop is to be avoided at all cost. If you want something to stop you use the rack and safety bars. This way if you fail the load is released from your back and spine.

Load on the lumbar spine is increased in the sitting position by about 40-50% depending on the author. Regardless sitting increases the compressive forces to the lumbar discs. Couple that with the inherent impulse subjected to the disc as the person sits down on the box no matter how slow they think they are going. One can only imagine how much force that the lumbar spine is subjected to during the box squat.

I am not saying that the box squat cant be performed safely and without injury. I am saying that the exercise is not worth the risk vs benefit for the average bodybuilder or exerciser. In my opinion it is only useful for top level powerlifters, olympic style lifters or top level athletes.

[stevey_6t9]

always ass to ground and leave a stain

[LeroyB]

Both for me - mostly Ass to Ground!
I get sad becuase it means a lot less weight to be honest - but I like it because it attacks the whole leg!

[M302_Imola]

Wtf, i dont get this, am i the only one that squats down to the floor, i do deep squats always, till my hams touch my calves, thats all the way to the floor. IMHO thats the only way to squat, that shows true strength, i believe that half squats (90 degrees) is cheating. But thats just IMHO.

IMO, ass to ground squats with heavy weight (315lbs and above) is asking for injury. Now if you're going light (around 225lbs) then that's fine.

[green22]

ATF IMHO is best is you have no problems with knees and quad tendons. I used to squat ATF, could hit 405 but through the years developed severe quad tendonitus, and tore quad tendon. I had no problems till I started ATF but had tremendous growth in total leg developement. Now I can only squat to slightly above parallel, and only once a month due to quad tendonitus. So for me ATF is a thing of the past........but if your body will let you then I say got for it, the growth will speak for itself.

[ArmedHammerd]

one thing i notice about box squats is you can lift alot more that way than Parallel to me Parallel is the only way to go imo plain and simple its alot more impressive seeing someone take over 400 lbs Parallel than box sqauting