3/4 Squats vs. Full Squats

[Hobbes]

i'm a former football and track athlete, and have trained using full squats for the majority of my weight lifting experience. However, i am wondering if it would be to my advantage if i just did 3/4 squats? From what I understand, I will be able to do more weight, thus increasing the mass of my legs (quads and hamstrings). Leg size has always been a problem for me, even in my prime, my legs would get stronger, but the size never really came with it. what do you guys think?


My goal is to overall increase the size of my legs. I'm on a high protein diet, and taking Jack3d pre workout, creatine, and protein shake post workout.
33
6'0
185lbs
13%?
15 yrs in the gym, off and on

[LatissimusaurousRex]

You would be using more weight, however, decreasing your range of motion thus incorporating less muscle fibers. As long as it doesn't aggravate your knees and you're not rounding your back I'd go as full as you can.

[BigBuck6]

Stick with full range squats if you want to add leg mass try out some reverse lunges and goblet squats for something a little different to shock those muscles enough to grow.

[BgMc31]

3/4 squats aren't effective unless you're an athlete training for speed, jumping, etc. Full squats are necessary for building mass.

[l2elapse]

form over weight anyday...full squat always

[Hobbes]

thanks for the info, looks like i'll be sticking to full squats

[a_bower]

i'm a former football and track athlete, and have trained using full squats for the majority of my weight lifting experience. However, i am wondering if it would be to my advantage if i just did 3/4 squats? From what I understand, I will be able to do more weight, thus increasing the mass of my legs (quads and hamstrings). Leg size has always been a problem for me, even in my prime, my legs would get stronger, but the size never really came with it. what do you guys think?


My goal is to overall increase the size of my legs. I'm on a high protein diet, and taking Jack3d pre workout, creatine, and protein shake post workout.
33
6'0
185lbs
13%?
15 yrs in the gym, off and on

I do agree with the others in terms of range and that it is definately necisary to do full range squats.
Although i must say that when i do 3/4 pulses i notice a much better pump in my quads, especially up the top of the femerus and lateralls, kinda gives me that bulgin look where i want it most. The weight is always on the quads and they dont disengage untill you rack it up.

Personally i alternate between full range squats on the rack and 3/4's on the smith. But with every leg day i always do something full range ie: Front squats or Hacks.

[baseline_9]

I think both full squats and 3/4 squats can be used to develop mass...

By 3/4 squats do u mean not going as deep or not coming up as high?

Again I also see benefit in both of those cases


IMO people who say u must do full squats to develop mass are incorrect and i would love to put you through a workout and see how u feel for the next 7 days after it...

Doing half squats causes a massive build up of tension on ur quads at the point of pause. Pausing also makes it verry hard to return to the top position ( when you actually pause, no bounce)


I see advantages to every type of training if done correctly, if u are stuck in ur ways and say you must only do this or this your simply limiting ur own development


On that note im gona say that i have reciently changed from ATG full BB squats to ATG smith machine squats...

My legs have never been so ****ed in my whole life (quads)