Drop sets for squats

**jdpeters** · 12-18-2013, 09:44 AM

I don't normally go to failure with squats. I dont have a workout partner but usually grab someone on last set of exercise ti make sure I go to failure with heavy weights. However I never get a spot on the squat. It seems difficult to get a squat spot. It also makes me fear going too low as well.

How low is low enough?
Do I go to failure and drop sets on the leg presses and other machine type leg exercises instead of the squat?

**kelkel** · 12-18-2013, 11:44 AM

Just get as close to failure on squats as possible as safety is an issue here. Then follow it with a rest pause set and/or drop set. When you get to machine work then there's no holds barred and take it balls out. Why don't you visit Marcus's Diary in the Lounge. It's all about HIT training and motivation. Take the time to read it from start to finish. It'll take a while but will get you up to speed on many things. It's worth your time.

How low? That depends on your own body mechanics, feel and form during the movement. Some guys can go exceptionally low and maintain great form. Others can't. Find a comfortable depth (parallel at least) that works your quads the most. You don't need to pick up ping pong balls with your butt when squatting!

**DontTaseMeBro** · 12-18-2013, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by kelkel

You don't need to pick up ping pong balls with your butt when squatting!

lol - i'd kinda like to see that

**kelkel** · 12-18-2013, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by DontTaseMeBro

lol - i'd kinda like to see that

With the correct fitness model, absolutely.

**GirlyGymRat** · 12-18-2013, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by jdpeters

It also makes me fear going too low as well.

How low is low enough?

I have no partner and actually questioned what damage I could do to my knees in the angled leg press. I had to reach deep once I crossed a certain plane. I will opt for less weight next time or less reps or not as deep.

**jdpeters** · 12-18-2013, 05:11 PM

I've read a number of Marcus' threads. Awesome stuff. Thats when I decided to go low reps heavy weights to failure to work the 2b growing muscles. However I have been struggling with the squats still.

So, did legs today. Went a little lighter but a lot lower and was able to go to almost failure. Then killed it on the machines. Was supposed to run some errands for my wife after the gym... Went home, ate a ton and took a nap. Wife wasn't happy but best leg day so far!

JP

**Brett N** · 12-18-2013, 06:31 PM

Going parallel or just below is good enough. Toes pointed slightly out with your knees tracking out in the same direction as your toes. There are a ton of videos that show proper form. I like to go pretty low so I can get a hip bounce off the bottom. I don't lift as heavy as a lot of these old time lifters but I can do this with 335lbs with no knee pain or issues. Hope to do 415 someday.

**kelkel** · 12-18-2013, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by jdpeters

I've read a number of Marcus' threads. Awesome stuff. Thats when I decided to go low reps heavy weights to failure to work the 2b growing muscles. However I have been struggling with the squats still.

So, did legs today. Went a little lighter but a lot lower and was able to go to almost failure. Then killed it on the machines. Was supposed to run some errands for my wife after the gym... Went home, ate a ton and took a nap. Wife wasn't happy but best leg day so far!

JP

Outstanding!

Originally Posted by Brett N

Going parallel or just below is good enough. Toes pointed slightly out with your knees tracking out in the same direction as your toes. There are a ton of videos that show proper form. I like to go pretty low so I can get a hip bounce off the bottom. I don't lift as heavy as a lot of these old time lifters but I can do this with 335lbs with no knee pain or issues. Hope to do 415 someday.

No doubt you will.

**Beethoven** · 12-19-2013, 10:43 AM

I've always gone all the way down. When I've tried to only go parallel I've had some issues and haven't been able to go as heavy. Normally I see people loaded up on weight and not even going parallel. Maybe it's just mental.

**kelkel** · 12-19-2013, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Beethoven

I've always gone all the way down. When I've tried to only go parallel I've had some issues and haven't been able to go as heavy. Normally I see people loaded up on weight and not even going parallel. Maybe it's just mental.

Don't you just love people with way too much weight on the bar not even making it to a half squat depth. Kills me.

**jdpeters** · 12-19-2013, 12:24 PM

I can picture that person now... :-)

**Beethoven** · 12-19-2013, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Don't you just love people with way too much weight on the bar not even making it to a half squat depth. Kills me.

And not to get too off topic, but half bench presses and shoulder presses.

**jdpeters** · 12-19-2013, 08:26 PM

That goes without saying... ;-)

**NaijaBoy** · 12-20-2013, 05:47 AM

Honestly, I do not do that ATG nonsense. Box squats/ Bench squats works enough for me. I've reduced my squats from 315 (3-5 reps) which is super heavy for me to doing multiple reps of 225 (15+). I've been working on my reps and in addition with other exercises, has been giving me some great leg workouts.

**M302_Imola** · 12-20-2013, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Don't you just love people with way too much weight on the bar not even making it to a half squat depth. Kills me.

Yes and the same for leg press. That shit fuking kills me!

**gbrice75** · 12-20-2013, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

How low? That depends on your own body mechanics, feel and form during the movement. Some guys can go exceptionally low and maintain great form. Others can't. Find a comfortable depth (parallel at least) that works your quads the most. You don't need to pick up ping pong balls with your butt when squatting!

Couldn't agree more! I know it's nice to look like the badass going ass to heels while squatting, but we need to remember that our goal is to build muscle, not win an olympic medal or strength comp.

**kelkel** · 12-20-2013, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by NaijaBoy

Honestly, I do not do that ATG nonsense. Box squats/ Bench squats works enough for me. I've reduced my squats from 315 (3-5 reps) which is super heavy for me to doing multiple reps of 225 (15+). I've been working on my reps and in addition with other exercises, has been giving me some great leg workouts.

Nothing wrong with higher reps for legs. I routinely do sets of 20 reps with squats / presses.

**Beethoven** · 12-21-2013, 01:55 PM

Agreed. I seem to respond better to higher reps. Going to go back to that soon. It also helps that I have less injuries at my age going higher reps.

**kelkel** · 12-21-2013, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Beethoven

Agreed. I seem to respond better to higher reps. Going to go back to that soon. It also helps that I have less injuries at my age going higher reps.

I did not say light weight!

**Beethoven** · 12-21-2013, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

I did not say light weight!

As heavy as I can not exceeding 15 reps.

**EasyDoesIt** · 12-21-2013, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Don't you just love people with way too much weight on the bar not even making it to a half squat depth. Kills me.

Drives me nuts watching someone spending all this time loading up leg press machine like there putting on a show then barely bend their knees. After their done they look around as if they accomplished something. Hard not to clown them on it.