Squat Stance

[Venom]

Hey guys I'm curious on everyone's standpoint on squats. I fallow a wide stance squat with my toes slightly pointed out as demonstrated in this video.

http://youtu.be/2ME8gEN54Ao

In this series he mentions by giving yourself that wider stance it allows you to open up your hips and really incorporate working your glutes, hamstrings, and quads compared to a more conventional bodybuilding squat which focus on quad development.

Granted I primarily train for powerlifting goals, I have friends who body build and constantly critique my squatting.

Just curious on how everyone else squats and the best methods they have found.

[kronik420]

Hey guys I'm curious on everyone's standpoint on squats. I fallow a wide stance squat with my toes slightly pointed out as demonstrated in this video.

EliteFTS.com So You Think You Can Squat Part 1 - YouTube

In this series he mentions by giving yourself that wider stance it allows you to open up your hips and really incorporate working your glutes, hamstrings, and quads compared to a more conventional bodybuilding squat which focus on quad development.

Granted I primarily train for powerlifting goals, I have friends who body build and constantly critique my squatting.

Just curious on how everyone else squats and the best methods they have found.

that's how i do it...

[scotty51312]

If your looking to build explosive power thats the way to go. A wider squat spreads the work to your back, glutes, hammys and the abductor (or aductors whichever one is on the inside) I get those confused. Also helps to take some stress off the knees

[Docd187123]

If you want to just get stronger I'd use a slightly wider than parallel stance or wider. If you want to lift more on your squat for powerlifting I'd go with as wide a stance as you can comfortably go. If you want to focus on your quads, don't go narrow stance. Rather do from squats.

[DontTaseMeBro]

I use squats to target primarily glutes and secondarily, hamstrings. I find that a wider stance with toes pointed outward works best, especially if I go really deep. I don't worry about going heavy as much as concentrating on the depth of the squat and the contraction of the muscle.

If you want to target quads, I wouldn't do a traditional squat with a narrower stance. Instead, I'd do a front squat or stick with leg extensions. There's my 2 cents.

[greenwell001]

I use squats to target primarily glutes and secondarily, hamstrings. I find that a wider stance with toes pointed outward works best, especially if I go really deep. I don't worry about going heavy as much as concentrating on the depth of the squat and the contraction of the muscle.

If you want to target quads, I wouldn't do a traditional squat with a narrower stance. Instead, I'd do a front squat or stick with leg extensions. There's my 2 cents.

Same here. Front squats work wonders for thoracic extension and quads. Remember when going wide to push the knees out

[kelkel]

Experiment with multiple styles and find what suits you best, keeping your specific goals in mind.

[BBTrevor]

Experiment with multiple styles and find what suits you best, keeping your specific goals in mind.

Indeed. I rarely keep to one given stance on leg days myself, I like to mix up my stance in a wide variety and even do fairly heavy squats with my feet pointed inward touching each other going down as far as possible to stimulate the muscle fibres in ways they have never been hit before and also do horse stance karate style type squats. Keeping your goals in mind and being careful to avoid injury and keeping safe mix it up and dont be that person in the gym who never changes their stance or form and sees very few results

[Venom]

Thank you everyone for the awesome tips and suggestions. I'm going to keep squatting the way I have been and make sure I focus on form and depth.

[CrookedBones]

Great link. Currently, I try to widen my stance pretty far. It feels better for me. When I want a narrow stance, I'll use a leg press.

[FordB888]

I compete in powerlifting and have a wide stance myself. I have found that everyone is different depending on their body type, genetics, and how they train. i.e some ppl have stronger back and hams than quads who take advantage of that and squat with a wider stance. On the other hand Iv seen and heard of guys squatting with a very close stance (feet almost together) who can push 500-600lb legal squats. So I would say the answer is subjective and do what works best for you.

[Beethoven]

I also use a wide stance. I like to squat deep and it feels better.

[wicked442]

Does anyone frt sqt? Technique?

[>Good Luck<]

Does anyone frt sqt? Technique?

I fart every time I squat. My technique is to squeeze my glutes to avoid pooping.

See how unnecessary shortforms can become a problem

>good luck<
"He who can take advice is sometimes superior to those who give it"

[30blue03]

Everyone pretty much hit the facts about squat stances, one thing I'll add is if you want to change focus on posterior or anterior chain you can change the placement of the BB on your back lower or higher. Also if you go wide avoid the valgus knee make sure you keep proper dynamic posture, and make sure you have the hip mobility to go wider and deeper you will need good hip mobility to avoid injury