Re: Gotta squat

On Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:38:33 -0700, VinCe <sweet_rusky29@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

On Aug 31, 9:11 am, John Hanson <jhan...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:40:32 -0700, VinCe <sweet_rusk...@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote in misc.fitness.weights:



On Aug 31, 6:15 am, "Zen Cohen" <atu...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I've been avoiding squats because of an old ACL injury. Instead, my primary
lower-body exercise has been leg press.

Been wanting to take training to a bit higher level and have read from
credible sources that squats being bad for knees is a myth if they're done
properly.

Tried some light squats (free and Smith) and could feel they were working a
lot more than leg presses, but my form feels poor. I've tried to learn
better form by reading about it/viewing videos on the web, but the problem
is that I work out by myself and it's harder to judge my own form, even when
there's a mirror nearby.

What are the best ways to improve form when I'm working out solo?

Face the mirror..

Bad advice.

Legs too wide is a powerlifter lifter's way of
squatting. They are after the weight.

Powerlifters squat as much as they can but that doesn't mean that they
squat too wide.

Okay, but most of them use a wider than shoulder stance.

So what.



On the contrary, they take a stance that allows them
to squat as much as THEY can.

That's it. Using a narrow stance could be more difficult if your am
is to up the poundage.

But I know national squat record holders that squat narrow. How do
you explain that?


I train with a guy who squats 700 in
competition and his heels are 11 inches apart.


Some of the best
squatters in USAPL/ADFPA/IPF history have narrow squat stances.


Well, you said SOME..

And most aren't very wide.



But,
neither wide nor narrow nor shoulder wide is correct for everyone.

I agree with that..


While bodybuilders are to form of the exercise.

WTF are you saying here? Oh, and, most bodybuilders have major self
esteem issues. Never imitate anything they do...ever.


Bodybuilders, and i'm not pertaining to those you believe has egos on
the roof, are more into the movement rather than the weight. How
many bodybuilders you know that can squat the weight powerlifters do?
bodybuilders only elevate their ego when 1. someone is looking and 2.
if there's camera around... And i doubt guys like dexter jackson or
even robert schuh lift just for their ego...

No, bodybuilders as a whole are losers, including Schuh. Period. They
have no redeeming qualities besides the fact that they can grow
muscle. The only thing worse than bodybuilders are the losers that
follow them.

Anyhoo, they care less about the movement than powerlifters do.
Powerlifters can get seriously hurt using the poundages they use with
bad form. A bodybuilder can get by with bad form much easier. I'm
not saying bodybuilders use bad form though. Besides, bodybuilders
only care about what the movement does to their body.




How about decreasing the weight so you could go
down deep while squatting? Once your body had adopted squat in your
routine you will then have no problem with form. Use a stance your
body feels comfortable with. Remember, the more you're conscious on
form the more it would be difficult to achieve. As long as you know
that you're protecting your back and other delicate parts, you're
okay.

Also, have
read that squats with a Smith machine are bad for you because they restrict
natural movement. Agree?

Yes. Just like benching on a smith wherein some stabilizing muscle
won't go into play if you restrict the pathway of the movement.

Last, while I'm still in a learning stage, should I
be going down as far as possible or just get a 90 degree angle? Other
comments

Yes, please do so if you got healthy knees if not then a partial could
be somehow beneficial.. Studies shows that squatting deeply for
healthy knees can be very effective in adding muscles on quads. Just
wear belt at all times.

Why wear a belt? I never wear a belt unless I'm in full gear and that
is usually only a couple of times a year. A belt is not necessary and
is only useful if one wants to lift more weight.

A belt compresses the spine and protects it...

Prevention is better than cure.

I pulled 455X5 a few weeks ago with no belt. No problem. I know a
guy who is 62 years old that has been powerlifting for 40 years and
never uses a belt while deadlifting. You'll prevent far more injuries
by not wearing a belt.


Okay don't wear belt if you squat 100 lbs.

I squat over 550. How about you?
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Gotta squat
    ... They are after the weight. ... to squat as much as THEY can. ... bodybuilders only elevate their ego when 1. ... What's the difference between powerlifters and bodybuilders? ...
    (misc.fitness.weights)
  • Re: Gotta squat
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    (misc.fitness.weights)
  • Re: Gotta squat
    ... Powerlifters squat as much as they can but that doesn't mean that they ... Bodybuilders, and i'm not pertaining to those you believe has egos on ... wear belt at all times. ... Okay don't wear belt if you squat 100 lbs. ...
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