SQUATS

belgerian

I have recently started Strong lifts 5 by 5. I belong to a pretty nice gym a nice variety of free weights, equipment, cardio machines, and weight machines along with cable machines. I see quite a bit of people doing free weights, but very few at the squat rack. Like less than 10 percent. Just curious why? I am not complaining becouse I dont have to wait to use it. Just curious.

cwolfman13

A lot of people have no clue what they're doing for one thing. A lot of people have never learned to actually do the basic compound lifts for another...and would rather waste a bunch of time doing arm curls and leg extensions and other isolation movements that are really meant to be accessory rather than foundational exercises.

patrickblo13

My gym is the same way. We have a power cage and a squat rack and I never have an issue with using either. Lot's a Bro's working those Bi's though!

I think a lot of people are intimidated to squat or deadlift.

Cc215

When I first started going to my gym there was only me and one guy ever using the rack. Seems to have gotten busier lately - with other women. It probably is utterly unrelated - but I have decided to take it as I'm inspiring these women to try it out too.

Although I do wish they would get out of there when I want to use it!!

auddii

Don't say anything too loudly, they'll start using the squat racks for curls.

At my old gym, for a long time I was the only one using the squat rack (good thing because there was only one). Then, some more people started lifting (several did strong lifts), and that got to be problematic.

I changed gyms, and the squat racks are always busy even at 5:30am. I can usually get in, but they're rarely free for long. It's nice to see so many people squatting and deadlifting, but there are definitely a few who always do partial squats or in general use bad technique. Even saw one of those guys teaching his friend how to squat.

idontcarroll

My gym is the opposite. There is always someone in the three racks we have.

You're lucky...don't waste time wondering.

212019156

I think there are a few reasons:
1) a lot of men are only worried about training the visible parts of their upper body
2) a lot of women think they will make their legs bulky
3) people are afraid to do them
4) they are hard to do (meaning a lot of people don't like to do difficult tasks)
5) some people are afraid of making a mistake and looking stupid

There are other reasons why people don't squat, but these ones just came to mind.

MityMax96

quadgasm wrote: »

My gym is the opposite. There is always someone in the three racks we have.

You're lucky...don't waste time wondering.

Same at my gym.....

I hate when I can't get a rack.....

RHachicho

Personally I think it's because the squat can be quite a problematic exercise for a lot of people. I do them. But in the end I am somewhat limited. Since I have a dodgy knee. I do a heavy 5x5 set but realistically sometimes I have to stop at set 3 or 4 because my knee just says no. The whole thing makes the exercise painful and awkward. So I can see how some people get put off. Squatting is also an exercise that can cause injury quite easily if the form is off. So a lot of people are intimidated by that or run accross injury trying to do it. I am kinda the exception I pushed through and learned to do a squat right with the help of a pt. But my knee is dodgy anyway and even if I squat right sometimes it gives.

I make up for it by doing a lot of machine work on my legs. And focusing on deadlifts and rows to strengthen my core back and legs. The squat is a great exercise. But it puts a decent amount of strain on multiple levering points in your body. And so is often worked around by those of us whose bodies are a bit worn down.

LoraF83

cwolfman13 wrote: »

A lot of people have no clue what they're doing for one thing. A lot of people have never learned to actually do the basic compound lifts for another...and would rather waste a bunch of time doing arm curls and leg extensions and other isolation movements that are really meant to be accessory rather than foundational exercises.

This. And because they are hard. People typically chose the path of least resistance, and squats require a lot of resistance.
But I don't mind that no one else does them. It just means I have the rack to myself.

belgerian

cwolfman13 wrote: »

A lot of people have no clue what they're doing for one thing. A lot of people have never learned to actually do the basic compound lifts for another...and would rather waste a bunch of time doing arm curls and leg extensions and other isolation movements that are really meant to be accessory rather than foundational exercises.

This is funny becouse its true last night was my night at the rack doing my squats all 4 incline benches were taken up due to people doing curls.

Lofteren

Take note of the people you see at the squat rack. I'll bet you see some impressive specimens squatting regularly. I'll bet you see some less than impressive specimens on the machines regularly. There's a reason.

cwolfman13

It also depends on the gym I'd say. My gym has a dedicated room for "heavy" lifting and compound lifts...it is generally a pretty happening room to be in. Conversely, the cardio machine area of my gym is rather small. The main room at my gym is largely dumbbells and other free weights and a handful of cable machines. There are a couple of other machines as well that are kind of tucked back into the corner...

Most people at my gym are into either body building or power lifting and most people I see at my gym use compound lifts (including squats) as the foundations of their routines...but my gym is also really, for the most part, a dedicated free weight facility. There's not a whole lot of other reasons to go to my gym other than to get your lift on.

KarenJanine

Enjoy having the rack to yourself. Once people see how much weight you're pushing they'll all want in on it.

redfisher1974

I have a smith machine in my home gym and love it for squats... Having had both my knees scoped this year I need to keep the weight light for a while.. Knees are feeling better every week.

JoRocka

quadgasm wrote: »

My gym is the opposite. There is always someone in the three racks we have.

You're lucky...don't waste time wondering.

me too.

we have 2 racks and 1 powercage- and there are days when every rack is taken for squats or OHP- and there are at least 3 people on the floor deadlifting.

be grateful and don't worry about other people.

Hadabetter

A lot of people don't go to the gym in order to be weight lifters, they are using weight training in order to improve performance in other sports. The best strategy for these folks is to devote most of their time training in their sport of choice, and then hit the gym to do isolation weight training in support of that sport.

Strong lifts 5 by 5 is a great program for weight lifters, but it wouldn't be my first choice for someone who is trying to be a better runner, swimmer, basketball player, discus thrower, etc, etc.

monkeyinasuit

I found it varied by timing at my old gym-the lifters came out at night. The morning was pretty free and everyone was on the cardio machines. Of course when we bought our home, we moved to an area that had zero parking at the gyms and no good walkable options nearby-we bought our own treadmill and power rack for the cost of 2 annual memberships at our old NYC gym and the only person I compete with for time at the squat rack is my husband.

mustgetmuscles1

Because they are hard.

dlvuyovich

A few more minutes and I am off to do my pause squats and deadlifts, yay!

I was already excited for it to be 'that day' but now i'm even more stoked.

Thanks for all the posts on squatting.

Niff314

I'm using dumbells for my squats because I don't (yet) have access to the bar. My boyfriend is a powerlifter and some of the women he lifts with can squat over 350lbs (so awesome). I'm getting ready to join a gym with the proper equipment and a trainer to help me with my lifting. I'd never try the bar without guidance and a spotter, which is probably why most people have an aversion to them.

dbmata

Don't need a spotter for most work squattin.

My tuesday squat workout had me hit 100 reps on squat over 3 sets. Fear it.

212019156

Actually Stronglifts or Starting Strength (or other variations of these) are actually pretty awesome for most sports. I would use these as the basis for a training program and add in sport specific accessory work. There are exceptions but for most sports this formula works really well.

Hadabetter wrote: »

A lot of people don't go to the gym in order to be weight lifters, they are using weight training in order to improve performance in other sports. The best strategy for these folks is to devote most of their time training in their sport of choice, and then hit the gym to do isolation weight training in support of that sport.

Strong lifts 5 by 5 is a great program for weight lifters, but it wouldn't be my first choice for someone who is trying to be a better runner, swimmer, basketball player, discus thrower, etc, etc.

Showcase_Brodown

dbmata wrote: »

My tuesday squat workout had me hit 100 reps on squat over 3 sets. Fear it.

And did you have to sit in an icebath the entire next day? Holy DOMS, Batman!

But back to the original question, I think squats are intimidating to a lot of people. It's a very technical movement in which you're moving a lot of weight. It's challenging and tiring. It's frightening if you've never done them, especially if you are self-conscious and worried about people watching you.

Honestly, on my squat days, I don't usually approach it saying, "Yay, Squats!" It's usually like "F---, time to squat. Here goes."

But it's those 10% of people you mention that know the value of the squat and do them because it's a great exercise with lot of benefits.

BaldheadSlick

Lack of an empty squat rack is the main reason I "opened" my home gym again. Less variety, but invaluable for 5x5 type training. Sadly, weather's getting cold so back to the "bad place" again soon.

srmchan

Showcase_Brodown wrote: »

Honestly, on my squat days, I don't usually approach it saying, "Yay, Squats!" It's usually like "F---, time to squat. Here goes."

But it's those 10% of people you mention that know the value of the squat and do them because it's a great exercise with lot of benefits.

Yes and yes! I'm always happy to have them behind me.

Sam

Sam_I_Am77

Many people don't have a clue, don't pay attention. Squats are awesome, embrace the discomfort, embrace the challenge.

jorge_ta83

I am also doing 5x5 based on SS program. My gym is hit and miss, sometimes they are empty some times they aren't. For my own selfish reasons I would love no one used them lol.

But most of the time I have the chance to use them. I only hate when you have this guy doing his shoulder shrugs or bicep curls on the squat rack.

Which reminds me a picture I saw today, I actually LOLed

dbmata

Showcase_Brodown wrote: »

dbmata wrote: »

My tuesday squat workout had me hit 100 reps on squat over 3 sets. Fear it.

And did you have to sit in an icebath the entire next day? Holy DOMS, Batman!

But back to the original question, I think squats are intimidating to a lot of people. It's a very technical movement in which you're moving a lot of weight. It's challenging and tiring.

Heh, naw, surprisingly, no soreness past Thursday. I remember the day I tested and found my new 1RM, I had done 180 reps already by then over probably 20 sets... then decided to test 1rm, hit 187 reps that day, but 315# up without my knee fighting. (That 1RM lasted a week before I hit 385 for 5.)

I was sore for three days after that. lol

I think you nailed it though, a lot of people fear that much work. It's hard. I often feel happier coming out of the squat session than going in. I know my squat/dl sessions are going to hurt, a lot. However, they're going to make me strong.

So you take your medicine.