Squats too low?
Mommy23js
Posts: 31 Member
I was with my 13 year old daughter at the gym last night. She is just starting SL 5x5. A guy came up to us and said she needed to slow down and not go so low on her squats--his recommendation was parallel, or maybe slightly below, but too much and she was going to damage her kneecaps. I have not heard this before, and I tend to think not true. I have bad knees and have been doing 5x5 for almost 6 months and though I dont go as low as my girl, I have not had any knee issues at all since starting the program. Feedback?
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some guy said it to me too, a few weeks ago - he didn't say don't go below parallel, just not atg. same thing, 'bad for your knees'. the problem is, i never know who's full of **** in the gym, and who actually knows what they're talking about . . .
i do have unhappy kneecaps atm, so waiting with interest to hear the verdict.0 -
2 articles:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-rippetoe/squats-lifting-knees_b_4490749.html
http://www.biomechfit.com/2012/02/09/3-squatting-myths-that-refuse-to-die
My 2 cents--babies and toddlers do this every day, all day. It is only as we get older that our range of motion diminishes.Some people do have legitimate reasons for not being able to go low, and that's ok.0 -
2 articles:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-rippetoe/squats-lifting-knees_b_4490749.html
http://www.biomechfit.com/2012/02/09/3-squatting-myths-that-refuse-to-die
My 2 cents--babies and toddlers do this every day, all day. It is only as we get older that our range of motion diminishes.Some people do have legitimate reasons for not being able to go low, and that's ok.
babies and toddlers don't *have* kneecaps. well, not rigid bony ones anyway.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/musculoskeletal/babies-kneecaps.htm
i remember how fascinated i was when i heard that0 -
Actually have been told the same by the physio that treated my knee, although he was saying it "worked the same muscles to not even go below 90 degrees" which is LESS than parallel and a load of crap, so take it with a grain of salt.
Going to full depth is actually better for your knees as far as I know and according to a lot of people out there, as it builds up strength around the joint where you need protection. I think the caveat here is that if you already HAVE issues, it might aggravate them. Hence why the opinions seem to be divided.
That's my take on it, anyway.0 -
I'd much rather see somehow do an ATG squat than an above parallel squat (however ATG is not necessary IMO). Squatting above parallel is what is bad for knees and therefore gives all squats that bad rap. You want to squat to at least parallel (preferably about an inch below) Reason being, being @ or below parallel will give you any even stabilization/pull for the knees from both Quads and the Hamstrings, which actually protects the knees.0
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Thanks all! I really appreciate the feedback. I'm going to let her go on as is. She is comfortable with it--I didnt tell her to go that low--she just started doing that. I wanted her to start lifting to PROTECT her knees. She is a 13 year old soccer player, and I blew my knee for the first of three times, at 15. I really want her to do what she can to prevent the same. The hammy strengthening that comes with the squats is awesome for the knee support.0
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I'd much rather see somehow do an ATG squat than an above parallel squat (however ATG is not necessary IMO). Squatting above parallel is what is bad for knees and therefore gives all squats that bad rap. You want to squat to at least parallel (preferably about an inch below) Reason being, being @ or below parallel will give you any even stabilization/pull for the knees from both Quads and the Hamstrings, which actually protects the knees.
Yes this...I have a friend who is a physiotherapist and a powerlifter...good combo.
He likes to see me get depth when the weight isn't too heavy but he also told me when I am doing weights that are "heavy" for me to get just below parallel...it's not "hard" on the knees and activates glutes and as leadfoot said hams and quads.0 -
I guess I have the opposite problem. I squat pretty low with the bar because it feels more natural to me. I've tried to change my feet position and do below parallel, but it just feels awkward to me. Has anyone had this issue? With ATG squats, I feel it in my hamstrings a bit, but not as much as I'd like to. Any suggestions on how to activate them more?0
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I guess I have the opposite problem. I squat pretty low with the bar because it feels more natural to me. I've tried to change my feet position and do below parallel, but it just feels awkward to me. Has anyone had this issue? With ATG squats, I feel it in my hamstrings a bit, but not as much as I'd like to. Any suggestions on how to activate them more?
Switch to low bar.0 -
I guess I have the opposite problem. I squat pretty low with the bar because it feels more natural to me. I've tried to change my feet position and do below parallel, but it just feels awkward to me. Has anyone had this issue? With ATG squats, I feel it in my hamstrings a bit, but not as much as I'd like to. Any suggestions on how to activate them more?
Switch to low bar.
Thanks! I'll try that out next week and see how it feels.0
