Squats all the way down?

VictoriaFL84
VictoriaFL84 Posts: 37
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been doing "deep squats" at the gym where I go all the way down until my butt almost hits the ground. I had an anesthesiologist come up to me at the gym yesterday and tell me never to go down farther than 90 degrees because of risk of injury and nothing more is done after 90 degrees anyways.

Is there any truth to this? I kind of feel stupid if I've been doing it wrong this whole time. I just thought deep squats were better for my gluteal muscles
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Replies

  • SJ46
    SJ46 Posts: 407 Member
    I'm not an expert on squats and I'm sure some experts will chime in but I wanted to say being an anesthesiologist does not make one an expert on squats either.
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    I don't go as low as you (mainly because I can't), but I'd say I go a little past 90 degrees.

    How did that conversation go?!

    "Hi there, I'm an anesthesiologist and I've been watching you from across the way...I've got to tell you your dips are too low."

    WTF, people should worry about their own workouts.
  • SJ46
    SJ46 Posts: 407 Member
    Maybe this will help: http://www.biomechfit.com/2012/02/09/3-squatting-myths-that-refuse-to-die
  • hope516
    hope516 Posts: 1,133 Member
    I am no expert either, but anything I have ever read and my personal trainor has me going into a seated position, which is a 90 degree angle, so that is how I have always done it. However I don't entirely see how going any further than that can not be beneficial. because the further you go the more work it is taking you to get to the standing position. And i agree with the poster that said and anastegioligist (sp) has no kind of credentials to be stating something like that.
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    I wouldn't listen to an anesthesiologist about body mechanics. Sorry, I'm sure the guy is intelligent, but like every other expert out there, he runs the risk of working out of his expertise. If you are having knee pain from deep squats, then stop. If you are not, then keep it up. They're great for your glutes.
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    Maybe he's concerned about gas...:tongue:
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    Maybe he's concerned about gas...:tongue:

    I'm willing to bet the booty was going too low for him to creep.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    *kitten* 2 Grass if you can . the more post parallel you go, the more you work your glutes and hams.
    as long as you have the flexibility and mobility to do it then keep doing it
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    I wouldn't listen to an anesthesiologist about body mechanics. Sorry, I'm sure the guy is intelligent, but like every other expert out there, he runs the risk of working out of his expertise. If you are having knee pain from deep squats, then stop. If you are not, then keep it up. They're great for your glutes.


    yup.
  • Michelle81285
    Michelle81285 Posts: 107
    I can't do deep squats because of previous knee injuries and going past a certain point my knee locks up and I can't get back up, but I think if you are doing them correctly and have no pain keep doing them!
  • ricklperry
    ricklperry Posts: 67
    i'm not an expert but from human anatomy he is probably referring to the extra strain on the tendons around the knee. If you're lifting properly and no with excessive weight the tendons should be fine. improper lifting or sudden bursts of excessive weight might tear the tendon.
  • FranksRumHam
    FranksRumHam Posts: 198 Member
    an anesthesiologist

    </thread>

    keep it up. your *kitten* will thank you...and so will we. :flowerforyou:
    (sorry, just got out of the how to flirt on MFP thread, so im testing the waters)
  • VictoriaFL84
    VictoriaFL84 Posts: 37
    thanks everyone.. it's a hard workout for sure but I keep good form, I have no pain, and I have a spotter for the though last few reps. I want to keep doing them if I can
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    *kitten* 2 Grass if you can . the more post parallel you go, the more you work your glutes and hams.
    as long as you have the flexibility and mobility to do it then keep doing it
    ^yup
  • LindseySprake
    LindseySprake Posts: 333 Member
    Bump.
  • Rivers2k
    Rivers2k Posts: 380 Member
    I wouldn't listen to an anesthesiologist about body mechanics. Sorry, I'm sure the guy is intelligent, but like every other expert out there, he runs the risk of working out of his expertise. If you are having knee pain from deep squats, then stop. If you are not, then keep it up. They're great for your glutes.


    yup.

    Anesthesiology is one of the hardest medical professions to get into. I think he just might be considered an expert on the human body since he has several years of medical school. His profession requires him to be in tune with the human body.

    I'm not saying he is right or not on squats but I don't think I would dismiss him because he is "just an anesthesiologist"
  • crazybookworm
    crazybookworm Posts: 779 Member
    I wouldn't listen to an anesthesiologist about body mechanics. Sorry, I'm sure the guy is intelligent, but like every other expert out there, he runs the risk of working out of his expertise. If you are having knee pain from deep squats, then stop. If you are not, then keep it up. They're great for your glutes.

    This^^. If you are feeling pain, then maybe don't go as deep. But if you feel fine, than keep it up. Every expert has their own personal opinion. That's why no one can agree on anything lol. Just listen to your body :)
  • Shannonpurple
    Shannonpurple Posts: 268 Member
    If your knees will take it you want your hip joint to break the plane of your knee joint, if not you at least want your hip joint to go parallel with your knee joint.
  • jennieth
    jennieth Posts: 105
    My trainer has me go to 90 but then again he has to be worried about me injuring myself and I have horrible balance. I think it is 90 is safe and after that you get the benefits but risk injury.
  • Ramberta
    Ramberta Posts: 1,312 Member
    I wouldn't listen to an anesthesiologist about body mechanics. Sorry, I'm sure the guy is intelligent, but like every other expert out there, he runs the risk of working out of his expertise. If you are having knee pain from deep squats, then stop. If you are not, then keep it up. They're great for your glutes.


    yup.

    Anesthesiology is one of the hardest medical professions to get into. I think he just might be considered an expert on the human body since he has several years of medical school. His profession requires him to be in tune with the human body.

    I'm not saying he is right or not on squats but I don't think I would dismiss him because he is "just an anesthesiologist"

    I don't think anyone's knocking his credibility as an anesthesiologist. They get paid a lot for their abilities, and they also have to deal with the worst malpractice suits. However, when it comes to working muscles, he is probably not going to be the best expert out there, that's all. As with any random stranger you meet at the gym, words of advice need to be taken politely, but always with a grain of salt. Or a handful.
  • DostThouEven
    DostThouEven Posts: 148
    He\she is incorrect on both counts.
  • rmhand
    rmhand Posts: 1,067 Member
    The 90 degree rule is getting pretty old, but its a good guideline to prevent injury. ATG (*kitten* to grass) squats do have more glute focus. When it come to form make sure you are not tucking you butt under, or rounding your back, in the deepest part of your squat. As long as you knees are pain free then keep it up!
  • Abells
    Abells Posts: 756 Member
    I go past parallel sooooo go for it -- being able to get that low is a good sign of great flexibility in the hips

    agree if you have knee pains you shouldn't though
  • Charles4Jesus
    Charles4Jesus Posts: 89 Member
    Disclaimer: I'm not an expert

    While working out, go as deep as your body will let you. Listen to your body , it will let you know when to stop.

    If you were just maxing out, then I would say go 90 degrees to just past 90.

    Good Day.
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    If it doesn't hurt keep doing it.

    I do my best to go past 90, but if I go too far, I get pain in the front/top of my knee, I always hit 90, but I may not go too far past.
  • Docmahi
    Docmahi Posts: 1,603 Member
    I'm not an expert on squats and I'm sure some experts will chime in but I wanted to say being an anesthesiologist does not make one an expert on squats either.

    I agree with this a lot

    Just cause you went to med school/are a physician does not give you the entitlement to tell people how to work out. I personally feel that deep squats are safer because:

    1) You tend to have to use less weight
    2) You will recruit a lot more accessory muscles - which just in general has helped my posture a ton.

    There is a definite counter argument regarding if you have had previous knee damage - but I have torn ligaments in my right knee that were repaired (happened ~ 10 years ago) and I have had no problem with going below parallel on squats
  • 99clmsntgr
    99clmsntgr Posts: 777 Member
    Please remember:
    perfect-squat.jpg
  • dumbmango
    dumbmango Posts: 1
    ATG (A.ss to grass) from my experience with people knee injuries come from bad form
  • Cognito1025
    Cognito1025 Posts: 323 Member
    Please remember:
    perfect-squat.jpg

    Exactly.
  • _SABOTEUR_
    _SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
    I always thought the 90 degrees thing was a minimum. As in, you should at least reach 90 degrees during a squat.

    As long as you knees aren't over your toes and you aren't in pain I say go for it.

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