Quarter Squat V.S Half Squat V.S ATG Squat

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Hi guys. I just really need to know which one is best. I can't find two articles that don't contradict each other. Anybody with a reliable source of information??

p.s. my goal is to squat 400 lbs so proper form is important for me
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Replies

  • jrutledge01
    jrutledge01 Posts: 213 Member
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  • jgcurry3
    jgcurry3 Posts: 172 Member
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    Quarter squats, half squats, are murder on the knees. ATG is the way to go. I used to have issues with my knees during running and heavy leg days doing parallel squats. Then I switched to ATG squats, pain went away.
  • jrutledge01
    jrutledge01 Posts: 213 Member
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    for source/good form/explanations, buy the book starting strength (or stronglifts) both books do very well in covering barbell exercises
  • 7opoundsin16weeks
    7opoundsin16weeks Posts: 211 Member
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    thanks guys
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
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    You should join the bodybuilding group and post this question there.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
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    You should do powerlifting squats (parallel) I doubt you can get ATG with 400lbs on board.

    400lbs/180kg is a pretty impressive goal.

    How much do you weigh?

    http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/SquatStandards.html
  • CristinaL1983
    CristinaL1983 Posts: 1,119 Member
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    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/10-reasons-squats-are-a-terrible-exercise.html?mcid=face

    Edit: Sorry, I couldn't help but think about this article. It's pretty funny...

    I always go parallel, I had some knee problems in high school and my physical therapist told me to make sure I at least got /slightly broke parallel.
  • ThriftyChica12
    ThriftyChica12 Posts: 373 Member
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    what is "ATG" squats?

    i am just starting to do squats with body weight only, as i have knee issues. even tho i do not let my knees go pasts my toes, i CAN NOT find a squat position that is painless...how can i do squats without hurting my knees?
  • 7opoundsin16weeks
    7opoundsin16weeks Posts: 211 Member
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    You should do powerlifting squats (parallel) I doubt you can get ATG with 400lbs on board.

    400lbs/180kg is a pretty impressive goal.

    How much do you weigh?

    http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/SquatStandards.html

    Right now I weigh around 155 lbs. By the time I can squat 400 I'd probably weigh 145-150
  • kuntry_navy
    kuntry_navy Posts: 677 Member
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    quarter and half squat?? ATG for sure! 90 degrees or lower. If you want to boost your squat work on explosiveness, and don't skip out on hamstrings
  • 7opoundsin16weeks
    7opoundsin16weeks Posts: 211 Member
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    what is "ATG" squats?

    i am just starting to do squats with body weight only, as i have knee issues. even tho i do not let my knees go pasts my toes, i CAN NOT find a squat position that is painless...how can i do squats without hurting my knees?
    I honestly don't know what is best for the knees but most ppl agree that ATG is the best form. ATG stands for *kitten* To the Ground
  • 7opoundsin16weeks
    7opoundsin16weeks Posts: 211 Member
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    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/10-reasons-squats-are-a-terrible-exercise.html?mcid=face

    Edit: Sorry, I couldn't help but think about this article. It's pretty funny...

    I always go parallel, I had some knee problems in high school and my physical therapist told me to make sure I at least got /slightly broke parallel.

    thanks. this helped
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
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    You should do powerlifting squats (parallel) I doubt you can get ATG with 400lbs on board.

    400lbs/180kg is a pretty impressive goal.

    How much do you weigh?

    http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/SquatStandards.html

    Right now I weigh around 155 lbs. By the time I can squat 400 I'd probably weigh 145-150

    What are you currently squatting?
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
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    Parallel or ATG.
  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
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    400 won't even be warmup on leg press if you can squat 400 to parallel.

    I would be floored if any person at 150 could squat 400 lbs. (yes I know some guys can do that, but still). That is a serious accomplishment if you could get there.
  • CristinaL1983
    CristinaL1983 Posts: 1,119 Member
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    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/10-reasons-squats-are-a-terrible-exercise.html?mcid=face

    Edit: Sorry, I couldn't help but think about this article. It's pretty funny...

    I always go parallel, I had some knee problems in high school and my physical therapist told me to make sure I at least got /slightly broke parallel.

    thanks. this helped

    I should mention the most I ever squatted was a 270 1RM (1.75xBW) so I'm not sure how much that actually applies once you get into much higher weights. I imagine it's the same but I really don't know...
  • 7opoundsin16weeks
    7opoundsin16weeks Posts: 211 Member
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    You should do powerlifting squats (parallel) I doubt you can get ATG with 400lbs on board.

    400lbs/180kg is a pretty impressive goal.

    How much do you weigh?

    http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/SquatStandards.html


    Right now I weigh around 155 lbs. By the time I can squat 400 I'd probably weigh 145-150

    What are you currently squatting?

    Today I squatted 280 lbs, but I felt like I could go up to 300. I was barely reaching parallel
  • 7opoundsin16weeks
    7opoundsin16weeks Posts: 211 Member
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    400 won't even be warmup on leg press if you can squat 400 to parallel.

    I would be floored if any person at 150 could squat 400 lbs. (yes I know some guys can do that, but still). That is a serious accomplishment if you could get there.

    You have no idea how great this made me feel about myself. I do see myself squatting 400 lbs when I get to 150 and that just made me realize.. its a big deal !. thank u :)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,709 Member
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    Lol, you squat that much then you look manly and bulky. And according to other threads you've posted, that's not your goal .:laugh:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/942905-myth-women-can-t-bulk-up

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • 7opoundsin16weeks
    7opoundsin16weeks Posts: 211 Member
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    Lol, you squat that much then you look manly and bulky. And according to other threads you've posted, that's not your goal .:laugh:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/942905-myth-women-can-t-bulk-up

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    lol yea its not my goal. i still don't look manly. maybe if i could squat half a ton or sth, definitely NOT wanting to get there