Squatting and pressing

UsedToBeHusky

So... I workout at home. I do not have a squat bar so I'm generally squatting no more than I can press. I am really lacking in strength in my arms, but I'm satisfied with the strength in my legs. I do squats because they make me a little more shapely and they add to my overall calorie burn. Also, I have osteoarthritis in my knees and heavy loads usually lead to a flare-up.

My question is this, is it okay if I don't want to squat more than I'm pressing if I'm not concerned about building strength?

jonnythan

So... I workout at home. I do not have a squat bar so I'm generally squatting no more than I can press. I am really lacking in strength in my arms, but I'm satisfied with the strength in my legs. I do squats because they make me a little more shapely and they add to my overall calorie burn. Also, I have osteoarthritis in my knees and heavy loads usually lead to a flare-up.

My question is this, is it okay if I don't want to squat more than I'm pressing if I'm not concerned about building strength?

Why are you squatting then?

UsedToBeHusky

So... I workout at home. I do not have a squat bar so I'm generally squatting no more than I can press. I am really lacking in strength in my arms, but I'm satisfied with the strength in my legs. I do squats because they make me a little more shapely and they add to my overall calorie burn. Also, I have osteoarthritis in my knees and heavy loads usually lead to a flare-up.

My question is this, is it okay if I don't want to squat more than I'm pressing if I'm not concerned about building strength?

Why are you squatting then?

Calorie burn. Muscle endurance.

jonnythan

So... I workout at home. I do not have a squat bar so I'm generally squatting no more than I can press. I am really lacking in strength in my arms, but I'm satisfied with the strength in my legs. I do squats because they make me a little more shapely and they add to my overall calorie burn. Also, I have osteoarthritis in my knees and heavy loads usually lead to a flare-up.

My question is this, is it okay if I don't want to squat more than I'm pressing if I'm not concerned about building strength?

Why are you squatting then?

Calorie burn. Muscle endurance.

Well, squatting doesn't burn a whole lot of calories. And if you're going for endurance you want to do dozens of reps at a lighter weight anyway. So sounds like you're on the right track.

You mentioned something about "shapely" in the OP so I assume you're looking for muscle volume as well. Doing lots of reps at low weight won't give you that.

UsedToBeHusky

Well I've noticed a change in shape since I started doing them. I was just thinking lots of people do body weight squats and that obviously isn't their max and they still gain benefit from it.

UsedToBeHusky

It just seems silly to me to say squat at your max or don't bother.

UsedToBeHusky

No one else has a perspective on this subject?

tigersword

Body weight squats are more cardio and endurance work than strength work, they share the same name and basic concept, but are two completely different exercises.

Squatting with a low weight will not accomplish much, honestly. If you have arthritis in your knees it's probably a better idea to leave them out completely, but I'd check with a sports doctor and see what they have to say.

DavPul

No one else has a perspective on this subject?

the only perspective that matters is yours. it's not what I would do buy my goals are different than yours. i'm not advocating for 1 rep, or even 5 rep maxes all the time but once i can do more than 10 "that's cardio!" (<--my favorite mfp quote). i've seen some benefit from 20 rep squat programs but even then it's a lot more weight than i can press.

if you like it and it seems to be working for you, go for it. personally i'd try to find a way to go heavier, because it i want to work on the endurance of my legs i'll just go run some hills. but to each their own