Determining proper squat stance

nossmf
nossmf Posts: 12,073 Member
edited November 18 in Social Groups
I read a suggestion online about how to decide how wide to place your feet doing squats, wanted to get the opinion of the crew here.

Sit down on a bench or box with height where your legs are at the bottom of your squat depth. Put your feet one inch apart, try to stand up. You'll automatically lean forward to shift your center of gravity. Sit back down, move your feet a few inches further apart, try standing up again.

Keep repeating this process of moving your feet further apart until you can stand up without leaning forward. If you were to keep moving further apart, you'll start leaning forward again.

Your preferred squat distance will be the point where you can stand up without leaning. Opinions?

Replies

  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I haven't tested that but initially my assumption is that once you place a load on your back it can change things.

    Similarly this is why some people will have movement issues during a BW squat but not necessarily a loaded squat.

  • CarlKRobbo
    CarlKRobbo Posts: 390 Member
    As per SS on this... Although i do my BW Squats as my regular squat stance.

    Probably might work for some. Could maybe be used as part of assessing someone for squat stance though
  • schpitt
    schpitt Posts: 37 Member
    My squats are very poor, low weight and wobbly knees but I found that when I went to a heavy weight (110kg) that my knees came inward to parallel for the push up. Is that ok?
  • CoachFrenchie
    CoachFrenchie Posts: 135 Member
    schpitt wrote: »
    My squats are very poor, low weight and wobbly knees but I found that when I went to a heavy weight (110kg) that my knees came inward to parallel for the push up. Is that ok?
    Nope. Never; your knees should go outward. Be very careful with your ligaments...this is from my coach; he competes in squats / deadlifts. His form is awesome. But mostly; his clients never get injured which is the best reference for me :)
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    schpitt wrote: »
    My squats are very poor, low weight and wobbly knees but I found that when I went to a heavy weight (110kg) that my knees came inward to parallel for the push up. Is that ok?

    Your knees should track your toes. At heavy weights, your knees may want to cave - focus on keeping them pushed out.
  • Hendrix7
    Hendrix7 Posts: 1,903 Member
    edited May 2015
    just to play devils advocate....your knees should never go valgus (caving in completely) however very slightly pulling my knees IN at the moment you reverse the weight as per Dan Green has actually helped my squat a ton.

    http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/05/29/west-of-westside/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBnMjeMYY40

    clearly there is a big difference in doing that in a controlled manner on purpose rather than letting your knees by default
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Hendrix7 wrote: »
    just to play devils advocate....your knees should never go valgus (caving in completely) however very slightly pulling my knees IN at the moment you reverse the weight as per Dan Green has actually helped my squat a ton.

    http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/05/29/west-of-westside/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBnMjeMYY40

    clearly there is a big difference in doing that in a controlled manner on purpose rather than letting your knees by default

    I have seen quite a few people do this. I actually do it myself - I was doing it naturally, but actually did it more consciously after watching that video (well, did as I have a knee issue at the moment - not related to this) - perpendicular is fine imo - just not caving. I would not recommend it to people who are not experienced however - I see it as more of a tweak to getting more power.

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