Dumb Deadlift and Squat question...

[loco75_dfw]

Please forgive my ignorance... I have been focused on really working on my squat and deadlifts to really increase my strength. Last night was lower body day and I hammered my legs and back.

With deadlifts, do ya'll let the weights touch the floor after each lift or do ya'll hold the weight up at shin level? I found that initially, i was holding the weights to my shins but as the weight got heavier, I had to let them hit the ground first before standing back up.

With squats, is it acceptable to take a wider stance and have my feet a couple inches wider than shoulder width? I found I could really balance the weight better and it would help me to generate alot more force on the way up.

Sorry for the elementary questions.

 

[Kabeetz]

Let the weights deload completely to the floor on the DL's... *MOST* would agree. Think about it.. a full range of motion on the lift requires your end position to be your start position. And it is pretty impossible, if you are anywhere near your 5RM, to be at that end position with those weights not being on the floor (especially with your knees bent as they should be, right?)

And a couple inches wider than shoulder length should be OK, and still be considered OLY squats. Due to variances in body type and structure, it is rare that two trainees will have an identical stance. If you find that your hamstrings are bearing the brunt of the movement vs. the quads, you have entered PL squatting territory. That is not necessarily bad, but it IS different.

 

[Scotsman]

I concur on letting it completely hit the floor. I typically set it down reset my grip and pull again making a set of 5 into 5 singles with no rest in between. When going heavy I completely let go of the bar and stand up to get a breath before performing the next rep.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[xblitz44x]

I concur on letting it completely hit the floor. I typically set it down reset my grip and pull again making a set of 5 into 5 singles with no rest in between. When going heavy I completely let go of the bar and stand up to get a breath before performing the next rep.

Cheers,
Scotsman

What he said.

 

[Scotsman]

Oh and I squat with a fairly wide stance (heels outside of shoulders).

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[loco75_dfw]

Gentlemen, as always, your comments make total sense.

Many thanks!

 

[silver_shadow]

it's usually a good idea to have both squats and deads with a similar stance. i started off doing regular deads (arms outside legs) and a narrower stance squat. after i switched to sumo deads (wider leg stance with arms between legs) i got comfortable with a wider stance squat when earlier it was difficult and just didn't come naturally.

 

[Scotsman]

it's usually a good idea to have both squats and deads with a similar stance. i started off doing regular deads (arms outside legs) and a narrower stance squat. after i switched to sumo deads (wider leg stance with arms between legs) i got comfortable with a wider stance squat when earlier it was difficult and just didn't come naturally.

I pull conventional and squat wide. I used to use a similar stance but have found greater power in the mix I use now.

I do agree that if you squat wide and sumo dead they help each other a lot.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[ricanx99]

Let the weights deload completely to the floor on the DL's... *MOST* would agree. Think about it.. a full range of motion on the lift requires your end position to be your start position. And it is pretty impossible, if you are anywhere near your 5RM, to be at that end position with those weights not being on the floor (especially with your knees bent as they should be, right?)

And a couple inches wider than shoulder length should be OK, and still be considered OLY squats. Due to variances in body type and structure, it is rare that two trainees will have an identical stance. If you find that your hamstrings are bearing the brunt of the movement vs. the quads, you have entered PL squatting territory. That is not necessarily bad, but it IS different.

Kabeetz hits it on the money again... everything he explained is pretty much what u need as far as the info goes... and remember Loco, no question is dumb when it comes to proper training and technique. Its smart to ask for knowledge and it helps to prevent injuries.

 

[holy ghost]

keep in mind variations of squat positions(feet stances) result in different targeted areas being worked. i like keeping it at shin level. down to the floor hurts and it bugs me when i see weak asses throwin sissy weights against the floor when their dead lifting. also try changing your grip up. some say it makes it easier