how far down is best?

[Recruit]

When going heavy for just 1 or 2 reps, do you still want to go rock bottom? I know I shouldn't use them on all sets because then my knees would get weak, but is it alright to use wraps on heavy sets?

 

[Protobuilder]

Good point, Guiness.

I think one problem many people have, especially newer lifters and including myself, is activating the glutes properly. If the hips are to take a large load, the glutes must be firing or you'll shift weight forward onto the knees. That's my take on it.

 

[silver_shadow]

A friend of mine used to always say how squatting wasn't bad for the knees. She did powerlifting for many years then OLY lifting and I heard her complaining the other day that she could't even do a squat now because of all the pain that she had from the OLY squats (and the couple of years powerlifitng too I'm sure).

I've been training harder and longer and my knees are feeling great at the moment. I squat 4x a week and do events as well.

Raimonds Bergmanis was in the Olympics 3 times representing Latvia in the OLY competition. He is also near 40 years old and a top 10 Strongman who is known for competing raw in the events (no belt straps wraps suit, etc...).

You just have to take care of yourself.

well, assuming squatting does "wear out" one's knees, then the choice is to be like any average joe/jane and never workout.... and then suffer from arthritis anyway....

 

[silver_shadow]

What are some precautions you can take other than perfecting and always keeping an eye on your form?

well, i can readily think of warming up enough.

 

[blut wump]

When going heavy for just 1 or 2 reps, do you still want to go rock bottom? I know I shouldn't use them on all sets because then my knees would get weak, but is it alright to use wraps on heavy sets?

I wouldn't recommend using wraps just because it's a heavy set but, rather, because you want to exceed the capacity you are capable of without wraps.

 

[Jim Ouini]

Besides examining old grizzled oly lifters, how about knee problems in countries where chairs and such aren't the norm - like these guys

It'd be interesting to see if these populations suffer more knee problems than, say, people here in the US where we hardly ever deep squat anymore

 

[b fold the truth]

What are some precautions you can take other than perfecting and always keeping an eye on your form?

I'll wear Rehband knee sleeves for warmth from time to time, always use Icy-Hot pre workout. Stretch pre workout and every evening, and I really work the %'s more in my training a lot...not always going above 80% or to maximum intensity all the time.

Listening to your body is KEY. Knowing if something is off or getting sore. Don't be afraid to back off and find what types of squats work best for you.