how far down is best?

[b fold the truth]

As deep as you can feel comfortable.

The wider the stance...the shallower I end up going.

 

[blut wump]

I know deep is harder and builds more muscle but I've heard from many people (PT's and such) that the 100% correct way to do a squat is to go parallel to the floor. Say you were in a squat competion, would parallel count or do they want you to go down deep? Thanks for the info.

Most people in a competition would be performing a Power-Lifter squat. This is significantly different to an Olympic style squat. The wide stance, as Guinness mentioned, causes the hips and posterior chain to bear much more of the load than the anterior chain (for want of a better term).

It's been shown that going deep protects the knees so long as you don't make the mistake of relaxing when fully down. In a PowerLifter squat it's almost impossible for most people to get fully down and parallel is as far as is required. The two movements, PL squat and Oly squat, are not the same lift, though. They just each happen to be called squats.

 

[silver_shadow]

I know deep is harder and builds more muscle but I've heard from many people (PT's and such) that the 100% correct way to do a squat is to go parallel to the floor. Say you were in a squat competion, would parallel count or do they want you to go down deep? Thanks for the info.

PT's?!?!
anyway, in a comp, i believe you have to just break parallel. i'm not sure on this one since i've never competed though.
and i find it pretty astonishing that there are still loads of ppl who think that parallel is *good* for the knees and deep is bad. to all those people i'd just ask one question: ever seen olympic lifting? very often these guys will do an ass to the floor overhead (for snatch) and front (for clean) squat especially on the HEAVIER weights. how do you explain that?!

 

[blut wump]

Does anyone have studies on the condition of retired, ageing, Oly lifter knees?

 

[nelmsjer]

No. The only studies I have seen on Olympic lifter's knees has been that they are the most stable of all athletes. But those were with people currently in the sport. I do not know about after retirement.

 

[blut wump]

No. The only studies I have seen on Olympic lifter's knees has been that they are the most stable of all athletes. But those were with people currently in the sport. I do not know about after retirement.

That's mightily encouraging, though.

 

[sidney61199]

No ones really jumping my ass, but take it easy on me. I was just asking a question. I don't do squats alot (need to start) but when I have been doing them I've just been going parralel I don't know about my max but I can do 225lbs pretty easily (maybe not easily just for 8 reps). I'll have to start going deeper to give it a shot. My other question is will squats make my ass and hams get way bigger? I need my front (quads) to catch up to the back, what can I do? I've got 24" thighs but its mostly int he back, thanks for some advice.

 

[blut wump]

Bear in mind that many PTs' idea of parallel is bottom of thighs parallel to ground rather than tops of thighs. It's rare to see a good squat in the gym. Also, you don't mention it so I thought I'd better, don't squat in the Smith machine.

 

[vin01]

you don't mention it so I thought I'd better, don't squat in the Smith machine.

I'm glad you said it before anybody admitted to that mortal sin.

 

[s8nlilhlpr]

Ass parallel to the floor. No further or you will pay with your knees.

BS, stopping at parallel hurts your knees MORE than going ass to grass. Don't pansy out like most people, do FULL DEEP olympic style squats.