question on squat form

[notoriousQQ]

What angles should your feet be pointing at when squatting?

10 and 2 if you were standing on a clock?

Is it more personal preference and what is comfortable?

I pointed my feet just a tad bit out farther than I typically had been during squat day yesterday and it really felt like it allowed me to get a lot better thrust and explosion through my hips.

I know it's a newby question, sorry.

Thx.

 

[FatRat]

I pointed my feet just a tad bit out farther than I typically had been during squat day yesterday and it really felt like it allowed me to get a lot better thrust and explosion through my hips.

I think you just answered that yourself!!!

 

[spatts]

Yep, you said it. I have heard two rules: First rule, keep the toes pointed as forward as possible to recruit the most strength on the ascent; Second rule, do what works.

I'll let you guess which one I go by.

 

[ffknight84]

someone on here told me to point your toes in the same direction as your knees are, that seems to be really comfortable for me...

 

[pwr_machine]

Keeping your toes and knees in the same line often helps keep your knees from turning in, epecially during the ascent.

 

[SofaGeorge]

I've had some severe leg injuries... for me form follows ability... so I use Spatts's rule #2.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

I squat with a pretty wide stance with my toes pointing in the general vicinity of 10 and 2. With a narrower stance my toes go more forward accordingly

 

[notoriousQQ]

Cool. Well, being 6'8 I squat with a fairly wide stance. The feet at 10 & 2 felt very comfortable.

I squat with a pretty wide stance with my toes pointing in the general vicinity of 10 and 2. With a narrower stance my toes go more forward accordingly

 

[epark84]

After finding this board, I realized how important squats were. But when I try to do it, I find that my knees go too far out. When I try to keep them in, I find that I lose my balance. Anyone with any suggestions?

 

[Scotsman]

epark try thinking of it like you are sitting into a chair. Push your hips back first then bend you knees. That will help you sit back farther. Also make sure you aren't looking forward as that tends to make you go forward.

NotoriousQQ- Like the others I would follow Spatts rule #2. Also it depends for me on whether I am using a narrower or wider stance. The wider I go the more I point my toes out. Experiment and see what works for you.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[pwr_machine]

Not too long ago, I posted this answer to a question about squat form. I often teach my trainees squat by getting them to toe up against a wall about 1-3 inches from it. If they can find a comfortable position with their feet and their knees and face don't drag the wall during the movement, they're well on their way to learning proper squat form. It definately keeps you from bending over and forces you to sit back.

 

[asiansinc]

While we're on squat form - is it better to go all the way down ass-to-heel, or not?

 

[jeremys]

While we're on squat form - is it better to go all the way down ass-to-heel, or not?

specificity

if you are a powerlifter and enter a meet and one guy in your weight class squats 800 to parallel and you squat 600 very deep, the other guy still wins.

 

[louden_swain]

Keeping your toes and knees in the same line often helps keep your knees from turning in, epecially during the ascent.

Thats is good information to know!!!

 

[spatts]

LS, one of the reasons this happens is because the lower you go and the more you sit back, the more hamstring you recruit, and the hamstrings guide and protect the knee joint.

Keeping the toes and knees in line requires hip flexibility and strength. This is why I tell lifters they have weak hips when I see their knees caving in.

 

[asiansinc]

specificity

if you are a powerlifter and enter a meet and one guy in your weight class squats 800 to parallel and you squat 600 very deep, the other guy still wins.

What about for muscle hypertrophy?

And are there safety concerns either way?

 

[jeremys]

What about for muscle hypertrophy?

And are there safety concerns either way?

what was mentioned in this thread is good advice

full squats are great for hypertrophy. remember that ass to the floor doesnt neccessarily mean that. dont strain yourself trying to get the last couple inches or anything

 

[spatts]

HOW TO SQUAT SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY

 

[PatsFan34]

I make sure when I start the first rep, my feet are paraelle facing directly forward, but by the time I hit my last rep they usually end up at 10 and 2, but it's all good!!!