Squat Form

[aerowana]

Ok. I have been doing squats full and parallel and above parallel for quite a long time now. And despite liking the full Ass to Floor squats, it has given me really bad knees, despite many people denying it, it is a fact for me at least. This is my personal experience. So , I had to go back to doing parallel squats, they do not stress my knees.

Could it be my full squat form that is bad. When I try to keep my knees behind my toes all the time, I will end up bending forward. And if I try to keep upright, my shin will not be straight and my knees go beyond my toes. Is it normal for full squatters to bend forward and sacrifice spinal uprightness in order to keep the knees behind the toes? I do not use a squat belt also.

 

[d3track]

there are a lot of flexibility and build involved in this (I believe I rember some pelvic tilt issues were talked about by others)

seems to be more common in taller athletes

i think the answer from many will be box squats
i would say maybe look into mixing in front squats as well

 

[aerowana]

Well im not tall, but my legs and arms (extremeties ) are longer in proportion to my height. Is it bad if I sacrifice uprightness to allow my knees to stay behind my toes all the time?

 

[d3track]

you are going to lean somewhat
just don't turn it into a good morn movement

 

[lavi]

how do you do box squats? Just squat to the box?

 

[Bulldog_10]

The knees can come forward past the toes a little bit...that's fine. Too many people try to keep the knees directly over the ankles, which is poor form IMO.

Like D3 said...it may be a flexibility thing...I can do them either way...I can keep my knees DIRECTLY over my ankles and not fall back. It's a weird motion, and it takes a while to get used to...but keep at it and you will be able to do it.

But like I said...for normal people, your knees should come a little forward of your toes...but if your knees are REALLY hurting, try to minimize it.

 

[Tagio]

i would suggest you try front squatting. I find it is very easy on the knees and also improves my form on back squats.

also, are your hamstrings, calves and glutes flexible? if they are not, you'll find your torso getting pulled forward at the bottom of the movement which can cause knee pain for me at least. when i'm all stretched out and flexible, the upright position, knees over or just past toes, feels perfectly natural.

 

[b fold the truth]

www.elitefitnesssystems.com

Read EVERY article there...especially the ones on box squats as well as strengthening the hams.

B True

 

[aerowana]

www.elitefitnesssystems.com

Read EVERY article there...especially the ones on box squats as well as strengthening the hams.

B True

Do I need to subscribe to the mailing. There doesn't seem to be any links to articles, only an online store catalogue.

 

[b fold the truth]

Do I need to subscribe to the mailing. There doesn't seem to be any links to articles, only an online store catalogue.

Look for the link at the top of the page that says "articles".

B True