Squat stance

[Sergeant]

I squat with my feet turned out and little wider than shoulder width. When I go wider the lift is harder and my weights go down. Will squating wider eventually lead to bigger lifts or should I just lift where I am comfortable? If it matters I am only 5'6 with short legs and deadlift sumo with a wider stance than my squat.

 

[CytoMel]

Squatting wider will eventually lead to bigger lifts. Your main squatting muscles hams, glutes and lower back are weak compared to your quads. You will have to bring these muscles up with reverse hypers, glute ham raises, pull throughs etc..this is covered in Dave Tates articles on box squatting and squat 900 pounds, read these at www.elitefts.com under articles

 

[powerlifterjay]

I agree that box squatting will help you get your stance wider. When i box squat i go as wide as possible. As of now my toes hang over the ends of the powerrack when i squat. I think i could go wider but until my gym comes up with someting else i cannot. But i believe box squatting did for me, when i first got into powerlifting i squtted shoulder width, maybe a little wider.

 

[Prometheus]

Did you guys see how wide Brent Mikesell's stance is? Here's a pic:

http://www.powermagonline.com/latest-news/squat-king-image.htm

I have been trying to get my stance wider lately, but I'm still nowhere near Mikesell's. My weights have definitely gone down and I'm still working on balance, but maybe I'll get there someday...