Wierd way to sqaut???

[mrstamiina]

One of the girls at my gym were squating with the 2/4 piece of wood under her toes with her heels to the floor????

What muslce does that work?

I'm very common with putting the piece of would under heels, but never seen it done under toes.

 

[gingersnap]

Hmmm, I don't know but little variations are always good to surprise the muscles.....was she squatting a lot of weight?

 

[takniteasy]

I have known women (and men) use boards to raise their toes so that they are forced to dig their heels in and use their glutes to explode on the up. At least that was how it was explained to me. I tried one time and noticed no difference.

 

[Nonerz]

I'm not sure about that one. It almost seems like it would hyperextend the ankle. If he/she wants a more explosive squat, go deeper.

I'm thinking that the board under your heels provides some feeling of stability...although chucks are way better!

 

[2Shy]

I'm such a klutz that if I tried a board beneath my toes to improve glute performance I would instead use my toes/balls of my feet to get out of the hole and fall flat on my face.

 

[takniteasy]

I am right there with you Nonerz. Like I said I tried one time and did not notice any difference. I too find that if I want to involve the glutes more, then I have to go past parallel, and more often go ATF. I was shown how to squat flat footed, in other words, nothing under toes or heels and wearing shoes with no arch (no running shoes, aerobic shoes). It's all about form!

 

[Nonerz]

I was shown how to squat flat footed, in other words, nothing under toes or heels and wearing shoes with no arch (no running shoes, aerobic shoes). It's all about form!

Chuck Taylors make for great squatting and DL'ing shoes...no arch! I know people must think I look stupid with my cute little workout outfit on...and Chucks!

 

[2Shy]

I never realized how much a difference flat soles made until I tried them. Still waiting for my Chucks, but I was able to find a "regular" pair of tennis shoes at Payless of all places. They made a huge difference.

Problem is I'm almost overwhelmed by all the choices with the Chuck Taylors. Do I stick with basic black (it goes with everything) or splurge on the leopard print or hot pink ones. Ooooo...how about one of each and a matching spandex outfit?

No?

 

[Nonerz]

I've got black on black...keeping it sleek and simple!

 

[JJFigure]

I actually prefer squatting with OLY shoes - they've made dropping below parallel in a wider than shoulder stance much easier for me.

Still use the Chuck's for DL'ing though. My PLer actually had me put nickels under the front of my feet when I was wearing regular cross trainers to DL with; I was having problems sitting back when I pulled, and by creating a flat surface with the plates, I was able to pull much easier. I bought some Chucks as soon as we figured out that was my problem.

 

[RottenWillow]

I squat bare footed. ....always. I've got to feel the bare floor under my feet. It's just a mental thing. Especially during the first half of this year when I got my squat up over 300lbs. I absolutely wouldnt even consider it with shoes on. Since I stopped squatting for a while to allow my butt to delate (and my poundages dropped like 90lbs) I still squat that way out of habit.