Squats

[bhsdt97]

Is it possible to be going "too low" on squats?
I'm curious because I've heard conflicting opinions on this.

 

[azrael]

http://stronglifts.com/how-to-squat-with-proper-technique-fix-common-problems/

 

[Lust]

Is it possible to be going "too low" on squats?
I'm curious because I've heard conflicting opinions on this.

If you're just aiming for muscle hypertrophy, nope.

If you are aiming on power, or a sports specific goal, then yes, you would need to activate the fast twitch fibers by... fast movements!

 

[Flyer]

As a general rule, it is safe to go as low as you are comfortable without losing your arch, and without your knees going WAY past your toes (a little over is OK, when your flexibility improves this wont be a problem).

Meanwhile, you can increase on your flexibility by stretching.

 

[Kerpal]

Squatting deep isn't bad for your knees, it's not squatting deep enough that's bad for your knees. And inability to keep arch doesn't justify not hitting full depth. You should go at least to the point that your hip joint is lower than the top of your knees.

 

[Smack]

Squatting deep isn't bad for your knees, it's not squatting deep enough that's bad for your knees. And inability to keep arch doesn't justify not hitting full depth. You should go at least to the point that your hip joint is lower than the top of your knees.

Exactly. Due to the way the load is dispersed, squatting to at least parallel is actually better on the knees than half- or quarter-squats.

And if you can't keep your lower back arched you're doing too much weight. Do not squat higher; instead do not lift so much weight.

 

[Lust]

If you're just aiming for muscle hypertrophy, nope.

If you are aiming on power, or a sports specific goal, then yes, you would need to activate the fast twitch fibers by... fast movements!

Woops, my bad. That was a reply to me misreading "low" for "slow".

As a general rule, go as low as you can without compromising form.