1/4 squats. Why do people do it?

[captainahole]

are you people calling ego talking about people set up in a power rack with the weight on the safety bars? i can 100% assure you this is not an ego exercise. on the other hand, if youre talking about people who are loading the bar, taking 2 steps, and squating 3 inches, then yes, i could see that as an ego move.

I think people are talking about squatting 3 inches not progressive squatting technique to help get over humps

 

[timtim]

I think people are talking about squatting 3 inches not progressive squatting technique to help get over humps

ok. thanks for the clarification.

 

[JDid23]

a lot of people (myself included at first) are taught to squat to parallel. It is an old myth that squatting past parallel is bad for your knees and will cause you severe leg injuries in the future. I honestly think that is the primary reason why people don't go all the way down

 

[bruce9241]

a lot of people (myself included at first) are taught to squat to parallel. It is an old myth that squatting past parallel is bad for your knees and will cause you severe leg injuries in the future. I honestly think that is the primary reason why people don't go all the way down

I tried this. The weight actually feels heavier on my knees when I do 1/4 squats or only parallel squats. I feel the weight completely lifted from my knees when I go all the way down. Same with coming outta the hole. I feel the weight mostly on my hips and lower back. Sometimes if I don't get enough hip drive and have to push with my legs, I do feel the pain on my knees though.

 

[captainahole]

I tried this. The weight actually feels heavier on my knees when I do 1/4 squats or only parallel squats. I feel the weight completely lifted from my knees when I go all the way down. Same with coming outta the hole. I feel the weight mostly on my hips and lower back. Sometimes if I don't get enough hip drive and have to push with my legs, I do feel the pain on my knees though.

I just went to a squatting boot and man what a difference. Weight went up, reps went up and comfort in the squat is completely different. I real great investment. Completely change my point of balance.

 

[Will Goes Boing]

It's exactly the same for bench presses and dips..... people only go 1/4 range of motion because they're weak and their egos are too hyoOOGe.

They might genuinely think they're doing it right and just be ignorant. I really don't know and I really don't care. Only time it actually pissed me off was when this chubby kid was doing 1/4 squats in the smith machine next to the squat rack where I was squatting. And proceeded to have a, "i'm going to one up you in weights" imaginary contest with me.

 

[RottenWillow]

Though I don't post it in my log, I do this alot of times with heaviest weight possible and the only reason i do it it's because i want to my body and cns get used to take on heavy weights...

Excellent.

I agree that's a great way to accustom the CNS to heavy poundages. Back in late '03 I was hitting about 315 for a below parallel 1RM, and feel for sure I only got that number b/c once a month I'd been loading the bar well beyond my top work set to try out big weights.

 

[RottenWillow]

I tried this. The weight actually feels heavier on my knees when I do 1/4 squats or only parallel squats. I feel the weight completely lifted from my knees when I go all the way down.

Makes sense. Mechanically you're knees take a harder pounding by halting your descent at parallel and starting upward again.


Honestly, I think the partial squats are primarily b/c peeps can use more weight, and hey everybody likes to feel successful at things, so it pumps us up psychologically. Also, I think shitty form becomes way more of an issue below parallel and peeps feel it in their backs as a result, so they associate going deep with danger. I see so many people in the hole looking like their doing fricking good-mornings it's ridiculous.

 

[artificialaspirations]

are you people calling ego talking about people set up in a power rack with the weight on the safety bars? i can 100% assure you this is not an ego exercise. on the other hand, if youre talking about people who are loading the bar, taking 2 steps, and squating 3 inches, then yes, i could see that as an ego move.

yes. the people in my gym do that. your half reps with super heavy weights is legit. I could spot the people that matter using such a technique.

every one else doesn't realize a 1/4 squat is wrong because so few people go ATG and the trainers tell them its proper form.

ooorrr, we have the 400 lb 1/4 squater who would buckle under a full depth 315. I can 1/4 squat 400 and i'm scrawny. he moans and groans so everyone looks in admiration. I do full depth side-by-side in case people are comparing form so they can see the difference in ROM. granted much lighter weight 225-315.

Fuckin people don't realize the full squat is on a different level when it comes to strength.

These same people cant touch their chest on bench or rows or anything they does, but thinks they are the strongest peeps in the gym. lots of other patrons agree as the often get props.

I will try to get a vid so you guys can see this clown.

Full squats get respect. 1/4s are a fucking joke unless you are trying to get used to the heavier weight.

 

[artificialaspirations]

I've started walking out 405 as a sanity check. Not even close to ready yet, but next year....