1/4 squats. Why do people do it?

[timtim]

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.

you wanna build squat strength, do this. starting from a dead stop in the hole is very hard. really builds your squat stability and gets you accustomed to how to contract your abs and groin to avoid injury, as well as where you may be weak in the posterior chain: if youre collapsing in, side to side, etc. when you get really heavy at the high 1/4 squat level, like a 4 inch lockout, you feel every musle in your body contracting.

 

[bblazer]

you wanna build squat strength, do this. starting from a dead stop in the hole is very hard. really builds your squat stability and gets you accustomed to how to contract your abs and groin to avoid injury, as well as where you may be weak in the posterior chain: if youre collapsing in, side to side, etc. when you get really heavy at the high 1/4 squat level, like a 4 inch lockout, you feel every musle in your body contracting.

Sort of the same concept with the box squat. Go down below parallel, sit on the box, lift your feet off the floor, and then stand back up.

That will teach hip drive and build muscle in a hurry.

B-

 

[timtim]

Sort of the same concept with the box squat. Go down below parallel, sit on the box, lift your feet off the floor, and then stand back up.

That will teach hip drive and build muscle in a hurry.

B-

i always had trouble transitioning off the box but definately the same concept.

 

[captainahole]

My wife trains with me and is quite strong as compared to the normal(she has a 250+ squat and just shy of a 315 dead both for reps) and I always rag on her for form which she has focuses on everytime we train legs. She always chuckles at the 1/4 squat guys. They do themselves a great service with their poor form.

 

[strictly poontang]

I would agree most are for show, and possibly, the vast majority don't know better. I use the leg press myself because of severe knee instability. Just feels alot less on my knees and still get a solid pump on the legs.
But I did get some advice from my orthopedic that suggested doing "1/4" leg extensions. Not sure if same concept, but she suggested that going only so far negative on the extension would isolate a certain portion of my quad to help with the knee. Maybe the same principle for squats for some. Don't know.
Saw the guy on the flat bench who was bs'ing on cell phone throughout workout and noticed he loaded 180 on the bar. Not a big guy at all and thought to myself, "no way is this guy going to bench this, at least not to his chest". Sure enough, a great 3-4" maximum bench. Gave the high five to his partner afterwards. Awesome.

 

[SaiBoT]

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.

Yeah that's a good strategy! I prefer doing sumo squats to a bench (close to 90 degrees) with a foam pillow working for triples, doubles and singles then straight afterward i will do the ATG close stance squats, it feels like I'm lifting a bunch of feathers @ first... these are kinda off an accumulation phase then when the sumo squats start feeling to heavy I'll just leave them and focus on the ATG squat throughout an intensification phase which will last until I can't progress any more...

 

[nooob]

I personally do 1/4 squats because it more closely mimics my sport. the starting position in the blocks

 

[BC_BOY]

One technique I use in my legouts uses 1/4 squats. I'll start off doing A2G squats and the last set once my legs are fatigued I'll use the same weight but do 1/4 squats

 

[bblazer]

One technique I use in my legouts uses 1/4 squats. I'll start off doing A2G squats and the last set once my legs are fatigued I'll use the same weight but do 1/4 squats

And in doing so, you are putting one of the largest shearing forces on your knee you can. Add to that, that you are doing it when you are fatigued and you are asking for a sever problem.

Stop doing it.

Whenever you feel the urge to do it again, read a chapter from a good tome on kinesthetics or exercise physiology.

You're welcome (I am responding to your knees thanking me).

B-

 

[burnthiscorpse]

I can definatley say that the people in my gym....if they do it...they are doing it to either show off after they finish their 1/4 rep benching or they simply have no idea wtf they are doing. That being said no one really squats at my gym anyways. That thing is a curl rack anyways isnt it???