Squats and Your Back

[alien amp pharm]

Well damn, you all have convinced me. Free weight squats from now on.

 

[supertech69]

If you're not growing, you're not squatting enough! I squat untill I'm ready to puke.

 

[Twitched]

There is an incredible full body anabolic effect (with the release of GH) as the result of all of those stabilizer muscles firing during the squat.

Squats on the smith machine may build some quad size if you are lucky, freeweight squats will cause your entire body to grow.

If you are going to do smith machine squats you might as well use the hack.

Frankly, you have to be doing squats or you aren't serious.

 

[G ChildlihC G]

Free squats are great, don't do them as often as I should though.

 

[bmjaa]

Re: when I do squats with even light weight.

I feel like my knee's are goiong to blow out. What am I doing wrong ?

What is your stance? if not sure have someone watch you or video. I'd bet you have a wide stance or a wider than you knees like! The wider the stance the more pressure you put on the knees.. Also, make sure you NEVER let your knees travel beyond your toes as you do a rep. With good form your knees should not be bothering you.

Good Luck

 

[solidspine]

This is such an amazing and universal misunderstanding I think it is humorous,

The solution to form issues and gaining a lot of size through intensity is very simply:

Do front squats.


It is impossible to this exercise incorrectly without falling down or breaking your collarbone, your form will be perfect or you will land on your ass. You use half the weight and double the intensity.

I honestly think this exercise is too hard for most guys and they avoid it, and simply do back squats.


Front squats are serious and you get serious results.

PS

I think back squats are fine for girls and people that normally use machines

 

[athlete03]

This is such an amazing and universal misunderstanding I think it is humorous,

The solution to form issues and gaining a lot of size through intensity is very simply:

Do front squats.


It is impossible to this exercise incorrectly without falling down or breaking your collarbone, your form will be perfect or you will land on your ass. You use half the weight and double the intensity.

I honestly think this exercise is too hard for most guys and they avoid it, and simply do back squats.


Front squats are serious and you get serious results.

PS

I think back squats are fine for girls and people that normally use machines

Let me start by saying that I do front squats and yes they are much harder. solidspine, are you a chiropractor? I'm trying to remember if I read that a while back.
Also, would you be more prone to hernia during front squats? I seem to feel a little more pressure on my lower abdominal wall.

 

[P-DUB]

Solidspine- I agree fronts are more difficult, but they also focus on more quad then overall leg/glute!

Reg squats, done correctly hit the entire quad, the glutes and hammys!

You should not have knee or back pain when doing them. If you're knees are hurting, then your feet are too close and your not going down far enough and your not sticking your ass out! Feet just past shoulders, toes SLIGHTY out, and SIT! Stick you ass out and use your muscles, not your back! Drive thru the floor with the balls of your feet...not your toes. You should be anchored...and your knees should never cross over your toes!

Good luck and squat heavy!

 

[newpump]

OK Iron bros. I have a slight herniation in one of the disks in my lower back. When the herniation is acting up, squats/deadlifts seem to irritate (read - make it a LOT worse). Any advice to help get stronger/do squats?

 

[tury]

I just don't fell like I do a real leg workout if I don't Squat. Squats will get your entire body tired and exhausted. And yes it is true with good form you don't need a belt or knee wraps and it doesn't even strain your back.