Squats and Your Back

[bmjaa]

bump fpr the night crowd

 

[fozzy]

I'm with P-DUB. Regular squats done with proper form are the best overall leg exercise. No leg routine is complete without it. Not to mention it makes you bigger overall.

 

[Dantes]

I will completely agree with regular squats kicking the shit out of smith squats. (I remember someone saying the only thing it was good for was hanging your towel on) However, Dorian Yates said his legs only really started to grow when he switched to Smith Squats... but who knows with that guy?

 

[eagle64]

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1. RESEARCH UPDATE: Squats And Your Back
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Are squats really bad for your back?

New research shows that squats -- often criticized on the basis
they're "bad" for your back -- could actually be doing your spine
some good.

....examined the back of the man holding the current world
record for the squat. Despite being able to squat over 1,000
pounds, several scans revealed a remarkably healthy spine.

He is probably a young and big bone and joint man, and, most important, HE IS ONLY ONE!

How many big guys have suffered back injuries because of squatting?

And how many not so big guys found out to have a worn out back after 10-20 years of squat?

I am sorry, I was en enthusiast like you, when I was 20, 30, 35.
Not now (38).
Starting to collect the "bills" from weight lifting for more than half my life, and it is not nice.

And do not tell me it is the poor form or excessive load, this it just nothing that applies to me.

It is just that, the human body is NOT designed to heavy squat, dealift, and so on and so forth.

It is nice to do, it is useful to get big and strong, it may make feel you good (at least it did it to me).

But it is definitely not healthy and it is not going to improve your spine health.

 

[P-DUB]

Eagle 64-

I can see where you're coming from. I retired from football a few years ago. I've had several surgeries and am going in to do work on the knees soon (5 weeks). But squats have never (by themselves) hurt my knees/back. It's that damn plastic grass that screwed me up! I'm paying for it now, but squats are the only thing that keeps my legs big. I can't press too much, knees can't take it, and other movements (ext'ns and lunges) I can do but with moderate weight only. Squats are the only thing I can lift HEAVY and I've never had a prob. Just my experience...

P-DUB

 

[The_Eviscerator]

I have been saying this for years. Every guy I talk to at the gym that has recurring back problems never did squats or deadlifts. My guess is that their spinae erectors have become so weak that their back was a time bomb waiting for injury.

I have been squatting for 13 years and I have never had a back injury. Of course I always practice good form and I don't push the limits unless I can maintain proper form. ( a good rack with a mirror in fron and one on your side helps for this).

 

[Lumberg]

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

Actually I saw a guy doing the worst front squats I've ever seen. It was like good mornings with the bar in front.

I've always had a problem with front squats because I always felt like the bar was choking me, so since football I don't do 'em!

JC

 

[The_Eviscerator]

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

Do front squats.


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

I hope you were joking. No disrespect, but front squats are a nice exercise, but they really don't hit the full thigh like back squats. I don't find them difficult, I just find them unnecessary.

 

[solidspine]

I still believe you can eliminate or at least minimize the risk of back pain with front squats done correctly.

Yes front squats hit the quads more than rear or hack squats, but my over leg size and glutes have never been better,

Squats are only one exercise you want to do for your legs.


With regards to lower back and hamstrings, good old stiff leg dead lifts seem to burn the hams and strengthen the lower back, for me.

I am not a chiropractor I sell interbody anterior fusion implants (autograft) for spinal surgery.


I am off to the gym, right now ----it is leg night


Oh yes, with regards to knee pain that could be a host of things, torn meniscus, cartilage or ligament strain.

I tore my anterior left meniscus skiing Squaw Valley two years ago and it still hurts on occasion when I lift heavy.

I always wrap that knee and it has helped me maintain my routine.

 

[eagle64]

I can understand the position of the most of you guys.

But, trying to be consistent, do you really think that our spine disks are built to have few hundreds kilos over them and then move?

Some of you have never suffered back injuries from squat, I have and I have seen many guys having that.

I would not suggest squat if spine health is a major concern and expecially if the spine is not 100% healthy.


eagle