Squatting--and using your back

[ZZuluZ]

I was squatting the other day (yeah, still without squat rack, scares me everytimy but anyway) and I realized something:

I can deadlift a LOT more than I Squat and the same for StiffLegged Deadlifts. It seems my back was simply a lot stronger than my legs. I was doing a set of box squats for 4 reps...and I was really struggling. THen suddenly: I LEANED forward with my back..and boom the weight flew up.

I`m just curious of how each of you guys squat. It seems be leaning forward an excessive amount my squat really becomes a lot easier. When by back is quasi straight the squat becomes a nightmare.

Any comments would be appreciated,

-Zulu

 

[Exodus]

it means you have a good back

but weak hamstrings.

start bombing the crap out of them.................( i read your strong on stiff leggs.......... if your back hurts it all after them........... then your not doing them right and need to stick your butt out more)

X

 

[brianmincher]

If you have ever seen dave tate or louie simmons squatting, it looks almost like a hybrid good morning, in which at the last moment, they dip their ass below parallel. Bending forward at the waist is imperitive to a good squat. That is why you have to have such a strong trunk to be a good squatter.

You have taken the first step on the path to rightousness.

B.

 

[ZZuluZ]

Sersiously? That makes me feel so much better Brian! I just kept wondering why it is I was relatively strong with other movements yet I couldn't actually squat well. I knew it had to be form.

" it means you have a good back

but weak hamstrings.
"

How can I better my hamstrings? My back doesn't hurt after SLDL....my hams do. I can do 235*4 for SLDL yet only 180*4 for low box squats. However, maybe I could do a lot more if I did what I was trying and leaning forward.

Very interesting Brian..I think you may well be right!

-Zulu

 

[FREAK19]

i squat just using my legs and maybe a lil back, i dont really lean over that much. but i still have a strong back.
i use to have the same problem with having a better deadlift then my squat, but then all of a sudden my squat passed my deads like they were standing still.
in my deadlifts i use very little legs and alot more back. and in my squat i use alot more legs and very little back.

 

[Exodus]

i am the same as freak........... heavy on the legs for squats with as little back as possible and the reverse for deads.

except on sumo deads........ i have about the same stance as squats so my hips get overloaded.

X

 

[sguthrie]

It depends on your leverages. I have a long torso and relatively short legs, so I can keep my back pretty straight when I squat. If you've got longer legs and a shorter torso, however, then you will need to come foreward on the squat. These leverages also make you a better deadlifter by nature.

Besides all that, if you take away all the suportive geam MOST people deadlift more than they squat.

 

[brianmincher]

I can't deadlift shit, and it is not just because of a weak back, anyone who has met me in person could tell you why I can't deadlift much. A person built for deadlifting might be able to deadlift more than they squat, but a person built for benching cannot, even without a suit on. I can take my deadlift max, with a suit, and rep it raw for a squat. It depends upon how you are built.

The good deadlifters that responded to this thread seem to use less back for squatting and more back for deadlifting. I have to deadlift sumo just to get to the bar, and I try and use as little back as possible deadlifting, and as much as possible squatting. I think that the answer depends upon whether you are a natural puller.

B.

 

[Arioch]

I have a very short torso so consequently I lean quite a bit when I squat, and the only way around this is to place the bar somewhat higher. I only do this on occasion, such as an Olympic style squat on a ME day. My deadlift is my best lift, followed by my squat. We don't need to talk about my bench.