Squatting for Quads?

[casualbb]

I'm almost done with my 4th HST cycle. One of my major changes this cycle was I went from leg press to high bar, olympic-style full squats as my main quad exercise.

I basically squat to below parallel with a shoulder-width stance. I really do sit back into it. It seems like I'm feeling it mostly in my hams and ass. For instance, in revisiting my old 5RM on squats, I my quads started to tire out on the last rep, but I kinda grit my teeth and just...ASSed the bar up. It was the strangest thing, but it helped to explain why...

I've noticed that my quad growth seems lacking while my ham and glute growth is off the charts. Not that I'm not pleased, I mean, who doesn't want a bigger ass, but I started squatting with the goal of quad development. So far my quads have added like .5 inches this cycle, but my hips a full inch. Is there anything I should do or change? Front squats maybe? Just looking for some ideas.

-casual

 

[spatts]

I don't think of squats as being for the quads, and the lower you go the more hamstring you recruit...so what you're saying sound like simple physics to me.

If you want to waste your quads, prefatigue them and then squat, and like you said FRONT SQUATS!

 

[nanotitan]

Front SQs are a good choice. You might also want to try a closer stance on your back squats and reducing your focus on sitting back.

 

[endpoint]

squat down and not back

 

[SofaGeorge]

Spatts... how do you suggest "pre-exhausting" quads?

 

[spatts]

Just about any isoaltion move should do...like extensions. Front squats would do it too.

I wouldn't compromise my safety by squatting down instead of back just for the sake of adding a measly inch to my quads. It would be better to do front squats.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

I built my quads by squatting down instead of back... Now these guys are teaching me to squat back.

Squats were the only leg exercise I did. I used shoulder wide stance and squatted deep and my knees were out in front. Guess it's not the safest thing to do.

 

[Citruscide]

I stand on a couple of nickels under my heels... with my stance closer in, tends to hit my quads more than my hammies... then I back it up with zercher squats to nail my hams and glutes.

c-ditty

 

[nanotitan]

Thinking it through, I agree with spatts, just stick to front SQs. Back squatting with your hams and glutes is a skill and an asset, you don't want to ruin that when you could easily add your desired quad size with another exercise.

 

[endpoint]

I wouldn't compromise my safety by squatting down instead of back just for the sake of adding a measly inch to my quads. It would be better to do front squats.

there are safe ways to squat down.....I cant see how it is dangerous

Do you consider this down or back?:
http://138.9.1.58/athleticperformance/exercise videos/Leg Lift videos/back squat.mpg