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myth?...or actually helps?

bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/08/17, 12:02 AM heres a area for us to ask random things to discuss...whether these odd ball things....help or don't help for our strength goals! heres a few I ponder: Doing squats with somthing under the heals? -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/08/17, 12:08 AM also decline bench? -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
rev8ball Posts: 3,081 Joined: 2001/12/27	2006/08/17, 02:34 AM Doing squats with something under your heels helps nothing, no matter what your goals! It will only lead to, at least bad form, and, at worst, major injury. -------------- Michael Powerlifters - We eat raw meat, and sleep naked in the snow...
	2006/08/17, 07:04 AM Yep, it makes up for lack of flexibility/balance...
coolnatedawg Posts: 813 Joined: 2005/03/09	2006/08/17, 10:41 AM instead do front squats. and i assume that with a shallow decline the decline bench can be helpful b/c it is "almost" mimicking a powerlifters bench (arch and all). However, going to far would not help except more for aesthetics. Correct me if i am wrong...
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2006/08/17, 11:21 AM I have a question...and this is going to sound weird, but whatever....If I squat while wearing heels (no not at the gym...say I'm picking something up at work) I can squat completetly-ATG. But, if I have flat shoes on, I can only go to 90 degrees....Always wondered why that is...probably just a balance thing I guess...hmmm... I've always found it difficult to go past 90degrees while doing squats at the gym--maybe I should where my heels:big_smile:
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2006/08/17, 11:24 AM damn..."where" should be "wear"
ATIGER Posts: 992 Joined: 2003/02/26	2006/08/17, 01:14 PM thats normal - Big A and Mutt can always go lower doing squats with heels on. Sorry but I could not help it
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2006/08/17, 01:16 PM Well that depends on the height of the heels, and material they are made out of. I mean my leather knee high 6 inch heel boots are way better than the no strap 4 inch mules with the pink feather boa. -------------- Less Talk, More Chalk! The Men and Boys are Separated by one thing: The Squat Cage! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
ATIGER Posts: 992 Joined: 2003/02/26	2006/08/17, 01:17 PM they have more ankle support
ecle5c Posts: 1,312 Joined: 2003/07/10	2006/08/17, 01:45 PM Hmmm.....seem awfully knowledgable in this area to me. ============ Quoting from 7707mutt: Well that depends on the height of the heels, and material they are made out of. I mean my leather knee high 6 inch heel boots are way better than the no strap 4 inch mules with the pink feather boa. =============
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2006/08/17, 01:45 PM Shhh!:big_smile: -------------- Less Talk, More Chalk! The Men and Boys are Separated by one thing: The Squat Cage! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/08/17, 01:49 PM Fly.... I'd guess it has somthing to do with your heals being up higher than your toes. -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
	2006/08/17, 02:33 PM I personally prefer black 8 inch stilettos....glad I am not alone ...always get weird looks from people in the gym....always have to give them the "wtf u looking at, havent u seen a guy on squat day?" look....
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2006/08/17, 02:38 PM All I can say is walking in the 6 inch heels makes for great calf workout. -------------- Less Talk, More Chalk! The Men and Boys are Separated by one thing: The Squat Cage! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
arondaballer Posts: 1,054 Joined: 2003/06/14	2006/08/17, 03:56 PM Hate to ruin the sarcastic tone, but flyonthewall, you made a comment that you have a hard time going parallel on your squats. Something that would probably help would be to increase the flexibility of your hip flexors. By doing this, you will reduce some friction that tight hip flexors cause and it should provide more comfort in your squatting. Although I'm not a big fan of static stretching before most exercise, this is an exception. Do 2 sets or so of 30 second static hip flexor stretches before your sets. Hopefully this could help you. Just my two cents. -------------- I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious. --Vince Lombardi "Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work." H. L. Hunt
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2006/08/17, 05:03 PM Arondaballer, you are probably right. As a runner I have extremely tight hip flexors and I do work on stretching them a lot. Now, I can go to parallel, but I thought it was better to go past parallel...am I wrong there? And guys, you are all wise to wear your heels, they do develop great calves,however I think menace in stilettos is going a bit far and I don't even want to discuss the implications of mutt in knee high leather boots.:laugh: Although you'd probably finally get the squat cage all to yourself!
	2006/08/17, 11:19 PM FOTW yes it's good to go below parallel....I really like the ATG style....
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2006/08/18, 07:33 AM Well I'll just have to do them with heels then, because I can't seem to get past parallel:laugh: Would stance make a difference?
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/08/18, 05:35 PM If you go wider....it will put more stress on your hip flexors. For wide-sumo stance you have to have fairly flexable hips. -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
KC_72 Posts: 3,249 Joined: 2006/05/19	2006/08/18, 05:55 PM Like the new pic...very cool!!
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/08/18, 07:36 PM thanks -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2006/08/18, 11:06 PM Squating with something under the heals helps to better activate the vastus medialis. Why someone would want to focus on this is beyond me. As for the flexibility issue, consider this... Top level olympic weightlifters are some of the most flexible individuals in sports. However, olympic style weightlifting shoes all have a raised heel. -------------- Iron and chalk.
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2006/08/21, 01:37 PM Interesting comment about the wider stance. I tend to go wider thinking it will be easier on my hip flexors. I'll try narrowing my stance and see what that does. -------------- Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/08/24, 10:09 AM How abotu old school hack squats...barbell behind your back? -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/08/25, 10:46 PM I've heard flyes put alot of stress on the rot cuff? -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2006/08/25, 11:43 PM I think that everything serves a purpose. Barbell hack squats are a quad dominant leg exercise. While most people don't need more quad work, it serves a purpose. And examine the shoulder capsule and the function of your rotator cuff muscles, and explain to me how stress is put on the rotator cuff. I fail to see how this would work. I could be wrong, but it doesn't make sense to me. -------------- Iron and chalk.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/08/26, 06:22 PM I thought it odd too....but somone on another forum( another sight) said they didn't do flyes cause they liked their rot cuffs -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.