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Ass to grass squats

jacko2 Posts: 3 Joined: 2002/07/12	2004/06/18, 10:33 AM I tried these this morning and I find it easier to do than traditional squats, though I had to lower the weight. Is there any reason why I shouldn't do these? Any negative effects on the knees? Thanks, Brian
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2004/06/18, 04:55 PM Usually parallel is easier on the knees and tendons and is concidered going "full range". I do like to warm up with below parallel squats. The reason it can be easier is people can bounce there way out of the hole, and use momemtum. I go low enough to where my butt is to my knee and come back up, its about parellel or slightly below. Try doing parallel squats with a pause at parell for a count of 2, then stand up. -------------- .......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records! ......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened ......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
jacko2 Posts: 3 Joined: 2002/07/12	2004/06/18, 08:23 PM Thanks for your reply. I will give your idea of pausing while parallel a go and see what I like best. Thanks again.
david_s81 Posts: 543 Joined: 2004/04/09	2004/06/18, 08:50 PM I like the idea of warming up with a slightly broader range of motion, gets the legs warmed up pretty nicely. -------------- A broken clock is right twice a day
timmstar Posts: 426 Joined: 2003/12/08	2004/06/21, 05:47 AM i heard you shouldnt pause in any exersice as it puts the strain on ur joints and ligaments or something or other. id rather just go up in quick in a controled fashesn and just lower it really really slowly in again a controled fashion but hey if you wanna rest the weight on your joints and what ever then i couldnt care less could be wrong just what i heard so i dont do it besides gives me a more controled feeling when i dont pause eg benching or dips or something alot of people lockout at top just my thought..
ursusarktos Posts: 346 Joined: 2004/01/18	2004/06/21, 09:26 AM Going past parallel is fine (very good actually as long as you don't go to the point where you are are reducing the load from you muscles by transferring it to ligaments or other soft tissue. Bouncing out of a deep squat is a definite no-no. If you are finding a deep squat easier than a parallel squat, odds are you bouncing out of the bottom and risking extensive damage to your knees. Andrew's suggestion about pausing at the bottom is an excellent one, because it requires you to keep the descent under control and keep the active muscles under maximum tension throughout the movement. It will also give you more feedback as to whether the muscles are providing all the support or not. Descend slowly, under control - pause at bottom - then explode up.
jacko2 Posts: 3 Joined: 2002/07/12	2004/06/21, 01:46 PM I guess I should rephrase my description. It's not easier, it feels more natural. I feel it actually puts less strain on the knees then stopping at parallel. I also had to lower the weight I would normally use to make sure I am doing a controlled set. No bouncing at all.
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2004/06/22, 01:29 PM I agree with Andrew, but I usually only go below parallel on warm up sets. I like to drop about 2-3 inches below parallel and hold it while i get a good stretch. However, I do this with less weight than I do a full parallel squat. Also, try front squats. Its easier to go below parallel with a front squat, and you target your hamstrings more, but you will have to reduce the amount of weight you use. -------------- \"I get up in the morning around six to run for about an hour. Later in the day, I lift with a partner. Following my lifting sessions, I usually do speed and agility drills. Later, I drill all my holds and moves.\" \'Isnt that lifestyle boring?\' \"Yes, but the gold medal is very shiny.\" Ichiguchi Olympic Gold Medalist