SQUATS ATG or Parallel?

[thatwaslight]

In my opinion a parallel squat is half a squat, so if i'm squatting its all the way down

Can someone please enlighten me on the possible cons/pros for both movements applicable to both strength and size gains.

Thanks in advance

[TonganTerror]

As far as Im concerned bro by full squatting you must be extending your muscles fully therefore building stronger faster bigger quads!!!

I can see the benefits in three quarter squatting an extra heavy load to help shock the legs into growth, the problem for me is im accustomed to full extension now and my body doesnt like stopping half way :pfft:

My way around this is a super heavy leg press every second leg session!!!!!!

[nate225]

Horses for courses boys!

If you're a PLer you should be squatting to whatever depth you are required to in your federation (ranges from 2" above parallel to the IPF standard of the "top surface of the legs at the hip joint is lower than the top of the knees").

Squatting deeper is a good concept as a newbie, but for competitive lifters the majority of squats should be to the depth required in a comp (but lower & higher squats still have a place in training!).

In Strongman I am noticing a lot of guys talking about squatting at parallel. While this wont help in PLing it is probably more specific to SM as you are rarely required to have power from 2" deeper than parallel (maybe help at the bottom of an Atlas Stone lift if lapped in a low position?). Rugby players also tend to squat high, but again it suits their game - they never drive from a low squat position, its always a partial movement on the field.

From a BBing perspective, when ego's are put aside and hypertrophy is the goal (not doing a big squat in front of the mirror at Les Mills! :grin: ), whatever movement gives the best results should be used. Personally I'd do most as low as possible in a reasonably narrow stance (as opposed to my PLing stance), however I'd still mix it up with some higher & lower variations (adjusting the weight to suit).

My 10 cents....

[jimjim83]

For bodybuilding is squatting the best exercise? maybe not if you look at powerlifters legs they are for the most part skinny. I would rather legpress or hack squat. If im squatting though its ATG no fucking around with half movements. :pfft:

[nate225]

For bodybuilding is squatting the best exercise? maybe not if you look at powerlifters legs they are for the most part skinny. I would rather legpress or hack squat. If im squatting though its ATG no fucking around with half movements. :pfft:

I'm not sure what weight class you've been looking at jimjim - maybe the U67kg mens? :grin:

PLers tend to low bar squat in a wide® stance hence changing leverages and using more back & hammies. The squat is still the king for beginning BBers to build mass! :nod: It seems as BBers get more advanced (or older and broken!) they incorporate more Leg Press & Hacks - but any good BBer will tell you his legs were built in the squat rack!

[TonganTerror]

For bodybuilding is squatting the best exercise? maybe not if you look at powerlifters legs they are for the most part skinny. I would rather legpress or hack squat. If im squatting though its ATG no fucking around with half movements. :pfft:

Gotta remember though jimjim that the powerlifters focus on low rep range when the body builder will squat 10-12 first set the powerlifter will squat 2-4(of course you know this already lol)

I think the squat definitely builds the majority of my size in my quads by doing 10,8,6,4,2 then lighter maybe 100kg for 20odd oh yeah that hurts talking bout it :pfft:

[steak]

look at powerlifters legs they are for the most part skinny

:lol:what a feed of arse

[ThePman]

Sets of 3-5 reps can't possibly build big legs. Also powerlifters are skinny because they don't have muscle.

[tinytraps]

For bodybuilding is squatting the best exercise? maybe not if you look at powerlifters legs they are for the most part skinny. I would rather legpress or hack squat. If im squatting though its ATG no fucking around with half movements. :pfft:

Lance Stewart 375kg squat at shw as a master has legs that would rival any bodybuilders in newzealand!

[nate225]

Sets of 3-5 reps can't possibly build big legs. Also powerlifters are skinny because they don't have muscle.

LOL PMan - you need to indicate sarcasm, many newbies will be thinking you're serious!

I hate the world to hold you responsible for the latest BBing fad/myth of 40 rep plus squatting! :grin:

[TonganTerror]

Im sure its the 3 rep squat that put all his size on his legs and that huge stomach too not the massive amount of food the power lifters seem to eat :pfft:

[Luigi]

In my opinion a parallel squat is half a squat, so if i'm squatting its all the way down

Can someone please enlighten me on the possible cons/pros for both movements applicable to both strength and size gains.

Thanks in advance

youv started squatting now ? :pfft: what happened to arms 3 times a week

[Beef]

For bodybuilding is squatting the best exercise? maybe not if you look at powerlifters legs they are for the most part skinny.

you set yourself up to get flamed by the PLers :pfft:

to be honest i've rarely seen a PLer with skinny legs. they may not have the definition that bodybuilders have but that isn't to say they don't have muscle on their legs!

someone correct me on this if I'm wrong, but isn't time under tension more important than the actual amount of reps done each exercise?

[jimjim83]

All this pics of powerlifters are of the fattys so of couse they have chubby legs.

[Beef]

All this pics of powerlifters are of the fattys so of couse they have chubby legs.

:-s

[Luigi]

All this pics of powerlifters are of the fattys so of couse they have chubby legs.

makes sense, just like how fat chicks have big boobs

[ThePman]

All this pics of powerlifters are of the fattys so of couse they have chubby legs.

That's right, all powerlifters are fat too.

[nate225]

All this pics of powerlifters are of the fattys so of couse they have chubby legs.

LOL jimjim - you're game with a the PLers lurking here at the mo!

Don't you remember the old saying from the early 90's?

Powerlifters eat bodybuilders for breakfast!

I wish I could find the picture that was on the shirt.

[Elite121]

ATG for some people is not only difficult but can be dangerous, think of the tail tucking under with load...just a herniated disk waiting to happen and the common weakness's of limited ankle mobility,hip mobility and thoracic spine mobility to name a few.. further complicating ROM in the ATG squat.

I'm okay with people squatting to parallel as a start and once mobility and stability issues are fine tuned then ATG squats can be performed..and even then probably starting with bodyweight ATG and progressing onto loading.

[jimjim83]

All this pics of powerlifters are of the fattys so of couse they have chubby legs.

LOL jimjim - you're game with a the PLers lurking here at the mo!

Don't you remember the old saying from the early 90's?

Powerlifters eat bodybuilders for breakfast!

I wish I could find the picture that was on the shirt.

Pman those are pics of strong bodybuilders??

For the most part aint powerlifter just fat bodybuilders?

Come on bite my little sharks :clap: :clap:

[Jigga]

Powerlifters eat bodybuilders for breakfast!

I thought PLers were just fat people that jumped into bungee suits and bounced weights about with 1/4 ROM?

[Loochi]

Sucks how bbers and plers can't get along lol.. I got respect for both eh. Two totally different things and each have their own merits and weaknesses.

[Jigga]

Sucks how bbers and plers can't get along lol.. I got respect for both eh. Two totally different things and each have their own merits and weaknesses.

Tounge and cheek - I think most PLers and BBers don't care what the other does.

[ThePman]

Sucks how bbers and plers can't get along lol.. I got respect for both eh. Two totally different things and each have their own merits and weaknesses.

Tounge and cheek - I think most PLers and BBers don't care what the other does.

Basically this. I like to rib BBers, they like to rib back. But it's all in good fun. I respect what goes into BBing even if it's not really what I care about.

[steak]

most of the BBs where we train actually stop to watch us lift and ask if we need the squat racks now. ive offered to help them into the sport but musy admit they are too weak minded, cant eat enough and are scared of hours of hard work. there are a couple of good hardcore BB lifting here though 8)