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OMG CAN I DO SQUATZ YET? Anonymous
Ok, so i want to work out this summer and i want to work squats into my routine, but i can't hold proper form below parallel. Is it safe to do the squats as long as I stay within the range of motion that i can keep proper form i.e. above parallel? My other question is that assuming it's safe to do them is it even worth it if i can only go to parallel?

And i already started stretching my hamstrings so don't worry about that.
>> Anonymous
Get your ass to the grass.
Also don't use too much weight from the start.
>> Anonymous
Yeah, proper form is more important otherwise you won't be able to fullsquat a flea and you'll be able to parallel a truck. You need to stretch your hip flexors (working on this myself, static stretching sucks so I am trying to incorporate pavel's crazy russian shit) as well as your hamstrings but you also need to build strength in in those muscles. Practice squatting with your feet close to a wall, don't let your legs turn outward (frog) and push your butt back. Keep doing that along with your other shit and just in general try to squat deeper and deeper everyday with your bodyweight and use lighter weight until you get that ROM.
>> Anonymous
OP here thanks for the replies. I think i should have mentioned that i can't keep proper form because below parallel my back bends and my spine curves the wrong way.
>> Anonymous
Curves the wrong way? You mean you lean foward and your back rounds?
>> Anonymous
stop doing that, then.

watch this shit:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6529481301858251744
>> Anonymous
>>104937

OP here
Yes, taht's what i mean.
>> Anonymous
>>104953

work on the abs and tighten them when you're doing squats
>> Anonymous
>>104945
"PROVE ME WRONG"
>> Anonymous
Why is just going to parallel bad? I stop at parallel. Not above or below.
>> Anonymous
It's not necessarily bad, it's just not a full range of motion. A lot of people who can do full squats actually squat parallel but if you never train that range of motion (full squats) how can you expect to have any strength in it? It's simply the thought process that if you can safely go further, why not do it and build more strength? Maybe you don't want bigger glutes, I don't know.
>> Anonymous
>>105003
>>105003

What do you define as parallel?

You should go as low as you can comfortably go for max effect....
>> Anonymous
>>105023
Parallel? Thighs parallel to the ground. As low as i can go. I cant even touch my toes bend over though. So im not flexible.
>> Anonymous
>>105029

watch the google vid link I posted, dan john will show you the way of the full squatz
>> Anonymous
>>104945

Awesome vid. Thanks Anon.
>> Anonymous
I cant full squat for some reason. My back is insanely tense and i get cramps through out it when i go that low.
>> Anonymous
>>105032

Yeah I was watching it for the first time when I saw this thread, and had to post it... It's amazing, tons to digest, but watching that is more helpful than 95% of trainers in the world....

The stuff at the end about hamstrings and the oly lifts is truly amazing, watch and learn and get STRONG.
>> Anonymous
It's probably due to a lack of flexibility as you squat.

Go into a fullsquat position with your arms hanging onto something for balance, and just sit and move around, trying to get used to it. You don;t need any weight, just need to get the form right.
>> Anonymous
>>105105

It's also helpful to do a bodyweight squat with your arms between your legs, pushing your knees apart.

Or just watch the video linked above.
>> Anonymous
some people posess the flexibility to go below parallel while still maintaining good form (proper lumbar curve). (olympic) weightlifters are usually good examples of this. a lot of people can't. just go down as far as you can. extreme depth becomes a function of ankle flexibility and limb length after a while.