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Squatters On Squats And Squatting (part 1) |
By:
Mick Hart |
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Squatters On Squats And Squatting (part 1)
Mick Hart
Anyone who tells you they like squats is either genetically gifted, a masochist or a liar. Whilst the act of squatting is as natural as a form of resting or for defecating, to sink into a low squat and then rise with a rounded spine, lifting a heavy weight which crushes into your neck vertebrae is about as natural as most movie starlets mamory glands. Note I am not saying squats don't work or you should not do them I am just saying for most they are an exercise best gotten over with fast, like having teeth extracted.
One of the all time great squatters would have been the late Paul Anderson who was unofficially crowned the "Worlds Strongest Man". He once said that he must have done thousands of squats while training but that he had detested every single one of them and went on to say that he could no way understand anyone he said the contrary. It is a sad fact that squats hurt but that they are an essential part of any body-building routine.
Those genetically suited i.e. mesomorph/endomorph mixes may well like or even enjoy knee bends with a barbell across the back of the neck, aching chest and gasping for breath. To avoid pain you can use rolled up towels around the bar and maybe don't dip so low, say parallel. Do it this way and it's fairly comfortable, but ironically the majority who take up training for muscle or power building are those less physically suited ie. ectomorphs or the skinny guys.
Those 'naturally' muscular, bulky or above average in strength rarely seek out to train with weights or if they do seldom stick at it long, and why should they..? The poorly endowed have without a doubt the strongest and longest held desire to gain respectable muscle and strength and once gains are made - appreciate them a whole lot more. George Eiferman could do 150 consecutive squat reps - on one leg?
So first exercise on every build up/bulk schedule has to be squats or some form of knee bends. Some coaches are indeed against heavy squats. Claiming such exercise are the cause of hip/knee joint injuries. Many an old timer rues the day they squatted too heavy or too late in life, causing them pain, including Grimek, who squatted heavy even in his 7O's. later requiring hip replacements.
Squatting heavy using yards of leg wrap is a crazy way to seek development or strengthen joints. Wraps are meant to protect, and great to use when going for lifts, but extensive usage weakens joints and connective tissues. That is why muscles atrophy when in plaster casts. If you are a powerlifter and competing, then you have to use wraps to be on equal terms with others, and they do eliminate the fear of injuries, no doubt you certainly can lift more with wraps.
Development is not the same as power lifting so it would not be advisable to use them. If you have short leg bones which gives better leverage, you could probably squat onto your haunches. As we have mentioned squatting is a natural way to sit, but lifting double our body weight will only put stress on our spinal column and knee joints.
It would be quite true to say that those who can actually get right down on squats or squat snatches and continue to straighten up without causing themselves a nasty injury are certainly not in the majority. This obviously applies to heavy squats and I would like to carry on with this exercise in part 2.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article67133.html |
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