What footwear do you wear for squats?

[Halb]

didelydoo said:

Proper squat- to depth or lower (as per my definition above). Anything else isn't a proper squat.

It's the same as benching but stopping 6" higher than your chest.

You mean you're meant to go lower?...

[Easty-5]

Halb said:

It was just a joke before. The parallel version shown above is as much a 'proper' (if proper has any real meaning) squat as an Olympic/ATG/Full squat.

I just always wonder what peoples take on a "proper" squat is. Like you say, what is the meaning of proper in this scenario? Charles Poliquin wrote a great article on Squats and depth. Powerlifters tend to always go below parallel whilst bodybuilders hit parallel but there are many benefits for both to do vice versa. I dont think there is right and wrong. I think it all depends on your aims.

[LordGrover]

Performed correctly, pretty much anyone can get into a full squat.
If they struggle, it's often because either their stance is incorrect - not wide enough or the angle of their feet is too narrow. The other common fault is not keeping the knees wide apart. I'm not skilled or experienced enough to explain it properly but a good coach should be able to help.

[Easty-5]

LordGrover said:

Performed correctly, pretty much anyone can get into a full squat.
If they struggle, it's often because either their stance is incorrect - not wide enough or the angle of their feet is too narrow. The other common fault is not keeping the knees wide apart. I'm not skilled or experienced enough to explain it properly but a good coach should be able to help.

On the flip side you can do a narrow stance squat to really isolate the quads. Getting further than parallel, whilst keeping good form is very difficult unless you are very flexible.

[didelydoo]

Halb said:

You mean you're meant to go lower?...

You can do what ever you'd like, but it's not a proper squat if you don't hit depth

Easty-5 said:

Powerlifters tend to always go below parallel whilst bodybuilders hit parallel

Sceptical on these points Powerlifters try to get depth and no more if possible (tech dependant). Bodybuilders tend to do high squats.

LordGrover said:

Performed correctly, pretty much anyone can get into a full squat.
If they struggle, it's often because either their stance is incorrect - not wide enough or the angle of their feet is too narrow. The other common fault is not keeping the knees wide apart. I'm not skilled or experienced enough to explain it properly but a good coach should be able to help.

Spot on.

[LordGrover]

Easty-5 said:

On the flip side you can do a narrow stance squat to really isolate the quads. Getting further than parallel, whilst keeping good form is very difficult unless you are very flexible.

That may be the case, but I was referring t a full squat. This doesn't just 'target' a specific muscle or group of muscles - it works the whole body with particular emphasis on the posterior chain.
Why would anyone target quads and neglect hams and glutes? They all work together so train them together, IMO.

[Halb]

didelydoo said:

Halb said:

You mean you're meant to go lower?...

You can do what ever you'd like, but it's not a proper squat if you don't hit depth

It was a joke on the bench.

When I squat I do try to go as low as I can. I have notice previously that if I don't concentrate my body tries to get away with not going that low

[didelydoo]

Halb said:

It was a joke on the bench.

Whooshed over my head- must pay more attention!