Question About squats

    Posted In: Strength & Conditioning

        • Participant
          texas-boy on October 5, 2005 at 12:29 am #11326

          I have a hard time doing squats(long legs) its akward for me to get down there. I was wondering if I would lose any benefits from doing leg presses and power cleans

        • Participant
          davan on October 5, 2005 at 6:50 am #49129

          Donovan Bailey did heavy squats. His legs were kind of long (haha). Linford Christie did as well, another guy with kind of long legs. He did 700lbs in fact.

          What is your flexibility and general strength like?

        • Participant
          texas-boy on October 5, 2005 at 5:15 pm #49130

          I mean my squat max is really good and I'm strong but its just awkward to get down like that

        • Participant
          davan on October 6, 2005 at 12:18 am #49131

          Unless you are inflexible or missing some sort of preparedness (very likely), they shouldn't feel that awkward. Again, guys like Donovan and Linford have extremely long legs (I have never seen a sprinter with longer legs than Donovan) and were very proficient squatters. Doing leg press instead of squats is almost always a very bad idea, in my opinion and from that of many sprint coaches.

        • Participant
          davan on October 6, 2005 at 12:29 am #49132

          How tall are you and if you know, how high is your greater trochanter (front of hip)?

          https://www.herald.ns.ca/2001/02/02/bigthumbs/1039.jpg
          https://www.100zone.8m.com/christie.jpg

        • Member
          800prince on October 6, 2005 at 2:20 am #49133

          I'm 6'4 and squat with no problem. In fact I can squat clean, snatch, and overhead squat with no problem. Work on bodyweight squats until it becomes natural.

        • Participant
          QUIKAZHELL on October 6, 2005 at 5:30 am #49134

          Leg Press and other types of machine variations wont cut it. If you do in fact find squatting so "hard" and will not do it then I'd make sure to do a little extra posterior chain work (hams, glutes, lower, back) and include unilateral work to "substitute the squats". Single Leg DB Squats, lunges and step-ups are all great choices.
          I am a strength coach at a University and I have basketball players over 6'5 who can squat below 90 degrees without a problem. Start with the bar or light way and practice sitting back (bending at the hips/waist before bending the knees). That usually solves the problem esp. in taller athletes.

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on October 7, 2005 at 11:50 pm #49135

          I agree with Quik. Unless there's some type of medical reason you shouldn't squat I'd suggest sticking with it until it becomes more natural (or just put up with it).

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          utfootball4 on July 6, 2006 at 6:12 am #49136

          linford and bailey did half squats.

        • Member
          Carson Boddicker on July 6, 2006 at 6:32 am #49137

          Another great way to work on getting depth on squats are to use counter-balance squats as part of your movement prep modules.  I find that not only does it help the athlete become more mobile and able to squat deeper, but it also forces the lifter to maintain a straight and tight back. 

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