Clarence is a beast, both in strength and technique, but don't forget he has a massive hormonal advantage over Alan... ;-) compare what is comparable ahah.
clarence pauses because of his knee problem. he talked about this while ago. bouncing from the bottom apparently causes problem to his knee. but yeah that guy is a freak
" _Who cares what others are doing. Doesn't affect you_ " That's quite a miopic outlook, I say as I think about all the quarter squatters that hogged up the squat stations while not actually using it 80% of the time, but just leave an article indicating that it's in use, when in reality, the person occupying the machine, though not physically, does something else entirely unrelated to the intended purposes of the squat station/smith machine. You better not be one of those guys, seedy, or, I swear, I'm gonna go apeshit!
Don't feel like dealing with that sciatica numb-leg ass-pain stuff anymore. I'd rather just load up and take a walk with that weight on my traps with one third squats than deal with that again.
Andy MacMillan Ignore the glut of internet broscience. Treat your friends' (and randoms in the gym) training anecdotes as stories, not facts. Alan's channel is excellent for learning the main lifts. His advice is top-notch and empirically supported. As already mentioned, Rippetoe and Starting Strength are also excellent resources. Just stay focused. Try and cut out all the noise generated by glorified gym bros.
Don't get too nuts with it. As a starting lifter, concentrate on the main barbell lifts. Be on a good starter program (Starting Strength is a great one). Don't overthink it. Pay attention to your body and your progress. When you get more experience and know what feels right, you can start experimenting with different tricks or advice, but for now, just stick to the basics.
Andy MacMillan as a person who just completed a year of training, I can definitely tell you that repetition has been my best teacher. follow basic rules like below parallel, keeping your back straight, etc. and you'll be good so long as you're honest with yourself. you start with a really low weight and work your way up. none of that ego lifting crap
I do ATG squats. I like the way they feel when you bottom out. It's like you're locked in. I usually don't rely on the bounce and pause momentarily or just come down slow enough so that there is no bounce. I'm not trying to be a competitor and my legs are still getting stronger, so I will probably stick to it.
I was experiencing the same problem with ATG squats. I always done those type of squats because it feels more comfortable and it gives me a good bounce out of it, but it was seriously limiting how much weight I could front/back squat and how many full complete reps I could properly do. These new type of squats you showed really improved my efficiency and has taken me to the next level.
I hope all is well I feel like God laid this on my heart for me to send you this message! The Bible verses that changed my life which was Acts 2:36-43. I just wanted to say that Jesus Christ can restore your life and that is a promise according to Acts 2:39, and God loves you. If you’re in need of a good church near you here you go to google & type in UPCI Church locator a man named Gabriel helped me find the church that I went to before I moved and they led me to the church that I do go to now! God bless have a great one 🙂. I prayed for you I hope all is well 🙂
Hey Alan, I appreciate the humility with which you bring this message. It's not easy getting up in front of all your fans and telling them that you may have misled them. It shows how strong you really are.
This is a nice honest video. Takes some real pride to point out your own mistakes so others can learn too. For anyone who's not quite grasped what he's saying, it's kind of the equivalent of those people who bounce the barbell off their chest during chest press. . . instead of touching their chest and holding the tension there.
I am glad you made this video Alan. After watching your previous videos on ATG squats, I became an ATG squatter based on your teaching, but now you make me realize it's wrong. Thank you for having the strength to critique your own program and evolve. Have a great year with lots of gains!
love your videos, my man. I'm a weight class and a half above you, but we're about the same strength and train very similarly, and always get something out of watching these. Only been into weightlifting hard for around 8 or 9 months (just turned 21) and your channel has helped me more than any other on youtube by far. keep cranking them out!
I'm glad that you've taken the advice from Austin of not burying your ass at the bottom of the squat - I used to do that too. I'm no competitive powerlifter but in the past year and a half of employing the 'Starting Strength' style squat (as well as the programming), I've gotten gains like I've never had before even when i was 10 years younger. Keep on learning and keep on lifting.
Great stuff Alan, never thought I'd hear you say this! looking back.. Originally when i was 16, i did quarter squats with decent weight and thought i was strong, about a year later i realised my errors and started squatting ass to grass. I had to leave my ego behind and start from square 1 with much lighter weight and build my strength through full ROM, i felt as though it was the only valid way to squat. However, within the last 18 months, i have had to conciously cut my depth back to where the onset of butt wink occurs to protect my lower spine and surrounding musculature and have never been happier! Always learning and improving
This has helped me immensely! I have been decending too low, too quick, and the same stall after the bounce at the bottom, and would sometimes bruise my calfs from compression at the bottom. I was able to fix it in a single squat session and complete reps 50lbs heavier than the range I was struggling in, with slow decent, hitting parallel, and only the stretch reflex portion dipping below parallel. 355 felt easy! Awesome video!
This is so important. THANK YOU! I was trying and trying to squat as low as possible when I first started squatting and it hindered me not only physically but it also consumed my mentality toward squatting and eventually started inhibiting me from progressing.
You are one of the main reasons I've started squatting as low as possible. Result? Legs sore for 4 days like a cripple with only 155 lbs. and fine with it.
you need to squat more often if you're still getting sore for half a week. Try twice a week and notice you progress faster and don't feel as sore. Win Win
Yeah. But that is excessive ROM that isn't utilizing your glutes the entire rep. Gotta stop ass, just a bit lower than parallel. I fixed this with a Smith Machine.
In competition I would agree with you about not going ATG. Only go down as low as you need to. There aren't any extra points for going past depth. But in training I would say ATG is great to get a longer range of motion. Longer range of motion will make getting out of the hole easier in competition. If you use too much bounce in the hole you could incorporate some ATG pause squats to eliminate the bounce. Then maybe a couple weeks before a competition transition to 'proper depth' squats so you get used to it in time for the competition. Just a thought.
Pet Rock's Garage squating atg low bar causes to much forward knee travel in the bottom position which causes the hamstrings to slack which then causes lumbar flexion. To use the muscles of the hips to there greatest capacity (the purpose of the starting strength model of the lowbar squat), squats should be just below parallel and the lifter should stay tight in the bottom position.
+SomethingWylde, I've heard that before (ATG in low bar brings knees too far forward etc) and it still doesn't make sense because if it was a problem then Olympic Weightlifters, who lift high bar, ATG and with knees really far forward, would have serious knee & lower back problems. Also, your hamstrings pull on your pelvis. So when taught at the bottom they will pull on your lower pelvis, rotating your butt and putting you into lumbar flexion. So you don't really want your hamstrings activated when at the bottom regardless of high or low bar squatting. Just sayin'...
Pet Rock's Garage For one, the forward knee travel is going to be less of a factor in a highbar squat because its more quad dominant and requires a more vertical back angel to keep the bar mid foot. In other words, they are sitting straight down rather than back. As far as knee and back pain, I never referenced any of this in my comment. I said in order to use the muscles of the hips to their greatest capacity. I also didn't reference the hamstrings attaching to the lumbar spine. I'm saying that squating to the point where your hamstrings are slack will cause you to lose your back angel.
+SomethingWylde, you mentioned your hamstrings going slack causing lumbar flexion (a.k.a. butt wink). Butt wink typically goes hand in hand with back pain. I brought up the hamstrings because butt wink isn't caused by your hamstrings going slack. Its caused by your hamstrings being too tight, running out of stretch in the hole and thus pulling your butt down so you lose spinal neutrality.
I have the exact same problem. Ive squated far too deep ever since I started lifting. I was drilled and taught for many years to always go as low as I can to guarantee the hip crease going below the knee cap during competition season while keeping a rigid torso. Because of this I became really self conscious of my squat and it's depth out of fear of a no-lift signal. I always felt shaky going below parallel while also maintaining 'tightness' in the torso, and had a lot of difficulty maintaining that very same tightness at the bottom of my squat. Eventually my squat plateued. My numbers weren't increasing, and encouraged a repetitive stress-injury in my right knee likely from the loss of control and balance which occurs during the `momentum bounce` at the bottom of heavy squats. Took a lot of study and self reflection to actually figure this out and start correcting myself, and I still got ways to go on that front. Funny enough Alan's height and build are very similar to my own so I wouldnt be surprised if this problem is perhaps specific to an endomorphs morphology. TL;DR - Alan's advice here is super useful. Looking forward to the rest of the series! :)
KillAWatt1705 I've squatted too deep right from the start as well. I've only recently switched to stopping at parallel, but right now I'm actually finding that harder than squatting deep!... was this the same for you when you switched?
Donthave Aname hell yeah it is harder, because it forces you to keep tension. I understand what Alan is saying, I also used to squat ATG, numbers were stagnant, and I would lose tension at the bottom of my lift. Once i did some research I changed it up and now my numbers have doubled and I go slightly below parallel. But yeah the transion was actually hard lol
Dude i found your channel recently. Thanks for all the info. I'm trying to correct my squat form. I'm a little older at 47 but I still have goals still. I've been using your videos among others to get dialed in. Again, thank you and keep em coming.
Well, why are you squatting high bar? Is it to improve your olympic lifts or general fitness? Then go as low as comfortable. Is it to compete in a powerlifting meet? Then go just below/at parallel depending on the meet's rules. Is it as an accessory to low bar squats? Then it doesn't matter just accumulate volume.
I squat high bar to accompany my dead lift. One movement is focused more on quads the other on hamstrings and glutes. Alan has a video about it somewhere on his channel.
Never doubt ATG for high bar bro. Stick with it and be happy. :) For powerlifting meet and lowbar, i just don't see how anyone would squat ATG, and this is what Alan must be talking about. ^_^
Training for 18 years and squatting ass to grass is not meant for everyone. I went against my own anatomy and caused insane hip and knee pain for years. Squat until you feel a complete stretch of the glutes, that is all. If you squat without the full stretch you are placing the load on the knees and hence knee pain. You go to low and back pain is the killer if it don't fit how you are built. With me, just below parallel and i get full leg development with no pain. I am also leg dominant, have longer legs and shorter torso so for me that is depth. Do not listen to anyone but take the principle advices such as not rounding the back or squatting more weight than you can hold. Test it for yourself and good luck.
So glad I discovered both his old ATG video from like 2015 and this one in 2017 so I didn't waste two years going too deep in my squat. It pays to be late in the game lol. Kudos to Alan for being open to improvement and council.
It's cool to see that even after being successful at owning a gym you can admit that you have to start all over at your low bar squat. And this eased my mind on the depth that I have and form I've been using.
Good info. I took your squat video, in which you stated you would rather squat 150 lb deep than 300 lb shallow. I dropped a ton of weight and started squatting deep, but I have run into the same problem as you. When I get to the bottom, I have some butt wink (not uncomfortable at all and didn't know I was doing it until I videotaped myself from the side). But I noticed everything gets way too loose. I lose the tension in my hips and hamstrings. I'll work on correcting this starting today.
If you are not a powerlifter you are probably better off just decreasing the weight and controlling the weight down to the Max depth you can while keeping tension and neutral spine. Depth in the squat is great, it just requires more strength and mobility.
Whoa. Alan's rethinking his squat depth? (looks outside) Well, it is freezing over out there. Seriously though, it takes a big guy to be that accomplished and experienced and still seek out help when things stall.
I was really frustrated with this as my gains have tanked during this cycle since I started to go lower in my squats do to your feedback. Thank you for this honest follow up.
Liked the way you weren't taking yourself too seriously but simultaneously always aiming to improve. I appreciate this myself as I've struggled with the same balance/momentum issues when coming out of an ATG squat. Some other interesting comments I saw are: - Lots asking about ATG is still good for high bar/front squat. - Liked Carl's suggestion about stringing a bungee cord across to help learning proper depth Personally I look forward to a few more videos with Alan's new and improved low bar squat and other updates. Keep the great content coming!
Great video, Alan, I have a same problem and always thought that's just the way it has to be, but this just makes much more sense. Being in control the whole time and not just sinking down is the way to go.
Go barefoot as often as possible. Not lifting, I mean just getting around. Walking and so forth. You have to get your foot to work as a foot and your ankle strength will improve immensely. Wearing big cushy shoes all day will only fuck you in the long run. Lifting shoes during squats are excellent.
JLongTom Because going any deeper than the crease of the below the top of the kneecap would necessarily require the lifter to lose tension, regardless of the speed he or she moves at.
Jake McCoy is right but I am going to add this So ass to grass, or no ass to grass? It's all very confusing to newbies like myself when you hear everyone saying go ATG and then this Alan guy says the opposite.
I think Alan is trying to say that the hamstrings are at maximum tension around parallel depth, and will therefore elicit the strongest stretch reflex out of the hole at this depth - although he doesn't really elaborate too much. that's what I took away from this. essentially, I think he's saying that this is where the muscles will be able to contract at their most forceful. I seem to recall this being explained in Starting Strength but it's a long time since I read it. someone correct me if I am wrong here. also, what Alan is saying aside, you will always be able to lift slightly more at parallel rather than full depth simply due to the reduction in work being done over a corresponding smaller range of motion - if that's what you're going for.
I do ATG every once in a while when I want to focus on quads. I do in fact feel that I lose tension off of the hamstrings and glutes at the bottom of the lift.
This video published while I was at the gym doing Front Squats and man I wish I saw this beforehand. Today I was all about "as low as possible" and while attempting a 1RM PR, I messed up my knee trying to come out of the hole without a bounce. Please keep making more of these videos.
Fantastic video! So glad you posted this! My Fiance and I have been watching a lot of your videos since we started strong lifts about 3 months ago, and I've been struggling with my squats because I've worked so much at going ATG like you used to preach. Can't wait to see your other videos on this series!
What do you think about doing a full deep squat (ass to heels) with lighter weight, full control and no bottom bounce? Obviously I am not worried about competing, just getting a full range of motion with my squat.
I squat to heels on lighter sets (I squat flat-footed) but not so much on maximal efforts. It ends up quite a bit like a pause squat, since I'm trying for smooth, controlled motion. I always go a little deeper than parallel, but in the 90% range, not by too damn much, because my form gets all jacked up.
I tend to also either bounce or stop my squat at parallel when I go heavy. Bouncing makes me feel like I lose control. That has lead me to stop going as heavy but I am seeing a plateau in strength. Seeing this video, I was wondering if I should change things up.
I’m late to this convo. I’ve been trying to learn to “ass to grass” squat PROPERLY. I’ve found that doing pause squats and trying to gradually decrease the depth while keeping my back straight and the weight over my foot. I’ve had to deload the weight to do this but I’ve noticed a huge improvement in muscle control as well as improved mobility in my hips
Although your squats may need some tweaking, but your videos are great Alan. They are just the right duration and have all the necessary info with humor to keep it interesting.
Its not about looking at anything. Just go wherever ever a neutral spine takes you. Neutral spine is boss here, that means head and neck too, think about a straight line from the top of your tail bone all the way to the top of your neck. So that will dictate where you 'look'.. Just focus on Neutral spine. So to summarize; Neutral Spine. PS . Spine should be neutral
I read a while ago that deep squats and deep squat holds have their place in mobility training with your body weight or just light goblet squats. As for squatting under large loads, your current conclusion makes good sense and I think it's great that you aren't ashamed to admit that you're still learning. Seems a plateau in strength can sometimes be caused by a plateau in knowledge. Great content, Alan
I am glad the description says “Low bar squats”. I am a high bar squatter for Olympic lifting purposes so depth is very important plus the squat movement is quite different to low bar anyway. Good video
I gotta say this came at the perfect time in development for my squat. I've been following your channel for a year or two now and my problem had been for a while that I squat way to low. I've noticed since I stopped going so low and began stopping just at the point of my hips being below my knees. Watching you execute this has definitely reaffirmed that I am on the right track.
The fact that you admit imperfection in your training and techniques with all your experience you deserve so much respect!!! Saying goes in Australia, 'You are a bloody legend!!!' Theres so much shit superficial cheating training advice and unqualified sleazy trainers on youtube and in this world. Hard find someone who is genuinely truthful about training and their physique. Too many people popping pills powders injections behind the scenes and claiming it was broccoli and some circuit that got their shape. Once again you are a legend. Keep it up.
Well, i'm doing ass to grass.BUT, each time i am down, i pause for a second, so that i eliminate the possibility of any inertia bounce. I kinda feel sad that you are letting go of atg...
You’re a beast and an inspiration. It was super refreshing (but uncommon) to see you critique yourself and give yourself constructive feedback. It is truly missing in the fitness industry. Everyone seems to have the answer... but nobody is perfect. We need more people like you who are willing to help while finding ways to improve themselves! Love your videos, keep it up.
Anybody willing to change up their squat and take another look at their positioning after years of doing it one way, shows that you are open minded and are truly passionate about power lifting. Great vid!
I think it's awesome you've reached out to a Starting Strength coach. They are (on the whole) a very talented and smart group of coaches with a high level of understanding *and* the ability to communicate/teach their clients. They also practice what they preach.
It's quite admirable that he's committed to improving and developing his technique even if it means admitting fault/correcting himself. Alan, you are the man!
Thank you !! This is super helpful, I never thought this was a problem but I really think it’s been holding me back from moving more weight. The bounce at the bottom is my crutchhh
a squat should only go as low as you can with a straight back and upright chest, if its barely at parallel then lots of mobility work/stretching needs to be done
you have the strength of character to move forward,because you have the ability to accept that you may be wrong, and can accept that ,respect and good wishes to you ,or in other words good on you bro.
I disagree with this, which is not common on your channel for me. sure if you're training to compete in powerlifting and u don't wanna go lower than required I get it. but for general strength and athletics u should squat ATG. but u stop just short of the place where u lose tension and "sit into your heels". in other words u don't hit the resting squat position. this requires control in the second half of the squat, not just dive-bombing it. and yes squatting ATG is inferior for hamstring development, but it is superior for glute development, also deadlifts work great for hamstrings when squating with flat shoes, high Bar, u will find that u cant hit the resting position without losing a neutral lumber spine. (most people) so squat ATG while keeping full tension in the glutes and keeping a neutral lumber. if u wanna crank it up add a pause at the bottom btw all this is assuming u squat high Bar or front squat, i.e. Olympic Style. with is more athletic imo
Great work, Alan! Nice to see your new squat form - looked really clean. Had to rebuild my squats a short while ago. The exercise that helped me with the same problem was the "5 seconds down, 3 seconds in the hole and explode up"-exercise (don't know the real name for it...). Also, thinking about pressing my back into the bar on the way up really gave a great mental cue.
Food for thought, i squat just as deep as you used to. Never crossed my mind that it would make it easier. Going to try to adjust next time I'm doing leg day. The only thing is I do slow descents and even pause sometimes when I'm down to make sure I'm not using momentum.
Great video Allen, as a power lifter watching your channel. I have also got to the point where I had to change my form for the best, part of the sport. Always need to change to get better in a way
Alan, you're a fucking champion!!! Using your own vids to point out faults in your own technique and how to fix them, I've always appreciated your honest opinion and straight up approach to lifting heavier/faster/stronger and this video is testament to that. Hats off to you my friend
Samurai Squat In order to receive funding from the gov, olympic lifters have to compete and win some comps. Otherwise they ll have to pay for their own. I am friend with some lifters from national team and thats what they say.
Bachteria yea that shows the incentive they have to try Oly lifting, in powerlifting even top level athlete's don't get much funding at all. With oly lifting being an Olympic sport it will attract more often people with top tier genetics. Also the PED use in Oly lifting is another topic lol all those elite athlete's who are at the world level or even national level are on levels of shit. Most powerlifters just can't afford the drugs
If by "olympic lifters" you mean people at the olympics than yes no shocker there....however when I hear "most olympic lifters" i generally imagine the quintessential 5'9 165 lbs douchebag spending fucking 30 minutes on my deadlift platform doing clean and jerks in spandex who probably prides himself on doing such complex lifts to compensate for his physique being able to be hidden by a long sleeve T shirt like vegan gains xD ......or you know.....a fat crossfit girl.
props for being humble enough to admit your mistakes and help everyone learn. looking back on training footage I'm guilty of this too. I'll just remember the voice of Rip saying "STAY IN THE HYIPS"
I started the stronglifts 5x5 program and realized i'm squating too low. This morning I was searching for a video to fix it...I'm glad you posted this man
HUGE help, man. I recently noticed that i started dropping way down more than normal. And now that I'm going up in weight, i started noticing that when coming out of the hole i would lean forward onto my toes. This is an issue I never had before. So I think that cutting the depth will definitely help me maintain that balance and keeping upright, like i used to. Thanks Alan!!!
Somewhere Clarence is thinking "I'll continue to pause squat 550 for 8 while dropping my ass below the Earth's crust."
E high bar...
Clarence is a beast, both in strength and technique, but don't forget he has a massive hormonal advantage over Alan... ;-)
compare what is comparable ahah.
I've seen a video of him squatting. I think he does a high bar squat.
clarence pauses because of his knee problem. he talked about this while ago. bouncing from the bottom apparently causes problem to his knee. but yeah that guy is a freak
Clarence is fucking cool but he use drugs.
Good to know that even experts are students
The best experts are the best students
Truly is
Now the quarter squatters are gonna use this as an excuse
"I can squat 6 plates" *dips down 6 inches and shits himself getting back up*
lntimidating XBL
I thought the same thing as you did.
" _Who cares what others are doing. Doesn't affect you_ "
That's quite a miopic outlook, I say as I think about all the quarter squatters that hogged up the squat stations while not actually using it 80% of the time, but just leave an article indicating that it's in use, when in reality, the person occupying the machine, though not physically, does something else entirely unrelated to the intended purposes of the squat station/smith machine.
You better not be one of those guys, seedy, or, I swear, I'm gonna go apeshit!
Don't feel like dealing with that sciatica numb-leg ass-pain stuff anymore.
I'd rather just load up and take a walk with that weight on my traps with one third squats than deal with that again.
Quarter squat is a legit movement.
as a new lifter this shit is all very confusing
Andy MacMillan Ignore the glut of internet broscience. Treat your friends' (and randoms in the gym) training anecdotes as stories, not facts.
Alan's channel is excellent for learning the main lifts. His advice is top-notch and empirically supported. As already mentioned, Rippetoe and Starting Strength are also excellent resources.
Just stay focused. Try and cut out all the noise generated by glorified gym bros.
1. squat down until knees are AT 90 or just under 90 degrees. anything above that is ZERO REPS
Don't get too nuts with it. As a starting lifter, concentrate on the main barbell lifts. Be on a good starter program (Starting Strength is a great one). Don't overthink it. Pay attention to your body and your progress. When you get more experience and know what feels right, you can start experimenting with different tricks or advice, but for now, just stick to the basics.
Andy MacMillan as a person who just completed a year of training, I can definitely tell you that repetition has been my best teacher. follow basic rules like below parallel, keeping your back straight, etc. and you'll be good so long as you're honest with yourself. you start with a really low weight and work your way up. none of that ego lifting crap
Andy MacMillan Honestly the hundreds of RUclips videos probably cause mental overload. Just read SS and don't look back.
I do ATG squats. I like the way they feel when you bottom out. It's like you're locked in. I usually don't rely on the bounce and pause momentarily or just come down slow enough so that there is no bounce. I'm not trying to be a competitor and my legs are still getting stronger, so I will probably stick to it.
I don't know what to believe anymore...
Just squat as you like and don't listen too much to guys on youtube.
ATG does a butt wink. He did a butt wink cheat bounce. Dont do that.
If your not a competitive powerlifter this does not apply to you in the slightest.
SinnedNogara I'm a competitive pl'er. So just stick with high bar bouncing for me then?
Anthony Truong Go like a foot below parallel and pause to impress the judges
Been working on the same thing myself, great video.
Always learning, always improving, and open minded. This is why you're the bomb Alan.
If I'm not no clipping through the floor it's not a real squat
I never squatted to depth anyways #TeamNoCalves
We can see that.
ohh omar. young man
More like #TeamNoTibia&Fibula , at least for me.
No one likes your channel fuck off
OmarIsuf I like your channel bro
I was experiencing the same problem with ATG squats. I always done those type of squats because it feels more comfortable and it gives me a good bounce out of it, but it was seriously limiting how much weight I could front/back squat and how many full complete reps I could properly do. These new type of squats you showed really improved my efficiency and has taken me to the next level.
Say hi to future flexibility problems
Mad respect to the honesty and humility of Alan.
Nice work, Alan! - ND
Starting Strength HIP DRAHVE!
Starting Strength Draahvve with the hyips
HYIP DRAAAAAAAAHVE
I hope all is well I feel like God laid this on my heart for me to send you this message! The Bible verses that changed my life which was Acts 2:36-43. I just wanted to say that Jesus Christ can restore your life and that is a promise according to Acts 2:39, and God loves you.
If you’re in need of a good church near you here you go to google & type in UPCI Church locator a man named Gabriel helped me find the church that I went to before I moved and they led me to the church that I do go to now! God bless have a great one 🙂. I prayed for you I hope all is well 🙂
Hey Alan, I appreciate the humility with which you bring this message. It's not easy getting up in front of all your fans and telling them that you may have misled them. It shows how strong you really are.
This is a nice honest video. Takes some real pride to point out your own mistakes so others can learn too. For anyone who's not quite grasped what he's saying, it's kind of the equivalent of those people who bounce the barbell off their chest during chest press. . . instead of touching their chest and holding the tension there.
I am glad you made this video Alan. After watching your previous videos on ATG squats, I became an ATG squatter based on your teaching, but now you make me realize it's wrong. Thank you for having the strength to critique your own program and evolve. Have a great year with lots of gains!
love your videos, my man. I'm a weight class and a half above you, but we're about the same strength and train very similarly, and always get something out of watching these. Only been into weightlifting hard for around 8 or 9 months (just turned 21) and your channel has helped me more than any other on youtube by far. keep cranking them out!
I'm glad that you've taken the advice from Austin of not burying your ass at the bottom of the squat - I used to do that too. I'm no competitive powerlifter but in the past year and a half of employing the 'Starting Strength' style squat (as well as the programming), I've gotten gains like I've never had before even when i was 10 years younger. Keep on learning and keep on lifting.
This is blasphemy. This is madness!
This is SPARTAAAAA
sico sidd Kick!
Rafael Pena "Ta Da Clifffsaaa!!!!"
THIS IS SQUARTA?!?!
Great stuff Alan, never thought I'd hear you say this!
looking back.. Originally when i was 16, i did quarter squats with decent weight and thought i was strong, about a year later i realised my errors and started squatting ass to grass. I had to leave my ego behind and start from square 1 with much lighter weight and build my strength through full ROM, i felt as though it was the only valid way to squat.
However, within the last 18 months, i have had to conciously cut my depth back to where the onset of butt wink occurs to protect my lower spine and surrounding musculature and have never been happier!
Always learning and improving
I love your transparency about adjusting your squat. It's comforting to know that even advanced lifters have to go back and tweak.
This has helped me immensely! I have been decending too low, too quick, and the same stall after the bounce at the bottom, and would sometimes bruise my calfs from compression at the bottom. I was able to fix it in a single squat session and complete reps 50lbs heavier than the range I was struggling in, with slow decent, hitting parallel, and only the stretch reflex portion dipping below parallel. 355 felt easy! Awesome video!
This is so important. THANK YOU! I was trying and trying to squat as low as possible when I first started squatting and it hindered me not only physically but it also consumed my mentality toward squatting and eventually started inhibiting me from progressing.
You are one of the main reasons I've started squatting as low as possible. Result? Legs sore for 4 days like a cripple with only 155 lbs. and fine with it.
Das how u git stronk mane (not being sarcastic)
you need to squat more often if you're still getting sore for half a week. Try twice a week and notice you progress faster and don't feel as sore. Win Win
Yeah. But that is excessive ROM that isn't utilizing your glutes the entire rep. Gotta stop ass, just a bit lower than parallel. I fixed this with a Smith Machine.
Lol squatting 3 times a week you dont even feel sore anynore
You will slowly mess up your knees, don’t do IT
In competition I would agree with you about not going ATG. Only go down as low as you need to. There aren't any extra points for going past depth. But in training I would say ATG is great to get a longer range of motion. Longer range of motion will make getting out of the hole easier in competition. If you use too much bounce in the hole you could incorporate some ATG pause squats to eliminate the bounce. Then maybe a couple weeks before a competition transition to 'proper depth' squats so you get used to it in time for the competition. Just a thought.
I agree. Not to mention he does weightlifting now. I think he should high bar atg squat too.
Pet Rock's Garage squating atg low bar causes to much forward knee travel in the bottom position which causes the hamstrings to slack which then causes lumbar flexion. To use the muscles of the hips to there greatest capacity (the purpose of the starting strength model of the lowbar squat), squats should be just below parallel and the lifter should stay tight in the bottom position.
+SomethingWylde, I've heard that before (ATG in low bar brings knees too far forward etc) and it still doesn't make sense because if it was a problem then Olympic Weightlifters, who lift high bar, ATG and with knees really far forward, would have serious knee & lower back problems.
Also, your hamstrings pull on your pelvis. So when taught at the bottom they will pull on your lower pelvis, rotating your butt and putting you into lumbar flexion. So you don't really want your hamstrings activated when at the bottom regardless of high or low bar squatting. Just sayin'...
Pet Rock's Garage For one, the forward knee travel is going to be less of a factor in a highbar squat because its more quad dominant and requires a more vertical back angel to keep the bar mid foot. In other words, they are sitting straight down rather than back. As far as knee and back pain, I never referenced any of this in my comment. I said in order to use the muscles of the hips to their greatest capacity. I also didn't reference the hamstrings attaching to the lumbar spine. I'm saying that squating to the point where your hamstrings are slack will cause you to lose your back angel.
+SomethingWylde, you mentioned your hamstrings going slack causing lumbar flexion (a.k.a. butt wink). Butt wink typically goes hand in hand with back pain. I brought up the hamstrings because butt wink isn't caused by your hamstrings going slack. Its caused by your hamstrings being too tight, running out of stretch in the hole and thus pulling your butt down so you lose spinal neutrality.
I respect your willingness to change your training. I've had to do this a sort of turn around before and it's hard. Keep going man! Love your channel
thank you, one of the few fitness channels that hasn't totally pissed me and is still doing great content. that needs to be said
I have the exact same problem. Ive squated far too deep ever since I started lifting.
I was drilled and taught for many years to always go as low as I can to guarantee the hip crease going below the knee cap during competition season while keeping a rigid torso.
Because of this I became really self conscious of my squat and it's depth out of fear of a no-lift signal. I always felt shaky going below parallel while also maintaining 'tightness' in the torso, and had a lot of difficulty maintaining that very same tightness at the bottom of my squat.
Eventually my squat plateued. My numbers weren't increasing, and encouraged a repetitive stress-injury in my right knee likely from the loss of control and balance which occurs during the `momentum bounce` at the bottom of heavy squats. Took a lot of study and self reflection to actually figure this out and start correcting myself, and I still got ways to go on that front. Funny enough Alan's height and build are very similar to my own so I wouldnt be surprised if this problem is perhaps specific to an endomorphs morphology.
TL;DR - Alan's advice here is super useful. Looking forward to the rest of the series! :)
KillAWatt1705 I've squatted too deep right from the start as well. I've only recently switched to stopping at parallel, but right now I'm actually finding that harder than squatting deep!... was this the same for you when you switched?
Donthave Aname hell yeah it is harder, because it forces you to keep tension. I understand what Alan is saying, I also used to squat ATG, numbers were stagnant, and I would lose tension at the bottom of my lift. Once i did some research I changed it up and now my numbers have doubled and I go slightly below parallel. But yeah the transion was actually hard lol
Dude i found your channel recently. Thanks for all the info. I'm trying to correct my squat form. I'm a little older at 47 but I still have goals still. I've been using your videos among others to get dialed in. Again, thank you and keep em coming.
that guy's eyes are going to pop out of his socket
Hugh Jazz that’s what’s called an RPE 10 face
THIS WAS GREAT! It shows beginners like myself that there's ALWAYS something to be improved even at such a high level as yours!
What about ATG for high bar squats?
this allan please
Well, why are you squatting high bar? Is it to improve your olympic lifts or general fitness? Then go as low as comfortable. Is it to compete in a powerlifting meet? Then go just below/at parallel depending on the meet's rules. Is it as an accessory to low bar squats? Then it doesn't matter just accumulate volume.
I squat high bar to accompany my dead lift. One movement is focused more on quads the other on hamstrings and glutes. Alan has a video about it somewhere on his channel.
Never doubt ATG for high bar bro. Stick with it and be happy. :) For powerlifting meet and lowbar, i just don't see how anyone would squat ATG, and this is what Alan must be talking about. ^_^
If your not a competitive powerlifter do that.
Training for 18 years and squatting ass to grass is not meant for everyone. I went against my own anatomy and caused insane hip and knee pain for years. Squat until you feel a complete stretch of the glutes, that is all. If you squat without the full stretch you are placing the load on the knees and hence knee pain. You go to low and back pain is the killer if it don't fit how you are built. With me, just below parallel and i get full leg development with no pain. I am also leg dominant, have longer legs and shorter torso so for me that is depth. Do not listen to anyone but take the principle advices such as not rounding the back or squatting more weight than you can hold. Test it for yourself and good luck.
Alan..you inspired me to squat ATG years ago though ☹️
Nate Thompson This is for low bar squats, not high bar
@@phoodpharmer thanks for this before this comment I really confused
So glad I discovered both his old ATG video from like 2015 and this one in 2017 so I didn't waste two years going too deep in my squat. It pays to be late in the game lol. Kudos to Alan for being open to improvement and council.
0:26. Alan now that you admitted you have a problem we can work to solve it.
It's cool to see that even after being successful at owning a gym you can admit that you have to start all over at your low bar squat. And this eased my mind on the depth that I have and form I've been using.
Good info. I took your squat video, in which you stated you would rather squat 150 lb deep than 300 lb shallow. I dropped a ton of weight and started squatting deep, but I have run into the same problem as you. When I get to the bottom, I have some butt wink (not uncomfortable at all and didn't know I was doing it until I videotaped myself from the side). But I noticed everything gets way too loose. I lose the tension in my hips and hamstrings. I'll work on correcting this starting today.
If you are not a powerlifter you are probably better off just decreasing the weight and controlling the weight down to the Max depth you can while keeping tension and neutral spine.
Depth in the squat is great, it just requires more strength and mobility.
Whoa. Alan's rethinking his squat depth? (looks outside)
Well, it is freezing over out there.
Seriously though, it takes a big guy to be that accomplished and experienced and still seek out help when things stall.
I was really frustrated with this as my gains have tanked during this cycle since I started to go lower in my squats do to your feedback. Thank you for this honest follow up.
You should shave your head and beard to signify this new style of squatting and change in your life.
Liked the way you weren't taking yourself too seriously but simultaneously always aiming to improve. I appreciate this myself as I've struggled with the same balance/momentum issues when coming out of an ATG squat. Some other interesting comments I saw are:
- Lots asking about ATG is still good for high bar/front squat.
- Liked Carl's suggestion about stringing a bungee cord across to help learning proper depth
Personally I look forward to a few more videos with Alan's new and improved low bar squat and other updates. Keep the great content coming!
"He's not on a bunch of drugs" shots fired at Mark Bell lol
Great video, Alan, I have a same problem and always thought that's just the way it has to be, but this just makes much more sense. Being in control the whole time and not just sinking down is the way to go.
can you make a video on the importance of ankle mobility and how to improve it?
Wear proper lifting shoes (has a heel).
Tig Bitty Wearing squat shoes for low bar is not necessary. Just stretch your ankles and foam roll your calves.
Tig Bitty that works, could use even more dorsi, mine really sucks :(
Henry44266 yee, wish it was that simple, massage and stretch didn't get me that far, otherwise wouldn't be asking.
Go barefoot as often as possible. Not lifting, I mean just getting around. Walking and so forth. You have to get your foot to work as a foot and your ankle strength will improve immensely. Wearing big cushy shoes all day will only fuck you in the long run. Lifting shoes during squats are excellent.
I was not really prepared for the very beginning of this video.. You made my day Alan. Thank you from South Korea
Why not keep going ATG, just slow and controlled?
JLongTom Because going any deeper than the crease of the below the top of the kneecap would necessarily require the lifter to lose tension, regardless of the speed he or she moves at.
Jake McCoy is right but I am going to add this So ass to grass, or no ass to grass?
It's all very confusing to newbies like myself when you hear everyone saying go ATG and then this Alan guy says the opposite.
Jake McCoy thank you for sparing me the time to type a similar reply. ATG, and stop bouncing. Pause at bottom; kill momentum.
I think Alan is trying to say that the hamstrings are at maximum tension around parallel depth, and will therefore elicit the strongest stretch reflex out of the hole at this depth - although he doesn't really elaborate too much. that's what I took away from this. essentially, I think he's saying that this is where the muscles will be able to contract at their most forceful. I seem to recall this being explained in Starting Strength but it's a long time since I read it. someone correct me if I am wrong here.
also, what Alan is saying aside, you will always be able to lift slightly more at parallel rather than full depth simply due to the reduction in work being done over a corresponding smaller range of motion - if that's what you're going for.
I do ATG every once in a while when I want to focus on quads. I do in fact feel that I lose tension off of the hamstrings and glutes at the bottom of the lift.
This video published while I was at the gym doing Front Squats and man I wish I saw this beforehand. Today I was all about "as low as possible" and while attempting a 1RM PR, I messed up my knee trying to come out of the hole without a bounce. Please keep making more of these videos.
Yes we want to see Austin on your channel! :)
Fantastic video! So glad you posted this! My Fiance and I have been watching a lot of your videos since we started strong lifts about 3 months ago, and I've been struggling with my squats because I've worked so much at going ATG like you used to preach. Can't wait to see your other videos on this series!
What do you think about doing a full deep squat (ass to heels) with lighter weight, full control and no bottom bounce? Obviously I am not worried about competing, just getting a full range of motion with my squat.
A great idea.
what you are doing is working on your mobility.
I squat to heels on lighter sets (I squat flat-footed) but not so much on maximal efforts. It ends up quite a bit like a pause squat, since I'm trying for smooth, controlled motion. I always go a little deeper than parallel, but in the 90% range, not by too damn much, because my form gets all jacked up.
I tend to also either bounce or stop my squat at parallel when I go heavy. Bouncing makes me feel like I lose control. That has lead me to stop going as heavy but I am seeing a plateau in strength. Seeing this video, I was wondering if I should change things up.
If your not a competitive powerlifter do that
I’m late to this convo. I’ve been trying to learn to “ass to grass” squat PROPERLY.
I’ve found that doing pause squats and trying to gradually decrease the depth while keeping my back straight and the weight over my foot.
I’ve had to deload the weight to do this but I’ve noticed a huge improvement in muscle control as well as improved mobility in my hips
Literally just don't bounce. This isn't a reason against atg squats at all.
Although your squats may need some tweaking, but your videos are great Alan. They are just the right duration and have all the necessary info with humor to keep it interesting.
"Open up your taint" - Ed Coan
ancient wisdom
I respect the fact that Alan does not act like a know-it-all and is humble enough to make a video showing himself trying to make improvements.
arent you looking down because.... you learned how to squat from starting strength?
xanadu172 D that is Alan's own advice.
my guess is part 2 will explain why he is looking down and why it is good?
typically on the ground 4' to 5' in front of you is where SS recommends you look.
Is it bad that I look straight up once I hit my lowest point and start to ascend?
Its not about looking at anything. Just go wherever ever a neutral spine takes you. Neutral spine is boss here, that means head and neck too, think about a straight line from the top of your tail bone all the way to the top of your neck. So that will dictate where you 'look'.. Just focus on Neutral spine. So to summarize; Neutral Spine.
PS . Spine should be neutral
Awesome. I'm a big fan of Austin and glad you are giving props to starting strength to your wide audience once again.
As long as you don't compete IPF / USAPL lol
Why is that?
I read a while ago that deep squats and deep squat holds have their place in mobility training with your body weight or just light goblet squats. As for squatting under large loads, your current conclusion makes good sense and I think it's great that you aren't ashamed to admit that you're still learning. Seems a plateau in strength can sometimes be caused by a plateau in knowledge. Great content, Alan
Wouldn't ATG still be beneficial for Olympic lifting? I feel like the lower you squat, the lower you can receive the bar.
I am glad the description says “Low bar squats”. I am a high bar squatter for Olympic lifting purposes so depth is very important plus the squat movement is quite different to low bar anyway.
Good video
Olympic lifters always squat ATG.
different sport and they do it highbar
This is a lowbar squat
I gotta say this came at the perfect time in development for my squat. I've been following your channel for a year or two now and my problem had been for a while that I squat way to low. I've noticed since I stopped going so low and began stopping just at the point of my hips being below my knees. Watching you execute this has definitely reaffirmed that I am on the right track.
The fact that you admit imperfection in your training and techniques with all your experience you deserve so much respect!!! Saying goes in Australia, 'You are a bloody legend!!!' Theres so much shit superficial cheating training advice and unqualified sleazy trainers on youtube and in this world. Hard find someone who is genuinely truthful about training and their physique. Too many people popping pills powders injections behind the scenes and claiming it was broccoli and some circuit that got their shape.
Once again you are a legend. Keep it up.
Well, i'm doing ass to grass.BUT, each time i am down, i pause for a second, so that i eliminate the possibility of any inertia bounce. I kinda feel sad that you are letting go of atg...
Love watching the progress and the evolution of training methods of RUclips coaches....I just watched Alan's video from 2015 praising ATG for squats.
notification squad where you at??
You’re a beast and an inspiration. It was super refreshing (but uncommon) to see you critique yourself and give yourself constructive feedback. It is truly missing in the fitness industry. Everyone seems to have the answer... but nobody is perfect. We need more people like you who are willing to help while finding ways to improve themselves! Love your videos, keep it up.
ATG all day
Anybody willing to change up their squat and take another look at their positioning after years of doing it one way, shows that you are open minded and are truly passionate about power lifting. Great vid!
Ass to grass, sir.
Is that zizek in your profile pic?
Dnt Wry decimated knees please
in the great words of Clarence Kennedy, amen
I think it's awesome you've reached out to a Starting Strength coach. They are (on the whole) a very talented and smart group of coaches with a high level of understanding *and* the ability to communicate/teach their clients. They also practice what they preach.
What about pause squats?
Thank you so much for this. I've had basically the same problems you're describing in the video, and changing my depth has improved my form overall.
Rippetoe tells people to look down in his SS videos! 7:20
It's quite admirable that he's committed to improving and developing his technique even if it means admitting fault/correcting himself. Alan, you are the man!
" Dang now that's a squat! "
Thank you !! This is super helpful, I never thought this was a problem but I really think it’s been holding me back from moving more weight. The bounce at the bottom is my crutchhh
what about squatting to low on high bar? same rules apply?
a squat should only go as low as you can with a straight back and upright chest, if its barely at parallel then lots of mobility work/stretching needs to be done
you have the strength of character to move forward,because you have the ability to accept that you may be wrong, and can accept that ,respect and good wishes to you ,or in other words good on you bro.
I disagree with this, which is not common on your channel for me. sure if you're training to compete in powerlifting and u don't wanna go lower than required I get it.
but for general strength and athletics u should squat ATG. but u stop just short of the place where u lose tension and "sit into your heels". in other words u don't hit the resting squat position. this requires control in the second half of the squat, not just dive-bombing it. and yes squatting ATG is inferior for hamstring development, but it is superior for glute development, also deadlifts work great for hamstrings
when squating with flat shoes, high Bar, u will find that u cant hit the resting position without losing a neutral lumber spine. (most people)
so squat ATG while keeping full tension in the glutes and keeping a neutral lumber. if u wanna crank it up add a pause at the bottom
btw all this is assuming u squat high Bar or front squat, i.e. Olympic Style. with is more athletic imo
Great work, Alan! Nice to see your new squat form - looked really clean. Had to rebuild my squats a short while ago. The exercise that helped me with the same problem was the "5 seconds down, 3 seconds in the hole and explode up"-exercise (don't know the real name for it...). Also, thinking about pressing my back into the bar on the way up really gave a great mental cue.
I like this video....but now go and edit all the old video you have make about go deep XD
i trusted you Alan! and now you want to turn my world upside down!!?? how could you.
Tio Griver yeah what the hell, Alan is the whole reason I squat deep!
He doesn't need to. His purpose previously has been to cure quarter squatters from their delusion of squatting heavy.
sarcasm -.-
I thought I was missing something. His videos were the reason I went to ATG.
An experienced lifter highlighting his own lifting flaws to coach others. Humble, fair play to you.
The purpose of life becomes realized at ATG.
Food for thought, i squat just as deep as you used to. Never crossed my mind that it would make it easier. Going to try to adjust next time I'm doing leg day. The only thing is I do slow descents and even pause sometimes when I'm down to make sure I'm not using momentum.
Gotta change that channel picture man..
Great video Allen, as a power lifter watching your channel. I have also got to the point where I had to change my form for the best, part of the sport. Always need to change to get better in a way
Are you going to delete your how to squat video now Alan
Alan, you're a fucking champion!!! Using your own vids to point out faults in your own technique and how to fix them, I've always appreciated your honest opinion and straight up approach to lifting heavier/faster/stronger and this video is testament to that. Hats off to you my friend
and most olympic lifters still out squat powerlifter 😂😂😂😂
Bachteria more drugs and better genetics since doing powerlifting doesn't make much money.
Bachteria doing ATG low bar squats are useless but high bar it's almost a necessity
Samurai Squat In order to receive funding from the gov, olympic lifters have to compete and win some comps. Otherwise they ll have to pay for their own. I am friend with some lifters from national team and thats what they say.
Bachteria yea that shows the incentive they have to try Oly lifting, in powerlifting even top level athlete's don't get much funding at all. With oly lifting being an Olympic sport it will attract more often people with top tier genetics. Also the PED use in Oly lifting is another topic lol all those elite athlete's who are at the world level or even national level are on levels of shit. Most powerlifters just can't afford the drugs
If by "olympic lifters" you mean people at the olympics than yes no shocker there....however when I hear "most olympic lifters" i generally imagine the quintessential 5'9 165 lbs douchebag spending fucking 30 minutes on my deadlift platform doing clean and jerks in spandex who probably prides himself on doing such complex lifts to compensate for his physique being able to be hidden by a long sleeve T shirt like vegan gains xD ......or you know.....a fat crossfit girl.
props for being humble enough to admit your mistakes and help everyone learn. looking back on training footage I'm guilty of this too. I'll just remember the voice of Rip saying "STAY IN THE HYIPS"
ASS TO GRASS SIR!
I started the stronglifts 5x5 program and realized i'm squating too low. This morning I was searching for a video to fix it...I'm glad you posted this man
jacob duyon you should go to the starting strength channel
oh snap, i've never seen this channel before thanks!
he's just looking to break a plateau not informing you about any awareness you should be concerned with.
Thanks Alan. I cut my squat depth because of your video and am getting stronger and have no more low back/pelvic pain when squatting.
early asf
HUGE help, man. I recently noticed that i started dropping way down more than normal. And now that I'm going up in weight, i started noticing that when coming out of the hole i would lean forward onto my toes. This is an issue I never had before. So I think that cutting the depth will definitely help me maintain that balance and keeping upright, like i used to. Thanks Alan!!!
Ankle mobility is ur limiting factor, invest in squat shoes or cut ur depth