The speed of Squatting?!

Magic Eight Ball

Quick question about squatting lads, hopefully get a little insight.

Firstly, I’m confident my squat technique is fairly good (learned from Starting Strength) I try practice good posture and never let the weight on the bar compromise technique.

My question has to do with speed, when I squat I often find myself waiting a second before going into the second squat and so on. I think it is maybe because how deep I’m squatting.

I’ve notice nearly every other guy in the gym seems to squat much faster, some almost using a ‘pumping’ action.

Granted I’ve noticed a few of these people don’t squat half as deep as myself but it’s left me a little confused about the rate I should be squatting.

Should I be using the moderate pace or going at it with a little more pace?

the drifter

moderate pace is fine.. there is no point rushing it and getting your setup wrong!

jim o doom

Well slower is harder to do, isn't it? I mean faster would be better for cardio - but slower seems much more difficulty to me.. I would have (beware uninformed opinion) thought slower would be better for the muscles because it's so much harder (I mean pretty damn slow with a heavy weight)

kevpants

Waiting a second at the top is fine. Take a breath into your belly and make sure you're tight for the next rep.

You'll notice the people who know how to squat will take a small pause at the top. The squat should be a deliberate action rather than high speed bouncing up and down. Sounds like you're doing everything right.

Colm_OReilly

A heavy set of 5 can take a minute to ninety seconds, depending on how fatigued you are.

If you're squatting correctly, you should be pulling yourself into the hole, rather than just bouncing down and up.

I've never had to tell an athlete they're squatting too slow so far.

BobbyOLeary

Yeah, waiting at the top to take a new breath and make sure your chest is up and tight is fine, probably better really as it allows you make sure your setup position is good.

Colm, 90 seconds? They are some heavy squats if it takes that amount of time.

the drifter

Colm_OReilly wrote: »

If you're squatting correctly, you should be pulling yourself into the hole, rather than just bouncing down and up.

what if your using the stretch reflex at the bottom?? or maybe ive misunderstood what your saying above?

dave80

Colm_OReilly wrote: »

A heavy set of 5 can take a minute to ninety seconds

sounds a bit long esp. 90 seconds :eek:

Colm_OReilly

the drifter wrote: »

what if your using the stretch reflex at the bottom?? or maybe ive misunderstood what your saying above?

Stretch reflex is fine. I actually thought about that when I wrote bouncing but couldn't think of another way to describe it. Bobbing up and down maybe? Deliberate movement is what I'm after.

the drifter

Colm_OReilly wrote: »

Stretch reflex is fine. I actually thought about that when I wrote bouncing but couldn't think of another way to describe it. Bobbing up and down maybe? Deliberate movement is what I'm after.

that will do i use the stretch reflex alot in my squats...if you get good at it..it can be very helpful

Magic Eight Ball

Thanks for that lads.
I had an idea I wasn't doing to bad but the reassurance from you lot is a great piece of mind.

You know yourself, when everyone else in the gym is doing it different it can make you wonder if your really doing it correct after all.

Thanks again..

AARRRGH

Trevor Coulahan wrote: »

I’ve notice nearly every other guy in the gym seems to squat much faster, some almost using a ‘pumping’ action.

The biggest mistake you can do is copy other people in the gym. Most people's workouts are injuries waiting to happen.

Reyman

Have a look at this lady with chains:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rs0WZi0fEk