Question about bodyweight squats.

tripper167

I was reading up on different variations on body weight squats and I was amazed how many warnings I saw to do with potential knee damage.

One even said that the US army banned them because they had shown that they cause damage to the knees, but then you see people squating with very heavy barbells and have been doing so for years and they have no adverse effects from them. Quite the opposite, their legs are in great shape.

Assuming someone is doing a standard bodyweight squat properly, can he/she actually damage their knees?

El Horseboxo

The US military don't have a ban on squats. Bodyweight or otherwise. They used to years ago before the science behind exercise became more advanced. Squats performed correctly can actually prevent certain knee injuries. So get your form right and don't worry about your knees.

tripper167

El Horseboxo wrote: »

The US military don't have a ban on squats. Bodyweight or otherwise. They used to years ago before the science behind exercise became more advanced. Squats performed correctly can actually prevent certain knee injuries. So get your form right and don't worry about your knees.

Grand stuff, that's pretty much exactly why I started doing them. I had problems with my knee's previously from running but the strengthening from squats,lunges etc. did wonders. It really just seemed strange to me that there were so many articles on the bad aspects (if there are indeed any) of squats. I'll keep squating anyway for sure.

Hanley

tripper167 wrote: »

Grand stuff, that's pretty much exactly why I started doing them. I had problems with my knee's previously from running but the strengthening from squats,lunges etc. did wonders. It really just seemed strange to me that there were so many articles on the bad aspects (if there are indeed any) of squats. I'll keep squating anyway for sure.

It's mainly because people are parrots and idiots!!

chadmustang

"Squatting doesn't hurt your knees, whatever you're doing hurts your knees.. it's not squatting" - Dan John

CrossFit Mallow

tripper167 wrote: »

Assuming someone is doing a standard bodyweight squat properly, can he/she actually damage their knees?

Squats with correct form are actually good for your knees. But its rare to see a good squat performed by someone that just decides to start squatting or reads an article on how to squat. I could count on one hand the number of people i've seen squat correctly in the i gym used to work in(until i corrected their form)
Get instruction from someone that knows how to squat(really knows, not just thinks they know!) and get practising!

Hanley

CrossFit Mallow wrote: »

Squats with correct form are actually good for your knees. But its rare to see a good squat performed by someone that just decides to start squatting or reads an article on how to squat. I could count on one hand the number of people i've seen squat correctly in the i gym used to work in(until i corrected their form)
Get instruction from someone that knows how to squat(really knows, not just thinks they know!) and get practising!

Yeah exactly. Don't squat Rippetoe style!

CrossFit Mallow

Hanley wrote: »

Yeah exactly. Don't squat Rippetoe style!

Arent those' cheating' pull ups! Not again!!!

I'm actually a big fan of louis Simmons and box squats. I had a 400m hurdler doing them last winter and he took 2 full seconds off his time this summer and broke a 30 year old Irish record. Patrick Maher from Leevale. He made no other changes to his training.

hanley, what style do you use and we are powerlifters so against Rip's style?

Hanley

CrossFit Mallow wrote: »

Arent those' cheating' pull ups! Not again!!!

I'm actually a big fan of louis Simmons and box squats. I had a 400m hurdler doing them last winter and he took 2 full seconds off his time this summer and broke a 30 year old Irish record. Patrick Maher from Leevale. He made no other changes to his training.

hanley, what style do you use and we are powerlifters so against Rip's style?

I use the style of squat were you go below parallel and then stand up again.

Rippetoe's style is "elbow's high (to support the bar) and look down" yeah?

Show me a good squatter who does that. Try that with any significant weight and you're going to face plant.

THe problem's compounded by "driving your hips" out of the bottom. It's a squat. Not a good morning.

Everything about his style of squatting seems to be targeted at tryin to make you miss weights forward.

Magic Eight Ball

tripper167 wrote: »

One even said that the US army banned them because they had shown that they cause damage to the knees..

The U.S army you say?

Transform

tripper167 wrote: »

Grand stuff, that's pretty much exactly why I started doing them. I had problems with my knee's previously from running but the strengthening from squats,lunges etc. did wonders. It really just seemed strange to me that there were so many articles on the bad aspects (if there are indeed any) of squats. I'll keep squating anyway for sure.

just make sure you are watching out for common errors like -

- knee(s) falling inwards
- loss of lumbar curve at the bottom
- chest falling forwards
- in ability to break parallel

etc

Sinlge leg work like single leg deadlifts, lunges, split squats etc can be a great help also

yes you can damage anything if done incorrectly all the time

CrossFit Mallow

Hanley,
Would you see any point in using Rip's style with complete beginners or would you recommend Simmons style with beginners too?

I like to get as informed as i can on different styles and get everyones opinion then decide for myself. I've seen a lot of criticism of rips squat though.

chadmustang

Grab a kettlebell and goblet squat it... Push you're knees out and sit right back (and down) with your chest high and back tight.

Is that not how everyone should be squatting?

Hanley

CrossFit Mallow wrote: »

Hanley,
Would you see any point in using Rip's style with complete beginners or would you recommend Simmons style with beginners too?

I like to get as informed as i can on different styles and get everyones opinion then decide for myself. I've seen a lot of criticism of rips squat though.

I think Simmon's style is stupid unless you're wearing about an inch thick layer of canvas. There's no point trying to squat with your feet 4 feet apart and sit all the way back without equipment on.

Why can't there just be a happy medium?

Stance just outside shoulder width, break at the hips and then go down, knees will go slightly past the toes, try to keep your elbows rotated down under the bar (not possible but arches your upper back and prevents falling forward), and keep your head up.

Simples!

CrossFit Mallow

Simples is right!!!
Thanks for your reply.