Squats: Are they REALLY necessary?

I think the "getting too big" stuff is a bit much, but the points regarding mobility and diminishing returns are worth consideration
 
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SexyMahnaz said:
continued ... http://maxwellsc.com/blog.cfm?blogID=60
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He's wrong about weights always reducing flexibility and mobility.

Flexibility and mobility work on a "use it or lose it" principle, like most other physical attributes. Lifting weights or performing other physical activities which are strenuous and/or over will accelerate that process *if* nothing is done to counteract it. Which is why many lifters and bodybuilders are very inflexible/immobile. But if you work on it, you can be just as flexible and mobile as you need while also lifting. Oly lifters are a case in point- their hip, ankle, lower back and shoulder flexibility and mobility is really outstanding. If what that guy was saying was true, then this would be impossible, rather than undeniable.
 
KnightTemplar said:
Agreed. Of course, Oly Lifters>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bodybuilders.
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LOL. I know but doing some high rep squats is a great way to shock you system. High rep squats will not only build some size but some muscular endurance. The cardio is on another level also.

If you are training for MA, size and strength are not everything. You need to develop other attributes. Like I said earlier, if you aren't doing heavy squats, you are not in a strength training phase.
 
Totally dropped back squats
Trap bar deadlift and front squats work for me
I developed a lipoma on my atlas bone on my back
Hurts like fuck if I place a bar on it
I should have surgery but can't afford the time off
 
KnightTemplar said:
Agreed. Of course, Oly Lifters>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bodybuilders.
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I mean.. I agree, but there's more than one way to get the job done. If you're simply going in there and hitting 3 sets of 8 with a weight that's moderately challenging and thinking you're getting the job done, you're mistaken. Is there an optimal way to train? Fuck if I know.. probably. But most people don't work nearly hard enough in the gym for it to matter what is "optimal." If the intensity isn't there, then it doesn't matter if you're doing 3s, 8s, 20s, or whatever else. Putting your big boy pants on and squatting for serious is demoralizing at first, which is why it's uncommon to see. Between the initial mobility issues and weak points and the difficulty of proper execution, I can see why no one wants to stick with it. Plus, bitches can't see your thighs, so who cares?!?
 
Sometimes, when I'm wearing shorts in the gym I'll purposely lift my shorts up above my knee whilst squatting to show that I do have quads.
Wearing knee length shorts, with standard girlie calfs will make any ones legs look small.
 
if you want to impress the boys with your sexy, big, round badonkadonk then probably you should squat.
 
seamus1979 said:
Totally dropped back squats
Trap bar deadlift and front squats work for me
I developed a lipoma on my atlas bone on my back
Hurts like fuck if I place a bar on it
I should have surgery but can't afford the time off
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Are you sure it's the atlas bone? That's the first cervical vertebrae (Ie. immediately below the skull), I'm not even sure it's possible to place the bar that high.
 
Necessary? No. Optimal? Yes, they are more than likely an optimal exercise in many routines. So if you don't like them then don't do them, but realize that they are such a highly praised exercise for a reason.
 
I got pretty big calves and quads for my frame and I only do leg pressing, if that. Squats must be great and all, but the effort it requires to learn proper form and progress in weights accordingly is honestly not worth it for me. Esp. if you're not an aspiring athlete/dont train for another sport.
 
If I couldn't squat I would own deadlifting from deficit. But it would take me awhile to get my mobility there. Hmm I'm thinking of side project...
 
JRT6 said:
If I couldn't squat I would own deadlifting from deficit. But it would take me awhile to get my mobility there. Hmm I'm thinking of side project...
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It'd depend on why you can't squat. But some combination of step-ups, lunges, heavy sled/prowler work, various types of deadlift, trap bar deadlifts, and GMs, would be alright for general strength purposes.

But as Miaou said earlier, there's simply no other exercise that trains both knee and hip extension together and through as much range of motion. A step-up might be able to come close, but the unilateral nature means that at heavy loads balance could be a safety issue, it won't train the "core" as effectively, and there's a tendency to "cheat" with the leg that isn't being trained.
 
Why is this thread still fucking open? Have we not established that squats are not for everyone, and that only those who want to become better at anything should do them, and that the guy in the article is a fucking douchey weirdo who doesn't do squats cause he's not interested in getting better at anything except pistol squatting?
 
NurseKnuckles said:
Why is this thread still fucking open? Have we not established that squats are not for everyone, and that only those who want to become better at anything should do them, and that the guy in the article is a fucking douchey weirdo who doesn't do squats cause he's not interested in getting better at anything except pistol squatting?
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You forgot /thread
 
Steve maxwell is the man. I'll take his advice over anybody here.
 
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