Full Squats Vs (normal) Squats

Cookeh

Cookeh

Cookeh

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Hey guys,

Been doing squats for about a month now (from when I started lifting, basically :p) and have been trying full squats the past two leg days. I've been trying to avoid exploding out of either position to keep the muscle under strain for as long as possible, but I feel I've 'felt' full squats more than a standard squat - seems to burn my quads out quicker and the ache lasts about a day longer.

My question is, are they actually better than normal squats, or are there some more precautions I need to take (like avoiding having my hamstrings resting on my calves at the bottom) and are they worth the extra effort?

I'm training for size atm, so I'll do 4 sets of 8-10reps (and an additional set if I feel like I can do one) alongside 3x8-10 of leg press, leg extensions and leg curls (again all with an additional set if I feel I can manage one).

Thanks in advance,
Cookeh
 
Pardon the dumb question, but what is the difference between a full squat and a regular squat?

Because you're either squatting properly, or you're not...?
 
mrthingyx said:
Pardon the dumb question, but what is the difference between a full squat and a regular squat?

Because you're either squatting properly, or you're not...?
Click to expand...

Normal squat you go to a depth as if you were sitting on a box, also called a parallel squat.
http://www.exrx.net/AnimatedEx/Quadriceps/BBSquatHigh.gif

Full squat is where you go as deep as you can, such as:
http://www.exrx.net/AnimatedEx/Quadriceps/BBFullSquat.gif

Don't hotlink images. It's lucky that Exrx are relatively kind with the image they replace it with.
 
Im not sure what you guys are missing? :S

There are different styles of squat, Im trying to establish if there is an actual advantage to doing one over the other :p
 
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Cookeh said:
Im not sure what you guys are missing? :S
Click to expand...

Hotlinking hasn't helped you here, they've replaced the image with something else.

However I'm not sure why you'd want to not go as deep in the squat as flexibility and good form allows. If you were in competition or working out for a specific reason then you might not go as deep as possible but outside of that there doesn't seem to be any benefit in halting at say a 90 degree bend in the knees (i.e. you just hit parallel) - it's not harmful to go beyond that point provided you stick to good form but that should be a given anyway. Or am I completely misunderstanding the question you're asking?

//edit and don't just drop into the squat too fast, try to maintain control at all points, the negative is important as well as the positive part of the action.
 
Nope, you pretty much nailed it.

I thought I'd ask, as I never see anyone going past 90' and most of the bodybuilding guides etc dont specify a difference or show a form other than 90'.

EDIT: Apologies for the hotlinking, didn't know what it was or that it existed xD
 
semi-pro waster said:
However I'm not sure why you'd want to not go as deep in the squat as flexibility and good form allows.
Click to expand...

Cookeh said:
Fair enough, but bearing that in mind I find it odd that most sites show the form as only going to 90' :confused:
Click to expand...

All you need to know. Low bar squat is going to be less deep, unless you have unusual limb lengths. High bar and front squats will be deeper, but generally more quad dominant.
 
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