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Title: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 03:12:30 PM
see what i don't understand about squatting


you squat all the way down and keep the lower back tight as hell


how is it possible for the knees not to travel a huge amount in front of the toes unless you are falling backwards...




and yet tall guys like mikhail koklyaev (6'4") can squat all the way down without knees going in front of toes


i dont get it

it's like a magic trick


the only way to make the knees not go forward would be by sitting back so far you nearly fall over or are rounding your back like a question mark

basically i wonder, does it matter if your knees go a big amount to the front as long as you are sitting straight down with a tight back?
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: Danjo on February 16, 2012, 03:13:42 PM
Ankle flexibility plays a part as well.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: wes on February 16, 2012, 03:14:09 PM
Yes....end of obscure thread number 231654.  ;D
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 03:15:38 PM
Ankle flexibility plays a part as well.

well i think my ankles are SUPER FLEXIBLE and this is actually causing the knees to go forward so much, since the shin bone is angling so much forward...


i basically sit straight down with knees going out but can't help but notice that knees go so much in front but not in mikhail koklyaev etc case...

and they are taller still
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 03:16:25 PM
Yes....end of obscure thread number 231654.  ;D

does this mean the tall guys who can squat all the way down with knees not going all the way front have proportionally shorter thighs despite being taller?
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: wes on February 16, 2012, 03:21:47 PM
does this mean the tall guys who can squat all the way down with knees not going all the way front have proportionally shorter thighs despite being taller?
I DON`T KNOW OR CARE!!!!   LOL  ;D
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 03:24:19 PM
I DON`T KNOW OR CARE!!!!   LOL  ;D

so why say "yes" first when you actually don't have a clue


you need to cool it with the shenanigans in serious matters threads old man
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 03:34:13 PM
this is why i hate wes

he's all bro science


can't answer a legitimate question
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 03:51:18 PM
Is it a high bar olympic squat you are trying?

yes i have always squated like this and never understood how it is humanly possible to not have the knees in front of the toes
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: B_B_C on February 16, 2012, 03:59:09 PM
 the knee moving ahead of the foot seems to be more noticable the lower down from the neck the bar is placed. I accept it as long as the knee is broadly overthe foot  ie travelling in the same direction. From what i have seen of tall lifters, expecially ones new to the squat, is their tendency to twist on the assent but the few I spoke to about this found that concentrating on the knee travelling in the direction of the splayed food greatly reduced the twisting force.
As a philosophy to encourage the knee travel in the direction of the foot its useful though when you think of the centreline of gravity its probably unachievable for most of us and not a natural squat position. Bear in mind squatting (not weights though) is or was  a normal movement / position for humans until the chair took over. Look at young children when told to sit down, almost all will attempt to tilt the chair forward to an almost squat posture.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 04:01:34 PM
the knee moving ahead of the foot seems to be more noticable the lower down from the neck the bar is placed. I accept it as long as the knee is broadly overthe foot  ie travelling in the same direction. From what i have seen of tall lifters, expecially ones new to the squat, is their tendency to twist on the assent but the few I spoke to about this found that concentrating on the knee travelling in the direction of the splayed food greatly reduced the twisting force.
As a philosophy to encourage the knee travel in the direction of the foot its useful though when you think of the centreline of gravity its probably unachievable for most of us and not a natural squat position. Bear in mind squatting (not weights though) is or was  a normal movement / position for humans until the chair took over. Look at young children when told to sit down, almost all will attempt to tilt the chair forward to an almost squat posture.

when i sit down with or without a weight in bottom squat position with back tight

there is no way i can get my knees from traveling forward


i just dont understand how some guys squat deep and the shins are nearly vertical so no knee travel at all

it looks like a magic trick
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: wes on February 16, 2012, 04:02:48 PM
so why say "yes" first when you actually don't have a clue


you need to cool it with the shenanigans in serious matters threads old man
I laughed out loud at this.....glad I wasn`t drinking coffee!  ;D
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 04:06:08 PM
i think i will record myself squating and analyze it in depth
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: wes on February 16, 2012, 04:07:33 PM
Why don`t you record yourself squating and analyze it in depth ?
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: HTexan on February 16, 2012, 04:14:05 PM
i always been told that the knee shouldn't go pass your toes. I wear size 13s so there goes that. ;D

the squat stool method is great for beginners.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: B_B_C on February 16, 2012, 04:30:54 PM
when i sit down with or without a weight in bottom squat position with back tight there is no way i can get my knees from traveling forward
i just dont understand how some guys squat deep and the shins are nearly vertical so no knee travel at all
it looks like a magic trick

for get weights for a moment
If you needed a shit out in the wood and there was no danger of being stung by nettles youd be able to do a deep squat (this is the anatomically best way to have a shit as it opens the pelvis and keeps the back straight)

Next time you see children play at say building sandcastles see how they squat down with their shins / thighs and torso almost paralel like an accordian. Flexability is greater for them but with a bit of effort can be recovered by you (yoga is wonderful for this - even if only a few sessions to give you the mindspace / philosophy). 
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: 20inch calves on February 16, 2012, 05:34:37 PM
yes i have always squated like this and never understood how it is humanly possible to not have the knees in front of the toes


i agree. its nearly impossible. i have been doing box squats and have noticed this lately. i have knee problems and have read that your knees are not suppose to travel over your feet. i will say that you can push your butt and hips back further which helps if you are tall
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: wes on February 16, 2012, 05:41:37 PM
I have always told clients that I train when squatting or lunging, not to pay any attention to that knee beyond toe bullshit.

I don`t think it warrants all the hype it gets,just more fitness BS put out there by some twink with a big blue rubber fucking ball.

look at Olympic lifters when they drop into a squat snatch.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: Krankenstein on February 16, 2012, 05:50:51 PM
yes i have always squated like this and never understood how it is humanly possible to not have the knees in front of the toes

Because you probably have tight hamstrings....or were NEVER taught form properly.  Get that ass out behind you....

x100 for wes' comment......jesus, you trying to set a record for most threads started that are meaningless bullshit????
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: dogbowl on February 16, 2012, 07:44:42 PM
Toddlers are the best natural squatters.  The difference between their proportions and adult proportions might hold a clue to the answer.  (Besides flexibility issues.)

(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/377245_317146358298246_209741335705416_1360249_1259939111_n.jpg)
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: abijahmaniaco on February 16, 2012, 08:16:05 PM
fuck squats. hope this helps.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: NeilGM on February 16, 2012, 08:24:39 PM
Bio Mechanics - The shape, length of the bone structure and the joint shape and flexibility of the tendons/ligaments dictate your range of motion. Tendons and ligaments can be "taught" through stretching and exercise to increase flexibility however the mechanics of the bone structure cannot change. Hence why everyone is not able to squat deep.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: 20inch calves on February 16, 2012, 10:12:50 PM
Toddlers are the best natural squatters.  The difference between their proportions and adult proportions might hold a clue to the answer.  (Besides flexibility issues.)

(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/377245_317146358298246_209741335705416_1360249_1259939111_n.jpg)

thats pretty good. you notice that you have to bring your hips  and butt back to achieve this...thats what i was missing
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 11:12:49 PM
Toddlers are the best natural squatters.  The difference between their proportions and adult proportions might hold a clue to the answer.  (Besides flexibility issues.)

(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/377245_317146358298246_209741335705416_1360249_1259939111_n.jpg)

this is not a realistic position where you can keeop a barbell balanced

would fall backwards this way AND the back is not tight at all


this is why he can manage to keep the shins so vertical
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 11:14:15 PM
Because you probably have tight hamstrings....or were NEVER taught form properly.  Get that ass out behind you....

x100 for wes' comment......jesus, you trying to set a record for most threads started that are meaningless bullshit????

this is a wrong cue for olympic squats


olympic squats are about sitting straight down "in between your legs"
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: GoneAway on February 16, 2012, 11:17:32 PM
Knee beyond toes dictates less pressure on the thighs. Knees held static will put full pressure on the thighs as only the knee (and partial hip) joint are rotating.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 16, 2012, 11:28:36 PM
see this is what i'm talking about

knees go way in front


but i see no other way for him to sit at the bottom without completely releasing the back pressure


(http://www.t-nation.com/img/photos/2010/10-027-training/03.jpg)

his back is not even that tight, if he would actually arch it his knee would go even more forward
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: jon cole on February 17, 2012, 12:10:55 AM
see what i don't understand about squatting


you squat all the way down and keep the lower back tight as hell


how is it possible for the knees not to travel a huge amount in front of the toes unless you are falling backwards...




and yet tall guys like mikhail koklyaev (6'4") can squat all the way down without knees going in front of toes


i dont get it

it's like a magic trick


the only way to make the knees not go forward would be by sitting back so far you nearly fall over or are rounding your back like a question mark

basically i wonder, does it matter if your knees go a big amount to the front as long as you are sitting straight down with a tight back?


that question boggled my mind too...

ed coan's knee are locked and don't go forward...
andrei malanichev's knee are going forward a lot...

they both squat over 1000.

locking the knee is simply impossible for me, i've got long femur and short tibia; i'm 6.3, , in regular squat it force me to sit back to far and make my upper back bend forward too.

so to answer to your question, while squatting think about putting the weight on your ankle, and pushing it with them, don't place the weight or push it with yout toes...your knee will go less forward.



leverage are everything in squat dl and bench.

i'm 6.3, during my first squat session i litterraly collapse with 135 lbs.

years ago my buddy, who was only 16 y.o, was 5.6, with perfect bone structure, squatted 300lbs during is first session, he was only shaking a little bit because of inexperience...few month later he was squatting 300 for 20 reps...on the contrary he was a shitty deadlifter.

being strong in the big three is a matter of leverage.


Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: jon cole on February 17, 2012, 12:13:31 AM
I have always told clients that I train when squatting or lunging, not to pay any attention to that knee beyond toe bullshit.

I don`t think it warrants all the hype it gets,just more fitness BS put out there by some twink with a big blue rubber fucking ball.

look at Olympic lifters when they drop into a squat snatch.

words of wisdom.

my knee are beyond my toes, and it's the only way for me to squat.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: Super Natural on February 17, 2012, 12:30:06 AM
words of wisdom.

my knee are beyond my toes, and it's the only way for me to squat.

X2
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: Sherief Shalaby on February 17, 2012, 01:26:36 AM
IMO you knees must not pass your toes in smith squats only and this is why you must locate your feet in front of your torso level but in normal squats it's impossible!!..


Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: Sherief Shalaby on February 17, 2012, 01:35:34 AM
not impossible!!.. i will try this next time and see :D

[ Invalid YouTube link ]
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: Samourai Pizzacat on February 17, 2012, 01:56:01 AM
Toddlers are the best natural squatters.  The difference between their proportions and adult proportions might hold a clue to the answer.  (Besides flexibility issues.)

(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/377245_317146358298246_209741335705416_1360249_1259939111_n.jpg)

LOL @noggin
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: Krankenstein on February 17, 2012, 02:14:19 AM
this is a wrong cue for olympic squats


olympic squats are about sitting straight down "in between your legs"

Olympic squats?

Why dont you use good ol' google....elitefts.com and squat technique....
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 17, 2012, 03:24:37 AM
not impossible!!.. i will try this next time and see :D

[ Invalid YouTube link ]

yeah that is possible if you only go parallel

but once you go all the way down the hips will be basically over the ankle joint and guess where that puts the knees
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: _bruce_ on February 17, 2012, 04:26:05 AM
Toddlers are the best natural squatters.  The difference between their proportions and adult proportions might hold a clue to the answer.  (Besides flexibility issues.)

(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/377245_317146358298246_209741335705416_1360249_1259939111_n.jpg)

Haha - great example!

Vid is also a good hint.
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: B_B_C on February 17, 2012, 11:28:55 AM
this is not a realistic position where you can keeop a barbell balanced would fall backwards this way AND the back is not tight at all this is why he can manage to keep the shins so vertical
ok forget the bar for a moment
are you able to get in to the same squat position as the illustrated child?
If you are sit in it for a few moments and feel the way your weight transmitts to the ground
Not all the weight will go to the heel - there are two arches in the foot : the arch from heel to toes and the arch from little to big toe so in effect the foot is a tripod load with idealy equal weight to heel and toes however many if not most people tend to lean forward so. In addition you could also consider how much you can fold yourself in two (again Im assuming some yoga understanding) The squat like many weight lifting movements is not a natural lift but does call for the flexibility of many everyday movements but in one combined movement.
When in the above "babysquat" position dont stay there too long - baby moves in and out in the time we think about it
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: Dr Dutch on February 17, 2012, 11:33:54 AM
it looks like a magic trick
Don't worry about it, it's just your lousy genetics. It doesn't make you a bad person, PNS....
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 17, 2012, 01:39:43 PM
i've been pondering about this all day

i think it's basically the proportion of your torso length to your femur length

short torso long femur=>upright position in the squat with pronounced inclination of the shin bones and thus larger knee travel forward


long torso short femur=>shins pretty vertical and so hardly any knee travel but torso much more inclined than the other guy

there is no other way think about it


i figured it out all by myself


Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: B_B_C on February 17, 2012, 01:55:00 PM

i figured it out all by myself


probably explains those rhetorical, sometimes self justifying, threads you post
Title: Re: do body proportions dictate knee travel in full squats?
Post by: purenaturalstrength on February 17, 2012, 01:55:59 PM
probably explains those rhetorical, sometimes self justifying, threads you post

sons and daughters