10 reasons NOT to barbell squat - prepare for meltdowns by the hard men

[bears]

http://www.thedreamlounge.net/barbell-squat/

Once upon a time I published a post on this blog titled “Barbell Squat : the Worst Exercise in Existence?”. As it turned out, barbell squat fanati fans were not pleased with this post.

In fact after they got done kindly telling me how upset they were with my ideas, they proceeded to link my post from the front page of every major “fitness” forum on the internet, so all of their buddies could join in on venting bottled up rage from early childhood abuse.

Excuse me, leaving entertaining and constructive comments on my blog for the betterment of mankind, care bears, and unicorns.

Okay, let’s get serious. This post is being produced because I’m not done criticizing the stupidity that is the illustrious, the worshiped, the magical, the super-natural, and our lord and savior, THE BARBELL SQUAT.

(In this post, I am specifically addressing the free-standing-barbell-back-squat, rack or no rack. Unless otherwise noted, front loaded barbell squats, belt squats, dumbbell squats, body weight squats, squats performed in a smith machine or similar device, etc, are excluded from this discussion).

Top Ten Reasons NOT to Barbell Squat

These are presented in no particular order, unless otherwise noted.

Reason # 1

The favorite, most highly touted exercise of the world’s dumbest men, is the barbell squat (500+ sources).

Reason # 2

The barbell squat requires “good form” they say, indicating that it is a skill (unlike say walking, which requires no measurable degree of skill for a normal human being, or a horizontal leg press which requires categorically less skill than a free standing barbell back squat – something grandma can do).

Well, skill based movement in a fatiguing and progressive protocol = a recipe for disaster. (source)

Reason # 3

Russian roulette with a multi-hundred pound barbell x 500,000 trigger pulls = someone getting hurt.

“But I’ve squatted for many years with no injuries” : says the turkey. Well here’s a quote from The Black Swan for the turkeys of the world.

Consider that the turkey’s experience may have, rather than no value, a negative value. It learned from observation, as we are all advised to do (hey, after all, this is what is believed to be the scientific method). Its confidence increased as the number of friendly feedings grew, and it felt increasingly safe even though the slaughter was more and more imminent. Consider that the feeling of safety reached its maximum when the risk was at the highest!

That last part is especially important for the “experienced” trainee aiming for a personal record, or even just “squatting heavy” on a given day.

Reason # 4

A barbell squatter’s ability to walk is one pulled muscle, one fallen eyelash, one “freak accident” away from being at immediate risk.

(The Wizard of Oz called by the way, he said the straw man is unavailable due to a medical emergency; something to do with a barbell and straw).

Reason # 5

There is an absolutely, definitively, and entirely better alternative to the barbell squat (all forms) : the little known hip belt squat. (Disclaimer : this is just a generic link to a website many will recognize. There are better sources of information on the hip belt squat available elsewhere).

Author and speaker Bill DeSimone has called this exercise “the most congruent lower body exercise conceivable”.

Reason # 6

The structure of the spine does not suggest that it is suited for top heavy loads. (source).

Reason # 7

The creators of the dictionary called me.

They said “The new definition of “wishful thinking” now includes the idea that the muscles surrounding the human spine track in accordance with the growth of the largest and strongest muscles and bones of the body”.

Reason # 8

There is nothing on earth to suggest that making your spine the “middle man” between a multi-hundred pound barbell, and your legs, is a particularly good, or even safe idea. (source)

Reason # 9

Looks like heavy squats can (and if it can go wrong, it will go wrong) cause nerve damage to the shoulders. (source and discussion).

Reason # 10

This is a redundant point, but it is worth repeating : the barbell squat is the most popular exercise on the planet among dip shit meat heads.

What in the world makes you think these people have good, sound ideas? I have no doubt many of these people are big and strong.

What I doubt is that there is anything going on upstairs. (source).

you could have just told the truth and said that you don't want to squat because you suck at it.   And that getting better at it requires time, patience, focus, an absence of an inflated ego, and plain old hard work in the gym.  but you chose to write this piece of shit post.  the part about all strong men being stupid?  love it.  love how you tell yourself that.  pure unadulterated garbage.  i'll say what I always say to people like you, your squat probably sucks because you never took the time to learn how to do it right.  show me a video of your squat.  it's probably a mess from top to bottom.

[chaos]

NASA studied Chaos' head when trying designs for re=entry into the atmosphere  Groinks ego

[Hulkotron]

Walking DB lunges are the only "exercise" I have ever "injured" myself doing.  I hadn't done them for a while and started with too heavy a weight and pulled something in my inner thigh (not a gay) right away.

Most injuries in weight training are the result of stupid / ignorant / preventable training errors in my opinion, not the fault of some structural shortcoming of the trainer or some inherently injurious aspect of the movement.

[Palpatine Q]

ha

[chaos]

ha

[Primemuscle]

I hit the gym for the second time this week. As part of my full body welcome back workout, I am doing squats with a barbell....no added weight for now, just the barbell. Anyway, I barely managed two sets of 25 reps using what I hope is perfect form. I was breathless after the first set and even more breathless after the second set. On Friday, I hope to manage three sets. Next week, I'll add some weight.

I had bronchial pneumonia this fall. I had no idea who much this affected my lung capacity until I did squats today. I've decided that squats are a real measure of overall health and strength. Despite my bum knee and wrecked sciatic nerve, I have every intention of continuing to squat until I fall over dead. Among other things, I don't want to develop a saggy 70 year old man's butt or puny wheels. LOL.

[Big Chiro Flex]

I hit the gym for the second time this week. As part of my full body welcome back workout, I am doing squats with a barbell....no added weight for now, just the barbell. Anyway, I barely managed two sets of 25 reps using what I hope is perfect form. I was breathless after the first set and even more breathless after the second set. On Friday, I hope to manage three sets. Next week, I'll add some weight.

I had bronchial pneumonia this fall. I had no idea who much this affected my lung capacity until I did squats today. I've decided that squats are a real measure of overall health and strength. Despite my bum knee and wrecked sciatic nerve, I have every intention of continuing to squat until I fall over dead. Among other things, I don't want to develop a saggy 70 year old man's butt or puny wheels. LOL.

You're an odd one at times but you're a pretty cool 70 year old, still hitting the gym and training. Keep it up Prime.

[Primemuscle]

You're an odd one at times but you're a pretty cool 70 year old, still hitting the gym and training. Keep it up Prime.

Ha, ha, so I've been told....about being a bit of an odd duck. I'm okay with this, BTW. Thanks for the comment about being cool. I hope I am still hitting the gym on the day that I am finished with this life or this life is finished with me, however that works out. Can't think of a better way to end my time here except to be able to post about it on Getbig. 

[Coach is Back!]

LOLOLOLc

Halo has the best quads of anyone in this thread, by far. except bigRo,who is am elite BBer on pro cycles/


your legs never came close to his.

people seriously need to post a pic, or shut the fuck up.

Squats.  they are an exercise.  period.  fucking dogmatic imbeciles think they are something special, LOL
http://twitchy.com/2014/11/12/i-have-not-been-paid-sandra-fluke-campaigner-attempts-to-raise-her-wage/?utm_source=autotweet&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=twitter
and you'll notice, the people having a stroke and calling you a "pussy" if you don't squat...are the genetic have-nots. the only gratification they receive from lifting weights is being "hardcore" and poundage.

 who fucking cares. 

No, his quads are Better conditioned with little size. Like i said. In a line up he would get dwarfed. I've always had a problem with getting my legs hard. Never had a problem with size. But if your going to be a dick about it. Neither you nor him could stand next to me on a bodybuilding stage. But I digress. Why do you think he only posts up close body part shots. Ask him to show a an onstage pic from a contest.

[Coach is Back!]

Halos legs look great to me, plenty of size for that kind of conditioning

Team Squat-Or-Ur-A-Pussy should really post videos of their big ass legs repping at least 495 ATG to validate their opinions

This is at 90%. It's a 14" box squat. I'm 52 but never go beyond 5 reps.

[Coach is Back!]

LOLOLOLc

Halo has the best quads of anyone in this thread, by far. except bigRo,who is am elite BBer on pro cycles/


your legs never came close to his.

people seriously need to post a pic, or shut the fuck up.

Squats.  they are an exercise.  period.  fucking dogmatic imbeciles think they are something special, LOL

and you'll notice, the people having a stroke and calling you a "pussy" if you don't squat...are the genetic have-nots. the only gratification they receive from lifting weights is being "hardcore" and poundage.

 who fucking cares. 

"Your legs have never came that close"

Hope this helps. One at 21 another at 46...

[Mawse]

This is at 90%. It's a 14" box squat. I'm 52 but never go beyond 5 reps.

Camera work reminiscent of Cswol's famous pull up video

14" is above parallel for me so it must be a high chair for you

C- must try harder, Halo still in the lead.

[Coach is Back!]

Camera work reminiscent of Cswol's famous pull up video

14" is above parallel for me so it must be a high chair for you

C- must try harder, Halo still in the lead.

Feel free to come in and squat with me. The box is 12" with another 2" of pad. If you can't make it, I invite anyone who's in the area. If you know me, you know I'm open and don't hide shit. Sorry, wife took the video. I don't keep professional videographers on the payroll.

[Coach is Back!]

Camera work reminiscent of Cswol's famous pull up video

14" is above parallel for me so it must be a high chair for you

C- must try harder, Halo still in the lead.

Btw, if you don't box squat you have no idea how low you go. One of the benefits of doing a box squat is to insure depth. I'm not quiet sure you realize how low 14" is. A standard flat bench is 18".

[Mawse]

Btw, if you don't box squat you have no idea how low you go. One of the benefits of doing a box squat is to insure depth. I'm not quiet sure you realize how low 14" is. A standard flat bench is 18".

 I've squatted 635 off a 14" box with no belt.

you can put the camera on a bench by the side of the rack when squatting for a better angle  

[ProudVirgin69]

You're an odd one at times but you're a pretty cool 70 year old, still hitting the gym and training. Keep it up Prime.

x2

My dad is 70 and I couldn't imagine him hanging on getbig, so kudos

[Donny]

Anyone ever use this? Great piece of Kit ...

[Donny]

Hallo or what ever he is called is not fully wrong. The Leg extension does hit the Quads very well but to really hit it all you have to do it Gironda style. the Rectus Femoris . Lean back on your leg extensions. Gironda leaned forward then back Hitting all heads. There was method in the mans madness

[Palpatine Q]

"Your legs have never came that close"

Hope this helps. One at 21 another at 46...

actually your legs look good.  I really don't have a problem admitting i misspoke.

[Primemuscle]

Btw, if you don't box squat you have no idea how low you go. One of the benefits of doing a box squat is to insure depth. I'm not quiet sure you realize how low 14" is. A standard flat bench is 18".

I use a small stool that probably is about 14" for box squats. Like you mentioned, it helps one measure how low they actually go. Currently, I don't need the stool because the resistance is really light. I just check to make sure I break parallel and I'm good to go. I did heavy squats for years, but never so heavy that I'd sacrifice good form. These days, going light is better and still produces a good pump.

[Palpatine Q]

the problem I face like many bbers is that my calves suck and they will most likely always suck


honestly i can't wear shorts in public (well except the gym) during summer it just looks retarded

what I do is I never leave the gym unless I do something for calves.  hit them every workout

[Bodybuilder Lex Reeves]

what I do is I never leave the gym unless I do something for calves.  hit them every workout

Try using some actual weight next time.

[falco]

Yesterday was squat day. I couldn't resist. My apologies.

[TheShape.]

Yesterday was squat day. I couldn't resist. My apologies.

X2 I did 10X10. A lot of getbiggers wouldn't even attempt that.

[Hulkotron]

X2 I did 10X10. A lot of getbiggers wouldn't even attempt that.

You must be a beast.