unlocked squats..

Helene · 31-Jul-03, 01:00 PM

What do you guys/girls think of not locking you need as the top of the squat. Is that a good technique to use sometimes? I guess you can't lift as heavy. Is this even possible? Right now I lock my knees because I need a second rest between each rep. Any ideas?

ebon00 · 31-Jul-03, 04:47 PM

I think it's an invite for poor form. The extra pause at the top helps you reset for the next rep. I have nothing against continuous tension but it usually degenerates into a "let's get it over with quickly" mentality and that's when form breaks down.

natbod · 31-Jul-03, 05:31 PM

Physiologically,there will be too much tension on the joints. The articular capsule needs support when lifting, this comes from the surrounding ligaments etc. Relaxing at the top end, or locking out will mean supporting tension is minimul, this is where you are at greater risk of injury.
my friend was out for about a year with knee trouble with locking out,pausing, trying to push out another rep.
When training it is set to failure, not set to wait till i get a break and do one more. This way less damage and less time with injury.
My view is squat with a spot.

arbit · 20-Sep-03, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebon00

I think it's an invite for poor form. The extra pause at the top helps you reset for the next rep. I have nothing against continuous tension but it usually degenerates into a "let's get it over with quickly" mentality and that's when form breaks down.

I disagree.
Not locking out is good. Its hard. That type of squat may have a special name for it, I forget.
Locking out is essentially taking stress off muscles and putting it on joints - not good.

Timbers · 20-Sep-03, 08:39 AM

I can see both views and understand, but for me, locking my knees is an invite to injury. When you come up hard and lock out, the knee takes a lot of stress.
Not locking out, you keep most of the tension on your quads and that's not a bad thing. Again, I think it depends on the person.
I knew a person that blew out his knee doing squats - ouch!

There are knee wraps that you can use to protect your knees. It's for support.