Wide Stance Squats vs. Conventional

[BendtheBar]

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Paradox

I think it really does depend on whether we're talking about raw or gear here.

I am addressing beginning squatters, non-powerlifters.

My recommendation was that they build up some base strength and work on conventional form for a while before trying wide stance squats.

[J_Byrd]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I am addressing beginning squatters, non-powerlifters.

My recommendation was that they build up some base strength and work on conventional form for a while before trying wide stance squats.

If asked I would give a very similar answer. Right now as I am relearning how to squat raw, I am inside my shoulders.

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by J_Byrd

If asked I would give a very similar answer. Right now as I am relearning how to squat raw, I am inside my shoulders.

I'll fly down and teach you! Haha

It was funny when I was doing "wide" stance squats the other week, as per your program. The Crew guys were laughing (they all lift geared) as their stance is almost 2X my wide stance. At first I wondered if I'm doing something wrong and then realized equipped is a whole new ballgame, just like going from equipped to raw.

My minimum is a dime.

[EliteDreams]

I guess I might be an anomally. Not a beginning lifter,but certainly no expert.

With regard to squatting down and picking something up,I generally never squat down for a dime,pen,whatever. I will get down on one knee.

Perhaps its a flexibility issue,or muscular weakness,core,quads,hams,who knows. Even as narrow as shoulder width,I either squat on my toes,or I don't hit parralel and end up leaning forward or falling on my butt. Wide stance low bar is best for me at this time,even though its opposite of what most raw guys do.

With that said,I am making it a point to work on narrow stance squats as an assistance.

[bamazav]

I have not read through this entire thread, so I have no helpful comments only an observation. This morning I gave Sumo deads a try during my warmup lifts. I guess I have been doing them conventional so long that it felt very awkward and uncomfortable. may just be me.

[evilinmotion]

Originally Posted by EliteDreams

I guess I might be an anomally. Not a beginning lifter,but certainly no expert.

With regard to squatting down and picking something up,I generally never squat down for a dime,pen,whatever. I will get down on one knee.

Perhaps its a flexibility issue,or muscular weakness,core,quads,hams,who knows. Even as narrow as shoulder width,I either squat on my toes,or I don't hit parralel and end up leaning forward or falling on my butt. Wide stance low bar is best for me at this time,even though its opposite of what most raw guys do.

With that said,I am making it a point to work on narrow stance squats as an assistance.

I guess I am not the only one, I also get down on one knee if I am picking up something that's not heavy. But I agree with the building your squat up normal and then going wide if you choose to, its just more natural. I noticed that the double VS. Single ply issue came up but no one had commented on walking the weight VS monolift...Seems that the majority of wide squatters usually compete in Feds that use the Monolift, Yes there are a few that go wide on the regular stands but I don't think I have seen anyone going Chuck V. wide on the regular stands...

[EliteDreams]

Good point Motion. I've noticed my walkouts are not consistent,sometimes I stay wide,other times walk out narrow. Better be more consistent before I start lifting big numbers.

Narrow stance squats for me - YouTube

Narrow stance squats for me - YouTube

[evilinmotion]

Elitedreams, one thing that helped me get my Squat stance to be almost dead on everytime was practice in front of a mirror. I used to practice that every single time ...unrack, set, rack...I was one of those that use to take way too many steps back and ended up wide sometimes or too narrow other times when i started, a lot of practice and all I do is step,step and i am set.

[EliteDreams]

Good stuff. Mirrors are not always evil.