Quad Discovery

[broad street]

when squatting i am strict about going just below paralell, the other day after my regular squat routine i decided to try squatting but stopping just above paralell, to my surprise i got a better pump and could feel the burn in the quads, surprisingly my weights were lighter then when i go just below paralell, any of you ever try this method of squatting?
why do you think the feel was better?

[beefcake]

Re: Quad Discovery

Originally posted by broad street
when squatting i am strict about going just below paralell, the other day after my regular squat routine i decided to try squatting but stopping just above paralell, to my surprise i got a better pump and could feel the burn in the quads, surprisingly my weights were lighter then when i go just below paralell, any of you ever try this method of squatting?
why do you think the feel was better?

If I don't go past parallel then I only feel the burn in the lower portion of the quads, only by the knees and medialis. Past parallel I feel it more overall, all the way up to the hip. Lighter weight always give me a better pump, but you can't grow on light weight. I'd say keep doing your squats ass to the grass.

[Stonecold54]

Re: Quad Discovery

Originally posted by broad street
when squatting i am strict about going just below paralell, the other day after my regular squat routine i decided to try squatting but stopping just above paralell, to my surprise i got a better pump and could feel the burn in the quads, surprisingly my weights were lighter then when i go just below paralell, any of you ever try this method of squatting?
why do you think the feel was better?

just be careful because you are using your knee joints for braking instead of using the whole movement.

[ZHowitzer!]

SC is exactly right...you use the tention in the knee joint to slow the movement...think of your hams and your calves comming together AND contracted...it is a pretty oggd leaver for stressing the ligaments in the knee...then factor in the amount of force that your quads produce on ONE tendon as it crosses your knee and connects on your tibial touberosity.

When you stop just prior to paralell you have to reverse the momentum with out a "stopping point" (this is also the reason I encourage stopping 1-2 inches over the chest during any pressing movement)

also...it is about the stimuli that your muscles and CNS recieve by NOT continuing your habbit.

just be careful with the "ass to the grass" Ha, I used to joke bout picking quarters up with my ass ... I love squats...but they dont always love you back.