Squat Depth Safety Dialogue
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 12:51 am
Let me set this up cause' I know some here will find this interesting...
...So I purchased a TDS Titan squat rack from a gym nearby for only $190 bucks and as I'm packing it into my truck the gym owner looks me up and down with a kind of concerned expression then stops and asks me a question...
Brad (gym owner): So may I ask exactly what you will be using this for?
me: mostly everything, Bench, Squats, pull ups and so on.
Brad: Ok, no offense but I can tell from your build that you are not made to handle the stress that some of the classical lifts will put on your joints.
me: ok, I know I have small bones.
Brad: I just don't want to sell you this thing to see you get hurt. Don't listen to all the meat heads out there. They talk big but most have had multiple back surgeries and are condemed to chiropractors and inversion tables the rest of their lives like me.
me: really?
Brad: Yes, I train football players and sprinters. You ever heard of Defranco?
me: yes.
Brad: his program is very popular and he trains lots of guys but did you know he's had 5 back surgeries and he refuses to change his teaching?
me: no
Brad: Just always remember this... Squat depth is not a one size fits all at 90 or below parallel. It is based on YOUR femur to spine ration. Look at my guys, they're all jacked, no injuries, and only a couple have the ratios to go parallel.
you can get very strong without going parallel or without doing a classical deadlift.
Don't get hurt kid.
me: I'll try not to.
...So I purchased a TDS Titan squat rack from a gym nearby for only $190 bucks and as I'm packing it into my truck the gym owner looks me up and down with a kind of concerned expression then stops and asks me a question...
Brad (gym owner): So may I ask exactly what you will be using this for?
me: mostly everything, Bench, Squats, pull ups and so on.
Brad: Ok, no offense but I can tell from your build that you are not made to handle the stress that some of the classical lifts will put on your joints.
me: ok, I know I have small bones.
Brad: I just don't want to sell you this thing to see you get hurt. Don't listen to all the meat heads out there. They talk big but most have had multiple back surgeries and are condemed to chiropractors and inversion tables the rest of their lives like me.
me: really?
Brad: Yes, I train football players and sprinters. You ever heard of Defranco?
me: yes.
Brad: his program is very popular and he trains lots of guys but did you know he's had 5 back surgeries and he refuses to change his teaching?
me: no
Brad: Just always remember this... Squat depth is not a one size fits all at 90 or below parallel. It is based on YOUR femur to spine ration. Look at my guys, they're all jacked, no injuries, and only a couple have the ratios to go parallel.
you can get very strong without going parallel or without doing a classical deadlift.
Don't get hurt kid.
me: I'll try not to.