Ultimax

Every gym I visit I get a PT to spot me on my last 2 sets on squats if no-one else around - and it is SO DAMN OFF-PUTTING when you rack the bar after the first assisted set and turm round and he says 'You know mate, you dont need to go to parallel... just go halfway...'

So my last set is done halfway (I mean prob 15% off parallel) and it feels like a waste of time... I would say yes, go parallel with heavy bar, or deeper with a moderate weight... I believe the keep-fit instructor half 'HEY, I LOOK LIKE MAX WALL DOING HIS FUNNY WALK' squats methodology evolved from the following (if you dont know who max wall was he was a 70's comedian who did a funny chicken walk, with his butt sticking out!)

1. Concern over deep/ parallel squats placing far too much stress on the knees
2. The biomechanical argument that says quads are only involved in the squat for the upper range of the movement - which I dont agree with

Also... I know this has nothing to do with the topic.. but if you do heavy squats, make sure you know the guy who's spotting you.... and that he knows how to spot on squats...

I dont have a training partner cos my training is so erratic, so on squats day if I see someone I know, Ill ask for help on the last heavy set.. but if the gym is half empty and no-one about, you gotta find some guy and ask him politely if he knows how to spot on squats, and then briefly explain the posture etc... 'of course' he responds....then you glance at him as you're on your 3rd rep... where is he????? about 2 feet behind you looking at the f***ing TV screen, and then on rep 6, as you struggle on rep 6, he steps forward and grabs the bar with a barbell curl positioning and pulls it down onto the squat rack......


that kinda unhelpful / 'wasnt listening to you' or 'cant be bothered' attitude makes me....

MAD!!!!.. aaaargh....ROAR!!!!

Squat = Correct form + Deep heavy reps + GOOD SPOTTER!!!

NOt knoacking what you said baggio...... The PTs I see tell me not to go even as far as parallel.