Getting to Know The Squat by Mike Robertson - Sept 4th 2006

**Joe Black** · 09-04-2006 01:40 PM

Strength coach Mike Robertson lays out the goods on why people should squat, how to squat properly and why it's such a damn good exercise to do.

Check the article out in all its glory here - http://www.wannabebig.com/article.php?articleid=276

Enjoy!

Daniel

**Built** · 09-04-2006 07:07 PM

I will be working my squat form until I die - so naturally I'm delighted to see Mike Robertson writing about squats here on WBB!

Very timely, too - as many of us are easing into bulking season and will be aiming to bring up our squats.

Thanks for this - yet another great read by someone whose knowledge I respect very much.

**Mike Robertson** · 09-05-2006 01:17 PM

Built -

That means a lot coming from someone as jacked as yourself! Thanks for the kind words!

Stay strong
MR

**Joe Black** · 09-05-2006 03:28 PM

Mike, great article..

Very in depth and particularly easy to read... Good stuff.

**Built** · 09-05-2006 06:47 PM

Mike,

As I continue to get the "you're too skinny" comments at work, you can't know how great it is to have you describe me as "jacked".

<grins>

**Mike Robertson** · 09-06-2006 08:21 AM

Thanks Daniel - I appreciate it!

After all, I've only written like five squat articles now - they should be getting better!

Stay strong
MR

Originally Posted by Daniel Clough

Mike, great article..

Very in depth and particularly easy to read... Good stuff.

**Mike Robertson** · 09-06-2006 08:23 AM

I do what I can!

Seriously, keep up the great work and I hope the article helps.

Stay strong
MR

Originally Posted by Built

Mike,

As I continue to get the "you're too skinny" comments at work, you can't know how great it is to have you describe me as "jacked".

<grins>

**Anthony** · 09-06-2006 08:25 AM

Yes, definitely a great article. I'd like to see more that cover all the big lifts!

**Clifford Gillmore** · 09-07-2006 05:46 AM

A fantastic read! Provides another great reference for my little chicken legs..

**TwiloMike** · 09-07-2006 07:56 AM

Very good article. Thank you very much: it's been referenced in an email to my lifting buddies.

**sharkall2003** · 09-07-2006 06:04 PM

Read it twice so I can start working on my squatting routine.

**Maki Riddington** · 09-08-2006 10:27 AM

This article is probably the most infomative piece written so far on the Internet.

Awesome article Mike!!

Anybody who wants to learn how to squat and avoid making the most common mistakes has to read this.

**Nicoman** · 09-16-2006 08:27 PM

Wow I love squats....and now after reading the article I want to head to the gym and apply what I have learned.
Thanks....

**Con** · 09-20-2006 04:18 PM

Yea, i squatted today, and all my question are answered, thanks you very much, great article. Gonna add to my fav list.

**135steward** · 09-29-2006 08:10 PM

I read your article before going to the gym today, Mike. I focused on keeping my knees wide, my grip narrow, and pushing up with my chest. I got two reps at parallel with 275. My best before today was 275x1, and I didn't hit that since July. 275 probably looks weak for a 189# man, since you see 336 as "absolutely terrible." But it meant a lot to me. Thanks for the help.

**Sleepy Guy** · 10-01-2006 09:13 AM

It is really bad when I look at the pictures and crtique a guide... Anyways nice to see the posting.

**Mike Robertson** · 10-05-2006 12:35 PM

We've all got to start somewhere - I just had girls on my team that were squatting as much as me. Great work on the PR and keep training hard!

MR

Originally Posted by 135steward

I read your article before going to the gym today, Mike. I focused on keeping my knees wide, my grip narrow, and pushing up with my chest. I got two reps at parallel with 275. My best before today was 275x1, and I didn't hit that since July. 275 probably looks weak for a 189# man, since you see 336 as "absolutely terrible." But it meant a lot to me. Thanks for the help.

**method115** · 03-21-2007 10:08 AM

In some of the other threads about squats I read that squatting to parallel was bad for the knees, because it forced all the weight to be stopped by your knees. I didn't read anything like that in this article and was wondering if it was true or not?

Actually I got into a bit of an argument with some of the guys at 24 hour fitness who come into my job and eat. They were telling me that squatting all the way down is bad for your knees.

**PoutineEh** · 03-21-2007 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by method115

In some of the other threads about squats I read that squatting to parallel was bad for the knees, because it forced all the weight to be stopped by your knees. I didn't read anything like that in this article and was wondering if it was true or not?

Actually I got into a bit of an argument with some of the guys at 24 hour fitness who come into my job and eat. They were telling me that squatting all the way down is bad for your knees.

tell them they are idiots and dont deserve any of the benefits of squatting below parallel

**Maki Riddington** · 03-22-2007 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by method115

In some of the other threads about squats I read that squatting to parallel was bad for the knees, because it forced all the weight to be stopped by your knees. I didn't read anything like that in this article and was wondering if it was true or not?

Actually I got into a bit of an argument with some of the guys at 24 hour fitness who come into my job and eat. They were telling me that squatting all the way down is bad for your knees.

GJ Salem and CM Powers
Patellofemoral joint kinetics during squatting in collegiate women athletes.

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), June 1, 2001; 16(5): 424-30.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint during squatting in collegiate women athletes. DESIGN: Repeated measures experimental design. BACKGROUND: Although squatting exercises are required components of most intercollegiate resistance-training programs and are commonly performed during rehabilitation, the effects of various squatting depths on patellofemoral joint stress have not been quantified.

METHODS: Anthropometric data, three-dimensional knee kinematics, and ground reaction forces were used to calculate the knee extensor moment (inverse dynamics approach) in five intercollegiate female athletes during squatting exercise at three different depths (approximately 70 degrees, 90 degrees and 110 degrees of knee flexion). A biomechanical model of the patellofemoral joint was used to quantify the patellofemoral joint reaction force and patellofemoral joint stress during each trial.

RESULTS: Peak knee extensor moment, patellofemoral joint reaction force and patellofemoral joint stress did not vary significantly between the three squatting trials.

CONCLUSIONS: Squatting from 70 degrees to 110 degrees of knee flexion had little effect on patellofemoral joint kinetics. The relative constancy of the patellofemoral joint reaction force and joint stress appeared to be related to a consistent knee extensor moment produced across the three squatting depths.

RELEVANCE: The results of this study do not support the premise that squatting to 110 degrees places greater stress on the patellofemoral joint than squatting to 70 degrees. These findings may have implications with respect to the safe design of athletic training regimens and rehabilitation programs.

**Gonzo** · 04-24-2009 09:57 AM

been wanting to read this article but last two time i checked its been down.

**Joe Black** · 04-24-2009 10:36 AM

I'll see if I can fasttrack it for you - I haven't added all the articles into the new site yet.

**Gonzo** · 04-24-2009 11:31 AM

thanks

**Joe Black** · 04-29-2009 08:40 AM

http://www.wannabebig.com/training/b...now-the-squat/

Thread: Getting to Know The Squat by Mike Robertson - Sept 4th 2006

Thread Tools

Display

Getting to Know The Squat by Mike Robertson - Sept 4th 2006

Support Wannabebig and use AtLarge Nutrition Supplements!

Thanks for the tips.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions