another squat question

[michellebelle]

From the article on the evil smith machine:
If your feet are out in front of you, you tend to push 'back' against the bar. Doing so forces the hamstrings to function as extensors which decreases their protective effects on the knee - the result is increased sheering force on the knee. Again, over time, chronic injury.

Would this be the same story then for people doing squats against the wall with the stability ball?
And wall sits?

[Erik]

It's actually more that leaning back takes the hamstrings out of the movement - or rather hamstring co-contraction - that's what causes the increased sheering force.

Although the hamstrings/extensors thing is what my biomechanics prof said.

And I'm not positive on the answer to the question though. I'd think even if so, since loading is so much lower, it's not going to be much of an issue.

[char-dawg]

Unless you're using the Smith machine a lot, probably won't be an issue there, either. I've done several cycles over the years, doing exactly what is supposed to be "bad" for you, and have no knee problems. Vince Gironda had a whole gym full of people doing the same thing, again, no problems. Just don't use the SM for the majority of your leg work.

[Erik]

Unless you're using the Smith machine a lot, probably won't be an issue there, either. I've done several cycles over the years, doing exactly what is supposed to be "bad" for you, and have no knee problems. Vince Gironda had a whole gym full of people doing the same thing, again, no problems. Just don't use the SM for the majority of your leg work.

Why squat on it at all?

[Lingerie Lady]

Smith Machine . . .

Here we go again :popcorn:

[smuggie]

Smith Machine . . .

Here we go again :popcorn:
Hehe. We love SM debates around here. :clap:

[Marcelo]

Hehe. We love SM debates around here. :clap:

Don't hate on the SM! :D

[GqArtguy]

Why squat on it at all?

To get an Extreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeme-physique.com

[Erik]

To get an Extreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeme-physique.com

:bitch:

[michellebelle]

Thanks, Erik. That makes sense.

If I am training people that are out of shape and are so uncoordinated that they can't do BW squats, what are other options for training legs? I have been doing the leg press machine, but am looking for other ideas on things to build up leg strength while they also work on squat form.

[quickie]

Thanks, Erik. That makes sense.

If I am training people that are out of shape and are so uncoordinated that they can't do BW squats, what are other options for training legs? I have been doing the leg press machine, but am looking for other ideas on things to build up leg strength while they also work on squat form.

Goblet squats

[GqArtguy]

:bitch:

Clearly you do not want an extreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeme-physique.com

[Audrey]

Thanks, Erik. That makes sense.

If I am training people that are out of shape and are so uncoordinated that they can't do BW squats, what are other options for training legs? I have been doing the leg press machine, but am looking for other ideas on things to build up leg strength while they also work on squat form.

Can you have them sit on a bench (and progressively lower the height of the bench as they get better and better at it)? The advantage of this method is that it teaches them to sit "back", which then transfers to the barbell squat.

[amyloo]

From the article on the evil smith machine:
If your feet are out in front of you, you tend to push 'back' against the bar. Doing so forces the hamstrings to function as extensors which decreases their protective effects on the knee - the result is increased sheering force on the knee. Again, over time, chronic injury.

Would this be the same story then for people doing squats against the wall with the stability ball?
And wall sits?

I don't know the technical answer but I know that doing wall squats hurts my knees like an SOB. Maybe I'm doing them wrong. So I just don't do them.