Squat question

[juggler1]

Question for those who know about squat technique - I just want to confuse myself even more on this topic.... For a generally healthy individual with no existing knee or back issues -
Are knees allowed to come forward of the toes?
Is the lumbar spine allowed to flatten?
I have been to dozens of lectures & presentations over the years regarding training, rehab, and all of these specialists give me a different opinion as to yes or no to the above questions. "Specialists" being Physios, Osteos, Exercise Physiologists, Strength Coaches, and like I said - no one can agree on what the correct technique is. Even the great man Steve Cotter on his encyclopedia DVD's says to keep knees behind toes - but then you watch through his DVD and his knees are well forward during his squats. Also with regards to the lumbar spine I have heard that you should never let it flatten; that you can let if flatten as long as there is no extra load; that you can flatten in a front loaded squat only - not a back squat; and finally that you can flatten regardless as this is the strategy the body will use to keep the load in the optimal position. Opinions???

[Paul in Hobart]

all of these specialists give me a different opinion as to yes or no to the above questions. "Specialists" being Physios, Osteos, Exercise Physiologists, Strength Coaches, and like I said - no one can agree on what the correct technique is.
lol!
read this , parts 1-3
http://www.geocities.com/~slopitch/drsquat/fredsq.htm (http://www.geocities.com/%7Eslopitch/drsquat/fredsq.htm)
& maybe get a short vid of yourself squatting so you can get a free critique on this forum.

[Paul in Hobart]

all of these specialists give me a different opinion as to yes or no to the above questions. "Specialists" being Physios, Osteos, Exercise Physiologists, Strength Coaches, and like I said - no one can agree on what the correct technique is.


lol! Main thing is , don't lose tension during the lift or your lumbar spine may never be the same again.
read this , parts 1-3
http://www.geocities.com/~slopitch/drsquat/fredsq.htm (http://www.geocities.com/%7Eslopitch/drsquat/fredsq.htm)
& maybe get a short vid of yourself squatting so you can get a free critique on this forum.

[abowe]

Hi, you know what they say about opinions........ Just a couple of points:

1. Have you ever watched how a child squats down to play or pick something up?
2. Get some footage of olympic weightlifters squating in training
3. Trial and error, get under the bar and try a few different things, ie adjust your foot position, bar height on the back, hand position and depth etc
4. Avoid analysis paralysis.

"I am sick ........squats are my medicine"