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Squats...How far down??

Diana123 Posts: 135 Joined: 2003/02/03	2003/06/24, 08:57 AM I have been doing squats for a few months to get a nice butt, but usually I only feel the back of my thighs and not butt. So the question is, am I doing something wrong or does this just mean that my thigh muscles are weaker? And how far should I go down into the squat inorder to work the butt muscles? (so far I have been going until my thighs are parallel to the floor)
JessicaR Posts: 467 Joined: 2002/08/12	2003/06/24, 10:05 AM For me the key to feeling squats in my butt is pushing through the heel on the upward movement, and going as heavy as possible to complete the set. If you're not doing this already, take a few sessions to ease into the heavier weight. A slightly wider stance may help, too.
tarab21 Posts: 508 Joined: 2003/03/31	2003/06/24, 10:48 AM i find that going parallel is actually more difficult than going all the way down. when you go all the way, your legs almost get a little "rest"...it seems to me anyways. as in most excercises, doing a variety is probably the key.
Deby Posts: 333 Joined: 2002/08/05	2003/06/24, 11:01 AM All my lunges and squats must be working because I have on a pair of slacks today that just a few short weeks ago were tight in the legs and hips and today they are LOOSE!!! Believe me the lunges and squats DO work. -------------- Gramma
JessicaR Posts: 467 Joined: 2002/08/12	2003/06/24, 11:02 AM Personally I feel most comfortable going slightly below parallel. Check out this website; has a lot of information about squats; also some form modifications for women based on our wider hips and center of balance. I've found it to be a very helpful site. She advocates a full squat.
JessicaR Posts: 467 Joined: 2002/08/12	2003/06/24, 11:02 AM *doh* http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html
Deby Posts: 333 Joined: 2002/08/05	2003/06/24, 11:36 AM That is a big website, do you know where to find that information? -------------- Gramma
Deby Posts: 333 Joined: 2002/08/05	2003/06/24, 12:30 PM I found it thanks. -------------- Gramma
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/06/24, 02:02 PM Most people advocate only going parallel on squats, and this is safe and by far will work the quads to exhaustion. Now, if you really want to hit the glutes and hams, if you go below parallel, you will do this. Think about it, the first part of the movement if coming up from below parallel HAS to invlove the glutes and hams.When you hit parallel, the quads take over the brunt of the work. Is there danger in doing this? Yes, but if you are careful, this is a great way to hit the aforementioned areas. -------------- As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it. Ron
Diana123 Posts: 135 Joined: 2003/02/03	2003/06/24, 03:49 PM Wow,lots of great info. Thanks! Friday is butt day so I will try going below parallel and also will try lunges. Are lunges bad though for someone with weak knees?...both my knees are kind of bad(i was told never to run again) so I am a bit afraid of lunges but I guess I will try. I have been doing deadlifts next to the squats, but I don't feel the butt from it. Once again,thanks for the advice!
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/06/24, 06:34 PM Diana123, squats can be bad for people with good knees, let alone bad knees. Especially below parallel. Be very careful with these if you are going to do them, if you feel any pain at all, stop immediately. -------------- As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it. Ron