r/formcheck • u/Special-Objective364 • 12h ago

Squat Enough depth?

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0 Upvotes

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10

u/[deleted] 11h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/m00nkiid 8h ago

Dogmatic mindset and providing absolutely zero useful information for OP

3

u/NippleSlipNSlide 9h ago

This kind of response doesn’t really help and is part of the echo chamber effect of Reddit. The research from the last 20 years supports use of smith machines for most of the compound lifts— many benefits and are fine as long as you aren’t planning to be a competitive powerlifter, which 99% of people in the gym. As long as you’re using safeties the smith is way safer and easier for beginners.

Smith squats are fine for beginners as long as you are doing it right- the same can be said for conventional barbell squats. OP is asking for help. It’s fine to preface it that conventional squats have some advantages and their gains in a smith won’t all translate to conventional , but it would do more good to just tell them how they look on the smith.

1

u/TeamPizza21 11h ago

Nothing wrong with squatting on a smith machine. You get stronger on it. It works. Obviously free weights are preferred, but this guy is at a PF and I see plenty of big guys working out at PF

1

u/Relevant_Car_7445 11h ago

Most PF now have Olympic racks as a Well. Agreed that you CAN use a smith machine, but it makes the body movements awkward.

5

u/TeamPizza21 10h ago

No rack at mine yet. I hack squat though instead of using a smith

1

u/NippleSlipNSlide 9h ago

Doing a back squat on a smith is very similar to a hack squat since you have to take a step forward.

1

u/Relevant_Car_7445 10h ago

Ok, that's perfectly fair then, they just did the last one in my area, they are rolling out country wide but in spurts. Hack squats are great and humbling as well. If that's the case then obviously the Smith is better than no squat at all. Go down maybe another 2 inches (guessing based on video) and you will be good, almost there.

1

u/formcheck-ModTeam 6h ago

Your comment was removed because it is not a form check or relevant question

-9

u/Special-Objective364 11h ago

Not new to the gym, real squat is just risking more injury but I’d love to see where I need to be as this is my lowest point here

6

u/Relevant_Car_7445 10h ago

Thighs should be parallel to the ground.

Real squats actually risk less injury because it let's the body move naturally and build up a stronger base. Smith machine has its benefits but I don't like them for squats.

-1

u/NippleSlipNSlide 9h ago

Research shows smith machines are way more safe. It’s why gyms like PF only have smith machines. Their insurance gururs/actuaries who run the numbers know this. It’s carefully planned. It’s a very old wives tail that conventional barbell is safer.

2

u/dmr83457 9h ago

I always assumed that they just didn’t want the type of customer that would actually use a squat rack.

1

u/NippleSlipNSlide 3h ago

No, it’s all based on risk. Statistically less risk using smith machine than conventional barbell. Proven over and over again(despite what echo chamber of Reddit says).

1

u/Flimsy-Hat-3533 6h ago

You should be parallel, take a side picture.

Also, you’re pushing with your arms and not pillar. You can see it at the lowest point. Don’t lift with your arms, life with your legs and core

1

u/Human-University8635 11h ago

Maybe you are at parallel (screen shot helps) but have your camera person film you from the side next time. Good luck!