🦵 Squat Form: Depth vs. Safety

tony_trains · Post by **tony_trains** » Fri Aug 22, 2025 7:21 pm

Good question. Small butt wink is fine, but if lumbar rounding happens early, it’s risky. Fix with hip mobility + bracing.

DanInMotion · Post by **DanInMotion** » Fri Aug 22, 2025 7:22 pm

I used to butt wink badly — solved it by raising heels with weightlifting shoes. Game changer.

LiftWithLiam · Post by **LiftWithLiam** » Fri Aug 22, 2025 7:22 pm

Yes! Heeled shoes or small plates under heels help. Also lets you keep torso more upright.

michellestrong · Post by **michellestrong** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 6:32 pm

I prefer barefoot for stability though. Heels up feel weird to me.

nick_bulkzone · Post by **nick_bulkzone** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 6:33 pm

Same here, Michelle. I go flat shoes or barefoot. Just feels more “grounded.”

SophFit · Post by **SophFit** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 6:33 pm

That’s fine for some, but heeled shoes are literally designed for squats. Olympic lifters use them for a reason.

MealPrepMaestroo · Post by **MealPrepMaestroo** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 6:34 pm

Speaking of Olympic lifters, they go ATG every time, right?

DanInMotion · Post by **DanInMotion** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 6:34 pm

Yep, because catching cleans/snatches requires it. That’s why I like training deep — more functional crossover.

GraceReps · Post by **GraceReps** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 6:35 pm

Meanwhile powerlifters argue “parallel is enough.” Different sports = different standards.

LiftWithLiam · Post by **LiftWithLiam** » Sat Aug 23, 2025 6:35 pm

Exactly. I don’t need ATG to hit white lights in a meet. Parallel is all that matters in competition.

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