Ass to grass vs. Parallel squats

[raysugar1234]

Yea, thats as deep as possible for me... here's a perfect example of a high bar A2G squat, IMO:

I think many beginner and intermediate lifters would do well to really pay close attention to their form and depth on squats. I see a lot of poor form on squats and poor depth more than any other exercise. That's beast mode right there. The pics really illustrate the difference and I honestly think a lot of guys are clueless as to their depth.

 

[michaltyler]

I think many beginner and intermediate lifters would do well to really pay close attention to their form and depth on squats. I see a lot of poor form on squats and poor depth more than any other exercise. That's beast mode right there. The pics really illustrate the difference and I honestly think a lot of guys are clueless as to their depth.

Klokov is my hero haha

 

[raysugar1234]

That avatar pic of yours is insane, that is literally ass to ground! That guy can Actually Claim Ass to GROUND.

 

[michaltyler]

Yea, not a big fan of snatches as I don't see the practicality in it, but there is something impressive about people picking up and throwing 400+ over their heads and then catching it and standing up... Insane.

 

[raysugar1234]

Yea, not a big fan of snatches as I don't see the practicality in it, but there is something impressive about people picking up and throwing 400+ over their heads and then catching it and standing up... Insane.

Yeah I don't do them either, I do clean and press and of course squat, DL and bench. I go heavy on them all go for PR's all the time but my main goal is still hypertrophy. Of course having strength is also very important IMO because increasing your major lifts it helps you to increase weight on your other lifts too. The big guys like Ronnie and such didn't get big by lifting light weights all the time.

 

[Docd187123]

VERSUS a parallel squat for girls...

I wouldn't even call that squat a parallel squat. The crease in the shorts at the hips is either above or just in line with the top of the patella. That's a high squat or partial squat at best.

 

[Docd187123]

And yes Klokov is the motherfucking man.

 

[Mr. Deltoid]

I've never heard ass to ground only ass to grass , how would one achieve ass to ground roll back on his heels to sit? Ass to ground that seems quite impossible to do especially with weight so I'm not so sure about anyone who would make such a statement. Ass to grass was great for me yesterday it felt fine no issues other than this monring my thighs are sore as hell but that's to be expected. I usually work out at 530 am and there's only one other guy in the gym at that time my size and he was training a cute little girl on leg press and I heard him tell he watch this guy he's going to hurt himself going that low , little did he know I have great hearing and every time I turned around that little sweetie was staring at you know who's hairy ass with a big beautiful smile she kept watching and smiling long after I was done doing squats.

 

[tubesox]

My rule of thumb is TOP of thigh goes below parallel. At which point my butt is in between my heels, A2G.
I doubt anyone has ever tried to go ass to ground... At least not on purpose.

I can sit on the ground with my feet in front of me with 135 and stand back up...turns some heads

 

[Docd187123]

I can sit on the ground with my feet in front of me with 135 and stand back up...turns some heads

I can touch my toes on some days lol

 

[MR10X]

a2g AT 49 SECONDS

 

[raysugar1234]

I've never heard ass to ground only ass to grass , how would one achieve ass to ground roll back on his heels to sit? Ass to ground that seems quite impossible to do especially with weight so I'm not so sure about anyone who would make such a statement. Ass to grass was great for me yesterday it felt fine no issues other than this monring my thighs are sore as hell but that's to be expected. I usually work out at 530 am and there's only one other guy in the gym at that time my size and he was training a cute little girl on leg press and I heard him tell he watch this guy he's going to hurt himself going that low , little did he know I have great hearing and every time I turned around that little sweetie was staring at you know who's hairy ass with a big beautiful smile she kept watching and smiling long after I was done doing squats.

Obviously she wants a real man who aint afraid to squat. No some sissy squatting tiny quad pussy.

 

[MR10X]

The only thing keeping him from going any lower is is hamstrings bottoming out on his calves..........

 

[michaltyler]

The only thing keeping him from going any lower is is hamstrings bottoming out on his calves..........

AKA MAN SQUAT.

 

[romaleos]

Yea, not a big fan of snatches as I don't see the practicality in it, but there is something impressive about people picking up and throwing 400+ over their heads and then catching it and standing up... Insane.

brah?! you can't see the practicality in the snatch as a primary lift for the development of human performance?

Please stay off the platform and stick to curl rack...sorry i just love snatch that much and also the olympic lifts. Seriously, think whatever you want but I'm pretty sure majority of what made Klokov what he is is the snatch.

 

[michaltyler]

brah?! you can't see the practicality in the snatch as a primary lift for the development of human performance?

Please stay off the platform and stick to curl rack...sorry i just love snatch that much and also the olympic lifts. Seriously, think whatever you want but I'm pretty sure majority of what made Klokov what he is is the snatch.

Let me clarify. I DO snatch, BUT because I have shoulder issues (torn labrums), the risk outweighs the benefits. The MOST I'll snatch with is 225. And that's rare. I usually incorporate snatch into a circuit or barbell complex, but I don't focus on it. I'd much rather use variations of C+J for ground to overhead movement, it's just more control for my shoulders.
So I guess the benefit of snatches for ME isn't that practical.

EDIT: And I agree, Klokov is a snatch god! And at one point I was chasing snatch PR's on a weekly basis (got up to 285 last year, eh, I was happy), but it took a toll on my already shoddy shoulders. And now after surgery on one of them, I haven't gotten all my mobility back... yet.

 

[raysugar1234]

I've never even tried to do one, i bet I'd kill myself. My football coach taught us how to hang clean and power clean but never snatch.

 

[michaltyler]

I've never even tried to do one, i bet I'd kill myself. My football coach taught us how to hang clean and power clean but never snatch.

I wouldn't recommend teaching yourself. It's actually pretty complex, but if you have a coach and the humility it can be worth it. I didn't have humility, which is probably part of the reason I have messed up shoulders in the first place...

 

[Millard]

Also, at the bottom of the squat, it shouldn't be a "bottoming out" or "bounce" to initiate the upwards movement. In a controlled squat, A2G is just as much about reversing momentum as a parallel squat. For people that butt wink at the bottom, causing the lower back to round out, THAT'S WRONG. It's not a matter of going too low either, it's a matter of: 1). mobility, and 2). CONTROL! With proper control and technique, I can sit in the bottom of a squat with no pain and no tension, while keeping my knees behind my toes and my back straight. Not trying toot my own horn here, but seriously, if you're having pain its most likely something you CAN fix. Whether it be by stretching regularly or relearning technique... or both.

Going to parallel or slightly below is all you need to reap the benefits of the squat. Going ass to grass is cool and can be helpful but most ppl lack the flexibility to do so properly. Many lack necessary hamstring flexibility which in turn causes you to loosen your hamstrings to get depth, A2G in this case. By loosening the hamstrings you take away the stretch reflex out the bottom as well as effectively removing the hamstrings as a primary mover.

The way to tell how you should be squatting is by confirming your hip flexion and extension.

To maintain a neutral spine and hit an atg squat you need great mobility. You also need to stay very upright, which might require a slightly different set of muscles than you've been training. This is where box squats come in. Get an adjustable box, find how low you can get with an upright squat and neutral spinal flexion, then try to work your way lower over an extended period. Lower the box 1/4" per week or something.

Excellent discussion! I just caught up on this thread today. What resources do you guys recommend for learning to improve mobility (for squat purposes)?

 

[michaltyler]

Excellent discussion! I just caught up on this thread today. What are some recommended resources for learning to improve mobility (for squat purposes)?

mobilityWOD has some good mobility drills and stretches. The site has a monthly charge, but a lot of the videos can be found on youtube.