Full Squat Vs Parallel Squat

[Sleeper]

I have an opinion question. I was doing powerlifting style squats where I would squat down until My thighs where just below parallel or parallel. I could usually tell by how my stomach would sink into my inner thighs. One day I had an older powerlifter coach me. He was into super low squats. I was stoked and did 6 reps with my usual weight almost rock bottom. After words my upper quads near the outside ached. It messed me up so bad I had to lay off squats for a month and a half. My outer hip area ached and ached for awhile. I am making a comeback now. I have decided instead of being a cryer I would just lower the weight back to 405 and sink down as low as I can Olympic squat style. I am curious what is everyones opinion on Parallel Power squats Vs Rock Bottom Olympic squats?
Thanks. Sleeper

[Eric3237]

No contest. Rock bottom or A2G as we like to refer to them is the only way to go. Do it. You'll be happy you did. But definitely lower the weight. You also might have to experiment with/adjust your stance and definitely lower the weight.

And your knees will thank you. Oh. Since your just starting them, once you get as low as you can, and hopefully that will mean your hams are in full contact with your calves, don't let your knees bounce at the bottom. If you can't control it all the way down, lighten the weight.

[Sleazy]

I've been going below parallel and using boxes for a while now, but just recently have been working on going down to a full A2G squat style. So its a little too early for me to give me personal opinion on them.

I'll admit, it has been hard for me to make the change as I don't have the flexibility built up for this movement yet. Like Eric said, drop the weight and work on form/flexibility with a lower poundage first and then work your way up.

Heres some good reading I dug up on the topic:
Olympic Lifting
Side Comparison of Olympic vs Parallel Squatting
Article by Louie Simmons AGAINST Olympic Squatting

Safety of Olympic Squatting:

There are several schools of thought on squat depth. Many misinformed individuals caution against squatting below parallel, stating that this is hazardous to the knees. Nothing could be further from the truth. (2) Stopping at or above parallel places direct stress on the knees, whereas a deep squat will transfer the load to the hips,(3) which are capable of handling a greater amount of force than the knees should ever be exposed to. Studies have shown that the squat produces lower peak tibeo-femoral(stress at the knee joint) compressive force than both the leg press and the leg extension.(4) For functional strength, one should descend as deeply as possible, and under control. (yes, certain individuals can squat in a ballistic manner, but they are the exception rather than the rule). The further a lifter descends, the more the hamstrings are recruited, and proper squatting displays nearly twice the hamstring involvement of the leg press or leg extension. (5,6) and as one of the functions of the hamstring is to protect the patella tendon (the primary tendon involved in knee extension) during knee extension through a concurrent firing process, the greatest degree of hamstring recruitment should provide the greatest degree of protection to the knee joint. (7) When one is a powerlifter, the top surface of the legs at the hip joint must descend to a point below the top surface of the legs at the knee joint.

[Kane]

Ass 2 Grass....no other way. My mesocycle of HST doesnt have A2G in it right now and I am going into withdrawl!

[Eric3237]

I just realized I said lower/lighten the weight three times. What a boob!

[Dr X]

I am making a comeback now. I have decided instead of being a cryer I would just lower the weight back to 405 and sink down as low as I can Olympic squat style.

Smart move. Once you get used to A2G you will never go back. I myself have always done A2G and find it unnatural to do it any other way.

405 A2G is very impressive.

[verbatimreturned]

I always go A2G. I feel like it's alot more benificial, because you really get a full leg workout not just your quads, but when you go low you get the glutes in there too and hamstrings of course. If your having trouble with form, why not start off with a smith machine and then make your way to a regular bar, that what I did and it seemed to work pretty well for me.

[ChinPieceDave667]

A2G

[Darkhorse]

If this was called Powerlifting.net -> Then parallel all the way with wraps, belt and suit.

But, since it's bodybuilding.net -> I'm gonna have to go with no higher than absolutely ass sitting on calves, rock bottom.

[kethnaab]

just wanted to interject in here...

A2G is the GOAL.

however, do NOT force it. If your lower back rounds as you go down, then you probably have a weak posterior chain and abs, as well as tight hammies

do NOT hit A2G until you can do it WITHOUT rounding the back. Just keep going down as low as you can "comfortably" (hahhaa,...comfortable squats) go, and NO rounding of the back.