Quote:
|
Originally Posted by John Izzo Strength Training
Flexibility – Hips/Hamstrings/Erectors – if the hip flexors are overly shortened—as they are in office workers, the trainee will feel an overwhelming stretch in the “planted” leg which will rob them of full range of motion. If the muscles of the hamstrings and back are overly tight, the glutes will likely not fire and place more demands on the quadriceps. This is a common mistake, and typically trainees feel it “in their quads”—right above the kneecap. This is a sign of quadriceps tendon stress.
|
Ding, Ding! that's me in a nutshell.
I've read the link above (do this not that - squats), and while my form is good generally, I cannot go to parallel even with only body weight. I've been doing them with the bar so I get the full-body benefit and I do try to push myself everytime to get as low as possible. So, what should I do? There is also a Squat Machine at my gym where there's a back pad that moves in an arc and shoulder pads that you can add weight to like a standing calf raise machine. I have been able to get to parallel in that machine using good form in the past, but I hesitate to use it because it seems like cheating. Any recommendations?