Lifting Terminology and Posture Clarification

[LancelotsLover]

I have been browsing the training logs, and I am puzzled by some of the terminology I have read. I have never had a real introduction to the gym machines and exercise methods, I have just picked up information by reading, watching others, and trying stuff out. So here are some of my questions, and I'm sure I'll think of more as I go:

1. When talking about squats, I see the terms "parallel" and "ATG" a lot. I think the latter means "ankles to glutes"? Which means, am I supposed to be squatting down all the way onto my heels? This isn't how it's pictured in the books, the model is shown what I guess is what people call parallel, meaning lower legs and torso at the same angle? So I've been aiming for that posture, never thinking that going lower is better or recommended. Am I wrong? It seems unthinkable to be able to squat practically on the floor with a 75 pound barbell on my shoulders, and actually stand up again without falling over, but is that what I should be working toward?

2. What do people mean when they talk about being "in the hole"? I can't figure this one out at all.

[LisaS]

ATG - ankles to glutes is a polite way, a$$ to grass is another, it basically means a deep squat like you see in olympic lifting.
Parallel means that if you draw a line from the crease of your hip to the top of your knee, that line would be parallel to the ground. So it isn't thigh parallel to ground really (unless you can see the femur with your xray vision), nor does it mean anything with respect to how your lower legs relate to your torso, unless by accident.
In the hole - if you have a heavy barbell and you squat deep and you have to start back up to standing - what it means to be "in the hole" will be self-evident

Below you see a book cover with a proper parallel squat in the middle, a toddler squatting atg naturally and an oly lifter in the bottom of an overhead squat - essentially atg

[Joe Cannon, MS, CSCS]

I would not make a general recommendation on squatting below thighs being parallel with the floor. some people cant do it and it may increase the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee long term esp if combined with heavy resistances
Joe

[LancelotsLover]

Ok; thanks Joe, this is good information for me, since I am troubled with some knee pain, stemming from taking up running several months ago. I had to stop running and get PT for a while. Now the pain is gone, except for slight twinges after heavy lift sessions, but I had to admit I will never be able to run, my knees are just not built for it. I also have the beginnings of arthritis in my wrists, mainly, so I will stick with parallel on squats.