Thread: Squats: Knees in-front of TOES!!!!

Everyone who says that knees in-front of toes is bad.. I can agree it does make sense (Due to the fact that your knee goes right out and it looks like it will pop out).
BUT, I squat 140kg with my knees infront of my toes and I never had a problem (lol).

I am just wondering, whats the truth behind it?
I can't do squats without my knees passing my toes, I just cant.. I loose balance.. and If i use a calve raising machine or smith and make sure my knees dont pass my toes.. i get huge back pain.

What the fuck do i do? Giving squats up isn't an option... Just no!

For me, at light weights it didnt really matter. The heavier the weights got, the more I noticed a stress in my hip area. There comes a point where I cant have my knees in front of my toes or it feels like my back will give out.

Originally Posted by president

For me, at light weights it didnt really matter. The heavier the weights got, the more I noticed a stress in my hip area. There comes a point where I cant have my knees in front of my toes or it feels like my back will give out.

mmmm ok, ill keep note man.. cheers.

Look on youtube for westsidebarbell box squatting, louie Simmons. I have the tapes somewhere. They want you to sq on a box and at the bottom your shin be straight up and down or knee slightly behindtoes. This is the safest way to sq and not trash your knees. The way to acomplish this is concentrate on forcing your ass straight back and not down. If you break at the knee you will go down and not back.Break at the hip pushing back like someone is behind you with a rope on your belt pulling it back. This might take turning toes slightly out and wider stance. Hope this helps.

I always put a 2x4 resting on my heel. It takes stress off my hips.

Originally Posted by cb1

Look on youtube for westsidebarbell box squatting, louie Simmons. I have the tapes somewhere. They want you to sq on a box and at the bottom your shin be straight up and down or knee slightly behindtoes. This is the safest way to sq and not trash your knees. The way to acomplish this is concentrate on forcing your ass straight back and not down. If you break at the knee you will go down and not back.Break at the hip pushing back like someone is behind you with a rope on your belt pulling it back. This might take turning toes slightly out and wider stance. Hope this helps.

this. Also remember to sit back. You may not be able to go all the way down at first, but as flexibility improves, you will. Maybe practice with box squats first..... that and/or a wider stance. Squats are awesome!

I never was able to "get" squatting- toes in or out, head up, where to place the bar, etc. Everyone had an opinion and all I had was knee pain. Then I read Mark Ripetoe's book Starting Strength and it changed everything. Check it out. There are probably YouTube vids of him. He describes the form precisely and almost fanatically. Anyway, after learning from him, no more pain or issues.