I received an advertisement email with a video of Coach Mike Boyle talking about why he feels the traditional barbell back squat is no longer a cornerstone of an athlete's strength and conditioning program.
Coach Boyle explains it...
http://www.functionalstrengthcoach3.com/squats.html
Two things I've always appreciated about Coach Boyle are his honesty and his inquisitiveness. He is always questioning why he has his athletes do what they do, and he will change methods if they don't produce the desired result.
Folks like powerlifters, Olympic lifters, people that want "tree-trunk thighs", and all athletes would do well to include single leg work in their training but not abandon the conventional lifts.
The benefit of squatting is in doing the squat. Everyone should practice it. It is a basic, foundational, human movement. Non-athletes and non-weight lifters should practice without a load. Weight trainers should include single-leg work in their training.
Personally, I train pistols 90% of the time, and front squats 10% of the time. My competitive athlete days and heavy weight training days are past. I do bodyweight squats for as many reps as my age daily.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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2 comments:
imagine what jack parker would do if one of his hockey players blew out his back while doing heavy squats
A friend asked me about this post. He said "What's your point?"
A. Some folks will immediately discount what Boyle has to say because it contradicts what they think they "know".
To excel one must ask questions, doubt, and seek greater understanding. Boyle does this with athletic training. Pretty smart if you ask me.
B. To those folks that think they "know"...you can have a difference of opinion with someone and still learn from them.
C. I don't train athletes so I'm not going to abandon the methods I use, but I am going to listen to what Boyle has to say, think about it, try it myself, and if I can use it I will.
D. For the record, the squat is not a "lower body" exercise any more than the bench press is an "arm" exercise.
I think Boyle was making a distinction between two exercises that engage the leg/hip/back musculature in different ways.
E. All this being said, like everyone else, I'm mouthing off on a video clip that's only a few minutes long. Seems unfair, no?
F. To all those ready to crucify Coach Boyle...watch the news people...Afghanistan, shootings on Army bases, disabled soldiers coming home, the health care bill...a little perspective please.
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