Smooth Squat Progression For Life, Plus Starting Protocol
My goal is to make this the simplest squat thread I’ve done, so you have confidence on this subject from here on out…
First off, I like 3 sets of 5, 5 SECONDS DOWN each rep as a starting protocol.
With this in mind, there’s nothing wrong with starting off ASSISTED…
Next from assisted would be bodyweight with reach.
Even mastering your bodyweight for 5 reps 5 seconds down would be a worthy baseline for life…
Next from bodyweight would be loaded with FULL REACH.
In fact, counterbalance in itself is a helpful trick that often gets people winning with less pain!
Next from full reach is partial reach, but heavier!
Both the distance to the body AND the load increase demand!
Next from partial reach is no reach, even heavier!
In my coaching experience, this is fantastic for general health.
I then use barbell based on desire / higher athletic demands.
More demand? More ability is called for…
Next from no reach is on the body, even heavier.
I set goals here based on the athlete.
For example, for most purposes, how well you can handle your own weight in additional load is a fantastic goal.
To make extra clear:
Once we start loading, we have a smooth scale based on load AND DISTANCE from body.
This is how I’m able to get EVERY student of mine winning with squats.
Now for the subject of heel elevation…
Heel elevation is NOT necessary, BUT most people have lost some squat mobility due to not training it and/or sitting in chairs 8+ hours a day from a young age.
I’m homeschooling my kids and… they don’t have chairs yet lol! (Floor sitting is a mobility workout.)
Also…
Even if you don’t need heel elevation, it is a simple yet powerful tool to help activate the muscles around the knees!
It also allows my favorite knee pain reducer: the reverse step up, which I’ll cover again this week as its own smooth scale!
AND the deep split squat is another solution for deep squats!
Working both deep squat and deep split squat on average once per week has slowly but surely turned my knees from weakest link to strength over the past 10 years.
I’ll cover its smooth scale later this week, too!
Conclusion:
The deep squat is an effective exercise to protect and preserve the knees, IF:
“…technique is learned accurately under expert supervision and with progressive training loads.”
3 x 5 5 SECONDS DOWN with the above smooth progression is how I do this!
If you’d like to get on one of my full programs which have helped thousands of people to knee and lower back success stories: atgonlinecoaching.com
And my USA-made slant is at atgequipment.com, but it’s expensive so the dimensions are below as well.
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After 15 years of practice and coaching, I think strength through flexibility is one of the best investments you can make for a resilient body, and in this thread I’ll do my best to show you how to start and then progress…
2/7. Full Side Split Squat Intro
This exercise is usually called a “Cossack Squat” after an Eastern European group called the Cossacks, who used a similar position in their traditional dance.
3/7. Full Front Split Squat Intro
This exercise didn’t get a name.
It was first taught by legendary strength coach Charles Poliquin, who used it to help make many Olympic gold medals.
He inspired me and my gym called “ATG” (ass to grass), so we often say “ATG split squat.”
For young athletes I’m obsessed with the slant squat because of how simply it allows you to build extra leg and knee ability to help handle the demand of sports.
I’ll now show you progressions, context, and how to build back if you’ve lost it…
I first like you to master 20 reps PAIN-FREE.
Single-leg is then a legit progression without weight.
But two to one leg is a big leap:
Use two hands to assist
Then one
Then unassisted!
10 per side PAIN-FREE is excellent!
Loading is another legit progression!
Progression is by load AND DISTANCE from body (closer and heavier = harder)
Kettlebell is a good way for young athletes to get used to this, but any form of loading applies, for example you could reach out a plate, then DB, then barbell.
My PE class format is: 1. PLAY, rotating through a wide variety of sports and games. 2. Learn just ONE exercise per day. Set the example, and kids will want to learn!
Here’s my system…
1/10. Slant squat = simple to build knee/quads foundation!
2/10. Kids love rings!
And by using the legs up, with some tension down, you can smoothly progress to pull-ups.
3 and 4/10. Sometime between childhood and leaving school, it’s easier to get and keep full front and side split squats!
Full demo below, showing how elevating the front foot scales difficulty.