Comments on: How to Squat Properly

By: neil

neil — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:01:36 +0000

I have been using the squat position on the rim of the toilet (seat up) for about 6 weeks. Now instead of 15 to 20 minutes for my bowel movement, I’m out of there in about 1 minute or should I say it’s out of there in 1 minute or less. This is a no nonsense position that facilitates the job at hand. I have been able to eliminate completely the hemorrhoids and occasional bleeding that resulted from the prolonged sitting on the toilet seat. I dubbed the technique ” Don’t sit to Sh*t” or Feet on the Seat. I’m setting my alarm 15minutes later and feel a lot better with this more complete elimination facilitated by this obviously natural position.

By: Shari

Shari — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:34:55 +0000

I tried the squat on the toilet after reading the original post. I have to admit I felt a little ‘third world’ at first but the result has been twice as much elimination as in the seated position. It’s made a believer out of me.

The video was very informative especially the part where they showed the difference in weight distribution from the 2 squats. Now I understand why the western squat practically paralyzes me when I do it!

By: Mike H

Mike H — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:43:54 +0000

Dave, I have to agree that they definitely work the quads more than the glutes/hams in my experience too. I’ve never had any muscle imbalance or had issues with my SI joints.

I would think it very difficult if not impossible to sustain muscle imbalance from these types of body weight exercises. It’s primarily muscle endurance you are building anyway.

By: dave

dave — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:15:28 +0000

I did Hindus for awhile. I agree that they can actually help the knees…. BUT they started killing my sacroiliac joint! No bouncing, straight back, didn’t matter. I believe they work the calves and quads quite hard, but don’t do much for the hamstrings like a flat-footed deep squat does. As a result, muscle imbalances occur. But hey, if they work for you without pain, they’ll turn your legs into pogo sticks. But I couldn’t avoid the next day’s SI joint pain.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:40:13 +0000

I don’t agree with your comment that “you should avoid rounding your back.” All animals (cows, dogs, apes, humans) round their backs when pooping. Just relax and enjoy!

By: Mike H

Mike H — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:42:31 +0000

I started doing Hindu squats a couple of years ago. Only recently did I stop when I had a mild inflammation from something unrelated (instead I have done lunges more and low martial arts stances and wall squats to keep my legs active). I am now putting them back into my weekly routine.

Before I started doing them, I had major crepitus in both knees and some stiffness when getting out of the car and standing from a low position. Any time I pulled my heel up behind me while standing (flexing) or squatting down I had popping and it was VERY loud.

Hindu squats pretty much cleared the crepitus up after two weeks of doing about a hundred a day. I toned back to three times per week for a while and now alternate between 2-3 times pe r week (out of laziness). I found three times per week minimal good for me to keep the knees healthy (if that is all you are doing for your legs).

I don’t know much about Matt Furey, but I started doing Hindu Squats after Thomas Kurtz (stadion.com) recommended them in an article he wrote for a magazine years ago. He says he will do hundreds of them as a cool down after heavy weight lifting. He is a very reliable source on sports fitness and physiology. He actually will cite that leg extensions using the weight machines destabilize the knee.

A friend of mine, who is excellent with anatomy/physiology (has ten years of schooling) and is also a nationally qualified body builder, after watching me, said they were okay. The key is keeping your knee straight over your toes.

In terms of the “squat” in this article, I prefer the Asian squat. This heels down method is also modified as yoga posture.

By: Laszlo

Laszlo — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:38:39 +0000

I wouldnt listen to anything Matt Furey swears about. Or should I say Fat Murey, :p

And yes, Asian squats rule.

By: Yavor

Yavor — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:50:01 +0000

Squatting can be tricky until people learn to use their posterior chain. Here is a post I wrote with some pointers and a video:

http://relativestrengthadvantage.com/how-to-squat-correctly-for-size-and-strength/

Best,

Yavor

By: Zsuzsa

Zsuzsa — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:30:02 +0000

Hey! Check out Rohinton Mistry’s short story “The Squatter”, it’s eactly about “this type of squatting”:-) A young Indian’s identity problems in Toronto are mainly caused by his inability to “do that” sitting on a toilet. Fascinating read.

By: Sandy Sommer, RKC

Sandy Sommer, RKC — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:19:21 +0000

a couple things. Use your hip flexors to pull yourself down into the hole. Don’t drop but use that strength. To ascend, drive from the heels. 99% of folks squat unsafely. Practice it using just your bodyweight and make sure you are moving safely through the full range of motion before adding a load.