Ed Nunn's thoughts on being tall and leg mechanics...

[SacToSD]

Ed Nunn is 6'1'' and can be quoted in this video **broken link removed** saying that if you're over 6'0'' it is difficult and even dangerous to do butt to floor squats. Instead, he says he goes to parallel. From looking at the height thread, I know that a lot of you on here are over 6 feet tall (supposedly), so what do you think about that? I've always been pretty hard on myself for not having what I thought was the flexibility to do an ass to ankles squat (I'm 6'2'' with no shoes and no spikey hair). What do you all think about this? Squat mechanics are pretty important to me, and I'm always trying to learn more. Thanks

 

[Diesel1981]

I agree with him. I am a little over 6'1" and I don't go ATF. I go with what is comfortable for me. Most times I will put a bench or box between my legs and that gives me a rough idea of when I am going too deep. I have worked with many top levels strength and conditioning coaches and they mostly all agree that as long as your squats are deep, then there is no need to bottom out your knees. I am in the for the long run. I try to train smart as well as heavy.

 

[SacToSD]

My opinion . . . it does not matter. Tall or short, given the normal
distribution (bodily variations) that occur in the general population,
you will find people that are good at squatting and people that are
poor at squatting, and for all the reasons one would expect. Clearly
body mechanics' play a role as do a wide variety of other factors
with ankle flexibility probably being the most important. Again, all
this is to be expected given the normal distribution within a given
population.

And then there is an entirely different discussion (psychological) as
to why so called "shorter" people are attracted to weightlifting in
general, which may help explain the perception that height is a
contributing factor.

So if you are looking for excuses for poor performance, then you
can find them. And conversely, if you are looking for reasons to
explain your unusually good performance, you can find them as
well.

But it might be useful to know that some of the biggest poundage's
in the squat are put up by people that are taller than you.

always a good post, alfresco. How do you crop every line like that, anyways? Are you on an ipod or something?

 

[GorillaGenetics]

im 6'5 and i try to hit paralell thats about as low as i go

 

[The big guy]

If your torso is longer than you legs, it is easier to go ATF, because it seems easier to take a narrower stance, if your torso is shorter and legs are longer your prone to taking a wider stance which makes it harder to go ATF, which is my case and I'm 6'6" and my height is in my legs 38" inseam, My problem is getting to fit under the bar, because my shoulders are wide....

 

[Future]

Height doesnt matter. You could talk more about femur and tibia lengths too I suppose for things to matter more than just overall height. Short or tall I dont think that inherently matters.

 

[claymore]

ATF

Snoop said it best..."Drop it like it's hot"

 

[Malic777.com]

Clearly
body mechanics' play a role as do a wide variety of other factors
with ankle flexibility probably being the most important. .

this perhaps being the most important factor...alex

 

[joshbarnett]

i go butt to floor at 6'. but everyone is different like everything else in bodybuilding....

 

[EDED]

flexibility issue

not height

ive seen a short guy who cant do a squat he cant even go parallel before his heels lift up the ground,,its a sad sight,,,he had hip flexibilty issue

but in the end if you grow who gives a rat's ass about how low or how much you can squat,,,that is in bodydbuilding view of course.

 

[BigJB]

Bump

Gotta agree with EDED. Its a hip flexor prob, not a height prob. If you sit in a squat stretch a few times a week for 10 mins or so, and stretch before you squat, you should be able to go all the way down. Plus your feet have to be a good bit wider than a normal height person.

 

[Diesel City]

So 500 lbs. is more weight for a 6 ft plus person? I also love it when people use the "I can't bench much because I have long arms" excuse for being weak on a lift.