Squats aren't functional!

[rwleonard]

What does the party think of this?

Death of Squatting

One of my initial thoughts is: I thought it was pretty well known that a single limb max of x does NOT translate into a double limb max of 2x, so why does an "elite" strength coach think it should?

Rick

[0311bravo]

This has been discussed extensively on the instructor forum. My feeling is that you get a lot of attention when you try to be shocking.

[praetorian]

Sigh...

and I just said something nice about Boyle's material today.

[Chris Fleming]

Listened to that whole thing closely and didn't hear any real reason why someone ought to not do squats or that squats aren't functional. All it really was, was an opinion with nothing really to back it up. Which is fine, people can train or coach whatever way they want to. The one leg vs two leg thing are apples to oranges.

[pesce]

I second Com. Fleming, all bun, no meat. I would call this "baffle them with b.s." logic and would get killed in the classroom if I tried it.

I'd be interested to hear feedback on the "if you can squat 150 with one leg you should be able to do 300 with two" part...where does that come from?

[rwleonard]

Originally Posted by Chris Fleming

The one leg vs two leg thing are apples to oranges.

Why doesn't Boyle know that? (I think the Infantry CPT got it right).

Rick

[mbunting]

It is a well-known fact that by themselves, the legs, even individially, can be extremly powerful. And the science says that neurologically, your output from 2 limbs cannot resemble a sum total of what each limb can do individually, as the nervous system has only so much control to go around. And it is a VERY well known fact that a week link in the chain will not allow for good results overall, regardless of the capabilities of each individual part.

Boyle even pointed it out himself. But is not addressing the fact that the load difference on the core of the body between a back-squat with both legs, and a squat on one, is vastly different, that there is a huge difference between 115 and 230, and that if their lower backs cannot keep up with their legs, that they should strengthen their lower back and trunk.

To me, it is a copout, and shameful for someone who trains athletes, and should be focusing on improving them as a whole, instead of as a collection of individual parts. He should be having his athletes work on both, as one-legged and two legged squats each have their place.

[Heimdal]

Never did like squats...damned hard work! Squats, another thing to add to the list of things that are bad for you, should rank right below breathing, and chicken soup.

[MikeTheBear]

Originally Posted by mbunting

Boyle even pointed it out himself. But is not addressing the fact that the load difference on the core of the body between a back-squat with both legs, and a squat on one, is vastly different, that there is a huge difference between 115 and 230, and that if their lower backs cannot keep up with their legs, that they should strengthen their lower back and trunk.

To me, it is a copout, and shameful for someone who trains athletes, and should be focusing on improving them as a whole, instead of as a collection of individual parts. He should be having his athletes work on both, as one-legged and two legged squats each have their place.

I've often given Mike Boyle some slack because I can imagine his situation. Picture a weight room with a bunch of kids (yes, college students are still kids) and an understaffed strength and conditioning department where the ratio of coaches to kids is like 1 to 20. Now picture all of the kids trying to squat, deadlift, and power clean. Even if you gave these kids extensive instruction on the lifts, in reality, they're going to want to load up the bar and see how much weight they can move. Technique will go to the crapper, and someone will get hurt.

The number one priority of a strength is not to hurt the athlete. Gaining strength is the second priority. So, yeah, I get Mike's paranoia about safety. However, as mbunting said, at some point, you need to work on some of these weaknesses. At some point, you need to build a strong back, because strong legs and a weak back will also lead to injuries out on the field.

[Adam T Glass, RKC]

Originally Posted by 0311bravo

This has been discussed extensively on the instructor forum. My feeling is that you get a lot of attention when you try to be shocking.

X2 here. These videos are all released the same month as some new products. So marketing 101- ,get attention, generate interest, release poduct

before anyone writes off MB, note he said this is why he is not using squats now. Not forever. he didnt say YOU shouldnt squat. Overall the more i look in to his material, i find a positive opinion of his work. Safety is clearly his #1 priority and there is nothing wrong with that.