How Deep Should I Squat? Ask Prof Stuart McGill

How can some people make squatting look easy and for others it's a position that requires constant work?

The answer lies in our anatomy and some very simple tests.

Check out this video from Aaron Lipsey with the legendary Dr Stuart McGill:

This video highlights the importance of not just doing a "ski squat" with not external rotation.

The ball and socket joint is referred to as the acetabulum and femoral head respectively.

It seems that there is a genetic variant that persons of European descent and persons of Asian descent differ in terms of the depth of the acetabulum or hip socket.

This means that not everyone can make the right shape to squat and the Physio must adjust their squat depth accordingly.

The position that people squat in is as varied as there are different types of hip and pelvic morphology.

It's fine doing a squat with a "tail tuck" at full depth when unloaded but it is quite a different matter when load is applied to a Spine in flexion.

The deep squat position now becomes a personal journey for the athlete. It is about respecting what nature has given you and how you can optimise this.

Work with what you have and don't be afraid to use a heel raise, be it plates or Olympic Weight-Lifting shoes.

Check out Aaron's channel on:

https://www.youtube.com/user/ExuroFitness