Why do some say that you shouldn't put anything under your heels for squats?

[GTC]

I find it difficult to do squats without anything under my heels. To get my thighs parallel or lower to the ground and still keep my heels flat on the floor is almost impossible. I have to lean forward really far so my chest is against my thighs and knees like I'm curled up in a ball. This position hurts my back and makes the exercise horribly uncomfortable to perform. Plus it doesn't really hit my lower thighs, it seems to hit my glutes and hips.

So I put something under my heels which is about an inch or so thick. This makes a world of difference. It's very comfortable and I feel the exercise more in my lower thighs.

But I've heard that putting something under your heels for squats is wrong, why?

 

[pullinbig]

if you cant squat flat footed you have some form issues. post a clip of a work set.

 

[Stinn]

alot of people find it easier to get to depth with a shoe with a heel on it, like an adidas weightlifting shoe. You are finding the same thing without having the shoe. It's easier to sit back into the squat.

 

[AngryMuscles]

form issue.

 

[ElGeoffio]

You put more pressure on your knees and less on your quads when you use
something under the heel.

 

[Littlewilly]

if you cant squat flat footed you have some form issues. post a clip of a work set.

Exactly. WOrk on flexability. Check out www.elitefts.com for some stretches.

 

[joshbeam1]

just use wrestling shoes when u squat

 

[inked1]

it might be that you are limited in dorsiflexion , which could be due to tight calves. make sure you are stretching the fuck out of them

 

[Rokomuscle1]

I was the same way.. and I believe it was due to lack of flexibility in my ankles.. so here is what I did.. I would squat with 25lb weights under my heels..then after a few workouts.. I started squatting with 10lbs weights..then after a few down to 5lbs thenb 2lbs.. then finally with no weights... try it..it worked great for me..

 

[GTC]

Yeah, it is due to my low flexibility. I had fucked up hips as a baby, I think it was called clicky hips or something lol. I can't even sit cross-legged. My ankles are not flexible at all, that's why I find it difficult to squat to parallel. I'm getting better at it though, I was stretching the other day. I squatted down and slowly pushed my knees forward whilst keeping my heels on the floor and held it there. I will get there in the end, there's no way I'm leaving squats out of my routine, that would be stupid.

 

[blackbeard]

learning how to squat properly is key doesnt matter if youre a powerlifter, bodybuilder,or juat an avg gym rat

 

[DADAWG]

Yeah, it is due to my low flexibility. I had fucked up hips as a baby, I think it was called clicky hips or something lol. I can't even sit cross-legged. My ankles are not flexible at all, that's why I find it difficult to squat to parallel. I'm getting better at it though, I was stretching the other day. I squatted down and slowly pushed my knees forward whilst keeping my heels on the floor and held it there. I will get there in the end, there's no way I'm leaving squats out of my routine, that would be stupid.

if all else fails squat in wedge lifting shoes or at least heavy boots , that would be better than putting something under the heel .