[SinCollector]

I love 'em. If you don't have a platform you can also increase your ROM by just using weights<25 lbs. Or you can use the platform AND the smaller weights. I was doing this for a while last year. Basically, it was like picking the bar up from flat on the floor.

And definitely start a log.

[Matt Thornton]

Originally Posted by bad_coupon

Interesting. Never knew anyone on the mats who couldn't, let alone a fighter. How's that treating you?

I completely have the hip and knee mobility. When I'm doing a front squat, or I have the weight in front of me (like a snatch grip DL), I have no problem getting down that far.

I think I must just lack the ankle mobility. If I'm just going for a bodyweight ATG squat, with a narrower stance (knees in armpits), I seem to always fall ass backwards. If I manage to stay up, I have to curve my spine a lot, and usually widen out my stance.

Anyways, I think that must mean I lack the ankle mobility. I'm practicing some ankle mobility drills while using a full ROM in my lifts to straighten that out. In the mean time, at least it's not a hip or knee mobility problem; then I'd probably be getting injured a lot.

[Matt Thornton]

Originally Posted by Old Man

I thought you were Matt Thornton the president of Straight Blast Gym, but I guess not.

Yeahh I get that a lot.

What makes it more confusing is, I don't train under SBGi, but I LOVE their material.

Me: "I learned this on this DVD I've been watching."
Partner: "Oh, by who?"
Me: "Matt Thornton..." <--- insert awkward explanation that I'm not talking about myself

[John Lambert]

^^^ Lol. Never had quite that problem, but I found out there's a lot of John Lambert's on facebook...

And I know what ya mean about literally goin' ATG on the asian squat. if i'm doin' BW squats, I tend to lean forward a bit more than I should and come outa the hole pretty quick to avoid that. What're you doin' to help your ankle mobility?

[andrewbc]

im looking to build some functional mass too, is this a good lift for a beginner? or should i just stick to my regular DL's?

[kaboom187]

Do you still get these same benefits if you don't do it off a platform?

[Matt Thornton]

Originally Posted by John Lambert

What're you doin' to help your ankle mobility?

Few different things:

-Standing in front of a wall like you're going to do a calf stretch, then keep your heel planted in the ground while moving your knee forward (again, like a calf stretch). It's a mobility drill, though, so you don't hold it statically. You just keep pushing over and over again, trying to push your ankle's ROM further.

-Bodyweight ATG squats, grab the toes and tuck the knees in the armpits. Mobility drill, so it's just done for repetition.

-Calf stretches (can't hurt)

[Lorenz]

Originally Posted by John Lambert

And I know what ya mean about literally goin' ATG on the asian squat. if i'm doin' BW squats, I tend to lean forward a bit more than I should and come outa the hole pretty quick to avoid that. What're you doin' to help your ankle mobility?

Hmm, this has been my problem aswell, but I figured it was just because I was new to squatting, and had knee injuries in the past. Interesting to see its not just me!

[Monger]

Matt,

A lot of times, tight hamstrings can also be the reason for hip tuck at the bottom of a squat. The hamstrings will lengthen has the hips get pushed back and the back stays in extension. Once the hamstrings reach their end point, the hips tuck and the lumbar area goes into flexion (rounds). Ankle mobility could also be a culprit, but more than not I think it's usually the hams. With all that said, most people can't do true ATG squats without some lumbar rounding.

[PaiMei]

Originally Posted by kaboom187

Do you still get these same benefits if you don't do it off a platform?

of course not, you wouldn't have the same range of motion obviously.

they are a great exercise. actually, i probably would say it's the single best exercise there is. i have been doing these for a while.