07/22/2024
One of life’s most functional movements: the squat.
In CrossFit and other competitive, standardized sports, there is an expectation of squatting “below parallel”. This means ensuring that your hips get below your knees in every squat rep. If you do not accomplish this, it is considered a ‘no rep’, meaning it does not get counted towards the total number of reps you are intending to accumulate.
Understandably, this criteria is designed for fairness and establishing a minimum work requirement. Whether you’re young, old, short, tall, beginner, or novice, you are competing against others who are required to meet the same standard you are, so the competition is real and a genuine comparison of fitness.
The main reason WE, here at C5, want to address the squat, is that we believe this standard should only be applied to those intending on competing, as well as who are physically and safely able to accomplish it.
Do we care if 58 year old Gina, with two knee replacements, can squat below parallel? Absolutely not.
Do we care that she can safely sit down and get off a box, whether above, at, or below parallel based on capability, because that replicates the patterns of normal life? Yes, yes we do.
If someone cannot safely perform a squat, then our goal is to progress them into one. Whether that means working on mobility, strength, or both.
Is it amazing if someone can get full range of motion in a squat, while staying active and in proper position? You bet your ass 🤩 (pun intended)
And that’s what we strive to get all of our clients to successfully accomplish. The reality is, though, that some individuals never will. And that’s OKAY. Their squats to (or above) 90 degrees are still just as valuable to their health and wellness, and are potentially safer if their body requires it.
This is all to say that no matter the membership path you choose to take here, we will take care of YOU 🫶🏼🍑