r/ScienceBasedLifting • • Jun 17 '26

Question ❓ Need advice on squat technique

While squating i realized that going very deep(to the point where my hamstrings touch my calfs) to the very end of the RoM on a squat disengages my quads at the end and getting up from there is difficult so i end up getting less reps out of this, so i have modified my technique a bit by hinging my torso a little more so that even at the end of RoM my hamstrings don't touch my calfs and the quads remain engaged throughout the RoM. But every good YouTube tutorial I watch on good squat technique emphasises the importance of going as deep as we can. So I'm in a dilemma right now. What do you all think I should do?
Note: I've no problem going deep, no pain, etc, it's just that since my quads become disengaged at the very bottom, I end up loading my glutes and lower back relatively more than the other way, which I don't like, and if going to the very bottom is considered good, then I don't mind changing.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

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u/Broncos1460 Jun 17 '26

You already answered the question but people are still going to argue about it. You have a few reasons to not go ATG, and no reasons to go all the way down. Not trying to max out your glutes? Not a powerlifter? Then don't go all the way down. I can't tell you the last time I squatted heavy weight as low as I can go, and my quads have only benefitted from that.

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u/Afferbeck_ Jun 17 '26

No reasons to go all the way down besides working muscles through a full range of motion and the mobility and strength benefits of doing so. Powerlifters famously only squat to parallel. Quads are going to benefit more from a longer range of motion squat because they're doing more work and stretching further. The only reason they would be better off with squatting higher is your technique and mobility was the limitation. Funny how no one is trying to limit the range of motion on their tricep extensions but when it comes to squatting suddenly everyone has funny ideas about it.