Deep Squat Myth that it Increases Injury Risks and May Affect Mobility, Debunked!

Deep Squat Myth that it Increases Injury Risks and May Affect Mobility, Debunked!
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Insider went on to debunk one of the oldest fitness myths currently out there. According to traditional fitness guideline, when doing squats, it is not recommended to allow your knees to pass over your toes.

However, it seems that this rule is not only a myth, but also a practice that can increase risks of injury and actually affect mobility. The publication spoke to Ben Patrick, a personal trainer, who stated that “Avoiding knees over toes is how you have knee problems”. He also speaks from the position of someone who went through multiple knee surgeries and has experienced firsthand the benefits of mobility training, including squats.

Apparently, this myth was born in 1978, because of a study which reached the conclusion that deep squats put too much pressure on the knees. However, meanwhile, there have been countless other studies proving that deep squats are actually safe and may be beneficial for the joints.

It seems that deep squats contribute to developing mobility, due to the ample movement they require.     

The explanation behind this recommendation is actually quite logical. If you think about it, in your day-to-day life you encounter numerous situations in which you have to deep squats. Therefore, it makes sense to practice the movement during training, to improve mobility and strengthen your joints and muscles.

However, it’s not advisable to begin your workouts straight with deep squats. First, you should try and reach a good mobility level in your ankles, knees and hips. Therefore, starting with dedicated exercises to achieve this goal is a good idea.

In the beginning, it is also helpful to lift your heels, so you can make your squat deeper, but without overexerting your ankles. You can also begin practicing the move without weights, progressively adding them as you begin to build resistance. 


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