Squatting knees over toes (reduce, training, squat, thighs)

[Suburban_Guy]

One of the never ending debates over the squatting movement is the position of the knees over toes.

Many believe one should never track their knees over their toes, so that when you squat, the tibia is practically straight as you sit back down.

City Data's favorite exercise expert disagrees.

He believes in fact knees going over the toes is a perfectly natural movement, and reduces the compression forces on the knee. By allowing the knees to track over the toes, it allows the forces to be transmitted through to the feet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR39TGeH0Ck

[boxus]

Never ending debate? Who is debating it?

It is fine for the knees to go over the toes, provided the reason is not coming off the heels, hip out of place, etc, basically, if you are doing the movement correctly, the knees being over the toes is not an issue.

[turf3]

All the forces are transmitted through the feet, if you're standing on the floor while doing a squat.

[tickyul]

I have short achilles-tendons and can only squat with knees-over-toes........never really had a problem due to it.

Yes, I can see KOT being somewhat more stressful directly on the knees, if you can avoid that motion, it would probably be best.

[Returning2USA]

Thanks, suburban guy.

[turf3]

I guess I don't understand the question.


If your thighs, lower legs, and feet are of fixed length, don't you have to squat with a posture that keeps the total center of mass of you plus the weights over your feet? It doesn't seem to me that you have much choice in the matter unless you have adjustable-length leg joints.

[MarshaBrady1968]

Depends on what you are training for (sport/position), and what your injuries are if not training for anything but fitness.
These opinions come and go in all human science, not just sports medicine.