this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2025
162 points (90.5% liked)
science
21323 readers
574 users here now
A community to post scientific articles, news, and civil discussion.
rule #1: be kind
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I simply don’t have the hamstring length to squat with my feet flat. No, I don’t just need to stretch, or try more often. I wish I could add squatting to my repertoire - it would be so useful when doing physical work for example, like bike maintenance. Instead, I carry around a stool.
Are the hamstrings stretched in a squat position? Are you sure it's not hip or ankle mobility?
It may be ankle mobility. The hams definitely feel a stretch on the way down but at the full extremity of the squat I guess they aren’t the limitation.
Open your legs more maybe?
Have experimented with this, and pointing my feet outward more. It doesn’t seem to help. No matter what, if I get my feet flat, my center of gravity is too far back and I fall over.
and/or turn the hips/ feet outward. both help.
Have you tried lunges? They are also pretty danged useful.
Are you able to reach the same position when lying on your back?
So: I can squat flat-footed IF my back is up against a wall. I guess the main problem is that my center of gravity is just too far back for me to do it freestanding. I tip over backyard.
When I lay on my back and try bringing my knees in, I can’t really tell if I’m achieving the right position to have my center of gravity where it needs to be.
Ah, you probably just need to shift your weight on your feet and balance. Like a slav squat (track suit and cheap liquor optional).
https://www.instagram.com/p/DMyQA5NymdK/
Yeah, just can’t do it. Even with my arms extended all the way straight forward, I’m still tipping over backward. My ankles just won’t close to a tight enough angle.
How about doing a squat with your heels up? And/or while grabbing something stable in front of you to keep from falling over backwards?
I can squat on the balls of my feet with my heels up but that is a very different posture requiring a lot of active balancing, so it doesn’t afford the benefits of a flat foot squat. It is also less stable and fairly punishing on the balls of the feet. At that point I’d rather just kneel.
Active balancing is good for the brain. One could still use a hand on a post, counter, chair or some such to facilitate balance training. There are foam pads, which when you stand on them don't allow a firm balance point, it's a part of rehab for all sorts of things. And after using them, one's balance improves. Here's a review of them: https://activesilvers.com/best-foam-balance-pads-for-stability-training/
There's lots of other ways to train, of course. And the choice, as always, is up to you.
I appreciate the thought but while it may be a healthful exercise it’s not a useful working position - just like planking. When I need to get low to the ground it’s usually for some working purpose so I need both hands. Safety is a consideration, too. Active balancing may be good for the brain but falling over is not.