Bodybuilding Workout Routine - The Box Squat

Bodybuilding Workout Routine - The Box Squat

There are so many variations of the mighty squat - the only true leg building mechanism around in old school opinion. Unlike many of the variations of exercises for other body parts, variations for squats never take the beneficial range of motion out of the exercise. With any type of squat, you'll always, well, squat.

So box squats were invented by a guy called Louie Simmons - the only guy over the age of 50 to squat 920 pounds.

He's also the head of an elite, hardcore lifting crew called Westside Barbell in Culver City.

Lots of lifters at this hardcore emporium have squatted more than 900 pounds, in fact, and that's due to pure and simple technique and the support of a crew who want its members to achieve more and more in powerlifting.

A couple of these guys have joined the 1000 pound club.

Box squats are a simple technique invention, that includes a sturdy wooden box or platform that can be placed beneath the hips. The hips must be lower than the knees, slightly, when the person comes to rest (in the lowest squat position of the exercise).

There's no bouncing, no touch and go, just a solid SIT, and a coming back up again. Control is the earmark of this technique that builds not only muscle, but stabilizes squats and strengthens surrounding joints, ligaments and tendons to enable the lifter to move up in weight.

With sins perpendicular to the floor, and a sitting back on the box with the hips moving back first on the way down, it allows a safer, faster means of progress.

Benefits of the Box Squat are many:

You can't cheat depth, according to the fellas down there, and you learn to sit back by moving your hips first - thereby increasing hip mobility.

Another benefit is that you develop overall hip power, which of course is important for squat thrust and lower body strength. Box squats require starting from a dead stop in the bottom position, and this develops explosive posterior chain strength.

It's also a safe way to go, because it stops the lifter from buckling and rounding the lower back. It's harder, say the folks who do it, to round the back when you're moving down and back, leading with the hips.

Fans of the box squat recommend beginning with a box that is slightly higher than the knees, and you can use varying depth boxes while you learn. The main thing is, a true box squat requires your hips go slightly lower than the knees in the sit position before coming back up with the weight.

Some use an aerobic box or platform, and the Westside Barbell crew say that Elite FTS sells one online. You can also use rubber bumper plates the gym - though that may be selfish if the supply in your gym isn't great.

EXECUTION OF BOX SQUAT:

Box Squat Starting Position -

The starting position on Box Squats is similar as for Squats. But you'll use a slightly wider stance.

Make sure the bar is stationed low on your back to begin. A high bar doesn't work for Box Squats. Put the bar low, on top of your scapular spine.

Use a narrow Grip -

Narrow makes it easier to keep your upper-back tight, which adds strength.

Foot Stance -

Shouldn't be a sumo stance, but should be wider than your shoulder-width. Feet should be turned out about 30 degrees.

Tight upper-back -

Imagine squeezing a pen between your shoulder blades. Keep this position during the whole lift.

Keep chest up -

Stick chest outward and keep it up. This together with the tight upper-back will prevent your back from bending.

Look Forward -

Fix a point in front of you during the whole lift. Don't look up or down, just look forward or through the mirror.

Push Your Abs Out -

This increases lower back stability. Push abs out as if someone was going to punch you in your stomach.

HOW TO SQUAT DOWN ON BOX:

Lower yourself by moving your hips first. Your knees should hardly move during Box Squats, it all comes from your hips.

Sit Back, and lead by pushing your hips back as far as you can. Think sitting on a toilet. Your knees don't move, your hips move back - which is why keeping your chest and abs out stabilize.

Shins are perpendicular to the floor - even past perpendicular to the floor. You'll get this by moving your hips first. Push them back as far as you can.

Keep the knees out - your upper-thighs must stay in line with your feet to avoid knee injuries. Imagine pushing your knees out in the same direction as where your toes point.

Sit down on the box, but do not let yourself fall down on it.

Lower yourself under good control - not slowly, but also not a quick touch and go. It should be fluid and controlled.

Remember to stay tight - don't relax your muscles, it can cause back injuries. Keep all your muscles tight on the box.

HOW TO SQUAT OFF THE BOX:

Stay tight, keep your chest up and look forward. Squat up by thinking "hips up," do not lean forward.

Plant heels firmly on the floor, and curl your toes. Heels keep you from losing balance. Push from the outer side of your feet, and explode. You can't do Box Squats slowly. Think: Explode upward from hips. That's how Box Squats build hip power.

COMMON BOX SQUAT MISTAKES OF EXECUTION:

As with any weight lifting exercise, the lower back can become compromised if you don't execute correct form. The key is to sit on the box and stay tight, not to bounce or relax at any point.

Mistake 1: Bouncing off The Box - This sandwiches your spine between the bar and the box, causing back injuries. Lower yourself under control to sit on the box for a brief moment and begin coming up.

Mistake 2: Relaxing on The Box - When you do this, your spine gets the whole load as surrounding muscles can't provide support. Stay tight, push your abs out.

Mistake 3: Keeping Knees Forward - It kills posterior chain strength. Keep your shins at perpendicular to the floor - or past. Lower yourself by pushing your hips back.

Mistake 4: Rocking Forward - Won't allow you to use your glutes effectively and will risk back injury. Squat up by moving your hips up. Keep your torso still.

Mistake 5: Leaning Forward - Can make your back round. Instead, look forward, keeping a big chest, with shoulder blades back and down; arch your back, push your abs out. Squat.

Mistake 6: Keeping knees in - This puts uneven compression on knee joint. Push your knees out from start to finish. Keep your thighs in line with your feet.

By squatting deeper than you imagined in a cage, box squats allow you to isolate all the correct muscles. Through isolating all the correct muscles, it enables you to develop additional flexibility, and muscle development, and quickly improves your pulling strength for things like deadlifts and Olympic pulls. In a word, box squats are the versatility lifters need to move past those plateaus, and a great start for beginners to ingrain the most correct form.

Dane Fletcher is the world's most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit http://www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals.

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