Originally Posted by
JaKri
In terms of strength squatting is done for two reasons:
1) Leg Strength
2) Powerlifting Competition
I think it is rather interesting to ask, why to back squat if it is not a competition lift. Of course, it is a great overall exercise, but back squats are a compromise. The Deadlift activates more muscle mass and is a greater overall strength feat and therefore could be a replacement of the Backsquat. You donīt have to worry about a transfer to the Deadlift in that case. Moreover, I donīt understand why an athlete has to prefer Backsquats over Deadlifts for absolute overall strength. Squatting itself with the strech refelx at the bottom is not a reallife movement (or does anyone here squats down with heavy objects on the shoulders?), so the only reason for an athlet is leg stregth. For training leg strength I claim that frontsquats are superior to Backsquats because of the reduced lower back involvement. Being 6"3 with long legs the Backsquats do not train my legs as good as Frontsquats do and do no longer have any transfer to the Deadlift. So I quit training the Backsquat.