Parallel?

[Psixcr]

I understand the criteria, but I have a hard time judging my own squats (where is that crease really?).

This is a picture that represents one of my most shallow reps. Parallel?


For further reference this is a video of a particularly heavy and wobbly day (2nd and 3rd set shown). Knees forward in the bottom, but better than before. Other critique while you're at it?
[youtube]KdUe6o-il_o[/youtube]

Thanks

[Mark Rippetoe]

The still picture is right at parallel, so I'd like to see another 1/2". The video is deeper, and looks basically okay for a heavy squat.

[JB1981]

Are some body types required to go deeper than others? I ask because I feel like I have to get VERY VERY low in order to get below parallel, whereas other people do not have to get so low ......

[Kerpal]

I don't really understand what the word "parallel" means in this context. Are we talking top of thigh parallel to floor? If so, the still picture is close to parallel, but not quite there. I like the "top of thigh at hip joint lower than top of knee" rule. Much easier to judge that way.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I don't know what JB is talking about, and the depth criteria are in the book. It has noting to do with either the top or bottom of the thigh.

[rapt]

I have a question on his squat. Towards the end he seemed to be shifting alot and the last one looked like a back ext. Is this right? I'm asking because I've been doing the same thing and my last rep today I really felt in my back, not pain at all just that the muscle was really getting worked and I imagine it looked like his last one. At this point I was just going to reset 15% and see if I could steady my form.
Thx

[The Sun]

Rip, what about the angle changing when he gets out of the bottom? it looks like he loses the arch at the bottom and getting out with a sort of a GM.

[Psixcr]

Thanks, I appreciate it. For what you've given me, I want to give you something back.

When I squat 500lbs and or deadlift 600lbs, I'm going to get a T-shirt saying "I'm squatting 500 thanks to Mark Rippetoe. Shut up, squat and drink your damn milk!". Just saying, I have had awesome results with SS and then routines based on Practical Programming. Going for 3xBW in the deadlift before the end of the year. So for the skeptics I see in here every now and then... keep a tough attitude, read the books and do what Mark tells you.

[El Viejo]

Are some body types required to go deeper than others? I ask because I feel like I have to get VERY VERY low in order to get below parallel, whereas other people do not have to get so low ......

I think it's a problem with perception. I would venture to guess that most people perceive that they are squatting much deeper than they actually are. The first time you do a legit below parallel squat you will feel like you are going extremely deep, because you are not accustomed to it. If you even squatted before, you were probably doing those 1/2 or 1/4 things. After a few workouts breaking parallel should start to feel 'normal'.

[JB1981]

I don't know what JB is talking about, and the depth criteria are in the book. It has noting to do with either the top or bottom of the thigh.

Neither do I.