**Mark, I need your answer to simple question for these 2 big guys at my gym**

[logged101]

While I was doing my squats, on 2 different occasions this week. Two different random big guys came up to me and told me I should not put my feet at a 30 degree angle and I should keep them straight. I told them to mind their own business and I'm doing it right. Now can you please tell me the reason even thought I know your method is the proper way?

[Mark Rippetoe]

How big are these guys?

[sonnymack]

I've read an article by Louie Simmons that said to squat with your feet pointing forward while squatting, but I believe Rip said in SS:BBT that squatting huge weights and getting strong by squatting were not the same thing, and that people who did this were either: using ligament torque in their knees to create more bounce, and therefore experienced powerlifters; or doing close-stance bodybuilding-type quad squats, and therefore gay.

[BreezerD]

While I was doing my squats, on 2 different occasions this week. Two different random big guys came up to me and told me I should not put my feet at a 30 degree angle and I should keep them straight. I told them to mind their own business and I'm doing it right. Now can you please tell me the reason even thought I know your method is the proper way?

Surely you can work this out - they're suggesting that you twist your knee under a heavy load. Do you think that is something the human body is designed to do?

[Gatorade]

While I was doing my squats, on 2 different occasions this week. Two different random big guys came up to me and told me I should not put my feet at a 30 degree angle and I should keep them straight. I told them to mind their own business and I'm doing it right. Now can you please tell me the reason even thought I know your method is the proper way?

So you don't know why it is the proper way but, you say it is with such conviction.

[Gwyn Brookes]

Some replies I have compiled over the years (these are all from the mat, not the gym but the principle is the same). They range from very polite to... not so much, depending on your mood and the size of the guys in question...

I train in a different style from yours and I'm doing exactly what I intend to do.

I already have a teacher/coach, and it's not you.

Thank you for your interest in my training. Why don't you pay more attention to yours?

Is someone paying you to annoy me?

Do you come here to train or to talk?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Some replies I have compiled over the years (these are all from the mat, not the gym but the principle is the same). They range from very polite to... not so much, depending on your mood and the size of the guys in question...

I train in a different style from yours and I'm doing exactly what I intend to do.

I already have a teacher/coach, and it's not you.

Thank you for your interest in my training. Why don't you pay more attention to yours?

Is someone paying you to annoy me?

Do you come here to train or to talk?

Being a chick, Gwynn doesn't understand why I asked how big the guys are.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

Guys without gear need to use all available muscle mass at their disposal. Toes pointed out with knees shoved out allows more muscle to be used. Its also alot easier to hit depth.

[Steve Hill]

Being a chick, Gwynn doesn't understand why I asked how big the guys are.

In Georgia (which is a concealed carry state) the answer to this question does not matter to some.

[Gwyn Brookes]

Being a chick, Gwynn doesn't understand why I asked how big the guys are.

And I didn't even share the strategy I usually use (again, on the mat and not in the gym) on training partners that annoy me. These days, I just put on a really hard joint lock or throw them extra hard and they usually get the idea and shut up. Hehehe.