Squat question, and travel workout

[Peter_k]

Two quick questions. One regarding the squat:

Is it a bad thing for toes to be pointed out too much to the sides? Could that be a flexibility problem if it feels most comfortable to squat like that?

And second question:

For someone on the road, what would you recommend if they didn't have access to weights? I read something about jump squats. What else would be good for a couple weeks without access to a gym?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Toe point normally will be about 30 degrees with heels at shoulder width, and increases in angle with stance width. The critical thing is that the knees operate parallel to the toes so that the patellas track straight. So even with a shoulder-width stance the toes can point out a little more as long as the knees follow the angle. On occasion, a person will be pigeon-toed or duck-footed, and will not display normal parallel foot/thigh geometry in the squat. This must be taken into account when analyzing toe position.

Training on the road without equipment is best accomplished with CrossFit. Get some ideas off the website for workouts that do not require equipment. www.crossfit.com

[coldfire]

On occasion, a person will be pigeon-toed or duck-footed, and will not display normal parallel foot/thigh geometry in the squat. This must be taken into account when analyzing toe position.

Hi Mark,

Could you please elaborate on this one? How should this be taken into consideration? Should the person adjust his stance in some way?

Thanks.