Quote:
Originally Posted by Broadsword2004
Thank you for the information. When you say about the heavy squats, do you mean heavy period or just heavy with regards to one's current bodyweight and strength level? I have maintained my calisthenics fitness, but need to improve my strength. Right now I am 5'10 1/2 and 144 lbs, so pretty light and thin. I can manage about six barbell squats with about 120 - 130 lbs of weight at the moment, would this be heavy for me? Or do you mean if I start getting up to doing like 300 lb squats, be very careful? I had to stop the squats for awhile as I got a sore lower back from them, so I need to improve the strength there first.
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If eccentric lifting (lowering) is involved, the lower back muscles need at least 4 days recovery.
If they're the weak link, you need more rest days between workouts.
Focus on proper form (if necessary, use only the bar).
Once you have the form down, if you can't do the weight for 5 reps parallel (with proper form), it's too heavy.
Proper form can be challenging to learn.
It usually takes a couple years before the motion becomes natural.
Make use of "compensatory acceleration".
Fred Hatfield has written good stuff about this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Broadsword2004
How can heavy squats damage the lower back in a way where you won't know about it until your forties?
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Everybody's back degrades.
The gifts of youth (rapid healing) hide the extra damage done from heavy squats.
If you're not a competitive powerlifter, it isn't worth it.