Matt I think everyone has there style of squatting and that is just our style, I wouldn't say that anyone is right or wrong on how they squat just doing it a different way. Just like olympic weightlifting people have different technique, that doesn't make them wrong it just makes them a different style lifter then someone else.

Good point here Joe, I think with different body types and recovery abilities of different people the squat technique is different for everyone, however I do agree there is a certain base of style one should always follow though, how you change it from there is on the individual.

matt wrote:

Any one care to explain why this format is being used at California Strength? I'm a little confused because after reading Rippetoe's book, I assumed this was the most efficient way to squat.

Hi there Matt. I am not sure exactly how Rippetoe teaches the squat but your observations on how we squat at CalStrength seem to be right on. Here is a video that we recently released that goes over briefly how we teach the squat by the owner of CalStrength, David Spitz.

As far as the thumbs not being on TOP of the bar - that is simply to keep a more upright back position. For olympic weightlifting the entire focus of the squat is to stay as UPRIGHT as possible. So, if you go thumbs over that naturally will put a forward tilt on your shoulders, rounding the back. That is a HUGE no-no for weightlifters.

As far as the looking down - that has to do with the upright torso position as well. IF you look down, again, if your neck goes forward your shoulders naturally follow, so your back does as well!!

thoes are the 2 main reasons most weightlifters all squat the exact same. We squat the way taht has the most carry over to the snatch and the clean and jerk. Since those are the only 2 competition lifts we must plan all assistance exercises accordingly so they help us in those two lifts.

Matt, do you have any other questions? Did we answer all of your questions?

We squat to become stronger at the snatch and clean&jerk, and the way we do it carries over the most to those two exercises.