Squats Part 1: Fold-Ability and Proportions

*Squat proportions model was built by Tom Purvis in 1998, which allows for manipulation of dorsiflexion range, tibia length, floor to knee length, femur length, torso length, as well as load placement at different heights & anterior and posterior placement, also metatarsal flexion/extension capabilities in order to assess influence of heel-blocking*

**a PTDC admin may respond to comments, but the Instructor in video will not, so please keep that in mind before you comment!!!**

[CanditoTrainingHQ]

Great video, awesome to see a model constructed to demonstrate proportion differences so clearly.  

[broweber]

This video has been so incredibly helpful in helping me to understand why I can't squat the "proper way." I have long femurs and a short torso, and if I don't take a wider stance or elevate my heels, my chest falls forward or I fall backwards. Coaches and trainers have generally tried to correct my form in ways that are physically impossible for me. Since finding this video, I've shared it many times. I wish all trainers had this information. Thank you so much for sharing!

[jasonwitt]

Years later, and it’s still one of the best videos on squatting and foldability

[agentfalafel]

Finally someone explained it. I have got long legs and short torso- absolutely hate squats, always fall back.

[abcd]

The use of this model is simple but brilliant, kind of an eye opener to see a reasonable scenario wherin it would be impossible to safely squat to competition standards.

[Narcaes]

Wow, not a single wasted second in this video. Very clear demonstration.

[ColinDeWaay]

This is absolutely phenomenal. Thank you!

[FrankTaeger]

I will publish a book on weight training and biomechanics this month. Let me say that this is one of the best introductions I have seen on video so far.

I have tried to combat the argument that "you always need to be upright" and "knees should never be forward" for years now, but your simple device demonstrates everything in such a short amount of time, I am more than impressed.

[personaltrainingdotcom]

A quick video done by Tom Purvis of the Resistance Training Specialist Program (RTS).
Tom discusses Squats and the mechanical realities of proportions/mechanics and fold-ability.

[mattdufresne]

Exemplary synopsis of squat mechanics. Well Done!

[jacobjegira]

this right here, is golden information about all the misconceptions and debates about what a "proper" squat should be

[vancemcnulty]

All the squat videos and tutorials i've ever seen can be summed up right here. That's the thing about bar back squat, some people have the proportions to build great legs without compromising their lower backs and some are just going to use all lower back and glutes. It's all about the biomechanics and you can't over come it. Well done man.

[maccollo]

This is a very cool model. One thing to add is that raising your heels with weightlifting shoes doesn't just give you move dorsiflexsion, it also effectively increases the length of the tibia, and this model shows how much that helps.

[nicholascrichton]

This has been the most I have learned in 5 minutes and 34 seconds of my entire life. I'm 35 years old.

[duality]

This man has set the bar for PTs super high. Excellent stuff!

[greenbra]

This blew my mind when I first saw this in 2005 at RTS123 in Toronto!

[GravisTKD]

Absolutely awesome explanation of proportions and how they influence squatting. Great stuff, Tom! (As usual)

[rvdown]

You are really doing the Lord's work with this video. Thank you so much. I have been lifting weights for 20+ years and I always get people telling me about how bad my squat form looks. I always try to explain how my proportions and where my center of gravity as I describe it needs to be to not fall over make it difficult to isolate the quads from the back but for now I will just direct them to this video.

[MrForsythej]

This is, by far, the best description of this I have found. Thank you!

[SmittyKat]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm a new lifter and I felt like shit because I have to lean forward on my squats to keep from feeling like I'm falling over backward! I thought I just sucked at squats and got pretty discouraged. This made me feel a lot better about my natural abilities. thank you.